Atlanta pastor withdraws from Obama inauguration ceremony
The evangelical pastor chosen to give the benediction at President Barack Obama’s inauguration withdrew from the ceremony Thursday after remarks he made two decades ago condemning the gay rights movement surfaced.
The Rev. Louie Giglio of Passion City Church in Atlanta said in a statement he withdrew because it was likely that the “prayer I would offer will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration.”
Addie Whisenant, a spokeswoman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said the committee had chosen Giglio because of his work to end human trafficking.
“We were not aware of Pastor Giglio’s past comments at the time of his selection and they don’t reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this inaugural,” Whisenant said in a statement.
The liberal website ThinkProgress posted audio of the sermon Wednesday. In the talk, which the pastor said he gave 15 or 20 years ago, Giglio cites Scripture and called same-sex relationships sinful and an abomination. He warned congregants about what he called the “aggressive agenda” for acceptance of the “homosexual lifestyle.” And he recommended the writings of an advocate for therapy that aims to convert gays and lesbians into heterosexuals.
Repeatedly in the sermon, Giglio urged congregants to welcome gays and lesbians to the church and says God loves them.
In Thursday’s statement, Giglio said “speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past 15 years.”
Obama’s inaugural planners have put an emphasis on reflecting diversity in the festivities, including the participation of gay Americans. Obama personally selected Richard Blanco, whose work explores his experience as a Cuban-American gay man, as the inaugural poet. And the Lesbian and Gay Band Association of St. Louis was one of the first selections to march in the inaugural parade.
Whisenant said the committee was considering others to deliver the benediction at the Jan. 21 event.
The Think Progress post cited by the AP points to remarks from Giglio found on “a Christian web site:”
The 54-minute sermon, entitled “In Search of a Standard – Christian Response to Homosexuality,” advocates for dangerous “ex-gay” therapy for gay and lesbian people, references a biblical passage often interpreted to require gay people be executed, and impels Christians to “firmly respond to the aggressive agenda” and prevent the “homosexual lifestyle” from becoming accepted in society.
Think Progress cited this passage:
”We must lovingly but firmly respond to the aggressive agenda of not all, but of many in the homosexual community. … Underneath this issue is a very powerful and aggressive moment. That movement is not a benevolent movement, it is a movement to seize by any means necessary the feeling and the mood of the day, to the point where the homosexual lifestyle becomes accepted as a norm in our society and is given full standing as any other lifestyle, as it relates to family.”
And this one:
”I would refer you maybe just to the article “Born gay?” by Joe Dallas, who is the president of a ministry that helps with homosexuals in “recovery.” It was found in Christianity Today in June of 1992. It really unfolds for us that the evidence that they say is there, that the media wants to tell us is there really isn’t there at all. But I want to tell you this tonight. Even if it was there…
“How do you respond to that? How do you respond to the news reports that we’re hearing in the last few months that there is a genetic tendency to be an over-eater and it’s been supposedly proved by the scientists? That there is a genetic tendency to addictive behavior. Alcoholics by and large have a genetic tendency to addictive behavior. I predict in our lifetimes and not a very long period of time from now, scientists and geneticists will have found a way to prove a gene theory for every malfunction in sinful society. And do you know why? We talked about it the very first week—because we do not want responsibility for our choices.”
I still can’t fathom what the White House thought it was getting when it booked a well-known, conservative pastor. Somebody didn’t do his homework.
Beyond that, opinion toward same-sex marriage is one of the most rapidly shifting areas of cultural policy ever seen in American politics. One wonders how many people will soon be penalized for being on the wrong side of this one – which could be a dilemma for a president who wants to be seen as reaching out to religious conservatives.
To that point, here’s a paragraph from a statement that Giglio has posted on the Passion City Church website:
The issue of homosexuality (which a particular message of mine some 20 years ago addressed) is one of the most difficult our nation will navigate. However, individuals’ rights of freedom, and the collective right to hold differing views on any subject is a critical balance we, as a people, must recover and preserve.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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264 comments Add your comment
Elisha
January 10th, 2013
3:03 pm
Big surprise! Obama worships at the altar of Big Government and by no means the altar of Jesus Christ. While Jesus loved all he did not approve all behavior and know calling sin a sin is not hate – Jesus did the same thing.
Very Sad Day
January 10th, 2013
3:03 pm
We’re there now. the USA is no better than France, Chad, Myanmar or any other morally-void weasel nation. Enjoy the stench.
Cherokee
January 10th, 2013
3:03 pm
td sodomy is defined in Isaiah as being inhospitable to others.
Biblically, it has nothing to do with homosexuality.
Cherokee
January 10th, 2013
3:06 pm
And Jesus said that divorce and remarriage was adultery.
wonder why all you self appointed followers of Jesus tolerate all the divorced and remarried people sitting in the pews of your churches every Sunday.
