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[All bold type is my emphasis added.]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 10, 1997
CONTACT: Kristin Hansen, (202) 393-2100
FOR RADIO: Rebecca Biles
FRC CRITICIZES 'HATE' RHETORIC BY BOTH SIDES IN HOMOSEXUALITY DEBATE
Activist's contention that homosexuals are beyond redemption is contrary to biblical teachings, Knight says
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Rev. Fred Phelps, who brandishes signs such as "God Hates Fags" and declares that homosexuals are beyond redemption, "is promoting a viewpoint that conflicts with Christian teaching," Family Research Council's Director of Cultural Studies Robert H. Knight said Monday. "Mr. Phelps' public pronouncements were seen most recently outside the Human Rights Campaign dinner on Saturday night and magnified by national media coverage. His contention that certain people are automatically excluded from the possibility of God's grace is unbiblical. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, homosexuals are included in a list of sinners, who, if unrepentant, will not inherit the kingdom of God. Verse 11 says, however, 'And that is what some of you were. ...'
"The implication," Knight added, "is clearly that the apostle Paul's followers included former homosexuals. So where do Mr. Phelps and his group come off saying that these people are unworthy of the same salvation that he claims to have? God does condemn homosexuality, but he doesn't 'hate' homosexuals. We believe that he wants them to change -- like any other sinners. "We regret that Mr. Phelps has offered the media a crude caricature of Christian resistance to the homosexual agenda. His views do not represent those of Family Research Council or any other pro-family organization with which we work. While we share Mr. Phelps' opposition to homosexual activism, we believe that homosexual individuals deserve compassion and are capable of hope, healing and salvation. We also call on the leaders of the Human Rights Campaign and other homosexual activists to expunge the word 'hate' from their regular discourse. We respect them as individuals even though we are compelled to resist their agenda. Their personal attacks on people who disagree with their point of view are unwarranted and divisive," Knight said. "Recasting a sincere policy disagreement as simply a form of 'hate,' as some participants at the White House Conference on Hate Crimes this week have often done, is a flagrant breach of civility and an attempt to intimidate individuals who merely seek to exercise their freedoms of speech and conscience.
"Personal testimonies from former homosexuals can be seen and heard on our new video documentary: Hope & Healing: Stories of Coming Out of Homosexuality. A companion booklet, also entitled Hope & Healing, offers an authentic Christian approach of ministering to people struggling with homosexuality," Knight concluded.
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