Faith

Miami School Seeks to Evict Church for Anti-Gay Sermons: ‘Contrary…to the Basic Principles of Humanity’

Miami Dade Public Schools Might Evict Impact Miami Southern Baptist Church Over Pastors Sermons on Homosexuality

Alberto Carvalho (Photo: Miami-Dade County Public Schools)

A Southern Baptist church called Impact Miami could soon be evicted from its meeting place at the Miami-Dade County Public Schools because of its position on homosexuality, which the school board describes as “contrary…to the basic principles of humanity.”

The church reportedly pays roughly $1,500 a month to use the high school facility on Sundays, and both its congregants and pastor feel they are being unfairly punished.

“I never thought I would be penalized for teaching on Christian marriage and sexual ethics from the Bible – the very bible that presidents swear on,” Pastor Hakimian said.

He added that, “as taxpayers we have the right to assemble in public spaces.”

But the school‘s representatives feel the church’s teachings have crossed a line.

After President Obama announced his position on gay marriage had “evolved,” the pastor gave sermons that, according to Fox News’s Todd Starnes, had titles like, “Gays and Sex Addicts Can Change and Should Change,” and, “Pedophiles Use the Same Argument as Homosexuals and the Weed Smoking Community.”

“I have asked for immediate legal review to seek the termination of the contract that is involved,” the school’s head Alberto Carvalho told Local10.com.  “I am making this decision not on the basis of policy or politics but as a rejection of prejudice and intolerance.”

Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter commented: “We’re living in a day and time when people are calling wrong right and they’re calling right wrong … Any time a man of God stands up for the Words of God, I think we should expect opposition – simply because of the fact that God’s ways are not man’s ways.”

Fox News has more on the backlash from the public:

The possible eviction has enraged religious liberty groups – several of whom have already volunteered their services to defend the pastor and the church should they be thrown out of their meeting space.

“He has the right to be able to speak on Sunday from the Scriptures and speak about his viewpoint on human sexuality,” said Mat Staver, president of the Liberty Counsel. “This is not someone who is advocating violence or some whacko that is extreme that would be a threat to society. This is a pastor who is speaking on issues from their own moral, political and biblical perspective.”

Staver told Fox News that he’s had a chance to review the pastor’s sermons and noted that the messages were in line with that millions of Americans believe.

“It is not contrary to humanity,” he said, refuting the school superintendent’s allegations. “It is absolutely outrageous that you would have a superintendent who would (think) along these lines.” [Emphasis added]

Here is video of Hakimian demanding an apology:

And Staver added that the matter could have implications for communities far beyond Miami.

“It’s serious for all of us,” he said. “If we lose the right to free speech in this area – we lose it in every other area.”

Joel Oster, senior counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom, commented: “This church does have a constitutional right to use these facilities. Public schools cannot discriminate against religious use of their facilities based upon viewpoints – and that’s exactly what’s going on here.”

Even the mayor of North Miami, Andre Pierre, has weighed in on the matter, and says he feels confident the school board attorney will side with the church.

“You have to respect the American principles and you have to uphold the Constitution,” he said.

 

Comments (138)

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  • Brittany-Imbriaarts
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:30pm

    If the school doesn’t like it then the church should take its money and find a new place welcoming of their views and their money.

    Report Post » Brittany-Imbriaarts  
    • colt1860
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:36pm

      This is the view I held a few years back. However, considering the constant lawsuits lately from these commies trying to radicalize America, and their vehement support from the MSM, we must stand up and fight. Enough is enogh. I can’t stand them winning these issues in the local area. They don’t represent the majority, or even hold a true, historical perspective of America. They’re radicals. We give them an inch, and they take two. If they want to threaten us, we must show them we’re ready to fight, and won’t back down.

      Report Post »  
    • John 3:16
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:45pm

      Yes, let’s just restrict free speech because you just agree with the superidiotintendant who is a socialist at heart. Glad you were not one of our founding fathers they didn’t wear yellow.

