 |
|
|
|
|
May 22nd, 2012
11:23 AM ET
Video of North Carolina pastor's plan to 'get rid of' gays goes viralBy Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor (CNN) - Video of a North Carolina pastor preaching that gays and lesbians should be rounded up inside an electric fence is going viral on the Internet, two weeks after North Carolina passed a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and President Barack Obama voiced personal support for legalizing such marriages. "I figured a way out, a way to get rid of all the lesbians and queers, but I couldn't get it past the Congress," Pastor Charles L. Worley can be seen telling his Providence Road Baptist Church congregation in the video, which had more than 250,000 YouTube views by Tuesday. "Build a great big, large fence - 50 or a 100 miles long - and put all the lesbians in there,” Worley went on to say in his May 13 sermon at his Maiden, North Carolina, church. “Fly over and drop some food. Do the same thing with the queers and the homosexuals, and have that fence electrified so they can't get out. Feed them. And you know in a few years, they'll die out. You know why? They can't reproduce." My Take: The Bible condemns a lot, but here's why we focus on homosexuality The video had initially been posted on Providence Road’s website but was recently taken down, according to CNN affiliate WBTV-TV in Charlotte. The phone line at Worley’s church was busy on Monday night and on Tuesday, as was Worley’s home number on Tuesday. The church’s website was down Tuesday morning, but it had described the house of worship as fundamentalist, meaning it represents a Baptist tradition that's more conservative than the Southern Baptists. My Take: The Christian case for gay marriage Worley’s sermon was posted on YouTube by a group called Catawba Valley Citizens Against Hate, which is organizing a protest at the Providence Road Baptist Church on Sunday. Addressing his congregation last Sunday, Worley referred to his earlier controversial sermon. "I talked a little bit, I believe it was last Sunday, on the homosexual lifestyle, and there was a whole lot of people who didn't like what I said," Worley told his congregation Sunday, according to WBTV. "I want to read it out of the Bible, and then we'll go from there." CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories “Listen, all of the Sodomites, the lesbians, and all of the ... what's that word? Gays - I didn't wanna say 'queers' - that say we don't love you, I love you more than you love yourself,” Worley said, according to WBTV. “I'm praying for you to be saved." Worley’s initial sermon was partly framed as a response to Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, which he made in a TV interview a day after North Carolina voters passed a state constitutional amendment banning legal recognition of such marriages and other types of gay unions. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD, was working Tuesday to gather criticism of Worley’s comments from other North Carolina pastors. “I am angry and sick at heart over Pastor Worley's comments,” said the Rev. Dennis Teall-Fleming, pastor at Open Hearts Gathering in Gastonia, North Carolina, in a statement distributed by GLAAD. “Nothing he says has anything to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Teall-Fleming, who leads a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation. “I call on all Christian and Baptist organizations that have any connection with him to condemn his comments as strongly as I do, including Providence Road Baptist Church of Maiden.” soundoff (5,806 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 Next » |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
|
|
|
P.S.
Catawba county is a beautiful place full of really nice people. Just like anywhere, there are people who aren't nice.
Ah, Christianity and stupidity– what a wonderful combination. Jesus would have seen this charlatan as a Pharisee, and we know his opinion of Pharisees. When he said, "Love one another," he didn't specify genders.
So... Tell me why these people maintain their Tax-exempt status? The IRS needs to start doing their job and crack down on these lunatics.
THIS IS NOT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - IT HAS NO CONNECTION TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH -- THESE ARE BAPTIST FUNDAMENTALISTS - THAT IS THE SAME CHURCH OBAMA'S REVEREND WRIGHT IS IN AND OBAMA IS A BAPTIST - GEE, WHO KNEW
I was unfortunately raised Catholic and they are no better. In fact, I would argue that they're worse.
thought the right spent so much effort saying he was an evil muslim?
I love the argument of convenience. Obama is whatever you need him to be to serve your current purpose. He's the president of 1000 faces–the Lon Chaney of the White House. If you want to spread fear of Islam, he's a Muslim. If you want to argue that he is illegitimate, he's Kenyan. If you want to argue against health care reform, he's a socialist. And now, if you want to try to tie him to hatred and calls for genocide, he's a fundamentalist baptist. We shouldn't clump all Christians into one group and believe that they all agree with this pastor, but you feel free to clump the president in with him all you want, right? Keep on spinning, sir.
