It’s sad that Peter LaBarbera has been reduced to picking fights/starting one-man witchhunts against college professors. It’s all he has left, apparently. I never thought I would say this, but I feel sorry for Warren Throckmorton, that he’s having to learn the true character of his erstwhile friend Peter firsthand. But anyway, the witchhunt continues with a letter written by some AFTAH reader (Matt “Bam Bam Right Hook Hunka Hunka Macho Smash Totally Not Gay” Barber, maybe?), reminding us that even if you’re not gay, if you act like a fag, you’re still going to hell:
Let us remember that the Bible not only condemns homosexual sex, but also plainly says that “the effeminate” will not inherit the kingdom of God (I Cor 6:9 KJV). Sin extends beyond explicit, overt activity/behavior; the attitude and demeanor of homosexuality must be cast off as well as the practice itself.
Do you hear that, Every Ex-Gay Ministry Leader? Still going to hell. Sorry.
You should always pay attention when a fundamentalist says that the Bible “plainly says” something, because they’re about to come at you with something intellectually equivalent to “If ‘Anglish was good enough fer Jesus, it’s good enough fer me!”
Okay, do you want to know what that verse is actually about? Well, it goes like this: to translate the word malakoi as “effeminate” is incorrect, at least insofar as “effeminate” is understood in modern society. The literal meaning is “soft” and it’s used elsewhere in the Bible and in other writings of the time to describe clothing, or wearers of certain kinds of soft, lush clothing. I could spend a lot of time explaining, but this and this are helpful places to start. In short, if you study the passage closely [a concept completely foreign to illiterate homophobes] in light of the culture in which it was written, the best translation is more of a concept of a soft, lazy, wealthy and well-fed ne’er-do-well sort. The word also was used sometimes in relation to the practice of pederasty, but again, one has to understand what pederasty was and was not. Lying bigots will tell you pederasty was just like our modern day concept of homosexuality, because they know that the people who listen to them are not well-read. Pederasty was a strange cultural phenomenon practiced by heterosexuals wherein a younger man, as a rite of passage, was sort of mentored by an older man. Sometimes it involved sex, but sometimes it didn’t. Here’s how Plato described it:
“When an older lover and a young man come together and each obeys the principle appropriate to him — when the lover realizes that he is justified in doing anything for a loved one who grants him favors, and when the young man understands that he is justified in performing a service for a lover who can make him wise and virtuous — and when the lover is able to help the young man become wise and better, and the young man is eager to be taught and improved by his lover — then, and only then, when these two principles coincide absolutely, is it ever honorable for a young man to accept the lover.”
But again, I emphasize that the word Paul used only sometimes referred to this practice, which does not remotely resemble a married gay or lesbian couple who are committed to each other in sickness and health, etc. But unfortunately, you fast forward 2,000 years and rednecks who can’t tell the difference between “your” and “you’re” feel comfortable explaining that the Bubble sez if you ack like a fag yer goin’ to hey-ull. It’s mindnumbing, I know.
Anyway, thus concludes your second Bible lesson from an atheist!
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Do you hear that, Every Ex-Gay Ministry Leader? Still going to hell. Sorry.
Alan Chambers and Randy Thomas are certainly doomed.
Comment by Wayne Besen — March 12, 2010 @ 4:12 pm
Not to mention– what exactly was “effeminate 400 years ago, for that big ol’ fag James, and what waas it 1950 years ago for I’m-aa-woman-hater Paul?
Silly, silly, silly.
Comment by Ben in Oakland — March 12, 2010 @ 4:37 pm
Excellent explanation of these passages, wrenched out of context and used as clubs against gay people for centuries. Thanks, Evan.
Comment by Michael Bussee — March 12, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
Conservative Christians like to say our nation was based on “Biblical” principles by our founding fathers. Ever see what they wore?
Comment by Michael Bussee — March 12, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
And what does the bible say about self hating lying bigots like La Barbara??
Comment by Vegasguy — March 12, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
The closest thing to Peter in the Bible is the “Pharisee.” They were the only people who really pissed Jesus off.
Comment by Evan Hurst — March 12, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
I’d rather go to hell. It won’t be filled with self-righteous, hateful prigs like Peter LaBarbera.