      Report Post » John 3:16  
    • joe.r.piehole
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:13pm

      brittany, thank you for being a rational human being, unlike the two previous repliers. I don’t even know where you stand on the issue, and I like that. You could support gay rights, maybe you don’t.

      But what you do seem to understand is that a Public School isn’t the only place in the world for this hate group to assemble. If the hate group wants to hate people and indoctrinate children into their hateful views, then they should find a nice, private location where hateful people can send their unfortunate children to be mind-f***ed.

      Blaze reading Christian fanatics, you disgust me.

      Report Post » joe.r.piehole  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:13pm

      What good is there in having a right if the Government prevents you from exercising your right. I hope these blacks remember this in November and the color of the skin that supports their rights.

      Report Post »  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:17pm

      Further proof that Christians need their own homeland here in North America. American does not have anything to offer Christians anymore and we need break up the nation as the USSR did.

      Report Post »  
    • joe.r.piehole
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:26pm

      lol @ muffy the imbecile.

      You’re gonna break up the freest, most succesful nation in the history of the world because you can’t practice your fairy tale idol worship in public schools? Did it ever occur to you that there are other religions exercising their right to freedom of religion? Go ahead and leave, you obviously have nothing to contribute to this great land. You are a foolish ghost worshipper. What a fool you are.

      Report Post » joe.r.piehole  
    • SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:35pm

      contrary…to the basic principles of humanity.”….If this wasn’t such a sad and logically flawed statement it would almost be laughable. Let’s see, the basic principles of humanity, hmmmm please define those for me and explain from where these are derived. Oh I see you can’t, but I sure invite anyone to try. Thanks ahead…

      Report Post » SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING  
    • joe.r.piehole
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:38pm

      sleazy, are they derived from a 2000 year old text that is nothing more than a collection of local tall tales and the works of travelling salesmen?

      Report Post » joe.r.piehole  
    • SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:45pm

      @ JOE…you give me the logical argument for where you derive your morality and I will give you mine and we will see which one stands up to the laws of logic. You game? I’ll let you start. I will respond and then state my position.

      Report Post » SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING  
    • SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:53pm

      @ JOE…I see from your serial posts and ad hominems that you will probably not engage in the challenge I have issued in a serious manner. I suspect you are not interested in the pursuit of truth, but rather are more of an ideologue. We shall see what character you possess. Thanks ahead.

      Report Post » SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING  
    • colt1860
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:54pm

      Joe.R.Piehole? What an idiot.

      These liberal commies love to hold a double standard. Public schools, as run today, are Government institutions. That means that the Government must abide by the Constitution and not prohibit residents using that property from exercising their right to religion and speech. Equal protection under the law. Joe.R.Piehole’s binary universe on what constitutes hate is laughable.

      I HATE murder. I HATE robbery. I HATE false testemonies. I HATE adultery. I HATE wickedness. I HATE fornication. I HATE evil. I HATE laziness. I LOVE righteousness. I LOVE charity. I LOVE peace. I LOVE truth. I LOVE justice. I LOVE patience. I LOVE honesty. I LOVE fidelity. I LOVE the brotherhood. I LOVE mercy. I LOVE hospitality. I LOVE courage. I LOVE endurance. I LOVE hardwork. I LOVE integrity.

      I abhor the vile acts of fornicators, adulterers, sodomites, and also the acts of lascivious, wanton individuals that have no moral standard or respect for family.

      Report Post »  
    • Amos37
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 9:09pm

      This country was founded because the earliest settlers wanted to worship the TRUE GOD. Now there are so many gods and ideas and beliefs that are contrary to what His Word teaches that even homosexuals have more rights than those being made righteous through Jesus Christ. They aren’t worried about them being a hate group, there is a deep hatred for anything related to the True God during this age. Time for some Christians with a backbone to stand up against all this crap.

      Report Post »  
    • Independent4233
      Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:05am

      “I am making this decision not on the basis of policy or politics but as a rejection of prejudice and intolerance.”

