Comments

1
Fuck.
Religion should be taxed.
2
Fucking disgusting. I hope these people die of cancer; slowly.
3
I don't enjoy this. But at least Westboro has a place to crash when they visit now.
4
Ew. Go away.
5
The building is worth $1.5M and they won't pay any property tax on it because Oregon grants a property tax exemption to religious institutions -- based on the idea that a religious institution will "give back" to the community.
6
Well, now I know where to park my car when I want to get extremely sexually immoral.
7
It's fucking shameful that a beautiful building is going to such ugly people.
8
Such a shame, that's a cool building. It's time for some enterprising folk to open up a pro-gay megabar on Belmont. The Triple Nickel could use an overhaul...
9
@ChuckP: According the City of Portland's data; the building had an assessed value of $1.4 million in 2010 and had annual property taxes of $11,686.

@Smirk: Don't forget that Mark Driscoll is horribly misogynistic: http://community.feministing.com/2010/06/2…
10
Indeed. Tax them!
11
I'm all for people expressing their views. I'm Fruit enough to take it. But I really find these beliefs repugnant.
12
Who's up for a huge gay block party next week, say around 32nd and Taylor, maybe like on September 10th? I hear it's a cute area.
13
god damn it.
14
@12, I'll creepily watch from across the street!
15
Impromptu naked bike ride September 10th at 10am anyone? Let's meet at 32nd and Taylor, ride up to 33rd, veer right, head down Salmon to 32nd and back over to Taylor? It's the moral thing to do.
16
We need to end government subsidies of churches and start charging property taxes. Here is a 1.5 million dollar property, that pays nothing to the government, let's fix that.
17
We have plenty of churches, even many liberal, gay friendly churches. They can march up in here and occupy that castle, and put out contemporary messages to the youth of Portland, but they aren't going to sway the majority of us who see that church doesn't always have to be narrow. I'm glad that the guy found something to fill him with a reverence for life, but he needn't be casting dispersions on a great city. While I don't think our strip club per capita status, nor recent #1 ranking as most promiscuous city is anything to be proud of, there is more to us than that and we've clearly made good use of our other "God-Given" talents. I mean, from a Christian perspective, isn't our focus on local food and hand-made goods in keeping with the bible's focus on community, etc? Do we not appear grateful and reverent to be taking care of the environment and one another? This pastor wants to paint us as some sort of fallen city, when we are really one of the shiny ones. He'd be in better service to this community by focusing on ending child-sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors and so on.
18
I just got here and didn't read the article. What are talking about?
19
Pastor Tim Hill caught with a hooker in 3...2...1...
20
I'm up for a huge block party, Lets say we get a bunch of us GLBT people and our friends together and attend the fisrst session. We'll greet them at the door and let them know how wrong they are for teaching thier children to hate.
21
While I'm all for the freedom of speech for EVERYONE (And I do mean EVERYONE) I would have to say that we need to buy the building next door and open up a Pride Bar. I know a few strippers who would be happy to volunteer. *Grins*
22
There goes the property value.
23
I think this post is focusing on the wrong things. Honestly, Mars Hill is a church filled with messed up people that want to follow Jesus. To say Mars Hill is an anti-gay church is to focus on the wrong things. Mars Hill loves on the community and has a different world view then some in the community. They are not throwing anti-gay riots, and they are not doing any extreme anti-gay events like some other crazy people who claim to be Christian. I dont go to Mars Hill, but I do go to a small house church downtown and I can say that although I might disagree with homosexuality, I also disagree with a lot of crap, that even I do! I apologize for hypocritical Christians, because as one, I can say I desire to know Jesus more, and for others to have a more balanced view on who He is as well. I say this in respect and love.
24
I think this post is focusing on the wrong things. Honestly, Mars Hill is a church filled with messed up people that want to follow Jesus. To say Mars Hill is an anti-gay church is to focus on the wrong things. Mars Hill loves on the community and has a different world view then some in the community. They are not throwing anti-gay riots, and they are not doing any extreme anti-gay events like some other crazy people who claim to be Christian. I dont go to Mars Hill, but I do go to a small house church downtown and I can say that although I might disagree with homosexuality, I also disagree with a lot of crap, that even I do! I apologize for hypocritical Christians, because as one, I can say I desire to know Jesus more, and for others to have a more balanced view on who He is as well. I say this in respect and love.
25
WHY DO YOU STUPID FUCKS STILL BELIEVE IN GOD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
26
@jamesONE: Jesus called; he said he's cool with gays but doesn't like you much because you ramble in blog posts and totally miss the point.
27
JamesONE:

You say that because you are a coward and morally bankrupt. You let other men think for you and then hide behind a peaceful demeanor. Bigotry is bigotry, religious or otherwise.

