Penn. Historical Group Accused of Pro-Homosexual Double Standard
by Allie Martin
July 6, 2006
(AgapePress) - - Officials in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, have refused a request for a historical marker commemorating the October 2004 arrest of eleven Christians at "Outfest," a homosexual pride event. The pro-family group that made the request believes the arrests may be significant as the first incidence of Christians being charged with a hate crime for their evangelistic outreach.
The charges leveled against the Christians, members of the evangelical Christian group Repent America who became popularly known as "the Philadelphia 11," could have resulted -- had they been found guilty -- in prison terms of up to 47 years for each defendant. However, all charges were eventually dismissed as being without merit (see related story). Repent America has since filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia and its officials over the incident.
Repent America has been lauded by many pro-family supporters for standing up for biblical values and for the constitutional right of religious groups and individuals to express their beliefs in public. However, when the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) nominated the arrest of "the Philadelphia 11" for commemoration with a historic marker, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission rejected the nomination.
Michael Marcavage, director of Repent America, was one of the Christians arrested in October of 2004. He says he is not surprised at the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission's decision, especially in light of a historical marker unveiled last year across from Independence Hall -- a marker commemorating a pro-homosexual demonstration in 1965.
The marker placed across from Independence Hall "was clearly an example of the organization that is responsible for such markers," Marcavage contends. The Commission officials' approval of the plaque recognizing the 1965 protest clearly shows "that they're favoring the homosexual agenda," he says, adding, "It's definitely interesting but not surprising that they declined our application."
The AFA of PA has asked officials in Harrisburg to rescind the approval of the historical marker commemorating a "gay" demonstration. Meanwhile, Repent America's spokesman believes the pro-family group's request to have the arrest of the Philadelphia 11 commemorated is a petition that deserves to be considered.
Marcavage says the AFA of PA decided to apply for a historical marker "to recognize that this was the first time in our country's history that Christians were arrested and charged with a hate crime for simply ministering the gospel in the public streets." The actions of the Historical and Museum Commission represent a double standard, he asserts.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has approved several new historical markers for 2006, including one recognizing James Maurer, a labor leader and Socialist Party legislator who ran twice for U.S. vice president; one commemorating the hanging of several alleged members of the clandestine "Molly Maguires" vigilante society; and one commemorating the opening of the Langhorne Speedway, a racing strip also known as "The Big Left Turn."
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