      Does he mean “prejudice and intolerance” against people who do not hold his perverted views?

      Most of these types are closet homosexuals or bisexuals. He‘s sick but he won’t admit it and try to get help.

      Report Post »  
    • OBAMANATIONOFDESOLATION
      Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:15am

      What you are advocating is if an administrator of a PUBLIC organization doesn’t agree with a group or organization, he or she is freely able to discriminate against that organization. If a LBGTP group wants to meet, should they have to find a different venue if the current administration feels uncomfortable with thin?

      Report Post »  
    • AnAmericanToo
      Posted on August 7, 2012 at 8:54pm

      It certainly is ONE option but the higher principle being challenged is constitutionally based.

      The school is a taxpayer funded institution in which the public has no say about denying being taxed to fund public education. American schools typically teach sex education during the school day built upon a specific agenda.

      The school is vacant on Sunday and this religious group is paying rent to use the facilities.

      Someone in the school district has suddenly become upset with the content of the religious teachings and has looked at the content of the speech. Based upon the content of the speech, this school official has taken it upon himself to terminate a lawful contract within the community. THIS is nothing short of ‘CENSORSHIP” and every American should be dismayed that the school system would consider setting such a shocking example. One may not restrict the use of a public forum based upon the content of the speech.

      AS a taxpayer — the school receives federal funding which means that I support that school just as much as the local people there — I find the desire to censor speech to be extremely offensive. This school official should now be required to take a course on the First Amendment and its application in schools.

      Report Post »  
  • lassiegirldawn
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:26pm

    With what is coming out of our schools, it would be wise for this school superintendent to take to heart some of the words spoken from this Church and do a little Bible reading himself.

    Report Post »  
    • joe.r.piehole
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:29pm

      What would reading a 2000 year old fictional work of plagiarists and travelling salesmen help?

      Report Post » joe.r.piehole  
    • colt1860
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 8:40pm

      “The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made ‘bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God’.” John Adams

      In 1781, Congress officially sanctioned a publication of the Bible:

      “RESOLVED, THAT the United States in Congress assembled HIGHLY APPROVE the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion, as well as an instance of the progress of arts in this country, and being satisfied from the above report of his care and accuracy in the execution of the work, they RECOMMEND this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States, and hereby authorize him to publish this Recommendation in the manner he shall think proper.”

      “The older I grow and the more I read the Holy Scriptures [the Christian Bible], the more reverence I have for them and the more I am convinced that they are not only the people’s guide for the conduct of this life, but the FOUNDATION of our hope respecting THE FUTURE STATE.” Thomas Jefferson

      Report Post »  
    • noesterdamos
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 11:07pm

      @Joe……why don’t you just stop being a jackass!

      Report Post »  
  • John 3:16
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:24pm

    Another big government representative (hack) trying desperately trying to trample on our rights, established by our founding fathers. Thanks Blaze for this story: I wish more people would see these actions for what they are, a deceitful restriction of individual rights. God played the main role in the foundation of America not homosexuals.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:13pm

    When one door is closed……

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • Cristina4Jesus
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:07pm

    The persecution of people of faith by the homosexuals is advancing at lightning speed. We need to pray continually, stand up strongly for our rights and get rid of the so called “hate crimes” laws that gave them the boldness to persecute us for holding the opinion that homosexuality is an abomination as the Bible says.

    Report Post »  
    • getreal4321
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:23pm

      God help us. Liberty is being sacrificed to licenciousness and truth to lies. There is no freedom unless you are aligned with the Beast and his agenda.

      Report Post »  
    • joe.r.piehole
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:32pm

      Lightening speed? Really? They don’t even have equal rights as you, yet. They have less rights than you do, you understand that right? There are law-abiding US citizens that have less rights than you simply because of their sexual orientation. You get that right?

      Imbecile.

      Report Post » joe.r.piehole  
    • colt1860
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 8:24pm

      “less rights”? LMAO!

