Posted April 28th, 2008 by Michael Airhart
In the United States on Friday, Exodus featured speaker and megachurch pastor Ken Hutcherson led Snoqualmie, Washington, students in a school walkout and protest against silent opponents of antigay violence. In other words, he led a student protest in defense of antigay violence, which Hutcherson himself favors.
Exodus followed up today with an endorsement for the April 28 “Day of Truth” protest which supports antigay bigotry and refuses to even acknowledge — much less discuss or oppose — antigay violence in schools.
The moral failure of Exodus and other conservative religious organizations to stand in solidarity with antiviolence advocates is fueling new initiatives in the United States and abroad. Hutcherson’s grandstanding tirades and his disruption of classes are scandalous:
Hutcherson called his student supporters “warriors,” described pro-harassment advocates as “moral people” and called for them to be “unashamed” in their opposition to the antiviolence Day of Silence.
Hutcherson’s loud protest and a related boycott by a coalition of ex-gay and antigay organizations interrupted learning at the school and dissuaded 495 out of 1,410 students from attending classes, whereas the silent vigil against violence had no impact on learning.
Hutcherson criticized Christians who favored a non-disruptive “Golden Rule” approach to student antiviolence initiatives.
Focus on the Family congratulated Hutcherson on his opposition to antiviolence vigils.
Despite a promising ad-hoc gesture of cooperation in a single locale, a rival “Golden Rule” protest organized by pro-exgay pundit Warren Throckmorton declined to oppose disruptive pro-violence boycotts; pitted self-styled Christians against antiviolence advocates; and refused to affirm the moral and religious values of those who oppose antigay violence and harassment in schools.
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