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I fail to see how the SPLC is even relevant to what AFA is. This is not a news article for point and counter point. Nor is a forum for slender which by the article on admission the "FORMER" Bryan Fischer own views should be placed in his Wikipedia article. Not the Article about AFA if anything you could make a new article just about AFA theories, or conflicting views why in the summary of what AFA is? I do not see the section of homosexuality opinion in the homosexual Wikipedia so why is this slanderous rhetoric allowed? This slender is subjective of nothing more then hoping the average ignorance of the reader underscores what AFA is. Like wise a lot could underscore other articles in Wikipedia, last I checked this is not a forum in which we debate. The below is about one person who at one time was a part of AFA. SPLC is a minor player in this and is completely not relevant to AFA. I am sure thousands agree and disagree with this group motives or should we list all groups that do and do not, what would that contribute to AFA? It is pointless and dare I say childish to even allow this droll in Wikipedia very insulting to actual intelligence of the long time readers and users. Find a better place for this. If you can not justify this as anything other then droll then remove it.

"AFA has been listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)[19] as of November 2010 for the "propagation of known falsehoods" and the use of "demonizing propaganda" against LGBT people.[20] In 2015, the organization officially repudiated views of former Director of Issues Analysis Bryan Fischer, including the claim that black people "rut like rabbits"; that the First Amendment applies only to Christians; that Hispanics are "socialists by nature" and come to the U.S. to "plunder" the country; that Hillary Clinton is a lesbian, and that "Homosexuality gave us Adolph Hitler, and homosexuals in the military gave us the Brown Shirts, the Nazi war machine and six million dead Jews."[21][22]" — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.87.120.226 (talk) 07:36, 22 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

• • Welcome to Wikipedia, to make constructive contributions it's important that you understand Wikipedia's policies and what the project aims to do and how it gets there. The policy on lead sections allows concise summary of the article's contents. -- Aronzak (talk) 15:53, 22 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

So can I start a group, website and label someone a hate group then submit that? This an actual legit reference you have any idea how many groups there are in this LnG debate. Hate groups of the SPLC should be listed in their own Wikipedia their view is not relevant to this at all just like my personal view or website would not be accepted. I personally don't like how SPLC defend would be terrorist that threaten school kids or how they set cold blooded killers free, all because they where under the age of 18. Labeling them a hate group is like ACLU and the SPCL are hate group of the all religion because they want to censor them completely. If anyone dare says hey you are doing wrong then they are a hate group.

ps forgive me for so much editing working late, not real familiar with working with Wikipedia. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.87.120.226 (talk) 08:02, 22 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

It's hard to understand what you're saying. Can you provide an explanation of why the section is not neutral with reference to Wikipedia policy? –Roscelese (talk ⋅ contribs) 15:21, 22 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

• Wikipedia has policies on Identifying reliable sources and policies guide how much weight topics are given. Self-published websites are given different precedence to established media companies that pay their staff to check facts. The term "Rut like rabbits" is used by Huffpo, Jewish Political news, the Jewish Telegraph Agency and others. Facts that are widely published in the media are acceptable for inclusion in Wikipedia's lead section. English Wikipedia writes about topics from an international Anglophone perspective, and international political issues about Israel are highly relevant to the article. -- Aronzak (talk) 15:53, 22 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

• • It is not relevant to AFA because those are views based on one person. This person is not a representation of 180k members, the only reason it was placed in this article is to negatively impact views that directly conflict with AFA. It is a droll and not relevant, you have not proven it is by even the smallest amount saying it is highly relevant is not telling me how it is relevant. My feelings about something or opinions on something does not change the structure of a building right? I look at a building and I say look there is a blue 30 story building. Now you come in and add negative views about someone on the 2nd floor in a small corner office, and some group that is ACLU related that do not agree with this building at all and stat its views. How is that relevant even when that person is not in the freaking building because his views contradicted AFA? It is a droll pure and simple and until you prove otherwise do so by more then saying its highly relevant. If you truly looked into AFA it is highly misrepresenting it and slanderous. IF it is relevant then place it in the persons Wikipedia and a footnote for AFA article. This would be a more accurate way of representing it. I will resubmit because you have fail to state how it is highly relevant.

