(http://2d0yaz2jiom3c6vy7e7e5svk.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/wjax_sign_150511a-800x430.jpg)
Turns out the father of Geoff Youngblood is the Pastor of the church.
Geoff Youngblood is running against former Mayor Tommy Hazouri for At-Large Group 3.
This is the story:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/church-sign-causes-a-stir-in-mandarin-neighborhood/32921186
(http://www.news4jax.com/news/church-sign-causes-a-stir-in-mandarin-neighborhood/32921186)
You can read Rev. Gene Youngblood's three page response here.
http://www.news4jax.com/blob/view/-/32922796/data/2/-/t0ho7xz/-/Youngblood-issues-statement-pdf.pdf
From Florida Politics:
QuoteThe Rev. Gene Youngblood, father of Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 3 candidate Geoff Youngblood, says a message posted on the marquee outside his First Conservative Baptist Church is "reacting to current events" and corresponds to Scripture.
The sign reads "Homosexuals must repent or go to Hell." It has sparked a petition response at the website www.change.org, which calls the message "homophobic and bigoted" and calls for its removal.
"In John 13:34, God said: 'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' NOWHERE in the Bible does it mention gays and hell in the same sentence. There is no place in Jacksonville for such an ignorant and hatred-filled sign- REMOVE IT IMMEDIATELY!!!" reads the petition, which was started by Cate Dobbins, a resident who lives a couple of miles from the church.
Dobbins was reportedly stopped from delivering her petition to the church on Sunday by church members.
Youngblood tells FloridaPolitics.com that the message on his church's marquee is changed weekly. He adds, "We message based around what is happening in the news, and the message is in accordance with Biblical scriptures."
Youngblood's son, business owner Geoff Youngblood, is in a runoff race against former Jacksonville mayor and Duval County School Board member Tommy Hazouri for the City Council's At-Large Group 3 seat. Youngblood, a Republican, and Hazouri, a Democrat, have clashed repeatedly on the campaign trail at various forums. One issue where the two diverge is on whether Jacksonville should expand its human rights ordinance to cover LGBT citizens. Hazouri is a strong supporter of an expanded HRO; Youngblood is not.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville lawyer Jimmy Midyette, chair of the Northeast Florida LGBT PAC, had this to say about the church marquee.
"The Constitutions of Florida and the United States guarantee both religious freedom and freedom of speech. This fundamentalist church has every right to discern and express its beliefs in any lawful manner, including through its sign. Our diversity is one of Jacksonville's many strengths. As we develop into a 21st century city, what we need now is constructive dialogue that helps us to build bridges between us, not hurtful words that foster division and mistrust."
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/182921 (http://floridapolitics.com/archives/182921)
Hahahahaha.... Now that I've read his letter, I see that I came to the same conclusion a few days ago when I saw this.
The rest of you are so worried about someone else being offended, you ignored the ACTUAL message and read what you wanted to read. That's not to say that this guy wasn't intentionally baiting, but geez.
My reply to a friend's post from FB who was all up in arms:
QuoteT.S.: But it's true. If that's your belief, then everyone must repent or they're going to hell. Why should the gays get an exemption?
(Hint: it doesn't say they're going to hell for being gay, even if that was the intent. To be a smartass, you have to be smart.)
Like · Reply · May 10 at 6:56pm
I'm not condoning any of it, but you literally can put any noun in the place of Homosexuals and the message is the same.
I get the underlying intent, but (in my head) that entire thing has the potential to backfire all over the place; I would have every christian gay in his congregation next Sunday to repent. He's obviously worried about that certain group of people that he feels the need to call them out specifically.
Someone needs to shepherd the wayward, same-sex-loving flock to his pasture for a solid hour of kumbya, repentance and some good ol' fashioned soul saving with a more diverse group of people than he's used to.
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on May 12, 2015, 01:59:02 PM
Hahahahaha.... Now that I've read his letter, I see that I came to the same conclusion a few days ago when I saw this.
