US town fights racism claims after council approves a 'whites only' church using freedom of religion as excuse!!

 

According to MSNBC, a local church in Murdock, Minnesota open its doors as a "whites only" church last week with members allowed inside. 

Not only does this come amidst the pandemic but also social unrest as race division is at its highest in history. 

The church and group in question have deemed themselves the Asatru Folk Assembly. 

The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the Asatru Folk Assembly as a "neo-Volkisch hate group" that rests their racism on baseless claims of bloodlines grounding the superiority of their white identity.

Though their views are race-centered, these views do not fall far out of line with Asatru itself. 

Asatru is a pre-Christian, Germanic-Norse tradition where followers commune with and honor many gods including Odin, Freya, Frigga, and Thor. 

Many observers of Asatru are of the view that the religion is that of Northern European people and their modern-day descendants; making the religion highly exclusivist and is not promoted as a universal faith. 

Many followers of Asatru (known as "Heathens") prefer the segregation of cultures, ethnicities, and religious traditions. Some Heathens have become more or less tolerant in welcoming anyone from any ethnic background or heritage into their assembly. However, this is not the case with the church in Murdock. 

But despite a council vote to officially approve a permit for the church this month, locals are pushing back against the decision and asking that the council overturn its decision (immediately)!! 

Locals have collected more than 50,000 signatures in an online petition to prevent the all-white church from making its headquarter in the farming town of Murdock. 

The group insists that it is not racist despite its 'whites-only' policy. 

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE ISSUE? 

Should the assembly be allowed to convene in the small town of Murdock?

Should the council overturn its decision to grant permits to exclusive religious groups?

How might one argue for or against this case on the grounds of constitutionally-protected religious freedoms?

GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/after-permit-approved-whites-only-church-small-minnesota-town-insists-n1251838