In 2014 a local pastor of a very small independent Baptist community preached a sermon calling for the execution of all homosexual people, posted a video of the sermon on YouTube, and then bought advertising on Facebook to promote it. It was picked up by the news and the sermon went viral. In response, the … Continue reading “BlogPost: Don’t Promote the Hate”
Category: civility
BlogPost: Labels
This past Sunday I spoke about perserving our history while remaining true to the present, and trying to look forward to see what might be around the corner. I used the word “conservative” to describe the work of historians. Then, at this week’s Wednesday morning Lectio Divina Bible study, the issue of labels came up. … Continue reading “BlogPost: Labels”
BlogPost: Hate and Violence in Tempe, Arizona
I seem to be hearing of more reports of hateful and violent behavior by certain ultra conservative Christian groups on and around the ASU campus, let alone Tempe. A local “pastor” (I use that term loosely) called for the execution of all homosexuals, among other dangerous statements he has made. There have been incidents in … Continue reading “BlogPost: Hate and Violence in Tempe, Arizona”
Tempe, AZ Faith Leaders Respond to Call By Steven Anderson for Execution of Homosexuals
Steven Anderson, pastor at Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, has made national news with a recently preached a sermon in which he called for the execution of all homosexuals by Christmas in order to cure AIDS/HIV (news articles can be found here, as well as a protest held in front of his church on … Continue reading “Tempe, AZ Faith Leaders Respond to Call By Steven Anderson for Execution of Homosexuals”
On Sanctuary, Social Justice and Advent
Over the years I have been told many times that the Church should not engage in politics. However, having read scripture and come to understand our Presbyterian tradition more deeply, I have a hard time understanding how the Church cannot be involved in politics. To be involved in “politics” (from the Greek word polis, which … Continue reading “On Sanctuary, Social Justice and Advent”