Meme Dump

Victoria Cobb Says It's Not Hate But ...

Last week in Bobservations I posted about the Metzger Bar and Butchery in Richmond, Virginia canceling a reservation made by the Family Foundation of Virginia because restaurant employees and the owner didn’t feel comfortable serving a group that is opposed to equal rights for all.

Well, on Saturday CNN host Michael Smerconish had the president of the group, Victoria Cobb, on his show where she whined and complained that she and her colleagues were refused service at Metzger’s and in the same breath defended the rights of Christian businesspeople who refuse to work with same-sex couples.

On the show, Smerconish tried to get Cobb to see that her group being denied service because it conflicted with the beliefs of the restaurant owner was the exact same thing as a Christian baker refusing to make a cake, or a web-site designer refusing to create a site,  for a same-sex couple which she feels is completely justified:

“I know you follow the arguments as I did this past Monday in the Supreme Court on the same issue. It’s incredible the timing of all of this. Justice Sotomayor said, ‘Hey, if we allow the web designer to not have to design that web for the same-sex couple, for the first time in our history we’re going to be saying it’s okay to discriminate based on gender identity, based on race, based on religion.' You know it’s a slippery slope argument. Would you similarly say a web designer doesn’t have to make a cake (sic) for an inter-racial marriage because they don’t agree with that from their religious point of view?”

Cobb wasn’t seeing it because hate in ignorance clouded her vision, and she said:

“I think we are stretching the Lorie Smith case to be something that it is not. [Smith] has a fundamental concern about same-sex marriage. It’s not the people, it’s I don’t want to write a speech. I have to literally write content and create beautiful imagery on something that violates my faith –that’s her case. We haven’t seen a ruling yet, it sounds favorable from what folks are saying. It is because we protect speech it is a bedrock principle. It is so important that no one, not even a paying customer compels someone else to have to say or write words they don’t agree with. I think that’s the America we want to live in.”

Smerconish shot back:

“I want to live in a world where everybody gets served. I want to live in a world where judgments aren’t made based on religious conviction. You respectfully didn’t answer me. I think the web designer could say, ‘Oh, my god, it’s an interracial marriage, I’m not designing a website.’ The baker could say ‘I’m not going to bake a cake for them.’ I want everybody to get served.”

Funny, cuz from reading this it looks like Victoria Cobb got served.

And, in closing, I will say again: if you are a business owner and you don’t want to bake a cake, create an invitation, design floral arrangements, photograph the wedding, cater the event for a same-sex couple then you should put a sign in your window and an icon on your website that reads:

“We refuse to serve same-sex couples.”

That way, we know who you are, and everyone knows who you are, and people who maybe aren’t gay might think twice about patronizing your business.

But you’ll hide your hate because, deep down, even you know it’s wrong.

Makaila Ragan Takes A Stand

Makaila Ragan was coming by her mother’s workplace one day when she stumbled upon a couple of men on the street carrying signs condemning The Gays and, well, you know, burn in Hell … God hates you … die faggot … those kinds of sentiments.

So, she walked into her mother’s office and asked her mother, and her mother’s boss, if they minded if she made a sign and stood on the corner with the two men, and when they said ‘Yes’ she set about making her own protest sign:

I love gays.

And out to the curb she went, taking a spot on the sidewalk right next to the bigots, who, upon seeing her sign, began insulting Makaila:

“They were calling me names, and asking my mom questions, like, ‘How many times did you have to get an abortion before you were able to have your daughter?’ and saying, ‘You’re going to burn in hell right along with your daughter.’ The things they were saying were just awful, but I didn’t let them faze me.”

And it didn’t, because the longer she stood out there more and more people who agreed with Makaila came onto the sidewalk, carrying their own signs; some people even brought food, so the protesters didn’t have to leave to get a bite to eat, and others gave cash so they could buy themselves something to drink.

And then several local pastors showed up to protest alongside … Makaila … and to tell the two men that they do not represent all Christians and “that everyone is loved by God.”

 Makaila and her group decided they wouldn’t leave until the two men did, and so they stood on the corner of the busiest intersection in downtown Tillamook cheering with every honk of support or wave they received from passing motorists for over six hours; the two men finally left at 10:30PM and it was only then that Makaila and her group decided to go home also.

During the demonstration, several supporters launched the Tillamook for Love Facebook group, and hope to use it to keep their demonstration going … online and out in the world.

It wasn’t much that Makaila Ragan did; I mean, she could have been annoyed by the men and their signs and complained about it and then gone on with her day. But she didn’t; and other folks, who agreed with her, and disagree with hate could have simply waved and honked as they drove by, but they didn’t.

It isn’t worth it, sometimes, to complain and move on; sometimes you have to take a stand.