You are as bad as they are for being just as great a fool. Your church is likely to blame for your handicap.
28
Man, I grew up two miles from the Westboro Baptist Church, and I thanked the imaginary god when I was finally able to move to a better place. This is just heartbreaking. Please, Mercury, help organize the fight against these horrible fuckers.
29
Yucky!
30
Am I the only one whose gaydar jumped to level hot pink watching the good pastor speak?

Let's see: Well dressed, articulate, vehement yet soft-spoken male authority figure in great shape, accused by some of misogyny, admittedly addicted to porn, wore a bleached new wave hairdo as a teen, now clean cut and crusading against the gay community... yeah.

Hope that castle has a nice, big closet.
31
I don't get out that to that part of SE that much but I will make it a goal of mine to end a extremely lecherousness evening with a bevy of hookers and illicit drugs on the lawn. . . And I need a goat. Can any one lend me a goat for an evening?
32
I, for one, welcome our new homophobic, science denying, invisible zombie Jesus worshipping neighbors.

No wait, no I don't.
33
Hahaha....

ok.

much love to you.
34
Remember when the bible told us to enslave foreigners? What a useful and relevant document that book is to my day-to-day life.
35
I can't believe there are still people in the world who think that being gay is something you can "disagree" with *cough* JAMES ONE *cough*.

I JUST WANT TO FIX THE STUPID AND I CAN'T.
36
OMG I just took my brother's girlfriend's sister and her husband there this weekend! If I had only known who they really were....
37
Stevie717, let me save you some time in the future. All god aside, church is for suckers. You can read, right? Find nicer friends.
38
Sad, bad news. Truly, such bigotry, lack of love and skewed logic should disqualify a church or religion from tax-exempt status. These jerks belong in SE PDX about as much as that fur shop that got ran outta town.

Thanks for the heads-up, Merc. Keep us posted on developments--including any efforts to challenge their tax status or protest their sermons/events/etc...
39
My favorite part one of one of the new links is this: "We started a men’s-only Bible Accountability Group." Because that could also be called a Man BAG.
40
I'm often irritated by many of the protests that happen in this city, but I'd love to see (and would gladly participate in) a substantial public showing of resistance to these barbarians moving in.

Maybe someone knows someone who knows someone who is one of those obnoxious black-clad anarchists that throws rocks through windows, and could maybe get them to focus their oft-misplaced ire on this church, instead?
41
I wish I was a rich eccentric (well, richer) and could buy that castle so that right-wing churches couldn't keep passing it around. Have to make sure the boiling oil system is still in working order, though.
42
This sucks, because it's not too far from where I live. However I will get a very deep satisfaction from all of the super gay vibes that come off of me as I walk past.
43
I understand that the church is technically anti-gay, but I don't think that's the church's emphasis: "gayness" is not described as a cancer in that article--it merely says ALL sexual immorality is, and they are under the impression that gay sex is immoral.

Thus, they seem to have a problem with pretty much EVERYONE equally. The pastor himself is "sexually immoral" as he public admits is problems with pornography. I haven't looked at the website extensively, but I don't see there being a ton of gay protests or anything like that. Don't shit your pants, Portlanders.
44
How could Sam Adams allow this?
45
Yuck.
I *was* looking to buy a house in that area. No way in hell I'd want to live there now.
46
"Both Reverend Currie and Q Center Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones say the best response... is to engage the group in open minded conversation." That's good in theory, but as Dr. House oh-so-wisely once said, "If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people."

In any case, hopefully these people won't make complete asses of themselves and instead be somewhat respectful and tolerant. Based off some of Driscoll's sermons I've heard though, I wouldn't hold my breath.
47
BLOCK PARTY! I already told my girlfriend I need a day off for the gay-off.
48
For the conservative, like me, this gentleman has a theoretical point. He states that Portland is lacking in morality by openly participating in idolatry. Idolatry, as I understand it is serving and worshiping false idols, other than Jesus. Now, I'm not an expert on homosexuality, but I don't see them worshiping anything. I see the homosexual and the pornographic community no differently than any other community in the West Hills, Tigard or Lake Oswego. The thing about real Christians is that we all admit we are sinners, then we repent for our sins in our respective Churches. Thus, our sins are no worse or no better than their sins (the two previously mentioned communities). Also, this guy, a jack ass or not, is free to express himself in the free-loving city of Portland just as other populations are. While his message as skewed Christianity my sway a few, I can only hope that those with a mind of their own for their own opinion.

