HAHA moment of the day: CrossFit gym owners attack Pride month, lose everything

[Indus]

https://thinkprogress.org/anti-gay-...tter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tp-letters

June is Pride month, an annual celebration of the LGBTQ community in hundreds of cities around the country. Thousands of businesses big and small participate in the festivities by sponsoring parades, hosting events specifically catered towards the LGBTQ community, or — at a minimum — displaying a Pride flag in the window to signify they welcome queer clientele.

CrossFit Infiltrate initially opted for the second option. Trainers at the downtown Indianapolis gym scheduled a Thursday evening workout to celebrate this weekend’s Indy Pride parade. But the gym’s owners quickly put the kibosh on the whole thing, citing their religious objections to homosexuality.

“We believe that true health forever can only be found within humility, not pride,” wrote the owners of the gym in an email to members who were upset at the decision. “Humility is seeing oneself as they truly are, and as God truly defines them to be. As a business we will choose to deploy our resources towards those efforts and causes that line up with our own values and beliefs.”

What might have remained a local story of blatant bigotry instead became a national controversy on Wednesday after an employee of CrossFit — the national corporation that licenses its branding, intellectual property, and other resources to hundreds of independent affiliates around the country — expressed his support for the gym’s owners, and used the opportunity to air his own homophobia for good measure.

“Thank you #CrossFitInfiltrate for standing by your convictions and refusing to celebrate sin by hosting an @indypride workout,” said CrossFit’s self-proclaimed Chief Knowledge Officer Russell Berger on Twitter. “The intolerance of the LGBTQ ideology toward any alternative views is mind-blowing.”

Reaction to his comments were swift, but Berger remained steadfast — for a few minutes, anyway. “Allow me to double-down. I believe @indypride is a celebration of sin, as do most Christians,” he said in response to the blowback, before quietly deleting all of his tweets.

Within hours, CrossFit placed Berger on unpaid leave, and denied that Berger ever held the made-up role of “Chief Knowledge Officer.” By Wednesday evening, Berger was out of a job entirely, and CrossFit moved swiftly to patch over the sizable rifts that had emerged between the company and its LGBTQ clientele.

As for CrossFit Infiltrate, the Indianapolis affiliate that started this whole kerfuffle, members and trainers alike quit in protest in response to the owners’ bigotry. By Wednesday evening, the gym had shuttered for good.




LOL. Isn't it better to sometimes just keep your mouth shut?

 

[brycejones]

Just start 3 Nails Fitness for when you want your workout to come with judgement.

 

[Veliko]

Bigotry and stupidity go hand in hand.

 

[ivwshane]

Lol thanks trump!


These people are finally being exposed all across the country and they deserve all the shame they receive.

 

[Paratus]

Just start 3 Nails Fitness for when you want your workout to come with judgement.

 

[Zorba]

At least it appears the gym remembered to use a dog whistle, by claiming to be against "pride." (Which is funny coming from a CrossFit gym)

 

[interchange]

I don't consider this a haha, but I wouldn't be patron a gym (if I did such a thing in the first place) that was actively anti-LBGTQ either. If they want to use their business as a moral platform, a gym is probably not a great business to take that risk from.

 

[pauldun170]

“Total health involves the body, the emotions, relationships, and the spirit. At the foundational detractor from health, as we believe God sets the parameters for, is pride. We believe that true health forever can only be found within humility, not pride. Humility is seeing oneself as they truly are, and as God truly defines them to be. As a business we will choose to deploy our resources towards those efforts and causes that line up with our own values and beliefs.”

Taking this story at face value and the info presented.

The owner did not want to host any events and didn't want to put up a flag.
That's fine.

That is an acceptable supporting statement to make in declining to participate in Pride month. "Pride" is the focus of the statement (Pride is one of the 7 deadly sins) hence the call for humility. That's basic religious stuff telling people to be humble and don't be self center shithead.
It's wrong to force or guilt participation on a business and the wording of that statement on its own does not detract from LGBTQ folks.

Berger on the other hand.
To hell with that guy.

 

[dainthomas]

Taking this story at face value and the info presented.

The owner did not want to host any events and didn't want to put up a flag.
That's fine.

That is an acceptable supporting statement to make in declining to participate in Pride month. "Pride" is the focus of the statement (Pride is one of the 7 deadly sins) hence the call for humility. That's basic religious stuff telling people to be humble and don't be self center shithead.
It's wrong to force or guilt participation on a business and the wording of that statement on its own does not detract from LGBTQ folks.

