Ed Brayton is a journalist, commentator and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of 
The tense situation in Ft. Lauderdale over Mayor Jim Naugle's anti-gay crusade there in one of the most gay-friendly cities in the nation is getting much worse. Yet more anti-gay Christian fundamentalist preachers are holding press conferences with Naugle, including a group of people from a black church that showed up in paramilitary gear.
Elder Mathes Guice of the Koinonia Worship Center in Pembroke Park said the county tourist council's targeted marketing to gay visitors "led the spiritual community on a collision course with Satan.'' He said "we have no other choice but to step up and do the right thing'' by holding the revival."We love the homosexual people,'' said the Rev. O'Neal Dozier of Pompano Beach. "We find them to be precious people. We want them saved.''
Here's a picture of one of the preachers in military gear:
Very nice. That's just what Jesus would do.
Comments
"We love the homosexual people, ... We find them to be precious people."
Well isn't that precious...
Posted by: yoshi | September 7, 2007 10:21 AM
Well, to quote Hunter S. Thompson:
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Posted by: Don K | September 7, 2007 10:27 AM
"We love the homosexual people, ... We find them to be precious people."
Wasn't there a recent video clip on the Onion site about how the DADT policy was designed to protect America's precious homosexuals from the dangers of combat? I don't dare laugh when I read something funny in the Onion, because there's a good chance it'll happen soon...
Posted by: maybecca | September 7, 2007 10:46 AM
"We love the homosexual people,'' said the Rev. O'Neal Dozier of Pompano Beach. "We want them saved.''
Hmm, because they didn't learn anything from "We love the colored people. We want them to be slaves."
Posted by: Soldats | September 7, 2007 12:18 PM
Religious leader --> Military costume (I refuse to call it a uniform in that context). WTF?
It's like saying 1 + 1 = 37
???
Posted by: dogmeatib | September 7, 2007 1:13 PM
I think the elder in camouflage says it all.
Posted by: twincats | September 7, 2007 1:29 PM
FYI: Naugle was a long-time friend of the recently deceased D. James Kennedy. Kennedy's ministry, based at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, is in Fort Lauderdale.
Posted by: tacitus | September 7, 2007 3:38 PM
This is exactly the kind of crap that really gets me mad. How am I supposed to understand a preacher in a combat uniform not as a threat of violence? Do they not see how this could seem threatening to the gay community? Are these people really that stupid? or is it just me?
Posted by: Christophe | September 7, 2007 5:34 PM
"Religious leader --> Military costume (I refuse to call it a uniform in that context)"
EXACTLY! If you are IN the military, it's a uniform. If you aren't, it's costume. He might as well be dressed as a Jedi Knight.
Posted by: Bouj | September 7, 2007 5:39 PM
If a priest wants to dress up in military cloting, the least they can do is dress like a medieval cardinal, who sometimes went into battle. I mean, if you are going for ludicrous you might as well do it properly.
Posted by: James | September 8, 2007 12:49 AM
Yes, nothing shows love for a group of people more than implying that you are "going to war" against them.
Posted by: daniel rotter | September 8, 2007 4:01 AM
To the Minneapolis PD, Undercover Division:
Do you think you could set up extension services at Ft. Lauderdale International Airport? I think we have a nest of live ones over there.
Posted by: Farb | September 8, 2007 2:12 PM