SoGaBoy
January 10th, 2013
3:08 pm
his actions in office proves he needs the koran, not a Bible, for the ceremony. he doesnt even know whats in the Bible much less tries to apply it.
God isn't listening any way
January 10th, 2013
3:09 pm
Doesn’t really matter. As long as Obama is president and chooses not to repent of his ways then God isn’t listening any way. Grab your Bible and look it up. This country is unfortunately doomed but in the end it doesn’t really matter, because the One True God will still be glorified.
Hell is for real or Jesus Christ was a liar.
I’ve made my choice in this regards now you choose. Was He a liar?
Obama isn't a President
January 10th, 2013
3:22 pm
Paster Giglio preached what GOD taught. Liberals are the ones who don’t accept others views. Give me a break, for years liberals try to state conservatives and reglious leaders are not accepting. The liberals are clear. Agree with us or your not welcomed. Looks like DC will be full of liberals on inaguration day. And that does not represent the diversity of America!
Don Abernethy
January 10th, 2013
3:22 pm
The Bible says by their fruit you will know them. Obama’s acceptance of homosexuality is a clear indication he is not a born again Christian who believes the Bible and God. He is bound for hell unless he changes his ways. But God is the only one who can judge him and he will be judged by every word that comes out of his mouth.
DannyX
January 10th, 2013
3:22 pm
Divorce is a CHOICE! God created “Adam and Eve” NOT “Adam and Eve, then Adam and Marianne, then Adam and Calista!!!
Jesus said God Hates divorce, Grab your Bible and look it up!!!!. What do you not understand? Its “Until death do you part” NOT “Until the next bimbo!”!!!
Divorce will one day lead to human+animal marriage then human+animal divorce!!!!
Hell is for real or Jesus Christ was a liar. This country is doomed!!!! REPENT!!!!
Buckhead Boy
January 10th, 2013
3:25 pm
Atlantan: “Just hope the Obama supporters all get to experience the consequences of their vote in November.”
Thank you. With my invitations to the Inauguration, Commander-in-Chief’s Ball and reception with new Democratic Senators, I’m ready to experience — again. And, I could care less if the mythology would be delivered in Homeric Greek by an actor wearing a Doric chiton. Come to think of it, I suspect that most of the founding fathers would find that entirely appropriate and most entertaining.
123
January 10th, 2013
3:28 pm
“The Bible says by their fruit you will know them.”
Based on what you post on these blogs, you better take some suntan lotion where you are going
td
January 10th, 2013
3:29 pm
Cherokee
January 10th, 2013
3:03 pm
td sodomy is defined in Isaiah as being inhospitable to others.
Biblically, it has nothing to do with homosexuality.
You are either kidding or you have not actually read the bible:
“Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, ‘Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.’ . . . so they (the two angels) turned in to him (Lot) and entered his house . . .
“Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.’ So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, and said, ‘Please, my brethren, DO NOT DO SO WICKEDLY!’ ” (Genesis 19:1-7, NKJV throughout)
“If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them . . . . If a man mates with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal. If a woman approaches any animal and mates with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood is upon them.” (Leviticus 20:13, 15-16)
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it. It is perversion.” (Leviticus 18:22-23)
Romans 1:24-28
King James Version (KJV)
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
G'Vegas Dawg
January 10th, 2013
3:35 pm
I agree with pastor Giglio in his comments. I feel that homosexuality is wrong in the eyes of The Lord. However, I choose not to judge becuase I know that they will face the untimate judgement one day as will abortionist and other murderers. I also think that the government stepping into gay marriage is not the right thing to do as there is never and will never be such thing as”gay marriage”. Marriage is a biblical term and the definition is a union between man and woman. Therefore, it’s not possible to have a “gay marriage”. There can be a gay union or a gay partnership, but, there will never be a gay marriage. There is way too many things plaguing our country right now than to waste time debating something as this.
Terry Graham
January 10th, 2013
3:35 pm
Diversity means everybody comes together, whether we agree or not. I do not agree with sin, but don’t get mad at me, because you agree with sin. Sin is sin, is sin.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
January 10th, 2013
3:37 pm
As Americans it isn’t about “the Bible,” it’s about Truth, Justice, and Reason. Each must work out his or her own salvation as sovereign individuals and sectarian factionalism is treason in our credal civil religion as there is but a single Creator, G-d of the universe.
E
January 10th, 2013
3:37 pm
Good. How can we ever heal as a nation and ever come together for the good of all of us if there’s someone like that involved in the Inauguration? His words clearly speak for themselves.
