It was sobering to watch the media swing into action when a religious group known for standing against the homosexual movement (Watchmen on the Walls) made a recent appearance at the Lynnwood Convention Center. Local reporters, armed with information supplied by a politically correct organization, the Southern Poverty Law Center, ganged up on the Watchmen, coloring their event as a dangerous gathering of “one of the most virulent anti-gay organizations we have seen in this country.”
When Pastor Joe Fuiten dared question the reliability of some of the allegations made against the Watchmen, a spokesman for the SPLC likened Rev. Fuiten’s perspective to that of “the Klan.” Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, wet finger to the wind, piled on with comments about swastikas, hate and intolerance. Evidently he thought the Watchmen event was somehow linked to the racially offensive graffiti that shows up around the county on occasion.
It is a sad and unhealthy feature of America today that in place of a climate conducive to religious freedom and civil discourse, we now have (a) slanted journalism, (b) bullying tactics by politically correct organizations like the SPLC, and (c) irresponsible and misinformed comments from opportunistic politicians. These are universal features in the national quarrel over the homosexual movement.
The flip side of the PC coin is to silence anyone inclined to be a sign of contradiction. Taboo in the public schools and the workplace is reasoned discussion of the wisdom of 2000 years of Judeo-Christian morality as relates to homosexuality. Off limits also is any more talk of the clear and present danger to the emotional and physical health of people engaged in the sexual activities associated with homosexual lifestyles.
Even as “moralists” are gagged, we witness the proliferation of degrading, debauched, and even blasphemous conduct by the more militant homosexual groups. Pertinent laws against indecent exposure often go unenforced. Attend a “gay pride” parade and you will likely be a spectator to some or all of these things.
An alarming incident took place recently in San Francisco involving a troop of transvestites and fake nuns who made a public mockery of the Roman Catholic Archbishop and the Sacrament of Communion. This incident was all but ignored by the mainstream press, as was a sado-masochistic depiction of the Last Supper undertaken by the Folsom Street Fair, a sizable leather and bondage organization that claims to, among other things “… promote a sense of community, diversity, and cooperation …”!
Clearly, questions need to be asked of the homosexual community and the Southern Poverty Law Center as to whether vile insults and “in your face” mocking of Christians and Christianity qualify as “hate” or a “hate crime.” And what of the media folks ignoring incidents such as these while dissecting religious organizations?
In recent years, the government in Olympia has spun wildly out of balance with cultural liberals controlling all three branches of government. Sadly, the leadership of the Democrat Party has allowed a core of homosexual activists and secular “progressives” to hijack their social policy.
As the homosexual lobby continues to demand across the board acceptance via same-sex marriage legislation, federal edicts such as “hate crimes” legislation that would punish open dissent, and the so-called Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), we can now foresee a time fast approaching when speaking out in opposition to the homosexual movement may not only cost you your job, but some jail or prison time.
While the homosexual agenda may be fashionable with Seattleites, it is opposed by a majority of Washingtonians who resent being dragged along involuntarily by a social movement that contradicts the wisdom of the ages.
Working against the will of the majority is a clearly negative institutional and media bias that has existed for many years that is directed toward those who promote Judeo-Christian values. As a result, many social conservatives are demoralized and have abandoned political and public involvement completely. They must, however, re-engage and return to duty as citizens if we are going to stem the tide of this genuinely dangerous movement.
As Tom Paine’s words become current again — “these are the times that try men’s souls” — patriots of every stripe must not, in this current crisis, shrink from service to their state and country. What better way to serve than to take our stand for genuine liberty as opposed to license? Even in the face of institutionalized scorn and intimidation, we must stand our ground and contend for religious freedom and our right to open dissent.
Larry Stickney is executive director of the Lynnwood-based Family Policy Institute of Washington (www.fpiw.org).
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