Arkansas was in the news last week for its Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which just got signed into laws despite concerns that it would be used to defend anti-gay discrimination. This past week,
a Methodist Church's religious liberties were infringed when they were apparently kicked out of the Eureka Springs Celebrate Jesus Easter Parade:
First United Methodist of Eureka Springs applied to be in the parade, and was initially accepted. One week before the parade, however, they were told they were no longer welcome. Church member Suzie Bell believes it's because of their stance on the LGBT community. "They wanted to know what our banner was going to say, and it said 'Jesus loves all'. They had decided that they did not want us in the parade, and that we weren't welcome." Bell said. Bell says the Methodist Church has recently become a "reconciling congregation" meaning they are publicly welcoming of the LGBT community. Bell says that is the reason they weren't allowed in. "It was based purely on our love and acceptance of the LGBT community." Bell said.
The parade director responded to this allegation without actually explaining why the church was asked to stay home:
This day isn't a day of pointing fingers or playing the blame game. This parade is to honor our Lord and Savior and for praising God for sending His only Son who willingly went to the cross, died and rose on the third day that when we repent of our sins and accept Him. We have the promise of eternal life with the Lord. But more that that He carries us each day that we are on this earth. We are all sinners redeemed by the grace of God. We believe that the Bible is the un compromised Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit...
Regardless of what has been stated in the papers. We do not have anything against the Methodist Church. After all my uncle was a Methodist minister. Nor do we have anything against the homosexual community. When I worked downtown I had homosexual people that I considered my friends and still do.
I am glad you have come to join in Celebrating Jesus. You are welcome here. "This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Video footage of the parade itself shows rainbow-clad members of Eureka Springs UMC watching the parade from the sidelines.
