Focus on the Family, host of the Love Won Out ex-gay roadshow and national billboard campaigns, has been known to celebrate politicians who cherry-pick Old Testament verses to justify partisan political policies.
But when Barack Obama cited the Sermon on the Mount in an Ohio speech on Sunday, Focus on the Family’s partisan political unit objected — and was careful to misquote Obama.
Obama was recorded by WTAP-TV (full Q&A on video, scroll to 40 percent) responding to a supportive local pastor’s questions about 1) home foreclosures affecting his congregation, 2) Obama’s faith, 3) Christian social gospel, and 4) moral litmus tests that are imposed upon Christians by evangelicals. After discussing home foreclosures at length, Obama talked about his devout Christian faith and 20-year membership in the United Church of Christ. Eventually he addressed partisan moral litmus tests:
I will tell you that I don’t believe in gay marriage, but I do believe that people who are gay and lesbian should be treated with dignity and respect and the state should not discriminate against them. So I believe in civil unions that allow a same-sex couple to visit each other in a hospital or transfer property to each other.
I don’t think it [a same-sex union] should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state. If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans.
Focus on the Family Action misquoted Obama, omitting his lengthy discussion of faith and justice — and his narrow definition of a civil union. Focus solely quoted Obama as follows:
I don’t believe in gay marriage, but I do think that people who are gay and lesbian should be treated with dignity and respect and that the state should not discriminate against them. So, I believe in civil unions. … If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount. …
John Barner, a Focus “pastoral care” operative, then belittled Obama’s respect for the Bible and church, falsely insinuated that Obama supports marriage for gay persons, and — in disagreeing with Obama’s support for civil unions — implied that unidentified Bible verses deny same-sex-attracted persons the right to visit each other in a hospital or transfer property.
“We are always saddened as evangelical Christians when others who identify themselves as Christians do not have the high view of Scripture that we believe is so important. We believe isolated portions of Scripture should not be used to justify a personal preference or a social position that goes in a different direction than the overall message of Scripture.
“We believe Scripture is pretty clear in proscribing and affirming that marriage is to be an exclusive, lifetime relationship between a man and a woman. The compromising positions of these candidates are a disappointment to us as evangelical Christians.”
Focus on the Family uses its “Action” nameplate to sidestep federal restrictions on partisan activity by tax-exempt religious organizations. Yet the organization seems to freely use the services of its tax-exempt employees to engage in partisan politics.
But this tactic may be outliving its usefulness. Focus’ donations and its claim to speak for evangelical Christians are weakening, as the National Association of Evangelicals reasserts political independence and demands that environmentalism and concern for poverty be given equal time on the national agenda.
Hat tip: Chris Crain
Hi! I never even knew you existed until a few minutes ago. I had heard about Focus’ questionable behavior on CNN early this morning and was Googling info about their hateful newsletter. Your site came up, and I’m very glad to have found it!
When I learned we were moving to Colorado Springs for my then-husband’s job in 2001, it terrified my Wiccan heart! They were responsible for the refusal of the local TV station to carry NYPD Blue, among other shenanigans. It’s taken a while for people to fight back but at least it’s finally happening.
There is no lie they will not tell, no rumor they will not spread, no Biblical text they will not corrupt to suit their own narrow purposes. Yet thousands continue to flock to their services, support their causes, and loudly trumpet a desire for a theocracy in America. Have none of them noticed the turmoil and suffering brought on by religion-based government in the Middle East?
Thank you again, and stay on ‘em! We desperately need websites like this one.
Regards,
Winter
(Clicking bookmark!)
People are not born homosexual, it is a learned behavior. It is a sin as well and those involved in it “will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.” It is an abomination to the Lord and against the law of nature. Those who participate in this sin have nothing to be proud of (pun intended) and are in need of help. They should no more be encouraged to “follow their desires” than an alcoholic should be encouraged to go on a binge. While the propensity to this sin may be real for some, its presence in their desires does not justify the action any more than murder can be justified by a person overcome with anger and a desire for revenge. Wrong is wrong.
Prove your assertions, and try not to use mythological fairy tale religion as backup for your arguments.
RELIGION IS 50 PERCENT FEAR OF SEX, 50 PERCENT FEAR OF DEATH, AND 100 PERCENT FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN!
Not to mention 1000 percent HOT AIR.
Yes John,
PROVE your assertations! Almost every major mental health organization says it IS natural. As for religion. “Christians” are supposed to follow Jesus. Hence “Christ” in “Christian”.
So provide with something Jesus said in regards to homosexuality. If being gay is as much of a sin as Christians say it is, and being straight was as essential to gain God’s salvation as Christians say it is, then Jesus would have come right out and said it!
So tell me where he said it. Jesus did mention, “A man shall leave his parents and find a wife and the 2 will join and become 1 flesh”, but right afterwards he says, “Not all can obey this teaching” and proceeds to mention that there are “eunichs that have been so from the mother’s womb”.
Back then, Eunichs were NOT ONLY castrated men, but also people who are unable to procreate, or who naturally possess a desire to not procreate. This may not refer specifically to gays/lesbians, but Clement of Alexandria, a historical figure not far after Jesus’ time describes people who have same-sex desires instead of opposite sex desires as “eunichs” and mentions many of them that were recorded before him.
