(no subject)

[camwyn]

I hate dropping things like this on people, since I know that if I post too much stuff about social issues a lot of folks will get bored or skip right over it, but... well, I'm hoping that those of my readers who identify as various types of Christian will stop and have a look at this.

A North Carolina pastor has made national news with a sermon calling on parents to physically abuse gay children.

With only days remaining before a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment banning all legal recognition of same-sex unions, Pastor Sean Harris of Berean Baptist Church told his congregants: "Dads, the second you see your son dropping the limp wrist, you walk over there and crack that wrist. Man up. Give him a good punch."

Once the sermon came to public attention, Harris tried to retract some of his remarks. But for the families of LGBT youth who heard his tirade, the damage has already been done.

I recently added my name to a short statement assuring LGBT youth that faithful Christians are appalled by Pastor Harris' tirade and that anti-gay violence is never justified by Christian teaching. Can you help us reach 10,000 names so we can release it to the media and show that Pastor Harris doesn't speak for Christianity?

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2518/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=10391

Thank you.

Comments

[bjornwilde]

Thank you! This is very nice to see. = )

[camwyn]

He can say whatever he likes about his intentions or what he really meant or what he's trying to save children from, whatever, but I'm just looking at this and thinking.... woman caught in the act of adultery, hauled in front of Jesus. Actual crime under the religious law of the time, not just socially un-okay behavior. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," he said, and I can't help but remember that he who was without sin spent the next five or ten minutes doodling in the dirt until everybody else went away.

Wonder when the last time was that Pastor here read that passage. ETA: Considering that he, specifically, thinks 'acting gay' or 'being gay' or 'acting like a member of the opposite sex' is a sin worthy of physical punishment.

[bjornwilde]

Exactly. I honestly don't identify as Christian but I see much wisdom in Christ's teachings. Too bad I don't see it practiced often by those who claim to be Christian.

And yes I take this guy as the fringe and not an example of how Christians are. Every religion has the nuts and odd balls.

[batyatoon]

I'm on a mailing list that brought this issue to my attention. A lot of the items on that mailing list use wording about "devoutly religious people" without specifying "Christian". This one didn't.

I really really want to sign that, but I'm conflicted. I don't want to misrepresent myself, and I don't want to falsely bump up the count of signers, and ... I don't really have the right to say who does or doesn't speak for Christianity.

But dammit, no religious leader of any kind should ever say something like this.

[camwyn]

Faithful America isn't usually denomination-specific, or has a box to check off indicating that you're a member of the denomination or faith being discussed in a petition or action. I remember the box for 'I'm a Catholic' for certain letters to bishops who said horrible things about people more concerned with social justice than where people put their weewees, for example. I think this particular thing was specifically asking for Christians for the purpose of countering 'Christians all hate gay people' stereotypes.

You're damn right, though. This is not appropriate at all for any religious leader to say.