Pastor Charlie Dates of Salem Baptist Church in Chicago got here underneath fireplace from native sports activities speak radio host Laurence Holmes for praying at a press convention for the Chicago Bears' announcement of plans for a brand new $4.7 billion stadium on Chicago's lakefront.
In a caustic takedown of Dates on 670 ScoreHolmes accused Dates, who took over the management of the ten,000-member church greater than a 12 months in the past, of selecting to facet “with the billionaires who’re attempting to take the folks of Chicago.”
A recording of the press convention posted by the Chicago Bears on YouTube reveals Dates opening the occasion, framing it as “a day our metropolis desperately wants your assist with” together with a heartfelt attraction to God to assist the Chicago Bears win extra video games.
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“Thanks for all of the individuals who will profit from the Bears staying in Chicago.” I don't know you play soccer however I'm asking you to assist us, assist us win some video games. Assist us win the Tremendous Bowl right here. Assist us play within the Tremendous Bowl and convey again the roaring, cheering followers of 1985 that we had on your glory and for our good,” Dates prayed amongst some within the viewers. he laughed whereas their heads had been nonetheless bowed.
“Extra severely, for all of the individuals who will work right here, who will thrive right here, who will come right here to expertise vital household recollections, we offer you glory and thanks,” Dates added. “And if I’ve requested too little of you, I pray that you’ll do one thing even larger than what I’ve simply requested of you in your treasured identify.
The Bears then introduced their plan to construct a state-of-the-art lakefront domed stadium with each private and non-private cash.
The Bears are anticipated to supply $2.3 billion in funding, together with a $300 million mortgage from the NFL towards the $3.2 billion price of the stadium. About $900 million in public funding for the stadium would come from the prevailing 2 % lodge tax that already goes to the Illinois Sports activities Services Authority.
“We’re excited to spend money on the best metropolis on the planet for a stadium undertaking and website enhancements that may profit Chicagoans and guests,” stated Bears Chairman George McCaskey.
Holmes argued that it’s the billionaires who stand to realize probably the most from the brand new stadium, not the folks served by Dates' church.
“The neighborhood the place his church is positioned is the neighborhood the place I grew up. There are numerous folks on this neighborhood and neighborhoods round Chicago who want prayer. And also you determined to ask God's grace for the stadium at the moment?” he requested.
“You need to be ashamed, Pastor. And your congregation also needs to be ashamed for following you. If that's what you're doling out at Salem Baptist, disgrace on you. One should repent. … I’m offended as a citizen of Chicago. I’m offended by individuals who search to serve and worship a God who you hope extends his grace to the poor and downtrodden,” he continued. “If we're going strictly from the Scriptures on this, that's not the place you have to be at the moment, pastor.” You don't should be with the billionaires attempting to take the folks of Chicago.'
Holmes then went on to query Dates' relationship to Scripture.
“The truth that you thought it was a good suggestion tells me every little thing I have to find out about you and your relationship to Scripture, your parishioners, and God. That is ridiculous,” he stated.
“What are we doing? I'm so uninterested in folks utilizing God to place their hand in somebody's pocket. That is the worst attainable instance. If we're speaking about elevating cash for the church so you’ll be able to encourage different folks to listen to the phrase of God and act on it , so will probably be. That's not it. You're utilizing the phrase of God to attempt to idiot the flock for billionaires.”
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