Jul 24, 2012
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The head of Miami-Dade County Public Schools wants to evict a Southern Baptist church that rents space in one of their buildings because of the congregation’s opposition to homosexuality.
Supt. Alberto Carvalho released a statement to a local television station alleging that Impact Miami’s opposition to homosexuality “appears to be contrary to school board policy as well as the basic principles of humanity.”
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“I have asked for immediate legal review to seek the termination of the contract that is involved,” he told Local10.com. “I am making this decision not on the basis of policy or politics but as a rejection of prejudice and intolerance.”
Pastor Jack Hakimian preaching at North Miami High School. Photo courtesy of Impact Miami
The controversy surrounds Impact Miami, a new Southern Baptist church that is currently renting space inside North Miami High School for their Sunday worship services.
When President Obama announced that he had evolved on the issue of gay marriage, Pastor Jack Hakimian preached two sermons explaining the biblical position on homosexuality.
One of the sermons was titled, “Gays and Sex Addicts Can Change and Should Change.” Another was titled, “Pedophiles Use the Same Argument as Homosexuals and the Weed Smoking Community.”
“The school board chair, as well as the superintendent, have both reviewed the allegations and found this disturbing and appalling,” school spokesman John Schuster told www.Local10.com.
Pastor Hakimian said he and his congregation have been unfairly labeled as bigots. He said they are facing eviction from their space simply because he preached that homosexuality is a sin.
“It’s about a message that homosexuality is a sin that God wants to redeem as all other sins,” he told Fox News.
The church pays nearly $1,500 a month to rent the high school facility and said “as taxpayers we have the right to assemble in public spaces.”
“I never thought I would be penalized for teaching on Christian marriage and sexual ethics from the Bible – the very bible that presidents swear on,” he said.
Impact Miami is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. SBC President Fred Luter told Fox News that the controversy is a “sign of the times.”
“We’re living in a day and time when people are calling wrong right and they’re calling right wrong,” Luter said. “Any time a man of God stands up for the Words of God, I think we should expect opposition – simply because of the fact that God’s ways are not man’s ways.
The possible eviction has enraged religious liberty groups – several of whom have already volunteered their services to defend the pastor and the church should they be thrown out of their meeting space.
“He has the right to be able to speak on Sunday from the Scriptures and speak about his viewpoint on human sexuality,” said Mat Staver, president of the Liberty Counsel. “This is not someone who is advocating violence or some whacko that is extreme that would be a threat to society. This is a pastor who is speaking on issues from their own moral, political and biblical perspective.”
Staver told Fox News that he’s had a chance to review the pastor’s sermons and noted that the messages were in line with that millions of Americans believe.
“It is not contrary to humanity,” he said, refuting the school superintendent’s allegations. “It is absolutely outrageous that you would have a superintendent who would (think) along these lines.”
Staver called the attack on the Miami church a serious threat.
“It’s serious for all of us,” he said. “If we lose the right to free speech in this area – we lose it in every other area.”
Staver said their organization and other religious liberty groups have feared that homosexual advocates might use anti-bullying laws to go after ministers.
“This is coming right into the very pulpits of churches and pastors will ultimately have their messages censored and they’ll be discriminated against because of the positions they take on human sexuality – and specifically homosexuality,” Staver said. “This is Exhibit A of that threat.”
Joel Oster, senior counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom, told Fox News the U.S. Constitution is clear on matters regarding free speech.
“A school cannot be listening to sermons and then discriminate against the church based on the content of the sermons,” Oster said. “This church does have a constitutional right to use these facilities. Public schools cannot discriminate against religious use of their facilities based upon viewpoints – and that’s exactly what’s going on here.”
Andre Pierre, the mayor of North Miami, told Fox News he had concerns about the school board’s actions – and wondered what kind of an impact it might have on other religious groups renting space.
“You cannot censor his speech,” the mayor said. “The school should stay out of it. Pastor Jack is paying rent. He’s not getting the space for free.”
The mayor said he believes the school board attorney will side with the church.
“I think he’ll come down on the right side – which is – you cannot censor freedom of speech,” Pierre said. “You have to respect the American principles and you have to uphold the Constitution.”
FOX News Talk
Says Supt. Alberto Carvalho, “I am making this decision not on the basis of policy or politics but as a rejection of prejudice and intolerance.” Apparently he is unaware of the irony.
If it walks like a bigot and talks like a bigot, then "religion" should not be cover. I say our public building should not house worshippers of hate and ignorance!
So they are bigots if they teach exactly what the Bible says? Incredible…
Brian Curtis Brian–YES!! EXACTLY!! NOW you're "getting it"!! FINALLY!
