Threats made against Christian workers opposing homosexual agenda*

May 5, 2007
Capitol Resource Institute

A board member for Equality California has come out swinging at the
Bible-based Capitol Resource Institute, which works on behalf of family
and biblical values in California, especially among its lawmakers.

"If you continue your efforts, we will BURY you," said an e-mail from
Ben Patrick Johnson, to his "colleagues" at the CRI, according to a
statement from the Christian organization.

"For a group that purports to expand tolerance and civil rights,
Equality California is not practicing what it preaches," CRI said.

"This type of language evokes images of Communist leader Nikita
Khrushchev pounding his shoe on the podium of the United Nations when he
declared that Communism would bury America," said CRI. "The irony is not
lost on us – Communists squelch all opposing speech, just as the modern
'intolerance' movement seeks to silence all opposing viewpoints.

"Johnson then threatens 'we have every intention of yours [group] going
down, as have others who oppose decency and human rights.' It is
shameful that a group that represents itself as promoting tolerance and
civil rights would stoop to the very tactics it accuses CRI of using.
Not once has CRI personally attacked opponents in such a degrading and
vicious manner," said the organization.

"In a video diatribe against CRI posted on his website, Johnson declares
that CRI and its supporters are 'hate peddlers' and 'conservative,
religious prejudice peddlers.' He further declares that we are 'smirky,
self-righteous folks' who have 'launched an aggressive campaign against
legislation to protect gay youth in California's and ultimately
America's schools.' This statement reveals not only the vitriolic
language this supposed 'tolerance' group uses, but also the true agenda
behind such legislation as SB 777. The radical homosexual agenda intends
on sweeping the nation. California is merely the first step in the
campaign to stifle free speech and stamp out opposition to 'alternative
lifestyles,'" CRI said.

SB 777 is a plan that would require all public schools in California to
eliminate anything that could reflect "adversely" on the homosexual
lifestyle choice.

It could mean the words "mom" and "dad" would be banned. It's a plan the
California Assembly approved a year ago, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
vetoed it.

CRI said Johnson's attack included the e-mail and his webcast.

"After showing graphic images of a young man being beaten in Jamaica,
purportedly for being a homosexual, Johnson ends his invective by
proclaiming that it 'disgusts' him that 'the people behind CRI are so
stuck in their fear and bigotry' that they would allow homosexual youth
to be assaulted in such a manner," CRI said.

Officials at the organization attributed the invective to an appearance
by CRI officials on Fox News Channel, when the biblical perspective on
homosexuality was presented.

"As you can see, CRI is up against radical, aggressive individuals. To
be spewing such hateful, inflammatory rhetoric indicates that they are
fearful of the truth CRI communicates to the people of California and
the rest of America. We should be crystal clear in response to the
outrageous accusation that we want homosexual youth to be 'abused and
degraded.' CRI believes that all children should be protected from
violence in their schools. That is why it is essential to restore
discipline and order in our classrooms. Pushing radical social
experimentation will not stop intolerance or violence."

The e-mail from Johnson, according to CRI, said:

"Dear colleagues at the Capitol Resource Institute,

"I am a firm supporter of freedom of speech, and therefore I support
yours, even if it in direct contrast with my own. However, we all use
the media and the internet to spread our message: and with no hubris
intended, I advise you -- if you continue your efforts, we will BURY you
... with public opinion, with media, and ultimately with legislation.
EQCA passed NINE bills last year to protect basic dignities and we have
every intention of yours going down, as have others who oppose decency
and human rights.

"Today, over 150,000 Californians will receive the following message via
email blast, MySpace, YouTube, and iTunes -- in other words, we're
everywhere. I invite you to subscribe to my daily webcast, not because
you agree with what I/we have to say, but for your own information ...
so you can see what thousands of Californians are hearing and seeing
about you."

An earlier description of SB 777 from CRI noted that it "forcibly
thrusts young school children into dealing with sexual issues, requiring
that homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality be taught in a
favorable light."

"Pushing this radical homosexual agenda in California schools will
stifle the truth in favor of political correctness and will inevitably
conflict with the religious and moral convictions of both students and
parents," said CRI Executive Director Karen England. "The full
ramifications of this sweeping legislation could affect the entire
nation as most textbook companies tailor their material to their number
one purchaser: California."