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2mo ago

Indianapolis Baptist Church Defends Calls for State-Enforced Death Penalty Against LGBTQ People

Church leaders invoke literal Bible passages to justify government execution of homosexuals despite wide condemnation from local faith communities

A photo showing a large Progress Pride Flag flies on a flagpole in Taylor Square, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney. An Indianapolis church has defended a sermon that called for the death of LGBTQ+ people.
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Overview

  • On July 3, preacher Justin Zhong posted on the church’s Facebook page that he will not apologize and insisted Scripture mandates a state-administered death penalty for LGBTQ individuals
  • In an emailed statement to Newsweek, Sure Foundation Baptist Church rejected vigilante violence while affirming the Bible prescribes government execution of homosexuals
  • The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis issued a formal denunciation, calling the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric theologically irresponsible and pastorally dangerous
  • During a June 29 “Men’s Preaching Night,” Stephen Falco urged LGBTQ people to kill themselves and Wade Rawley advocated for their beating, execution, and suicide
  • Data from the Human Rights Campaign shows reported anti-LGBTQ hate incidents rose 23 percent in 2023, underscoring broader concerns over faith-based homophobia