Reader Mike tells us “this postcard arrived in the mail yesterday. At first I thought, why is Modern Family, one of my favorite shows, and ABC sending out postcards? On closer look you realize that the postcard is from the anti-gay, Biltmore Baptist mega-church here in Asheville, NC. I don’t know if will be of interest to you, but it really pissed me off that Biltmore Baptist would co-opt the wonderful pro-family, pro-gay-family, and all-inclusive message that Modern Family broadcasts. I sent copies to the legal department at ABC, hoping they might go for a legal smack-down, but a little blog exposure sure wouldn’t hurt!” Done and done.
thou shalt not steal
Anti-Gay North Carolina Baptist Church Stealing Modern Family‘s Marketing
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Brent
I live in Asheville too and got the same postcard! I thought it was so strange that that particular church chose to hijack the name, typeface, likeness and branding of a show with gay characters.
MikenStL
Why is the BBC sending out postcards in North Carolina???
I often listen to their News shows on NPR…. Maybe someone should forward them a copy too?
Jimmy Fury
@MikenStL: abc is likely to have a better case than BBC since the logo is much more a rip-off of abc’s logo.
20th Century Fox Television is the main production company behind the show though so should probably forward a copy to them too. They love to sue people for copyright violations!
BibleBelt
Here is the blog post: http://www.brucefrank.org/2010/08/upcoming-series-modern-family/
the other mike in Asheville
Hey Queerty! thanks for posting this, you rock!!
Raven
What’s up with the weird racial element?
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
@Raven: They must be a very “inclusive” church. They wanted to include a bit o’ racism as well as homphobia……….
And something like this could blow up in their bigoted faces anyway. Aside from the legal implications am sure many of the men from that church would see themselves in Jay. Very hypermasculine, sports loving, guy with a hot young wife (that part only in their dreams). And despite a little bit o’ uncomfortableness with some aspects of Mitchel and Cam’s relationship he loves them and accepts them unequviocably as members of his family as all the other members of the extended family………..
the other mike in Asheville
@ No.4 BilbleBelt
Okay clicked the link. That’s some pretty freaky shit.
Hilarious
@Raven: What weird racial element?
They adopted two black kids and siblings fight. What’s weird about that?
Anyway…
While the church itself may be anti-gay there’s really nothing offensive in that post card. Stick it to em by reporting their copyright infringement but at the same time it comes off like tattling. I don’t think this will make an impact one way or the other. Just hair pulling like the two little kids depicted above.
Aaron in Honolulu
I guess they wanted to appear INCLUSIVE by showing two adopted kids who are not white like everyone else in the postcard. It just looks like they are trying too hard to appear diverse.
I could only imagine that one of the bullet points during the conception meeting was “Make sure we add teenagers with cell phones/iPods and colored people in the shot.”
the other mike in Asheville
I don’t think of this as tattling…. (although all of my 2th grade insecurities DID just flood back into my brain) …
I think of it as protecting intellectual property, even if that property is not my own.
And I do think it could be more than simply 2nd graders pulling each other’s hair.
Disney (parent of ABC) is ruthless in protecting its trademarks, brands, and intellectual property. In a best case scenario, Disney might force Biltmore Baptist to discontinue its “Modern Family” bible lessons. And that would mean that there are, hopefully, a few less bigots in my neighborhood.
In any event, this church is being sent the message that I’m not going to sit idly by while they co-opt a great message in order preach vile things about me and my community.
Yo see, I work in creative and design, and my work has sometimes been in the entertainment industry. Our ideas — ideas for graphics, advertising, writing, producing, production design, set design, make-up, wardrobe, etc. — are the single most valuable thing we bring to the career table.
In TV and film, your ideas and your skill at executing those same ideas are what get you the work that pays your bills (you hope!)
And fortunately, for those people looking to do this kind of work, there are producers, production companies, and sometimes even the stars themselves, who are willing to roll the dice and spend millions of dollars in hopes of making a hit.
So everyone in the production chain, big and small, has invested and risked their ideas, their time, and huge of amounts of money to create a show. If your risks pay off, then your message, your ideas and thoughts, your wit, and the specific way in which you chose to marry, to execute, and to advertise your vision, comes to life on film and resonates with millions of viewers!
And boom! A small collection of ideas and some big risks become a huge hit!
Then one day Biltmore Baptist church comes along and just takes your ideas – the name, the feel, the mood, the graphics, and your overall look. Without investment or risk, they take the amazing amount of Good Will you have created with your viewers.
In an effort to create new revenue and membership, this church decides, without your permission and without compensation (I’m making an educated assumption here), to take a free ride on your show’s fame, its success, its advertising budget, its good will, and its viewership in NC.
And to make it all the worse, they take your brand and your brand’s message and twist it to promote a hateful dogma.
Modern Family’s message includes a gay couple who, with their adopted daughter, are wholly accepted and loved as just another part of the family.
In contrast, Biltmore Baptist has essentially stolen the ideas and work product of Modern Family in an attempt to bring people into an environment where they will be taught that gays, same-sex marriage, and gay adoption are all some form of perversion and/or abomination in the eyes of (their) God.
In direct contrast to Modern Family, Biltmore Baptist will call you a “sinner” and only truly welcome you once you have “repented” (and even then you won’t find the acceptance that, say, a divorcee’ will find.)
Given the history of the Southern Baptist Convention, these people will inevitably be mobilized to obstruct or take away the rights of gay people, gay couples, gay parents, etc.
And all that is just wrong.
I like Modern Family, and to me, shining a big spotlight on Biltmore Baptist’s post card was simply my way of telling a friend, “hey, I think someone is seriously trying to rip you off.”
Hilarious
I’m not defending their little church, so let me make that clear.
