14/07/2025
In Indianapolis, in the United States, several dozen protestors gathered outside a fringe church, after preachers there called for the murder of LGBTQIA+ people. According to Pink News, the Sure Foundation Baptist Church, a highly extreme denomination, heard preachers saying that “How shall we properly pray for gay people? We should pray for their deaths, plain and simple.” Some other preachers called for LGBTQIA+ people should kill themselves. But on Sunday 13th July, several dozen protesters came with a different message and stood opposite the church. They had the backing of a concerned coalition of responsible pastors and religious leaders, who said "The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis stands firmly against the harmful rhetoric that condemned all LGBTQ individuals to hell and instructed people to stay away from them. “Such messages are not only theologically irresponsible but [also] pastorally dangerous.” There are many LGBTQIA+ friendly congregations worshipping in the Indianapolis region.
Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (mind.org.uk).
