news story

Bible as "Hate Literature"

when it opposes Homosexual & other AntiBiblical Lifestyles

HENRY BLACKABY MINISTRIES CLARIFIES PRAYER REQUEST FOR CANADIAN GOVERNMENT VOTE ON "BIBLE VERSES AS HATE LITERATURE"

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

ATLANTA, GA  (ANS) - June 9/03 - Henry Blackaby Ministries has issued a clarification regarding its request for Christians praying for an upcoming Canadian Government vote on Bible verses as "hate literature." (Pictured: Henry Blackaby)

"We want to thank you for your responses regarding the prayer request for Canada. When we received the information regarding the legislation before the Canadian Government we wanted to let you know so that you could be praying immediately," writes a spokesman for Henry Blackaby in an e-mail ministry update.

"We have conducted more research concerning the Bill and wanted to make you better informed. The Bill before the government was originally presented as Bill C-415 and was reintroduced as Bill C-205. We need to make a clarification concerning this Bill.

"We stated that this Bill seeks to make all verses in the Bible that speak against homosexuality into hate literature. As we did further research we came to understand that the Bill does not specifically seek to make the Biblical passages pertaining to homosexuality into hate literature. But rather seeks to add 'sexual orientation,' specifically homosexuality, in the 'hate propaganda' sections of the Criminal Code of Canada. Because of the wording of the Bill and the fact that 'propaganda of hate' is not defined in the Bill, this Bill opens the door for those speaking against homosexuality and gay marriages to be prosecuted for hate crimes and for the Biblical passages to be deemed as 'hate literature.' "

"In addition, we were very encouraged to find several organizations in Canada that are actively enlisting people to pray for the defeat of this Bill. Please continue to pray for these organizations as they enlist people to pray as well as work with people in the Federal Government.

"With very few exceptions we have limited our prayer letter to those specific events, conferences, and needs pertaining to HBM (Henry Blackaby Minsitries). However, we felt that those of you who have enlisted as prayer partners would want to join with us to pray for Canada at this time."