COUDERSPORT, PA. – "YOU HAVE BEEN PLAYED!"
4 min readPastor Tremblay responds to lies, accusations
ACTIVISTS USE DISTORTIONS, CHARACTER ASSASINATIONS, & OUTRIGHT LIES FOR SENSATIONALISM; TO MANIPULATE THE MEDIA AND THE MINDS OF PEOPLE OF RURAL PA.
Can you believe it? An activist group comes to the small town of Coudersport, Pa. to show the documentary, “Out in The Silence” – “detailing the struggle to survive of a gay teen”. at the local Library. According to the Blog by the activist group the result is a backlash of anger and the threat of a large protest.
The blog is at www.outinthesilence.blogspot.com; Dated Monday July 26, 2010. The title of the Blog is, “Clergy Threaten Public Library — Promise “Large Protests” over Gay Documentary ” Let me give you some highlights.
“We’ve received phone calls all morning from clergy “screaming at us”, reported a library staff member. “They’re threatening large protests and we don’t know what to do.” “
“But a week before the event, the librarian tried to postpone, citing concerns by the Board of Directors about “possible protests and community concerns.” “
“But on the morning of Monday July 26, the library suddenly changed its mind yet again. They wrote Wilson canceling the event, stating that the library “cannot be involved” due to the large number of calls they had received from conservative ministers in the area. “
A local area news Blog began to buzz with activity and anonymous comments are made on both sides of the issue. Suggestions are made that there have been “death threats”. The character of local Pastors is called into question. Wow! Certainly this is proof that small town America is bigoted; proof that the activist claims are correct; proof of discrimination; proof of victimization.
THE PROBLEM IS – NONE OF IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED!
Coudersport, you have been played! You have been lied to. You have been victimized by a group who uses tactics of sensationalism in order to manipulate your feelings and to convince you they are victims. The true victims are the local people whose characters have been assassinated, the local Churches who have been vilified, and most importantly – THE TRUTH is a victim.
The true story is that a few local Pastors met on Monday evening the week of the movie’s showing to discuss how to respond in Christian love. While these Pastors – only about 5 of those in the community – disagreed strongly with the avowed objective of the activists (same-sex marriage); these few Pastor decided that they would keep any response low-keyed. First, they would watch the film privately. Second, they would address the issue in Christian love at a future date. Third, they would pray about the event and the issue in their local churches. Being one of the Pastors at that meeting I can attest to these facts.
There was no call for “large protests”.
Only one local Pastor (myself) asked church people to call the Library in Christian love and ask that the movie be shown elsewhere rather than a “tax-payer” supported venue. But nothing more was requested. We found out later that only 10 phone calls had been received by the library; 5 for and 5 against continuing the event. There was NO DEATH THREATS. Local Pastors DID NOT CALL IN ALL MORNING as the activist reported. They did not “scream” at the Library staff. In fact, local Pastors were largely silent on the matter.
One account is true and reported on the activist’s blog, “Wilson and Hamer have alerted the media, the state Human Relations Commission, and local law enforcement about the flap and threatened protests.”
On Wednesday, I received a call from the local Police asking about this supposed protest. My response to the officer was immediate laughter as I told him that no protest had been planned and that his officers had nothing to worry about. The officer is the one that informed me that only 10 telephone calls had been made to the Library; 5 for and 5 against and there were no death threats made.
Coudersport and Potter County! Whatever your feeling are about the issue of “same-sex marriage”, how do like being lied to? How do like being treated as “gullible hicks” by shady characters, who distort the truth, assassinate the characters of local people, churches, and Pastors? How do you like your police department given false information? How do you like your media manipulated to create sensationalism for the purpose of a political agenda?
Diane Bramley of the American Family Association of Pa. was made the villain on the documentary simply because she would not participate in it. But that did not stop Wilson and Hammer from using every technique at their disposal to make her the enemy. Wilson and Hammer can create villains wherever one is needed by the careful use of sound bites, video clips and innuendo. If that’s not good enough they will create false stories.
Diane Bramley writes, “This past fall Hamer and Wilson began showing their completed “documentary” on some Public Television stations and in colleges and universities across Pennsylvania, as well as in some locations outside PA. A closer look at their website shows that Pennsylvania is being used as a guinea pig to try out their ‘Community Engagement Campaign.”
I spoke to Diane over the phone and was informed that these tactics were similar to those used by Wilson and Hammer in Oil City. Diane was accused in the documentary of calling for a boycott of the Theater owned by a Lesbian couple. That was another false claim made by Wilson and Hammer. Diane never called for a boycott. But in similar manner, Wilson and Hammer called local media, the Human Rights Commission and Local Police because of threatened protests. Of course such protests never materialized.
Coudersport, you have just experienced Wilson and Hammer’s ‘Community Engagement Campaign’. How did it taste?
BE CAREFUL SMETHPORT AND EMPORIUM, THESE MANIPULATORS ARE COMING YOUR WAY NEXT.
Pastor Peter Tremblay
Coudersport Free Methodist Church
7/29/2010
AMEN BROTHER STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF CHRISTIANS OR WE WILL FALL.
Thank you! I agree! Once we stop standing up for what we feel is right, we will fall!
