(373 unread) Yahoo! Mail Beta, jacobthanni

(373 unread) Yahoo! Mail Beta, jacobthanni

Equality Ride 2007
In his March 2nd blog, Mohler acknowledged that a mounting body of scientific research suggests that sexual orientation is shaped by biological factors and is not a behavioral choice. However, he went on to say, "If a biological basis is found, and if a prenatal test is developed, and if successful treatment to reverse sexual orientation to heterosexual is developed, we would support its use as we should unapologetically support the use of any appropriate means to avoid sexual temptation and the inevitable effects of sin." Later he adds, "We can and must insist that no scientific finding can change the basic sinfulness of all homosexual behavior."

Translation: Straight people have a "sexual orientation" – LGBT people, even in utero, have a "sinful temptation."

Today, twenty-two brave Equality Riders entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, sat down in a peaceful act of civil disobedience, and calmly demanded that Mohler publicly retract and apologize for his outrageous statement – a statement which essentially calls all Christians to support homosexual genocide if the science to do so is developed in the future.

Riders were told that Mohler was not available to talk to them, so Jarrett Lucas, co-director of the East bus, read the following statement during the sit-in:

"Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has publicly advocated for the elimination of gay people through the practice of eugenics. As a Christian leader, Mohler is in a position of great influence. But, his comments condemn the variation that makes humanity beautiful. His comments suggest that people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender do not deserve the right to live as they are, true to their identity. However, where President Mohler sees distortion, we see diversity. And so we are gathered here as people who recognize the worth and dignity of every individual. We are gathered here as straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to demand that Albert Mohler openly recognize our right to life, love, and liberty. As it stands, his voice is terribly misguided in believing that God does not affirm the identities of gay and transgender people. So, we call on him to take responsibility for his bigotry and the hurtful effects of his statements, and ask that he issue a public apology for having said them. We have a moral obligation to speak out in the name of truth and justice. So, we are prepared to sit-in until Mohler hears our voice and sincerely rescinds all that he has said against our lives and the lives of those we love."
Twelve Equality Riders were arrested while the rest stood vigil outside the seminary.

I hope you are as proud as I am of the courage and commitment these young people are showing as they boldly confront the messages of division and religion-based discrimination around the country.

As Equality Ride 2007 continues, the riders are being greeted with increasing amounts of anger and threats. One email addressed to me said, "You are not welcome in my town and if you come you better not get off the bus." Another said "Do us a favor Jeff. Why don't all you flaming fags and lezzies go jump off a very high cliff onto very sharp and jagged rocks below. You people make me puke."

Despite the threats, riders and many students have engaged in constructive dialogue about sexuality, gender, and faith. Over one hundred Mississippi College students eagerly awaited the East bus, and two off-campus forums held by the West bus at BYU were standing room only - students are hungry for this conversation. Many shared stories of fear and discrimination.

Melissa Pomeroy, a sophomore at BYU, said "I feel like I'm all alone at BYU. There is no way for me to meet others like me, even just to talk, because everyone is so afraid of coming out."

As Executive Director, I ask you to say daily prayers for the riders as they bring a message of hope and healing to schools and cities across America. Physical assault is a very real possibility. They are taking every reasonable safety precaution, but they are not willing to back down and go away just because others want them to drive their bus back into the closet.

Your financial support is still needed to keep the riders on the road, fed and sheltered for five more weeks. Please give generously to support their courage and commitment to justice.

www.EqualityRide.com/donate

Blessings,


Jeff Lutes, MS, LPC
Executive Director
Soulforce, Inc.

To read my Op-Ed in response to Mohler's comments, go to www.beliefnet.com/story/214/story_21440_1.html


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The goal of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.

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