SPLC has lost its way in fight for gay rights

An interesting story from www.elpasotimes.com about the SPLC and homosexuality. This follows this post about Hobby Lobby's health insurance.  For more that you can do to get involved click HERE and you can also get two very interesting books HERE.

Tom Brown: SPLC has lost its way in fight for gay rights

By Tom Brown / Guest columnist www.elpasotimes.com



The once venerable organization, The Southern Poverty Law Center, has lost its way. Instead of focusing on race issues, they have assumed the mantle for fighting for gay rights. Unfortunately, they use the same tactics against Christian ministries that they use against the Klu Klux Klan. They have falsely labeled our interracial, women-empowering ministry, as a hate group.

The SPLC labeling Christian ministries as a hate group is simply wrong. I can say with a clear conscience that our motive for calling all people to repentance and faith in the gospel is because of our intense love for all people.



We also try to call everyone to Christ with a humble heart, knowing we are all sinful without God's grace. Romans 3:23 says, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." The "all" includes me too. I'm not without sin.



When the SPLC meanly put us on the hate list, David Crowder, of El Paso Inc. investigated how they came to their conclusion. He uncovered a terrible secret: that there was no serious inquiring into our ministry, but someone laid one of my articles on the desk of Heidi Beirich, who, without contacting me or discussing it with their group, made the unilateral decision to put our ministry on the hate list simply because of one article.



Mr Crowder wrote, "The piece Beirich cited does not use the word 'hate' or 'hatred,' but the word 'love' appears 33 times."



The truth is our ministry was singled out as a hate group because I was the most
prominent leader that successfully passed the traditional family value ordinance that ended special health benefits to homosexuals. Their attempt is to intimidate me and others from getting involved socially and politically on the issue of homosexuality.

Name calling is so childish and is plain wrong. It is debate tactic used to discount opponents. When someone enters a debate, and they are losing, they generally start attacking the person, instead of answering their arguments.



Their view on homosexuality is wrong. Homosexuality is sinful. Same-sex marriage is against the Bible, nature and tradition. It does not and will not work to make society better. It is a wrong approach to fixing and strengthening marriage in our country. This is my view!



Now if the SPLC disagrees, fine! That's their prerogative. People are allowed to share their views, but it is dangerous to label good Christian ministries as a hate group.



A gunman pleaded guilty to shooting a security guard at the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Family Research Council because the Southern Poverty Law Center listed FRC as a hate group. The SPLC is, in my opinion, inciting hatred, rather than dispelling it.



The "hate map" that SPLC puts on their site is starting to resemble a "hit map."



The SPLC has turned into a radical-left, Christian-attack propaganda machine. Mat Staver, founder of the Liberty Counsel, agrees, "The Southern Poverty Law Center has a long history of maliciously slandering pro-family groups with language and labels that incite hatred and undermine civil discourse."



The SPLC came to El Paso to supposedly enter a "civil discourse," but how can they enter a civil discourse when they label Christian organizations as "hate groups." The label itself contradicts the claim for civil discourse.



What is needed in our world is respect for differing opinions. I disagree with the SPLC's view on homosexuality, but I try to respect their views.



However, they are not giving our ministry the same courtesy.



I also want to say that every human being, homosexuals included, must be shown love and respect. No one has a right to hurt another human being. As a minister I offer God's love and the salvation to all through Jesus Christ.



Tom Brown is an author, conference speaker and bishop of Word of Life Church.