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Protesters Disrupt Baptist Meeting
AP via Yahoo ^ | Tue Jun 11, 2002 | ALLEN G. BREED

Posted on 06/11/2002 5:40:54 PM PDT by twntaipan

ST. LOUIS (AP) - The head of the Southern Baptists condemned homosexuality from the podium Tuesday as gay rights protesters shouting slogans marched through the convention hall and into the arms of police.

Twelve protesters were arrested inside the hall, and 38 more were taken into custody outside, where riot police stood near the main doorway.

The dozen protesters who infiltrated the annual meeting of the nation's largest Protestant denomination were charged with ethnic intimidation and trespassing.

"Stop killing us! Stop the spiritual violence!" one man shouted as police dragged him behind the curtains at America's Center. A woman from the group Soulforce, which claims Southern Baptist teachings lead to violence against gays, shouted: "God loves his gay children!"

"You need Jesus!" shouted back the Rev. Robert Smith, a pastor from Cedar Bluff, Ala. Others hissed as protesters were led away.

The protesters tried to disrupt Southern Baptist president James Merritt's keynote address to nearly 9,000 delegates and their families.

Merritt took aim at the media and Hollywood, citing surveys that show nearly unanimous acceptance in those groups of homosexuality.

"More and more we're being told sit down, shut up, go along, get along, be inclusive, be tolerant, be nice and be quiet," he said. But Merritt said Southern Baptists have a "biblical responsibility" to preach against such things.

"We now face the fact that there are certain groups that are going to protest us every year," he said. "They have let me know in their correspondence, `We are not going away.' Well, I've got news for the pornographer, the adulterer, the homosexual, the pedophile, the abortionist: We are not going away either."

On Tuesday, the Baptists elected a new president, the Rev. Jack Graham, pastor of the 22,000 Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. Graham was the only nominee.

Also Tuesday, President Bush ( news - web sites) greeted delegates via satellite from the White House.

"I want to thank you all for your good works," he said. "You're believers and you're patriots, faithful followers of God and good citizens of America."

The Southern Baptists claim more than 16 million members.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: gay; homosexuality; sin; southernbaptist
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To: twntaipan
The kind of "gay rights" these lunatics demand of everyone is the "right" to storm into our church or synagogue and harangue the flock into accepting their idea of "tolerance."
21 posted on 06/11/2002 7:59:40 PM PDT by Liberator
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To: twntaipan
Isn't it amazing that gay activists, demand tolerance from everybody else when it comes their values and life style....yet are so completely intolerant of anybody being allowed to have a belief different from theirs.

They are so intolerant of anybody having the Christian belief that homosexuality is a sin, that they have to hunt down and stamp out this belief anywhere they can find it.

Of course the real reason they are so intolerant is because they are tormented by their own consciences and anything that might remind them of they will have to answer to God. They can't stand it.

22 posted on 06/11/2002 8:03:08 PM PDT by Jorge
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To: twntaipan
Anyone or any group who supports the UNNATURAL act of sex with the same sex is supporting a losing team.

God specifically condemns this behavior, calling it an abomination.

However, while detesting this behavior in the strongest terms, God has an unconditional love for all homosexuals.

Homosexuals - REPENT and place your faith in Jesus Christ. He will set you free and your faith in Him will make you righteous before God.

23 posted on 06/11/2002 8:05:48 PM PDT by ASTM366
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To: Texasforever
It is NOT a good idea to get in the face of a typical Southern Baptists male. They do not turn their cheek very often. 18 posted on 6/11/02 7:03 PM Pacific by Texasforever

Let's be fair now.

If you strike a Southern Baptist, he faithfully will turn you his right cheek to strike.
Strike him again, and he faithfully will turn you his left cheek to strike.

After the first two, however, be forewarned -- he ain't got no more cheek to turn.

24 posted on 06/11/2002 8:11:00 PM PDT by OrthodoxPresbyterian
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To: twntaipan, drstevej
"Stop killing us! Stop the spiritual violence!"

One cannot kill a corpse. We're merely pointing out that you are, sadly, already quite dead.

Repent, and Live.

25 posted on 06/11/2002 8:12:06 PM PDT by OrthodoxPresbyterian
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To: OrthodoxPresbyterian
Maybe that is why I describe myself as a lapsed Baptist. I never could get that right. I did like to dance too, not very well, but that is another story..
26 posted on 06/11/2002 8:15:12 PM PDT by Texasforever
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To: twntaipan
I guess they're mad because God won't change His mind about homosexuality being a sin. They've intimidated about everybody else to get in step with acceptance of their perversion. Well, guess what. They can get it removed as a "disorder" from DSM but they can't get it removed from the Bible. Like it or not, God says it is sin and wallowing in a life of sin is not something to celebrate as they like to claim, but something to be ashamed of. It is not something that should be accepted, but confessed and repented of.
27 posted on 06/11/2002 8:32:11 PM PDT by sweetliberty
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To: twntaipan
"Stop killing us! Stop the spiritual violence!" one man shouted as police dragged him behind the curtains at America's Center.