And a sign …

Tillamook County Pioneer

photos via Tillamook For Love and Romy Carter

Today In Christian Love: God Says Gays Must Be 'Put To Death'

Recently Carols and I sat down to watch The Butler. We hadn’t seen it in theaters last year because, well, Oprah; I can’t with Oprah. I’m sorry, I know that sounds shallow, but I just can’t with Oprah. And it didn’t help that when we saw it on cable, how director Lee Daniels really played up Oprah’s, what should have been, what really was, minor roll. The camera lingered on her in scenes that really had nothing to do with her; at times, when Forrest Whitaker, The Butler, was talking, we saw shots of Oprah.

I.Can’t.With.Oprah. But that’s neither here nor there. I was thinking about a scene in a church where, right about the altar was a blazing sign made of those big globe-type light bulbs that spelled out the words: God Is Love.

Y’all know I am not a religious man, at least of the organized religious persuasion, but my thoughts on God, or that being or power, are as follows: she is love. Simple; direct. And everything that follows, everything that is done in the name of ‘God,’ should be done in the name of love.

Sadly, however, that is not the case, and it seems that more and more these days, God’s name is used in conjunction with hate and intolerance, division and bigotry, and She would not be happy about that, y’all. And She would especially not be happy with this so-called ‘man of God.’

Robby Gallaty, the pastor at Brainerd Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was preaching his gospel earlier this week and told the gathering of Christians that they should never repent for discriminating against The Gays, like they had done for discriminating against the blacks because blacks can’t change their skin color.

“God said that the sins of the people had infected the very land in which they live. So what happens to people who engage in this activity, this sexual immoral activity? Go to Leviticus 20, God gives us the punishment for engaging in these sins… ‘If a man sleeps with a man as with a woman, they have both committed a detestable thing. They must be put to death. And their blood is on their own hands.’”

Without dwelling too much on it, though, “Pastor” Robby omitted the parts of Leviticus about shellfish and pigskin and long hair and tattoos because, well, let some things slide through if it works to your advantage to persecute The Gays. But, Robby does want you to discriminate against the Gays because, in the long run, the God of people like Robby Gallaty will kill The Gays.

God is Love, in Robby’s world, unless you’re gay, then God will kill you. So, is it any wonder at all that membership in these types of religions is falling? People are tired of using religion as a weapon of hate. People are tired of hearing that God, God, wants anyone dead; that God smites Haiti because of AIDS; that God sends hurricanes to destroy New Orleans because of a party; that God would hurt anyone at all.

Of course, Robby Gallaty wasn’t done; after telling his people that God will kill The Gays, he also said that God would change us; you know, She would de-gay us, I guess.

“[The Bible says] some of you used to act like this, but now you’ve changed by the grace of God. You were washed! You have been sanctified! You have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of God.”

Honey, which one is your God? The one who kills us. Or the one who washes The Gay outta our hair? Seriously, if God could change us, and if God called us all kinds of sin, and if God Hates Fags, then she would ‘a been changing us from birth so that none of us would exist, m’kay? So, save that hate speech wrapped up as gospel with the nice Christian bow, because it’s not a gift anyone really wants or needs.

But Robby isn’t done spreading the hate about The Gays and continued to warn Christians not to accept us, not to believe, as that sign said, that God is Love.

“Here’s the problem with the argument that you closed-minded Christians, one day you’re going to come full circle, and you’re going to realize that you’re being judgmental just like racism was 50 years ago …. [Now] you guys have repented and come full circle, and you’re going to realize that you’re as foolish as we were with the movement of racism. It’s not the same… A black man can’t change his race, a white man can’t change his race, a homosexual can stop engaging in homosexual acts. See, sexuality is a choice. Gender and race are not.”

And therein comes the lie as gospel, and people will believe because this so-called man of God said it. Like a black man, I was born gay; born that way. I have been gay since my earliest memory, and if I were to try and live my life any other way, it would not be a life at all; it would be a death.

And, if God Is Love, Robby, would she really want that for me? Or is that just you?

via The Raw Story

God Is Love, Two: Central United Methodist Church

The good folks at Central United Methodist Church, in Toledo, Ohio, are starting a new campaign. It's a simple one, really, with a simple message they've displayed on an electronic billboard. It is intended to be a gift to those who have experienced hurt and discrimination because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. The Church seeks nothing less than the healing of the world, and Central UMC wants to offer words and acts of healing to those hurt and marginalized.

Their message:

Declaring that being gay is a gift from God is a prophetic call to the Church to get out of the business of marginalizing gay and lesbian persons from the Church, and to welcome them as full members. The purpose of this campaign is 1) to offer welcome to all persons who are gay; 2) to challenge the larger Church to fully accept persons who are gay into the life of the Church; and 3) to call on all people to bring all the gifts of who they are to God.
God is happy about this, because she's tired of all the bull shiz.

