Of gays, lesbians and an electric fence in North Carolina
Below is a clip of the anti-gay sermon by the Rev. Charles Worley of Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, N.C., that’s whipping around the Internet via YouTube:
Look, it doesn’t matter what you think of gay marriage or Barack Obama. Should it ever come to pass, the inside of the Reverend Worley’s electric fence will be the only side to be on. And it’s a sin that anyone should have to say so.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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207 comments Add your comment
Elizabeth
May 23rd, 2012
2:48 pm
My daughter is a Lesbian, and I am a Christian and the wife of a Methodist minister. Who struggle with this fact every day. I totally disagree with the stance of Rev. Worley.
However… for “Auntie Christ”– you need to remember that there ARE verses in the Bible that condemn homosexuality. Preaching on these verses is NOT preaching politics. Ministers can use any Bible verse they wish. His interpretation may be in question but the fact that this isssue is mentioned in the Bible means that he is NOT straying outside of his realm when he preaches on this subject. If the two overlap, too bad. I might want to tell the politicians to stay out of the realm of religion.
Just wow.
May 23rd, 2012
2:50 pm
More proof that religion, like every other mythology, has no place in modern society. At one time they served to keep the ignorant masses in line, but we have evolved past that type of control ever being effective.
the cat
May 23rd, 2012
2:52 pm
Elizabeth-do you struggle with being married to a “minister” or with being a Christian?
And here you go picking and choosing which bible verses to interpret. how many congregants in your church are divorced, committed adultery, eat bbq and shrimp?
Shame on you.
the cat
May 23rd, 2012
2:54 pm
Just wow-actually religion is still keeping the ignorant masses in line as evidenced by some posters here. Truly frightening.
td
May 23rd, 2012
3:01 pm
It is evident from the post on this blog a lone that it is not Christians that are filled with hate It is the secular humanist that are so full of hate and disdain for religion and Christians that if you breath real hard then you can smell the vile venom they have been spewing.
the cat
May 23rd, 2012
3:14 pm
td-so you are okay with what Worley said? All I need to know about you.
DebbieDoRight
May 23rd, 2012
3:19 pm
td: DebbieDoRight
May 23rd, 2012
12:59 pm
BS. Name a church that practices what you are saying
New Birth Missionary Baptist (The Good Bishop Eddie Long)
ANY Catholic Church
The Cathedral At Chapel Hill (The Rev. Earl Paulk)
Need any more? I’d be MORE than happy to school you.
td
May 23rd, 2012
3:24 pm
DebbieDoRight
May 23rd, 2012
3:19 pm
Did not the Catholic church spend 3 or 4 years rooting out anyone that messed with children? The other two churches you mentioned are not affiliated with any denomination so I can not speak of what they did or did not do.
Pamela
May 23rd, 2012
3:26 pm
I think that if ANY pastor/priest or what ever tell his or her congregation who they should vote for NEED to pay taxes period! That goes for those small churches too! I am against same-sex marriage, but because President Obama supports it isn’t a reason for me to NOT support him. OBAMA 2012!
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
@td
Now that’s pretty funny td.
Instead of coming out and denouncing Worley for his decidedly un-American views, you choose to play the Christian persecution card.
Perhaps if the Christian right got out of the hate/condemnation game, those who disagree with them would be less inclined to return the sentiment.
DannyX
May 23rd, 2012
3:29 pm
What’s Rev Haggard up to these days?
DebbieDoRight
May 23rd, 2012
3:32 pm
td: Did not the Catholic church spend 3 or 4 years rooting out anyone that messed with children?
Then they have FAILED and need to start over. Recently, as in since last year, there have been more allegations, (Ireland), of priests messing with children.
The other two churches you mentioned are not affiliated with any denomination so I can not speak of what they did or did not do.
One is affiliated with the Baptist the other was affiliated with the Church Of God.
td
May 23rd, 2012
3:32 pm
Pamela
May 23rd, 2012
3:26 pm
You must be an African American woman. You will sacrifice all your morals and values and Obama could do nothing to persuade you from voting for him again. Being black trumps any and all other values in your mind. The SNL skit a month or so ago pegged you 100%.
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
3:35 pm
“Did not the Catholic church spend 3 or 4 years rooting out anyone that messed with children?”
