Christians 101

Battle Cry

On Sunday in San Francisco, more than 25,000 youth attended a music and worship event organized by the evangelical Christian group “Battle Cry.” San Francisco Chronicle coverage of the event and surrounding controversy gives a fascinating account of the way in which Christians are understood by progressives, and how they very often disappoint stereotypes.

Who is Battle Cry fighting? From their website:

Corporations, media conglomerates, and purveyors of popular culture have spent billions to seduce and enslave our youth. So far, the enemy is winning. But there is plenty we can do. We need to take action.

Battle Cry’s main action is holding very large rallies, often in Stadiums, to give youth a chance to, “experience unforgettable ministry and worship,” complete with dozens of bands and speakers.

In advance of the event, many San Francisco activists worried that the Christians were brining messages of hate. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors even passed a resolution condemning Battle Cry. After the event, a Chronicle editorial touched on the controversy:

Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, was quoted telling counter-protesters Friday that the gathering Christians were "loud, they're obnoxious, they're disgusting and they should get out of San Francisco." On Monday, however, Leno struck a more reasoned tone, acknowledging that his rally cry was "not one of my prouder moments." He said the youth group was "welcome in San Francisco," even though he does worry that its religious rhetoric could "under a cloak of love" feed a "fearful world's appetite for hate."

The editorial goes on to say:

We may disagree with certain aspects of the Battle Cry agenda -- on issues such as abortion rights, religion in schools or acceptance of an individual's sexual orientation -- but the attempt by counterprotesters and some of the city's elected officials to call them "fascist" and "hateful" was totally at odds with the tone of the ballpark event and the approach of the Web site.

According the Chronicle coverage of the rally,

No protesters were on hand Saturday, and the vibe was not one of condemnation, but of celebrating the fact that it can be cool to be Christian... The teens were greeted Friday at a kick-off rally at City Hall by an official city condemnation and protesters who called them anti-gay, anti-choice and intolerant. Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, suggested they "get out of San Francisco."

Scott Thompson, a youth pastor who attended the gathering was quoted in an AP story on the event:

I'm not here to hate anybody... This isn't about Bush or gays or anything other than being here to worship together.

posted by Elizabeth @ 8:11 AM