The rest of you are so worried about someone else being offended, you ignored the ACTUAL message and read what you wanted to read. That's not to say that this guy wasn't intentionally baiting, but geez.
My reply to a friend's post from FB who was all up in arms:
QuoteT.S.: But it's true. If that's your belief, then everyone must repent or they're going to hell. Why should the gays get an exemption?
(Hint: it doesn't say they're going to hell for being gay, even if that was the intent. To be a smartass, you have to be smart.)
Like · Reply · May 10 at 6:56pm
Sure. Except that these signs never say the following....
1) "greedy businessmen repent or else...
2) "Racists repent or else...
3) "Patriots repent or else...
4) "Love your enemies or else...
5) "Bless those who curse you or else...
Quote from: stephendare on May 12, 2015, 02:03:43 PM
(http://mayportmirror.jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/met_IslamSign072705.JPG)
So they just personified Islam? lol Does that make the Christianity Chuck Norris?
As a clarification, Allah does condone the use of deadly force just as much as God does in the Old Testament. I'm pretty sure the Christian god wiped out numerous cities, killed the firstborn sons on Passover and even tried to kill off all but a few of humanity with a flood. Not exactly the 'forgiving type'.
Jesus' teachings are about peace and forgiveness. He obviously didn't agree with his father's way of doing things either.
This shouldn't be surprising. Gene Youngblood was... vocal about his adamant opposition to the Human Rights Oridinance in 2012. He called LGBT people "sexual deviants", that the bill would force people to "embrace the sin of sodomy", and such.
Gene Youngblood is also president of Conservative Theological University (http://conservative.edu/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=4), an unaccredited (http://conservative.edu/ctscatalog/Generalinformation/017-018-019.htm) school located somewhere in Jacksonville.
If you're wondering how close Geoff Youngblood's ideas are to his fathers, his website (http://www.geoffyoungblood4jaxcitycouncil.com/) states that he earned his bachelor's degree from his father's college.
In other words, vote for Tommy (http://www.tommyforjax.com/).
^^^ Have to agree with everything said by the right and honorable Tacachale.
(Here comes the "but.")
But I don't think we should let Lenny Curry off this hook, either. One of Mr. Curry's biggest supporters in town in Dr. Gene Youngblood. As you can see above, Dr. Youngblood has been in the news this week for putting up a hateful sign at his church, which is something he often does - and which I admit and agree that he has every right to do. He was hateful to Muslims during the Parvez Ahmed controversy. And he was hateful to gays in 2012 and now.
Somebody tell me how you can say there's no discrimination in Jacksonville (as Mr. Curry does) when one of your biggest supporters has a sign up - that children and everyone can see - that perpetuates an atmosphere of discrimination and bias against LGBT people in Jacksonville. And against Muslims. And only God knows who else over the years. Either discrimination is a thing and we need to find a legal remedy for it, or not.
Lord, have mercy.
Please. Youngblood isn't even close to being one of Lenny's "biggest supporters". In fact, don't think I've ever seen their names connected at all until that post. Indeed, some of Curry's top supporters include HRO supporters like Peter Rummell, Ed Burr, Gary Chartrand, and more recently, my old man, John Delaney.
Alvin's got plenty of fools supporting him, too. Shall we stop letting him off the hook, too?
Touché! No, I don't advocate letting the Mayor off the hook. But he's at least pulled his head up and acknowledged that we do have a problem. Election-year gimmick? I don't know. But it is a point of separation between the candidates. Something the Times-Union, though they've endorsed Mr. Curry, is having trouble finding (http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-05-10/story/little-separates-jacksonville-mayoral-candidates-both-agree-most-issues).
Quote from: Apache on May 12, 2015, 04:35:41 PM
Quote from: Jimmy on May 12, 2015, 03:48:16 PM
Election-year gimmick? I don't know. (http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-05-10/story/little-separates-jacksonville-mayoral-candidates-both-agree-most-issues).
Really? You don't know...