Comment by Buffy — March 12, 2010 @ 6:07 pm
Note how the radical anti-gay activist letter writer leaves out the word “revilers” which also appears in the very verse he/she sites. LaBarbera and Barber, for example, make a living off of reviling gay people. Scripture says plainly that reviling is a ticket to hell as unrepentant homophobes conveniently ignore. One would think a “Christian” would be more concerned about his/her own soul…
Comment by Michael — March 12, 2010 @ 8:48 pm
If “acting gay” puts one in danger of going to hell, then what is God to make of a man who never misses a leather fetish event, and never passes up a visit to a bath-house, camera in hand, to do “research”?
Comment by John — March 12, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
LOL Wayne! No shit – especially when Exodus has Randy Thomas act like a woman onstage to prove “you can STILL be campy and ex-gay”.
Although I doubt Randy is really ACTING.
Comment by Scott — March 13, 2010 @ 12:25 am
well if you people stop being ignorant and stop trashing churchs because of their beliefs things wouldnt be so bad. wayne you are such a coward starting all this drama for nothing. What would the general public say if they saw some of the parties your friends like to throw like bug chaser/gift giver parties for charity yet not let the public in on it. STOP PLAYING THE VICTIM WHEN YOU ARE THE AGRESSOR.
Comment by nemesis — March 15, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
Boo hoo, Christians are victims, WAH.
Say something different, ye of little vocabulary.
And um, before you throw accusations of people throwing “bug chasing parties for charity,” what’s your evidence, you libelous little turd?
Comment by Evan Hurst — March 15, 2010 @ 10:04 pm
For starters look at events like the black party, white party, folsom nyc and SF. You want to have equal rights. However, your friends are throwing appalling parties that endanger peoples health including your own. When you and your activist friends don’t get your way you scream shout and become crazed fanatics?? who you trying to impress with that behavior? That is not cool evan & wayne. Don’t the both of you have something better to do than to go harass ex gays at church’s who have accepted jesus christ(like finding a REAL job). I have seen footage of both of you and wayne’s antics of harassing people on youtube. Especially the rants about people that are not true. I didn’t throw accusations I stated a fact and I have evidence to substantiate my “accusation”. since you are so quick to attack people like the hungry little trolls you and wayne are. You have proven to people you are the turd masters of blogging. From the looks of the neighborhood your building is located and the fact your office is next door to a crappy building that looks older than dust. I am suprised you can afford to pay the rent with all the hate, and bashing of people not present to defend themselves.How can you live with yourselves having all that hate? Take in mind most of the offices are empty around your building that have “for rent signs” apparently from all the hatred you spew or from the economy. You could probably out do Fred phelps with all that hatred you write in a day than Mr phelps can gather in 6 months.
Comment by nemesis — March 16, 2010 @ 12:11 am
First of all, you pissant little troll, they’re not “my friends.” Secondly, if you’re going to use a few fringe events to broadbrush the entire LGBT community, I think I’ll assume all Christian clergy are rancid pedophiles. How do you like them apples?
You’ve never seen me on YouTube. By the way.
And you could never afford New York. :) I doubt you could handle the toll roads through Jersey.
Anyway, anything else to add to the discussion before I ban you for making libelous accusations and being, in general, a fact-challenged fool?
Comment by Evan Hurst — March 16, 2010 @ 12:47 am
LMFAO well thats the catholic church evan and its sad they can never keep their house in order I will give you that. their house been so dirty for centuries with abuse. about time it got cleaned up. I could never afford NY??? I am from NY and driving through NJ with all the jacked up roads and construction sucks. especially if someone broke down on the GSP or on 95 there goes the flow of traffic for the next 2 hours. Your hostility amazes me for bringing something so small to your attention. what do you sit online all night and write these negative filled posts all nite like the smeagol you are? It is not libelous so throw that bullshit right out the window. I am expressing my opinion and excersising my 1st amendment. IF you don’t like the fact I put you on the spot and asked you to account for what you post on here & to back up what you say on your old school gameboy security of a website by hiding your registrant name with a comapny known as oneandone? Why hide behind all them proxys Evan? is there something you are afraid of? perhaps you should find yourself another line of work instead of being so filled with hate, I pity you. As for your “friends” you all are after the same thing aren’t you? so I guess your not on the “same team” guess you contradicted yourself royally there.
Comment by nemesis — March 16, 2010 @ 1:12 am
I said you were being libelous since you said that “Wayne’s friends” throw “bug-chasing parties” for “charity.”
Back that up.
(And you think this is hostility? Heh. Wingnuts are such thin-skinned little babies, my goodness.)
