First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress’ recent statement that anti-LGBT laws are a bigger “threat to freedom of religion in America” than the Islamic State continues to create controversy in the city.
The Stonewall Democrats of Dallas and the Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats are the latest groups to ask the Dallas Police Department and city officials to “clarify” their relationship with the church and its outspoken leader.
“These remarks have and should be called hate speech,” said the statement issued by Jay Narey, the Stonewall Democrats’ president, and Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats president Cannon Brown. “Jeffress’s comparing equality-minded businesses to ISIS encourages people on the fringes of society to engage in violence against marginalized communities such as the LGBT community.”
They’re also calling for the DPD to “terminate any formal ties it may have with the church.”
Earlier this week, the Resource Center and Take Back Oak Lawn also called for DPD to back out of its recently announced partnership with the church following Jeffress’ remarks made during an online broadcast hosted by Family Research Council.
The DPD’s relationship with First Baptist was announced last month at a press conference featuring Jeffress, former Mayor Tom Leppert and Dallas Police Chief David Brown. Jeffress said at the time that it was more than a photo-op, but “the beginning of an ongoing relationship with the Dallas Police Department” that includes, among other things, counseling for officers and their families and scholarships that will send their kids to church camps.
At a “Back the Blue” service the following Sunday, Jeffress and Leppert, a member of First Baptist, honored Brown for his “sense of professionalism and commitment,” said the former mayor.
Dallas’ current mayor, Mike Rawlings, was also on hand to offer a prayer from the pulpit: “Your son said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’ and today we’re here to thank you for the men and women in the police department for keeping the peace.” … [visit site to read more]
Reposted via Dallas City Hall News
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