Hey, maybe he will lead on this issue regardless of the reason. But let's be honest with ourselves here. I've read enough of your posts to know you are neither naive nor lacking intelligence.
+1000
Quote from: stephendare on May 12, 2015, 03:48:44 PM
many of them supported alvin as well, though. They were wrong once already, apparently. ;)
Presumably they did what a lot of other people did, myself included, and supported Brown because they reckoned he'd be better than Hogan. Was Brown the wrong choice then? Maybe. Is he the wrong choice now? Definitely.
Quote from: stephendare on May 12, 2015, 03:48:44 PM
Are they supporting Lenny because he's going to go out and hit a home run for the HRO?
Because they might not actually be listening to what he's actually saying.
Yes, many people, myself included, feel we have a better chance getting an HRO through with Curry at the helm than Brown. My impression from meeting Curry is that he's much more moderate than his flyers and campaign are making him seem, and we already saw what happened in 2012 under Brown. We shall see; neither of them are a slam dunk on this issue, which is pathetic. But what says more, a Republican who won't oppose an LGBT bill, or a Democrat who won't support it?
At any rate, to bring the discussion back to the something that's actually connected to the topic of the thread, I hope the media don't stop asking for a response about this debacle from Geoff Youngblood, who's a week out from potentially sitting on the City Council.
I was on the fence about who to vote, but this pretty much decided it for me.
https://www.youtube.com/v/2bwGsOBTlhE
The fact that one has the freedom to say anything, does not mean that one should. That sign is a classic example of what not to say and be seen as anything other than a bigot that hates gays. Religious bigotry is still bigotry but even uglier because it is claimed in the name of God.
I'm glad he put out the sign. Just further establishes that I don't want anything to do with him.
^^^ That I agree with, too. No buts this time at all.
Tommy all the way.
As if the traffic didn't make Mandarin suck enough, now it has this!
QuoteDoes anyone at his church go to football games, work around the house, or shop on Sundays? Going to Hell.
Wear clothes made of more than one fabric? going to hell.
Forget all that, does anyone really ever go to Mandarin, and if you do, how often do you get your head examined?
Do all of these church signs meets city code? Can I just put up a permanent sign in my front yard and start preaching?
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 13, 2015, 10:01:22 AM
Forget all that, does anyone really ever go to Mandarin, and if you do, how often do you get your head examined?
Why is there so much Mandarin hate on this forum lately?
Is there some stereotype that I'm not getting? Mandarin has a rich history and a good mix of diverse people like most neighborhoods in town. Sure it's not an "urban neighborhood" but big deal, don't move there. But why bash it because you don't like it?
Seems pretty small minded of the posters on this forum.
LOL, Geoff Youngblood has announced a new endorsement from pastors... including his father.
Interesting analysis from Stephen's favorite political blogger, AG Gancarski.
Quote
HAZOURI SNUBBED: GEOFF YOUNGBLOOD'S DAD ENDORSES HIS SON
May 13, 2015 By A.G. Gancarski
In Jacksonville, the endorsements of the father fall unto the son. And so it is that Geoff Youngblood, a Republican At Large Group 3 Council candidate bedeviled by media inquiries into a sign on his father's church that read "Homosexuals must repent or go to hell," finally won a news cycle by getting an endorsement that likely was never in doubt, that of his dad.
On Monday Geoff Youngblood announced the endorsement of "pastors and faith based leaders" including "Florida Family Action PAC, United Christians of Florida PAC, and Pastor Dr. Gene Youngblood."
The news release, sent by Christian right consultant Raymond Johnson, claimed that "These Leaders announced 'We believe Geoff Younblood [sic] will stand out as a city councilman and will defend faith family and freedom by defending our values, protecting our tax dollars and creating new jobs.'"
The word going around is that the sign was actually a campaign stunt, a desperate bid for free TV time because the campaign can't afford paid spots. The Youngblood campaign has stalled out in fundraising, with his opponent Tommy Hazouri surging in the polls.
