Gathered on the steps of San Francisco’s City Hall, a group of Christian youth and their ministers join hands in prayer. What they pray for, however, is what has sparks controversy across the city.

Targeting liberal cities, such as San Francisco, is what BattleCry is so infamous for. They use their man-power to put on displays of disgust for people’s lifestyle choices that they believe don’t reflect the way God intended them to live.

“We are trying to rebut the cultural values brought on by the media,” says John Hasz, director of the BattleCry events. “According to statistics, the average age a young boy is exposed to hardcore pornography is eight years old.”

“Our movement has been called pro-war, anti-women, and anti-gay. What we are is pro-biblical values. We believe that the Bible is true. We are encouraging young people to live their lives in a way that compliments the Bible.”

In response to the public condemnation of BattleCry from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Hasz says, “Are you only tolerant of people who have the same views? We live with a high set of standards and a high set of morals, why is that so bad?”

Charlotte Rose, an 18-year-old teen organizer at the BattleCry event agrees with Hasz. When the rally was held this year on the steps of City Hall, she felt as though she was taking a stance against the threat of popular culture, and used the notion of the War Against Terror as a basis for the rally.

“When people feel a threat they wage war,” says Rose. “When the United States was attacked by terrorists, we went to war.”

Homophobia does not just come and go with BattleCry, though. There is plenty of Bay Area bigotry as well.

“It’s not acceptable for people to choose homosexuality,” says George Safar, a 36-year-old salesman who came to the United States from Greece. “My family came here from an area in Europe where we follow the way of the Lord, and there are very few homosexuals there.”

“The Bible says it is wrong to practice homosexuality. They bring unnecessary attention to themselves by being as outwardly open about their sexuality as possible. A good Christian would never speak of their sexuality so freely and openly.”

Al Costa, a 27-year-old Republican in the Bay Area, has a virulent disposition towards gays in his community.

“They cause unnecessary drama in the community. They bring in their marches and their gay pride days, and stir up tension. I feel that I can’t openly express my point of views without being bombarded for my beliefs.”

Costa believes that some gay people choose their sexual orientation because they are so completely liberal that they want to make a stance against their conservative government.

“Why else would they cry out so rampantly around the city? It’s as if they are begging for attention. Some wear outrageous outfits and try to explain themselves as being free to express their sexuality in any way they see fit. But why should we be subject to looking at them?”

Some would argue that it is heterosexuals who are flaunting their sexuality. All the ads in every form of media, with the exception of a few, are targeted to and express the views of heterosexuals.

“All the ads are that way because that is what is normal. It’s not as though most people are gay, or most people think being gay is OK. In all factuality most people aren’t gay, and outside of this area, most people don’t agree with the choice to be gay. Ads are just a reflection of the demographics.”