Posted on 06/27/2006 10:25:28 AM PDT by Alouette
The heads of three prominent Jerusalem-based Christian organizations on Tuesday lambasted plans to hold an international gay parade in the city this summer, and urged Israeli authorities to reconsider allowing the controversial event to take place.
"It is clear that Jerusalem has been deliberately targeted not because it has any particular significance to the gay and lesbian community, but because of the supreme importance this city holds for those of biblical faith.
"The decision to hold this event in Jerusalem can only be seen as a calculated and confrontational act meant to provoke and offend those who adhere to timeless, biblical moral standards in the very place they hold most dear," a joint statement by the heads of the three Evangelical Christian organizations stated.
The statement was cosigned by Bridges for Peace, Christian Friends of Israel, and the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem.
Despite widespread city opposition, organizers reiterated Tuesday that they are determined to hold the international event in Jerusalem in seven weeks time, setting the stage for a major showdown in the city this summer.
"The World pride event will take place in Jerusalem because we believe Jerusalem should be a center of tolerance, pluralism and humanity. Unfortunately, there are those who prefer Jerusalem to be fanatical, dark, pursuing strife and hatred," said Noa Sattath, chairperson of Jerusalem's Gay and Lesbian Center which is hosting the event.
The planned week-long international gay festival, which was originally scheduled to take place last year but was postponed until August due to last summer's concomitant Gaza pullout, has been widely criticized by a coterie of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious leaders in Jerusalem and around the world as a deliberate affront and provocation to millions of believers around the world.
In a largely conservative city, with a strong religious and traditional makeup, the idea of holding such an international parade in Jerusalem is seen by a not insignificant number of residents - even outside of religious circles - as out of touch with both the spiritual character of the city as well as the sensitivities of its observant residents.
A public opinion poll released last year found that three-quarters of Jerusalem residents were opposed to holding the international gay event in the city, while only a quarter supported it.
The last international gay parade, which took place in Rome in 2000 despite the wrath of the Vatican, attracted about half a million participants, while local organizers expect tens of thousands of revelers for the Jerusalem event this summer.
The six-day event is slated to include street parties, workshops and a gay film festival.
Oy Fey!
"The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more significant than God, religion, and the prophets...."Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Holocaust Chronicle ~
"Palestine is the wrong name for their State. It should be called Anarchy."FReeper sgtbono2002
"Then let's wait and see what the Arabs do after they take Gaza. There's nothing like Arab reality to break up a Jewish fantasy."FReeper Noachian
A student told his professor he was going to "Palestine" to "fight for freedom, peace and justice,"Orwellian leftist code words that mean "murder Jews."
The Nature Of Bruce ~
Divert the parade through Muslim controlled areas and let the camel jockeys do something useful for humanity for once.
Plus the queers might want to see what real intolerance is for a change, and see how good they have it in the west.
One other note to all Sodomites: The most traditionally Christian and moral part of the U.S. is also the most heavily armed.
The Last and the Greatest One. Try using that "we were gay in the womb" nonsense with Him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.