Braves Say No to
Conservative Group
By AP from the
NYTimes on the Web, August 12. 2006
ATLANTA, Aug. 11 -- The
Atlanta Braves will mix baseball with the gospel when they hold another ''Faith
Day'' this weekend. But one of the country's most prominent Christian
organizations has been tossed out of the game.
Focus on the Family, a group founded by James Dobson, was barred from
participating in Sunday's postgame activities after sponsoring the first such
event at Turner Field last month.
While the team wouldn't provide a reason for its decision, several gay rights
groups on the Web bristled with speculation that Focus on the Family was given
the boot for promoting its belief that homosexuality is a social problem
comparable to alcoholism, gambling or depression.
The Braves were the first major league team to hold ''Faith Day,'' teaming up
with Tennessee-based promoter Third Coast Sports to put on the event after a
July 27 game against Florida.
Separate $10 tickets allowed fans to re-enter the left-field bleachers, where a
stage was set up along the warning track. Pitcher John Smoltz gave a
testimonial and a Christian rock band put on a show.
The Braves plan the same sort of event after Sunday's game against Milwaukee,
this time with former Atlanta first baseman Sid Bream as the featured speaker.
However, Focus on the Family won't be one of the sponsors.
The group released a statement Friday saying the July 27 event ''was first class
and exceeded our expectations,'' but added that the Braves didn't want them to
take part in the Faith Days scheduled for August.
''For Focus on the Family, our involvement in Faith Days is all about being
there to support the marriage and parenting needs of families,'' said Rich
Bennett, the group's marketing director. ''The Braves game in July was a
great experience for us, and we are looking forward to participating in other
Faith Days and Faith Nights events with Third Coast Sports in the future.''
Bennett said the group never formally committed to the August dates and
suggested that any other questions be directed to the Braves, who declined
comment through spokeswoman Beth Marshall.
Third Coast Sports, which has sponsored similar events at minor league games and
plans another at Turner Field on Aug. 26, also declined comment, saying it was a
matter between the Braves and Focus on the Family. Dobson's group will
continue to take part in future Third Coast promotions.
''We anticipate them being involved in other cities,'' spokesman Matt Toy said.
Five years ago, the Braves received hundreds of complaints for selling a block
of more 1,700 tickets to a group leading the city's bid to land the Gay Games.
In return for the large purchase, the group was recognized on the field and got
to pick someone to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The Braves said it was merely a business decision and they weren't condoning or
endorsing the homosexual lifestyle. The team took the same tact with its
decision to allow Third Coast Sports to hold ''Faith Day.''
Focus on the Family was one of eight sponsors for the first event, joining
groups such as Toccoa Bible College and the Gospel Music Channel. All were
allowed to set up tables where they could hand out literature and
Christian-themed items to fans as they headed back into the stadium.
But the Braves may have been troubled that Focus on the Family was promoting its
Web site
www.troubledwith.com, in which the group gives its suggestions for dealing
with myriad problems.
Under the heading ''Love & Sex,'' homosexuality is listed along with items such
as dating, miscarriage and post-abortion syndrome. The group debunks the
belief that homosexuality is caused by genetics, saying that males are often
influenced by incest, molestation, exposure to pornography and negative body
image.
''No solid scientific evidence exists today that people are born homosexual,''
the Web site says. ''Interestingly enough, genetic predeterminants have
also been theorized for alcoholism or depression. Neither alcoholism nor
depression is embraced as healthy. Rather, we try to help people who
suffer from these tendencies to find relief and recovery.''
Chris Reitsma, a Braves pitcher who is recovering from a season-ending injury,
is scheduled to speak at the final ''Faith Day.'' He was unaware of the
controversy over Focus on the Family.
''Obviously you want it to be a positive thing, but I didn't even know about
that,'' Reitsma said before the Braves opened their series against Milwaukee.
''That's pretty much all I know about it, that we want this to be a positive
thing to promote the Christian faith.''
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