Not sure what you’re talking about, suggesting we’re “hiding” anything. And I’m sorry, but much of the rest of you wrote is incomprehensible, so if you’d like to copy/paste your comment into Microsoft Word and try to fix all the places it gives you green squigglies (those are grammatical errors) and red squigglies (spelling errors), and THEN repost, maybe I can respond.
Oh, and what would that “same thing” that “we’re all after” be? I’m so curious!
Comment by Evan Hurst — March 16, 2010 @ 1:17 am
I was NOT speaking about wayne directly but was generalizing about other organizations on the same side as you. Wingnuts?? are you sure you are not included among them with all the fanatic protests, and now targeting nys state sneators who voted no one wanted the bill to pass? how do you explain wayne pullling crap like this? you all want the same rights as heteros and your “mission” is to educate. what the picture below shows you completly contradict your mission by harassing & terrorizing people inside a boston church. need I go any further? Pictures(and video) are worth a thousand words. http://americansfortruth.com/uploads/2009/07/besen_terrorizes_boston_church1.jpg
Comment by nemesis — March 16, 2010 @ 1:39 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llIOdgOZLF4 thats why you stopped chanting when the cops showed up and recieved a warning for leaving the limits of the park where you had your permit. come on now wayne and friends was seen banging and yelling into the windows using a bullhorn. Thats a cowardly act and you know it. Have a good night.
Comment by nemesis — March 16, 2010 @ 1:47 am
Name those organizations.
If you say NAMBLA, you’re an ass, since that organization has NEVER been allied with the mainstream LGBT movement.
And wingnuts only exist on the Right. It’s a term for right-wing paranoid toolbags who live in a parallel reality of their own creation.
Yes, we’re going after the Democratic Senators in NY who betrayed the caucus. Marriage equality has majority support in New York state, and holding elected officials accountable is part of the Democratic process. Perhaps you’re not familiar? If not, I’m sure a local high school would let you sit in on a civics class, but try not to ask too many questions, because I don’t want you to embarrass yourself.
What, exactly, is Wayne “pulling”?
And define “terrorizing,” because if that’s “terrorizing” to you, then you need a helmet to protect you from your own shadow. Because OMG, it’s a megaphone! What’s he going to do?!?! Is he going to SAY WORDS INTO THE MEGAPHONE?!?! OH NO THE SKY IS FALLING! Is he going to challenge your preconceived notions about life?! Is he going to threaten your uneducated little worldview?! OH NO! DADDY SAVE US!
It was a protest. We know Peter LaBarbera is a scared little pansy, but you don’t have to be like that! You can get some self-confidence and stop trolling gay websites in the middle of the night. There’s hope for you! You can change!
Do you have anything else to add, “nemesis”? (OOH SCARY NAME. I BET YOU HAVE A MEGAPHONE AND EVURTHANG.)
Comment by Evan Hurst — March 16, 2010 @ 1:52 am
not nambla those people are in their own category(an appalling circus act more like it). A protest that had the cops called and you suddenly hushed up. why is that? I am aware FULLY of the democratic process which I believe is starting to fall apart. Them senators had alot on their hands a budget,cutbacks, scandals among other issues that were a much bigger importance than marriage. So some didn’t vote the way you wanted. who gives a crap. the state senators not only voted with their conscience but also with their districts in mind. You cannot blame them for that. Might as well go after the ones who said yes also if you are going to hold the state senators accountable that said no. They might say no to another bill the GLBT community might want. Shouting into a church with a bullhorn thats kinda low. Don’t you have ANY respect for the people who wish to remain neutral or the church(the building itself and its symbolism)? I had worse things go off near my ears a bullhorn is nothing, but to the normal person it is painful. How do you know Peter labarbera is a pansy ? Have you met him? have you challenged him face to face? Unless you have met him face to face and have challenged him you shouldn’t call people pansy’s.
Comment by nemesis — March 16, 2010 @ 2:20 am
Protests have cops called all the time! That’s sort of how they work sometimes.
“Them senators”?! My god, go take an English as a Second Language course and come back and comment in two years.
And actually, you CAN blame them for voting in a way that treats some of their constituents like second class citizens, and you can fight against them and get them voted out. Democracy! Love it or move to Iran where your views are more mainstream.
I know Peter is a frightened little child because I read everything he writes. Most of what he believes about the world is a lie, and his writings betray an increasing fear of the growing irrelevance of his worldview in modern society. He’s one of the last true bigots standing, and he knows that the days before his entire worldview is consigned to the fringe status of the KKK are short, indeed. His work is becoming more hysterical by the day.
