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07/08/2009
Meet You at the Corner of Church and State
Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus of the New Life Covenant Church in Chicago is the man selected by outgoing Alderman Billy Ocasio to replace him on the City Council, representing Chicago's 26th Ward. Gay activists are leery of this succession because De Jesus's Assemblies of God church is against homosexuality.
"I would tell [critics]: Isn't it ironic that you're asking me to be tolerant and you're intolerant to my beliefs. How is that? We already know there are differences. Let's put that to the side. What's hurting our community today? Let's focus on that."
I've never bought the old hypocritical liberals argument, which can be boiled down to, "Why are you so intolerant of my intolerance?" But if he is asking the LGBT community to take him at his word on his priorities, how about his words from an interview with Christianity Today last year, in which he said his main priorities were to oppose abortion and homosexuality, among other explicitly anti-gay sentiments expressed by the formerly Republican Rev. De Jesus in the media? Or the words he used to oppose an LGBT-friendly high school for Chicago?
Julio Rodriguez of the Association of Latino Men for Action warns, "We don't see how someone who has such a strong foundation with his church can separate his belief system [from] his public role, even though he thinks he can."
He has until August 1 to fill the position.
Posted 11:24 AM EST by Matthew Rettenmund in Barack Obama, Chicago, Democratic Party | Permalink
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He's basically saying, "Why are you so intolerant of my intolerance of you?"
Posted by: rustytrawler | Jul 8, 2009 11:43:01 AM
Fascinating logic by Rev. De Jesus. Let me boil it down for you Reverend. The problem with your (il)logic is this...if you get a seat on the City Council, you make policy. So I can be intolerant of your beliefs which will factor into your ability of make policy thus hurting my family and me.
If YOU can put your faith aside and make policy based on equality for all, which I don't believe for a moment, well congratulations. You'll have done what bigots in office have never been able to do.
And again, I don't believe you. It's not your beliefs I'm intollerant of, it's you and your kind using them to make law that harms me I'm intollerant of. Get it clear, Reverend.
Posted by: Bart | Jul 8, 2009 11:54:38 AM
Lets make laws against Spanish families...Hows that Rev? I wouldn't trust this snake for a moment!
Posted by: Disgusted American | Jul 8, 2009 12:06:37 PM
He is a scary religious freak. He is the best that Chicago can offer in terms of public servants? Jeez.
Posted by: SFshawn | Jul 8, 2009 12:06:55 PM
Why would he want to quit his more Godly work for such a position? I don't think he has the qualifications or background to tackle this job. Sounds like somebody struck a deal on the side....hmmmm? Imagine that in Chicago.
Posted by: GW | Jul 8, 2009 12:30:53 PM
Anyone who is willing to enter the public arenas must be subject to scrutiny! It is part of the democratic process. The REAL question is whether Rev. De Jesus would be tolerant of someone who is gay being on the City Counsel or if he would opposed them or speak out against them. There is no need for the voters to be tolerant of any official with a hostile position to their basic existence. We are the ones who get to vote. However, elected official should be tolerant of all their constituents. Is there really such a void of good politicians in 26th Ward that a reverend is needed to take the post?
Posted by: Leto | Jul 8, 2009 12:35:48 PM
Ths difference between our requests for tolerance and theirs is and always has been that they want to limit our rights, and we want to protect theirs.
If they believe homosexuality is wrong, that is their right. If they want to teach that homosexuality is wrong, it's their right. And if they want to shun homosexuals from their churches and lives, that is also their right.
But men like him, who want to ban gay marriage and deny us the right to build whole, prosperous and abundant lives in the eyes of our nation, must be stopped.
