The Southern Poverty Law Center recognizes and old truth: Some 'Mainstream' religious groups are hate groups

When it comes to recognizing hate groups, the damage they do, and a willingness to call out these groups, the Southern Poverty Law Center is damn near the top of the heap (and is one of the groups to which I donate).  Whether white supremacist groups, neo-nazis, or the Klan, the SPLC's fight to expose the reality behind the milque-toast facades created by racists and homophobes has shed the light of day on the truth of my country and just how far we have to go.


Now, the SPLC is kicking a large hornet's nest.  Actually, they have slammed that nest.  How? They have pointed out that some 'mainstream' religious groups are, behind the Bible quotes and pseudo-morality, hate groups. And they are naming names, including:

• Abiding Truth Ministries
• American Family Association
• Concerned Women for America
• Family Research Council
• National Organization for Marriage

And the SPLC is very, very careful about who they list.    For instance, "Viewing homosexuality as unbiblical does not qualify organizations for listing as hate groups." (From the SPLC article)  In order to be included, the group must

. . . have continued to pump out demonizing propaganda aimed at homosexuals and other sexual minorities. These groups’ influence reaches far beyond what their size would suggest, because the “facts” they disseminate about homosexuality are often amplified by certain politicians, other groups and even news organizations. . . . Generally, the SPLC’s listings of these groups is based on their propagation of known falsehoods — claims about LGBT people that have been thoroughly discredited by scientific authorities — and repeated, groundless name-calling.

Which sounds rather calm, cool and collected.

Will the radical religious right accept this criticism as valid and modify their writings and behaviour in order to avoid being labelled as what they are, hate groups?  Or will they lash out and accuse the SPLC of fomenting anti-Christian bias and persecution?  Anyone care to take a bet on that?

Well, the World Nut Daily has (big surprise) found some radical preachers willing to whine and cry:

"No organization better defines what a hate group is all about than the Southern Poverty Law Center," said Robert Knight, Washington correspondent for Coral Ridge Ministries. "Smearing legitimate groups merely for disagreeing about homosexuality is a very hateful act."

"Lumping Christian groups in with violent, racist gangs is a form of 'bracketing,' a political tactic described in the gay strategy manual 'After the Ball.' It's guilt by association and it's meant to intimidate," Knight told WND.

And, of course, they want to lobby congress to remove funding for the SPLC (someone really needs to explain the United States Constitution to the radical right, especially the part regarding Bills of Attainder).  Look for the Glenn Becks and Rush Limbaughs of the world to go after the SPLC with a vengeance.  And I hope the SPLC is beefing up their security.  Followers of the right-wing demagogues have a history of turning violent (but remember, they are never terrorists).

Kudos to the SPLC for calling these groups what are:  hate groups.  In my view, the SPLC needs to go further and include the Roman Catholic Church (condoms spread AIDS), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (blacks are subhumans (officially, not any more, but . . . .)), and a host of other 'mainstream' churches and organizations (including the GOP) which propagate known falsehoods about the GLBT community.

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Nothing to do (directly) with the article but does anyone else get a little queasy whenever a group has the words 'American,' 'family,' or 'truth' in the name?