Students Pledging to Live Moral Lives Condemned by the City of San Francisco

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Most cities might find something to praise about 25,000 teenagers gathering in their midsts "to counter a popular culture that ... glamorizes violence and sex." Not so if the teenagers are Christians and especially not if the city is San Francisco. Organized by youth minister Ron Luce, the event -- "Battle Cry for a Generation" -- not only encouraged Christian teenagers to act more Christian, but exhorted youth ministers to "to do everything from work with the homeless to find new ways to bring others to Christ."

This was too much for the City of Tolerance. Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, denounced the "fundamentalists," saying, "they're loud, they're obnoxious, they're disgusting, and they should get out of San Francisco." The SF Board of Supervisors, "passed a resolution condemning the 'act of provocation' by an 'anti-gay,' 'anti-choice' organization that aimed to 'negatively influence the politics of America's most tolerant and progressive city.'"

Coverage in the local paper reflected the sentiment. The SF Gate was sure to note that "military metaphors abound" in Mr. Luce's description of the struggle faced by young people. As a parent, I am perhaps more symphathetic to such terminology than others, as popular culture seems bent on giving them values (or a lack therefo) that differ greatly from what is best for them. And, of course, such terminology is par for the course even from the left in describing the social struggle between the right and left (a "war with the religious right", "warriors for choice," "ihatepatrobertson.com," and countless comparisons to Nazis). Apparently, however, it is only worth mentioning if it is those backwards dangerous Christians having at it.

Finally, not failing to pass up an opportunity to associate Christianity with the dark ages, the Gate noted that some of the participants "waved triangular red flags flown from long, medieval-looking poles." Unlike those short, modern-looking poles that are so common at secular rallies.

At least no witches were burned. This time.

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