Posted on 06/19/2010 12:20:39 PM PDT by Sybeck1
Bellevue says 'you're out,' gay softball coach claims
A local women's softball coach said her team was banned from a Bellevue Baptist Church league after she acknowledged she is gay.
Jana J. Jacobson said church officials told her the "deviant" lifestyle would prevent the team from competing in Bellevue's adult women's softball league.
The coach said she was the only team member who attended meetings in preparation for the season that began June 8, and the only member questioned by Bellevue leadership. She wondered why her lifestyle mattered since they were playing softball.
"Finally, in my frustration, I said that I am going to be clear. I am gay, and I find all of this to be absurd and against the word of God as I know it," Jacobson said of a meeting with Bellevue officials.
Jim Barnwell, Bellevue's director of communications, said Tuesday afternoon the church has "no plans to comment on (Jacobson's story) at this time."
Bellevue was provided an outline of Jacobson's account of meetings with church officials. Barnwell also was asked whether the church's stance regarding homosexuality was part of the decision, if its account of the episode differed from Jacobson's and whether the player's acknowledgment played a part in the team not playing in Bellevue's league.
The church's decision does not appear to be illegal, said Richard Fields, a long-time local civil rights lawyer: "I don't think it's ever been challenged. This is the first time I've ever heard of anything like this."
In May, Jacobson's team, composed of straight and gay players, many of whom play one night a week in Bartlett, was looking for more games. They discovered Bellevue was allowing teams not associated with the Cordova church to join.
She registered, paid the entry fee and attended the preseason organizational meeting. This included outlines of league rules: no alcohol, smoking or cursing and no offensive terms on uniforms. She does not recall there being any morality clause.
Andy Beal, the church's minister for sports outreach, later contacted her seeking a followup meeting. Scheduling problems delayed the session until the day before the start of the season, Jacobson said.
During the meeting, Jacobson said another rule of "no public displays of affection" was added. Beal also told her they had received information about her lifestyle.
Jacobson, who says she's "very athletic in appearance," didn't want to lie, so she acknowledged she is gay.
"I continued with ... 'This is silly, we're simply here to play ball,'" the coach recounted in an e-mail about the events.
According to Jacobson, Scotty Shows, the church's recreation minister who also attended the second meeting, told her that because she was gay the team could not play. She was told that the team's participation would send a message to Bellevue members that the church condoned her lifestyle.
Bruce Gourley, executive director of the Baptist History and Heritage Society, said terms such as "deviant lifestyle" are common for Baptists opposing homosexuality.
"The issue of homosexuality and how Southern Baptists handle that is a huge issue with them. I haven't heard of a situation in a softball league, but it doesn't surprise me," said Gourley, who, according to his biography, holds a degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is online editor of Baptists Today.
He said odds are that there are homosexual members of Bellevue. They are tolerated "as long as they are quiet about it."
"A softball league seems like a minor playing field to take a stance," Gourley said, "but that is how seriously (Southern Baptists) believe about this issue."
Jacobson said she is not looking for the church league to rescind the decision, and wouldn't return anyway.
Fields was surprised at the church's stance.
"This is totally insane, and the gay community of Memphis should protest it, as well as the straight community," he said. "None of us should have to put up with that."
-- Clay Bailey: 529-2393
Memphis newspaper poll asks if you approve of Elena Kagan-esque behavior being rejected by a local Baptist Church.
FREEP THIS POLL ***PING!*** FRmail me if you want to be added or removed from the Fearless Poll-Freeping Freepers Ping list. And be sure to ping me to any polls that need Freepin’, if I miss them. (looks like a medium volume list) (gordongekko909, founder of the pinglist, stays on the list until his ghost signs up for the list)
I’m handling Dynachrome’s FReep a Poll pings until June 22. Errors and omissions during that time are solely my fault and should cease upon his return.
There are plenty of non-religious softball leagues where this carpet-muncher can coach.
Because she was asked. Should she have lied?
I'm sure that was a component of a homosexual woman trying to play in a church league when there are women's softball leagues all over which are not associated with Christianity.
It's a tactic that has been tried and has proven successful. Sue and force your way into the last remaining vestiges of morality and decent standards left in this country and then eliminate any and all opposition to your perversity.
I didn't see where she was specifically asked about being gay. Her lifestyle came into question but the context of that may have been because she is a single woman. Being a single woman seems to raise questions.
Poll: Do you agree with a decision by Bellevue Baptist Church to ban a church league softball team because its coach acknowledged she is gay?
No 70% 2583
Yes 29% 1101
total votes: 3684
_____________________
There’s a wonderful thing about God’s Word — it isn’t up for a vote. God isn’t elected. The principles of Scripture aren’t chosen by referendum. And the Bible still says that Homosexuality and Lesbianism is, yes, a SIN.
Bellevue Baptist Church is, according to my understanding, the administrator and overseer of this softball league. They have the right to determine who plays, and who doesn’t. Case closed.
Good on Bellevue
” It’s a tactic that has been tried and has proven successful. Sue and force your way into the last remaining vestiges of morality and decent standards left in this country and then eliminate any and all opposition to your perversity. “
EXACTLY!
+1
” So the gay community wants to force people to play ball with them.
Isn’t that sexual harassment? “
LOL!! Good shot. To a church? Yes it is!
Yeah right. Are you suggesting there were no other single women on any of the teams? Or are you suggesting that when the story said "Beal also told her they had received information about her lifestyle" they were talking about her housekeeping?
Thank God...He is never changing and is unmovable and I am grateful for that.
You are right, BBC has the right to determine who plays...case is indeed closed.
I’m not suggesting anything. Who peed in your Cheerios today?
Absolutely...the Boy Scouts is a glaring example. This story is not going away...before you know it we’ll be hearing about the local chapter of the ACLU stepping in.
What a frickin joke! It’s just a recreational league with some gal offering to manage the team who just happens to be a lesbian.............Burn her at the cross!
What? A lesbian playing softball? Why, that’s unheard of!
Why is this even news? Unless homosexuals want to hear the sermon and consider repenting, they shouldn’t play any role in a Bible-believing church.
She shouldn't have signed up to begin with at a church that doesn't tolerate someone living a sinful, perverted lifestyle.
She can play for a church or team that doesn't find her behavior perverted and sinful. PROBLEM SOLVED.
Maybe they should have clearly said "No Fags Allowed" on their literature?
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