The biggest Lie is that Gays can not serve in our military. I was in the military and I would say one fifth of our recruits in basic were gay and they were open about their choice. In fact our platoon sergeant was pretty open about being gay.
Silly — gays MAY serve in the military — didn't you got the memo yet?
The incongruity of our culture is driving us ever closer to a society that is anarchical based. We are slowly evolving in to a nation of lawlessness, as exhibited by our President who apparently issues executive orders as a fiat against following federal laws. Another example: I have been following the sex scandal at Lackland AFB where leaders in positions of trust were sexually assaulting trainees. At the same time, the AF Academy was forced to shut down Bible based small groups and afterhours meetings where young leaders were being taught the moral basis for life by volunteers from the local Christian community. Then we wonder why we have incidents such as Lackland and Penn State. The Miami pastor was teaching a moral precept from a Christian basis of belief, and has the right to do so under our constitutional republic. The school district superintendent must have flunked high school civics.
It's good that the school is standing up for reason. Can you imagine schools, had public education been a right, back in the days of slavery going ahead and letting churches (the last defenders of slavery) rent space there if they were for the biblical forms of slavery when the rest of the country was against it? It's time to move on christians. Science has pretty well proven that homosexuality is an innate state and you guys should get with the times and stop the ignorant gay bashing.
The Superintendent of this school district should be terminated with prejudiced! Obviously he is ignorant of the Document that the United States of America stands upon.The Constitution.
The first Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression…
I call for a investigation of Supt. Alberto Carvalho, If he that stupid that he thinks he can get away with this crap then maybe he is an illegal alien! Let's se your green card Amigo!
Wow, a school system promoting equality for all it's students, must be an alien concept for some of you hate filled "Christians."
I cannot follow your logic on how a church service prevents the school from promoting equality. I think you may be a hate-filled "non-Christian". Like the label? Or can you only dish it out?
I am a Christian, I hate no one. Equality for ALL of its students includes Christians, right? When did equality only mean everyone BUT Christians. There are people in the world spouting hatred and calling themselves Christians, but Christian means Christ like and He died for EVERYONE, and hated no one, even the very ones crucifying Him. It's amazing how much hatred Ive read on here on both sides, trust me not every one calling themselves Christians, ARE. God loves homosexuals, liars, murderers, but hates sin of all kinds because He is perfect. We are NOT perfect and should not judge any group of people, let God do the judging, however sin is sin and God is clear on what sin is. So we cant help but to teach the Bible and what God says sin is, that doesnt mean we hate the sinner. We ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
One-way thinker…we are haters because we don't agree with her Bill Maher army thinking…
I find it ironic that the superintendent wants to kick this church out because they are intolerant. Who is the one being intolerant?
When I attended school the intent of the school was to teach us how to read, write, do basic maths and understand the concepts of science and biology. What do schools accomplish today, none of he previously identified skills. However, they do teach you to "feel good about being a failure"; after all it is not your fault. President Obama's entire argument about "fairness" is immaterial and irrelevant to the discussions at hand "according to the preamble of the constitution "We the People", not we the government, or teachers union, or school board, make he decisions. The main issue here is the abdication of our responsibilities over the last several decades as voters in this country. We have allowed the fringes of both political parties to take over the discussions as this issue clearly demonstrates. When the majority remains "SILENT" the vocal minority will win out on the discussion. If you want to prevent events like this from occurring, "we the people" need to wake up and apply or "god given rights" and vote accordingly.
I love it when people bring up Sodom & Gomorrah. Remember the part about how Lot offered his virgin daughter for the men to rape? Wasn't that just awesome? And then later, remember how Lot's daughters got him drunk and then had sex with him? Praise god for his mighty works. Although, I did think it was a little odd that Lot claimed he didn't know anything about having sex with his daughters. They just plopped down on ol' Pop, did their business and then faster than you can say, 'My ex-bitch is a pillar of salt" they were prego! Both daughters in the same drunken night! Weren't no whiskey dick for ol' Lot, no sirree. Praise god again, y'all, for holding up Lot's dick so he could impregnate his daughters!
The devil. where these people and this evil comes from, is not called the prince of lies for no reason! These demons will do whatever to sahut up those speaking the truth. They may win some battles and brainwash generations into thinking this is normal and ok, BUT IN THE END YOU LOSE FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! IT IS WRITTEN D-BAGS!
The devil. where these people and this evil comes from, is not called the prince of lies for no reason! These demons will do whatever to sahut up those speaking the truth. They may win some battles and brainwash generations into thinking this is normal and ok, BUT IN THE END YOU LOSE FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! IT IS WRITTEN D-BAGS!