That said pretending to care about the intellectual property of ABC is silly.
Like I said before the post card itself has no anti-gay content and running off to tell ABC just to get back at them seems juvenile.
There are better ways to fight homophobia and much better efforts to invest time into.
The types of people who listen to these churches in the first place aren’t going to change their minds with or without a reference to a popular televisions how.
And well as far as the kids in the post card go, I’ve seen more than enough racism from commenters on Queerty to know how hypocritical the false “concern” for that is.
Ervs
I am a native Tarheel. And I want to say yes we gave our crazies. But NC is not the worst state. We are the only southern state and one of the few states in the country not to have a Marriage Amendment. We are at 44% in support of same sex marriage. We are the Iowa of the South. I grew up around these crazies and I understand the frustration. But we are going to make it to the top of the mountain I swear.
the other mike in Asheville
Hi Hilarious.
Modern Family invites viewers into a world where a gay couple with an adopted daughter are just part of the family, loved and accepted, no big deal.
Biltmore Baptist wants to use Modern Family’s brand, the good will it has created with viewers, to invite people into their church to teach people its own hateful brand of homophobia.
I think Modern Family’s message is worth defending. I think defending it makes a difference.
I believe shows like Modern Family do more to fight homophobia than 10 years’ worth of HRC dinners and marches on __________ (fill in location.)
Am I silly and juvenile? oh yeah, I can be, absitively and posolutely.
Are there better ways to spend time and resources to fight homophobia? No way, dude.
In a couple of hours, while watching Roger Federer, I sent this message into the blogosphere and to friends at ABC/Disney who will forward it on to their legal dept and the producers of Modern Family.
If Biltmore Baptist has to spend money on lawyers, re-write their teaching series, and/or just re-print all their print literature, then at least we threw ’em a good punch.
If nothing happens to them, well, then I lost two hours I would have spent reading Rolling Stone or Vanity Fair while watching RF play tennis. In any event, I’d still put my hourly “fighting homophobia” productivity rate up against any HRC-type groups, any day.
Mike in Asheville, nee "in Brooklyn"
@No. 14 The other Mike in Asheville
So proud of my most favorite husband. Mikes(2) rule!
Kim in Asheville
It is obvious that there are some people who choose to sin, these people know they are sinning. Ok. So thats their choice. But then they choose to fight for their sin and try to convince others that their sin in not a sin. Then they one step further by making a big deal about a bible teaching church not picturing gays in their advertisement. The bible teaches tha MARRIAGE is between one MAN and one WOMEN. Your ideal of a Modern Family is not the same as we are taught in the word of God.
Leviticus 18:22 – “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (NIV)
“If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.” (Leviticus 20:13) “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
God doesn’t need help deciding what is sin and not sin. He is God. So homosexuality is listed with many other sins which we are told not to do. For instance drunkards. Being a drunk is sin. And therefore will be taught as such from the bible. That doesn’t mean that people who do these things are not welcome at church. The Church if filled with people who are sinners saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
The only difference is we christians admit we are sinners,we need a savior and we have asked Jesus to be our God because he has paid for our sins on the cross. He shed his blood for my sins. And You homosexuals dont admit that your sinning and you want to chance the worlds mind about it.
FOR SOME STUPID REASON YOU THINK THAT IF SOCIETY WILL CHANGE THEIR MIND ABOUT YOUR SIN MAYBE GOD WILL. IM SORRY TO BUT GOD DOESNT CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT HIS WORD. AND HIS RULES STAND.
HOMOSEXUALITY IS A SIN. PERIOD.
Kacy
Did I miss something?? I visited the website for this promotion; the video and flyer say nothing about homosexuality or the church being ‘anti-gay’ or being ‘homophobic’. I’m sure this a church that stands behind its convictions, which would mean they hate all sin…not just homosexuality. The bloggers on this thread are the first to throw stones at people who stereotype the gay/lesbian community, but aren’t you then guilty of the same when you cast judgements and stereotypes upon a church that you’ve never been too?
Transplanted Southern
Intellectual property infringements? I’m going to ere on the side of yes.
Will the Disney/ABC machismo fight it? No.
After reading the blog and watching the short video clip, I found no anti-gay sentiment. Of course, they don’t have a homosexual couple on the post card like in the TV show. Its not what they believe. We all have different beliefs and moral compasses. Right or wrong is not for me or anyone else to decide.
I understand that some bloggers may be concerned that this Modern Family sermon series infringes on the lesson of tolerance and acceptance the show touts. Let’s be real though. Biltmore Baptist’s message here is not anti-gay or even about tolerance. Its about coping with life’s struggles that come with family. That’s something we can all use help on. Maybe this church’s solution is not what works for you. Perhaps its yoga, reading, alcohol, working, or sleeping for you, but for this church’s attenders this works for them.
Yes, the church believes homosexuality is a wrong and unnatural, but a lot of other organizations do, as well. My final talking point is this: why put efforts towards an organization that isn’t going to change its mind regardless? A lot of letters to state and federal representatives and senators could be signed, sealed, and mailed in two hours. Yeah, you can sock it to the church. Maybe Disney will send them a cease and desist letter, but you’re still at square one. I’m not saying to not speak out, but why not put speak out to those you can influence.
mike
@Kim in Asheville:
for some stupid reason, you believe in a book put together and written by a group of men no less corrupt than our own modern politicians.
for some stupid reason your god cares about who I sleep with, but not about starving children.
for some stupid reason, your god cares about all sorts of stupid details, while being completely disinterested in the world’s suffering.
and for some stupid reason, you have the supreme arrogance to believe that you understand anything at all about god.
you’ve made god into some tiny petty Being who cares about little petty things.
see you in heaven, God and I look forward to your apology.
mike
@Transplanted Southern:
sorry dude, but after two hours on-line and 30 minutes on the phone to ABC, thousands of people around Asheville now know that Biltmore Baptists are a bunch of bigots who would, given the opportunity, force the rest of us to live our lives according to their (academically mediocre) interpretation of the Bible.
that means there may be a few less bigots in Asheville tomorrow. For me, that’s a worthwhile endeavour.
