June 9, 2011 5:29 AM

Herman Cain: Homosexuality is a sin and a choice

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Campaign 2012

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain told Hotsheet Wednesday that homosexuality is a sin and a choice.

"I believe homosexuality is a sin because I'm a Bible-believing Christian, I believe it's a sin," he said. "But I know that some people make that choice. That's their choice."

Cain was asked: "So you believe it's a choice?"

"I believe it is a choice," he responded.

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Herman Cain interview: Full transcript

Watch the full interview:


Add a Comment See all 414 Comments
by John_Rational June 14, 2011 3:22 PM EDT
by willywaynestarley11 June 13, 2011 10:54 PM EDT
"The man said nothing wrong. Maybe not on the cbsnews comment section, or the left coast, but in the rest of the country you might be suprised to find your views on homosexuality are in the minority."

Even if this were true (and it's not) it means nothing in a secular society with a secular government. Bringing theology into political discourse is not merely un-American it is Anti-American.

We are told to be vigilant not to allow Islamic theology to infiltrate our government, and this is wise, but we must also be vigilant not to allow Christian theology to infiltrate our government. Radical Christians, by virtue of their greater numbers, pose a greater threat to our secular system of government than radical Muslims do.

It is time for moderate and liberal Christians (the vast majority) to speak out loudly against political Christianity. We will not forget the threat posed by political Islam, but we must also address the clear and present danger posed to our secular government by political Christianity.

So far the radical Christians are not as violent as the radical jihadists, but they are nevertheless fighting a "holy" war against us on the political battlefield, and they pose a far greater threat to our way of life than any closet Muslim jihadist ever could. They must be prevented from turning America into a Christian Theocracy. Make no mistake, that is their goal, and all that is necessary for them to succeed is for the rest of us to do nothing.We must fight ALL radicals!
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by EqualityforALL101 June 14, 2011 1:30 AM EDT
Wow. Cain, along with this forum, is "proof" that America is filled with some cruel, hateful, bigoted, egotistical, narrow-minded, if not utterly close-minded, hypocritical, self-righteous humans. Christians? Humph!!! What the hell ever! If being a Christian means being like some of you, then guess what? Religion has lost its final war. Do you know how many people have died in the name of religion? Do you know how many people kill themselves because of people like you? Forget the abortion clinics -- you people do a fine job of murdering people with your cruel words and hateful ways. I am a woman who loves her husband, and it makes me sick and sad to think that there are people out there who can't openly love who they want to love and it's all because of people like some of you. EQUALITY FOR ALL, TODAY, TOMORROW . . . ALWAYS.
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by EqualityforALL101 June 14, 2011 1:34 AM EDT
I forgot to mention that it's the stand against homosexuality that made me see red at church and sent me straight out the church doors, to not return. I'll worship in my own way, with a God who doesn't hate someone for the way HE MADE THEM!!!
by Sharonkathleen June 14, 2011 10:24 AM EDT
I am also hetersexual and couldn't agree with you more. Years ago I had the fortunate experience to go to Anaheim, Ca. for a Christian woman's conference. One of the key speakers the first day was a woman who had rejected her son upon learning he was homosexual. She had attempted to change him and when he didn't she had stopped speaking to him.. Self righteous, judgmental frequent describes Christians. Her son committed suicide several years later and gone was the opportunity to say she was sorry. Cain needs to pull his head out..no one would ever choose to have a life like people who are gay have. This is not a choice.. Keep hanging on to that belief Cane and then you never have to deal with "God doesn't make mistakes"..
by mountainstates1 June 13, 2011 10:38 PM EDT
So is being an ignorant hateful bigot. I'm so glad Cain is a Republican! He totally fits the profile!
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by willywaynestarley11 June 13, 2011 10:54 PM EDT
The man said nothing wrong. Maybe not on the cbsnews comment section, or the left coast, but in the rest of the country you might be suprised to find your views on homosexuality are in the minority.
by dnamj June 13, 2011 7:29 PM EDT
Bigotry is always wrong.
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by dkjack June 13, 2011 3:05 PM EDT
People no more choose homosexuality than they choose heterosexuality. When they try to "choose" their sexuality, sometimes they succeed (like "putting away childish things"), but usually not, which is why cases of alcoholism, spousal abuse and promiscuity are often ascribed as manifestations of latent homosexuality.

