Fascists for Christ
Thanks, Drudge, for highlighting this story about Christians in San Francisco being condemned not only by “counterdemonstrators” but by City Hall itself.
It seems there was a youth rally at AT&T Park in San Fran, attended by some 25,000 teens. Organized by Battle Cry, the purpose of the event was to raise their voices “against ‘the virtue terrorism’ of popular culture.” After additional events in Detroit and Philly, Battle Cry hopes to turn loose a slew of youth pastors into the communities in these areas, to find new ways to bring the gospel to those without Christ. But they haven’t received the warmest of welcomes from the City.
Assembleyman Mark Leno said, “they’re loud, they’re obnoxious, they’re disgusting, and they should get out of San Francisco.” The city’s Board of Supervisors even passed a resolution which condemned the “act of provocation” by what it terms an “anti-gay,” “anti-choice” organization that aims to “negatively influence the politics of America’s most tolerant and progressive city.”
One thing that bugs me is that the Christians were called “fascists” by the counterdemonstrators. This worries me because it is a clear attempt to use inflammatory language to identify Christians with commonly-accepted “bad guys”. And it’s a misuse of the word to begin with - they clearly have no idea what fascism even means. Sheesh.
At least one of the counterdemonstrators had a sense of humor. Totally soaked from the rain, someone called out, “And next time, come back in summer.”
P.S. Battle Cry plans to announce the launch of some sort of Christian answer to myspace.com. Keep your eyes peeled for that - might be interesting.
About 15 folks from my church drove down to attend that event, and based on everything I have seen, they have the right approach.
Battle Cry is encouraging teens to lead by example, trusting their faith, and not believing all of the pro-intoxication anti-abstainence materialistic messages in the media. I believe this is the best way to fight the battle. Creating disciples one heart at a time, and training them up to be leaders and evangelists.
On the other hand, the organization’s board of directors does include the most inflamatory Christian leaders (Fallwell, Robertson). Battlecry.com also does claim to have a legislative agenda.
It is interesting how the media seems to gloss over the actual content of the meeting. I suspect if there was any inflamatory content, they would have exposed it. I hear the TBN broadcast it, so it shouldn’t be hard to find footage. I don’t know about Ron Luce, but Dr. Hayford is not known for generating controversy.
Comment by Josh R — March 28, 2006 @ 6:29 pm
There’s got to be a way to do it, though, without the negative hype that events like this produce.
Ron Luce doesn’t generate controversy, but he does generate a lot of flakes. I know some personally. Hmm..
I don’t understand the protesters- I thought SanFran was a tolerant city? They don’t even talk about gay-rights at the event either.
A christian alternative to myspace.com? That doesn’t sound like a good idea. Online gossip is gossip whether it’s “Christian-style” or not.
Comment by Daniel — March 28, 2006 @ 11:33 pm
Well, I was going to trackback, but my blog doesn’t want to co-operate, so I will post here..
Looks like Mark Leno is a slightly embaressed about his behavior, calling the quote above “not one of his proudest momements”
The SF gate also admonished the city in it’s editorial today “Intolorant city”
Not only did SF give BattleCry a ton of publicity, they also affirmed it’s message. The culture doesn’t want teenagers to live pure.
Comment by Josh R — March 29, 2006 @ 1:27 am
Purity is not welcome?
Purity is not welcome? Looks like San Francisco is begining to realize that they did their city no favors by opposing a prayer convention of Junior high and High school students in thier city: Intolerant City Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San…
Trackback by Fingertoe.com — March 29, 2006 @ 2:07 am
I, too, had reservations about this group when I saw Falwell’s name mixed in there. He may do okay behind the pulpit, but behind a press microphone is another story.
Anyway, glad to hear a good report about it from you, Josh.
And Daniel - I didn’t know myspace.com was a “gossip” site. I thought it was mostly a sort of community, where you post photos and journal (blog-ish) entries. But I’m out of the loop here.
Comment by Joe — March 29, 2006 @ 1:51 pm
I think only a few know how to use myspace.com to its full potential (photos & journals & music). But the majority is definitely pre-teen and teens and college-ers who like to talk about anything they want. “blogging without principles” maybe? Have you seen the “Grade your Professor” section? Feel free to rip on your profs behind their back, or if they’re tech savvy, even in front of them.
And I guess I was wrong about Teen Mania not being politically fueled. I thought I knew them better. I guess they sent out an invitation to the event claiming: “[Come to] the very City Hall steps where several months ago, gay marriages were celebrated for all the world to see.”
Very sad.
Comment by Daniel — March 30, 2006 @ 1:05 pm
Oh I see…I never saw that “Grade Your Professor” section. I even had a myspace.com account until I got bored with it (the next week).
Comment by Joe — March 30, 2006 @ 5:36 pm