I don't think so. Warning, the below video has high pitched whistles and yelling laced with expletives. The whistles go throughout the whole video. So watching at work is probably not a good idea with the volume up. A little more after the jump …
There are all kinds of rumors and reports going on around the above video. Some of the men claimed to have been touched is what I have heard. I don't think we need to go into all of that and just let the video speak for itself.
This comes on the same weekend that a young man (identified as female) was murdered last Friday. There is an alleged call that came to his mother saying it was because he was gay.
::: sad :::
The young Christians who were chased out of the Castro, I have no idea what they said or not but my hope is that they were there to pray with people if they wanted prayer and sharing the gospel to those who wanted to hear it. Some in the gay community are characterizing them as hating gay people. For most, sharing the gospel is born out of love and not hate. If they truly hated the gay community they would mock them as they proclaimed them going to hell (Fred Phelps). If they hated them they wouldn't tell them about the gospel that they believe would save their soul and is the manifest expression of God's love for all of humanity.
Now, if they are beating people over the head with Leviticus, Sodom and trying to scare people into the kingdom… I don't blame folks for ignoring them. I did back in the day. Yet, I think it shows real hatred and immaturity to act like the men in the above video. Again, I completely understand the anger in the gay community … with empathy stemming from my former beliefs. What I don't understand is attacking individuals like the man who was murdered and these young ones sharing their faith.
Along with my belief that the gay culture war is not a continuation of civil rights movement is also the belief that whatever pro-gay policy developments happen should not occur at the expense of religious freedom. Especially freedoms of conscience, assembly, speech and so on. All of those were also violated when the young Christians were run out of the Castro. All of those were violated when the young man was murdered (including his inalienable right to life, liberty and his pursuit of happiness.)
This is not what we want.
MORE:The title of this post comes from this comment and this post (gay blog).
Michelle Malkin also has more on the El Coyote situation AND the Castro situation.
Our friend Ryan Zondervan shares this post where he talks about going with this particular group to witness in the Castro a couple of years ago. Small world eh?
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Wow, that's amazing Ryan. I am tempted to turn your testimony into a new post. I think it gives a clearer picture of the history and the events of what happened.
Hmmm… Interview? hmmm…
But, I would imagine you might blog about this more. If you do I will link to it. Thanks for chiming in. Very good.
Ok -a little update. I spoke yesterday afternoon with a good friend in San Francisco who was part of the original group that started the Friday night Castro outreach several years ago. He said he was not there Friday night, but spoke with the people from SFJHOP who went. (My personal recommendation to him was that in spite of the very genuine and loving intentions of the participants, at a time like this the presence of a group like this in the Castro would likely be seen as intentionally provocative by the gay community. I think the media articles that continue to refer to the group as “Christians who are trying to turn gay people straight” is good evidence of this).
What wasn't seen in the video is that a young woman was pushed to the ground and then kicked by several people. While fortunately no serious injury occurred, the event definitely involved physical violence. The police came and advised the group to get in their van to be escorted to safety.
A little background on the group – it was born out of a vision and passion by a member of my old church in SF who once identified as gay and was heavily involved in the Castro “scene.” He was joined by my friend who has an openly gay brother living in San Francisco, along with several other members of the church. The main focus of the Friday night outreaches was proclaiming the love of Jesus and praying with people. Anytime you mix Castro and Christian controversy is bound to show up. Some nights were peaceful, other times it caused a stir. (On one of my nights out a drunk man standing next to me called 911 to report that “The Christians are persecuting me.” Seriously.)
Maybe about a year or so ago the original members of the group started to fade out, and the SFJHOP people became more involved. I've always felt a bit uncomfortable with this for some reason. In my mind it seems important that if you're going to do something like this, it needs to involve people who are directly tied to the community you are trying to reach.
But you are right Joe – a whole lot of prayer has gone into this ministry, and I can't speak for the SFJHOP folks but I know the people who originally started this outreach felt specifically called to the Castro by the Lord and were bold in ways that I really respect. (The first time I attempted to go out with my friends I got physically sick to my stomach, turned around and went home! It was right before I moved away from SF)
Wow is right. That video was seriously disturbing similar to what some of us experienced when we were speaking in Boston a couple of years ago. I was reminded by the Holy Spirit while watching that God loves those angry Castro residents as much as He loves any of us. I hope all Christians who watch this footage remember that.
Wow, that's amazing Ryan. I am tempted to turn your testimony into a new post. I think it gives a clearer picture of the history and the events of what happened.
Hmmm… Interview? hmmm…
But, I would imagine you might blog about this more. If you do I will link to it. Thanks for chiming in. Very good.
Wow is right. That video was seriously disturbing similar to what some of us experienced when we were speaking in Boston a couple of years ago. I was reminded by the Holy Spirit while watching that God loves those angry Castro residents as much as He loves any of us. I hope all Christians who watch this footage remember that.
Very true Alan. I hope we all remember that each time these types of things happen. Thanks for leaving a comment
Very true Alan. I hope we all remember that each time these types of things happen. Thanks for leaving a comment
Hi Randy – I just wanted to add that we are to love the people and hate the spirit behind them as Christians. I work in the Palm Springs area and you really have to be on your toes here. Thanks for the blog.
Thank you for your comment Shannon. I pray you will have the grace to “stay on your toes” and love your neighbors.
Hi Randy – I just wanted to add that we are to love the people and hate the spirit behind them as Christians. I work in the Palm Springs area and you really have to be on your toes here. Thanks for the blog.
Thank you for your comment Shannon. I pray you will have the grace to “stay on your toes” and love your neighbors.
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