And, I have to ask: what have you done to change the world today?
Transplanted Southern
Mike,
I gave blood today and volunteer with the American Red Cross. As well as mentor high school students. I hope that makes a difference.
Thanks for asking.
mike
@Kacy:
Kacy, here’s the difference: Biltmore Baptists aren’t content to simply live according to their convictions. Rather, they want those who are not Southern Baptists to also live by Baptist values.
Biltmore Baptist Church, as a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, is, by definition of their denominational theology, against homosexuality, is against same-sex marriage, against adoption of kids by same-sex couples, and even against anti-bullying laws which include protection for gay kids and/or kids perceived to be gay.
They employ teachers, preachers, lobbyists, think tanks, and politicians to pass legislation forcing all of us to live by their values.
I’m not throwing stones and/or stereotyping these people. They declare themselves to be anti-gay when they join a group that is, by their own definition, anti-gay.
One need not attend a KKK meeting in order to determine if the members are racists, just as one need not attend a Southern Baptist church to know it is anti-gay.
mike
@Transplanted Southern:
dude, you’re the one making value judgements … you give blood and mentor … please respect that I wanted to, publicly, put a real face on anti-bigotry and succeeded, to some extent.
don’t belittle my efforts, and I won’t belittle yours.
Transplanted Southern
Were you the one that called News 13 WLOS? If you were, that’s time well spent. If you’re not, then I’d say there’s a more productive use of your time. Plus, Biltmore Baptist has been in Asheville for years. Do you not think that your fellow Asheville residents (including myself) are not aware of its beliefs and make their own judgment calls?
There’s bigots on both sides of the fence, champ. I’m sure there are plenty of people in that church that would be more than willing to lend you a helping hand. Just as there are homosexuals that would do the same. Generalizations do very little to help the cause. They just further infect open wounds and lead to more polarization. You’ll find bigots everywhere. They aren’t just in churches. They aren’t just on homosexual blogs. Come up here to the North where I recently moved and you’ll find it, too. Hate comes in many forms and fashions. Sometimes its latent, but its there.
Lastly, please learn to use proper punctuation. Its difficult to read when you type like that. You don’t want to sound like those “academically mediocre” bigots in the church.
Best regards,
Transplanted Southern
The issue here is not whether or not Biltmore Baptist is anti-gay. There’s no debate there. The title of this page is: “Anti-Gay North Carolina Baptist Church Stealing Modern Family’s Marketing.” Yes, they parodied it to Modern Family with a post card and sermon series (and I’m sure tons of other marketable material). The connection is that because there is a gay couple in the TV show, somehow its morally wrong for the organization to use this parody. Perhaps, it is legally wrong given intellectual property laws. However, there’s no anti-gay sentiment in the mailing, minister’s blog, or video. Is it okay to be irritated that a Southern Baptist church used Modern Family for its outreach parody? Sure. Can you say that they are explicitly anti-gay in the parody? Absolutely not. In fact, I would even conjecture that the marketers for the church actually accepted the tolerance the TV show touts. In my mind, it would make more sense for them to defame the show and speak out against it. In some ways, I would consider this a step forward. Years ago, Ellen Degeneres was abhorred by churches. Now, many of these “bigots” greatly enjoy her entertainment and viewpoints. After all, she is hilarious, genuintely good person, as well as a good role model.
mike
@Transplanted Southern:
yep, I’m the guy who sent out the emails to Queerty, Kenneth in the 212, to my buddy at Disney (ABC) to forward to their legal dept, and then spoke to WLOS yesteray …
and as someone who moved to Biltmore Park from NYC last year and lives amongst many Asheville newcomers, I think a lot of Asheville residents Do Not Know that the SBC actively works to deny gay people their civil rights.
certainly, if one were to only hear ‘Pastor Bruce’ speak of love and acceptance, one would never realize that his church is, theologically and practically, virulently anti-gay.
sorry about the way I write, but unlike the theologians at the Southern Baptist Convention, I don’t make any claims to academic superiority.
have a good eve, back to the martini shaker for me, yea!!!
Transplanted Southern
I lived in the Forest off Long Shoals for two years. Enjoy the South. Its going to get cold up here in Hartford quite soon. Have a drink for me. Cheers!
Kim in Asheville
@mike:
You dont want to believe the only standard, which is the Bible, Gods Word because that would mean that you would have to admit that you are a sinner. But Jesus came to save the sinners from Hell. You only have to admit your a sinner and in need of a savior. And ask the one offering the gift of salvation to come into your life. He Loves you. Its Grace thru Faith in Jesus Christ. The Only way.
Kim in Asheville
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, [5] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” [6]
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Kim in Asheville
Read Romans 1
Kim in Asheville
John 3:16 (New International Version)
16″For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:9-10 (New International Version)
9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
John 14:6 (New International Version)
6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Romans 6:23 (New International Version)
23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.
the other mike in Asheville
@Kim in Asheville:
you can believe whatever you like … you choose to believe in a god who is petty and small, worried about sparrows but not about children. I do not.
I think God is a lot bigger than you give him credit for …
Shannon
My heart hurts for all of you who think that Biltmore Baptist is a judgemental place and even more for those who thing of God as small and uncaring. I invite you to come join us in worship any time! You will be in my prayers…
black = white
@Shannon:
Oh Shannon, does your heart hurt? How does it hurt?
