Petition launched to keep hate speech pastor out of SA

13 July 2016 - 12:48 By Julia Madibogo

An online petition to stop American pastor Steven Anderson from coming to South Africa to “promote hate speech” is doing the rounds. The petition‚ which had already gained over 2000 signatures by Wednesday morning‚ is hoping to attract the attention of Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba in a bid to deny Anderson entry.“He is coming to Kempton Park to bring his unique brand of hate to South Africa‚ and this cannot be tolerated or allowed as LGBTI [lesbian‚ gay‚ bisexual‚ and transgender] rights are protected by the Constitution‚ and there is already enough homophobia - the flames of which do not need fanning‚” states the petition posted on change.org.Online gay radio station Gay SA radio‚ which is spearheading the petition‚ said Anderson - who established the Faithful Word Baptist in Arizona in 2005 - is a notorious preacher of hate speech‚ specifically against the LGBTI community.WATCH: US preacher wishes Orlando gunman 'finished the job'A California Baptist preacher has sparked uproar for praising as "great" the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando that left 49 people dead and scores injured. “We are calling on the Department of Home Affairs to refuse entry to this man and his ‘church’ and stop him from travelling to South Africa‚” the station said.In a video posted a day after the shooting to death of 49 people at a gay club in Orlando in June‚ Anderson took to YouTube to praise the attack.“The good news is that there's 50 less paedophiles in this world‚ because‚ you know‚ these homosexuals are a bunch of disgusting perverts and paedophiles‚” Anderson said in the now-banned clip.The pastor is scheduled to come to Kempton Park on a “soul-winning” mission in September. – TMG Digital..

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