Posted by: Cameron Johnson | Jul 8, 2009 12:40:08 PM
I read that interview in Christianity Today. I was appalled. I am even more appalled that this christian cretin is being appointed--NOT ELECTED--to the Chicago city council. Who gives a rat's ass that "tradition" demands that the mayor respects an alderman's choice? You can bet the good Rev is NOT going to leave his "deeply held spiritual beliefs" at the city council chamber's door. Further, this creep has the gall to accuse any of us of being "intolerant" of his beliefs when we expect him to be tolerant of us. That is absolute, unmitigated bullshit! Listen, Rev, I and my LGBT brothers and sisters never picked this fight. We are perfectly happy to live our lives in the peace and sanctity of our homes, our jobs, our own houses of worship, our communities. But we can't because of born-again bozos like yourself. You want tolerance, asshole? You've got to give it to get it. It's called karma.
Posted by: mike | Jul 8, 2009 12:51:30 PM
The apple doesn't fall far from the Tree of Ignorance. Just like our President who must "wrestle with his faith" and his Messiah complex to govern fairly to ALL his people.
Vile.
Posted by: Rocco | Jul 8, 2009 1:03:01 PM
I can tolerate religious people as long as they keep it private and not rub it in my face.
What they do in their own homes and churches is none of my business, but my belief is that it's just not natural. Religious people should be granted the right for civil congregation, but to allow them to serve on a civic council would threaten the sanctity of government.
Posted by: NSFW | Jul 8, 2009 1:03:51 PM
Promoting ignorance in the cause of diversity is no virtue and certainly is not progress.
Posted by: ggreen | Jul 8, 2009 1:06:01 PM
Hey, your not being tolerant of De Jesus's intolerance !!! LOL
Only a religious person could come up with that kind of ignorance and hatred.
Posted by: Robert | Jul 8, 2009 1:38:43 PM
"I would tell [critics]: Isn't it ironic that you're asking me to be tolerant and you're intolerant to my beliefs"
Gee well the LGBT community doesn't have a history of demonizing (ha!) evangelicals as less then human, child molesters, mentally unstable, etc., etc.
We are not intolerant of your beliefs, just your practices...so I guess that does make us even.
Posted by: qjersey | Jul 8, 2009 2:30:38 PM
"Why are you nasty Liberals so intolerant and suspicious of me just because I'm at the helm of an organization that habitually demonizes you and cynically uses you as a wedge issue to inflame my party's superstitious base? Why aren't you buying into my huggable 'We're not bigots -- we just love the God that hates you' line? You are a cynical people, you kooky Liberals, with all your logical deductions based on things I've actually said and done. For shame!"
Posted by: ulf | Jul 8, 2009 2:52:01 PM
I am consistently dumbfounded by the lack of legislation preventing any religiously titled persons from entering public office. It is a belligerent affront to the sensibility of any thinking individual.
While the Constitutional separation of church and state was meant to keep government out of religious affairs, how is it possible for the inverse to remain allowable?
I too find it quite unbelievable that anyone with such religious title as "Reverend" could possibly capable of separating his belief system from the secular. Mr. Rodriguez said it perfectly:
"We don't see how someone who has such a strong foundation with his church can separate his belief system [from] his public role, even though he thinks he can."
Shenanigans!
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Jul 8, 2009 4:22:34 PM
Oh Lord!! I am an Assemblies of God preachers son, and let me tell you: The A/G is one of the most homophobic denominations in America - probably not as bad as Southern Baptists, but right up there with the worst of them! I am terrified that this man will hold a leadership position in Chicago. And Ive heard all the rhetoric this mad will likely shove on everyone. Why is a pastor wanting to becoming involved in politics anyway? Does Jesus need some extra votes now? I thought God was all-powerful lol!
Posted by: Drew | Jul 8, 2009 8:38:47 PM
uh oh, this guy already sound hostile.
Posted by: niles | Jul 8, 2009 10:22:26 PM
god, there are times -- too often these days -- when i am so embarrassed to be from chicago and illinois. by the way, and this would come before the 'he hates gays' argument, this 'rev.' doesn't even currently live within the boundaries of the ward which he may be appointed to represent.
Posted by: james | Jul 9, 2009 10:57:40 AM
I hope this man becomes Daley's Rev. Wright for all gays in Chicago.
Posted by: 2nd Class Citizen Class | Jul 9, 2009 9:18:59 PM