SoulForce Equality riders were arrested yesterday outside Dr. Albert Mohlers office (President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
The video is here (the audio is bad). After a sit in for an hour and a half, and a statement, the university refused their request to meet with Dr. Mohler (officials say he was not on campus) or his assistant, 12 riders were arrested.
In light of recent inflammatory comments by Albert Mohler, leaders of the Equality Ride eastbound bus decided to reroute temporarily in order to demand an apology for his remarks. Earlier this year, Mohler encouraged the intentional prevention of homosexuality. In an article on his website, Mohler wrote, “If a biological basis is found, and if a prenatal test is then developed, and if a successful treatment to reverse the sexual orientation to heterosexual is ever developed, we would support its use as we should unapologetically support the use of any appropriate means to avoid sexual temptation and the inevitable effects of sin.”
Twenty-two Equality Riders sat in Norton Hall at SBTS awaiting a response from Mohler. After about 75 minutes, the Vice President of Communications listened to a statement read by Jarrett Lucas, Co-Director of the Equality Ride. Afterwards, the administrator informed the group that Mohler was unwilling to meet with them or speak with them via telephone.
An excerpt from the statement reads, “We are gathered here as straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to demand that Albert Mohler openly recognize our right to life, love, and liberty. As it stands, his voice is terribly misguided in believing that God does not affirm the identities of gay and transgender people. So, we call on him to take responsibility for his bigotry and the hurtful effects of his statements, and ask that he issue a public apology for having said them. We have a moral obligation to speak out in the name of truth and justice.”
After the statement was read, Louisville Police were called in and informed the group that their peaceful assembly would result in arrest. At that point, a delegation left to stand vigil outside of the Seminary. Twelve Equality Riders, determined to stay until Mohler apologized, remained seated outside of the President’s Office. Eventually, they were taken into custody under criminal trespassing charges.
Mohler has made news recently for a serious illness and controversial posts on homosexuality.
Personal thought: Any Southern Baptist professor, teacher, minister or student that would dare to speak out in favour of SoulForce would probably face immediate dismissal from the denomination.
It has been my experience the SBC is vocal and well known for what they are against politically and theologically, and are a high visibility group in the US communicating their hatred of homosexuals and acceptance of pro-reparative therapy.
The SBC Position statement on sexuality: “We affirm God’s plan for marriage and sexual intimacy – one man, and one woman, for life. Homosexuality is not a “valid alternative lifestyle.” The Bible condemns it as sin. It is not, however, unforgivable sin. The same redemption available to all sinners is available to homosexuals. They, too, may become new creations in Christ.”
Bilerico
Denny Burk
Ryan DeBarr
Mainstream Baptists
Stepping in Faith
Al Mohler - Is Your Baby Gay?
Al Mohler - Was it Something I Said?
Baptist Press
Associated Baptist Press
164 media outlets have picked up the SoulForce/Southern Baptist Theological Seminary arrests including The Guardian in the UK.
Published 1 year, 6 months ago
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Any Southern Baptist professor, teacher, minister or student that would dare to speak out in favour of SoulForce would probably face immediate dismissal from the denomination. It has been my experience the SBC is vocal and well known for what they are against politically and theologically, and are a high visibility group in the US communicating their hatred of homosexuals and acceptance of pro-reparative therapy.
You are probably correct. I’m sure you are aware of this, but Southern Baptists as a denomination affirm the sole authority of Scripture. Scripture–which clearly teaches that marriage is a heterosexual union between male and female–is what would force their hand. It is not hate that motivates, as you seem to think, but rather Scripture.
the SBC is . . . a high visibility group in the US communicating their hatred of homosexuals
Um . . . no.
I understand Southern Baptists believe in the inerrancy of scripture, most orthodox would say scripture is infallible, and I question whether that divergence is possible to bridge with other believers.
I understand scripture is used for the basis of this hatred and rejection of gays and lesbians and I also understand many in the Christian faith do not think homosexual orientation is a sickness or a sin.
Jared, there are people in the SBC that do not hate, this would not be a dogma issue for them, but rather denominational. Across that spectrum, people would have varied responses. I doubt gays and lesbians are permitted worship in SBC churches…correct me if I’m wrong.
The history of the SBC doctrinally and politically does not stand up to Um…no.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_sbc.htm
Well, sure, if you categorize “homosexuality is a sin” as “hatred.” If that’s how you define hatred, then yeah, they’re really really really hateful people. Like Paul was hateful. Like the Mosaic Law was hateful. And I guess they also hate adulterers and child molesters and liars too. (Or is it okay to say those people are wrong?)
