Police Chaplain's Stand on Homosexuality Jeopardizes His Job

Agape Press ^ | October 21, 2002 | Allie Martin

[scripter]

A Michigan city is facing a possible lawsuit if a volunteer chaplain -- who believes homosexuality is a sin -- is removed from his duties.

Last Monday night during its regular meeting, several members of the Ferndale City Council said they supported removing Pastor Tom Hansen as the city's volunteer police chaplain. Hansen was blasted at the meeting by members of the homosexual activist group Soulforce for having publicly expressed his religious view on homosexuality.

According to the Daily Tribune in Oakland County, Michigan, Hansen -- pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church -- stated his belief that the homosexual lifestyle is in direct opposition to the expressed word of God and that God views it as a sin. Soulforce complained to the Council that Hansen's views represent "spiritual violence" against those who are homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered. Apparently the Council is now divided over whether it should have Hansen relieved of his duties.

Gary Glenn

But a Michigan pro-family leader is encouraging the Council members to think twice before firing Hansen. Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, says a decision by the council to remove Hansen could be a costly one.

"If they, in fact, take action to try and discriminate against and fire Pastor Hansen from this volunteer position, they will be facing a civil rights lawsuit alleging what is clearly a black-and-white case of content or viewpoint discrimination," Glenn says.

Glenn explains that Hansen's role as chaplain does not mean he forfeits his constitutional rights. "I can't help but marvel at the reported site Monday night when the so-called 'tolerance' and 'non-discrimination' crowds so clearly demonstrated their intolerance for Pastor Hansen's sincerely held religious views, and demanded that he be discriminated against and fired for daring to publicly express those views," Glenn says.

The Council is scheduled to debate the issue during its next regular meeting on October 28.

[Jerry_M]

Looks like the Ferndale, MI City Council has a choice to make: They can either please God, or they can please (sinful) men. Should they choose to please men, while thumbing their nose at God, they should expect that God's blessings will be withheld from their city.

[texson66]

FReepers, let this politically-correct city council know how you feel about their position! Click on the link below: Ferndale City Council Feedback

[Coleus]

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[Coleus]

Yep, can't wait.