From Hazel Green to Montgomery, messages citing biblical scripture clash with LGBTQ+ celebrations, igniting a social media firestorm.
In the Deep South, the intersection of religious tradition and modern social movements often creates friction. Recently, two separate Baptist churches in Alabama found themselves at the center of a viral firestorm after posting marquee messages that critics labeled offensive to the LGBTQ+ community.
While one pastor stood firmly behind his message as a biblical necessity, another claimed his sign’s timing was a misunderstanding, sparking a broader debate on social media about intent, interpretation, and inclusivity.
“Pride Goeth Before Destruction”
The controversy began in Hazel Green, Alabama, when a Reddit user uploaded a photo of the welcome sign at Carters Grove Baptist Church. The message was stark:
“Pride month sounds about right.”
Followed immediately by Proverbs 16:18:
“Pride goeth before destruction.”
The post quickly gained traction online, with the original poster expressing concern that the message targeted the LGBTQ+ community, specifically noting how damaging such rhetoric could be to individuals afraid to “come out.”
However, the comment section revealed a complex reaction. While many were outraged, others appreciated the transparency.
“Look at it from another perspective,” one Reddit user noted. “At least you know what to expect from that congregation, and you can make a decision based on the advertising they provide on the marquee. I had a hard time staying in the denomination I grew up in for the same reason, but none of the churches I attended were as blatant about their stance.”
Interestingly, the interpretation wasn’t unanimous. Some passersby initially misread the sign as an attempt at solidarity. David Cleland, a former board member for Rocket City Pride, admitted the messaging was ambiguous at first glance.
“I can definitely see both sides,” Cleland said. “The way I first read it was honestly thinking that they were in support of pride.”
The Pastor’s Stance: “It’s Not Bigotry”
When contacted by Fox 54, Pastor Jim Weaver of Carters Grove Baptist Church clarified that the sign was intentional and aimed directly at Pride Month. Weaver stood by the decision, framing it as a theological duty rather than an act of malice.
Weaver explained his desire to discourage what he views as an “unhealthy lifestyle” defined by scripture.
“I believe, scripturally speaking, promoting a lifestyle that the Bible calls sinful will bring a country down,” Pastor Weaver stated. “It’s not bigotry, it is actually loving a person to tell them that things are not right in their life.”
Weaver emphasized that he does not believe there should be a month-long celebration for what his church deems an “unscriptural lifestyle.”
“God Detests Pride”: A Misunderstanding in Montgomery?
While the debate in Hazel Green focused on intentional theology, a similar situation unfolded in Montgomery, Alabama, involving a different tone and a viral photograph.
A homosexual couple driving down Wares Ferry Road noticed a sign outside the Wares Ferry Road Baptist Church that read: “GOD DETESTS PRIDE.”
Lindsey Dukeminier and her partner, offended by the message during a month celebrating their identity, decided to pull over.
“We were very disappointed that during pride month of all months this church had a sign up like this,” Dukeminier told CBS 42.
The couple staged a peaceful protest by taking a photo of themselves kissing in front of the marquee. They posted the image to social media with the caption “Detest this.” The post resonated instantly, garnering dozens of shares, likes, and supportive comments.
The Church Responds
Pastor Wesley Whitworth of Wares Ferry Road Baptist Church addressed the backlash, insisting the situation was a “big misunderstanding.”
According to Whitworth, the church member responsible for changing the sign was referring to the biblical concept of personal arrogance and vanity—not the LGBTQ+ movement.
“It just coincided with pride month,” Whitworth explained. He noted that when he first saw the sign, he also realized it could be misinterpreted as a reference to Pride Month. He questioned the person in charge of the marquee, who assured the pastor that sparking controversy was not the intent.
Despite the claim of accidental timing, Pastor Whitworth did not shy away from his theological views. He noted that the Bible is “unequivocal” regarding homosexuality and suggested that critics like Dukeminier should expect traditional churches to hold these views.
“They’re being disingenuous if they think that most mainstream churches would not have a problem with that,” Whitworth said. “Obviously we disagree on that. They’ll have to stand before God for what they do. It’s not my job to go around policing the actions of everybody.”
A Community Divided
These incidents highlight the widening gap in perception between religious institutions and the LGBTQ+ community in the South. For pastors like Weaver and Whitworth, the signs represent an adherence to scripture. For couples like Dukeminier and her partner, they serve as public reminders of exclusion.
As these images continue to circulate on platforms like Reddit and Facebook, they serve as a reminder that even in a digital age, a simple physical sign can still drive the cultural conversation.