      I’m a man. I have a right to marry a woman. Every man has as much a right to marry a woman as I do. There’s no such thing as “less rights”, unless enter Joe.R.Piehole’s alternate, deluded universe wherein men can lay with men, beasts, or their siblings.

      Marriage is a natural and ancient institution. Established by the laws of Nature, and nature’s God. What Joe.R.Piehole seeks to do is to forcefully radicalize the definition of marriage. Murder will always mean a certain thing, as will theft, and lying. Relative morality is for those who have no courage to stand for the truth or who have no backbone to follow those laws binding on all men, that justice may prevail. They hold no respect for Law.

      In the 1885 Utah Territory case (Murphy v. Ramsey), the US Supreme Court recognized the fundamental importance of the traditional institution of marriage:

      “For certainly no legislation can be supposed more wholesome and necessary in the founding of a free, self-governing commonwealth, fit to take rank as one of the coordinate States of the Union, than that which seeks to establish it on the basis of the idea of the family, as consisting in and springing from the union for life of one man and one woman in the holy estate of matrimony; the sure foundation of all that is stable and noble in our civilization; the best guaranty of that reverent morality which is the source of all beneficent progress in social and political improvement.”

      Report Post »  
    • lel2007
      Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:08am

      a·nus – noun, plural a·nus·es. Anatomy .
      the opening at the lower end of the alimentary canal, through which the solid refuse of digestion is excreted.
      The hole is an OUTTY, not an INNY.

      Report Post » lel2007  
  • otoa
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:06pm

    Revelation 20:12
    English Standard Version (ESV)

    12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

    Report Post »  
  • broper
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:02pm

    Just suppose that it was a Muslim congregation, and they said they taught that homosexuality an abomination (and they do)… is there any chance that a school board, school principal, or school district would say “boo” to them. Not a chance! What is going on in this country? Christians are being critized for sincere Christian beliefs, but Islam with its dreadful practices is being given a free pass. Why do you suppose Muslims in America are pushing for gun control? They don’t want Americans to have the means to fight for our freedoms. If you don’t think that global Sharia is their goal, you’re deceiving yourself.

    Report Post » broper  
  • colt1860
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:58pm

    “principles of humanity”?

    WTH? Does this guy represent the American people under OUR Constitution, or the UN and it’s humanistic, secular, international policies?

    This school rep should be the one evicted for being contrary to the basic principles of word definition.

    MAR’RIAGE, n. [L.mas, maris.] The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity,and for securing the maintenance and education of children.

    Report Post »  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:44pm

    Rather, it’s an abomination of humanity you clueless fool.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:39pm

    Ridiculous. The church should just leave of their own will. Why would they accept putting up with such garbage?

    Report Post » Meyvn  
    • Patriot Z
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:07pm

      because if they allow this pin head to drive them away it sets the precedent for others to discriminate as well. I disagree with the church on the issue of gay marriage, but he has every right to say it. the left loves to talk about free speech when they say something stupid, but have little tolerance for other viewpoints, which means they do not believe in free speech.

      Report Post » Patriot Z  
  • FREEDOMoverFEAR
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:33pm

    Stupid Sensa ad prevented me from reading the rest of the story. Come on Glenny boy you just signed a 100 million dollar contract don’t ruin your site by inundating it with ads.

    Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
    • rpp
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:39pm

      Use Firefox browser and get the AdBlockPluss add on.

      Report Post » rpp  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:29pm

    Try that with a Muslim Group.I dare ya.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • Twinspeedr
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:29pm

    I wonder why is it that every time in history that we have a wildly decadent society in the process of collapsing under it’s own corruption and avarice we see homosexuality become so “mainstream” in the eyes of the popular culture?

    Report Post » Twinspeedr  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on July 25, 2012 at 4:01am

      Exactly. It’s bad for society and bad for children.

      Report Post »  
  • bdandsl
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:28pm

    The left applaud free speech unless it disagrees with their agenda. And, why is it that when a person says something against that which the left hold in high esteem, they immediatly ‘ATTACK’? They are the most intolerant, hateful bunch of malcontents. The left’s mantra: The end justifies the means.