Does it hurt the way a young lesbian’s or gay boy’s heart hurts when family and church declares their sexuality to be a perversion?
Does your heart hurt the way a child’s heart hurts because your church would rather see that child alone in the system than be adopted by a loving gay couple?
Maybe your heart hurts like those of people who are not allowed to marry the one they love?
You think your heart hurts. How. Dare. You.
Your church pronounces judgment on gays and lesbians every single day of the year, and if you are so ignorant as to think otherwise, then it is time to educate yourself to the teachings and political activities of the Southern Baptist Convention.
I don’t read any comments here saying God is small and uncaring. What I read are comments that say YOUR god is small and uncaring. Because that is how YOU have defined him.
You and your church use the word “love” to disguise “hate.” But black is still black, and no amount gushy language and prayer will change it to white.
You should be praying for yourself.
Cassandra
Kim in Asheville
First, I hope you remember that Paul forbade women to teach or instruct men, and are going to repent of your sin.
Second, your theology is not Christian. It is destructive and brutal, and it indicates that you recognize that your prejudice is itself a terrible sin in need of punishment.
See, Kim, you wield the Bible to excuse and justify hurting GLBTQ people. Essentially, each time you posted a Bible verse, you were saying “It really is Ok that I hate and abuse you, there’s an exception to “love your neighbor as yourself”, because I think the Bible says I can hate you people”.
But here’s the ironic part, people only make excuses and justifications when they know they are in the wrong. If your behavior were righteous, you would not need to justify it by bashing people with cherry-picked, erroneously translated Bible verses. But, because deep down even you feel that you are in violation of God’s law when you look down on, despise, malign GLBTQ people, you have to justify yourself by spewing scripture. You weren’t trying to teach us, you were trying to white-wash your own sin.
“The bible teaches tha MARRIAGE is between one MAN and one WOMEN.”
No, it does not. The Bible contains examples of polygamy, incestuous heterosexual marriages, the keeping of concubines, prophets marrying prostitues, and more.
You quoted the passages from Leviticus, as if that portion of the Bible were written in English, and that is not honest. The translation you provided is a false one. Additionally, with Leviticus 20:13, you personally committed fraud by only posting part of the passage, leaving out the death penalty it contains. That death penalty is a sign to moral people that your interpretation of it is false, because no moral person would accept murdering human beings over the gender of their sexual partner. Essentially, you told us two things – you embrace murdering homosexuals, and, you know that doing so is immoral and unethical, and so you concealed that part of your beliefs.
Since your belief lacks morality, you simply aren’t qualified to judge GLBTQ people.
The passage from 1st Corinthians also contains a translation flaw, but more importantly, it shows sin and immorality on your part, for you equate our loving relationships with idolatry, stealing, extortion, and so on; in doing so, you become a reviler. The truth is that 1st Corinthians tells us that people like you, who revile GLBTQ people, are not heirs to the kingdom of God.
There is no passage in the Bible that explicitly, or even honestly implies, that homosexuality is a sin. But there are hundreds and hundreds of passages that condemn bearing false witness, and stealing, which you have done and which Biltmore Baptist has done. So your belief that homosexuality is a sin causes you to sin, Kim, and that proves that your interpretation is not accurate, it is not righteousness.
Righteousness, accurate understanding and practice of God’s will, cannot by definition lead to sin, but by condemning homosexuals, Kim, you sinned repeatedly. The spiritual truth is that all condemnation of homosexuality is intrinsically sin, all of the fruit of believing that homosexuality is a sin, are evil and sinful.
Your quoted from Romans 1, and were honest enough to quote the portions that explain that Paul is talking about idolatry, not homosexuality, yet ignored Paul’s real message for your lie about us.
The message here is that verses 29-31 describe you and people who believe as you do about homosexuals:
“29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”
The message here is that you would sacrifice real human beings, even embrace a command to murder us, in obedience to your false, invented and manufactured god. Not only are you committing idolatry, Kim, you embraced human sacrifice, and so, Paul’s message in Romans 1 (and 2) is orders of magnitude more applicable to what you are doing, then to the sex lives of any GLBTQ person.
Kim, your last set of quotes actually undo your argument. Since the majority of Christians believe that salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ, your entire premise is just an ugly and sinful case of excusing making on your part, to justify your contempt, your lack of love, for millions of human beings. Jesus never said anyone had to be heterosexual to enter heaven, only that we believe in Him. That’s a promise He even made to thieves.
Please, repent.
Shannon
My church, myself, or anyone else has the right to judge anyone for God is the ultimate judge. I do not agree with the things you say, but I try to treat all people the same.
This whole blog just goes to show how BIG MY GOD is and how powerful His people are that you are getting stirred up about it.
I am sorry you are full of so much anger. You may need a therapist?
black = white
f@Shannon:
Jeez, exactly how stupid are you?
Your “church” is Southern Baptist, a denomination that believes homosexuality is immoral: that is a judgement. Your “church” fights any anti-bullying law that includes gay or lesbian kids: that is a judgement, and an evil one at that. Your “”church” believes gay people should not be allowed to marry in civil ceremonies in order to gain the same governmental protections, rights, and benefits extended to same-sex couples: that is a judgement. Your “church” believes it is better for a child to be left in institutional care or foster care than be adopted by loving and excellent same-sex homes, even though studies show (see Prop 8 trial record) that children of same sex parents do as well and usually better than kids raised in one-male/one-female homes: that is a judgement, and again an evil one, as you are willing to leave a real kid, one who needs a loving home, alone in the system and in the world.
