S.F. event designed to get teens energized about evangelical Christianity divides believers

[Ian David]

FAITH'S BATTLEFIELD:
S.F. event designed to get teens energized about evangelical Christianity divides believers

Matthai Chakko Kuruvila, Chronicle Religion Writer
Thursday, March 8, 2007

Pop culture faces a controversial assault in San Francisco this weekend when Ron Luce aims to bring 22,000 evangelical Christian teenagers closer to Jesus through a rock concert, City Hall rally and other events.

<snip>

Some evangelical Christians are skeptical, questioning whether the events do more harm than good -- and whether the inspiration they offer really lasts. Several Bay Area evangelical Christian pastors said they found Luce's BattleCry event to be more superficial than spiritual, more spectacle than sustenance for faith.

<snip>

Some pastors said Luce is as guilty of promoting consumerism as the culture he criticizes because Teen Mania sells T-shirts and other merchandise. Luce said the difference between consumerism and Teen Mania's merchandising is that his products are being sold with a Christian intent.

"Kids are going to buy stuff," said Luce, whose nonprofit organization rakes in $23 million a year and pays him roughly $145,000 a year. "Why not have stuff they can buy that can actually help them?"

Last year's BattleCry triggered a verbal brawl between several San Francisco politicians and some BattleCry participants, including some teenagers. The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution condemning Teen Mania, and Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, said BattleCry participants are "loud, they're obnoxious, they're disgusting, and they should get out of San Francisco."

More:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/03/08/MNGCROHIP31.DTL

See prior thread:

22,000 Evangelical Christian teens openly gather at "BattleCry" to claim they're oppressed
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x116213


See also:

Acquire The Evidence
http://www.acquiretheevidence.com/reading/

[fasttense]

1. You didn't know that Jesus Christ started a corporation?

I didn't either. I thought he said the meek would inherit the earth not rich promoters. I thought is was very difficult for the wealthy to get to heaven. Seems they have re-written Jesus's words. Christianity is nothing but big business today.

Reminds me of the time Martin Luther posted a statement on the church doors. Wasn't he upset about something called selling indulgences? Seems these Christian promoters are very much like the Popes Martin Luther fought against.

[BOSSHOG]

2. "Loud, obnoxious and disgusting."

Just like the grownup "christians." They are succeeding in their instructional duties. Like young republicans being greedy little bastards, with no disregard for the rule of law just like old republicans. Its just heartwarming.