TD Jakes: Scripture Condemns Homosexuality; Not My Job to Give Opinions By Nicola Menzie

Speaking with Oprah Winfrey during her new series, “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas told the media mogul he thinks homosexual acts are condemned in the Scriptures and it is not his job as a pastor to give personal opinions.

Jakes, whose church boasts about 30,000 members, appeared on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” on April 8 to discuss his ministry, marriage and how he deals with critics. Also brought up in the conversation, which at one point included the pastor’s wife Serita Jakes, were accusations some people have not been welcomed to Jakes’ megachurch.

“Would you say that everybody is embraced in your church?” Winfrey asked. “Cause you know you have been accused of saying that gay people would not be welcome.”

“That’s not true at all,” Jakes began. “The perception in our society today is that if you don’t say you’re for same-sex marriage or if you say homosexuality is a sin that you’re homophobic and you’re against gay people. And that’s not true.”

The pastor continued, “I’m not called to give my opinion. I’m called as a pastor to give the scriptural position on it,” the pastor added. “Doesn’t mean that I have to agree with you to love you. I don’t dislike anybody. I love everybody.”

Winfrey went on to ask if Jakes thinks being gay is a sin.

“I think that sex between two people of the same sex is condemned in the Scriptures, and as long as it is condemned in the Scriptures, I don’t get to say what I think. I get to say what the Bible says,” Jakes said.

“I’m not particularly political. I’m not particularly denominational. I’m not worried about any of that,” he added. “I’m not anti-gay, I’m not anti-anything. I don’t want to even be known by what I’m against.”

Critics immediately contradicted Jakes’ comments by branding the pastor’s statements as “homophobic” and “anti-gay,” with some in the liberal media even calling the megachurch pastor hypocritical in light of an incident involving one of his son’s several years ago.

New York-based Gawker.com portrayed Winfrey as asking Jakes if he “likes gay people,” while calling the minister a bigot.

“[...] she lets Jakes spout anti-gay sentiment while swearing off homophobia,” Gawker’s Rich Juzwiak writes in his article, titled “Anti-Gay Pastor Doesn’t Want to Be Known For Being Anti-Gay.”

Juzwiak claims that by “disagreeing” with gay people, one is actually “disagreeing with something that is fundamental to their existence: how they love.” He goes on to insinuate that holding a biblical view of homosexuality “values an institution over human beings who are going to love each other and be together anyway, like they have been since the dawn of time.”

Dismissively calling Jakes’ “love” for homosexuals worthless, Juzwiak points readers to a 2009 report on Jermaine Jakes’ arrest in a “gay sex sting” in a local park. Jakes’ stepson was accused of exposing himself to two undercover police officers.

Gay publication, Dallasvoice.com, took its criticism of Jakes stance on Scripture and homosexuality even further, stating that the minister “is condemning the countless LGBTQ youth who are among his flock at the Potter’s House, perhaps pushing some closer to suicide” and shaming those possibly infected with HIV/AIDS through a homosexual encounter.

In his interview on “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” Jakes told Winfrey he wants to be known for what he is for, saying, “I’m for people bettering themselves, no matter who they are and where they are, doing all they can to be all they can be.”

The Potter’s House, a nondenominational church with dozens of outreach ministries, was founded in 1996 and “brings together the down-and-out, the homeless and released offender to sit beside the up-and-coming, the celebrity and the community leader,” according to a description on its website.

SEE VIDEO OF T.D. JAKES BEING INTERVIEWED BY OPRAH WINFREY

READ: CHRISTIANITY IS NOT ABOUT GOING FROM GAY TO STRAIGHT; IT’S ABOUT TURNING FROM SIN TO JESUS

http://www.christianpost.com/news/td-jakes-scripture-condemns-homosexuality-not-my-job-to-give-opinions-73330/

Komen Announces Plans to Fund 17 Planned Parenthood Affiliates By Paul Stanley

Earlier this year the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure announced they would no longer contribute to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, after it was revealed they were the subject of a government inquiry. But after caving to intense pressure, the group reversed their decision and now plans to financially support at least 17 PP affiliates in 2012.

Komen, which is based in Dallas, Texas, funded 18 affiliates in 2011 for a total of around $680,000. The grants were intended for breast cancer. However, Planned Parenthood does not provide the screenings and has to refer women to other health care providers.

Officials from Komen are disputing the fact that politics played a role in the foundation’s decision to fund the group, saying instead the issue was women’s health.

“We know that people have been upset and concerned about recent events,” Komen spokeswoman Leslie Aun told The Washington Post. “We acknowledged our missteps and apologized. People need to know that we have not and never will walk away from women in need. There is no one filling the gap in services that way that Komen is.”

Officials from Planned Parenthood could not be reached for comment.