This blog doesn’t show how big your god is. Just the opposite, the Baptists comments here show how narrow and little and downright petty Southern Baptists have made your god. This blog shows that a few strong LGBT voices can stop anti-gay bigotry in its tracks, getting the huge Disney/ABC network, and your local news, to step in and make sure you can’t steal the positive gay messages, as one sees on Modern Family, without repercussions.
And yeah, we’re angry. We’re angry that ignorant self-righteous bigots like you feel you have the right to force people like us to live by your denomination’s narrow view of the world and god. We’re angry that you are so insecure in your faith that you feel the need to pass laws that will never affect you, but will only affect us.
Just like our straight neighbors, most of us are decent hard-working, tax-paying citizens who bitterly resent that on any given day Southern Baptist preachers will compare to us murderers and pedophiles.
If you can’t understand why that makes us angry, then it is just more reason to call you a dumb person. Why are you not content to live your life according to your beliefs and leave us alone to do the same?
Try walking in our shoes for a few years, and then you will understand why we get angry. We don’t therapy, we need you to stop forcing your values on our lives.
Christin
@mike:
I go to BBC, have gay and lesbian family members….you are missing the WHOLE point of the similarites of “Modern Family” and the sermon series…it is about discord in our marriages, relationships, and in our families NOT homo-phobic bashing….
Good GRIEF!!
Yes BBC teaches against same-sex relationships, but it also teaches against lying, hypocrisy, etc….they (&I) view it as a sin, just the same as when I lose my temper or tell a white lie, it is a sin and I have to fight my own personal demons just the same as anyone. I just find help, love, and acceptance there (BBC) in fighting my own issues.
No Christian is perfect but to assume that BBC and everyone who goes there are homo-phobic, mindless nit-wits is quite insulting and rude!
I love my homosexual family members, they know that I don’t agree with their lifestyle, but as they have told me they don’t always agree with mine….I accept them as people and love them regardless of what my personal beliefs may be, sure i wish they felt the way I do, but you know what they don’t and I love them anyways. They are welcomed at BBC and I have had one uncle go (who is gay) and he felt welcomed there.
yes there are the “christians” who will gladly cast the first stone at anyone who doesn’t line up with the Bible, but my retaliation at them is to look at their own imperfect lives and when they can reach perfection cast away my friend….they can’t be perfect and never will be and it is a shame that bigoted ‘christians’ have ruined the reputation of so many good people!
Cassandra
Shannon
I’m sorry I didn’t notice your new remarks until today.
You wrote: “My church, myself, or anyone else has the right to judge anyone for God is the ultimate judge.”
Did you accidentally leave out the word “no” here? You do not have right to judge others. Christ said:
Matthew 7: 1″Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3″Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Frankly, your response indicates that you do not appreciate being judged or criticized, and yet, here you are, repeatedly judging, criticizing and condemning millions of GLBTQ people.
“I do not agree with the things you say, but I try to treat all people the same.”
Your bias against gays and lesbians indicates that you are failing at treating all people the same.
“This whole blog just goes to show how BIG MY GOD is and how powerful His people are that you are getting stirred up about it.”
Not in the way you think though. See, people here are stirred up about injustice, injustice that you nurture and feed. The God described in the Bible is a God of justice, so it can fairly be said that God is stirring up people here to fight the injustice you promote.
“I am sorry you are full of so much anger. You may need a therapist?”
People are angry about being persecuted, and rightfully so. Jesus often spoke in anger to condemn oppression and injustice. You are rebuking people for doing what Jesus did. Do you rebuke Jesus as well?
However, there was no anger in my post, and your remarks are derogatory, and therefore sinful.
Please repent of your sin of pride and false witness.
Christin
“Yes BBC teaches against same-sex relationships, . . .but to assume that BBC and everyone who goes there are homo-phobic,”
Actually, anyone who opposes same-sex relationships is intrinsically homophobic. Are you trying to lie to us?
“against same-sex relationships, but it also teaches against lying, hypocrisy,” Now you are comparing our relationships to things that create injustice and harm. That is, in your own words “quite insulting and rude!” It would appear that your standard of civility only goes one way – in favor of your pride at the expense of others.
“I love my homosexual family members, they know that I don’t agree with their lifestyle,”
There is no such thing as a homosexual lifestyle, and so, you do not really love them. Your pride has taught you to judge their loving relationships and decide that you know better than they do what is best for them. Pride is a sin, one of the seven deadly sins, the pride that caused Lucifer to revolt against God, the sin that the serpent tempted Eve with.
Your statement “I don’t agree with their lifestyle” in about you not agreeing with their lives, as if you have any right to any opinion, implying that they are, in your eyes, inferior to you.
Please, repent of your sin of pride.
Liveyourlife
@Brent:
Did anyone go to the church and listen to the sermon? Because maybe if you did you would know is not about anti-gay is was about Jesus love and how there can be deep hurts within the family.
the other mike in Asheville
@Liveyourlife: No need to go to the church. I traded e-mails with Pastor Bruce, and he made it very clear that he and his congregation are true Southern Baptists.
Modern Family, the TV show, is a wonderful show which includes, in a very positive light, a married gay couple with an adopted daughter.
By contrast, Biltmore Baptist, as made clear by the e-mails traded with Pastor Bruce, is using “Modern Family” to bolster his Southern Baptist hate church. A church that hates homosexuality. Hates gay adoption. Hates laws designed to protect gay kids from bullying.
Plus, the church and the people who support it do not respect the fact that other mainstream denominations – like my Episcopal church – interpret scripture differently and do not even consider homosexuality a sin.
The next time you want to talk about “deep hurts” you should sit down with the parent’s of the young teen kids who have been bullied to death/suicide because the bullies learned from their parents and church how awful gays are, and then explain to those parents why the SBC lobbies against the bullying laws meant to protect gay kids andor kids perceived to be gay.
