Bradlee Dean strikes Iowa town
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People who get into trouble by having Minneapolis preacher Bradlee Dean at their functions usually have something in common: They've never Googled Bradlee Dean.
Almost a year ago, Republicans in the Minnesota House apologized after Dean, who runs a ministry called "You Can Run But You Can't Hide," gave an invocation just prior to debate over a same-sex marriage constitution amendment.
Last week, his band -- Junkyard Prophet -- performed at Dunkerton High School, near Cedar Rapids in Iowa. The band was supposed to deliver an anti-drug, anti-bullying message. But, according to Courier.com, it ended up being vintage Dean:
But after dividing the junior and senior high student body into boys and girls --- and leading faculty members away in a third direction --- the group launched a different agenda, according to witnesses.
"They were really trying to push their religion down our throats," said Laura Steffen, 18, a senior.
The presentations included images of aborted fetuses and AIDS patients suffering the effects of the disease, according to students. Those who tried to leave, including teachers, were shouted down, mocked and intimidated, according to witnesses.
Steve Phelan, an English teacher, said the leader in his group chastised the faculty for being disrespectful.
"Then he probably spent five or 10 minutes shouting at us about what we should believe," Phelan said.
"They told my daughter, the girls, that they were going to have mud on their wedding dresses if they weren't virgins," parent Jennifer Littlefield told the La Crosse Tribune.
The band is threatening to return to town for another appearance because its members claim their Thursday performance has not been properly reported.
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