A preacher in Indianapolis has doubled down on a sermon urging churchgoers to pray for the death of LGBTQ+ people, igniting national outrage and calls for legal action.
At a Glance
- A preacher declared LGBTQ+ individuals “deserve the death penalty.”
- The sermon was part of a “Pray the Gay Away” service at Sure Foundation Baptist Church.
- Religious and civic leaders condemned the message as dangerous extremism.
- Legal experts say the church may face scrutiny for hate speech.
- Demonstrations and petitions are underway in Indianapolis.
“Pray the Gay Away” or Preach Hate?
In a now-viral sermon, the pastor of Sure Foundation Baptist Church in Indianapolis told his congregation that LGBTQ+ people “deserve the death penalty.” Far from walking it back, he reiterated his comments days later, defending the statement as “biblical truth,” according to Yahoo News.
Watch a report: Local Church Calls for LGBTQ+ Deaths
Religious and community leaders have condemned the sermon as inflammatory and dangerous. Indianapolis clergy issued a public rebuke on Facebook, calling the message “a threat, not theology,” and urging law enforcement to investigate possible incitement.
Legal and Social Fallout
Civil rights groups are monitoring the church, warning that such rhetoric could encourage hate crimes or targeted violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. Legal analysts say the sermon may fall into the category of protected speech—but if paired with actionable threats or organized activity, could trigger investigations under Indiana’s incitement laws.
Public response has been swift. Protests are planned outside the church, and a petition circulating online calls for the church’s tax-exempt status to be revoked. Meanwhile, clips from the sermon have spread across platforms like Instagram, sparking outrage from activists nationwide.
This case now stands at the intersection of religious freedom and public safety—raising urgent questions about how far hate speech can go before it becomes a legal and moral crisis.
