A Michigan pastor has come under fire after he told his congregation that same-sex marriage was wrong because homosexuality was a choice like choosing to be an “axe murderer.”
During a sermon earlier this month, Clint Echols, pastor of First Baptist Church in Zeeland, pointed out that the Bible said that God considered homosexuality to be an “abomination.”
According to Echols, the church should not accept the sexual preference of LGBT people because it was like saying “I think I’m an axe murderer.”
“It’s an internal compass and a person can discover their sexuality at any moment…oh wait a second, I’m gay, I’m bisexual, I want to change my gender, these things, and that’s being true to themselves and being true to their internal compass,” Echols said.
“For instance on another, a completely other playing field, if tomorrow I woke up because I have this internal compass that’s telling me what truth is,” he continued. “Tomorrow, if I wake up and say, well, I think I’m an axe murderer, now I’m an axe murderer, would you be happy with that? Would you agree? Would you want me to follow that internal compass?”
Personally I am guessing that this asshole does not even possess an "internal compass." That's why he needs a book to tell him right from wrong.
I mean seriously, comparing being gay to being a murderer? What kind of fucked up thinking is that?
By the way here is a list of things that the Bible labels an "abomination":
Unclean things (Lev. 7:21)
Customs of pagans (Lev. 18:30)
Idols (2 Chr. 15:8; 1 Pet. 4:3)
Sins of men (Ps. 14:1; 53:1)
Cheating (Mic. 6:10)
Lost souls (Rev. 21:8)
A froward man (perverse; one who turns aside (Pro. 3:32; 11:20)
A proud look (Pro. 6:16-17)
A lying tongue (Pro. 6:17; 12:22)
Hands that shed innocent blood ((Pro. 6:17)
A wicked scheming heart (Pro. 6:18)
Feet that are quick to sin (Pro. 6:18)
A false witness that speaks lies (Pro. 6:19)
A sower of discord (Pro. 6:19)
Wickedness (Pro. 8:7)
A false balance or scale (Pro. 11:1)
Sacrifices of the wicked (Pro. 15:8; 21:27)
The way of the wicked (Pro. 15:9)
The thoughts of the wicked (Pro. 15:26)
The proud of heart (Pro. 16:5)
Justifying the wicked (Pro. 17:15)
Condemning the just (Pro. 17:15)
Divers, dishonest weights (Pro. 20:10, 23)
Divers, dishonest measures (Pro. 20:10)
Refusing to hear the law (Pro. 28:9)
Prayers of the rebel (Pro. 28:9)
Eating flesh of peace offerings on the 3rd day (Lev. 7:18)
Some same sex acts (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Dt. 23:18)
Taking ornaments from idols when being destroyed (Dt. 7:25-26)
Any Idolatrous practices (Dt. 12:31; 13:14; 17:4; 18:9; 20:18; 29:17)
Offering an imperfect animal to God as a sacrifice (Dt. 17:1)
Any traffic with demons (Dt. 18:7-12)
Wearing clothes of the opposite sex (Dt. 22:5)
Bringing the hire of a harlot or sodomite into God's house (Dt. 23:18)
Re-marriage of former companions (Dt. 24:1-4)
Cheating others (Dt. 25:13-16)
Making images/idols (Dt. 27:15)
Idols of Ammon (1 Ki. 11:5)
Idols of Moab (1 Ki. 11:7; 2 Ki. 11:13)
Idols of Zidon (2 Ki. 23:13)
Incense offered by hypocrites (Isa. 1:13)
Eating unclean things (Isa. 66:17)
Offering human sacrifices (Jer. 32:35)
Robbery (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Murder (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Adultery (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Oppression of others, particularly the poor or vulnerable (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Violence (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Breaking vows (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Lending with interest to a brother (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Lying with a menstruous woman (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Hardness of heart (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Injustice (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
Worship of anti-Christ (Dan. 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; 2 Th. 2:4; Rev. 13)
Incest (Lev. 19: 6-30)
Things highly esteemed by man (Lk. 16:15)
Now while I would probably not label any of these things an "abomination," because that is a ridiculous term, I would certainly suggest that some are quite terrible, and deserve to be pointed out as not okay.
However a number of these things the Bible labels an "abomination" are things that many of us do on an almost daily basis, and that includes Christians. So before anybody starts throwing around words like "sin" or "abomination" perhaps they should take a real long look in the mirror first.
Please find better adjective than "fucked up"
ReplyDeletethat word is an insult to women.
Oh fuck off. We've had that fucking discussion. "Fucked up" has nothing to do with women but is perfect to describe the "thinking" of fucked up fuckers like Echols.
