They say everything’s bigger in Alabama, and apparently, the controversies are too! A quaint little church in Hazel Green, Carters Grove Baptist Church, found itself at the epicenter of a social media storm. Why? Because their marquee decided to serve a hot plate of controversy with a side of biblical scriptures.
The sign read, “Pride month sounds about right.” And just below that sassy declaration? A cherry-picked verse from Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goeth before destruction.” Oh, the drama!
As you’ve probably guessed, this didn’t sit well with everyone. One Reddit user (because, of course, Reddit) pointed out how this could be a direct dagger to the heart for the LGBTQ+ community, especially those still living in the shadows of societal judgment. They commented, “Look at it from another perspective. At least you know what to expect from that congregation, and you can make a decision based on the advertising they provide on the marquee. I had a hard time staying in the denomination I grew up in for the same reason, but none of the churches I attended were as blatant about their stance.”
Yet, in true social media fashion, opinions were divided. While some were ready to picket, others saw rainbows and unity in the controversial statement. One optimistic voice chimed in, “It makes me feel like the community is coming together and people are seeing different points of view from everybody else, and I feel like the church is being very supportive towards the pride and LGBTQ+ community.”
Enter Pastor Jim Weaver, the maestro behind the marquee. When Fox 54 caught up with him (journalism at its finest), he doubled down on the message, stating that his intent was to guide people away from what he deems an “unhealthy lifestyle,” as scripted in his interpretation of the Holy Bible. “I believe, scripturally speaking, promoting a lifestyle that the Bible calls sinful will bring a country down. It’s not bigotry, it is actually loving a person to tell them that things are not right in their life,” Weaver explained. Ah, tough love, the most loving kind of love.
Weaver defended his decision, declaring that June’s Pride month festivities prompted the sign. Unapologetically, he said, there should not be a month-long celebration of what he describes as an “unscriptural lifestyle.” However, David Cleland, then a member of the board of directors for Rocket City Pride, was caught somewhere in the middle. “I can definitely see both sides,” he reflected. “So, the way I first read it was honestly, thinking that they were in support of pride.” Oh, the bliss of ambiguity!
Lest you think this was a one-off, think again. Another ecclesiastical uproar broke out in Montgomery, Alabama. Imagine driving by the Wares Ferry Road Baptist Church and reading: “GOD DETESTS PRIDE.” Better than a cup of coffee to wake you up! One couple was so taken aback they had to pull over.
Lindsey Dukeminier and her partner decided to protest in the most public way possible: by hugging and, oh yes, kissing right by the sign. CBS 42 reported their little display of counter-love, and the internet gobbled it up. “Detest this,” their photo caption declared, ticking all the obligatory social media boxes—likes, shares, and passionate comments.
Yet, in a plot twist worthy of a Netflix series, Pastor Wesley Whitworth of Wares Ferry claimed it was all a misunderstanding. According to Whitworth, the marquee was talking about “personal pride — pride and arrogance, things of that nature.” Right, just a coincidence that it went up during Pride Month.
Whitworth, maintaining his stance, insisted the Bible is crystal clear on the subject of homosexuality. However, it wasn’t his role to be the “morality police.” “They’re being disingenuous if they think that most mainstream churches would not have a problem with that,” he opined, presumably adjusting his moral monocle. “Obviously we disagree on that. They’ll have to stand before God for what they do. It’s not my job to go around policing the actions of everybody.” A benevolent dictator, if you will.
So, what’re we left with? A splintered community, some seriously quotable church signs, and a debate as old as time. But at least it’s never boring down here in Alabama. Talk about giving new meaning to ‘signs of the times!’ So, if you’re cruising through the Bible Belt, keep an eye on those church marquees. You never know what earthly or divine wisdom might be plastered up there next.
