Conservative Christian leader: Family Research Council needs to ask why it's called a hate group

[ck4829]

And stop trying to immediately slime the Southern Poverty Law Center's listing.

Dr. Warren Throckmorton, who is involved with the unfortunate practice of trying to "change" gay people to straight, can't even stand the going straight to ad hominem attacks that the FRC and supporters are using, he is calling for them and Christians who support to reflect and examine the WHY it's being called a hate group.

"Last week, the Southern Poverty Law Center posted a revision of their hate groups list, including the Family Research Council and the American Family Association, among other Christian organizations, on their anti-gay list of groups to watch. The SPLC insists that the groups placed on the list knowingly spread misleading information and harmful stereotypes about gay people that incite prejudice and harassment. Viewing homosexuality as unbiblical was not one of the criteria for inclusion.

Since then, representatives of these groups as well as some defenders have criticized the SPLC, suggesting that the list is really an effort to stifle differences of opinion and/or to persecute Christians for their beliefs. For the most part, the reaction of defenders of the newly labeled hate groups is to avoid addressing the issues the SPLC raised, instead preferring to attack the credibility of the SPLC.

Reviewing the charges leveled against the Christian groups, I think their responses are mostly unfortunate and unhelpful. The SPLC has identified some issues which are legitimate and have damaged the credibility of the groups on the list. Going forward, I hope Christians don't rally around these groups but rather call them to accountability.

On point, leaders of the organizations targeted by the SPLC can defend themselves or they can use this crisis as a wake up call for reflection and change. My hope is that individual Christians and church leaders will not enable the defensiveness but instead demand the reflection and change."

http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/EWThrockmorton/11642052/

[MNBrewer]

1. my guess is that he will be ignored entirely

But I find his call to self-reflection heartening.

[47of74]

2. That would be nice...

...but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the FRC or AFA to do so.

[AspenRose]

3. Wow.