Berger on the other hand.
To hell with that guy.

I think it was the whole "saying you're going to do something and then changing your mind because Jesus" thing. And also calling your customers sinners. Only churches can get away with that.

 

[pmv]

Taking this story at face value and the info presented.

The owner did not want to host any events and didn't want to put up a flag.
That's fine.

That is an acceptable supporting statement to make in declining to participate in Pride month. "Pride" is the focus of the statement (Pride is one of the 7 deadly sins) hence the call for humility. That's basic religious stuff telling people to be humble and don't be self center shithead.
It's wrong to force or guilt participation on a business and the wording of that statement on its own does not detract from LGBTQ folks.

Berger on the other hand.
To hell with that guy.

Though "pride", like "respect" is one of those annoying words that has a range of meanings, almost as if whoever invented the word was mischeviously looking to either create disagreements out of nothing, or to enable people to attack others and then deny having done so.

What I mean is, there seem to be 'strong' and 'weak' senses of both 'pride' and 'respect'. Hence the former can be considered similtaneously a wicked sin and at the same time a basic requirement of human dignity and something people can be criticised for lacking. Who doesn't want an employee who takes pride in their work? "Respect", similarly, can be something that has to be earned through exemplary work or behaviour, and yet also something that people are entitled to by default just for being human.

(That's leaving aside the dubiousness of claiming a gym has nothing to do with any form of 'pride'. And I'm sure none of the gym's clientelle ever feel the slightest hint of vanity)

 

[darkswordsman17]

Taking this story at face value and the info presented.

The owner did not want to host any events and didn't want to put up a flag.
That's fine.

That is an acceptable supporting statement to make in declining to participate in Pride month. "Pride" is the focus of the statement (Pride is one of the 7 deadly sins) hence the call for humility. That's basic religious stuff telling people to be humble and don't be self center shithead.
It's wrong to force or guilt participation on a business and the wording of that statement on its own does not detract from LGBTQ folks.

Berger on the other hand.
To hell with that guy.

So, I take if you haven't encountered someone that does crossfit? Because humility is the last fucking thing you'll get from those people. I also have a strong hunch that if you were to see their personal social media accounts, you'd see that they are unrepentant about taking pride in certain things (probably "god, guns, and country!" or various other things where I see people like that show themselves to be total frauds).

Plus, pretty sure wraith is a deadly sin, and I haven't encountered someone yet that goes "LGBTQ is against my values" that won't follow that up with saying they're destroying society. And plenty will continue with they not only should be stopped but with violence. Hell, they actually are probably being guilty of pride in how they're going about this.

it is identified as dangerously corrupt selfishness, the putting of one's own desires, urges, wants, and whims before the welfare of people

Seems to me that saying your beliefs matter more than caring about the welfare of other people is prideful.

it is irrationally believing that one is essentially and necessarily better, superior, or more important than others

Seems like believing that your beliefs are better and more important is prideful.

 

[K1052]

So, I take if you haven't encountered someone that does crossfit? Because humility is the last fucking thing you'll get from those people.

100% accurate. Humility is not a word i'd associate with any crossfit practitioner or trainer i've ever met. I actively avoid them at this point since all they can talk about is fucking crossfit and hang out with other crossfitters while eating paleo. It's virtually a cult.

 

[dainthomas]

100% accurate. Humility is not a word i'd associate with any crossfit practitioner or trainer i've ever met. I actively avoid them at this point since all they can talk about is fucking crossfit and hang out with other crossfitters while eating paleo. It's virtually a cult.

The question is, if you're a fundie crossfitter do you talk about crossfit all the time or Jesus? Imagine if they were vegan too.

 

[pauldun170]

I think it was the whole "saying you're going to do something and then changing your mind because Jesus" thing. And also calling your customers sinners. Only churches can get away with that.

The owner did not change his mind.
Coaches at the gym planned the event. Owner found out, canceled it and released a statement why
Sounds like coaches should have checked in with the owner prior to organizing the event.
http://fox59.com/2018/06/06/crossfi...pport-for-indy-gym-refusing-to-celebrate-sin/

 

[realibrad]

100% accurate. Humility is not a word i'd associate with any crossfit practitioner or trainer i've ever met. I actively avoid them at this point since all they can talk about is fucking crossfit and hang out with other crossfitters while eating paleo. It's virtually a cult.