AMERICA HAS GONE THE WAY OF SODOM AND WILL SUFFER SODOMS FATE.
America is a modern Sodom
exactly .
exactly .
Most of these comments make no sense. Besides the fact that the government has not acted on this issue, the government does have a right (even an obligation) to limit speech that creates certain problems and puts citizens at risk – which is why you can't yell "Fire" in a crowded theatre, etc. etc. Now whether this falls under that is another issue, but it certainly can be argued that sermons of hatred/bigotry (I wasn't there, I don't know what was said) can create those situations. A similar argument can be made about the Westboro Baptist Church and the problems they cause whille exercising free speech. It's not as black as white as some of you are trying to make it…
(And Wayne, just as someone has the right to proclaim what they believe, opponents have the right to call them names under the same Constitutional amendment).
I see no need as to why it should be mandated that I accept homosexuality. If I so choose to call the sky green I have that right. If I choose to say homosexuality is not acceptable, I do not preach hate but rather a belief. Those that wish to create hate and discontent are highly bigoted. You say Christians are intolerant, yet you are also intolerant of Christians. You say they are wrong yet with hypocrisy you do the same thing. If the shoe fits the one it will certainly fit the other.
So, it was OK for the church to hold the belief at the time of contract but not to express the belief during use of the contracted facility. Where did the school think the church would stand on homosexuality?
I would like to point out to a couple of folk screaming their opposing position that Christians do not hate homosexuals. It is the intent of the church to educate folk on the teachings of God so that they can make their own decisions on whether to comply with Divine doctrine or to deny God's offer.
If you disagree with this teaching but are screaming your hateful rhetoric then who is the hateful persons here? The bigot? If agree with the teachings but you are calling for someone t go to Hell then who is person full of hate here?
Jesus did not push the sinners away he embraced them. But for those who are perishing the Word of God is foolishness. For those who are saved it is strength and hope. The church offers strength and hope while the covenant breakers offer hate and subjugation.
"Jesus did not push the sinners away?" When Jesus was walking through the temple (a building that wasn't built with his money or labor) overturing tables and whipping strangers with a braid of cords, what do you think his state of mind was? Someone should have thrown a sheet over him and dragged him back to his meds. Jesus was a criminal…he was arrested for the charge of sedition, given a trail, found guilty by his peers, and was put to death according to Roman law. Sorry if you didn't like the verdict, but justice was rightfully served.
Actually the charge against Jesus was blasphemy; Pilate found him innocent but condemned him to appease the masses (democracy in action); and, yes: He drove the people defiling his Father's house on the Passover out of that house with a scourge of cloth. God makes no denial of the inevitability of his wrath.
Interesting to note. You say, "Someone should have thrown a sheet over him and dragged him…" Why wasn't anyone able to do just that? He was numerical wa-ay out-numbered.
According to Roman law he was found innocent of the charges. He was put to death, as was prophesied, according to mob rule .
You say he was found guilty by his peers. Why do you use that particular term? Do you think it exists anywhere in the U.S. law codes so you apply it here to strengthen your position? It exists neither in the United States nor was it a factor then and because I know that it weakens your position as rhetoric. I apologize if that sounded antagonistic.
Actually I approve of the verdict. Once again, Pilate found Jesus innocent. In fact, Pilate washed his hands before the tumultuous masses that were demanding Jesus be crucified and said, "I am innocent of the blood of this just man." Hence, Jesus was not a criminal, he was found to be innocent but the masses turned away from everything he had taught them and shown them. The Word of God had become a burden to them in their pursuit of unclean acts.
To the one who is perishing the Word of God is foolishness.
Since the authority of the Jewish council in carrying out death sentences was mitigated through the Roman government, Jesus' act of sedition or insurrection was the platform for the trail. The questioning by both Pilate and Herod were efforts to found out the threat of that kingdom to Rome. When they decided that he was playing king in his head, they allowed the mass citizens, or peers, choose his verdict (yes it is related rhetoric, since we are talking about a trail and legal matters). The number of soilders did what they wanted to him….dressed him in mock clothing, beat and whipped him to a pulp (guess that karma of whipping people in the temple bit back), spit on him, and did far worse than throwing a sheet over his head. The same should have been done to Peter who attacked a man with a sword when the police were present to arrest his friend…after all, I guess he misunderstood when Jesus told them to pick up their swords. Jesus was a Jewish reformist who turned into a cult-leader who, not only himself demonstrated violence, but who's followers followed suit. The stories (sermons) left behind about his life were written by…historians, no…but his disciples, men who worshipped him as a god-man. Their accounts must be taken under scrutiny..but.no more than other non-biblical, yet deemed heretical to the religious sensitivities, accounts. The "masses" made the right decision when they came to themselves and broke free from the hoax of this religous despot. As for our family, and house, we wholesale reject Jesus and his teachings. Good to discuss our differences in our common freedoms of opinion.