Personally I think a lot of items are highly relevant in the homosexual article like the bias and lies in science, how each and ever article says it is OK to be homosexual; because this and this. But only because I think its highly relevant does not make it describe the building better, matter of fact it would just interfere with a none bias view and negatively impact its substance. Which is what has happened here.

When you cherry pick items you twist there meaning to create droll in the article you gave he goes on and says in the "rut like rabbits". This is negatively impacting the article.

• "The Christ-centered statesman puts himself in the place of a fatherless black child, sees the catastrophic damage that the meltdown of the family has caused, and pursues policies to wean people off marriage- and child-destroying welfare, and pursues policies that incentivize marriage, incentivize self-reliance rather than abject dependence, and incentivize the reconstruction of the American family. "

This is far different meaning then saying all black people rut like rabbits. Also he never said black people "Kyle Mantyla" said this "As such, it is time to end welfare to the poor because all it has done is give money to African Americans "who rut like rabbits":" Fisher stated this "We have incentivized fornication rather than marriage, and it’s no wonder we are now awash in the disastrous social consequences of people who rut like rabbits." That is a lot different then black people such is droll and inaccurate and damaging. [1]

Having empathy is different then racism. Even so is still opinion of one man but there is truth in what he is stating no matter how you look at it. Big time hate group wanting to build stronger families.... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.87.120.141 (talk) 05:11, 23 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

To answer one of your points, the SPLC is accepted as an accurate research and analysis source by a great many scholars of sociology, criminology, etc. That is why the SPLC's characterization of the AFA is important. Binksternet (talk) 06:13, 23 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

• so you accept them is different then what they think is not relevant to AFA, I do not believe in same sex marriage as defined but I do believe in domestic partnership. SPLC labels any groups no matter how peaceful "hate groups" if they do not agree with same sex marriage.[2] It is not relevant and does little to describe the building, or do we list all organizations that agree and disagree on same sex marriage which is a minor part of this faith based group under attack in Wikipedia. I did not think this was the place for such attacks and if it is relevant then place this information under SPLC opinions not fact. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.87.120.141 (talk) 06:27, 23 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Read WP:SOAP and WP:SELFPUB. Comments that are self-published are not given the same weight on Wikipedia as independent, secondary sources. -- Aronzak (talk) 06:19, 23 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Do people have the right to have firearms in American Family Association? Is it legal there? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.244.200.28 (talk) 10:24, 22 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER Labels Christian organizations who support the Biblical definition of marriage as “hate” groups and falsely disseminates this information to liberal news media, and military and law enforcement training sessions. SPLC’s listing resulted in the violent shooting attack against a pro-family group’s office in 2012. [3] Not sure if your comment is real or not, or are you trying your hand at satire. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.87.120.141 (talk) 06:21, 23 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Violates Wikipedia Foundation Terms of Use [4]

• Engaging in False Statements, Impersonation, or Fraud
• Intentionally or knowingly posting content that constitutes libel or defamation;
• With the intent to deceive, posting content that is false or inaccurate;
• Attempting to impersonate another user or individual, misrepresenting your affiliation with any individual or entity, or using the username of another user with the intent to deceive; and
• Engaging in fraud.

Using Bryan Fischer personal blog to for the soul purpose of defamation of AFA is against Wikipedia Terms of Use. Knowingly using this information with the intent to deceive readers, and posting false and inaccurate statements which have never been said in this fashion, to solely discredit an organization who never said them. Also posting SPLC defining AFA as its only HATE Group in 2010 is misleading and misrepresenting what AFA actual is. SPLC are a frivolous lawsuit profit for only themselves organization that attack all faith based organizations if they do not believe in same sex marriage. SPLC has no affiliation with government other then law suites they file against them. Their income source are these lawsuits from tax payers and religious organizations. Editors representing SPLC as a legitimate label of AFA is misleading and subject to personal opinion of SPLC with the only intent to deceive.