It will be interesting to see if that "church" kicks this nut out. If not, then we know it is not a Christian Church at all. but a cult with a tax free status.
a tax free cult -are you speaking of the DNC?
Oh Lord, not YOU again !
@DC Observer...what dark medieval cave are you living in. They're all part of the same deception. You're not living up to your name. If you are indeed observing anything it is through a very ignorant lens.
It seems that all you have to do in order to justify evil words or actions is invoke “religious freedom”. Using the name of Jesus to spew immoral ideas is clearly sinful. Charles Worley better keep his license handy as it appears he’ll be driving the bus to hell.
Oh yeah, and take your misguided congregation with you.
Wow this is great. We can take all people with cancer and put them within a fence, too. Then all cancer will be gone for the rest of the world. Oh wait, that would'nt work AND NEITHER WOULD THIS BECAUSE THE REV IS A BIGOT AND A MORON. And no I am not saying that being gay is like cancer. Being gay is just a programming abnormality. We have gradually learned to accept and understand the physical abnormalities of others, but have a long way to go when it comes to mental abnormalities. These people did not ask to be gay anymore than others asked to be straight, but it happens and as a race of beings, we should have figured out how to cope and nuture this facet of life, rather than condemn them and isolate them from society.
This guy is a redneck hick. I wonder how many of his family members are interrelated...
The guy's a kidder from way back! Gotta be a joke, son. They don't even HAVE electricity where this guy lives! He's dreamin'.
Well, Atleast he's a preacher that actually teaches out of the Bible. I mean, the guy isnt lying, it does say, on more than one occasion in the Bible, tha all gays go to hell unless they repent. So, he's really just teaching the Bible.
From North Carolina too, are you ? The land of Jessie Helms !!!!
Yeah, well, there's lots of things the bible says not to do that we ignore now because it's convenient to do so. Bacon and shellfish sure are yummy! I wonder if he preaches on those things, too . . .
Also – do you have the scripture references on that?
I would still disagree, but be ok with the message as one of religious opinion, if all he said was that GLBT individuals will end up in hell should they choose to not repent. That's based on an interpretation of the actual scripture, so fine. I disagree, but go ahead and preach it if that's what you believe. In that case you are saying that your God will make the judgement call. However, this Pastor is NOT preaching that message. Instead he is promoting the segregation and extermination of GLBT people. He is taking it upon himself to pass judgement and condemnation. I am not a religious scholar, but I am certain that such a message flies in the fact of true Christian teachings.
Matthew 7 is pretty clear
112 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
13 “ Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Nicely put. Thank you for showing the beautiful side of the stories that became the books of the christian bible.
muslims have a different view about gays and lesbians that i like much better
Pablo: Then maybe you should live in the Middle East.
just because you are gay does not mean you do not want children – via pregnancy or adoption. i see lots of gay couples in love and committed to their partners and children, and raise them to be good, upstanding moral adults, and -OMG- straight adults...unless they were born gay, cause you know, you kinda have to be born that way...unless you are a preacher who gets caught with his hands in a young boy's pants. then, you can "ask for forgiveness" and "change"...because your sheep will follow and allow that. anyhow, i have seen gay couples raise their children to be better, more upstanding adults than the children of "christians", who are raised to despise anyone who doesn't think the same way as themselves...they can do what they want all in the name of the lord.
on a lighter note, do you know the only place two Baptist don't recognize each other? the liquor store.
hypocrites...the whole lot of them.
Why isn't he wearing his white robe and pointy hat?
His 12-year-old first cousin boyfriend borrowed it.
RELAX People.
haha this was funny couldn't stop laughing
ikr...what a tool. hope he keeps his hands off the alter boys.
What a boring world it would be without gays and lesbians.. imagine no art, music, entertainment and culture
We'd have plenty of art and music without the gays. And I would be perfectly okay with it. I don't see how it would be "boring". I don't agree with this pastor's remedy but, I certainly don't enjoy seeing two guys cuddle and fondle each other playfully when I'm waiting for my order at Starbuck's. I could do without it.
No church hierarchy.