The next time you want to discuss “deep hurts”, explain to one of the several hundred thousand kids in the child services system why they’re better off in institutions and foster homes rather than being adopted by a loving gay couple.
The next time you want to discuss “deep hurts” you come over to my house and explain, to me and my husband of 25 years, why a Baptist’s religious beliefs should prevent us from marrying down at city hall and enjoying all the civil/legal benefits enjoyed by straight couples who marry.
You see, the Southern Baptist Convention and its membership is simply not happy to live and let live.
No, instead, it lobbies for laws and legislators that will reflect its own narrow/inaccurate view of scripture and homosexuality, thereby forcing people like me to live by Southern Baptist values. That’s wrong and un-American.
Bottom-line, I confirmed, via his own e-mails, that Pastor Bruce is just another Southern Baptist mouthpiece. In other words, no need to go listen to the dude talk about “love” when he himself has confirmed first hand that he and his church are really just a bunch of haters.
kc
Righteousness By Faith
Q. RE: Is Grace Sufficient. I just have to make one comment about the homosexuality that the person questioned and one thing that you did not mention. 1 Cor. 6:9 – 10 says that homosexuals will not enter the kingdom of Heaven. If you are a homosexual, you cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven. A homosexual must repent of his sins and literally change his/her life and never go back to that way of living.
A. You obviously have a very strong opinion about this, but it doesn’t mesh with the Bible. What 1 Cor. 6:9-10 actually says is,
Or do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
The Greek word translated wicked means unrighteous and everyone agrees that God who is righteous cannot accept those who are unrighteous into His presence. In Romans 3:21-22 Paul said those who believe in Jesus receive a righteousness apart from the law which is based on their faith. So all believers are considered righteous in God’s sight because of their faith.
Note also that 1 Cor. 6:9-10 does not single out homosexuals. It includes immoral heterosexuals as well, like adulterers. Jesus said anyone who even has lustful thoughts about someone they’re not married to is guilty of adultery (Matt.5:28). Applying that same standard to other sins means lusting after any other person’s possessions is as bad as theft. Becoming overly attached to any of your own possessions is idolatry. Failing to contribute to the needs of the less fortunate is greed. Periodically drinking to excess makes you a drunkard. Saying unkind/untrue things about other people makes you a slanderer. Being angry with another person makes you a murderer, and on it goes.
If you apply the same standards to the other kinds of sins Paul mentioned here as you apply to homosexuals pretty soon no one could be saved, not even you. Jesus said if you’re going to condemn others you’re in danger of being condemned yourself (Matt. 7:1). You have no way of knowing what kind of anguish other believers are suffering because of their sins. That’s why He said to leave the judging to Him (1 Cor. 4:5).
Finally, In 1 Cor. 6:11 Paul applied the standard of righteousness by faith to believers by saying,
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Do you think he knew they were no longer having impure thoughts? No, he knew they had attained a righteousness by faith. It’s not our behavior that saves us, it’s our faith.
Taken on wegsite gracethrufaith.com by Jack Kelley
Love In Christ
Many people on this blog seem to be furious about this post card and slinging around name calling terms such as bigots and homophobics. It sounds to me like there are many heterophobics blogging on this site. Is this church publicly attacking the homosexual community? By this post card it doesn’ appear to be. But this blog does appear to be attacking the church. And for the record, I am not a member of this church. But for those who are attacking this church in this blog, compare what you have written in the blog to the post card above and consider who has a phobia.
Atheism is a prejudice
Dear author of post 43
Your id is a lie, please do not take Christ’s name in vain.
“Many people on this blog seem to be furious about this post card and slinging around name calling terms such as bigots and homophobics.”
No, these terms are not name calling terms anymore than “apple” or “antelope” or “running back” are name calling terms. Homophobe and bigot are words with explicit, defined meanings, and were used accurately in the posts you lie about.
Your attempt to recharacterize these terms, in order to avoid the rebuke they contain, is dishonest, and it means that you do not manifest love in Christ.
“Is this church publicly attacking the homosexual community? By this post card it doesn’ appear to be. ”
Anti-gay theology does indeed attack GLBTQ people. Your very narrow test ‘by this post card’ is a dishonest attempt to avoid the truth: the aforementioned church reviles millions of human beings.
By the way, the 1st Corinthians passage is very interesting. KC got it wrong, because the translation he/she invoked is erroneous. But the really interesting thing is that the passage reviles/slanders whoever is meant by ‘arsenokoite’ and ‘malakoi’ unless they are doing something that actually is comparable to stealing, adultery, etc. And the passage condemns slander. Homosexuality is not comparable to the other items in the list, so
If Paul meant homosexuals, he is a reviler or slanderer and will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, and everything he wrote is questionable. If Paul was a true servant of God, then he would not slander anyone and could not have meant homosexuals when he used the words “arsenokoite” and “malakoi” in the aforementioned passage.
“But this blog does appear to be attacking the church. And for the record, I am not a member of this church.”
People attack when they are oppressed. Some folk here attacked the church’s lies and actions, some attacked it’s theology, some criticized it’s illegal and immoral behavior of plagiarism. The fact that you claim not to be a member of the church suggests that you actually are, by the way.
“But for those who are attacking this church in this blog, compare what you have written in the blog to the post card above and consider who has a phobia.”
But that is a false comparison. So let’s compare the dishonesty in your post with the posts presented by people who have criticized this church and its advertising campaign. Let’s compare the derogatory and abusive, dehumanizing message of anti-gay theology, which at it’s heart seeks the death penalty and damnation for 1 in every 10 people, with the criticism presented on this thread.
