Speak Compassion

I just listened to today’s show. In fact the headphone are still on my head.

It was not as bad as he has been in the past, but certainly the same untruths exist in his mantra.

Big Claims from todays show ( assuming I can read my own notes from the show)

1) First off: The opening of the show sounded like a commercial for the event. Very matter of fact and non-offensive. They read the email Soulforce sent out, as well as bits and pieces of the guests article about the eggroll.

2) The guest: His article if you haven’t read it is also matter of fact. If a pro-gay person read it they would want to go, if an anti-gay person read it they would just shake their heads.. (Not that offensive for a change)
you can read the article here.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Conten…6/596bqyrw.asp

3) They talked about SoulForce and Mel White. WHo he is and how he got started. This was a bit slanted as they felt it neccesary to point out "Mel left his wife and kids as he announced he was a homosexual" I don’t see where that point matters since many heterosexuals leave their wife and kids for any number of reasons and Stephen doesn’t point that out, but if a gay man does it, it is a greater sin? Sure, okay /sarcasm

4)Made a point of pointing out that SoulForce engages in civil disobedience. Made that sound like a bad thing by repeating it often ( and general tone). MLK and Gandhi both engaged in civil disobedience and it was noble. In this case Stephen and Irene made it sound rather"bad". That is simply not the case, but I doubt their listeners will know or get that unless they are familiar with MLK or gandhi.

5) (feel like I am doing minutes of a meeting, I hate doing minutes, we are about midway through the show at this point for those of you wondering where we are) Irene talked about Robyn coming on the show. I will note that on the STR website Robyn is noted as a "Lesbian Minister" on the show I was glad to hear they referred to her as a "minister". I think on a show like this such labels are used to degrade. I am happy to hear that label wasn’t used on the air. I would be happy if they took it off the site, but hey, I guess I am demanding.

6) I will note that at this point I noticed as a musician and a former sound engineer this sounded very scripted and edited from here on in the show. You can hear the chnge in th background noise. I will note that Mark was doing this by phone. Of course this is only my opinion and could be wrong.

7) At this point the Guest "Mark Tooley", was asked by Stepehen what if the scenario was reversed and christians were doing this exact scenario, with Christian t-shirts, etc….. He replied by saying "There would be mass indignation" I cant’ agree with this. Christians have always been welcome at such an event just as they are. Gays and lesbians, unannounced as such as event, holding hands or being an openly gay family would be shunned from the lawn of the house their tax dollars pay to maintain.

8 ) (my favorite part, /sarcasm) Irene goes on next to say that she wouldn’t want to have to answer questions from her children as to why those two women are holding hands, or why those two men are holding hands, or "why that man is wearing a dress". Okay shock value on Irene’s part, but that is fine. I don’t know that any men will be there in a dress. I think she had to get something in there about sterotypes or it wouldn’t be Straight Talk Radio. I would much prefer that they could do this show without all the old, inaccurate sterotypes. Sterotypes are based on untruths and breed hate. That is a widely known wisdom.

I will also add, how is this different than your kids asking why that other kid is in a wheel chair, or why is that kids wearing a beanie on his head, or why is that kids wearing a scarf on her head. (kids will phrase it different) Kids ask tough questions, parents should be prepared to answer those questions. What if one of the boys there had a doll in his hand, would that be a problem?

9) Mark Tooley spoke at this point on how children are "exposed" to homosexuality at younger ages these days. He called this event an exploitation and a stunt. This is more of the homos are shoving the sexuality down our throats stuff. More sterotypes and untruths.

10) Irene asked about what gays and lesbians mean when they say they want a place at the table. I am assuming she has not ever heard this old saying. Sad for her, I rather like it. Mark Tooley replied by saying that this is no longer about tolerance that gays and lesbians want approval of their "lifestyle" and that gays want to silence anyone who disagrees with their agenda.

12) In the finale, They talk about the Soulforce agenda, how gays are always trying to shock, push the envelope, and be edgy. Irene Bennett explained about Robyn being on the show tomorrow. Apparently they are making this a 3 day special. I am not sure what day 3 will be.

Overall, this show was far less offensive then previous shows. So if pieces of this made you angry, know that earlier shows would have cause you to have a siezure.  I do think there is a small piece of hope hiding in this.   I can only keep my fingers crossed that change is on the way.   If only we could get DL Foster, Exodus International and others to follow, open channels to talk about the issues.   One can only hope.