Maybe we have been heard! I hope so!

[Joe Brummer]

After a long time of following the Bennetts and their hate speech, and their lack of ever leaving room for anyone to challenge them, this is a big step in the right direction.

Today’s advertisement for Straight Talk Radio has a message on it that is so commendable. Something I believe we should all celebrate. In celebration of this I am temporarily taking down the petition graphic. I am hoping that perhaps Stephen has heard us and that it is just not necessary anymore. I hope I don’t find I need to return it to my page. Later today, I will remove the language from my site.

Here is the wonderful message on Stephen’s site:

Robyn Murphy, a lesbian minister at All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church in Minneapolis, MN, will join Stephen and Irene on Wednesday and Thursday for a very, moving two-part broadcast. Robyn is the media person for Soul Force. Robyn responds to Mark Tooley’s article and to discuss the event, which she says ‘has been blown out of proportion.’

Though the Bennetts and Ms. Murphy may disagree on the issue of homosexuality, they sure do agree on a lot of things. This is a first for Straight Talk Radio, and we think you’ll agree, this may be one of STR’s most powerful broadcasts of all. True dialogue begins with mutual love and respect for one another as fellow human beings – even in the midst of disagreement. We pray you are blessed by this three day series.

[SolInvictus]

Wow - I'll be praying for it, and continue the debate w/ them if necessary.

[Zerbie]

Well I dunno. . .have you heard today's broadcast? Mark Tooley speaks in dreadfully negative generalizations (he was interviewed today). It will be interesting to observe how tomorrow goes.

Is there any way we can short circuit this whole awful mess? I'm reaching the point where much more of this US THEM s**t is likely to drive me to insanity. Why can't we all just live?

[Joe Brummer]

Well I dunno. . .have you heard today's broadcast? Mark Tooley speaks in dreadfully negative generalizations (he was interviewed today). It will be interesting to observe how tomorrow goes.

Is there any way we can short circuit this whole awful mess? I'm reaching the point where much more of this US THEM s**t is likely to drive me to insanity. Why can't we all just live?



Zerbie,
That is what I am working for, but the only way this will happen is with love! This is huge for the Bennetts to have an opposing view on the show. HUGE! This is something to celebrate. Give them the benefit of the doubt, I know that is hard, but non-violence calls for gice and take. If they are willing to give a little we muct be willing to give back! What do you give? LOVE!

[Zerbie]

Is this the first time they've ever interviewed 'the opposition'?? If so - then wow!

Yes of course the answer is love. Why do I often perceive us all as getting so polarized (Us/Them) we don't seem to get out of it? I've seen people who both want the same thing screaming at each other in anger because neither of them caught the little tidbit that the other wanted the same thing, and I frequently feel like we are caught up in doing that too. Not saying you specifically Joe. I have a great deal of respect for you. Where the Bennett's radio show is concerned, I definitely defer to you as the expert since I' ve heard all of 3 broadcasts.

Thanks for all you do, and I will pray for the very best. Also hope to have a chance to catch tomorrow's show and see how that goes. It will be interesting.

[Jennifer5]

Why do I often perceive us all as getting so polarized (Us/Them) we don't seem to get out of it? I've seen people who both want the same thing screaming at each other in anger because neither of them caught the little tidbit that the other wanted the same thing, and I frequently feel like we are caught up in doing that too.
I know what you mean Zerbie... but I guess all we can do is handle this with love and hope for the best like Joe said.:)

[Joe Brummer]

To say it is us vs. them implies there is more than one truth. There isn't. The truth is there whether we see it or not. The earth was round even when we thought it was flat. The truth is unchanging. We can only bring Stephen the truth.

Yes, This is the first time he has allowed an opposing view on his show. It goes further than that really. Look at his web discussion board. You need clearance from the "higher ups" at SB ministries to post a comment.

Look at his many blogs, all have comments turned off. He is not that comfy with opposing views. With that said, Soulforces visit to his show is HUGE! BIG! Really important, and it show a growth to the truth.....We must applaud this so it keeps happening, and if it fails....I am prepared to react and I hope you are with me!

[Jennifer5]

I am prepared to react and I hope you are with me!

Just say what you need from us....

[Joe Brummer]

Just say what you need from us....

right now, send me good energy to make the right moves, in the meanwhile it seems I have a letter to the editor to write......(thanks Jaime)

[Jennifer5]

okay...............

[Zerbie]

I hope we will all be able to reconcile. For real.

I've tried reading the discussion boards, the only one I found was one on STR broadcasts, and typically only one person writes comments, so that got boring immediately. Are there others? All I;m aware of are the home page for STR and for SB Ministries (didn't find a discussion board there.)

Joe - there will be some heartfelt prayers wafting your way shortly. Thanks for all your hard work, do keep us posted.

Zerbie:love:

[Joe Brummer]

Well, Zerbie
I just listened to today's show. In fact the headphone are still on my head.

It was not as bad as he has been in the past, but certainly the same untruths exist in his mantra.

Big Claims from todays show ( assuming I can read my own notes from the show)

1) First off: The opening of the show sounded like a commercial for the event. Very matter of fact and non-offensive. They read the email Soulforce sent out, as well as bits and pieces of the guests article about the eggroll.