After playing musical parishes with pedophile priests for centuries, do you REALLY believe the Catholic church has rid itself of these animals?
The Catholic church only started to address the problem when billions of dollars started flowing out the diocese doors due to the civil lawsuits. Until that happened, they were quite content to look the other way.
What did I miss?
May 23rd, 2012
3:36 pm
td @ 3:26 –
Oops, there’s that Christian love showing itself again. Must be a different version of the Bible from what I’ve read…
td
May 23rd, 2012
3:36 pm
DebbieDoRight
May 23rd, 2012
3:32 pm
So by following your rules then since the former democratic governor of IL was a corrupt then all Democrats in IL are corrupt?
td
May 23rd, 2012
3:39 pm
What did I miss?
May 23rd, 2012
3:36 pm
td @ 3:26 –
Oops, there’s that Christian love showing itself again. Must be a different version of the Bible from what I’ve read…
So in your interpretation of the bible, Christians are not suppose to say anything that could be conceived as questioning their morals and values?
DannyX
May 23rd, 2012
3:39 pm
td, what are your sins?
Mind if we judge your morals?
td
May 23rd, 2012
3:41 pm
Look before I leap…
May 23rd, 2012
3:35 pm
You should have started that statement with “IMO” because you have no facts to back up your statement.
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
3:43 pm
“Christians are not suppose to say anything that could be conceived as questioning their morals and values?”
Christians are not supposed to be in the business of judging others, period.
But many of them seemed to have missed that memo.
td
May 23rd, 2012
3:44 pm
DannyX
May 23rd, 2012
3:39 pm
td, what are your sins?
Mind if we judge your morals?
My sins are between me and God and none of your business. If you see me committing a sin and you are a Christian then you are allowed to point that sin out to me and I would have no right to be angry with you for pointing it out.
DebbieDoRight
May 23rd, 2012
3:44 pm
So by following your rules then since the former democratic governor of IL was a corrupt then all Democrats in IL are corrupt?
Honestly td, you must’ve had to do some stretches and limber up before you took that LEAP to justify your position!
What does “All Men Are Created Equal – US Declaration of Independence” and “Illinois Governor is a lying cheat” have to do with one another?
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
3:44 pm
@td
What statement did I make that you feel lacks substance?
DannyX
May 23rd, 2012
3:45 pm
“You will sacrifice all your morals and values and Obama could do nothing to persuade you from voting for him again.”
But of course you still get to vote for white Mormon Mitt Romney, don’t you td?
(Btw, here you go again td, you attack people for bringing race into a discussion but have no problem doing it yourself.)
td
May 23rd, 2012
3:46 pm
Look before I leap…
May 23rd, 2012
3:43 pm
Judging and pointing out sins are a huge difference. To Judge means you can take action against and I have not seen many Christians taking personal action against people they believe are sinning, Now it is a Christians duty to point out sin when they see it.
DannyX
May 23rd, 2012
3:47 pm
“My sins are between me and God and none of your business.”
You are big hypocrite. What are your sins td? You like to judge people, it’s time for us to judge you, Jesus says so.
td
May 23rd, 2012
3:49 pm
DebbieDoRight
May 23rd, 2012
3:44 pm
Talk about stretching.
“What does “All Men Are Created Equal – US Declaration of Independence” ”
What does homosexuality is a sin have to do with all men are created equal?
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
3:53 pm
“What does homosexuality is a sin have to do with all men are created equal?”
I don’t know, but according to some of my gay friends, all men are NOT created equal.
cp
May 23rd, 2012
3:54 pm
Tax ALL churches. This free ride has got to stop.
DannyX
May 23rd, 2012
3:54 pm
“What does homosexuality is a sin have to do with all men are created equal?”
What are your sins td?
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
3:59 pm
“To Judge means you can take action against and I have not seen many Christians taking personal action against people they believe are sinning,”
Are you auditioning for open mic night at The Punchline?
Forget for the moment gay-bashing and bullying, what about the thousands of laws still on the books that criminally proscribe conduct considered offensive to Christians?
Sodomy, fornication, adultery…
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
4:16 pm
“If you see me committing a sin and you are a Christian then you are allowed to point that sin out to me and I would have no right to be angry with you for pointing it out.”