28 posted on 06/11/2002 8:33:36 PM PDT by Skooz
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To: aomagrat
Seems the southern Baptists stirred up a lot of evildoers. I am glad to see someone speaking the truth.

Muslims angered by comments at gathering of Southern Baptists

29 posted on 06/11/2002 8:40:47 PM PDT by sweetliberty
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To: twntaipan
A woman from the group Soulforce, which claims Southern Baptist teachings lead to violence against gays....

I wonder if she has any evidence to back this up.
Uh...no I don't.

30 posted on 06/11/2002 8:43:37 PM PDT by Skooz
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To: sweetliberty
They can get it removed as a "disorder" from DSM but they can't get it removed from the Bible.

Actually, they've removed it from THEIR Bible. A friend of mine worked with two male homosexuals who attended the Metropolitan Church in Dallas. She spied a Bible on one's desk...but couldn't find Acts or Romans in it. All references to sexual sin were omitted. It's sad that they are so deceived.

31 posted on 06/11/2002 9:10:38 PM PDT by LaineyDee
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To: LaineyDee
I think it is more active rebellion than deception in the case of militant homosexuals. I am guessing that they are not in the majority. I still believe that the majority of them know that what they're doing is wrong and do feel shame. I am aware that they have their own interpretations of the Bible, but eliminating books from the scriptures doesn't mean God has changed His mind. It simply means they are heaping curses upon their own heads.
32 posted on 06/11/2002 9:16:37 PM PDT by sweetliberty
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To: twntaipan
"Stop killing us! Stop the spiritual violence!"

Hey, Bubba, you don't have to worry about us killing you. I wouldn't harm one of you on a bet. Ya see, I don't have to. Your perverted, twisted friends do it for me. AIDS is final, doncha know!

33 posted on 06/11/2002 10:23:15 PM PDT by upchuck
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To: LaineyDee
Actually, they've removed it from THEIR Bible. A friend of mine worked with two male homosexuals who attended the Metropolitan Church in Dallas. She spied a Bible on one's desk...but couldn't find Acts or Romans in it. All references to sexual sin were omitted. It's sad that they are so deceived.

why is that so horrible? After all, the books that happen to be in the bible you read were also elected. If the MCC wants another version, why should they not make one? Sure, you won't agree with them as to what christianity is, but then again, do you think that you ever would?

34 posted on 06/12/2002 1:46:01 AM PDT by dogbert
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To: sweetliberty
I've ministered to a few AIDS patients that had attended that church. There is no doubt in my mind that they were totally deceived by people they trusted and didn't know any better. None of us are sinless.....or without rebellion in some aspect of our lives...we're just covered by His Mercy and Grace... striving for the goal to become more like Jesus as we walk in our faith. Some sins are more repugnent to US.. than others, but I imagine God doesn't care for any sin...whatever it is. (I'm so grateful He had mercy on ME!) *smile*

I've known of some homosexuals who have renounced and been delivered out of that lifestyle, then used their past as an inlet to minister to others who are caught up in it. I guess my point is...there's HOPE for everyone until the day they die. :)

35 posted on 06/12/2002 4:36:01 PM PDT by LaineyDee
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To: dogbert
Sure, you won't agree with them as to what christianity is, but then again, do you think that you ever would?

Doesn't matter a hoot what "I" think Christianity is......I just go along with what GOD says it is. I'm sure they don't agree with Him either... or they wouldn't have taken Romans/Acts out of their Bible. *smile*

36 posted on 06/12/2002 6:43:46 PM PDT by LaineyDee
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To: twntaipan
I do believe this is a violation of all of those peoples civil rights to practice thier religion. I would have these protesters IN JAIL tonight.
37 posted on 06/12/2002 6:48:47 PM PDT by Walkingfeather
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To: sweetliberty
**meant to say "that kind of church"... it wasn't the MCD... but obviously had similar teachings** At that time I wasn't aware they'd taken the book of Acts and Romans out of the Bible...(not sure if it's just an exclusive publishing for the MC) but it certainly made sense later, as to some of the comments/ideas they'd put forth in our discussions.
38 posted on 06/12/2002 7:01:52 PM PDT by LaineyDee
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To: LaineyDee
Doesn't matter a hoot what "I" think Christianity is......I just go along with what GOD says it is. I'm sure they don't agree with Him either... or they wouldn't have taken Romans/Acts out of their Bible. *smile*

Personally, I can't understand how someone could be both gay and christian. I have chosen to give up christianity, or rather, never to have become a christian. Which is, of cause, not a reason that anyone should not be allowed to have the belief that my sexlife is sinfull :). As long as they just keep it amongs themselves and don't bother me with it, just as I (and all other gays/people in general) (should) keep our sexual life in our bedrooms. Seems simple enough to me...

39 posted on 06/13/2002 11:51:06 AM PDT by dogbert
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To: dogbert
Apparently these protestors want to insist *everyone* approve of them. Must have something to do with a bad childhood event or something. I don't insist everyone approve of all my actions.
40 posted on 06/13/2002 11:56:44 AM PDT by Black Agnes
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