2) The guest: His article if you haven't read it is also matter of fact. If a pro-gay person read it they would want to go, if an anti-gay person read it they would just shake their heads.. (Not that offensive for a change)
you can read the article here.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/596bqyrw.asp

3) They talked about SoulForce and Mel White. WHo he is and how he got started. This was a bit slanted as they felt it neccesary to point out "Mel left his wife and kids as he announced he was a homosexual" I don't see where that point matters since many heterosexuals leave their wife and kids for any number of reasons and Stephen doesn't point that out, but if a gay man does it, it is a greater sin? Sure, okay /sarcasm

4)Made a point of pointing out that SoulForce engages in civil disobedience. Made that sound like a bad thing by repeating it often ( and general tone). MLK and Gandhi both engaged in civil disobedience and it was noble. In this case Stephen and Irene made it sound rather"bad". That is simply not the case, but I doubt their listeners will know or get that unless they are familiar with MLK or gandhi.

5) (feel like I am doing minutes of a meeting, I hate doing minutes, we are about midway through the show at this point for those of you wondering where we are) Irene talked about Robyn coming on the show. I will note that on the STR website Robyn is noted as a "Lesbian Minister" on the show I was glad to hear they referred to her as a "minister". I think on a show like this such labels are used to degrade. I am happy to hear that label wasn't used on the air. I would be happy if they took it off the site, but hey, I guess I am demanding.

6) I will note that at this point I noticed as a musician and a former sound engineer this sounded very scripted and edited from here on in the show. You can hear the chnge in th background noise. I will note that Mark was doing this by phone. Of course this is only my opinion and could be wrong.

7) At this point the Guest "Mark Tooley", was asked by Stepehen what if the scenario was reversed and christians were doing this exact scenario, with Christian t-shirts, etc..... He replied by saying "There would be mass indignation" I cant' agree with this. Christians have always been welcome at such an event just as they are. Gays and lesbians, unannounced as such as event, holding hands or being an openly gay family would be shunned from the lawn of the house their tax dollars pay to maintain.

8) (my favorite part, /sarcasm) Irene goes on next to say that she wouldn't want to have to answer questions from her children as to why those two women are holding hands, or why those two men are holding hands, or "why that man is wearing a dress". Okay shock value on Irene's part, but that is fine. I don't know that any men will be there in a dress. I think she had to get something in there about sterotypes or it wouldn't be Straight Talk Radio. I would much prefer that they could do this show without all the old, inaccurate sterotypes. Sterotypes are based on untruths and breed hate. That is a widely known wisdom.

I will also add, how is this different than your kids asking why that other kid is in a wheel chair, or why is that kids wearing a beanie on his head, or why is that kids wearing a scarf on her head. (kids will phrase it different) Kids ask tough questions, parents should be prepared to answer those questions. What if one of the boys there had a doll in his hand, would that be a problem?

10) Mark Tooley spoke at this point on how children are "exposed" to homosexuality at younger ages these days. He called this event an exploitation and a stunt. This is more of the homos are shoving the sexuality down our throats stuff. More sterotypes and untruths.

11) Irene asked about what gays and lesbians mean when they say they want a place at the table. I am assuming she has not ever heard this old saying. Sad for her, I rather like it. Mark Tooley replied by saying that this is no longer about tolerance that gays and lesbians want approval of their "lifestyle" and that gays want to silence anyone who disagrees with their agenda.

12) In the finale, They talk about the Soulforce agenda, how gays are always trying to shock, push the envelope, and be edgy. Irene Bennett explained about Robyn being on the show tomorrow. Apparently they are making this a 3 day special. I am not sure what day 3 will be.


Overall, this show was far less offensive then previous shows. So if pieces of this made you angry, know that earlier shows would have cause you to have a siezure.

I will update you more later!

Hugs, peace and love!

9)

[Jennifer5]

Thanks for telling us how it went... I guess we can only expect so much at once... in time there are still good signs of hope, after all "Love always wins" :)

[Joe Brummer]

More updates:

Stephen has opened his web discussion board to all poster now. He has also added a comment email addess for people to send him email on his shows.


This is a huge change for him.....I am happy to say this very positive. I cannot really take credit for any of it, since I have no way of knowing I had anything to do with it. I don't really care about that either, I am just so happy to see change. I hope this change is here to stay. I hope that this change continues.

[Joe Brummer]

Okay, I have heard part 2 of the show and it made me tired trying to do a point by point. I did what I could with limited brain power (cold meds). The critque is here.
http://joebrummer.com/WordPress/?p=110

On the surface I will say Robyn did a bang up, slam damn, slippin happy job!!!!

I am very leary of this sudden change in Stephen and Irene. I know they are nice people. I have been following them for over a year, but you have to admit this is a huge, major change in direction in a short time. It makes me squint my eyes just a bit. I hope I am not getting to cynical in my years!

I will update you all again after part 3.....promise I won't do it on cold meds so I will do a better job!

[Zerbie]

Just listened to today's show. Did I hear what I heard?

Okay, I am beyond impressed with what appears to be an incredibly positive turn of events. I am fine with disagreeing philosophically. But what I've always believed was missing from folks on that side of the philosophical spectrum was apparently present today. Wasn't expecting that. Completely and utterly stunned. It's tremendously sad, but when folks like Bennett DON'T say accusatory and hateful things, I'm usually stunned. I'm really quite speechless right now.

[Jennifer5]

This is good, it seems like it's going well.:)

[Joe Brummer]

Well, sorry to say it was all a dream. Stephen came back from Robyn's words about being gay and christian with a show about the heartbreak a "christian" mother feels when their child is gay. This only implies that it is unchristian to be gay. Makes me sad, that I had hoped for change, but it didn't last.

The peition is back online at
http://www.petitiononline.com/StopSTR/petition.html