So, a non-Christian has no business pointing out your sins if they witness it?
And if that is so, by what right does a Christian have to go around pointing out the so-called sins of a non-Christian?
DebbieDoRight
May 23rd, 2012
4:29 pm
What does homosexuality is a sin have to do with all men are created equal?
Absolutely NOTHING. One is a biblical belief and the other is part of our US Bill Of Rights.
NetBanker
May 23rd, 2012
4:40 pm
I find opposition to gay marriage in the black comnunity hard to understand because they have lived through overt discrimination and what it means to have laws passed specifically targeting you. That is why it amazes me how quickly they’ll rush to the polls to support laws that discriminate against another minority…which includes other blacks…at the first chance to do so.
I also think Romney is a pragmatist about the whole topic. His religion and being Republican require him to state his position, but I know quite a few Bain employees (a number of whom are gay) who know him personally and don’t see any anti-gay bias. He’s also the only nominee during the debates who stated that while the states have historically defined marriage we need a federal, common understanding because it’s not supportable to have one’s legally married status changing depending on where one is in the country. Can you imagine being married in your home state, not married when you go to visit your parents where they live, and treated as a civil union while on vacation or a business trip?
melshop
May 23rd, 2012
4:43 pm
Carol, You’re right..and I didn’t just Rev. Wright’s comments at face value either. I got what he was saying. What I hate about this video piece is that it is only a part of his sermon so I don’t know what his real message was and the fact that it comes across as hateful – we aren’t going to win anyone over with that tone. For the rest of you, didn’t you read my entire post? I explained his thinking, but didn’t condone it. I stressed that homosexuality is one of many sins and that God loves all of us and sent His Son to forgive all our sins and redeem us. Geez..guess you read only what serves your point of view…kind of like the pot calling the kettle black to me.
DebbieDoRight
May 23rd, 2012
4:44 pm
NetBanker – that’s because some blacks, like td, cling to the parts of the bible that they wish to enforce. However, these same “chritian black people” keep a pedophile like “Bishop” Eddie Long in the pulpit. Justifying it by saying “Only God Knows His Heart”.
They just wish to be duped. Sometimes, religion really IS the opiate of the people.
NetBanker
May 23rd, 2012
5:04 pm
Actually being homosexual or homosexuality isnt’a sin at all…the sex was declared an abomination (from Miriam Webster Dictionary sin: transgression of the law of God
abomination: extreme disgust and hatred : LOATHING).
So if two gays agree never to have sex is there a religious basis to then deny them from marriage equality? I mean the heterosexuals I know who marry hardly have sex once the vows are said.
Does the admonition to “go and sin no more” really apply to abominations? The words in ancient Hebrew and Greek are different for abomination and sin so there is clearly a distinction and Jesus never mentions abominations as I recall…only sins.
melshop
May 23rd, 2012
5:19 pm
NetBanker, I understand your point about abominations vs. sin. However, because God is holy, all sin (including abominations) is viewed as dark before God. The little lie prevents us from entering heaven just as any abomination would. However, Jesus clearly states that He came to forgive all transgressions. If abominations weren’t included, then He wouldn’t be a true Savior, would he, because some wouldn’t be allowed to be saved? When Jesus told the woman to “go and sin no more,” that is a picture of the way our life should be after salvation. If there is no change before and after, then it is probably not real salvation. This is why, when a homosexual is saved, they must repent of their sin and stop doing it. As far as marriage goes, you’ve got two parts: the sacred part and the civil part and the problem with this topic is they tend to get lumped together. God ordains the sacred part, so no, homosexuals cannot marry and consider it acceptable before God. God makes it very clear what marriage is. The civil part becomes a problem because to allow it would not only contribute to an enormous cost and confusion in this country, but would indeed, infringe on the religious rights of those who don’t believe in it for religious reasons. For instance, a Christian employer has a gay employee and, should marriage be legalized, that employer is now forced to provide insurance for the dependent even though he or she disagrees with it. The other big problem is allowing churches to deny wedding ceremonies for a union sanctioned by the government. I suspect lawsuits would come forth quickly on that issue should marriage be given nationwide.
