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November 17, 2009

Edmond pastor challenges hate crimes law

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  • PHOTO PROVIDED Fairview Baptist Church Pastor Paul Blair of Edmond preaches during the press conference Monday afternoon in Washington, D.C., in front of the Justice Department building. Blair and other pastors delivered 3-minute sermonettes. They wanted to encourage clergy across the country to keep preaching what the Bible says about homosexuality, and to challenge a new hate crimes law.

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U.S. AG receives letter from clergy

Mark Schlachtenhaufen

EDMOND — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is reviewing a letter from an ad hoc coalition of pastors asking that a new hate crimes law not be enforced because they believe it violates the Constitution.

Paul Blair, senior pastor at Edmond’s Fairview Baptist Church, and two other metro pastors were part of the group that held a press conference in front of the U.S. Justice Department building Monday afternoon in Washington, D.C.

During the event, representatives of the coalition delivered the letter to a Justice Department staff member. Justice Department spokesman Miyar Alejandro said the agency will review the letter and determine what action, if any, will be taken.

Blair said he wants Oklahoma’s attorney general to not enforce the law when it comes to a pastor’s ability to preach on homosexuality. He said the press conference was a response to President Barack Obama’s signing The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law last month.

During the signing ceremony, Obama thanked all the activists, organizers and others who helped make the moment a reality.

“You understood that we must stand against crimes that are meant not only to break bones, but to break spirits, not only to inflict harm, but to instill fear,” Obama said. “You understand that the rights afforded every citizen under our Constitution mean nothing if we do not protect those rights, both from unjust laws and violent acts. And you understand how necessary this law continues to be.”

Groups including Equality Across America and the NAACP hailed the new law, which reportedly marks the first time federal action has been taken to protect individuals victimized for their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Blair said the press conference was needed to get the federal government on the record and to show clergy across America that they still may preach that homosexuality is contrary to biblical teachings and to God’s creation.

Blair questioned the justification for the law and postulated that it may come to be used to assault free speech and thought as well as Christianity. He said he is in need of God’s unmerited favor like every other human, and that his message is about the need for all to repent.

“Pastors must continue to preach the truth, we must continue to be allowed to carry out the Great Commission and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world,” Blair said. “We want to see people saved whether they be heterosexual or homosexual.”

Blair cited the situation in England, the recent headline about the manager at a Massachusetts retailer who claims he was unjustly fired after he told a colleague he thought her impending marriage to another woman wrong and the 2004 incident involving the “Philadelphia 11.”

“If this goes unchecked, in 10 years that’s how this will be used,” Blair said.

Blair said many anti-Christian crimes have occurred in California since the passage of the pro-traditional marriage Proposition 8. According to a recent Gallup poll, 57 percent of Americans oppose same-sex marriage.

marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 102

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