Christians Thrown Out: Baseball Execs Eject Biblical Message from Homosexual Event

Agape Press ^ | 8/18/03 | Jim Brown

[truthandlife]

Four Christians were recently kicked out of Veterans Stadium during the Philadelphia Phillies' "Gay Community Day."

Last Tuesday, Michael Marcavage and three friends brought a banner to the ballpark that read "Homosexuality is sin, Christ can set you free." He says their intention was to share that biblical message of hope with homosexuals who were at the stadium. [See Earlier Story]

Seven minutes after unfurling their banner from their centerfield seats, however, the group was approached by security. Marcavage says the four were told that they could not display their banner.

"They basically said that the [Phillies] executives said this banner must come down. And we questioned them, because there were other banners in the stadium as well," he says.

Marcavage says while their banner with its Christian message was prohibited, several other banners were permitted in the park that day, including an oversized rainbow flag waved by a homosexual man. Marcavage says he and his friends challenged the singling out of their group when others in the park were being allowed to display their messages without incident.

"We basically questioned them, asking if they could have their banners, why couldn't we have ours. They said 'Well, it's the content of the message,'" Marcavage explains.

He speculates that the Philadelphia team's corporate owners may have feared negative publicity. In any case, based on the Christian group's choice to display a message from the Word of God that might have convicted some members of the crowd, Phillies executives decided that neither the banner nor its bearers had any place in the park. Shortly after security ordered them to take down their banner, the four were escorted from the stadium.

Marcavage says although they were asked to leave the ballpark, they did have their money refunded and each received a free ticket to another Phillies game.

[Grut]

Ah yes the moral equivalency... Christianity -Hunting -Anti Hunting -and the promotion of Sodomy....

The 'moral equivalency' is between one group of horse's asses and another.

[F16Fighter]

LOL!

[sinkspur]

In fact, I'd like to see Freepers band together to start protesting the homos, similar to Rev. Fred Phelps. He pickets the homos funerals and parades with signs like "NO HOMOS IN HEAVEN" "GOD HATES FAGS" "AIDS CURES FAGS" these are in your face, but it's certainly better than sitting on the sidelines and letting these perverts destroy our values and culture.

Fred Phelps? You think picketing funerals with "God hates fags" signs is cool?

If you're a Fred Phelps Christian, you ain't much of one.

[jsbankston]

In fact, I'd like to see Freepers band together to start protesting the homos, similar to Rev. Fred Phelps. He pickets the homos funerals and parades with signs like "NO HOMOS IN HEAVEN" "GOD HATES FAGS" "AIDS CURES FAGS" these are in your face...

Interesting view you have there. However, I think most conservatives, Republicans and members of this forum would prefer that you left their names out when you hook up with Fred Phelps for a Klanesque protest.

[Rodney King]

Everytime I see a homo sticker on a car here in Dallas, it's usually on some clapped out old junker.

I would surmise the reason for that is that it's the teenagers and gays in their early 20's who put the bumper stickers on their cars.

[F16Fighter]

"Doesn't this all come down to the fact that gays were being given a modicum of respect?"

I see your point.

The Phillies could have even had giant phalluses positioned at the bases and home plate as the PA announcer asked the fans to:

"Stand and honor our 'special guests' as we salute those who 'salute' us."

(Sniffle) That would have been sooo special....

[Rodney King]

There is a big, BIG difference between preaching that homosexuality is a sin, and assuming that God hates fags. He hates the sin, there is no question about that.

[Rodney King]

Christians make up 80 percent of the population of the United States..

It depends on the definition. If your definition of a Christian is anyone who is not Jewish, Muslim, Buddhast, or Wiccan, then you are probably correct.

If your definition of a Christian is one who have been baptized by the spirit and has accepted Christ as his/her saviour, then you are most definetly incorrect.

[Dave S]

And if they had a family day or Christian Day at the ball park, how would you react if someone unfurled a banner saying that all Christians were intolerant bigots and that Christ was a fraud. I very much doubt the Vet would let those banner holders stay either. The point is not who is right but whether showing of that banner is an insult to the Vet's invited guests that night.

The people being thrown out should have known better. My bet is that they knew they would be thrown out if they unfurled the banner, but they did it anyway just so people like yourself would be pissed off.

[jsbankston]

If you think Fred Phelps is so cool you should ask President Bush to give him a prime-time speaking spot at the 2004 Republican Convention.

Somehow, I do not believe President Bush is on the same page as you and Phelps on the gay issue.

[Russell Scott]

Another sign of how close we are to the end of sin, sickness, disease, death, and all the other works of the devil.

[Rodney King]

The lastest thing of Phelps's website is a flyer that says Bob Hope is in hell. What ever happened to judge not, lest ye be judged yourselves?

[sinkspur]

And what scripture do you base this on? If you're confused about the bible, go visit Rev. Phelps website. He backs up 100% of what he says and does with book, chapter and verse. Can you do the same?

No thanks. Fred Phelps is a hater, of Gays, and Catholics, and Jews.

I never actually met someone who would defend him, however. So, have a fun life, but don't think you're any kind of follower of Christ if you follow this knuckle-dragger.

[vaudine]

To: grayout, Belial
"The...icky stuff was not being practiced in the stands..."

How do you know? If it were, would the media report it? At every "Gay Day" or parade or homo event, there have been outrageous acts performed in plain sight and recorded. Why was this different?

And this was not showing a "modicum" of respect to a maligned group, it was outright pandering. Homosexuals can buy a ticket and go to any game. Have they had a Boy Scouts Day, a Veteran of Foreign Wars Day, a Day to say thanks to military dependents, a Day for Christianity,or a Day honoring World Religions,or a Mother's Day Out to get women interested, at the ball park. ???Somehow, I doubt it.

Also, these Christians were not displaying an obscene banner. It didn't read "Fags need to repent" or "Quit a Filthy Lifestyle Before It Kills You".

Get a grip, Belial, and quit acting out your name.

vaudine