Evangelical teens rally in S.F. (organized by Bush appointee)

[Duncan Grant]

Evangelical teens rally in S.F.
<snip>
More than 25,000 evangelical Christian youth landed Friday in San Francisco for a two-day rally at AT&T Park against "the virtue terrorism" of popular culture, and they were greeted by an official city condemnation and a clutch of protesters who said their event amounted to a "fascist mega-pep rally."

"Battle Cry for a Generation" is led by a 44-year-old Concord native, Ron Luce, who wants "God's instruction book" to guide young people away from the corrupting influence of popular culture.

Luce, whose Teen Mania organization is based in Texas, kicked off a three-city "reverse rebellion" tour Friday night intended to counter a popular culture that he says glamorizes violence and sex. The $55 advance tickets for two days of musical performances and speeches were sold out, but walk-up admission was available for $199.

After stops in Detroit and Philadelphia in the next few weeks, Luce wants to unleash a "blitz" of youth pastors into the communities to do everything from work with the homeless to find new ways to bring others to Christ. He challenged youth leaders to double the size of their groups in the next year.
<snip>

More about Luce: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/25/MNG6OHU6RR1.DTL

While driving home with my husband last night we saw lots of teens in the Castro area. It's unusual to see large groups of young people in the neighborhood at 10:45 p.m. -- and as unbelievable as it seems, these kids were there to evangelize. They were all a part of this "Battle Cry for a Generation" group. The great irony was that my husband and I were returning from seeing "V for Vendetta". Coincidence? Indeed.

We expect these little heretics back in the neighborhood tonight. We're planning to be there, too. I can't fully describe how traumatic it is to have these little fascists invade the safety of the Castro - it's an affront to decades of activism. I'm angry and sad, but I'm not going to cower or be silent in the face of such Christian arrogance. If they're so embolden to bring their culture war to my doorstep -- then so be it.

This gay man will be out tonight monitoring "The Christian Agenda" in my neighborhood. :grr:

[windy252]

1. Paraphrasing

because I can't remember the exact quote. There are no coincidences, just the convenient illusion of them.-V for Vendetta.

[Duncan Grant]

7. Isn't it interesting whose story most influences V?

I won't say too much about the movie; it's a bit early in the run and I don't want to type *spoiler* alerts any more than I have to. :)

I can say it was chilling to see these junior level "God Warriors" trying to send me a message in my own neighborhood. I've always believed in the principles of non-violence but I wonder how much longer I can find comfort in those values when faced with the potential of such tyranny. It's not just an intellectual exercise for me today. Their intimidation is real - and I don't like it one little bit.

It's no accident that they chose San Francisco (or the Castro last night).

[Freedom_from_Chains]

2. "to do everything from work with the homeless"

These peoples definition of "work with the homeless" is to eliminate them, after all they don't contribute anything to our Glorious Empire.

[Duncan Grant]

4. They're disingenuous, to say the least!

Among the things that bother me most about Christians is their 'black or white' ideology. They're never willing or capable of examining the complexity of real life. When faced with difficult or uncomfortable real world problems, they default to a derelict position of 'faith'. I'm sure many GLBT people are familiar with the refrains of: "It's God's will" or "...because it says so in the Bible".

It ticks me off that they market their intolerance of a woman's right to choose and their contempt of GLBT people in some phoney humanitarian guise about the homeless, etc. It's mindless. And it's an abdication of true spiritual values.

These kids and their spiritual leader aren't living the principles of Christian love and service - they're coming into my neighborhood to intimidate good people who have done nothing but create beautiful, meaningful lives without the 'benevolence' of the "Battle Cry for a Generation" God.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

12. Your points are very well made

What concerns me most about these people is what concerned me most when I was studying Hitler in high school. It was not the fact that Hitler was a madman, that was readily apparent, it was the fact he was able to get so many otherwise decent people to buy into is ideology.

[smomfr]

3. This is some scary shit.......

Keep your f**king religion out of my life. Betcha bfee has the kool-ade concession.

[Duncan Grant]

8. And spiritually arrogant, too.

Am I alone in thinking that this is a form of 'violence' by one group against another? In whose name do they claim such authority?

The fact that someone affiliated with the * regime is spearheading this evangelical hysteria is outrageous.

[AnnieBW]

5. I'm All For Helping the Homeless

(of which there are a LOT in SF). But there are better ways to help besides "praying with them". Same with keeping teens away from drugs. There are many ways to discourage kids from getting involved with drugs. Jeebus isn't the only answer.

I'm just glad that I was in SF last weekend and not this one. I'd have had a good time with the Hitler Youth.

[donco6]

10. But it made THEM feel good.

And that's what's important.

[mitchtv]

6. prescription for trouble

I thank god I am 600 mi away otherwise I'd be there, and I'm too old to go out Punk hunting

[Duncan Grant]

16. As a former SF resident, I'm sure you can imagine it.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them conduct a revival at 18th and Castro tonight. :D :hi:

[mitchtv]

17. reminds me of the time BF beat the living shit out of

a strait bully in front of the grocery on 18th & Castro. It could happen again

[donco6]

9. And yet another Christian/War metaphor.

Battlecry!