I don’t consider calling sin what the Bible calls sin hate.
Are there people in the SBC who hate gays? I’m sure there are.
Just like there are people in the blogosphere who hate Americans or conservative theologians or Southern Baptist Texans or whatever.
Yes, there are people in the blogosphere who hate Americans, conservative theologians and Southern Baptist Texans and whatever.
I’d say whomever, you named people groups.:^)
This is circular.
SBC leadership rhetoric goes beyond sin and scripture; their words, actions and attitudes are not hidden.
Interesting you used child molesters and adulterers. SBC leadership is quite willing to lump gay and pedophilie into the same sentence.
The SBC is open about belief.
One behavior is a crime under US law, two are not.
If the SBC has it’s way, two will be crimes.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has a beautiful campus.
I do not believe the bible tells me to hate adulterers, homosexuals, liars or pedophiles, Paul, Moses, Americans, conservative theologicans, Southern Baptist Texans, or bloggers.
Hate speech:
Hate speech is a controversial term for speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a person or group of people based on their race, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, language ability, moral or political views, socioeconomic class, occupation or appearance (such as height,weight, and hair color).
The term covers written as well as oral communication and some forms of behaviors in a public setting.
Allport’s Scale (1954) The Nature of Prejudice
Allport’s Scale of Prejudice in a Society goes from 1 – 5.
Scale 1 Antilocution:
Antilocution means a majority group freely make jokes about a minority group. Speech is in terms of negative stereotypes and negative images. This is also called hate speech. It is commonly seen as harmless by the majority. Antilocution itself may not be harmful, but it sets the stage for more severe outlets for prejudice.
Scale 2 Avoidance:
People in a minority group are actively avoided by members of the majority group. No direct harm may be intended, but harm is done through isolation.
Scale 3 Discrimination:
Minority group is discriminated against by denying them opportunities and services and so putting prejudice into action. Behaviours have the specific goal of harming the minority group by preventing them from achieving goals, getting education or jobs, etc. The majority group is actively trying to harm the minority. (e.g. Jim Crow laws)
Scale 4 Physical Attack:
The majority group vandalise minority group things, they burn property and carry out violent attacks on individuals or groups. Physical harm is done to members of the minority group. Examples are lynchings of blacks, pogroms against Jews in Europe, tarring and feathering Mormons in 1800s and British Loyalists in the 1700s.
Scale 5 Extermination:
The majority group seeks extermination of the minority group. They attempt to eliminate the entire group of people (e.g., Indian Wars to remove Native Americans, Final Solution of “Jewish Problem” in Germany, and Ethnic cleansing in Armenia.).
the SBC is . . . a high visibility group in the US communicating their hatred of homosexuals
This is definitely the most ridiculous thing I’ve read all day and it’s, perhaps, the most ridiculous thing I’ve read all week.
Hatred of homosexuals is how YOU (mis)construe the SBC’s position on homosexual behavior. Sure, anyone can find a rogue pastor in any organization who truly hates homosexuality and isn’t afraid to show it. There’s Tim Hardaways and Ann Coulters behind pulpits all over the place, but the blanket statement you made above is simply ignorant.
Fair enough Bird, I’m not under any cultural, professional or social pressure to defend the SBC.
SBC leadership remarks stand on their own, it is the responsibility of members to draw their own conclusions and hold each other accountable.
I’m not familar with Tim Hardaway, and last I checked Ann Coulters claims of what church she supposedly goes to were utterly bogus.
If you have evidence to the contrary that SBC leadership isn’t actively engaged in hate toward homosexuals, show me.
I’m not talking about sexual behavior, I’m talking about hate toward homosexuals and lesbians. Feel free to use the Allport model.
Ummm - when did God put a degree on sin?
Theological and psychological arguements aside for those of us who live in the real world, anyone ‘uneducated’ person like me who reads about the arrests will draw one conclusion - that gays and lesbians are not welcome.
Science is finding genetic links to homosexuality. Not all have the gene, some choose it as a lifestyle, but why pick on them? Why not go after adulterers and ban them? or gluttony and ban all obese people? (they may have a genetic component too). Depression is an illness, not a sin. Yet many churches reject medication as a treatment for mental illness and shun individuals with serious mental illness in their church.
What about people who are born with both genitilia? They have to make a choice at some point in their life. Are they not God’s creation?
No matter what spin anyone want to put on it, that incident appears to the public to show intolerance towards a group of individuals.
Sherm, this conversation can’t be had with some people of faith and it’s a shame.
The SBC is merely an example - position: sin.
End of discussion.
It is not possible to re-frame.
