Would Jesus Discriminate??

[u-dog]

Check out WWW.WOULDJESUSDISCRIMINATE.COM (http://www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.com)


It's part of a new public advocacy campaign of JesusMCC in Indianapolis. Twenty two billboards, two thousand yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts. Keep this campaign, the church, and pastors Tammy and Jeff in your prayers this month.

[shiningstones16]

Jesus did not discriminate. He invited all to repent.

[u-dog]

Jesus did not discriminate. He invited all to repent.

I have repented and continue to repent. have you? If so... of what?

[Emproph]

"We simply cannot afford to be wrong again."

That was powerful. Short, gentle, and compassionate of the 'other' side.

Thanks U-dog

[Allyson]

We could use about 20 of these billboards around here. I think they'd look especially nice next to the five or so Exodus billboards around town. :)

[u-dog]

This press release was sent out today by JesusMCC church in Indianapolis:

Late last week, 22 billboards went up across the Indianapolis metro
area asking Hoosiers to re-examine their assumptions about what the Bible
says about homosexuality. The response has been swift and violent.

Two of the billboards have already been defaced. One, located on the
east side of Indianapolis (at the intersection of 10th Street and
Mitthoeffer), proclaims, “Jesus affirmed a gay couple. Matthew 8:5-13.”
It has been marred with bright red paint that says “lie, lie, lie.”
[See photo at www.WouldJesusDiscriminate.com/pictures ]

The other defaced billboard, located on the southwest side of town
(Kentucky Ave. at Tibbs), proclaims, “The early church welcomed a gay
man. Acts 8:26-40.” On Friday, vandals completely removed the word
“gay,” so the message became unintelligible. That billboard has
already been repaired. In order to deface the billboards, the vandals had
to use extension ladders in a well-coordinated, dangerous undertaking
that constitutes a criminal offense.

The billboard campaign is being coordinated by Jesus Metropolitan
Community Church of Indianapolis, with support from Faith In America and
Metropolitan Community Churches worldwide. In addition to the 22
billboards, the campaign also features two thousand yard signs and hundreds of
t-shirts and bumper stickers, all of which invite readers to visit a
web site that provides detailed support for the Scriptural claims –
www.WouldJesusDiscriminate.com.

So far, Church volunteers have placed half of the two thousand yard
signs. Each yard sign and billboard refers to one of five key Scripture
passages that affirm gay people. In the past few days, on four
different occasions, church volunteers have encountered individuals in vehicles
stalking them, so as to systematically remove their yard signs. The
Church itself has had trouble keeping yard signs posted on its own
property.

“There appears to be some kind of organized effort to suppress our
message of hope,” says Rev. Jeff Miner, Senior Pastor of Jesus
Metropolitan Community Church. “But that will only reinforce our
determination to go forward. For too long, religious extremists have distorted
what the Bible really says about homosexuality. We’re taking the Bible
back, and religious extremists aren’t happy about it.”

According to Jimmy Creech, Executive Director of Faith In America,
“The tactics of those who are trying to silence our message remind me of
some of the worst chapters of religion-based bigotry in America.” He
points out parallels with the tactics of extremists religious movements
of the past, including the KKK. “It’s interesting how extremists
always seem to prefer to do their work secretly, under cover of
darkness. If they’re proud of what they’re doing, why don’t they declare
themselves and publicly defend their message of hate?”

Rev. Dr. Cindi Love, Executive Director of MCC worldwide says, “In
Indianapolis, and across the globe, Metropolitan Community Churches are
devoted to tearing down walls that divide people and building up hope.
We’re not looking for a fight with the religious right. This is
about the truth Jesus came to reveal. As the Bible says in Galatians 3:28,
‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for
we are all one in Christ Jesus.’”

Rev. Miner repeated his invitation to engage in a public discussion of
homosexuality and the Bible with any credible pastor who is willing to
have a respectful dialogue. “Let’s shine a light on what the Bible
says about this subject,” he said. “Let’s compare our different
points of view and then let thoughtful people make up their own minds.
If the religious right is so confident they’re right about this
issue, then what are they so afraid of?”

The billboard campaign is scheduled to run for thirty days. The goal
is to create public awareness of Bible passages that affirm gay people.

-End-

[u-dog]

Can you guys spare a minute for this? I would SURE appreciate it!!

UPDATE ON "WOULD JESUS DISCRIMINATE?"

We need everyone in the congregation who can to take a few moments
today or tomorrow to send a brief email of support to Clear Channel -- our
billboard company. Clear Channel is getting inundated with complaints
from the religious right. We need to show them that there is strong
support. So, please go to the following link:

http://www.clearchanneloutdoor.com/contact/cf_outdoor.aspx

Fill out the information requested there, and type a brief message in
the box provided. Express your thanks to Clear Channel for running the
billboards in Indianapolis that present an alternative view of what the
Bible says about homosexuality. Thank them for their commitment to
open public dialogue and freedom of speech.

[andrewlittle]

That was easy. I hope everyone can do it sometime today.

[BrentRichards]

Thanks for making us aware of this ... it was an easy way to be counted ... everybody go tell 'em!