Jessica Ahlquist first gained recognition in 2012 when she won a lawsuit filed against her high school requesting that a prayer banner be removed. As a result, she received death threats and required a police escort to attend classes. Judging from the latest round of tweets on her Twitter feed, the hatred has yet to subside.
It started when Ahlquist posted this tweet:
@jessicaahlquist: Cranston West put in new (secular) murals and had an invite-only unveiling and I wasn’t invited </3 (9/22/13)
Most of those tweeting at @jessicaahlquist seem to be card carrying Christians.
@RichardReed84: of course you weren’t invited, you are a heathen with a place reserved for you in hell. Christ is risen! HALLELUJAH! Amen.
@TXPride80: typical spoiled brat. Wanted attention along with her tree hugging, Obama worshipping parents. Just another welfare junky.
@BarryMaicock1: Awesome If i was me I would have handed out Crosses with jesus on them and made sure one was afixed to your locker
@KRAZY1313: you will not be invited to heaven either, get over it.
@DanelleMalchus: Hey sweetie-pie, it’s “freedom OF religion” not “freedom FROM religion”. #lesstimebitchingmoretimelearning
Most of those voicing their support for Jessica are either non-theists or those who chose not to divulge their religious affiliation (if they had one). One lone Christian minister expressed his apologies.
@ratterrell: as a Christian minister I am ashamed that you are receiving hate from crazies that claim to follow Jesus.
Ahlquist responded:
@jessicaahlquist: Funny how I get loads of Twitter hate, but no one says this crap to my face. #christianlove
@jessicaahlquist: 538 new mentions. This is what happens when angry Christians find you on Twitter.
And the battle for all to practice their liberty of conscience continues 350 years after Rhode Island signed the first charter of civil government in existence that granted religious liberty for all; a charter that included atheists like Ahlquist.
