Each week, Queerty picks one blowhard, hypocrite, airhead, bloviator, sanctimonious prick or other enemy of all that is queer to be the Douche of the Week.
Have a nominee for DOTW? E-mail it to us at [email protected].
We weren’t jumping for joy when Newt Gingrich admitted that federal marriage equality was a growing reality last month. It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement—and he’s not exactly someone we look to for support.
But former Navy chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt got a wild hair up his butt about Gingrich’s comments, saying the former Speaker of the House was under the spell of “demonic voices” and “worthy of death” for acknowledging a political reality.
How about we take this to the next level?
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In December, Gingrich told HuffPo that “the reality is going to be that in a number of American states —and it will be more after 2014—gay relationships will be legal, period.”
But in an episode of The Pray in Jesus Name Show posted on Right Wing Watch, Klingenschmitt said Gingrich was pandering to liberals: “He is moving away from the church to position himself as the left-wing moderate Republican candidate for a run for presidency in 2016.”
Oy, where to begin? Gingrich didn’t endorse gay marriage, he merely noted an obvious trend. But reactionaries like Klingenschmitt think acting like something isn’t happening will make it go away (see: global warming, the 2012 presidential election, fiscal cliff, etc). And if Newt was planning on running in 2016, we doubt he’d try to re-brand himself as a moderate.
At one point the chaplain cites Romans, Chapter 1, which states “the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another… They which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Klingenschmitt clarifies that “it’s not like Newt is personally engaging in homosexual activity.” (Ugh, there’s a picture.) But he’s worthy of death “because he takes pleasure in those that do that sort of thing.”
Y’know who else Romans, Chapter 1 claims is “worth of death”? Fornicators, liars, gossipers, backbiters, haters of God, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, covenant-breakers, the implacable, the envious, and the unmerciful.
We’re thinking maybe Klingenschmitt didn’t read that far.
All together now: What a douche!
UPDATE: Rev. Klingenschmitt contacted Queerty to insist he “never labeled Newt Gingrich as ‘worthy of death.'” He does not, however, deny the authenticity of the video, which shows him stating homosexual acts and those who “take pleasure in those who do that sort of thing” are are “worthy of death.”
jwrappaport
James Madison was right: there shouldn’t be chaplains in the military.
2eo
There is no place for religion in any fight for humanity. There can be no war against islamic extremism in which christian extremism is so prevalent. It is nothing but a holy war.
MikeE
let’s see, he just stated that someone should be killed? I thought that was a crime? incitement to murder
2eo
@MikeE: It isn’t violent radicalism if christians do it.
If he was brown and had a beard he’d be in jail by now.
Alan down in Florida
Obviously he deserves to lose his job for this.
Guillermo3
This piece of Shit Chaplin would be an insult
to any self-respecting douche bag,even a full one!
Joetx
@2eo: ITA.
hyhybt
*Former* chaplain. He can’t lose a job he doesn’t have.
There are, of course, things that WILL go away if you ignore them long enough. Boyfriends, for example.
Dakotahgeo
I love it! Another right wing ditwad joining the ranks of other right-wing extremists who are doing more footwork for the left wing and GLBT causes than all the allies on the left could ever accomplish. Klingenschmitt is another right wing mis-interpreter of the Bible who cherry-picks the Scriptures to support his own viewpoint. Much to his discredit… and much support for our side. (Ya jus’ can’t make this stuff up! Thanks, right wingers!).
Guillermo3
@Dakotahgeo: Right,Dakotahgeo!!:Sometimes our enemies are are best allies.
Billysees
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
It is actually humorous from Romans 1:32 that — those who disobey their parents are “worthy of death”.
That verse should read “children who disobey their parents….” because who else would disobey their parents “but” children.
When it is finally realized what he said and the words chosen to say it, a certain and clear cynicism and contempt from that whole chapter becomes evident.
Could we imagine anyone being worthy of death in our day for such reasons ?
Of course not.
We’re so much better off if we “think and consider” about the things that are written down instead of quoting raw scripture.
The NT requires much interpretation and paraphrasing in order to make it meaningful.
It seems nowadays that there is little interest in the more kindly words of our Jesus and our friend.
So much enthusiasm for irrelevant OT commentary.
So much enthusiasm for NT condemnation, being judgmental, siting in the seat of scorn and mockery, all manner of fault finding and constantly being accusatory of others.
So much straining at the gnat of worthless, outdated and dead verses.
Who can bear that stuff ?
What if your loved ones talked that way ?
Why aren’t the fruits-of-the-spirit held aloft ?
It’s a shame that some make Christianity look like a back-woods religion.