Since the authority of the Jewish council in carrying out death sentences was mitigated through the Roman government, Jesus' act of sedition or insurrection was the platform for the trail. The questioning by both Pilate and Herod were efforts to found out the threat of that kingdom to Rome. When they decided that he was playing king in his head, they allowed the mass citizens, or peers, choose his verdict (yes it is related rhetoric, since we are talking about a trail and legal matters). The number of soilders did what they wanted to him….dressed him in mock clothing, beat and whipped him to a pulp (guess that karma of whipping people in the temple bit back), spit on him, and did far worse than throwing a sheet over his head. The same should have been done to Peter who attacked a man with a sword when the police were present to arrest his friend…after all, I guess he misunderstood when Jesus told them to pick up their swords. Jesus was a Jewish reformist who turned into a cult-leader who, not only himself demonstrated violence, but who's followers followed suit. The stories (sermons) left behind about his life were written by…historians, no…but his disciples, men who worshipped him as a god-man. Their accounts must be taken under scrutiny..but.no more than other non-biblical, yet deemed heretical to the religious sensitivities, accounts. The "masses" made the right decision when they came to themselves and broke free from the hoax of this religous despot. As for our family, and house, we wholesale reject Jesus and his teachings. Good to discuss our differences in our common freedoms of opinion.
There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus….perfection is not a precursor to salvation if it were there would no buddy on the bus…the sinners are all taken as they are it doesn’t get any more complicated than that…here is where the rub comes in…salvation and entering into the Kingdome are two different things….for those who think that they can live in sin they need to realize that they’re going to be on a long bus ride…when it comes to the homosexual..I’ve to news for you…this is a desire of the flesh that in not compatible with how God designed the creation…you folks can be what ever you want but your not going to enjoy kingdom living until you get this basic stuff figured out. Our culture has made such a huge deal out of homosexuality…largely because it is a sin against the body or the temple where the Holy Spirit would reside….it is important to point out that Christ told the jewish leader of the Sanhedrin that these whores and prostitutes would enter the Kingdom before they did he had to know something about how corrupt religion was along side of sexual sin…the important thing to know is that there is the opportunity to get it…and to get it right…to you people who think your homosexual…you are what you think you are and will be as long as you think that way…the word of God simply says as a man thinkth..so is he. I would suggest you stand naked in front of a mirror and figure out the plumbing and start from there….the bodily stimulation associated with sex is a pretty short even to trade for an eternity living on the outside of the Kingdom…So, seek yes first the Kingdom and all things will be added unto you….think on these things and eventually you can figure it out. You can love your brother without having sex with him…it is kind of like thinking you can run a red light and never get in an accident….God looks at his people and simply shakes his head and I would be surprised if he wonders now and then about the free will thing….A lesson learned is often as the result of great pain suffered.
Perhaps you remember me. I worked at Birney's 1976 and we had some long, spiritutal talks. Lynn B____ is the maiden name! How is your life?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think the School will need to hire some heavy duty First Amendment lawyers.
To expand on my above comment. The School is not saying the Church is leaving a mess or abusing the facilities or there is a problem outside from traffic, what they are saying is they object to the speech born from the credo of the House of Worship. This Speech I think falls squarely within What the SCOTUS has ruled is protected by the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution that prevents Government from interfering with Church teachings or doctrine.
"Staver said their organization and other religious liberty groups have feared that homosexual advocates might use anti-bullying laws to go after ministers."
If an anti-bullying law can be used to "go after" a minister, I have a feeling that minister should be ashamed of themselves.
this is typical of those who know nothing about Christianity. These people would rather hide in the darkness of their sinful pride thinking they know better than God about how mankind is supposed to act, how mankind was created. for example God created the biological systems we see today, and in most of these systems it requires one male and one female to procreate the species. homosexuals cannot do that no matter how much they try. one man plus one man does not make a baby… one female plus one female cannot conceive a child… it takes female and male coming together to accomplish this. The church is proclaiming that homosexuality is a sin in God's eye and that just as a parent sets forth rules for their earthly children, God set forth rules for us to live by to benefit us not harm us. Yet the enemy of mankind, the ancient eternal enemy of God….the devil… , satan , lucifer… will use anything he can to take our human eyes off our heavenly father so that we will not make the wise decision to accept him.. to accept the sacrifice his son Jesus made for us on the cross. In doing so he is using this issue to take the eye of man off his sin… homosexuality and make mankind think that Christians are backwards bigots. And when people like this school official do the things he does in his own words not for political reasons…. he is lying… because the so called policies he is using were conceived by men… men whose hearts can easily be corrupted by the ancient enemy of all of us, and when those corrupted hearts place rules on what men can say and not say it leaves the door open to the enemy to forward his agenda of splitting us apart not just from each other, but from God as well.