It is not surprising that these characters resort to the underhanded tactics they use. They have an agenda which goes against what most people think is right.
Unfortunately the government and most of the media have relegated Christians to the category of second class citizens. We have allowed our views and our rights to be denigrated for fifty years. It is time to stand up for our rights and more importantly, for what is right.
Being silent is what put God out of the schools, allowed abortion to be legalized, and same sex marriages to be legal. It is time we all stood up for what God says is right and moral. We need to do it with the love of the Lord, but firmly!!
The pastor on his blog here (hagiosmos.blogspot.com) reviewed out in silence and states:
“As a personal note; the man who sexually abused me when I was a teen attempted to convert me to that lifestyle by continually telling me I was denying who I truly was and should accept my obvious homosexuality. If I had listened, I would have never found healing.”
This was posted on solomonswords but he is deleting all comments related to it. Since Pastor Peter Tremblay has been one of the most outspoken critics of the movie I think it matters that he had these experiences as a teen.
Jim has taken it upon himself to censor this information even though it was Pastor Tremblay who chose to make it public.
During his ministry, Jesus performed miracles, sometimes on the Sabbath, upset the tables at the temple, walked on water, and fed 5,000 ppl with a boy’s lunch of fishes and loaves, among other things. His ministry drew people from all walks of life. So I guess he resorted to “tactics” to “further his agenda” …
Jim censored some of the comments on the matter and so have you.
Editor’s Response:
No Thom, your comments were flagged as spam by akismet for some reason.
When that happens the comments go into a spam queue and I must manually move them. Your comments are now posted. Sorry for the delay.
I agree 100% with the admin on the Anonymous on July 30th, 2010 1:38 pm Post.
Pastor Pete is the perfect example of how a person can and does change when Jesus is part of your life. That is all I can say, people can and do change if they REALLY want to!!
“Thom, may I ask how you feel about the other information the Pastor quoted on his blog, in regards to statistics which show that young men who are sexually abused are 7 times more likely to become homosexual?”
When I was a kid I knew a man that later abused some boys. He never abused me becasue I didn’t give him the chance. I was 6 when I had my first GF and I was just never into dudes. (not that there is anything wrong with that)
If a man describes you as an obvious homosexual and he happens to be mushroom stomping your starfish at the time he may very well have a point.
Joe Wilson’s lies have now been heard in Harrisburg as the Patriot News just ran the Coudersport story Saturday.
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/07/potter_county_library_challeng.html
Editor’s Response:
I saw that Diane. Don Gilliland contacted me the day before the screening. I explained to him then that there never was a plan for a physical protest or demonstration, and that Wilson had lied. I predicted earlier that the blog which first posted Wilson’s lies as fact would also post that article from the Patriot, and sure enough I was right.
I cannot figure out where the librarian breaking down came from. I personally spoke with her and asked her if there any threats. She said, “none that I know of”. She also said that everyone was, ‘courteous’.
I’m curious as to why Gilliland has chosen to put such a spin on the article.
I just love the part about the clap of lightning followed by a break in the clouds and two rainbows appearing just after the movie finished.
Talk about sensationalism!
But as stated before the filmmakers got exactly what they wanted, publicity.
Wilson and Hamer are trying to make an example out of Coudersport. Their hopes are that by using these tactics and generating the negative publicity others will be hesitant to voice concerns about the airing of the film in their community. As usual the ones crying for tolerance the loudest are the least tolerant.
Diane Gramley I agree with you 100%- As usual the ones crying for tolerance the loudest are the least tolerant. Some are so busy running their mouths they cant hear!
Why it is they are the only one who think they are entitled to an opinion or belief?
How nice it must be to live in a tiny, ignorant bubble of self absorption? You call yourself christians, but you don’t love – you point and mock and hate and judge other people. God created all of us, and regardless of what your beliefs are and what YOU consider to be abominations, take a look at yourself. Are all of your marriages divine and holy? Please. Gay people ARE PEOPLE, 10 fingers, 10 toes, just like you and me. The sooner you acknowledge and regard them as human being who deserve the SAME rights and respect, the better off YOU will be as human beings, and, as christians. Thanks!
March 30th- I feel you are doing some judging of your own right here!
“Ignorance of ones ignorance is the greatest ignorance”
Just open your Bible and read:
There are twelve mentions of homosexuality in the Bible:
Genesis 19:5, Judges 19:22 Deuteronomy 23:17-18, 1 Kings 14:23-24, 15:12-13, 22:46, 2 Kings 23:6-8 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Leviticus 18:21-22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Timothy 1:8-10
The bottom line: Homosexuality is a sin. You can not use other sins as an excuse for sin to be ok, we have to ask ourselves this: What does God want us to do if we are sinning? With all the authority of God, the Bible tells us to stop sinning. But many, while claiming to teach the Bible, say that this is impossible. They not only disobey the injunctions of Scripture, they don’t even think we should consider the possibility of abiding consistently in Christ!
” And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
I do believe in equal rights for everyone, just not special treatment for some. Just because you choose a homosexual lifestyle doesn’t mean you get more exceptions than a heterosexual. I find it amusing and disturbing at the same time as homosexuals demand that they be given “extras” as in special programs in place just for them. If they want to be main stream, do as everyone else does.