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
Apparently you wouldn't even allow them in the door to hear the sermon in the first place
I just stated otherwise. Try reading what you're responding to.
Why on earth would you expect churches with moral standards to allow unrepentant sinners on the softball team? Don't like? Don't go to the church or piss off.
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 — 69% — 2591
Yes — 30% — 1116
total votes: 3707
Sorry I forgot to ping you to my Post #43!
I am kind of suprised by this poll since Memphis is the buckle of the bible belt IMO. The CA is a leftist rag and I tell them that when they try to get me to subscibe.
I think about 20K is membership. My father in law goes there while I and the family attend a small chuch in MS.
Gay? A woman’s softball coach? Impossible!!!
Hi ow....yep. that’s exactly how I saw it. It didn’t matter how “athletic” or not she was...idiot...there’s alot of athletic woman who aren’t gay....she gets a fail big time!
Furthermore who cares who you choose to have sex with...keep it private as most people do... not on the public street and certainly not in front of kids...she’s a flamer, and got the press, and that’s what she wanted.
Then I assume there is no one in the league who is an adulterer or has been divorced a few times or drinks alcohol, or watches football on the Sabbath or curses or (pick your sin).
Baptists are against some of those things too. If you are unrepent of sins, you would not be a member of my church either. Don't get me wrong, sinners are most welcomed in my church but unless they repent, they will never be members.
Hi Ms Caww...hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Yeah, if they are going to engage in depravity...do it in private. The little tactics that these people keep using to try and legitimize their abhorrent behavior is getting old. Just like this woman: making it ‘known’ that she was gay is just a ploy to open the door for a lawsuit. (imo)
It sounds like a baptist ball league. Behind all is the assumptions one should make about what that entails.
It sounds like a gay advocate/activist rather than a repentant homosexual. It sounds like the lady was fairly obvious/outspoken about her orientation.
It sounds like the church felt it had to do something due to its own standards being challenged by an openly activist gay.
How do you know she hasn't repented? She could be a celibate lesbian. I assume the RL would not be welcome in your church now that he is on his fourth marriage.
One would assume all such types have repented and gotten right with God or they wouldn't be on the team, unlike the lesbian who obviously is unrepentant.
Because if she had, she wouldn't be proclaiming herself to be a lesbian.
I doubt they ban all unrepentant sinners. Just certain kinds.
Don't like? Don't go to the church or piss off.
I don't go to Baptists church, I admit that. And I also admit that of all the things about Fred Phelps and his crew that puzzle me, I find the fact that he's a Baptist least puzzling of all.
“A local women’s softball coach said her team was banned from a Bellevue Baptist Church league after she acknowledged she is gay.”
Are there women softball players that are NOT lesbian?
I have no doubt the church would ban anyone with drinking problem or that committing adultery. Softball players represent the church and, thus, should be good examples for the congregation.
And, it's a cheap shot to compare Baptists in general to Fred Phelps. That is the tactics liberals employ. Or do you want to plead ignorance on that one?
You could start by telling me what an "RL" is. You have misquoted me to boot. I told you anybody is welcome in our church, but not welcomed to membership unless they repent.
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