I realize that you were probably a drive-by spammer, with no real interest in this long-dead thread but to revile people, even though you’ve now put yourself under the judgment in one of the very passages used to revile GLBTQ people.
mike
@Atheism is a prejudice: This church is, in fact, a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, which is actively fighting against gay rights.
In the last year alone, the SBC has supported legislation which forces their specific theological point of view on non-Baptists, including actively working, both in public dialogue and in legislative and judicial arenas, to thwart same-sex marriage and anti-bullying laws designed to protect children who are bullied because they are or appear to be gay.
That’s right, the SBC and Biltmore Baptist doesn’t want laws to protect certain kids from being bullied. I’m sure Jesus would not approve of their actions.
In specific regards to BBC’s “Modern Family” postcard and promo campaign, they co-opted a hit TV show to present their own messages of bigotry. Modern Family presents an exceptionally positive view of a gay couple with an adopted daughter and how their extended family accepts and loves them, as is.
When asked on ABC TV, Pastor Bruce of Biltmore Baptist admitted the above statements are factual.
If you consider it “love” to force your narrow theology on others (my own church is Episcopal with a gay reverend married to another man) … if it’s “love” to say it’s OK to bully gay kids and straight kids perceived to be gay … if it’s “love” to attempt to destroy gay relationship and gay families …
then you can keep your hateful “love” and crawl back under whatever rock you came from.
mike
@Love In Christ: @Atheism is a prejudice: This church is, in fact, a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, which is actively fighting against gay rights.
In the last year alone, the SBC has supported legislation which forces their specific theological point of view on non-Baptists, including actively working, both in public dialogue and in legislative and judicial arenas, to thwart same-sex marriage and anti-bullying laws designed to protect children who are bullied because they are or appear to be gay.
That’s right, the SBC and Biltmore Baptist doesn’t want laws to protect certain kids from being bullied. I’m sure Jesus would not approve of their actions.
In specific regards to BBC’s “Modern Family” postcard and promo campaign, they co-opted a hit TV show to present their own messages of bigotry. Modern Family presents an exceptionally positive view of a gay couple with an adopted daughter and how their extended family accepts and loves them, as is.
When asked on ABC TV, Pastor Bruce of Biltmore Baptist admitted the above statements are factual.
If you consider it “love” to force your narrow theology on others (my own church is Episcopal with a gay reverend married to another man) … if it’s “love” to say it’s OK to bully gay kids and straight kids perceived to be gay … if it’s “love” to attempt to destroy gay relationship and gay families …
then you can keep your hateful “love” and crawl back under whatever rock you came from.
mike
sorry Atheism, my message was directed at “love in christ” … more aptly named “hate in christ”
Randy Watkins
@Kim in Asheville: I agree with everything you put down. I am having a very hard time with Baptist churches in NC accepting the pro-gay position when they know it’s wrong. It is a sad day in this country when bible believing churches take the position “it’s OK to be gay” when they know it is clearly NOT OK.
mike
@Randy Watkins: You have every right to think it is “NOT OK” for “bible believing churches” to say “it’s OK to be gay.” We agree on that. Are you with me so far?
Question 1: If you have the right to your beliefs, what gives you the right to force and legislate your religious convictions on me? Because that is precisely what the Southern Baptist Convention and many “bible believing churches” are attempting to do.
I believe in the United States and it’s constitution, which, last time I checked, states that I should be free to practice my faith, same as you. I’m Episcopalian, and we believe in the bible, and we believe gays are are made in God’s image, just like you. Are you saying it’s OK for us to force you to worship according to our beliefs?
Question 2 should be directed to Pastor Bruce at Biltmore Baptist: if it is “NOT OK” to be gay, then ask Bruce why he would create a whole teaching series inspired by the TV show “Modern Family”, a show which portrays, in an extremely positive light, a gay couple with an adopted daughter?
Randy Watkins
Once again to all you people out there that think”it’s OK to be gay” you have forgotten one very important point. What did the God of the bible do to Sodom and Gomorrah? He will do the same to this country for accepting this sin.
lawsymercy
Nobody’s posted since JUNE? The final word is this ‘randy’ character?
Tsk. Let me correct that, and him.
Randy, and those of your mindset, do you seriously believe an almighty, all knowing, omnipotent god is going to destroy our country in particular because of some homosexuals?
Why a minority group instead of the majority of dunderheads who have plundered the natural resources and polluted rivers and killed so many ecosystems it would make Hitler, in comparison, seem trivial?
I mean, why wouldn’t this god be coming after us for having slaughtered MILLIONS of buffalo and sometimes, in fact very frequently, just for their horns? WHITE people, by and large, WHITE MEN, did this. Let me guess…you folks would come back with the old ‘dominion’ argument, right? Because you think ‘dominion’ is the correct translation of the ACTUAL word which is correctly translated ‘care taker’. But ‘dominion’ or ‘domination’ sound so much more agreeable, especially to those who secretly desire to control others that are not themselves.
That same mentality that ignores rape victims. That made it legal to beat married women ( if it was her husband, that is ). The same mentality that swept, and slightly still does sweep, child prostitution under the rug. The same mentality that ignored and ignores child abuse. The same mentality that allows for the physical abuse of domesticated animals ( e.g. dogs and cats ) because they are part of a mans belongings ( just like his wife, who sits slightly above his first heffer ). The same mentality that enslaved and tortured an entire race of people for over 200 years ( and many others before that ). The same mentality that considers greed a more palatable sin than equality, and therefore profit is OK so long as you’re not, directly anyway, murdering anyone. Speaking of murder…all of these things are and have been justified by Believers.