Still, the controversy has damaged Komen’s “Race for the Cure” fundraising efforts since the uproar began.

The March 25 Komen race in Southern Arizona was short 7,267 participants of their goal of 11,000. The event also failed to meet their fundraising goal of $700,000 by over $100,000.

Another race in Indianapolis scheduled for next week is also expected to be at least 10,000 short of last year’s 37,500 participants.

“The issues relating to Planned Parenthood have certainly had an impact on some races, there is no doubt about that,” Aun confirmed.

The controversy surrounding Komen and Planned Parenthood fully erupted after several members of Congress who support the abortion provider began to pressure Komen to continue its funding.

Critics also said the decision was the result of Karen Handel, the former Georgia Secretary of State and GOP candidate for governor who landed a position with Komen. Handel is known for her strong opposition to abortion and resigned soon after the decision was made to reinstate funding.

Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has been investigating Planned Parenthood for fraud, waste and sex trafficking.

Additionally, the GOP presumed presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, has publicly stated he will keep federal funds from flowing to Planned Parenthood if elected.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/komen-announces-plans-to-fund-17-planned-parenthood-affiliates-73299/

TV advertisers and their responses to your letters

Hmmm.  We have seen a wide array of trends amongst advertisers over these years as we have monitored television.  Much could be written on the subject.

One thing is clear.  Often in these days advertisers don’t respond to your expressions of concern.  That’s unfortunate.  Nonetheless, if they discontinue sponsoring degrading filthy shows we have a pretty good idea that they withdrew because they were hearing from people like you.

GCB without a doubt is one of the most blasphemous, degrading shows on network television today. 

 

Take Action! Click here to let advertisers know if they continue to support a show that ridicules and attacks your faith, you will not support them with your pocketbook.

 

We are thankful for pulls.  We are also thankful that others are taking action too.

Here is the way a Rev. Ted Pike updated those standing with him in his campaign to urge advertisers not to support the lies and degradation of GCB.

 

Quoting: Lindt Chocolates is the fifth sponsor of “Good Christian B******” (GCB) in the past five working days to respond to your calls and emails and end sponsorship. Here is Lindt’s written response to a caller:

 

“Thank you for reaching out to Lindt. We appreciate your sharing your concerns about advertising during GCB.

 

GCB is a new program and we were not aware the Lindt ad was added to the program’s advertising rotation. Having reviewed various comments received, we have taken action to remove Lindt advertising from the GCB program moving forward. We appreciate your patience as we work through the process to adjust the advertising schedule, which may take one to two weeks.

 

We appreciate your passion and thank you for taking the time to reach out to us to share your concerns.”

We may already be seeing the positive effect of protesters informing remaining companies that now at least seven sponsors have abandoned GCB support. In medicine a rule of therapy is: “If it’s working, don’t change a thing!” There is one thing I hope will change: Many more outraged Christians and defenders of free speech, encouraged by these victories, will go to their phones and computers and send a personal message. Phone calls are especially noted by corporations.

We are doing everything right. The dominoes are falling, thanks to your calls and emails, including a chocolate one last Thursday! Keep it up.

“Good Christian Bitches” is not just mocking and dragging through the mud hypocritical women in Dallas, Texas. It reviles the power of Jesus Christ through His sacrifice at Calvary to create righteous saints, not hypocrites. He said that if you persecute His brethren, you persecute Him. It is Jesus Who is being kicked and spat upon every week on GCB.

If you actually saw Jesus in a ditch in the side of the road, being kicked to death …, would you keep driving by and say, “I can’t get involved, … . ” Or would you stop and, even were if at the risk of your own life, attempt to drive His attackers away? Today the vast majority of “Christians” and their leaders are opting to drive past Jesus … .

How do you think Jesus is going to respond in the Day of Judgment when He confronts such “Christians?”  Won’t He say: “You saw Me attacked and did nothing. You did not even pick up your phone or send a few emails in protest. Your leaders did not even issue a simple public statement in My defense.”

I shudder to think of Christ’s words to such a church and its leaders in that day. They cannot be: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” Will it be, “Depart from Me, ye workers of iniquity. I never knew you.”?

This is a crisis moment when being a Christian and friend of Jesus means coming to His defense as He and His church are under unprecedented assault. Don’t just say you are the friend of Jesus. Prove it by your actions. Phone and email right now all this week’s sponsors with this message: Please know that I object to your sponsorship of ABC’s Christian-bashing sitcom, GCB (“Good Christian B*******”). My friends and I are presently boycotting your products. I hope you are aware that Kraft, Pepsi, Huggies, Progressive, BareEscentuals, Marshalls, and Lindt have shown themselves more sensitive to the tens of millions of Christian consumers than have you. We expect that you will come forth immediately with a similar official statement that you have ended advertising on GCB.  UNQUOTE.

