It was with profound sadness and distress that I read this article in your paper of the likely transaction of selling the Hutchinson Center to a  Christian fundamentalist sect that  rejects solid science and upholds a Bronze Age document (the bible) as a moral authority.

Having myself come from being a Christian fundamentalist for over 40 years, I know firsthand how these sects believe. Their statement of faith is clear: they believe not in solid evolutionary biological science, but in the creation myth of Genesis 1 & 2 that states that the earth was created in six, 24 hour days, by a male patriarchal figure called “God”.

They also believe that the bible is infallible and without a single error, despite clear evidence to the contrary but that they refuse to acknowledge. They also refuse to acknowledge that the bible supports and condones chattel slavery, misogyny, child sacrifice, infanticide, genocide, rape, homophobia and much more that we in this Age of Enlightenment have concluded is immoral and should not be tolerated.

They also purport that all humanity are totally depraved sinners from birth and the only solution is to accept the bible’s demand of utter submission and yielding to the jealous and petty god their bible proclaims as supreme dictator of the universe. They believe in angels, demons, witches and other superstitious nonsense that can in no wise be validated by empirical evidence. Likewise they believe in a literal heaven and hell, where “saints” and “sinners” will dwell in the afterlife, for which again, there is no empirical evidence.

This is distressing to me because I have for long appreciated the free-thinking and rational based atmosphere of the Belfast area for years, and am deeply saddened that an institution for higher learning, that has supported rational thinking, and scientific empirical evidence to support progressive thoughts and actions, with inclusitivioty to all genders, and peoples, is now due to transform into an institution devoid of rational thinking and supports barbaric concepts and principles!

With the dangerous rise of Christian Nationalism that is seeking to turn our free country into a theocracy with the marriage of state and church, we don’t need more of this type of bad and irrational influences in our area. It could in time become a literal threat to the life and safety of many.

Perhaps this decision to award Calvary Chapel Belfast the Hutchison Learning Center campus is made solely on a financial basis. But is it not important to consider the big picture here and not encourage anti-science based sects to gain prestige and power in our society? We see this phenomenon spreading all across our free land and it is frightening! People’s rights are being curtailed as Christian fundamentalistic judges plunge us back into the dark ages of intolerance to progressive thought and actions that allows people to be free to express their individual faith or lack thereof. To be able to live their lives freely and equally, regardless of gender or orientation, lifestyle, race, color etc.

I don’t know if my appeal will do any good, but just had to voice it, in hopes that reason, rationality and compassion prevail. Do not be deceived by this sects flowery speech that claims love and acceptance of all. Their doctrine demands obedience to the barbaric biblical concepts and their “inclusiveness” is based solely on conversion to this mindset with no exceptions!

Out of concern,

A former fundamentalist bible believer in Waldo County.

Kenneth Copp lives in Thorndike