DeleteOh, relax. It's just a common phrase, an idiom. An idiom's figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. I don't get bent out of shape when I hear someone call, say, Tom Cotton a dick.
DeleteOh good god. Fucked up does NOT insult women. It may insult YOU personally but you are not all women. Say what you mean, it insults ME. You do not now nor will you EVER speak for me.
DeleteDo you know what really insults women? Conservative christian, right wing republican, straight, white, American males.
"that word is an insult to women."
DeleteSince when is the word "fuck" is an insult to women?
Well I am a woman and find no issue with it at all and I do not see it as an insult to anyone. Go take your meds and the world will look a bit less like it's out to get you.
DeleteHardly, I've used it extensively since I was in grade school and I am as female as they come. Now FUCK OFF.
DeleteGood luck with that "take a long look in the mirror" stuff, Gryphen. I had that discussion just the other day, about open and concealed carry laws---
ReplyDeletei.e., I asked why is it that these "GOOD guys with guns" are always themselves, and the "BAD guys with guns" are always someone else?
Same principle applies here, as far as I can see....but of courseI was immediately called the usual--idiot, moron, fool, illiterate, etc. etc.
Some people will do anything to make someone else wrong, so they themselves can feel justified. Homosexuality, in that mindset, is just a more obvious and easy way of labeling someone as Other.
This is beyond prejudicial.
ReplyDeleteAs a gay man, I never murder with ANYTHING other than healthy and organic cyanide snickerdoodles.
HooHahahahaha!
DeleteKILLER!!!!!
DeleteAnd you're damn funny too.
DeleteO/T
ReplyDeleteRepublicans Reeling As President Obama Is Dominating Their Congressional Majority
By Jason Easley
By using a strategy of going on offense with a clear and strong agenda, President Obama has been dominating John Boehner and Mitch McConnell’s Republican majority in Congress.
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/03/16/republicans-reeling-president-obama-dominating-congressional-majority.html
Unlike homosexuality, being and asshole is a choice.
ReplyDeleteWhat Pastor Clint (R-Imbecile) forgot to say is that religion is a choice.You can either believe in reality or you can devolve into magical thinking, invisible sky wizards and crap such as that.
ReplyDeleteYou got that right, Randall!
ReplyDeleteMethinks this "pastor" has found himself liking the looks of lads a bit more than he thinks he should. Those who shout the loudest are usually trying for a cover-up of some sort. It's beyond sad that he believes men loving men is an abomination.
He's got that vibe abut him, doesn't he. Deep closet case for sure.
DeleteTotally agree with you, Maple!
DeleteNo wonder things haven't been going good for me. I have to get rid of my Idols of Zidon.
ReplyDeleteMarvinM
No surprise, another christian preaching hate and violence from the pulpit.
ReplyDeletePing!
ReplyDeletePing!
Ping!
My gaydar is going off!
Mine also, too!
Deleteyes my my what fire are they trying to fuel now? zzzzz....
ReplyDeleteTake a bow, pastor and remember to do your stretches first or you'll get stuck that way. Yeah, he's done some undercover compare and contrast experiments just for kicks.
ReplyDeleteDamn! No one ever told me I could have chosen to be an Ax Murder. Too late now I'm already gay. This guy is an asshat just like every bible believer.
ReplyDeleteIt cannot have escaped anyone's notice that the MINUTE some dork like this, makes a name for himself whining about other people's sex lives...
ReplyDelete...a clock starts winding down on just when we'll next see him being dragged out of an airport restroom, in handcuffs.
I live in the so-called bible belt, and for most of my life. The thing to remember about church pastors (mostly those whose denominations are loosely affiliated, if at all, with national organizations) is this: they're the con men and women of our time, legitimized under the guise of religion, renting out storefronts and even meeting in private homes. They are egotistic loudmouths who like to hear themselves talk, hucksters who have figured out a way to make a living with their "spiritual" vision and guidance; and some are just borderline personality disorder types who have found a crack to crawl into. In my extended rural family, the black sheep all went into the service, prison or became preachers. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteSo nothing these folks say surprise me. They form their churches by attracting like-minded congregants who will tithe to support getting their worldview reinforced every Sunday and Wednesday.
Sadly, living in The Bible Belt gauantees a seat in the theatre of the absurd starring "homophobia running wild."
ReplyDeleteThere are billboards in front of many churches here that not only tell you the name of their unknown preacher but a silly saying as well. My favorite homophobic billboard nonsense: "Dogs can't go to heaven."
Zeeland, is located in the "crazy" Republican De Vos (Koch bros) western part of the state, so nothing they come up with surprises me.
ReplyDelete