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02/14/2007
On human rights, religious freedom's boundaries, and British pop stars
When we first saw the headline for this press release...
...we had but one reaction: When did Charlotte Church marry some dude named Leaders and become an anti-gay activist? However, after realizing that there was no hyphen between Church and Leaders, we realized this release must not be referring to the Welsh singer, but rather actual gay-antipathetic leaders. We investigated further:
CHARLOTTE, Feb. 14 /Standard Newswire/ -- Three years ago, the Human Rights Campaign, the world's largest homosexual advocacy organization, moved its annual Carolina's dinner to Charlotte. While local gay activists have applauded the HRC's presence in Charlotte, not everyone is pleased with this development. Dr. Michael L. Brown, director of the Coalition of Conscience and a nationally known Christian leader and best-selling author, is convinced that now is the time to speak up.
"We have no desire to enter in a rhetorical battle with the HRC. We simply want to raise public awareness about who the HRC really is and what the HRC really stands for, demonstrating that they cannot legitimately be called the 'Human Rights' Campaign."
According to Brown, "The HRC has a clearly articulated agenda which does not stand for human rights for all, and as Christians, we take issue with that agenda."
Wait, respect, acceptance, and equality for all folks regardless of sexual orientation isn't a "human right?" Well damn -- someone needs to fix that! Oh wait a minute, that's right -- groups like HRC are trying to.
Reading further:
In anticipation of the HRC dinner on February 24, Brown, will deliver a series of five lectures on "Homosexuality, the Church, and Society." The lectures will be held nightly from February 19-23 at the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The lectures are free and open to the public and will be followed by a time of Q & A, with dissenting opinions welcomed.
Sponsors of last year's HRC dinner included Duke Energy, the Charlotte Observer, Bank of America, Wachovia, Audi, Blue Cross Blue Shield, IBM, and Sir Speedy Press. Brown asks, "Would these companies be as quick to voice their support for the HRC if it was more accurately named the Homosexual Rights Campaign? Would they be so vocal if it were called the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Campaign? And does the general public know what the HRC really stands for?"
Well, with all due respect, Mr. Brown, it's not like the HRC...
...is really hiding anything! Somehow we're pretty sure the companies you mention at least did a cursory search of the group's goals before opening their pocketbooks! Furthermore, the alternate names you suggest for HRC would not be nearly as appropriate, as HRC's work is not just focused on LGBT people, but also their family members, allies, friends, or anyone who is persecuted or stigmatized for supporting equality!
Moving on:
According to Brown, "The HRC is not fighting for equal rights for all people. Instead, it wants to impose its agenda on others, including how we define marriage, how we run our businesses, how we teach our children, and even how we interpret the Bible. We feel that now is the right time to air our differences with the HRC in a rational and respectful manner. I am hopeful that they will respond to us in the same spirit with which we exercise our human right to differ with them."
Well, Mr. Brown, you're right about HRC wanting to change the way we define marriage, how we treat gay employees in businesses, and ideally about how we teach our children about homosexuality. However, nobody is trying to change the way you interpret the Bible, which is the one key concept that folks on your side seem to not understand. Gay activists are simply saying that the way YOU interpret the Bible cannot be used to affect the way the public at large -- believers, non-believers, gay-friendly believers, and folks of all religious stripes -- handle the concept of equality! While we would like all religions to be become gay-accepting, we know that is not gonna happen. And we support your right to preach and hold whatever religious views you wish. However, in a non-theocratic country, those views simply cannot prevent civil parity for LGBT individuals and couples!
What say you, Charlotte Church?
Charlotte Church Leaders to Discuss the Radical Agenda of Homosexual Activists at Weeklong Lecture Series [Standard Newswire]
**UPDATE: Statement from Christopher Johnson, Human Rights Campaign Director of Public Affairs:
“The Human Rights Campaign is an organization committed to promoting the fairness and dignity of individuals regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation. We’re expecting this year’s Carolinas Dinner to be more successful than ever before due to the fact that people in North and South Carolina understand the importance of promoting equality in every aspect of American society. We commend each of our corporate sponsors for joining with the majority of corporate America in signaling their commitment to creating supportive and inclusive work environments for all Americans. ”
Your thoughts
I think the level of rhetoric among the bigoted has truly reached an all-time high. Realizing that pushing a heavily-acknowledged bigoted position wasn't working, they now claim victim status; we can't loudly proclaim our bigotry! Waaah! Unfair! That entire message is antagonistic and inflammatory and no quantity of saying, "We merely want dialogue" can change that. They want theocracy according to their strict interpretation of two passages in the Bible, neither of which are attributed to Jesus, whom, one would think, would be the person they would look to the most for ways to handle this evil homosexual menace.
Posted by: Eric | Feb 15, 2007 8:15:24 AM
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