As time passes, more details of the torture that Phillip Parker endured has emerged. Many of his teachers supported him, while some ignored the bullying out of hand. But now, we learn that he endured even greater verbal taunts from his own pastor.
Jonathan Cole, chair and president of the Tennessee Equality Project, discussed Phillip’s death with one of his teachers:
While attending Saturday’s conference, H.G. Stovall and I met a former teacher who knew Phillip while he attended Gordonsville Elementary School. Tears flowed as she told us that Philip had endured years of anti-gay bullying at the school and that bullying in general at Gordonsville Elementary School often goes unaddressed by faculty and staff. She knew of several students who had to transfer to other schools to escape the harassment. This educator also knew Phillip had endured anti-gay preaching from the pulpit of his church.
After the conference, H.G. and I visited Gordonsville to pay our respects to Phillip. On Sunday, we laid a vase of purple flowers at a shrine outside the entrance of Gordonsville High School. Members of the community brought cards, flowers and teddy bears. Most were quiet and tearful in their grief. We were able to speak to one of Phillip’s teachers. Sadly, she confirmed the same stories we had heard the day before about Philip’s experience at school and at church. She recalled learning that his pastor had recently told him to “pray the devil out him, so he could be straight.” His teacher also remembered that beneath his inner turmoil Philip was always smiling and would often tell his peers how beautiful they were.
A quick note to pastors: Gay people don’t have “the devil” in them. We are gay. Get over it. If you honestly believe that we are that demonized, then I would suggest that yo take a look in the mirror. It’s this kind of spiritual abuse that leads to people killing themselves. This is exactly the kind of religious abuse that leads to school bullying, and even encourages it.
Phillip isn’t the only one who hears “pray the devil out of him.” It is fuel to the fire of hate and bigotry that happens in schools all across the country. After all, why treat a peer with respect if they’re just another demonized faggot? Preacher says so.
If you’re in ministry and you’ve ever uttered something like this from the pulpit or in public, the blood of children like Phillip Jackson is on your hands.
This “pastor” should immediately get out of the ministry and find a job where he doesn’t have the responsibility of counseling… anyone.
For more on this heartbreaking story, visit Grand Divisions.
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Matthew 7:15-20 –
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (NIV)
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If that isn't a rebuke of hateful "pastors," I don't know what is. They might look godly, but they're ferocius. And do they produce good fruit? Seems to me that they produce a body count. Pretty bad fruit, I think.
By his fruit, I recognize this "pastor" for what he is… toxic to people trying to live with God.
That really is a shame. People really are ignorant about this sort of thing, I guess the age of the students doesn't help either.
It may sound harsh to say but he shouldn't have came out at 14. He should of waited at least a couple more years. Some people may of grown up then and it may of been easier to deal with the pain.