 

Take Action! Click here to let advertisers know if they continue to support a show that ridicules and attacks your faith, you will not support them with your pocketbook.

http://www.americandecency.org/archives/tv-advertisers-and-their-responses-to-your-letters/#more-6504

GCB: Good Christians Bashed

At the same time Washington was ablaze with outrage at the idea that Rush Limbaugh insulted a woman as a “slut,” ABC premiered a new Sunday night show called “GCB” — shortened from “Good Christian B******.” Limbaugh apologized. ABC displays no such contrition. They insulted only those Christians. In the midst of this trashy debut, ABC promoted a new sitcom coming in April titled “Don’t Trust The B—- in Apartment 23.”

ABC advertised the debut of “GCB” with a photo of actress Kristin Chenoweth in a choir robe cut way above the knee, as if such a thing exists. “Love One Another,” it read, dripping in sarcasm. That’s Hollywood’s definition of a “good Christian.”

Chenoweth plays Cricket Cockburn, the wealthy “queen b****,” who routinely quotes Bible verses with venom on the show. When her realtor friend won’t help her ruin the lead character, Amanda, Cricket threatens her business: “Read Job 1:21, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” She launches wicked plots while the auto shop puts a “John 3:16” decal on her car. She tells her fellow plotters, “God hates failure.”

Time TV critic James Poniewozik protested, “I have a hard time believing that anyone will see themselves insulted by GCB: Its target is not Christians but phonies.” Not so. There are certainly Christian hypocrites that can make for great grist in entertainment. But this show offers the viewing public no authentic Christians at all.

We can’t say this is surprising. Nor are we surprised by the shamelessly dishonest spin of ABC. Channing Dungey, a senior vice president of drama development for the Disney-owned network, said she always knew this show was a “home run” from the beginning. The title was provocative, yes, but “treating religion and Christianity with respect is very important to everyone involved.”

Laugh track, please. What’s next? “Good Jewish Money-Grubbers” is “treating Judaism with respect” as well?

Then there are the stars.

Chenoweth told the home team at ABCNews.com that “The Bible tells us that we’re not supposed to judge, and people shouldn’t judge before seeing the show … I’m a Christian; I think that’s pretty well known, and I would never do anything that I think crossed the line.”

The entire show crosses the line. It tries to cross the line. It begins with a California man driving frantically for the Mexican border with his mistress and a mountain of stolen cash. But the mistress decides to perform a sex act on him while he drives, leading to a fatal car crash. That’s what spurs the lead character, Amanda — now a widow — to return to Dallas to live with her wealthy mother, played by Annie Potts.

Potts is second only to Chenoweth in spitting out cynical conservative “Christian” one-liners. She tells her daughter California is inferior to Texas because “we’ve got the same weather without the liberals.” She also tells her daughter if she needs rehab to avoid the Baptists (“folding chairs”) and try the Episcopalians (“upholstered, with canapes.”) She says to “cut the commie crap” when Amanda tries to keep her children from going to church. At episode’s end, she declares, “I feel confident the good Lord would like me to have a new fur coat. God often speaks to me through Christian Dior.”

Anyone wasting a whole hour waiting for one good character would place their hopes on widowed Amanda, played by the actress Leslie Bibb. For most of the show, she’s renouncing how badly she behaved in high school and wants a job to pay for her own house. But when she can’t find a job, we get a ridiculous 180-degree turn. She starts working at a Hooters-aping restaurant called “Boobylicious,” which she discovers is owned by Chenoweth’s husband.

This badly contrived plot sets up the final battle of the GCBs. When Chenoweth protests “we live in a righteous community,” Bibb’s character rips up Dallas. “Fun fact. Dallas has more churches per capita than anywhere on Earth. Also, Dallas has more strip clubs per capita than anywhere on Earth. Two plus two equals a double standard.”

Ignore whether the “fun fact” is true — multiple cities claim to have the most churches per capita. Also, Portland claims the title of most strip clubs. This line neatly summarizes ABC’s take on churchy Christians. Anywhere they gather in great numbers, their badly hidden sins and perversions naturally trail closely behind. Christians, the audience at home should believe, are nothing but phonies. No other faith in America gets lined up for this kind of bashing.

As anyone could have predicted, ABC is clearly pitching “GCB” as a replacement for the dying soap “Desperate Housewives,” merely adding the Texas- Christian angle to make the plots extra-scandalous. Hollywood seems to think everyone is a selfish and cynical hypocrite. But not everyone lives in a gaudy piranha bowl like they do in Tinseltown.

Brent Bozell

Founder and President of the Media Research Center, Brent Bozell runs the largest media watchdog organization in America.

http://townhall.com/columnists/brentbozell/2012/03/09/l_brent_bozell_iii/page/full/