Jeebus, save us from your misguided followers.

[Duncan Grant]

14. That's an important observation, donco6!

Just how does one battle the homeless? or drugs? or abortion? or gays?

I guess none of us are in danger of being loved to death anytime soon, are we? :hi:

[donco6]

15. Yes, let's enjoin the battle against homelessness . . .

through blitzing through some "downtrodden" neighborhood and "praying" for people.

Bleah.

How about doing something real? Like changing the way you think about how people become homeless? Or by not supporting cuts to mental health services?

"But, but, when would I be able to go to CHURCH?"

When I was a fundie, we used to joke about "prayer time". It was really just a time to gossip about other people, ala "We really need to pray for Billy - he's going through a Hard Time." Eyebrows raise. "Yes, Billy is really Struggling right now, Struggling Bad." More eyebrows raise. "Poor Billy, you remember how hard he Struggled the Last Time. . . remember." Realization crosses faces. "Oh, did Billy fuck somebody again?"

I have little faith in prayer.

[donco6]

11. I would LOVE to have one of them approach me in the Castro.

Having been a fundie for so long, I could really have a field day, asking them all sorts of questions, making them think I'm interested, praying their little salvation prayer, and laughing in their face after its done.

Fascists.

[triakis36]

13. I'm glad there was a counter-protest

But they probably enjoyed it, made it feel like a real "battle". These people want a holy war, and the stupid little kids still think its not about hate and violence. They probably think "jihad" is only for brown people.

[Duncan Grant]

18. It is hate and violence.

It's only dressed up in "love". Granted, it's a shabby dress but they do make huge efforts to spin their aggressiveness as persecution. Funny how that works.

[TechBear_Seattle]

19. Like neo-Nazis in Skokie n/t

[sakabatou]

20. Hold on a second...

"Luce, whose Teen Mania organization is based in Texas, kicked off a three-city "reverse rebellion" tour Friday night intended to counter a popular culture that he says glamorizes violence and sex. The $55 advance tickets for two days of musical performances and speeches were sold out, but walk-up admission was available for $199."

My what little hypocrites they are.

[gator_in_Ontario]

21. Welcome to my life!

You would think San Fransisco would be safe...

[Nightflurry]

22. Oh I know these guys firsthand!

Back when I was still trying to figure out who I was I was forced by my parents to go to their fundie church (And I do mean forced). I went to two Teen Mania events at the Silverdome. There were probably at least 50,000 for each.. and it was just a 2 or 3 day total hate fest, unbelievable. At the time I didn't mind it, even believed a lot because I couldn't escape the brainwashing. But looking back I am just terrified at those people, there's just so many of them and they're so hateful..

[BR_Parkway]

23. So "popular culture glamorizes violence" but terms like Battlecry, God's

Army, Christian Warrior don't?

"This is more than a spiritual war," Luce said. "It's a culture war."

Military metaphors abound in Luce's descriptions of the struggle. He tells young people of how "an enemy has launched a brutal attack on them." At a pre-Battle Cry rally Friday afternoon on the steps of City Hall, Luce told his mostly teenage audience that "terrorists of a different kind" -- advertisers -- were targeting them and that they were "caught in the middle of the battle."

"Are you ready to go to battle for your generation?" he asked, and the young people roared "yes!" and some waved triangular red flags flown from long, medieval-looking poles.

And where the hell did they get this one from? I don't remember that one from church (and I used to sit there and read Revelations when I got bored listening to the preacher)

Same-sex marriage "is another sign of the end of times," said Sherilyn David, referring to the apocalypse that some fundamentalist Christians believe is foretold in Scripture. The 22-year-old San Jose administrative assistant came to Battle Cry with 15 other young Christians on Friday and will be joined by 60 other friends Saturday.

[davidinalameda]

24. the same sex marriage quote stuck in my mind as well

I missed that part in revalations as well

[sonicx]

25. This picture says it all

[Quetzal]

26. I hope every single LGBT supporter will be in the Castron in force

to counter these hatemongers - my uncle lives in the Castro and I am sure he will be there telling them what he thinks of them.

All of my memories of the Castro were wonderful - it was a place where people of all different backgrounds could feel accepted. It was the first place where I saw gay couple walking hand in hand down the street and knowing they would be safe on their way home.

These hatemongers only come to the Castro to practice their homophobia.

[xchrom]

27. and they only come once...

that's the beauty of the castro...:headbang:

[sui generis]

28. funny they use all the same words that they're doing themselves

"virtue" terrorism: you're not virtuous enough. Die fucker.

Counter "pop" culture that glamorizes violence - they have a "battle" cry. Battles are fought to the death, using violence.

And they are oh so dangerous. If you look at them wrong they'll fall down and be persecuted, which is exactly what they came to the castro to do to everyone else.

Makes you wonder that teens who are usually so extraordinary about ferretting out double standards and hypocrisy are here serving it up like a buffet.