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OPINION: Illinois Family Institute Says It is Not a Hate Group

By Illinois Family Institute , Upholding Marriage and Family - March 21, 2009

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Two weeks ago, Illinois Family Institute discovered that we are included on the Southern Poverty Law Center's Active U.S. Hate Groups list, along with Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazi, and White Nationalist organizations. We are not alone in being erroneously and libelously included on the SPLC's hate groups list. Also included are MassResistance, Abiding Truth Ministries, Watchmen on the Walls, and Traditional Values Coalition. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) was founded in 1971 by ... Read the Full Article

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OPINION: Illinois Family Institute Says It is Not a Hate Group

I must agree

I must agree with the author. Whether or not one agrees that homosexuality is immoral, I believe the Illinois Family Institute argued its case beyond a reasonable doubt. If the SPLC wishes to maintain any credibility, it should abandon its current strategy of guilt by the appearance of association. It is clear to anyone with eyes - progressives and conservatives alike - that the SPLC is using the inflammatory word "hate" in an effort to defame and discredit groups and individuals who observe traditional notions of human sexuality. This is ad homenim, intellectually lazy and, frankly, unethical. The SPLC has done many great things over the years. It saddens me to see them sully their own reputation in such away.

- Jimmathews March 25, 2009 8:16AM

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- Moral Disagreement is Not Hatred
  
  Jimmathews nails it on the head. If turnabout was fair play, groups like the Illinois Family Institute would have to view the SPLC as a hate group because it morally opposes those who uphold only traditional notions of human sexuality. But moral opposition to behavior does not constitute hatred any more than opposition to alcoholism constitutes hatred of alcoholics. Equally frustrating is SPLC’s fuzzy criteria for a group’s inclusion or exclusion from the list and little if any substantive explanation why these groups are on the list. After a rich history of exposing hateful action, you’ve lost your credibility, SPLC = Suspect, Politically Leaning Claptrap.
  
  - A Poverty of Credibility March 25, 2009 11:26AM
  
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  - Analysis of Illinois Family Institute Web Site
    
    Anyone who actually reads the Illinois Family Institute web site will immediately see that they do not merely disagree with homosexuality , they systematically demonize and dehumanize gays. For example they refer to Bishop Robinson as "a radical sexual activist masquerading as a man of God. He is an affront to faithful Christians and religious defenders of morality everywhere." This is not disagreement, this is personal vilification of a gay man.
    
    A review of the IFI web site finds attack after attack on gays, not as fellow citizens of the United States, but as an evil force that must be opposed. For example, "We watched as homosexuals threatened the medical profession; claimed to be victims; infiltrated public schools ; demanded a place at the political round table; and lobbied state legislatures and city councils for equal rights." So gays do not "attend" public schools, they "infiltrate". A group of American citizens has the audacity to "demand a place at the political round table."
    
    The only conclusion that is reasonable is that the Illinois Family Institute goes far beyond mere disagreement and vilifies and systematically attacks gays. It is definitely a hate group.
    
    - JamieNettles April 1, 2009 1:24PM
    
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    - Still Not Seeing the Hate
      
      JamieNettles, it was good of you to visit the IFI website to see what it actually stands for. You quoted one that supposedly represent IFI's "personal vilification of a gay man." The IFI opposes Bishop Robinson not as a gay man, but as someone portraying himself as a man of God. Replace the words with "Republican" and "Democrat": "a radical Republican activist masquerading as a Democrat. He is an affront to faithful Democrats." Still no hate here. IFI is attacking Bishop Robinson's stance on the nature and morality of homosexuality , not Bishop Robinson himself.
      
      Your second quotation is equally innocuous in terms of its hate quotient as it simply describes the activism of homosexual groups while family groups idly stood by.
      
      Sorry, JamieNettles, the "hate" label remains a trumped-up charge. Otherwise, our interchange right here would have to be labeled an exchange of hate rather than moral disagreement.
      
      - A Poverty of Credibility April 1, 2009 2:37PM
      
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      - Difference Between Disagreement and Ad Hominem Attack
        
        We are not attacking each other as people. The IFI website, on the other hand, contains ad hominem attacks on gays.
        
        "Innocuous"? If the IFI actually practiced the Christian trait of honesty, they would admit that their words are hateful.
        
        - JamieNettles April 1, 2009 8:24PM
        
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      - Um, "trumped up charge"?
        
        Accusing a bishop of "masquerading as a man of God" is a good deal different than accusing a Republican or Democrat of "masquerading" as a member of their party. The latter attacks political ideals. The former attacks personal morality .
        
        And attempting to keep those who would protect the well-being of gay students out of the school systems, so that gay students can continue to be harrassed and bullied... Well, let's see if we can look at it another way, shall we?
        
        Students of color being bullied and mistreated by their peers (and sometimes the administrations of their schools ) come to the attention of people of color in the community, along with those who support the rights of those persons of color. These concerned adults attempt to "infiltrate" the school system to provide support and protection for those students. A hypothetical "interest group" which denegrates persons of color and believes them to be vile and a "threat to the community" takes up a campaign to stop these persons of color from influencing the school system on behalf of protecting and supporting the minority students.
        
        Hate group? Hm...
        
        - Babaroni April 1, 2009 8:55PM
        
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