Colorado state Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt (R) said on Monday that it would be “better” for the Boy Scouts of America to drown its gay scoutmasters in the “depths of the sea” instead of lifting a ban on them…
“If your boy is in one of those organizations, you need to get him out of there,” he warned. “Because what they’re going to do is promote homosexual men to mentoring and camping with your boys in the woods. And it will lead to child abuse… The children are in danger. It’s not about the sexual pleasure of the adults.” Klingenschmitt pointed viewers a verse from the book of Matthew: “Whoever causes one of these to little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” “This is what Jesus said about child molesters,” the Republican lawmaker insisted… Klingenschmitt goes on to say that gay Boy Scout leaders being drowned would be preferable to the wrath of the Almighty God “when he throws them into hell.” Klingenschmitt himself says he would rather be drowned than face God’s judgment for the molestations that must surely follow if the Boy Scouts let gay scoutmasters come out of the closet. --As reported by Colorado Pols 3.18.24 |
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‘The Lord told us to’: US pastor says he stole $1m from Christians to remodel home
A Colorado pastor who is charged with stealing more than $1m from his Christian community in a cryptocurrency scheme has admitted to the fraud but argued that God instructed him to carry it out. Eli Regalado and his wife, Kaitlyn, are charged with creating and selling their cryptocurrency, known as “INDXcoin”, to Christians based in their home town of Denver, Colorado, allegedly telling would-be investors that the Lord had told him people would become rich if they invested, the state’s division of securities
announced in a press release on Thursday. (Gloria Oladipo/The Guardian 1/23/24) READ MORE>>>>>
A Colorado pastor who is charged with stealing more than $1m from his Christian community in a cryptocurrency scheme has admitted to the fraud but argued that God instructed him to carry it out. Eli Regalado and his wife, Kaitlyn, are charged with creating and selling their cryptocurrency, known as “INDXcoin”, to Christians based in their home town of Denver, Colorado, allegedly telling would-be investors that the Lord had told him people would become rich if they invested, the state’s division of securities
announced in a press release on Thursday. (Gloria Oladipo/The Guardian 1/23/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Colorado Pastor Turned Legislator Has Promoted Christian Nationalism From The Pulpit For Years
“The church is not more powerful in Colorado than Satan is. I mean, think about what I’m saying. If that was different, wouldn’t we be able to do something about this?” That was what state Rep. Scott Bottoms (R-Colorado Springs) said during a sermon early last year, before he was elected to Colorado’s legislature. The source of his anger: Colorado Democrats’ policy wins, including multiple protections for abortion rights and a 2019 bill codifying comprehensive sex education – both things that fundamentalist Christians like Bottoms tend to vehemently oppose.
(James O'Rourke/Colorado Times Recorder 12/19/23) READ MORE>>>>>
“The church is not more powerful in Colorado than Satan is. I mean, think about what I’m saying. If that was different, wouldn’t we be able to do something about this?” That was what state Rep. Scott Bottoms (R-Colorado Springs) said during a sermon early last year, before he was elected to Colorado’s legislature. The source of his anger: Colorado Democrats’ policy wins, including multiple protections for abortion rights and a 2019 bill codifying comprehensive sex education – both things that fundamentalist Christians like Bottoms tend to vehemently oppose.
(James O'Rourke/Colorado Times Recorder 12/19/23) READ MORE>>>>>
How a bucolic Tennessee suburb became a hotbed of ‘Christian Nashville-ism’
A similar movement of outsiders helped turn Colorado Springs into a stronghold of the religious right in the heyday of groups like Focus on the Family, said Will Schultz, a religious historian at the University of Chicago Divinity School. In the 1980s and 1990s, Focus and other evangelical nonprofits moved to Colorado Springs, creating a “Mecca for Evangelical Christians,” as NPR put it, and turning Colorado into a battleground over gay rights and other social issues. Those newcomers, often from more liberal places such as California or the East Coast, teamed up with conservative activists already in the region to oppose LGBT rights. “All of a sudden, in their backyard, they see the very forces they’d come to Colorado trying to escape,” said Schultz.
(Bob Smietana/Religion News 11/8/23) READ MORE>>>>>
A similar movement of outsiders helped turn Colorado Springs into a stronghold of the religious right in the heyday of groups like Focus on the Family, said Will Schultz, a religious historian at the University of Chicago Divinity School. In the 1980s and 1990s, Focus and other evangelical nonprofits moved to Colorado Springs, creating a “Mecca for Evangelical Christians,” as NPR put it, and turning Colorado into a battleground over gay rights and other social issues. Those newcomers, often from more liberal places such as California or the East Coast, teamed up with conservative activists already in the region to oppose LGBT rights. “All of a sudden, in their backyard, they see the very forces they’d come to Colorado trying to escape,” said Schultz.
