![Dr. Charles Stanley, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, and founder of In Touch Ministries, thanks U.S. Soldiers and their families for their service to the nation during his speech at the All American Chapel of Fort Bragg, N.C., on Nov. 6, 2013. Photo courtesy of Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blackchristiannews.com/go/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Dr.-Charles-Stanley.jpg)
News that the longtime pastor of First Baptist Atlanta and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention would be honored by the JNF angered many Jews who pointed to his history of vitriolic anti-gay comments.
Stanley said the award was causing too much strife within the Jewish community, and for the sake of his love for Israel, he would not accept it, according to the JNF, a nonprofit that sponsors environmental and educational programs in the Jewish state.
It was Stanley’s idea not to accept the award, JNF spokesman Adam Brill said Tuesday.
“Dr. Stanley feels that he did not want to see any further controversy and I think it’s a laudable and heartfelt decision, and we totally support and embrace it.”
Decrying Stanley’s “sordid history of virulent homophobic statements and actions,” the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity (SOJOURN) led a campaign to get JNF to change its mind on bestowing Stanley with its Tree of Life award, which was to be given to him for his support for Israel by the JNF’s Atlanta chapter on Thursday, Israel’s independence day.
“We respect Dr. Charles Stanley’s decision,” said Rebecca Stapel-Wax, executive director of Atlanta-based SOJOURN, on Tuesday. “We are so grateful for the strong support of hundreds of people across the country. We look forward to a productive dialogue with JNF in the coming weeks and building our relationship together to support the local Jewish and LGBTQ communities and Israel.”
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SOURCE: Religion News Service
Lauren Markoe
BCNN1 WP 