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Threats of protest halt Pink Swastika author's scheduled talk

The Murrieta/Temecula Republican Assembly’s (MTRA) next meeting was scheduled to be April 3; however, that meeting and location are now in doubt as a result of threats of protest.

According to MTRA president Bob Kowell, their speaker was scheduled to be Pastor Scott Lively from Abiding Truth Ministries in Massachusetts. Pastor Lively’s book, “The Pink Swastika,” has gained the attention and protest of gays and gay activists across the world.

“The meeting was to be held at Temeku Hills Country Club,” said Kowell. “Temeku Country Club informed MTRA that, due to our speaker, the event could not take place there because they had received threats of demonstrations. MTRA was informed that there could be a liability issue with someone getting hurt on their way to using the public pool while passing through demonstrators.”

A message was left with Temeku Hills Country Club for comment, but as of press time there had been no response.

The Pacific Justice Institute has pledged support of MTRA’s free speech rights. According to Chief Council Kevin Snider, they will be drafting a letter to Temeku Country Club asking them to honor the contract.

Kowell says MTRA will work with the country club to secure the spot and keep people safe as well. The police would be asked to help keep demonstrators at a safe distance.

The local chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is adamant that Lively shouldn’t be able to speak to the group at all and believes retaliation may be warranted.

In a letter sent out Wednesday, March 25, PFLAG president Maryann Johnson wrote, “On April 3, Mr. Lively was going to speak at the Temeku Hills County Club for the Republican party. The LGBT community became outraged.

“There are gay families and friends of this particular community that have homes and pay their taxes, and to know that their community would let this demeaning act of discrimination take place, is upsetting and frightening.

“PFLAG informed the country club that they had upset the LGBT community and retaliation may be warranted. The Country Club did some investigation and canceled the event.”

Snider, representing MTRA, says that Temeku Country Club may be violating the Republican club’s free speech civil rights if Lively is not allowed to speak because someone doesn’t like what he has to say at a meeting.

Kowell says the question of free speech is important. “Can a group be deprived of their right to host a meeting? Scott Lively is disliked by some. Can a meeting be dismissed because someone doesn’t like someone else?

“When Temecula showed ‘The Vagina Monologues,’ some people protested that event but were kept from getting physically close. That was at the public theater in Old Town. To some, that play was extremely offensive but still proceeded as planned.

“Lively is disliked by some extremists because of ‘The Pink Swastika,’ about a homosexual cult within the Nazi Party. He does not say that all homosexuals are Nazis, however.

“The question should be asked: can we talk about a Christian cult such as Jim Jones but not talk about a homosexual cult? Does that mean that all homosexuals are always good and could not have ever done anything wrong?

“The overwhelming majority of homosexuals are certainly not a cult nor interested in violating people’s freedom of assembly anymore than the overwhelming number of Christians would be called a cult.

“‘The Pink Swastika’ brings up some good points. Even though many of the homosexuals who started the Nazi Party, such as Roehm, were purged, that appeared to be more of a power struggle than actually exterminating homosexuals. The book should be read before making any decisions, however.”

Johnson explains in her letter, “We have to create a world in which our young people may grow up and be educated with freedom from fear of violence, bullying and other forms of discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation or that of their families.”

Kowell said, “I believe our group has the right to gather and hear the research that Scott Lively has gathered over the years.”

In an interview with Lively he stated that he has challenged opponents for years to debate him as to the veracity of his research and work. To date, he says "no one has ever taken him up on the challenge."

(previous announcement about event and speaker)

TEMECULA — Scott Lively, Esq., founder and leader of Abiding Truth Ministries, known for his vocal stand against what he considers to be the promotion of homosexuality in today’s culture, will speak to the Murrieta-Temecula Republican Assembly at a dinner meeting Friday, April 3, at Temeku Hills Clubhouse, 41687 Temeku Drive.

Check-in for the event is 6 p.m. and dinner begins promptly at 6:30.

Lively is the author of the book “The Pink Swastika: Homosexuality in the Nazi Party” and its sequel, “The Poisoned Stream.”

Cost is $15 for members; $20 for non-members; $10 for students under 25. To RSVP, call Adele at (951) 302-9105.

 

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