Monday, August 15, 2011

Starbuck's CEO Cancels Megachurch Speech

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Rachel Zoll, at Associated Press says, "Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz canceled an appearance at one of the most prominent megachurches in the country after an online petition condemned the congregation as anti-gay---a charge the church denies."

Change.org accused the church of being "anti-gay" and launched a national campaign, threatening Starbucks and accusing the church of "anti-gay persecution."

Why?

Because Willow Creek Church had a past relationship with Exodus International, a Christian ministry dedicated to ministering to and helping those who wish to leave the homosexual lifestyle.

A similar attack has been mounted against presidential candidate Michelle Bauchman and her husband, who is a psychologist, accusing him or his practice of helping homosexuals who desire to leave the lifestyle.

The pastor Bill Hybels said, "To suggest that we check sexual orientation or any other kind of issue at the doors is simply not true."

However, Hybels did say, "Willow Creek Church does expect its members to follow biblical ethics and reserve sex for marriage between a man and a woman," but everyone is welcome to attend.

That's what the church has done to merit a national campaign against it.

Hybels' response?

"Buy a cup of coffee in the next couple of days and show some good will." He also encouraged his church members to write to Schultz and tell him he is welcome any time in the future.

This is the most recent demonstration of duplicity and intolerance from those seeking to redefine more than 5000 years of marriage, re-engineer the family and the culture and punish all who disagree or hold a different belief.

I could not communicate their message better than they have.

"We don't care what you believe in your church, we'll punish anyone who associates with you because you view homosexuality differently than we do."

"We demand tolerance from you, but refuse to practice it ourselves, because it's all about me. And tolerance is defined as affirming our lifestyle regardless of what your Bible says, otherwise you are an anti-gay bigot."

"If you resist our rewriting local and federal laws to reflect and celebrate our lifestyle, you are hateful and bigoted."

"And we don't care that many gays wish to be delivered from the lifestyle, any ministry that helps them is practicing 'anti-gay persecution' ."

"Our way or no way."

Tolerance.

God help us.

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