This is my last request before I official file a complaint. Do not remove my signed tag until this dispute is justified. I am sorry but saying it is highly relevant does not make it so. please state why Bryan Fisher personal blog is relevant to AFA and also stat why SPLC bigotry to faith based religion is being used other then to defame AFA. Jadean Brooks talk 02:03, 24 March 2015 (UTC) (Jadean Brooks (talk) 02:34, 24 March 2015 (UTC))[reply]

As you'll see in the talk page archives here, this was extensively discussed in the past. The SPLC's designation and the AFA's reaction to it got a large amount of coverage. The SPLC's designation also continues to be included in much of the mainstream coverage of the group. As such, that labeling is a significant element in the topic of the AFA, and worthy of inclusion in the lede. --Nat Gertler (talk) 02:50, 24 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

• • Thank you and you are right The actual article covers this but my statement is in the summary which stats that only AFA in 2010 was designated as a hate group because it does not believe in same sex marriage. This organization should be listed in the summary stating that other faith based organization that print what the bible says are consider hate based groups. Maybe the bible itself is a propagation of "known falsehoods", you know we all came from a big bang, that creationism holds no water, and that ever single society that has embrace homosexuality have great and long term futures./? Epigenetics is the study of how our lifestyle and even what we think can change our genes [5] But they have only found that some about 50% in the study have actually made themselves homosexual, other half is not conclusive. [6] So basically saying homosexuality is still a choice and they made themselves that way is not a false hood and is backed up by science. Pointing out higher chance of std for gay man and woman is another falsehood even though I fail to see many options for them in the safe oral sex department[7]. Pointing out how abuse victims of homosexual assault namely children cannot seek help is another falsehood right [8] (Jadean Brooks (talk) 04:58, 24 March 2015 (UTC))[reply]

Proven wrong born this way theories - such as the Twin study[9] failed to take into account similar lifestyles, social groups, gay friends or abuse victims. Stating the my moms antibodies made me do it does not explain lesbians at all, and does not explain Bi sexual either and lets not forget it is a completely unproven theory. But people like me not in the AFA, that defend family and faith point out known falsehoods like I have stated above are consider hate groups? SPLC I state again is its "Opinion" is 100% defamation as stated in the >summary. You need to balance it at least and point out the they consider all faith based religion Hate groups using the bible as a known falsehood. Because that is what is happening here. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.87.121.236 (talk) 03:54, 24 March 2015 (UTC) (Jadean Brooks (talk) 04:58, 24 March 2015 (UTC))[reply]

What I consider hate is the inability to tell the truth, which might hurt but it is worst when you take a child tell them they have no choice. If we are honest with ourselves that is what is happening today. That in the defense of homosexuality a line is being drawn that confuses kids into being something they where never meant to be. This has caused an increase in suicide rates[news]. That some are 100% homosexual is a given, some are confused, some are victims, some are this and some are that. But because we point this out does that make us a hate group for telling the truth, I must be a hateful person then knowing the truth.[myself who was formerly gay] — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.87.121.236 (talk) 04:01, 24 March 2015 (UTC) (Jadean Brooks (talk) 04:57, 24 March 2015 (UTC))[reply]

Talk pages are not forums for general discussion, please just get a blog. –Roscelese (talk ⋅ contribs) 05:38, 24 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict)"my statement is in the summary which stats that only AFA in 2010 was designated as a hate group because it does not believe in same sex marriage"? No, nowhere in the article does it state that only the AFA was designated a hate group, nor does it state anywhere that the designation was due to it not believing in same sex marriage. Neither of those statements would be accurate if we had made them, as the AFA was one of 13 anti-gay groups that the SPLC announced they would be designating as hate groups in the same announcement, and it was not for opposing same sex marriage (plenty of groups that oppose same-sex marriage do not get so designated.) No, we do not need to put in a claim that "they consider all faith based religion Hate groups", because it simply is not true, and we do not balance the truth with falsehoods.