If he keeps up that type of outreach, though, he may go national. This is exactly the type of story John Oliver or John Stewart can kill five minutes with.
Meanwhile, Hazouri gets another day closer to a council seat.
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/183101
Quote from: jaxlore on May 13, 2015, 11:30:38 AM
Do all of these church signs meets city code? Can I just put up a permanent sign in my front yard and start preaching?
Yes. Church signs must meet the Sign code. .
Yes, maybe............. You can put up a sign in the front yard but if you start acting like a business you'll make code violations. See code and HOA restrictions.
Yes you can start preaching in the neighborhood, but if you get too organized see code violations and HOA deed restrictions.
Quote from: Overstreet on May 13, 2015, 03:44:03 PM
Quote from: jaxlore on May 13, 2015, 11:30:38 AM
Do all of these church signs meets city code? Can I just put up a permanent sign in my front yard and start preaching?
Yes. Church signs must meet the Sign code. .
Yes, maybe............. You can put up a sign in the front yard but if you start acting like a business you'll make code violations. See code and HOA restrictions.
Yes you can start preaching in the neighborhood, but if you get too organized see code violations and HOA deed restrictions.
I don't think you can do it even if you have no HOA, there are zoning laws that prevent your neighbor from opening a 7-11 next to your house. If it's zoned residential, it has to follow the laws of the county, the HOA would be additional rules on top of those.
well I guess Ill turn in my pulpit for the moment.
Quote from: Apache on May 12, 2015, 01:46:38 PM
Thanks dad, excellent timing.
Could you quickly change the sign to say something derogatory about women and bash an ethnic group. Then we can wrap this whole election thingy up and be done with it.
See you Sunday for dinner. Tell mom I love her.
I realize I yanked this from two pages back, but this might be a top 25 post of all time.
Seriously, what kind of idiots are these people? Do they think there are a pile of gay hating republicans that will be inspired to come out of the woodwork and vote for this clown?
^Possibly. We'll see if they're right.
Quote from: coredumped on May 13, 2015, 12:43:51 PM
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 13, 2015, 10:01:22 AM
Forget all that, does anyone really ever go to Mandarin, and if you do, how often do you get your head examined?
Why is there so much Mandarin hate on this forum lately?
Is there some stereotype that I'm not getting? Mandarin has a rich history and a good mix of diverse people like most neighborhoods in town. Sure it's not an "urban neighborhood" but big deal, don't move there. But why bash it because you don't like it?
Seems pretty small minded of the posters on this forum.
Yea. Makes no sense. Especially from this man. My quess most of those that did vote for his boy Hogan were people from Mandarin. I see comments like this and hope they realize if we want to change the city we are going to need people from all parts of,the city to make it happen, yes, including Mandarin.
QuoteWhy is there so much Mandarin hate on this forum lately?
Is there some stereotype that I'm not getting? Mandarin has a rich history and a good mix of diverse people like most neighborhoods in town. Sure it's not an "urban neighborhood" but big deal, don't move there. But why bash it because you don't like it?
Seems pretty small minded of the posters on this forum.
I grew up in Mandarin and pretty much everything wrong with Mandarin road is still what is wrong with Mandarin and will never change. Bike lanes, getting people to slow down, and the turning of 13 from a picturesque 2-lane road into the new Blanding Blvd, have ruined Mandarin forever. Mandarin point is entirely swamp land, if you live there in a new house, check it often, you have a lot in common with Bartram Springs.
Oh yeah and you have churches that apparently speak their mind on signs about alternative lifestyles. Something new and another good reason to avoid the area.
QuoteYea. Makes no sense. Especially from this man. My quess most of those that did vote for his boy Hogan were people from Mandarin. I see comments like this and hope they realize if we want to change the city we are going to need people from all parts of,the city to make it happen, yes, including Mandarin.
LOL, Hogan kicked the crap out of his opponent for Supervisor of Elections, so apparently he had help from others.....outside of only Mandarin...
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 13, 2015, 08:26:18 PM
QuoteWhy is there so much Mandarin hate on this forum lately?