That being said, whatever happened to separation of church and state? Religion, regardless of whose IT is, should not be involved in the first place. Instead of being sworn in using a Bible, Mr. Obama should place his hand on a copy of the Constitution. After all, he’s promising to uphold the Constitution, nother the Bible or any other religious text, for that matter.
bh
January 10th, 2013
3:38 pm
who writes the headlines for the ajc? these comments are not “controversial”. they are comments that any tru Christian pastor would make. they are based on the bible. it is funny that in America, society demands “tolerance” for every group under the sun except Christians.
globeflyer
January 10th, 2013
3:38 pm
If you take the religion out of it, homosexuality has to be a choice or it would have disappeared via Darwin’s “natural selection”. Since two of the same gender cannot normally reproduce, how else could it have continued? It couldn’t. You could argue that the “attraction”,or curiosity, is there, but it would not be self-sustaining. Whether you agree that the choice is a “sin” or not is up to you. Just sayin’…..
td
January 10th, 2013
3:40 pm
E
January 10th, 2013
3:37 pm
Good. How can we ever heal as a nation and ever come together for the good of all of us if there’s someone like that involved in the Inauguration? His words clearly speak for themselves.
The other side of that question could be how can we ever heal as a nation and come together before all sinners repent and come to God since we are a nation based on the Christianity.
another voice
January 10th, 2013
3:42 pm
Suggestion…..why not a rabbi for the prayer? Or maybe a clergyperson of another faith? Better yet, the pastor of my local church would be great. He serves in a southern church like Giglio (though he is a transplant from the midwest). Like Giglio, he is a white male. He is not well known like Giglio, but is much beloved by his congregants and well respected in the community. He ministers to the least, the lost, the oppressed. He is engaged in interfaith ministries and practices tolerance. He loves and accepts others, no matter who they are, with the unconditional love of Jesus.
Angela Johnson
January 10th, 2013
3:43 pm
And we wonder why we are under the judgment of God, with the carnage spread throughout this country, devastating storms (Sandy, Katrina), flu and west nile virus all over this country and our dire economic situation. This is a wake up call. Get it together America!
E
January 10th, 2013
3:44 pm
No we’re not. Our country was founded on freedom of religion, meaning that one has the freedom to choose a religion, or not.
abc
January 10th, 2013
3:44 pm
I suppose they could get an openly gay ordained Episcopalian minister, or ELCA pastor, or someone like that; but I daresay the viewership of the inauguration would fall off pretty steeply if they did.
lomax
January 10th, 2013
3:45 pm
Silly Rabbits… D*ckt are for chicks
lomax
January 10th, 2013
3:46 pm
Homo* and Non believers will go straight to Hell.. we both know deep inside…
DannyX
January 10th, 2013
3:49 pm
“And we wonder why we are under the judgment of God, with the carnage spread throughout this country, devastating storms (Sandy, Katrina), flu and west nile virus all over this country and our dire economic situation. This is a wake up call. Get it together America!”
Exactly, thousands of divorces a year are causing these catastrophes!!
STOP DIVORCING!!!! Before it’s too late!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DannyX
January 10th, 2013
3:51 pm
“Homo* and Non believers will go straight to Hell.. we both know deep inside…”
Divorced people aren’t off the hook!
Divorced people and non-believers are going straight to HELL!!!!
Divorce is a CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!
AnnoyRedNecksVoteObama
January 10th, 2013
3:52 pm
I believe a fictional book written expressly by humans in order to control the weak minded thousands of years ago is the whole and complete truth. I just wanted to come on here and say how stupid everyone else is that doesn’t agree with me, and explain to them that my all loving god is going to condemn them to burn for all eternity. Because he loves you, thats why.
AnnoyRedNecksVoteObama
January 10th, 2013
3:56 pm
headline: Inaugaration dumps pastor
next headline: Pastor pulls out
typical liberal media trying to make other liberals look bad.
k483
January 10th, 2013
3:57 pm
Pastors have been, and always should be, free from the current social trends–free to call sin, sin; adultery, adultery. We as a nation will be doomed once they are compelled, either by law or by political correctness, to conform with moral appetites of the day.
AnnoyRedNecksVoteObama
January 10th, 2013
4:02 pm
“If you take the religion out of it, homosexuality has to be a choice or it would have disappeared via Darwin’s “natural selection”. Since two of the same gender cannot normally reproduce, how else could it have continued?”
An evolutionary biologist, you are not.