You may well disagree with the SPLC's assessment. Wikipedia is not a platform for voicing your opinion. Luckily, there are many platforms out there that are appropriate for doing so. Also, if you are a member or employee of the AFA, you may wish to review Wikipedia's guidelines for dealing with conflicts of interest. --Nat Gertler (talk) 05:49, 24 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Then I would suggest you add that in summary > what you just said, it would not be defamation in the summary you only mention AFA, and it is an opinion of a frivolous lawsuit organization. Stating they known falsehoods, and hate group is insulting and a matter of that one groups personal opinion, media making a show out of it and it being in here just for that reason. I have many personal opinions if they make the news I guess I can place them where ever. My examples are meant to showcase a view of a hate groups is in the eye of the beholder and defamation is what SPLC as done. Repeating this defamation should not be done in this manner for the soul purpose of underscoring what AFA really is. I do like the balance in the main article and summary needs to reflect that. Practicing of free speech cuts both ways but at least in Wikipeida you can balance it. Sorry about my illustrated examples and reference about what SPLC consider hate grups... or known falsehoods was a bit long winded.

State this "AFA was one of 13 anti-gay groups that the SPLC announced they would be designating as hate groups in 2010" would that not single out one group? Adding the "propagation of known falsehoods" and the use of "demonizing propaganda" against LGBT people is insulting and defamation because it is an opinion.

Against Faith based organizations that do not agree with same sex marriage is a true statement less I read the factual article wrong. SPLC also only places on the list of those they can reach. They don't seem them placing Roman Catholic Church for having the same views on there, and you never will either because they not interested in defending a defamation law suit from a bigger player.(Jadean Brooks (talk) 06:54, 24 March 2015 (UTC))[reply]

Two points I'd like to make here. First, this article doesn't say "The AFA is a hate group". If it did, that would be using what we call Wikipedia's Voice to assert something as a fact. Instead, the article says it has been "listed as a hate group by the SPLC". Because it is stated that way, it is attributed to the party/entity saying it's a hate group. It is also clearly an uncontroverted fact, i.e., the SPLC has indeed said this. In turn, the AFA disavows this and says it is not a hate group. Secondly, the comments above frequently make reference to defamation and law suits for defamation. However, one group calling another group a "hate group" is not legally actionable defamation; on the contrary, it is protected free speech. Regards, AzureCitizen (talk) 13:54, 24 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure what "factual article" you read, so I have no way of telling whether it misrepresented situations or you just misunderstood it, but you seem to have gotten ahold of a false assumption (that groups get listed as hate groups solely for having a religious objection to homosexuality) and run on to a string of assumptions based on that (that they consider all such organizations "hate groups", that if they don't announce that the Catholic Church is a hate group, it must be because they're too big, etc.) Even when they were making the statement that AFA was being added to the list of hate groups, they listed smaller-than-AFA religious groups that were similar or smaller in size (such as Coral Ridge Ministries) as being anti-gay groups but not hate groups. --Nat Gertler (talk) 15:23, 24 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

How about this, "In 2010 AFA was one of 13 anti - gay groups designated by the SPLC as a hate group for actively campaigning against same sex marriage. "

That is what AFA did in response that is what SPLC did. Stating the other is well discussed in the main but a bit one sided in the lead. That looks a lot more balanced? (Jadean Brooks (talk) 04:30, 25 March 2015 (UTC))[reply]

As, again, that's a factually untrue statement, it is a non-starter. –Roscelese (talk ⋅ contribs) 04:38, 25 March 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Shouldn't we use Wikipedia's definition of a hate group rather than the SPLC's definition? Wikipedia says a hate group is someone who "advocates or practices hatred, hostility or violence." Donating money to political campaigns (especially ones that receive majority votes, not fringe campaigns) would not be considered hateful to a reasonable person. Now, if you apply the Wikipedia definition to the SPLC... Didn't their claim of the Family Research Council being a hate group directly cause someone to be shot? THAT sounds like violence to me...Crouchs (talk) 17:50, 22 May 2015 (UTC)Crouchs[reply]

I am opening this section so that Joppa Chong can explain removing the one sentence in the lead about the SPLC's hate group listing. I object to removing this material per WP:LEAD. It represents a significant aspect of the AFA. - MrX 00:51, 24 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Just to clarify - the introduction is supposed to be redundant with the main body of the article. It is meant to serve as a summary of the article. As such, the fact that something has a whole section below does not mean that it shouldn't also be mentioned at the top. --Nat Gertler (talk) 02:03, 24 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

