Christianists Decry Criticism

Recently, I have written tow posts about two suicides of two boys bullied for being perceived as gay and I labeled their deaths as more fruits of Christianist anti-gay hate since the non-stop anti-gay mantra of these self-styled Christians creates the atmosphere where it is fine to bully and torment gays and those who are perceived to be gay. For this, the author of one comment - which I did not publish - alleged that I "hated Christianity" and that I had "twisted" the facts simply so that I could malign Christians.

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For the record, I am hardly against Christianity and do not "hate" it - the boyfriend and I went to church on Easter at my ELCA parish. Thus, I consider myself a Christian in the good sense. What I do oppose is the toxic, poisonous version of Christianity marketed by James Dobson, Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, Tony Perkins, Fred Phelps, Concerned Women for America, et al, which is infused with hatred towards gays - and non-Christians, immigrants and many others. It is a perverted form of Christianity which is defined by who its adherents hate and which shows absolutely no love of neighbor as commanded by Christ.

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Driving back from Martinsville yesterday I listened to Michelangelo Signorile's four hour show during which he played a video being promoted by the Illinois Family Institute - an identified "Christian" anti-gay hate group by the way - attacking gays and the National Day of Silence which takes place today. The video is vile and is a perfect example of who anti-gay hatred is generated and individuals are emboldened to bully and harass LGBT citizens. Here's how these "loving Christians" describe their hate propaganda:

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The "Day of Silence", sponsored by the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) will take place Friday, April 17th in schools across the nation. Participating teachers and students are told to remain silent during class time to protest discrimination and bullying felt by students who believe they are gay and/or transgender. The 6 minute video, made by a Bible believing church here in Illinois, exposes how our children are being indoctrinated, held captive and forced to accept an unproven and dangerous ideology while Biblical Truth is undermined.

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The video talks of gays as being diseased and basically a threat to Christians. Interestingly enough, the Illinois Family Institute is attacking Warren Throckmorton for his moderation of his anti-gay activities and his effort to counter the Day of Silence with a "golden rule" approach that treats gays with dignity. Here's the IFI's commentary on Throckmorton:

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A national coalition of pro-family organizations is urging parents to call their children out of school on the Day of Silence (DOS), an annual event sponsored by the partisan political action group, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). . . . Grove City College professor, Dr. Warren Throckmorton, on the other hand, is recommending that students join his "Golden Rule Pledge" effort which urges them to remain in school and pass out cards on which the Golden rule is printed. . . . Dr. Throckmorton misapplies the "Golden Rule" in his efforts to promote heretical views of the nature and morality of homosexuality.

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It is a bizarre circumstance when Throckmorton - historically no friend to LGBT Americans - is being attacked for supporting homosexuality. But then, the folks at IFI live in a very warped and perverted mindset.