While Al Mohler may have thought past the unthinkable, and mused about choice and nature, he caught heavy flack from his own, as well as many outside his circle of influence who strongly object to his projection homosexuality may be a requested genetic modification in utero someday. Until then, the SBC is happy to accept reparative therapy, regardless of the cost to lives, families and congegations - out of sight out of mind.
This denomination demands followers accept the bible as inerrant, most branches of Baptists do not.
As for SoulForce Equality Riders being arrested for being on private property, it is a significant choice of their civil disobedience.
The colleges and seminaries are made aware they are coming.
At least this seminary didn’t have police officers on the rooftops.
Possibility of discussion is as closed as the culture and the church doors, congregants are so conditioned to think of behavior and the other, many find framing the debate past ‘it’s sin’ very frightening. These beliefs are sincerely held, the deafness to the overt bigotry of leadership is very real.
Information is no longer top down, no longer controlled by a few, however, as Travis pointed out, SBC’ers of conscience really are not free to speak without repercussion.
There are about 234 SBC churches in Canada with approximately 11,500 members, They maintain ties with the SBC International Mission Board.
Like southern counterparts, emphasis is heavy on evangelicsm, innerrancy, church numbers, Christian schools and/or homeschooling.
The CCSB resolution of marriage (re: C-38 and C-250) says the bible has only one kind of marriage. CCSB concern was genuine there would will be criminalization of religious speech if C-250 passed.
I have not seen the level of bigoted, rigid hate speech coming from the CCSB that I see coming from SBC leadership in the US.
Nor have we seen CCSB fears come to pass.
Fwiw, neither Bird nor I are Southern Baptists.
What I have found, in your forum especially Bene, is that “this conversation” cannot be had b/c people like “us” are always assumed to be speaking from a box of bigotry or culturalization or what have you that is not as enlightened or peaceful as yours. It’s a very weird feeling, let me tell you. I encounter it every time I attempt speaking up for the side you’re criticizing. This sort of generalizing, stereotyping prejudice in the guise of doing the opposite is bizarre.
I only meant to comment on the characterization of the SBC’s stance on homosexuality as hate speech, and rather than respond to my claim (that saying something the Bible calls sin is sin is not hateful), I have to be informed that I’m only yielding to culture pressure or whatever. It’s insulting.
Apparently I’m too stupid or too oppressed in my ignorance to actually have a point. And that is why I’m done being “peacefully insulted” by your site.
“…people like “us” are always assumed to be speaking from a box of bigotry or culturalization or what have you that is not as enlightened or peaceful as yours. It’s a very weird feeling, let me tell you. I encounter it every time I attempt speaking up for the side you’re criticizing. This sort of generalizing, stereotyping prejudice in the guise of doing the opposite is bizarre.”
I’m sorry you feel that way Jared.
“I only meant to comment on the characterization of the SBC’s stance on homosexuality as hate speech, and rather than respond to my claim (that saying something the Bible calls sin is sin is not hateful)”
Read SBC leaders, read SBC blogs.
Read the Cdn SBC.
Read Soulforce, Tuscano, Straight Not Narrow, the Baptist Press.
While we understandably differ on what hate speech is, I have no trouble with your opinion, if my commenters do, you are a grown up. Engage accordingly.
I honestly don’t believe SBC leadership is interested in seeing past ’sin as behavior’.
Spent time in the US in November, had a great time, assuming I perceive my neighbours as stupid, oppressed or ignorant is obviously a strongly held opinion for you that I’m not going to be able to refute. If you need to discuss feeling put down, you know where to reach me, it must be very uncomfortable to feel and believe you are perceived that way.
This post is about SoulForce - do I commend the (SBC) students that provided water for riders that stood vigil during the arrests? You bet.
I’m talking about the SBC as a block, organization, denomination and business - a group with a history and leadership that is following the classic Allport model.
There was a similar incident in the Catholic Church last month involving Ava Marie University. The provost (Fr. Fessio) made a statement similar to Mohlers at California Catholic.
http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=89297ac1-a1d8-404c-aed7-d623bd9f98cd
The uproar was immediate and vocal. The facts aren’t fully available, he was rehired within 24 hours in a different position. Is it reasonable for students and faculty to assume what he said may have had something to do with him getting the boot?
You hear me saying “homosexuality is a sin” is hate speech.
I am not.
I am saying homosexuality is not a sin.
Heterosexuality is not a sin.
Asexuality is not a sin.
Intersex is not a sin.
“something the Bible calls sin is sin is not hateful”
I agree with that statement.
As for being ‘peacefully insulted’, I’m sorry you feel that way.
Blog on!