Monday, August 31, 2009

Wingnuts Arrested 7 Times for Signs Declaring Homosexuality a Sin

It never ceases to amaze me how much energy Christianist wingnuts expend denigrating LGBT citizens and striving to make our lives a living hell. Meanwhile, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and healing the sick - all as commanded by Christ in the Gospels - fall by the way side. Forget words attributed to Christ and focus instead on a tiny number of Bible passages that are interpreted to condemn same sex relationships. Forget modern medical and mental health knowledge about sexual orientation. and cling to the writings of ignorant nomadic tribes. Fortunately, the civil laws on occasion reign in the fruit loops and remove them from the public square as happened recently. Here are some highlights from WingNutDaily which not surprisingly appalled:
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A street preacher is accusing police of violating his constitutional rights after officers arrested him for not having a parade permit while he spoke out against homosexuality on a public sidewalk in Manchester, Ga. Chris Pettigrew and Pastor Billy Ball of Faith Baptist Church in Primrose, Ga., were arrested multiple times Aug 24 after they held signs on a public street corner telling people to repent and declaring homosexuality a sin. They held signs that stated:
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Repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15
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The sodomite lifestyle produces vile affections, ungodly lust, reprobates
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Repent or burn
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Three gay rights: AIDS, hell, salvation
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Pettigrew said one young man who was arrested with his group was contacted by the police department and told charges would be dropped if he brought the citation back. He maintains that his group always obeys the law "as long as it doesn't interfere with constitutional rights." However, he believes authorities detained his small group based on its message against homosexuality.
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"If I were holding a sign that said, 'Two large pizzas for $5,' I don't think I would have gotten a second look from police. I firmly and adamantly believe we were singled out and arrested because of the content of our speech," Pettigrew said. "If they arrest us for proclaiming the word of God, what will they arrest us for next?" he asked. "We need to get the word out that the rights of the American people are quickly being taken away, and nobody even knows it."
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I am constantly baffled at the apparent alternate universe in which these lunatics live. Objective reality means nothing. Likewise, the rights of other Americans to freedom of religion and freedom from harassment mean nothing to these people. It's all about them and their desire to impose their religious views on all other citizens.

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