(Bob Smietana/Religion News 11/8/23) READ MORE>>>>>
Seducing the Bride of Christ
During the 1980s, Colorado Springs was jokingly called the “evangelical Vatican” due to the prevalence of Christian megachurches, parachurches, ministries, and nonprofits. The influence of evangelical Christianity in Colorado Springs peaked in the 90s with the passage of Amendment 2, which banned local municipalities from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ people. While the overt influence of groups like Focus on the Family on local and state politics has waned, the congregations in Academy School District 20 represent a sizable voting block. Messages from the Advocates for D20 Kids Discord server show that conservative candidates Derrick Wilburn and Amy Shandy were actively courting local churches for support in their campaigns. (Heidi Beetle/Colorado Times Recorder 10/12/23) Read More>>>>>
During the 1980s, Colorado Springs was jokingly called the “evangelical Vatican” due to the prevalence of Christian megachurches, parachurches, ministries, and nonprofits. The influence of evangelical Christianity in Colorado Springs peaked in the 90s with the passage of Amendment 2, which banned local municipalities from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ people. While the overt influence of groups like Focus on the Family on local and state politics has waned, the congregations in Academy School District 20 represent a sizable voting block. Messages from the Advocates for D20 Kids Discord server show that conservative candidates Derrick Wilburn and Amy Shandy were actively courting local churches for support in their campaigns. (Heidi Beetle/Colorado Times Recorder 10/12/23) Read More>>>>>
Right-Wing Christian Groups Back CO Congressman Buck and Others Who Ousted House Speaker
“Pro-family” groups support seven of the eight far-right Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives who made history Oct. 3 by voting to remove Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy in a 216-210 vote. Both Matt Gaetz of Florida, who led the charge against McCarthy, and Andy Biggs of Arizona have received the Family Research Council’s True Blue Award for their “perfect voting records” on issues including abortion and LGBTQ rights that make up the political agenda of FRC, which was founded and is aligned with Focus on the Family. (Steve Rabey/Colorado Times Recorder 10/6/23) Read More>>>>>
“Pro-family” groups support seven of the eight far-right Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives who made history Oct. 3 by voting to remove Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy in a 216-210 vote. Both Matt Gaetz of Florida, who led the charge against McCarthy, and Andy Biggs of Arizona have received the Family Research Council’s True Blue Award for their “perfect voting records” on issues including abortion and LGBTQ rights that make up the political agenda of FRC, which was founded and is aligned with Focus on the Family. (Steve Rabey/Colorado Times Recorder 10/6/23) Read More>>>>>
Sep 14, 2023
Last year's Republican candidate for governor, Heidi Ganahl, said Christians can "singlehandedly" take back control of state government. |
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May 2, 2023: CBN: CO Church Shines God's 'Hopelight', Turns Worship Site Into Medical Clinic for Those in Need
A Colorado congregation is helping thousands of people by operating a medical clinic out of their church building.
For the past 9 years, they've been running this unique outreach program, and it's reportedly working.
A Colorado congregation is helping thousands of people by operating a medical clinic out of their church building.
For the past 9 years, they've been running this unique outreach program, and it's reportedly working.
Feb 12, 2023: The Gazette: Colorado law bans 'conversion therapy' for those under 18, but debate continues
Like other issues, homosexuality is divisive in Christianity, with some denominations interpreting the Bible to mean same-same relations are sinful, while other denominations say that's not what the Bible says.
Helping people who question their sexuality also has become controversial.
Focus on the Family has been criticized for something leaders like Johnston and President Jim Daly say Focus doesn’t do: Promote what’s known as conversion therapy.
Like other issues, homosexuality is divisive in Christianity, with some denominations interpreting the Bible to mean same-same relations are sinful, while other denominations say that's not what the Bible says.
Helping people who question their sexuality also has become controversial.
Focus on the Family has been criticized for something leaders like Johnston and President Jim Daly say Focus doesn’t do: Promote what’s known as conversion therapy.
Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing plaintiff Lorie Smith in the case, held a rally outside the Supreme Court as oral arguments took place inside. The case stems from Christian website designer Lorie Smith of 303 Creative challenging the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act out of concern that the law could characterize her objection to creating websites celebrating same-sex marriages as a violation of nondiscrimination protections for LGBT-identified individuals.