DannyX
May 23rd, 2012
5:41 pm
“For instance, a Christian employer has a gay employee and, should marriage be legalized, that employer is now forced to provide insurance for the dependent even though he or she disagrees with it.”
Melshop, your 5:19 has many holes in it. Here’s one, a Christian employer has a Jewish or Muslim employee that gets married in a Mosque or Synagogue, the employer is now forced to give insurance to to the dependent even though he disagrees with it. Lawsuit? LOL.
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
5:48 pm
“For instance, a Christian employer has a gay employee…”
And acts like a Christian and says “Good for you on finding your life mate. May your lives together be blessed with peace and happiness and anything I can do to help, please let me know.”
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
5:53 pm
Uh oh…more bad news for the right wing haters…
“Strong public support for same-sex marriage exceeds strong opposition by a significant margin for the first time in ABC News/Washington Post polls, and African-Americans have moved more in favor, perhaps taking their lead from Barack Obama on the issue.
Overall, 53 percent of Americans say gay marriage should be legal, steady the past year but up from 36 percent in just 2006. Thirty-nine percent “strongly” support it, while 32 percent are strongly opposed – the first time strong sentiment has tilted positive. Six years ago, by contrast, strong views on the issue were negative by a broad 27-point margin….”
http://news.yahoo.com/strong-support-gay-marriage-now-exceeds-strong-opposition-040227742–abc-news-politics.html
jeffrey
May 23rd, 2012
6:13 pm
Is this what we should call the Christian Taliban? Is there anyone who can cite the difference between the beliefs of this buzzard and those of the Afghan Taliban or the German Nazis? The only one I can think of is they have yet to round me up and put me in a concentration camp…….but I am waiting.
honested
May 23rd, 2012
6:16 pm
Look before…….
Now it will really get weird.
Once the sunday preachers and teevee preachers realize they no longer control the voters or the process they will go ballistic.
I sure am glad where my freedom from religion is ensconced in the Constitution!
honested
May 23rd, 2012
6:18 pm
I just had an epiphany.
For those who feel that something beyond reality has instructed and approved their superiority to any given group, I suggest you request an audience with said something beyond reality in which we can all watch and be enlightened.
Once you have made the request, you can all sit quietly and wait for a response from that something beyond reality……..and concurrently leave everyone else alone.
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
6:23 pm
@honested
I am wondering if anyone has checked to see if Pat Robertson’s head has exploded.
melshop
May 23rd, 2012
6:38 pm
@Lookbefore, even mainstream media believe something is weird with those stats because in EVERY state where the issue has come to a vote, it has been defeated by wide margins usually something like 65% to 35%. That was even true in California, which is known for left-wing politics. So, I am not sure how accurate those polls are. It could be the way the question is formed, where they polled etc.
DannyX, Jewish and Muslim people marrying in their house of faith wouldn’t be against any Christian beliefs so I am not sure what your point is in the comparison. My point is that the current atmosphere in this country is that Christians are the only ones allowed to be offended, mocked, or be the subject of intolerance. We must walk on political eggshells for everyone else.
honested
May 23rd, 2012
6:44 pm
melshop,
Lets have some referenda criminalizing religious interference in statecraft.
I thing the results of such a vote would terrify you.
And to your final point, xtians are just ONE of the superstitions that need to accept they are not in charge.
DannyX
May 23rd, 2012
7:03 pm
“My point is that the current atmosphere in this country is that Christians are the only ones allowed to be offended, mocked, or be the subject of intolerance.”
Right, because the subject of this blog was not about a Baptist minister preaching about putting all gays inside an electrified fence. You poor mistreated person.
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
7:23 pm
@should…
Do you have ANY citations to back up any of the stats you quoted?
I can tell you for a fact that the CDC data does not support your conclusions.
Look before I leap...
May 23rd, 2012
7:33 pm
@melshop
“those stats because in EVERY state where the issue has come to a vote, it has been defeated..”
Except for the 6 states and the District of Columbia that have legalized same sex marriage.
Also, it is not clear that you read the entire article which explained that the poll results have shifted dramatically since 2006. Since many of the laws you refer to were passed prior to or around this period, the number of and margins of defeat is not surprising.
Were these votes held today, I suspect the results would be significantly different if not in reversal, then certainly in margin.