ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 TAG: 9605010072
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JENNIFER BROWN ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON
SOME SPEAKERS BASHED subjects they called sinful; others preached compassion to a crowd of about 75,000.
Scripture readings and choir music reverberated around the Capitol on Tuesday as thousands of people carrying Bibles and umbrellas endured a downpour to proclaim their faith and reaffirm Christian values.
``Let it rain. But see that we're still here,'' said Anne Gimenez, a preacher from Virginia Beach and a coordinator of the two-day ``Washington for Jesus'' rally.
``We're still worshiping and loving God, even in the rain.''
People wore plastic ponchos, raincoats and garbage bags as they sang and danced. About 20 young people spread a sheet of clear plastic over their bodies as they rested on the ground after Monday's all-night youth rally.
``This is a pep rally. The kids are still here, and their moms and dads have shown up for the celebration,'' said the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who spoke on America's religious heritage. ``I want the members of Congress to understand political. We're in need of a religious awakening.''
U.S. Park Police estimated the crowd at 75,000. Organizers had predicted the rally would draw 250,000 people.
The rally was coordinated by One Nation Under God Inc., a nonprofit, nondenominational evangelical Christian organization based in Virginia Beach. Events focused on seven subjects: abortion, AIDS, homosexuality, racism, persecution of the church, substance abuse and the occult. While speakers at Monday's youth rally condemned the seven as sins, speakers Tuesday talked about the church's compassion and forgiveness.
``If we're going to be in the body of Christ, we've got to learn to love all,'' said the Rev. Richard Heard of Houston. His message was that the church should be compassionate, not judgmental, to people with AIDS.
Ray Highfield, who ministers in Houston to people with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, said the rally would help people repent for their attitudes toward people with AIDS.
``There has been a lot of repenting of how the church has responded to a lot of different groups,'' he said.
Norma McCorvey, the ``Jane Roe'' plaintiff in the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision that established the legality of abortion, told the crowd God will forgive women who have had abortions. McCorvey, of Dallas, later went to the Supreme Court, knelt in the rain on its marble steps and prayed for the court to overturn its 1973 decision.
She also planned to give the justices a new video of her life and conversion.
``We don't know if (the tape) is going to change their minds, but we're hoping that mothers in crisis pregnancy situations or any sort of pregnancy situation will choose life for their children and lift up the name of Jesus,'' she said. ``Maybe we can reverse Roe.''
The Rev. Pat Robertson was scheduled to speak but sent word that the weather had made it impossible for him to come.
LENGTH: Medium: 61 linesby CNB