{"id":8832,"date":"2025-12-09T15:16:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T15:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailynewsintime.net\/?p=8832"},"modified":"2025-12-09T15:26:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T15:26:57","slug":"couple-pulls-over-after-spotting-offensive-message-on-church-sign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailynewsintime.net\/index.php\/2025\/12\/09\/couple-pulls-over-after-spotting-offensive-message-on-church-sign\/","title":{"rendered":"Couple Pulls Over After Spotting \u2018Offensive\u2019 Message on Church Sign"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Hazel Green to Montgomery, messages citing biblical scripture clash with LGBTQ+ celebrations, igniting a social media firestorm.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

While one pastor stood firmly behind his message as a biblical necessity, another claimed his sign\u2019s timing was a misunderstanding, sparking a broader debate on social media about intent, interpretation, and inclusivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPride Goeth Before Destruction\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n

The controversy began in Hazel Green, Alabama, when a Reddit user uploaded a photo of the welcome sign at\u00a0<\/span>Carters Grove Baptist Church<\/span><\/strong>. The message was stark:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cPride month sounds about right.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Followed immediately by Proverbs 16:18:<\/span>
\u201cPride goeth before destruction.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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.”<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the comment section revealed a complex reaction. While many were outraged, others appreciated the transparency.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook at it from another perspective,\u201d one Reddit user noted. \u201cAt 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can definitely see both sides,\u201d Cleland said. \u201cThe way I first read it was honestly thinking that they were in support of pride.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pastor\u2019s Stance: \u201cIt\u2019s Not Bigotry\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n

When contacted by Fox 54,\u00a0<\/span>Pastor Jim Weaver<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0of 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weaver explained his desire to discourage what he views as an “unhealthy lifestyle” defined by scripture.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI believe, scripturally speaking, promoting a lifestyle that the Bible calls sinful will bring a country down,\u201d Pastor Weaver stated. \u201cIt\u2019s not bigotry, it is actually loving a person to tell them that things are not right in their life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Weaver emphasized that he does not believe there should be a month-long celebration for what his church deems an \u201cunscriptural lifestyle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGod Detests Pride\u201d: A Misunderstanding in Montgomery?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

A homosexual couple driving down Wares Ferry Road noticed a sign outside the <\/span>Wares Ferry Road Baptist Church<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0that read:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cGOD DETESTS PRIDE.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lindsey Dukeminier and her partner, offended by the message during a month celebrating their identity, decided to pull over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were very disappointed that during pride month of all months this church had a sign up like this,\u201d Dukeminier told CBS 42.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>\u201cDetest this.\u201d<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0The post resonated instantly, garnering dozens of shares, likes, and supportive comments.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Church Responds<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pastor Wesley Whitworth<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0of Wares Ferry Road Baptist Church addressed the backlash, insisting the situation was a “big misunderstanding.”<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Whitworth, the church member responsible for changing the sign was referring to the biblical concept of personal arrogance and vanity\u2014not the LGBTQ+ movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt just coincided with pride month,\u201d 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re being disingenuous if they think that most mainstream churches would not have a problem with that,\u201d Whitworth said. \u201cObviously we disagree on that. They\u2019ll have to stand before God for what they do. It\u2019s not my job to go around policing the actions of everybody.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A Community Divided<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n