Who Would Jesus Hate? Anti-Gay Rally Today in DC

When President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act into law earlier this month, it was apparently too much for the "Jesus is Love" folks, who think their constitutional right to practice their faith through hate speech will be taken away. On the news of the bill's passage, the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission (CADC) immediately called on it's intolerant  followers to join them at a rally, scheduled for later today, in front of the Justice Department.

The group intends to test the limits of free speech by ramping up their homophobic lies and daring the law enforcement officials to arrest them.

It remains to be seen if this little hate fest has any real support. Some sites I've read say there is, but those are mostly gay blogger sites. Maybe I'm missing something, but I haven't seen much reporting of it any where else. I think I may have found the possible reason.

The CADC web site has mentioned their martyrdom marketing effort only four times since the Hate Crimes law was passed, including the first post on November 3rd. In each article, they mention the date and location of the planned event, but only in their first post does it mention what time to be there. For the record guys, it's 1:30 pm.

From my limited experience in protest planning, I can tell you that they're doing it all wrong. And as anyone who has ever thrown a dinner party can tell you, if you want 20 people to show up at your soiree, you send out 60 invitations. Similarly, if you want to make a statement of hate and intolerance in order to show your Christian love, than getting the word out to anyone who will listen and talking about it 24/7 is key.

Of course, it's entirely possible that the CADC public relations machine has been spreading the word like manure, but real Christians (and there are some) can't get past the stench.

For mainstream Christians, having the homophobic, extremist right wing speak for you must be very embarrassing. It's kind of like going to church with your mom who wears a goofy bespangled hat pulled down over her sinuses while singing the wrong words, off key and clapping her hands and swaying her humongous hips back and forth to a rhythm that has nothing to do with what the musicians are playing. (Sorry. My shrink told me I was over that particular childhood trauma.)

My point is that we all know that there are a growing number of LGBT-friendly Christian churches and church goers who truly understand the teachings of their savior. But when those folks keep quiet, it only serves to turn up the volume on the hateful message coming from the lunatic fringe. It's time for our Christian allies to stand up for fairness and equality under the law for all Americans.

One final note to CADC founder, president and CEO, Rev. Dr. Gary L. Cass on planning your next event, as Martha Stewart will tell you, be sure to mention what time your party is starting and what time you want your guests to leave. It's just good manners. And by the way, you're the one in the goofy hat.