You need others to believe what you do, not because it’s true but because you secretly wonder why your prayers go unanswered; why you still see so much hate; why an omnipotent ‘father’ in an invisible heaven can stand by and do nothing while over 200,000 of his ‘children’ are wiped in seconds by a tsunami. You won’t confront your own questions and fears so you go about trying to insert them in the lives of others and on the occasion they agree with you, you feel much better about believing what you do. It’s ok, you can admit your real feelings. There’s no god on this blog waiting to send poking demons at you forever and ever and ever.
Gosh, if you met a ‘father’ like the above guy in human form, wouldn’t you think him a psycho-path?
You just don’t want to believe what you suspect; that you are alone in Life and there is no invisible superpower waiting idly by to pet you on the head and tell you it’s OK and one day you’ll be in a nicer place, just hang in there till then.
You get one life kid, and you can either go out of it having been known as a loving, warm person or a bitter hate monger. Your choice. The point in doing ‘right’ isn’t to get an eternal reward. The point in doing ‘right’ is because IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
And the right thing to do is to stop trying to act as gods personal judge and jury until he returns from whatever vacation he’s on.
Now grow up already!
mercedes64
@Kim in Asheville:
Kim,(and like-minded haters) Please Consider the following:
Various and Numerous Reasons exist as to the causes of why I left BBC in Arden – One points to the attitudes as you have exhibited here in this forum: BBC is a DENOMINATION and a group of Inclusive’s who join together in a joint effort to discriminate and spread hate and prejudices which is UN-BIBLICAL – READ YOUR BIBLE AND DON’T JUST ATTEND CHURCH WEEKLY AND BUY INTO WHATEVER THE TEACHER IS FEEDING YOU – THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST PREDOMINANT PROBLEM ABOUT MODERN DAY CHURCH. MOST THINK SHOWING UP IS SUFFICIENT…AND THROUGH EXPERIENCE, MANY ARE NOT READING !
EXCERPT:
The measure of any church, whether inside or out of a denomination, is not how it is organized nor what name it is called, but rather how faithfully it adheres to the teachings of the Word of God. No church is inerrant, because churches are made of people who are capable of error. Even the apostles, with all the gifts God gave them, were not without error. Paul records in Galatians 2:11 that “when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.” Peter, the first to give the gospel to a Gentile, gave in to pressure by the Judaizers to separate himself from Gentile believers. Paul’s ability to confront Peter was not based on his position as an apostle, but on the revealed truth of God’s Word. Paul complimented the believers in Berea (Acts 17:11) for checking his own teaching against the Bible to find out if he was telling them straight doctrine.
All believers need to be like the Bereans, checking what we are taught against the Word of God to find out if those things are so. If our church is out of line with God’s Word, we must lovingly, patiently give instruction or correction. If it will not be corrected, then we should seek out a church that is faithfully obeying God’s Word.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/non-denominational-church.html#ixzz2ruIfkn00
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/non-denominational-church.html#ixzz2ruGhz6OM
BEAR WITH ME KIM AND I PRAY YOU WILL LEARN A THING OR TO FROM THE HOLY SPIRITS GUIDANCE:
ECUMENICAL:
Regarding ecumenical ventures, we need to ask ourselves whether or not these goals are being pursued. Often, in our day, the political and/or social desires of the participants are the driving motivators behind an ecumenical venture. A prime example of this is the current drive to pass a constitutional amendment declaring that the only marriage that will be recognized in the United States is the traditional, man/woman union. If our churches ecumenically join together in pursuit of this goal (passing out fliers, hosting a rally, etc), how are we striving for the above stated biblical purposes? Are we not simply striving for political and social achievement? How will the practicing, unbelieving homosexual view our Savior and Lord if all he sees in us is political activism and no compassion and no outreach? The ultimate goal of our actions should be the salvation of lost sinners, which we once were (Ephesians 2:1-3). The Bible tells us that the angels of heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). There is no passage that declares that the angels rejoice when a law is passed. This applies to homosexuality, abortion, drug-abuse, etc. God is glorified when we demonstrate Christlikeness to the lost. As we contemplate ecumenical ventures within our society, we need to make sure the venture is one in which God’s kingdom is expanded through pursuing the lost with the gospel, be they practicing immorality, abortion-rights activists, homeless, drug-abusers, criminals, etc.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/ecumenism-ecumenical.html#ixzz2ruJ3aqK0
In Conclusion, Kim…
What did our Lord say to the women at the well? … I can say by view of scripture that he did not treat this Samaritan women the way you have treated our brothers here on this site…
We are to “Love You Home” (anyone, believer or non believer…including Christians who think they are saved while demonstrating this horrible mindset)with a heart of hope and love towards any/all brethren who are living breathing humans with feelings and fears…
People like you are the number one cause of why so many leave the church, gay and straight alike..
There are other factors, some which include the following:
Not making the one true Holy God center, but instead, you allow Pastors to have center stage
Seeker Sensitive Friendly Motto – give the church visitors and members want they want, instead of sound doctrine/teaching
Exalt Music and Entertainment above the importance of teaching
You do not teach sin, repentance and holy living, instead, you seek to preach soft motivational feel good messages..
Cliques within the church
Social Clubs and Organizations
Etc..
Sin does not discriminate..we are all under it but by the power of God’s Holy Spirit we can be over-comers. There are different degrees and levels of sin..some worse than others…Homosexuality is in the same sentence as Adulterer in the bible last time I checked…are you immune to sin Kim? I would not throw a stone at you…God loves all sinners and gave his life as a sacrifice to all mankind no matter what is also what it depicts last time i checked. I do not condone this practice…but I do not hate the person or any person who sins…I love them Home – to God and then God takes it from there…
Kim, if you will commit to doing a study on some of these topics, commit yourselves to study and prayer and becoming a Berean, then be rest assured that the Holy Spirit will change your way of thinking…I pray He does…To our God be the glory