    Report Post » bdandsl  
  • Rational Man
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:27pm

    How messed up is that to say that homosexuality is a “basic principle of humanity”

    These freaks are teaching our kids this junk!

    Report Post » Rational Man  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:26pm

    This eviction attempt is nothing more than an infringement on the religious rights of this church. The ‘gay community’ does not own the school anymore than the Southern Baptist. The gays are the bullies in these situations. God is against the kind of sex the gays practice and nothing they say or do can change that. Let the gays keep pushing their perversion and they will experience a backlash that they will not be able to control.

    Report Post »  
  • Twinspeedr
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:24pm

    “contrary…to the basic principles of humanity.”

    True, but irrelevant because this policy is directly in keeping with the laws of God.

    Report Post » Twinspeedr  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:20pm

    White guy throws black preacher and flock out?

    Where’s Holder, Al and Jessie?

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • libertyandresponsibility
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:19pm

    I fear for this nation

    Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:19pm

    The BIBLE defines the “BASIC PRINCIPLES of HUMANITY” for mankind – the BIBLE is our guide.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:16pm

    OK, here’s the question, when does the idea of “humanity” trump God? Where are these people coming from, why are they elected when a majority of us believe in God and His bible? And just for reference, I don’t care what all the “new” anti religious people who are on this blog think. I was off for awhile fighting cancer, and I have come back to a lot of names I do not recognize, and are really nasty towards the usual bloggers.

    Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:26pm

      Hi Jenny Lind…….Welcome back and I hope you stay well. You are right. the Blaze seems to be attracting a lot of God haters and they do get really ugly at times.

      Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:35pm

      Your name is familar and a welcome sight to me. Yes, many new trolls on the site and many have given up on it. Me included for a while. Sorry to hear of your struggle. Will pray for you. I assume you are doing better since your back. God bless you. You might want to keep a bar of soap handy to wash your eyes out with. It has been pretty vulgar around here since I got bored enough to come back here. Sometimes I kick myself for even bothering to read the comment section. Be blessed and be well, in Jesus name!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • skimmer57
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:57pm

      Hope you beat cancer. Doesn’t Jesus say if you remarry after a divorce you are committing adultry?Why are people cherry picking sins? Is it because homos are supposedly icky? Isn’t the prophet Glenn remarried? Does that make him an adulterer? I guess homosexuality is the worst sin ever and adultery is just fine with everybody.I thought a sin is a sin. Not on the blaze they just love to stir up the homophobes. Hypocrites!

      Report Post »  
    • colt1860
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:20pm

      “Doesn’t Jesus say if you remarry after a divorce you are committing adultry?”

      No. Jesus said that if you marry another woman while you have put your wife away, and have NOT legally or officially divorced her, that then, you are committing adultery. And that if you marry a woman that is put away (seperated) but not divorced, that then, you are committing adultery.

      “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement… And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”

      I hold in disgust, or abhor, all those who practice adultery, beastiality, incest, fornication, and sodomy.

      Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:15pm

    “Contrary to the basic principles of humanity.” Many of God‘s laws run contrary to what human’s want. This is the persecution of Christians that was to be expected in the final days. It will only get worse from here on out.

    Report Post »  
  • michael7695
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:14pm

    Is it not intolerant to not tolerate something?

    Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:42pm

      It’s all a matter of degree. Think about it for a minute. You’ll get it.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
  • 79USMC83
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:08pm

    Looks like RACISM to me !! If it were white Christians there would be no problem !! We need to speak to Pelosi and Frank on this one they know the WORD !!! OLIGARCHY : a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes.

    Report Post »  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on July 25, 2012 at 4:05am

      Peloosi’s brain is so scrambled she lives in a delusional world. The men in the white coats will be coming to take her away .

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:06pm

    Keep us informed on this Blaze. If they need money for a new facility, tell us where it needs to go.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
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