And why should we respect the church? I mean, there are good churches that preach love for all people, even if I don’t believe the way they do. But why would I respect the fundamentalist church, which preaches hate and fear? It’s an amoral institution. And, as I recall (I wasn’t there), there was an event happening in that church that was NOT neutral, but was in fact hateful, anti-human BS. Wayne wouldn’t have been there otherwise.
Anyway, this is my last response to you. You’re free to continue trolling gay blogs if that allows you to be around gay people without feeling guilty, and you can continue commenting for now. Maybe someone else will talk to you and help you feel less lonely in the world.
Comment by Evan Hurst — March 16, 2010 @ 3:21 am
From someone who posts such hate and talks what he does not know you really amaze me Evan. First of all why shut up when the cops show up when doing protests? How is the event hateful? you really are a sad sad person Evan. Do peter Labarbera’s writings really scare you that you compare him to a scared child? Comparing him to the KKK? thats kind of low blow. Since you like to twist what I have said.What if the people you “vote in” say no again? Are you going to become fanatical little psychos who block traffic and have tantrums as well as burn churches,trash the neighborhood like what happened in California when prop 8 got upheld like a spoiled child who is mad cause they didnt get their way? You have proven to me you really are an anthropological curiousity.
Comment by nemesis — March 16, 2010 @ 7:42 am
Nemesis,
1. You have not documented any specific hateful statements by Evan.
2. You enjoy and affirm Peter LaBarbera’s Christian pornography, as well as LaBarbera’s support for antigay violence, imprisonment, and extrajudicial execution in Uganda.
3. Numerous gay-affirming churches and bars have been torched and vandalized by bigots; you haven’t documented a single case of the reverse.
Keep right on discrediting yourself.
Comment by Michael Airhart — March 16, 2010 @ 12:31 pm
Nemesis said “Comparing him to the KKK? thats kind of low blow.”.
No, its an apt comparison. The KKK believed blacks were inferior and sought to have the law treat them that way. Labarbera believes gays are inferior and sekas to have the law treat them that way.
Nemesis said “Them senators had alot on their hands a budget,cutbacks, scandals among other issues that were a much bigger importance than marriage. So some didn’t vote the way you wanted. who gives a crap.”
All people with a sense of fairness and justice.
Comment by Priya Lynn — March 16, 2010 @ 12:45 pm
If anything, this comment section is a study in factual honesty and the desperately ridiculous. Is Nemesis really serious? Does he(?) honestly believe that anything he(?) is typing can be taken seriously or is anything new on the internet? It’s all been said before, honey, and not very well, as you have once again shown us, thank you very much. ;)
This namaste person (or whatever his/her name is) is realizing that they are a dying mentality; a slug at the bottom of the kettle of humankind. Jesus spoke of this kind of people when he spoke of “sheep in wolves clothing” and “false prophets”. Seeking to keep the world marching to a hetero drum to the exclusion of all others; using God to validate they’re hateful behavior.
God doesn’t hate, menses, people do: and your veneer of self-righteousness is so thin it is not convincing to anyone. Until you admit “I have sinned” as one of your paragons of “christian” virtue, Brotha Jimmy Swaggert, once tearfully rationalized on national television to excuse his very very unchristian behavior, nobody will care to hear you rehash and recycle the same old bullshit over and over and over.
Your hysterical histrionics are cliche’, your fifteen minutes are over. Go find a prom to cancel….and leave God’s children alone. May God bless you richly as any Pharisee would deserve, and remember, Jesus loves you!! (it’s just the rest of the world that thinks you’re full of shit). Buh-bye, now.
Comment by StephenD — March 18, 2010 @ 1:58 am
“…But unfortunately, you fast forward 2,000 years and rednecks who can’t tell the difference between “your” and “you’re” feel comfortable explaining that the Bubble sez if you ack like a fag yer goin’ to hey-ull.”
I would love to say to those redneck, ” What about those acts that makes you your own grampa? Would you go to hell for that as well?”
Comment by Rey Guerrero — March 18, 2010 @ 4:13 pm
Ha ha ha ha ha, The Peter linked to this piece as a “vicious lie or smear” or something or other, saying that it was full of “malice.”
Um, yeah. Reading your own Bible back to you and showing you what it actually says is SO hateful, Peter. If exposing the truly stupid for what they are is hateful.
Any-who, whatevs!
Comment by Evan Hurst — March 19, 2010 @ 1:03 pm