AnnoyRedNecksVoteObama
January 10th, 2013
4:04 pm
If your dumb (or scared) enough to believe in god, then your dumb (or scared) enough to believe “conservatives”
Hugh Jass
January 10th, 2013
4:05 pm
Does the Bible say Adam and Eve or Adam and Steve? Just sayin’
Jamal
January 10th, 2013
4:06 pm
Obama could give a rats ass about gays. He was simply pandering for votes. Come on America….are you that dumb?
kgray
January 10th, 2013
4:06 pm
The President has to inclusive of everyone not just Christians alone, but everyone just as Jesus was inclusive of everyone. I’m not personally for same sex marriage; because it goes against God’s word. However, if any of you had a gay child, I’m sure your love for that child wouldn’t deminish because he or she was gay. Let’s love me to the church and allow the holy spirit do the conviction and not man.
kgray
January 10th, 2013
4:08 pm
Jamal, I guess you felt that Romney gave a rat’s behind about people who are poor and of the least of these?
Scrivener
January 10th, 2013
4:14 pm
In re: kgray: “Jamal, I guess you felt that Romney gave a rat’s behind about people who are poor and of the least of these?”
Yes, he absolutely does. He’s done extensive mission work and has personally helped many, many people who were in need. Do a Google search. It’s not that hard. Really.
Cemetris Hampton
January 10th, 2013
4:15 pm
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 6:9 The words men who have sex with men translate two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in homosexual acts.
Rick
January 10th, 2013
4:17 pm
Why Giglio would allow himself to be used by these infidels was beyond me anyway. Guess tolerance only works in their favor.
kerryb
January 10th, 2013
4:28 pm
Scrivener
January 10th, 2013
4:14 pm
In re: kgray: “Jamal, I guess you felt that Romney gave a rat’s behind about people who are poor and of the least of these?”
Yes, he absolutely does. He’s done extensive mission work and has personally helped many, many people who were in need. Do a Google search. It’s not that hard. Really.
____________________________________________________________________
You are absolutely right. He has spent more time and especially money helping the poor on his own than the guy who thinks he is our supreme leader.
ATLJacket
January 10th, 2013
4:32 pm
Prayer has no business at a government function anyways.
you can't fix stupid or Democrats
January 10th, 2013
4:33 pm
Being “GAY” is sin and this is what Jesus said will happen to those who practice sexual sins
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,[e] abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Political correctness is for the spineless
January 10th, 2013
4:35 pm
Rick Warren never said he was for gay marriage. It is so unfortunate to see how do many people with distort the truth which is the bible! America should never condon gay marriage as our country was built on a biblical basis. So thankful that I was raised by Christian parents!
KiKi
January 10th, 2013
4:37 pm
WOW! Chaos and confusion reigns. The foolish opinions of man will expire when a man expires. In contrast, the word of God will last forever. Like it or not, God is God. What He says is the law. Reject Him and He will reject you. Thumb your nose at Him and there will be forever consequences.
The bottom line is what will you do in the end!
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
January 10th, 2013
4:39 pm
obozo: Muslim Call to Prayer One of the Prettiest Sounds on Earth
[7:80] And We sent Lot as a Messenger: Remember that he said to his people, “Have you become so shameless that you commit such indecent acts as no one has committed before you in the world? [81] You gratify your lust with men instead of women: indeed you are a people who transgress the limits!” . . . [84] And We rained upon his people; then behold what happened in the end to the guilty ones! (Maududi, The Meaning of the Quran, vol. 2, p. 45)
hypocrite
td
January 10th, 2013
4:44 pm
you can’t fix stupid or Democrats
January 10th, 2013
4:33 pm
Being “GAY” is sin and this is what Jesus said will happen to those who practice sexual sins
Actually being gay is not a sin. It is the act of sodomy that is the sin. We as Christians should love all but hate sin.
Concerned
January 10th, 2013
4:47 pm
Why is the Obama administration so intent on shoving the homosexual agenda down our throats??? He has no regard for christian beliefs. Do I think Homos should be bashed in the head? No! Do I have to accept their lifestyle? No? What is Obamas agenda with this homosexual fettish? this goes way beyound their civil rights why is he so intent on shoving this agenda down our throats? Read your Bible! God Loves everyone…it is the sin in us he does not like and according to the judeo-christian bible …Homosexuality is a SIN!!!! Pure and Simple
DannyX
January 10th, 2013
4:48 pm
“So thankful that I was raised by Christian parents!”
Many people here were raised by Christian parents that ended up divorced. It is so unfortunate to see how do many people distort the truth which is the bible!
America should never condone divorce as our country was built on a biblical basis. We used to base our divorce laws on the Bible. The only state you could get a no-fault divorce was in Nevada. Now even our own state of Georgia has thrown out the Bible, allowing adultery to become normal.
What He says is the law. Reject Him and He will reject you. Thumb your nose at Him and there will be forever consequences. Stop divorcing Georgia!!!
Oh, and stop watching internet porn, another epidemic sweeping our so-called Christian state of Georgia.
Concerned
January 10th, 2013
4:50 pm
@far trin…I’m afraid your RIGHT!!!!
Concerned
January 10th, 2013
4:50 pm
I meant @far train…Yes you are right