Yeah but Bro, have you seen the physical and spiritual I have gotten from doing 2 hours of somersault on a treadmill?

 

[dainthomas]

The owner did not change his mind.
Coaches at the gym planned the event. Owner found out, canceled it and released a statement why
Sounds like coaches should checked in with the owner prior to organizing the event.
http://fox59.com/2018/06/06/crossfi...pport-for-indy-gym-refusing-to-celebrate-sin/

The coaches will easily find work somewhere else. This guy, maybe not so much. He probably should have dispensed with the statement or made something up about insurance or whatever.

 

[pauldun170]

The crazy Jesus asshole is Russell Berger. He is not the owner and not associated with the gym.
The owner of the gym who cancelled the workout planned by the coaches and the guy who issued the statement is Brandon Lowe.

 

[pauldun170]

The coaches will easily find work somewhere else. This guy, maybe not so much. He probably should have dispensed with the statement or made something up about insurance or whatever.

Yup.
Unfortunately the owner is automatically lumped in with people like Berger.

 

[woolfe9998]

Though "pride", like "respect" is one of those annoying words that has a range of meanings, almost as if whoever invented the word was mischeviously looking to either create disagreements out of nothing, or to enable people to attack others and then deny having done so.

What I mean is, there seem to be 'strong' and 'weak' senses of both 'pride' and 'respect'. Hence the former can be considered similtaneously a wicked sin and at the same time a basic requirement of human dignity and something people can be criticised for lacking. Who doesn't want an employee who takes pride in their work? "Respect", similarly, can be something that has to be earned through exemplary work or behaviour, and yet also something that people are entitled to by default just for being human.

(That's leaving aside the dubiousness of claiming a gym has nothing to do with any form of 'pride'. And I'm sure none of the gym's clientelle ever feel the slightest hint of vanity)

Yes, if you look at the two modern definitions of the modern English word "pride" given here, you can see which lines up with the biblical sin and which does not.

a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

a becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self-esteem.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pride?s=t

The sin is essentially that of vanity, i.e. that of the first definition. Who knows what the original ancient Hebrew word properly translates to in modern English. But no one has ever argued that having self-respect and self-esteem is a sin. "Gay pride" is clearly meant in the sense of that second definition, not the first.

The gym owner's public statement is not really an accurate account of what is biblically considered "sinful." It's obviously just a pretext. The sin in his mind is clearly something other than "pride."

 

[pauldun170]

Seems to me that saying your beliefs matter more than caring about the welfare of other people is prideful.



Seems like believing that your beliefs are better and more important is prideful.

All we can do is make assumptions about the owner and those assumptions will be based off personal experiences.
Like I said in my post, I'm trying to stick with the info presented.

I'm not agreeing with the people involved.
I'm commenting on the statement issued by the owner.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Is it not wonderful how business owners think they can dictate other peoples' religion or politics? I am glade I live in a country where it is not a crime to refuse to zeig heil and hate a perquisite of citizenship. WAIT!!???

 

[K1052]

The question is, if you're a fundie crossfitter do you talk about crossfit all the time or Jesus? Imagine if they were vegan too.

 

[Bitek]

“Thank you #CrossFitInfiltratefor standing by your convictions and refusing to celebrate sin by hosting an @indypride workout,” said CrossFit’s self-proclaimed Chief Knowledge Officer Russell Berger on Twitter. “The intolerance of the [Jewish] ideology toward any alternative [anti-Semitic] views is mind-blowing.”


Sounds about what he said. Insert your comparisons and be aghast.
"How dare blacks be so intolerant of the KKK. Bigots. #sad "

 

[Ackmed]

Its not an attack to call it a sin. Its a religious belief. Millions (or even billions?) of people think its a sin with several religions stating just that. Stating your opinion, outside of work, based on religion, fired? Eh, not a big fan in this case.

 

[woolfe9998]

Its not an attack to call it a sin. Its a religious belief. Millions (or even billions?) of people think its a sin with several religions stating just that. Stating your opinion, outside of work, based on religion, fired? Eh, not a big fan in this case.

And if the fired employee had expressed an opinion you didn't agree with? I suspect you'd be pointing out that this is a private employer and they can fire anyone they want to for saying something in public which could damage their business. And you'd be right.