The introduction is not the right place for trying to discredit organizations holding controversial positions not everyone agrees with. We should keep that in mind and maintain the neutrality of this article. I think that the sentence in question cannot remain this way as it is unbalanced and might be easily misunderstood. An allegation should not be treated as a matter of fact. – Joppa Chong (talk) 02:46, 24 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure who you think is trying to "discredit the organization", but the simple fact is that one of leading civil rights organizations the US has classified AFA as a hate group for what they describe as propagating known falsehoods and using demonizing propaganda against LGBT people. The goal of an encyclopedia article is to present information from reliable sources in proportion its coverage in those sources. We don't try to "balance" information. There are 20 sources in the article that cover the SPLC hate group listing. By comparison, this sentence in the lead only has one independent source, yet you didn't remove it: "AFA owns 200 American Family Radio stations in 33 states, seven affiliate stations in seven states, and one affiliate TV station KAZQ TV) in New Mexico." - MrX 03:14, 24 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Obviously, there is no need to discuss whether SPLC did list AFA as a hate group, but another point: ″Propagation of known falsehoods″ and the use of ″demonizing propaganda″ against LGBT people—these are allegations and it should be made more clear. The undue weight given to one particular critical entity is an issue, too. – Joppa Chong (talk) 03:52, 24 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

If you want to suggest alternative wording, please do, but I think the use of quotes makes it clear that we are quoting rather than stating a truth in Wikipedia voice.... and listing why they are getting that classification is actually a softening in some ways, as it points away from what some might assume the hate group designation to mean (i.e., it's not for "a history of lynching", say.) --Nat Gertler (talk) 03:36, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Words like "allegedly" or "claiming" seem rather correct to show distance, I guess. However, the second part of the sentence we talk about is sourced with a reference that doesn't include the reasoning stated. It could be removed at no expense as the section below covers it.– Joppa Chong (talk) 03:46, 26 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

• Comment: This has been discussed extensively before, and an RfC on this issue was closed precisely three years ago. The consensus was to include the hate group designation in the lead - see Talk:American Family Association/Archive 7. However, consensus can change; I believe several of the participants in that discussion are now blocked. StAnselm (talk) 05:58, 24 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Of course it should be mentioned. TFD (talk) 14:39, 24 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

It is about how it should be mentioned. Congratulations for your LGBT barnstar. – Joppa Chong (talk) 02:46, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

News media, the academic press and foreign courts routinely cite the SPLC hate group designation, not only for the AFA, but for similar groups. Is it fair? Does not matter, what matters is weight, that articles correctly reflect what mainstream sources say. TFD (talk) 21:44, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Can you give an example of a citation from a foreign court? StAnselm (talk) 21:56, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

See p. 7 of the correspondence from the Treasury Secretary: "[Robert Spencer] is also co founder of Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) and Freedom Defence Initiative (FDI) with Pamela Geller. Both organizations have been designated as anti-Muslim hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Centre."[10] Spencer and Geller unsuccessfully challenged the decision in the England and Wales Court of Appeal.

Evidence from the SPLC was also used in the case of Harry Robert McCorkill, a New Brunswick resident who wanted to leave money to a U.S. neo-Nazi group. I cannot find a copy of the judgment, but on appeal the defendants argued that the trial had been prejudiced by SPLC evidence.

TFD (talk) 01:03, 26 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

OK, thanks. I see, however, that the mention is in a submission to the Home Secretary. She may have based on her decision on the SPLC listing, or it may have been on other factors. Likewise with the Court of Appeals. We'd have to be careful how much weight we give to these occurrences. In any case, I'm fine with saying AFA are listed as a hate group, I just don't think we can conclude from that that they are a hate group (whatever that means). StAnselm (talk) 02:14, 26 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I agree we should not say they are a hate group, but we should mention that the SPLC classifies them as one. TFD (talk) 16:46, 26 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]