@Vinny...I'm sure there are plenty of people who could do without you drooling over the most recent People magazine in the Starbucks as well, but fortunately you're allowed to do just that.
Indeed! What would our world be like if everything was as myopic as this "preacher" proposes?
I agree. I hate Vinnys.
This is a great example of Political Religion, and unfortunately more and more these loud mouth bigots are Republicans. As an Independent voter who identifies with many Republican ideals I find it ridiculous that these hate-types always find a way to make a political statement. Memo to hate filled loud mouth figures, quit dividing America, quit destroying the Republican party, and quit pretending to know God's message.
THANK you! It's rare to see anyone who even identifies with Republican principles commenting this way, but I don't believe that represents a lack of conservatives who FEEL that way. As you say, it's the loud mouthed fanatics on the fringe who get the attention, and it leads us all to believe the entire "other side" are raving, hateful loonies. Now, get all your like-minded friends to start commenting, too, please.
Tax the church!
As an American, I support his right to say whatever he wants. As a tax paying American, WHY IN THE WORLD THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR ORGANIZATION STILL ENJOY TAX EXEMPT STATUS?
Because Americans are sheep and refuse to stand up to them. As soon as churches start to talk politics, they by law should forfeit their tax exempt status. Hate groups should not be tax exempt
Well said, and fair question. Citizens of the United States of America should debate and learn and understand why the founding dudes were so vehement about the separation of church and state.
Its funny how atheists call Christians evil and then they turn a blind eye to muslim atrocities.
Do they really? On what are you basing that claim?
Give Christians a chance. It's only a matter of time now when they start adopting the suicide bombing methods! Give them time, baby steps. Oh and John Smith, you hate gays, Well don't worry there won't be too many in hell where you will be!
The voices in his head, I'd say. Or something he heard on Rush.
What are you talking about? We see this pastor, bin Laden, and all those that follow them as equals in their foolishness.
Please cite facts, reliable sources, or show evidence of this. I'd love to read them.
Every single atheist and agnostic I know – without exception, are concerned about justice and kindness – where do followers of Mohammad fit into your logic?
It's funny how some right wingnuts like to overstate things dramatically to make their point.
guffaw: "Please cite facts, reliable sources, or show evidence of this. I'd love to read them.
Every single atheist and agnostic I know – without exception, are concerned about justice and kindness – where do followers of Mohammad fit into your logic?"
It's ironic that you asked for reliable sources and evidence, and then you come up with self serving anecdotal evidence to support your position.
Hilarious.
I agree... I hate gays...
Troll on, troll star.
I'm sure they're all broken up about that, Johhny.
I disagree. I hate Smiths.
1 in 10 children, through no fault of their own, will be gay. As the God-fearing Christian you must be because of your unfounded hatred of gays (oh, sorry, your Bible tells you to hate gays), you should prepare to either kill or disown one of your children for being gay. I propose you simply rip the suspected fetus out of its mother (oh, but wait, the Bible states all life is precious). Another option might be to simply kill your child when he/she comes out to you (oh, but, then again, the Bible states thou shalt not kill). Well, shoot. Maybe you shouldn't have children then? Best to play it safe right? Oh, but, geeze, there it is again, that dang Bible and belief that all marrages MUST be for the purpose of procreation (oh, but, wait again, what about the elderly that are still getting married despite being unable to concieve? Gosh, so many decisions to make about hatred. What does the Bible say about that?
Michael: Best post of the day by far. Of course you realize it'll do no good pointing out inconsistencies and hypocrisies, because they'll just misinterpret another line of text from the bible to somehow suggest they're right and we're all wrong. You know what's fun? For every bible quote they throw at you, give them a quote from Helter Skelter. Tell them "You quote from your man-made book and I'll quote from mine." Drives 'em crazy. And make sure you come up with a wild, unlikely point of view from some strange passage that has nothing to do with anything. Seriously, they hyperventilate if you do it right.
The feeling is mutual.
I am just amazed when i hear this coming from a preacher but this guy has really gone over the top. I really feel sorry for people that have this much hate in their heart. I think he needs psychiatric treatment for sure! Someone with that much hate for anything definitely has got a serious problem. Now this reminds me of NAZI's for sure...WOW!