People ARE born gay! Jesus says so!
Go on a “binge”, eh John?
Well I’m happy to report I followed my desires and went on a “binge” tonight, with my wonderful partner. The sex was great, because we’re so much in love. We’ve been in a committed relationship for five years and own a home together. In December my county will begin handing out domestic partnerships and our relationship will be legally recognized. Tomorrow my mom’s coming into town to visit her son and son-in-law, and we’re hosting a Halloween party.
I’m gay, and my life is good. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
And you can put your idiotic religious beliefs where the sun don’t shine.
YOU GO ESHTO!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!
No response from John, I see..
I believe John is one of those one-hit right-wing religious trolls who swoops in, deposits his load of biblical goo, then leaves and never returns, smugly self-satisfied that he struck a blow for his self-righteous mythology.
“People are not born homosexual, it is a learned behavior.”
That IS pretty hilarious, beings I grown up in a small town of only a couple thousand people (at the time), had never met an openly gay person until I was old enough to drive (some wild-haired queen working at the mall), although I for a fact was attracted to men by kindergarden if not before then.
Funny enough, although there was no openly gay people around (only on TV! LOL), the people I grown up with were totally obsessed about gay people and homosex. And I’m sure most smalltowns are the same way, beings there’s nobody there of any importance, they have no lives, and have nothing better to do.
It is always hilarious when anyone can claim to know, not only that there is a mind at work in the universe, but to know that it cares what you do, what you eat, when you rest, who you sleep with and how, listens to your prayers…. it’s beyond anyone’s critical faculties to know this information. Anyone making such claims should be excluded from any argument until they can say how they know all this.
Why anyone needs some palestinian rabbi from 2000 years ago, to tell them right from wrong, I do not understand. The founding fathers, especially Madison who said there be no religious test for office. would be turning in their graves. And it must also be remembered while the supposed Jesus reportedly said nothing on homosexuality, he is quoted saying how slaves should be treated.
As long as these texts are treated as sacred, there always lies the danger of reviving the most toxic morality, which we should have abandoned in the Bronze age. It allows people like ‘john’ to be taken seriously.
One Nation Under Canada – let’s leave it at that, for goodness’ sake!
You have all missed the point of God’s love; the controversy of homosexuality is designed just to do that. Those of you who are meant to see, will see. The others will remain and fight over meaningless points.
JTB, even if there WAS a “God”, he doesn’t love anyone (except maybe himself).
“God” is jealous and has way too many issues for anyone any sense to associate with him. In the real world, “God” would be wheeled off to the loony bin, and would be sharing a room with that human cake named Marilyn Musgrave.
Excellent site – I just found it and thought it was the “ex-gay” organization I’d heard about when scanning the radio stations on a long drive. I confused this with “Love Wins Out” which is the “Focus on the Family” nonsense.
Sadly, I live in Florida where a very contentious battle to enshrine homophobic discrimination in the State Constitution barely passed – short of making “being gay” illegal, my State has done whatever it could, as a Jeb Bush fiefdom to dominate and denigrate its gay citizens. With its “mini-DOMA” now bolstered by a Constitutional amendment that may make local government benefits to same-sex partners illegal (as happened in Michigan), my legal (in some jurisdictions) marriage to my partner of nearly 20 years is now intentionally targeted. Sad day for us all. I only hope Barack Obama is able to appoint 2, 3 or with luck 4, “ultra-liberal” (i.e., “normal” if you’re not in the religious right) Justices who will overturn all non-recognition based on “marriage anywhere = marriage everywhere” since Massachusetts has withstood the attacks of the “world will end” crowd. Let’s hope!
Homosexuality is so often misunderstood. Either by lack of knowledge of lack of desire for knowledge, and ususally both. Most people who read the bible dont even understand it. They discriminate between verses and chapters and adopt the dogma that seems to fit their message. To people who say the Bible is the be all, end all in life I would ask them to review the following link.
http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-walter-wink
And remember at one time slavery was considered biblical, as was the opression of women. Remember Paul wrote that women shuold not cut or braid their hair or wear gold jewelry, they should not speak in church, and should always cover their heads. Why do we look at homosexual behavior as evil but find other part of the Bible not applicable? It is hypocritical. Also I would like to note that Jesus NEVER once spoke of homosexuality, yet he did caution against divorce, but you dont see protests going on over that.
I would submit that the religious dogma concerning homosexualility is meant only to oppress and not to lover. Which is what Barak Obama was trying to emphasis.
Patronizing, hit-and-run comments are not permitted at T.W.O. Nor are comments that contain runaway namecalling.
So I have deleted two prior comments by “Jab” and DaveTheWave.
Furthermore, Jab will not be permitted to comment until he/she demonstrates “self-control” by refraining from baseless accusations about lack of self-control in others, and by staying on topic.
I apologize for my posts, i promise i will try to stay on topic in future and will seek guidance from Counselor Troi and maybe Dr. Crusher if there are meds available that will calm me down! :(
One of the Pharisees tested Jesus with a question, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36 NIV). Jesus replied, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV).
One of the Pharisees tested Jesus with a question, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36 NIV). Jesus replied, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV).
Christ never called us to judge one another, but rather to love one another.