One more thing Mr. Religious guy: Not all homosexuals are sexually active, and not all people who do yoga are falling into demonic temptation. I should know, I'm an unltra-conservative, Mega-Catholic, Republican, Small Business Owner, who's now tempted to put GLBT Friendly on my webpage ( www.PacPersonalTraining.com)because as a Catholic, I welcome everyone and I look not on their faults or what they have done and failed to do, but I pray for them and for me. Now for some sun-salutations.
49
I live next door - as in right next door - to this church. I am proud to have a queer family, and I was lucky enough to personally know the founder of PFLAG and some of the Stonewall and Dade County activists. I have felt lucky to live in a neighborhood that is full of families equally queer to mine. I love the idea of the block party, but I also love the idea of having a sit-in at the church services. They have 700 seats? Great. Let's get 700 queer people and allies of all ages to come and sit in, and take up all the seats, and show Mars Hill of Seattle who we are. Please DON'T do anything violent or obscene in front of my house or the church: there are many young children living on this block. I want my kids to see what a non-violent movement looks like.
50
Just to qualify my previous comment: the sit-in I envision would be respectful and devoid of hatred or catcalls. I'm thinking Gandhi, here. Flower Power. National news. National support. Block party of 700 queers and allies quietly fills all seats in would-be church of hate.
51
Portland Mercury is losing credibility with this article. I don't understand how anyone could think that the overall subject matter is accurate when the most simplest of details are incorrect. The pastor's name is so obviously noted in the first five seconds of the video posted above and this article didn't even get that right.

Guaranteed - Mars Hill will be more known for loving on people in the community and helping serve / meet their needs, than for being anti-gay. MHC will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the city of Portland.
53
So this church likes larping to Biblica: The Reckoning. Why do you guys have to be superficial and, frankly, SO mean?
54
TSW

What I said was a little harsh, and I apologize for the over-the-top obscenity if I offended you or others. But I just can't feel anything but burning contempt for the KKK, skinheads, terrorists or Christians such as these. It is not that I can't take adults being unbelievably ignorant, it's the fact that they teach this hateful, paranoid superstition to children. It is psychological abuse and I find it intolerable, as I imagine others do.
55
The real problem is that the church has a capacity of 700 (btw, is this true? I live a couple blocks away, and that seems pretty damn high) and a parking lot that fits about 7 cars. I just don't think they'll be able to draw many people to this facility.
56
It's Portland. They won't last long.
57
I am curious what everyone thinks about Door of Hope led by Pastor Josh White? That is a bible believing Jesus following church also is SE. There seems to be more hate poured onto this thread than some MHC sermon.
58
mjt, how much loving on people can you do when you blow a $1mil+ wad on a castle? For every sandwich you serve you're putting a greater deal into self-effusing monuments to your own purported greatness.

I'm not implying that Driscoll is a self-absorbed end of days wackjob, but ... oh fuck, yes I am.
59
If needing someone else to overcome your guilty feelings for what you are or want to be is right, then I am content with being a wrong person who thinks for himself and can still have moral values in his life.
60
it's not about them not lasting long. it's the fact that a realtor did this, the church that is vacating did this and i'm assuming someone on the belmont area business association knew about this. the main reason i'm upset is because Sunnyside Elementary is only two blocks away. we all know the hypocrisy and transparently self-hatred that leads these people to violence, abuse and propaganda. they have no business in our neighborhood. none.
61
Maybe ya'll should do more research before writing your opinions about this church and the people that attend. Have any of you gone to Mars Hill Church's website and listened to blogs, sermons and articles? Have you talked to any attendees about their personal beliefs, or the pastor himself? For all your claims of the church being judgmental on the diverse peoples of the Portland area, you sure are quick to judge...especially when you have not educated yourselves on all sides of this particular subject.
62
Oh, kill yourselves! This is such a shame... Sigh.
63
Don't you hate it when dumb fucks like 61 pretend that those of us who oppose churches that preach hate are the folks who are intolerant? As if anyone would accuse a person of being intolerant for being disgusted by the Klan or Rev. Phelps. These dicks imagine a god and cowardly hide behind him while trying to convince their congregation that people different from them need fixing. I can think for myself,dipshit, and I am proud to call these fucks what they are.
64
Not all "churches" are the same. Any bad experiences people have from church in the past should not be used against this one. People should check it out before getting all bent out of shape.
65
I AM SO HAPPY FOR THIS NEW CHURCH, I WILL BE ATTENDING CONSTANTLY. GOOD FOR THEM AND FUCK ALL OF YOU! FIND YOUR OWN PLANET TO GAY UP.
66
TSW, if you mean why are some of the comments so mean, I think it's because the LGBT community has historically been seriously hurt by evangelical Christians. Individual lives and families have been impacted tremendously by preachings that to be gay is a sin that sends you to hell.
67
Gay hatin', Measure 9-type church moves into the heart of beautiful, tolerant SE Portland. It will only be a matter of time before the Sunnsyside neighborhood has another flash of Azalea Cooley. It almost begs to be a Portlandia episode. Ya gotta love it!

http://wweek.com/portland/article-3799-the…
68
This culture war stuff is how the corporate oligarchy stays in power--divide and conquer. Just something to think about.
69
And seriously, a bunch of confrontational antics (and the inevitable vandalism) will play right into the haters' hands.

