Repent Amarillo

Repent Amarillo is a small Amarillo, Texas-based political and quasi-religious group which advocates for the "spiritual mapping" and targeting of specific local areas and venues in order to exorcise "demons" from those areas. Because of the group's tactics and targeting of perceivably-vulnerable minorities, the group has gained infamy from critics who identify the organization as a hate group or a Christian analogy for the Lebanese militant group^[1] Hezbollah (lit. "Army of God"). They have also been likened to a cult, and compared widely with Westboro Baptist Church.

The group is led by former Department of Energy security guard^[2] and self-designated pastor David Grisham.

Activities

Among the number of notable actions and campaigns taken by the group include protests against supposed "swingers",^[3] LGBT people, abortion clinics, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Wiccans, Episcopalians, Methodists, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholics, and a myriad of other groups they deem as "not Christian.".^[4] On October 12, 2013, Repent Amarillo protested against Amarillo's first annual Fetish Ball, "On Pins and Needles", describing the BDSM aspect of the ball as simulated rape and torture.^[5]

Boycott against Houston, Texas

In January 2010, the group launched a boycott campaign against the city of Houston, Texas due to the election of Annise Parker (an open lesbian) as mayor and the construction of an abortion clinic in the city.^[6] The website has since been redirected to the main Repent Amarillo website.

Theological controversy

Within Christian circles, the group has become a source of debate for apologeticists, many of whom disagree or reject the doctrine of spiritual mapping and territorial spirits, among other doctrinal issues^[7]

Amarillo Citizens against Repent Amarillo

Amarillo Citizens against Repent Amarillo also known by the acronym ACARA^[8] is the counter-movement to Repent Amarillo. They are protesters made up of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and atheists who gathered at Sam Houston Park in order to challenge the plan of David Grisham of activist group Repent Amarillo, to burn the Quran on a grill (the book had been doused with kerosene). While Grisham was arguing with a group of women that placed their hands on the grill asking if he'd burn them too, it was when Grisham lit his lighter anyway that a 23-year-old skateboarding member named Jacob Isom snuck up from behind him, grabbed the Quran from Grisham's hands, and ran off after saying, "Dude, you have no Quran^[9]"; afterwards, Isom handed the book to a religious leader from the Islamic Center of Amarillo. Isom recalled that Grisham was "just trying to start the Holy Wars," while Grisham said that he was exercising his right to freedom of speech. Upon Grisham's Quran-burning plans being thwarted, he reportedly left the park; he later recalled, "I kind of expected the reaction." Enjoying a "hero" status, Isom took advantage of the publicity to appear on the High Times website^[10] and to be featured some months later in the High Times Magazine.^[11] Isom was presented with a "Medal of Reasonableness" at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear for his action. He immediately threw the medal into the crowd.^[12]

Of notable mention is the wide range of classes ACARA^[8] has within its ranks. Two well known members ran for Mayor of Amarillo, contesting David Grisham every step of the way. Cory "Grady" Traves is the head of ACARA's Peace Keepers ^[13] detail, responsible for keeping the peace at the David Grisham for Mayor Rally.

References

External links

• Website
• RAVEN Amarillo website