Televangelist Pat Robertson on Wednesday called on Christians in
San Antonio to “rise up” against a recently enacted ordinance
that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or
gender identity.
The San Antonio City Council approved the measure nearly 2 weeks
ago with an overwhelming 8-3 vote, joining nearly 180 cities
nationwide with similar ordinances, including the Texas cities of
Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Austin and El Paso.
Despite including an exemption for religious organizations,
opponents argued that passage would have a chilling effect on
religious expression.
After airing a segment on the ordinance, Robertson said the
measure was approved because Christians were “sleeping.”
“This shows why you should register. Why you should vote. Why
you shouldn't be asleep,” Robertson told his 700 Club
audience. “You see, those people were asleep. I mean seven, eight
percent of them were voting, the city council figured they'd do what
they wanted to do. There are enough Christians there that I can see
when they rise up, and they're going to on a thing like this.
Because this means if you speak out on your deeply held religious
beliefs they'll put you in jail. They'll brand you some kind of a
class three felon. … This whole thing is outrageous. But that city
council should be replaced.” (The video is embedded on this page.
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