The community leaders in the story suggested tolerance and dialogue, and I think they're right.
70
Amazing how intolerant and hateful the commenters are towards a group that differs in opinion than you. Irony? And you didn't even take the time to get the pastor's name right much less talk to him about their views, how can we trust the rest of your obviously biased rant?
71
i just liked "God doesn't need a write-off."
72
i’m sorry but where does it say that their message is of hate?

http://marshill.com/about/what-we-believe

yes Driscoll’s comments were distasteful to say the least, but please don’t judge every member as an unwelcome “shit-head”.

your comments seem to me just as closed-minded and full of hate.
73
Just skimming a few of these comments, I can see why Mark Driscole would feel the need to open his church in Portland. Sad, very sad people. But one can't help but ask, why? Why bother...
I completely agree with (mrrational's) post. Living in Portland, I have never met more narrow thinking people in my life. I've lived in New York, Los Angeles, London. But Portland, by far, is the most close-minded city I've ever known. I for one will be attending Mars Hill Church, along with First Church in downtown Portland (my home church). I applaud Mars Hill for their courage, and commitment to bringing the gospel to a city that is dead spiritually.
Adele,
Goose Hollow
74
My friends and I were actually trying to purchase that castle a few months ago as a big gay art and music collective. However the previous owners didn't like us much. It's sad to see it go to such a shitty thing. Also, there is a little room in that church, covered with carpet, and labeled the crying room, for real.
75
BTW- I'm all for "viva la revolution"... but I can't seem to find a single quote from Mark Driscoll saying gayness is a cancer. Before you burn the place down perhaps you should check your facts. If they are just rumors as I suspect they are, you're barking up the wrong tree (not to mention breaking the law and just bad reporting).
76
Congratulations! Only in the PDX can you hear such kind words. It's a church for Christ sake, not a church for anti-Christ sake. If Mars Hill turns their back on Jesus they don't belong in any neighborhood. My sources tell me that Mark Driscoll didn't write the bible, but if he did I'd be pissed off too. Next, who killed Jesus, was it the Liberace or Hugh Hefner? I bet it was a "bi"-partisan unanimous vote. Back to the Mars Hill up roar, the "hater's" are going to hate. It only pays minimum wage and there's always an opening available. When did being gay become a religion anyway? This is a unique opportunity to build relationships with people towards the only relationship that really matters. Jesus. Twisting this into an A-typical anti-gay / anti-evangelical Christian pissing match makes a joke out of anti-everyone.
77
Orenda: I grew up in a church with a crying room. It's for parents to take their infants when the infants are crying loudly and making a disturbance. The room exists so the parent/guardian/older sibling can still hear the teaching without having to leave the building, even with a screaming or crying baby.
78
Were there any demonstrators at the church this weekend? Let us know of any planned actions. Remember the action at Grant High last year?

http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-1288-anti_gay_hate_group_outnumbered_at_grant_high_school.html

And to those who are wondering about the Rev's message, check out this quote from the Mars Hill website:
"As for a person who deals with homosexual desires the advice is still much the same: First, and most important, confess and repent. If you are in Christ, you have been given a new life. Your sexual sins are not what define you. You are a child of God. This means that you are no longer a slave to your sin but that you may put sin to death. If you say that you struggle with porn and homosexuality attractions, know that these sins must stop. You are not controlled by them, so turn from them and seek Jesus."
79
Hate to break the news to you but Mars Hill Church is not an Anti-Gay church like some churches out there. Mark only speak the truth in Love, with no judgmental. Reading some of these comments only show how much they still want to hide in their own shadow.
80
Reading some of these comments only show how most of you guys are the so-called "Pro-gay activists" who are full of judgmental thoughts.
81
Wow... what a bunch of mean grouchy people in Portland. Completely offended and threatened by the perception that somebody might have a different opinion on life than them. Well here's a news flash.. you're all freaking out about rumors and speculation. I visited this church and met the pastor myself, and they are some of the kindest, most loving, gentle people I've met. They had Mayor Sam Adams speak at their event recently. To paint them as some type of Westboro Baptist Church clowns before they even move in is complete ignorance and phobia on your part. Get a clue.

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