Gay Rights Group Criticizes Obama

(AP)  A gay rights group on Monday urged Barack Obama to cut ties with a gospel singer who it says spreads false information about homosexuality being a choice.

Donnie McClurkin is among several gospel singers scheduled to raise money for the Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate at a concert in South Carolina this weekend.

McClurkin has drawn attention from gay rights activists for his views on homosexuality.

"I don't believe that it is the intention of God," McClurkin said Monday in a telephone interview. "Sexuality, everything is a matter of choice."

McClurkin said he does not believe in discriminating against homosexuals. "What people do in their bedrooms and who they are as human beings are two different things," he said.

In a statement, Obama said he believes gays and lesbians are "our brothers and sisters" and should be afforded the same respect, dignity and rights granted all other citizens.

"I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country," Obama said. "I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as president of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

The statement did not say whether McClurkin will still perform on the tour.

"We strongly urge Obama to part ways with this divisive preacher who is clearly singing a different tune than the stated message of the campaign," Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Out, said in a statement.

At a forum on gay issues in August, Obama argued that civil unions for same-sex couples wouldn't be a "lesser thing" than marriage. Obama belongs to the United Church of Christ, which supports gay marriage, but Obama has yet to go that far.

In a telephone interview Monday, Besen said he admired Obama, but wasn't ready to endorse him, especially considering McClurkin taking part in the campaign's "Embrace the Change" concert tour.

"I think he'd be a great president. But I think it's going to drive away support from people who are on the fence such as myself," Besen said.

McClurkin is a Grammy Award winner who performed at the Republican National Convention in 2004. He told AP Radio in an interview that September that he was "once involved with those desires and those thoughts," which he attributed to being raped at 8 and 13.

"That's what thrust me into it, and then God delivered me from that and gave me back who I really am and my true purpose," McClurkin said.

[sftodd]

Posted by jankebenz at 12:37 PM : Oct 25, 2007

Spreading lies about gay people and failing to mention that many of the same statistics hold true for straight people (to the extent they are at all valid) proves only that hatred is what movtivates both you and singinrick.

[sftodd]

Singinrick, you have the blood of Mathew Sheppard and countless other victims of hate crimes on your hands. You are apparently the victim of your own hatred, which is why you obsess over this issue and a small part of me pitys you for that reason. However, were you a true Christian, you would spend more time preaching against violence against gay_s than you would preaching about the fact that they are all going to hell. Case closed.

[jankebenz]

Hi Rick ,nice talking to you. wow! you really let em have it with all the documentation you posted. I think you may have left them speechless. Have a great day Janke

[candide777]

Christ loves as none other, but he does and will discipline to correct disobedience as a loving father
Posted by jankebenz at 11:52 PM : Oct 24, 2007

Your hatred of gay people could not be more obvious. But the real issue here is that both you and Rick, if you had your ways, would not even allow people to talk about *** and lesbians on this website. You are dangerous enemies of a free society, no doubt about it. Good night to you also, and remember, Jesus cannot forgive you for hating gay people until you repent. I suggest you start asking him to forgive you for having so much hatred in your heart. Step Two: dedicate your life to sreading love instead of dedicating it to spreading hate, as you seem to find so easy and natural, almost as if Satan is telling you what to say.

[jankebenz]

You''''re right, the more people point out how stupid and ridiculous your arguments are, the more correct you are, LOL!! You are such a simpleton, it''''s hard to resist.

Posted by Candide777 at 11:39 PM : Oct 24, 2007

Thanks for the show of intelligence btw .the bible speaks much of simpletons, or fools, i.e. The fool has said in his heart, ''There is no God.'' They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." - Psalms 14:1 (KJV) sorry I could not resist Good night

[jankebenz]

6 love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth Posted by Candide777 at 11:26 PM : Oct 24, 2007

Bingo, you found the text which exemplifies what rick and I have been saying all along. We do love as christians rightly should but take no delight in evil,such as homosexuality and perversion,which is stated so clearly and often in scriptures. As paul said we should admonish and correct one another when that person is lead astray. Christ loves as none other, but he does and will discipline to correct disobedience as a loving father

[candide777]

Slowly but surely the law is being replaced to suite and accommodate peoples changing values . . .

Yes, it''s called progress, thank God we have outlawed slavery; You clearly would have been on the wrong side of that issue when it was debated years ago by your fundamentalist predecessors.

[candide777]

Can you imagine a government that would also stay so true to its word?
Posted by jankebenz at 11:27 PM : Oct 24, 2007

You''re right, the more people point out how stupid and ridiculous your arguments are, the more correct you are, LOL!! You are such a simpleton, it''s hard to resist.

[jankebenz]

So, too, we don''''t want false prophets in this country telling us how to live our lives

Posted by Candide777 at 09:23 PM : Oct 24, 2007

So too where the biblical prophets not well recieved when they came to tell the people of the error of their ways. people want to hear that they are good and not listen to correction It was not long ago when most democratic government laws were based on biblical law, murder, theft,coveting, false testimony,homosexuality,ect ect, but as we have seen these laws and standards have eroded to the point that even murder can be gotten away with provided you can buy your inocence. Biblical laws have been thrown out of most public institutions and the ensuing increase in lawlessness have reached epidemic proportions. Slowly but surely the law is being replaced to suite and accommodate peoples changing values, yet biblical laws have stood the test of time and will never change,no more no less. Can you imagine a government that would also stay so true to its word?

[candide777]

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a RESOUNDING GONG or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and IF I HAVE FAITH THAT CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS, BUT HAVE NOT LOVE, I AM NOTHING. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE."

[WHY IS IT THAT THE LOUDEST "CHRISTIANS" NEVER REMEMBER THIS BIBLE PASSAGE? HYPOCRISY?]

The Christian Right is neither.