Los Angeles Times blog L.A. Now:
Boxer Manny Pacquiao has been banned from the Grove shopping mall because of comments he made about gay marriage.
In an interview with National Conservative Examiner, Pacquiao addressed President Obama's recent endorsement of gay marriage.
"God's words first ... obey God's law first before considering the laws of man," Pacquiao told the Examiner.
... Pacquiao struck back with a post on his official website by boxing trainer and writer Keith Terceira. Pacquiao says: "I didn't say that, that's a lie… I didn't know that quote from Leviticus because I haven't read the Book of Leviticus yet."
"I'm not against gay people.… I have a relative who is also gay," the boxer insists. "We can't help it if they were born that way. What I'm critical off are actions that violate the word of God. I only gave out my opinion that same-sex marriage is against the law of God."
On Monday night, the Grove, owned by shopping mall magnate Rick Caruso, posted a statement on Twitter saying Pacquiao is not allowed on the premises.
The tweet reads: "Boxer Manny Pacquiao is not welcome at @TheGroveLA. @TheGroveLA is a gathering place for all Angelenos, not a place for intolerance."
Pacquiao was scheduled to be interviewed Wednesday at the Grove for the TV show "Extra."
Pacquiao, a devout Catholic, is a congressman in his homeland of the Philippines, where he has a record of voting along conservative lines.
22 Comments
Apparently, the Grove L.A. IS a place of intolerance. Otherwise, they'd welcome diversity of opinion, belief, and philosophy.
Well said, DoE.
Nice try, but there's no need to tolerate intolerance.
What the Grove should have done was show a little tolerance for the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
If one is intolerant of someone who disagrees with so-called SS"M," why should we tolerate that intolerance?
No, overcame, it's not about SSM. It's the opposition to everything with gay people.
Ok, so if one is intolerant of someone who is "opposed to everything with gay people," why should we tolerate that intolerance? And where do we draw the line between which intolerance we are going to protect and which we are not going to protect?
@Pete...So you're admittedly intolerant of those that you deem intolerant?
Intolerance of intolerance is different than intolerance of those who are intolerant.
Marriage corruption supporters are obvious confusing tolerance with acceptance. The 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution protects are right to refuse that which our conscience could never accept.
YES. We are intolerant of those who are intolerant. Because, if you will note, YOU STARTED IT. It is wrong to be intolerant, but you are. We call you on it. End of story. You can play the game out further with words, but in reality, nothing more need be said than "You are intolerant. We are calling you on it."
People who believe that marriage is the union of husband and wife are kept out of a mall in the name of tolerance.
God help this country.
"it's not about SSM. It's the opposition to everything with gay people."
Only if one views all of life through the lens of gay identity politics. : /
Banning people in the name of "tolerance'...George Orwell himself couldn't have written better double-speak.
How about those who view life through the lens of mythology and Bronze Age beliefs, Eve?
I thought NOM condemned threats of violence? Why did you delete the entire discussion about Pacquiao's threat of violence against gays in the form of a Leviticus quote? Pacquiao allegedly said, "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." when asked about Obama's support of civil marriage equality. How is that not a threat of violence against LGBT Americans?
Pacquiao never said Homosexuals should be put to death. If you read the original article, the Leviticus quote was added by the writer.
LGBTQIA's LOVE LOVE LOVE to quote Leviticus to try and stigmatize Christianity or The Bible as extreme, or irrational. But the Jokes on them. Quoting Leviticus out of context reveals their ignorance of basic Christian theology - that Christ died to free humanity from the Law. There isn't a single Christian denomination calling for execution for homosexual acts.
I wouldn't know Doug. Are you speaking from experience? Good for you!
Manny has been through a lot. Perhaps he should go have a cup of coffee at Starbucks and relax.
Since the whole reason he was banned was because of something the writer of the article wrote, Manny should go to the mall. If they try to kick him out, he should sue them till he owns the place. Then they will find out how much their
intolerance costs them.
The gay lifestyle is immoral, unhealthy, and destructive. Numerous scientific studies have shown the debilitating effects of the lifestyle. A recent 2010 report from CDC (Center for Disease Control) in U.S. declared an epidemic rise of HIV/AIDS among the youth in the gay population. These same youth who do not know or care to know that they are infected are spreading this disease to heterosexual population through the bisexuals.http://youtu.be/lSTCO-5soVE . See CDC website on MSM (Men Having Sex with Men).
@Roger,
At the time the Grove made it's decision, they were not aware that the writer at the conservative Christian publication had put those words in Pacquiao's mouth.