Is there some stereotype that I'm not getting? Mandarin has a rich history and a good mix of diverse people like most neighborhoods in town. Sure it's not an "urban neighborhood" but big deal, don't move there. But why bash it because you don't like it?
Seems pretty small minded of the posters on this forum.
I grew up in Mandarin and pretty much everything wrong with Mandarin road is still what is wrong with Mandarin and will never change. Bike lanes, getting people to slow down, and the turning of 13 from a picturesque 2-lane road into the new Blanding Blvd, have ruined Mandarin forever. Mandarin point is entirely swamp land, if you live there in a new house, check it often, you have a lot in common with Bartram Springs.
Oh yeah and you have churches that apparently speak their mind on signs about alternative lifestyles. Something new and another good reason to avoid the area.
QuoteYea. Makes no sense. Especially from this man. My quess most of those that did vote for his boy Hogan were people from Mandarin. I see comments like this and hope they realize if we want to change the city we are going to need people from all parts of,the city to make it happen, yes, including Mandarin.
LOL, Hogan kicked the crap out of his opponent for Supervisor of Elections, so apparently he had help from others.....outside of only Mandarin...
How about his unsuccessful run at mayor, you know, a real election. Or your boy Lenny this time around?
Why is anyone suprised about this...this so called holy bible tells these people to do these things which is why i say to all bible thumpers to go to hell with the hatred you are spouting along with the hatred you're teaching those precious little bible thunping haters you're raising..good luck everyone.
Quote from: Steve on May 13, 2015, 05:39:58 PM
Quote from: Apache on May 12, 2015, 01:46:38 PM
Thanks dad, excellent timing.
Could you quickly change the sign to say something derogatory about women and bash an ethnic group. Then we can wrap this whole election thingy up and be done with it.
See you Sunday for dinner. Tell mom I love her.
I realize I yanked this from two pages back, but this might be a top 25 post of all time.
Seriously, what kind of idiots are these people? Do they think there are a pile of gay hating republicans that will be inspired to come out of the woodwork and vote for this clown?
It worked in 2004 in the Presidential election. I realize the political winds have shifted since then, but not so much in the GOP. They're still stuck in the '50's. 1850's that is.
Yep folks, that's called "Freedom of Speech", and, for those of yall not familiar with the concept, it is enumerated in our United States Constitution. You may or may not agree with anyone's speech, but, it is their right to offer it. You also have the right to agree, to disagree, to be insulted, to be elated, or, just to sit in a corner and be quiet.
Quote from: wnettles on May 15, 2015, 08:42:43 PM
Yep folks, that's called "Freedom of Speech", and, for those of yall not familiar with the concept, it is enumerated in our United States Constitution. You may or may not agree with anyone's speech, but, it is their right to offer it. You also have the right to agree, to disagree, to be insulted, to be elated, or, just to sit in a corner and be quiet.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.
Quote from: Crabernacle on May 16, 2015, 01:43:31 AM
Quote from: wnettles on May 15, 2015, 08:42:43 PM
Yep folks, that's called "Freedom of Speech", and, for those of yall not familiar with the concept, it is enumerated in our United States Constitution. You may or may not agree with anyone's speech, but, it is their right to offer it. You also have the right to agree, to disagree, to be insulted, to be elated, or, just to sit in a corner and be quiet.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.
+1
often forgotten by many
Quote from: Crabernacle on May 16, 2015, 01:43:31 AM
Quote from: wnettles on May 15, 2015, 08:42:43 PM
Yep folks, that's called "Freedom of Speech", and, for those of yall not familiar with the concept, it is enumerated in our United States Constitution. You may or may not agree with anyone's speech, but, it is their right to offer it. You also have the right to agree, to disagree, to be insulted, to be elated, or, just to sit in a corner and be quiet.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.
This is my response every time that someone uses the phrase: "But he/she/they are just using their freedom of speech." You can use your freedom of speech to your hearts content, but you are still held accountable for what you say and what you do.