Christian Teens' Rally Irks San Francisco's City Fathers

Agape Press ^ | 31 March 2006 | Ed Thomas

[Aussie Dasher]

(AgapePress) - An estimated 25,000 youths showed up last weekend for a "Battle Cry" rally in San Francisco -- and then became the latest targets to receive a resolution against them by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

"Battle Cry" is a coalition of 30 groups that is attempting to turn today's youth away from the lure of popular culture and toward Christ while they are still teenagers. But on the day of the rally in the City by the Bay, opposing protesters took to name-calling, in one instance chanting the phrase: "Christian fascists, go away! Racist, sexist, anti-gay!"

In addition, both the rally and related protest caught the attention of City Hall, which adopted a resolution criticizing both as "acts of provocation" by an "anti-gay" pro-life organization. Democratic State Assemblyman Mark Leno, talking to the counter-protesters, referred to the Battle Cry rally as a "fascist mega-pep rally," and said the Christian teens involved in the rally should "get out of San Francisco." This in a city that has long been touting the importance of "tolerance" to support the homosexual movement.

Ron Luce, founder of the ministry Teen Mania and whose group helped to found Battle Cry, appeared afterward on the Fox News show O'Reilly Factor, during which he made it clear that the rally was nothing close to the picture portrayed. "We're not mean," Luce says, "and if you look at the video clips of that rally, they're very kind and they're praying -- and it was pretty startling to see such a violent response."

According to Luce, it was the first time one of his meetings was officially condemned. He says Battle Cry is helping youth to use one of the most important tools for culture change in America -- one he says the political Left has employed best up until now. "Whoever raises their voice in culture is the one who shapes culture," the ministry leader says.

In the coming weeks, similar rallies -- with the intent to change the culture by battling for the hearts and souls of the current teen generation -- are set in Detroit (April 7-8) and in Philadelphia (May 12-13).

[Porterville]

Kind of like the decadence of Rome and all that stuff.

[GSWarrior]

Even the San Francisco Chronicle condemned the Board of Supervisors over this one.

[Chewie84]

Crap like this is the reason why I'm glad I don't live in San Francisco. I definitely support those "Battle Cry" youths. In fact, if they included college students in their rally (I'm not sure if they do or not), I would have joined them myself, and maybe gotten a couple friends to come with me! I'll pray for them, that people as vicious and hateful as those counter- protesters would be kept at bay as the "Battle Cry" youths at least try to bring hope and the Gospel to to people who need it in their upcoming rallies.
"Reading this I can't shake the image of snarling hate filled "Orcs"."
As I think about people like the counter protesters, I personally think of the various monsters in the White Witch's army in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." The way they roared and bellowed with delight as Aslan was killed probably wouldn't sound all that different from "Christian fascists go away, racist, sexist, anti- gay!"

[Moorings]

This is the age of grace. God is extending the opportunity for the vilest offender to repent and turn to Him. Unfortunately many mistake this for weakness and license to go about their own way.

[prayforsanfrancisco]

But, pray for San Francisco we must!

www.prayforsanfrancisco.com