If Cain is saying that we choose our sexuality, then he's an idiot. (Lifestyle is another issue.) As for Christianity, I don't think anyone from the party of greed, plunder and mendacity is qualified to hold forth as a Christian.
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by magik1369 June 13, 2011 10:32 AM EDT
When Americans wake up from their Bible delusions and their brainwashings and their stupid "American dreaming" they just may be ready to take responsibility for fixing what is wrong in this country. The country is so entirely divided now and that is the result of the false, dualistic religion called Christianity. People need to wake up from their delusions if they are to fix this country. As it is, most people in the country are not yet individuated (have not yet become true individuals) and are unconscious (unaware) and ignorant (do not know the truth of their existence). Christianity has taught them a lie for 200 years or more..and the lie says that all a person has to do is "believe in Jesus" and everything is all set for them. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are evolving beings and need to work very hard at our own transformation and at elevating our awareness. An all inclusive Deity does not discriminate among people based upon their religious choice and preferences. No...that is called an anthropomorphism (ascribing human traits to G-d). Humans are stupid and ignorant to call Jesus "God" or to call any human "God." That is the epitome of ignorance. Their is in Reality, only One Source and we are all parts of that Source. The Ultimate Reality is All Inclusive of All People's of All Time, everywhere, without discrimination based on religion, belief system, color of their skin, country of origin, and all the other things that stupid christians use to discriminate against people that are not WASPS like they are. Real G-d is not as small, petty, and stupid as American "christians" created Him/Her/It to be. Christians act like they speak for G-d and that they have G-d all sewn up. Nothing could be further from the truth. Christians are the most ignorant and most evil of them all.
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by magik1369 June 13, 2011 10:21 AM EDT
Cain believes homosexuality is a sin because he is a "bible believing christian". He says this as if being a bible believing christian automatically confers some type of credibility and acceptance on him. Nothing could be further from the truth. To those who have actually studied it, to be a "bible believing christian" is a sure sign of ignorance and intellectual and mental laziness. To actually believe in the bible literally is a primitive, regressive consciousness called fundamentalism. This reveals that Cain is regressive and more than likely has an average or below average IQ. It is impossible for an intelligent person to "believe the bible", the bible is so obviously false and contains a collection of Bronze Age mythology and nothing more. If you believe that the G-d of the bible is the G-d of the Universe, you are in the most spiritually depraved place of all and your "god" is a murderous tyrant that killed Lot's wife and that ordered all first born babies killed. If you "believe" the bible, you believe in the fictitious, mythological character Jesus, who never actually existed in history. There is not a shred of evidence for a Jesus. The truth is, the bible and Christianity are dark and set humanity back thousands of years in its evolution. Do you actually believe that with the hundreds of different races and types of people on this planet, that the G-d of the Universe chose one race to carry his message and chose one religion(christianity) to be the "true religion". If so, you are not very intelligent and are not a very deep thinker but are shallow and you accept the first thing anyone tells you. You probably never do substantial research either. The truth is, the bible is absurd...a book of murder, violence, and ignorance and there is not a shred of evidence that Jesus actually existed in history. Christianity is "The Greatest Story Ever Sold."
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by gohan31 June 13, 2011 11:34 AM EDT
Obviously you need to run for the God position, since you have all the biblical answers!LOL
by John_Rational June 13, 2011 11:56 AM EDT
Actually the historical reality of Jesus is documented in a history treatise written by the Jewish historian Josephus. Josephus had nothing good to say about Jesus, and certainly was not a Christian.
by CWOODS8178 June 13, 2011 9:17 AM EDT
MR. CAIN IS RIGHT ON THIS ISSUE, REPUBLICANS NEED TO STAND BY THEIR PRINCIPLES LIKE THEY SAY THIS IS THEIR VALUES , DEMOCRATS NEED TO STAND BY THIS ALSO
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by dnamj June 13, 2011 7:31 PM EDT
JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE "A" IS THE CAPS LOCK KEY.
by karlschneider October 4, 2011 2:47 PM EDT
Of course, since republican "principles" are hypocrisy, bigotry and ignorance.
by John_Rational June 12, 2011 10:18 PM EDT
Any candidate who thinks it is appropriate to speak about religious doctrine when campaigning for political office in a secular government should be barred from holding office. If he wants to preach he should become a minister and do that in church where it is appropriate. As president one must represent the interests of all the people, not just those who agree with his theology. Fortunately he can't get elected.
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by voxpopulus June 12, 2011 7:32 PM EDT
The only way I'd become homosexual is if Sarah Palin were the only woman left on the planet.
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by dnamj June 13, 2011 7:30 PM EDT
Pretty much disproves Cain's point.
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