"It takes a real man to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. I'm not talking about no faggot or no sissy. I mean a real man who has made up their mind ...Let all the real men come on down here and take a bow." - excerpt from a Bishop Alfred Owens sermon (Palm Sunday, 2006)
We barely take the time to cover serious issues in the church, but it seems this story just couldn't escape our media radar. Bishop Alfred A. Owens, senior pastor of the renowned and prominent Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Washington, D.C., couldn't help but used derogatory words in his pulpit towards homosexuals and lesbians. Many have cited in the press that this kind of behavior at Mt. Calvary is not uncommon, but this time the mayor of D.C. and candidates for this year's race for the mayoral office are unhappy about it. The Washington Post reported that several major candidates for D.C. mayor have stated their concerns for black pastors to become more tolerant for homosexuals - with a greater emphasis on refraining from hateful language or venomous homophobia.
Excerpts of the message have been floating across the Internet for the last couple of weeks, and with a close and discerning ear, you can pinpoint Owens' fiery tone in his voice aiming towards a uncomfortable issue for him. But according to City Paper, many gay men attend Mt. Calvary, even after the Palm Sunday sermon. Since then, Owens attempted to apologize for his actions in the media, but returned back to the pulpit seeking for prayers and support - stating that he will not back down from his views at all. Regardless of what, the tone of his usage of words like "faggot" and "sissies" almost sounds like those hateful phrases of "nigger" and "bi$%&". Just when you thought we moved one step forward in God's unconditional love, we tend to take one step back towards hate. But what is so overwhelming is how Owens and his staff wants to condemn the bulk of his church in such a harsh tone. Ain't it kinda too late for that now? Things that make you go hmmmmm.
[OWENS RUNS A HURDLE]
More Gay Bashing From The Pulpit (Washington City Paper)
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