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God Is Love: Douglass Boulevard Christian Church

Last week, in Louisville, Kentucky, the congregation of Douglass Boulevard Christian Church unanimously--you read that right, unanimously--voted to end the practice of signing marriage licenses because they give legal benefits to heterosexual couples that are not available to homosexual couples. 

And until marriage equality is the law of the land, Douglass Boulevard Christian Church ministers will only perform religious wedding ceremonies, which we all know are not legal without a signed marriage certificate.

Associate Minister Ryan Kamp-Pappan: "As an Open and Affirming Community of Faith, our membership is committed to treating homosexuals and heterosexuals equally. Our congregation believes it is unfair to provide different services and benefits to heterosexual couples than we can provide to gay and lesbian couples."

Senior minister, the Reverend Derek Penwell added, "Heterosexual couples enjoy a number of benefits that result from having state-sanctioned union. They may inherit property, adopt children together, visit one another in the hospital, and save thousands each year in taxes by filing as a couple. Ministers, as agents of the state, have the power to confer these benefits-and the imprimatur of normalcy-on heterosexual couples, but we do not have the honor to bestow these benefits on gay and lesbian couples."

The Reverend Chuck Lewis, Chair of Elders with the church, said, "In our attempt to live out God's call to pursue justice for all, the Elders of the congregation joined the Pastors in witnessing to the right for gay and lesbian persons to God's blessing on their union and witnessing to the Commonwealth toward ending the refusal to recognize these unions."

Douglass Boulevard Christian Church has been committed to seeking justice for all people since it was founded in 1846. In 2008, Douglass Boulevard Christian Church voted to become an Open and Affirming Community of Faith.

In 2011, God--if you believe in that sort of thing--was doing cartwheels and heaping praise ion the ministers and congregation at Douglas Boulevard Christian Church.

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Hatred? Me? Turn The Mirror Around Rev

So, I thought I was doing a simple shout out and welcome to a new member of this little blog. Eric Arvin had joined, from over at Daventry Blue, and I was simply saying hello.

Imagine my surprise when this was left as a comment. (I have since deleted it because it doesn't belong there.)

I'll post my comments on what Donald has said in red.

Rev. Donald Spitz said... Because of your hatred towards Christians, you homos have now caused the death of a minister while he was preaching.

Pay attention Donald. I don't hate Christians. I don't hate. The hate in the post seems to be coming from you towards the gay community.

How many straight children have been molested and murdered by homosexuals? A lot.

You don't know what you're talking about because you are speaking from a point of hatred. The majority of child molesters are straight, but it's just easier for you to cast stones at the gay community. You need someone to abuse, and it's us.

How many Christians have been assaulted by homosexuals because they didn't like the way they voted? A lot.

And how many gay men and women have been brutalized and murdered by the straight community for the way they were born. You apparently think assaulting people is okay, as long as you assault the right people.

How many Christian churches have been burned down by homosexuals because you disagree with the Holy Bible? A lot.

Do you have statistics or is this just more of your homophobic posturing?

Whatever you think, you will not be able to change God's Word and will one day have to pay the price for not believing what God has written.

God is love, Donald. It's that simple. God is love. And he does not seek retribution. That's your stance.

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Donald, Leviticus is a holiness code written 3,000 years ago. This code includes many of the outdated sexual laws you mention, and a lot more.

It also includes prohibitions against round haircuts, tattoos, working on the Sabbath, wearing garments of mixed fabrics, eating pork or shellfish, getting your fortune told, and even playing with the skin of a pig. (There goes football!)

Romans 1:22-27V22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

V23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

V24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

V25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amen.

V26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

V27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

But Donald, you don't say a word about these passages....why is that?

DEUTERONOMY 22:13-21 If it is discovered that a bride is not a virgin, the Bible demands that she be executed by stoning immediately.

DEUTERONOMY 22:22 If a married person has sex with someone else's husband or wife, the Bible commands that both adulterers be stoned to death.

MARK 10:1-12 Divorce is strictly forbidden in both Testaments, as is remarriage of anyone who has been divorced.

LEVITICUS 18:19 The Bible forbids a married couple from having sexual intercourse during a woman's period. If they disobey, both shall be executed.

MARK 12:18-27 If a man dies childless, his widow is ordered by biblical law to have intercourse with each of his brothers in turn until she bears her deceased husband a male heir.

DEUTERONOMY 25:11-12 If a man gets into a fight with another man and his wife seeks to rescue her husband by grabbing the enemy's genitals, her hand shall be cut off and no pity shall be shown her.

In closing, Donald, and I don't use the term Reverend or pastor or minister or rabbi or preacher for, you, because none of those people are filled with the hate the you seem to enjoy.

God is love, Donald.

And she loves even you.