Let me get this correct……….everyone has the right to express their beliefs EXCEPT a Church? There's something not quite right about that!
And Chick-fil-a…and any other expression of conservatism..
Muslims hold he same standpoint as Christians on sexual immorality including homosexuality how come only the Christian church is attacked for their viewpoint?
Christianity in general is under attack in this country. Whether it is a school in Miami, a home Bible study in Arizona, or a street preacher in Washington DC, anywhere any semblance of the Gospel is proclaimed or Bible truth taught, the wickedness of men will strive against it. You will not have change of direction until there is a change of heart.
William Price, fan that Christian Persecution Complex! YEEEE-HAAAW!!!
Funny how the school system mentions "prejudice and intolerance" as this is exactly what leftist educators and members of the gay and lesbian community are committing against Christians and others of the traditional mindset who have a contrary opinion and oppose gay marriage. What's next; are we going to start banning students and others from families who are registered Republican voters? This tyranny by the minority has got to stop…..NOW!
FIRST AMENDMENT…. If I was that church, I'd OWN the Miami-Dade School district after this because of the BILLION dollar lawsuit I'd file and win. Christian churches have been renting space from the public school systems in this country from the time of the inception of the public system. If misinformed johnny-come-lately liberal politicos want to somehow peel that back – because of their own bigoted beliefs – let's duke it out. Just because you don't care for my own interpretation of Holy Scripture, does not mean that you're afforded the luxury of treating me like a second-class citizen, you BIGOT!
I'm sort of torn on this one. While I agree that the church shouldn't be able to use public spaces for their worship, I think that the reasoning behind kicking them out is pretty flawed. Kicking them out because they don't agree with what they preach is violating their free speech. Having them there in teh first place is violating the separation of church and state though (unless they're going to provide similar accomadations to every other religious group that asks, which I highly doubt they would) and so this church should find a non governemnt funded building to preach whatever they want.
It seems like they should kick the church out because of the separation of church and state issue then, not because of what the church is preaching
If this was done to someone who practiced Islam, everyone would say the guy is prejudiced and bigoted.
What did I learn by coming here? That someone named Jay Shepherd is completely insane.
Damn right, Wayne!
This is simply further proof of what is coming – the removal of our liberty to pray and worship as we believe is right. It actually shows how God is meekly removing himself from our culture and our nation – because we are yelling at him to leave us alone, that we know better, thank you very much.
The results are predictable, and they have happened before. Russia, Rome, Israel, over and over again… You'd think we'd learn.
Oh, but wait, I forgot. There is no more study of history farther back in time than 2001, these days. The USA has had only two presidents – Bush and Obama… That's right…. okay, now I am getting it.
So, get this—radical hate monger Charles Capo sends me a message on my FB site, and then blocks me from replying! HA HA HA HAHA! Just what I would expect from a coward who can't handle the TRUTH!
Sadly, we're centered on OT teaching AGAINST gays, but what do the Gospels say? Didn't Jesus teach us to reach out to sinners and teach them? Did he say "insult them at any turn, make them feel like second-class citizens…" Did he say crucify whomever is against us?
Mr Wildmon's unique point of view is all well and good, but it appears that the school district has repeatedly asked the pastor to not be so divisive and obviously offensive to others. Not only did the pastor ignore that request – he decided to turn it up a notch, much to the irritation of voters who do not hold the Christian view.
Are we going to honor voters – or just react to shameless headlines and make up things as we go?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/miami-school-seeks-to-evict-church-for-anti-gay-sermons-contrary-to-the-basic-principles-of-humanity/
Do Sodomites spread aids? Someone said a sodomite gave blood which killed Ryan White, a little boy. Sodomy used to be illegal in the U.S. AND STILL IS IN MANY COUNTRIES. I don't believe the majority of people want to give a license to Sodomites to commit sodomy in any state. Romans 1
26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Does this mean aids? What other diseases will sodomites give us?
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convient.
Use Biblical God's word Sodomy, not Satan's made up word Gay and homo for sin.