--Religious liberty advocates rally against 'unconstitutional' Colo. law as Supreme Court mulls pivotal case 12.5.22
--Religious liberty advocates rally against 'unconstitutional' Colo. law as Supreme Court mulls pivotal case 12.5.22
Charisma: Michael Brown: Once Again, I Denounce Acts of Violence Against the LGBTQ-Plus Community
Although we still do not know (as of this writing) if the massacre at a gay bar in Colorado Springs was a hate crime, it is always appropriate to denounce all acts of violence and hatred against the LGBTQ community. There is absolutely no justification for such acts no matter how deep the disagreements. You do not murder someone because you differ with them. -11.23.22
Although we still do not know (as of this writing) if the massacre at a gay bar in Colorado Springs was a hate crime, it is always appropriate to denounce all acts of violence and hatred against the LGBTQ community. There is absolutely no justification for such acts no matter how deep the disagreements. You do not murder someone because you differ with them. -11.23.22
Nov 2, 2022: Denver Post: Focus on the Family’s Colorado Springs headquarters sign vandalized days after Club Q mass shooting
The sign of the Colorado Springs headquarters of the evangelical Christian ministry Focus on the Family was defaced days after a gunman attacked the city’s sole LGBTQ+ nightclub.
“Their blood is on your hands” and “five lives taken” were spray-painted onto the sign following Saturday night’s mass shooting in Colorado Springs at Club Q. Five people died, and at least 18 others were wounded.
The sign of the Colorado Springs headquarters of the evangelical Christian ministry Focus on the Family was defaced days after a gunman attacked the city’s sole LGBTQ+ nightclub.
“Their blood is on your hands” and “five lives taken” were spray-painted onto the sign following Saturday night’s mass shooting in Colorado Springs at Club Q. Five people died, and at least 18 others were wounded.
Sept 19, 2022: Colorado Springs Gazette: Colorado Springs evangelical Christian groups less political, but even more powerful economically
Some 30 years have passed since Colorado Springs economic development leaders actively courted prominent evangelical Christian organizations to relocate their operations and staff to the Pikes Peak region.
The late 1980s and early 1990s brought Focus on the Family, Biblica–The International Bible Society, HCJB World Radio (now Reach Beyond), the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the Association of Christian Schools International, David C. Cook and other like-minded nonprofit ministries.
Some 30 years have passed since Colorado Springs economic development leaders actively courted prominent evangelical Christian organizations to relocate their operations and staff to the Pikes Peak region.
The late 1980s and early 1990s brought Focus on the Family, Biblica–The International Bible Society, HCJB World Radio (now Reach Beyond), the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the Association of Christian Schools International, David C. Cook and other like-minded nonprofit ministries.
Sept 14, 2022: Denver Post: Lauren Boebert is part of a dangerous religious movement that threatens democracy, experts say
“It’s time for us to position ourselves and rise up and take our place in Christ and influence this nation as we were called to do,” Boebert told a Woodland Park crowd in September |
May 29, 2022: Denver Post: Christian nationalism on the rise in some GOP campaigns
Pastor Tim Thompson of 412 Church in Murrieta, California, who hosts a YouTube channel with more 9,600 subscribers and envisions a conservative future for the state, recently started a political action committee aiming to “take back our school boards” and give parents authority over curriculum.
“We don’t want teachers or any other adults talking to our kids about sex,” Thompson said. “We don’t want teachers categorizing our kids into oppressed or oppressor. These are not political issues. They are moral and biblical issues.”
Judeo-Christian values are the foundation of America, he argued.
“People are afraid to speak up for these values because they are afraid that the left is going to slap a label like ‘racist’ or ‘Christian nationalist’ on them,” Thompson said. “I don’t care about those labels, because my wife, children, church and community know who I am.”
Pastor Tim Thompson of 412 Church in Murrieta, California, who hosts a YouTube channel with more 9,600 subscribers and envisions a conservative future for the state, recently started a political action committee aiming to “take back our school boards” and give parents authority over curriculum.
“We don’t want teachers or any other adults talking to our kids about sex,” Thompson said. “We don’t want teachers categorizing our kids into oppressed or oppressor. These are not political issues. They are moral and biblical issues.”
Judeo-Christian values are the foundation of America, he argued.
“People are afraid to speak up for these values because they are afraid that the left is going to slap a label like ‘racist’ or ‘Christian nationalist’ on them,” Thompson said. “I don’t care about those labels, because my wife, children, church and community know who I am.”
Jan 17, 2005: NPR: Colorado Springs a Mecca for Evangelical Christians
When President Bush takes the oath of office this week, one group of Americans will take special pride in knowing he'll lead the country for another four years. Evangelical Christians are considered an important part of the coalition that re-elected him.
For a two-part report, NPR's Jeff Brady visits Colorado Springs, Colo., which for the past decade has been recognized as a center for evangelical Christian organizations.
When President Bush takes the oath of office this week, one group of Americans will take special pride in knowing he'll lead the country for another four years. Evangelical Christians are considered an important part of the coalition that re-elected him.
For a two-part report, NPR's Jeff Brady visits Colorado Springs, Colo., which for the past decade has been recognized as a center for evangelical Christian organizations.