Ronbo
What? If this rump weasel can’t get gay-married, then no one can! But, put them to death for just acknowledging reality? Seems, he misses either the inquisition or torture now that he is out of the military. Don’t give him guns, he seems mass-murder-ish.
hyhybt
“That verse should read “children who disobey their parents….” because who else would disobey their parents “but” children.”—No, adults can also disobey their parents. In our culture, it’s expected that people go their own way once they’ve grown up, but that hasn’t always been the case.
Aidan8
The real issue is not that some nut-job says what this clown says. The real issue is that he can get away with it because he’s a “christian.” Can you imagine if a Muslim cleric said the same thing? Oh, the outrage! He’s an idiot. But he’s a “christian” idiot…. so he’s just “expressing his faith.” puke.
hyhybt
@Aidan8: What, precisely, do you mean by “get away with it,” especially in a way that he wouldn’t if he were, say, Pastafarian? He’s not a chaplain, despite the headline; there’s not even any particular reason to have mentioned that he used to be one. So it’s not like the navy is claiming his religion as a reason to overlook his statements; they have nothing to do with him anymore. He’s not in violation of any law, so there’s nothing to prosecute that’s being overlooked for that excuse. And he’s certainly not avoiding criticism. So what, exactly, do you mean by “getting away with” anything?
Aidan8
@hyhybt: Go to his website and read, as I did, his comments and opinions. As a “christian” in 2013 USA, he gets a pass on crazy statements — statements that, made by a Muslim cleric, would cause huge outrage. Can you imagine if a Muslim cleric said Gingrich was worthy of death for his statements? Or a Hindu priest? Or Rabbi?
hyhybt
@Aidan8: *His* website is not going to answer the question of what, precisely, YOU mean. Only you can do that, if you can be bothered to do so.
There *is* outrage. Perhaps not “huge,” but it’s there… and outrage or the lack thereof by itself doesn’t mean much. If anything, more would be better for him, as it would mean more publicity.
Aidan8
@hyhybt: What I MEAN is what I said. I will reiterate for you: In modern American culture, a controversial statement by a christian is given a “pass” compared to how a similar controversial statement by a Muslim cleric would be treated. Imagine if a Muslim cleric said Gingrich is worthy of death for his statement… do you really think it would be treated the same? It wouldn’t — and you know it.
Billysees
@Ronbo: 12
For the humorous interest of those who reads these posts, the word “rump” needs some clarification.
I wondered what a “rump weasel” was.
Here’s what I found on-line (http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01006/weasel.htm) — “A weasel may drag its rump on the ground, probably to leave a scent, that informs other weasels of who lives there, how long ago they last visited that spot, and whether they are male or female”.
I think we can now see a link between natural weasel activity and the contemptuous scent this guy is spreading around in hopes of arousing and getting more like minded followers.
Billysees
@hyhybt: 13
What you say is true of course, and I might add a bit sad too that families should go-their-own-way cause of some kind of cultural thing.
The point I was making is that the words “worthy of death” are unworthy of our time.
These NT writers lived in a stone-throwing, blood focused and heaven-only-knows-what-else culture that is “not suitable” for today’s life.
Culture greatly influences a certain mindset.
As for me, I don’t want anything to do with those times and I wouldn’t want to “go back” there for anything.
hyhybt
@Aidan8: I do understand better what you mean. Basically, though, it boils down to his not getting as much free publicity as a Muslim cleric probably would (though note carefully that we don’t hear every pronouncement by every Muslim cleric, either, so you cannot possibly know how many of them say the same sorts of things without any notice whatsoever.)
You do realize, though, don’t you, that most people who HAVE heard what this guy said ARE outraged by it. So, coming back to the point you haven’t *quite* addressed: what is it he’s getting away with?
Guillermo3
@Billysees: Thanks,Billysees! I never would have taken the time to look up “rump weasel”,though just the term is funny enough,and appropriate_Like a fox or skunk marking its territory.this former chaplain whack-job is dragging his ass around to show where he’s been.It would be funny if his scent indicated that he’s in heat_funnier still if his heat indicated a need to service other men!
Stache1
This pastor is only cherry picking stuff out that supports his hate. Hate that would be there anyways. We could play this game all day. Here’s just a few…
Don’t wear clothes made of more than one fabric (Leviticus 19:19)
Don’t cut your hair nor shave. (Leviticus 19:27)
Any person who curseth his mother or father, must be killed. (Leviticus 20:9)
If a child hits or curses his father, he is to be killed. (Exodus 21:15, & 17)
If a man cheats on his wife, or vise versa, both the man and the woman must die. (Leviticus 20:10).
Etc..
Aidan8
@hyhybt: “You do realize, though, don’t you, that most people who HAVE heard what this guy said ARE outraged by it”
Actually, my point is that there are likely millions of evangelical/conservative/fundamentalist “christians” in this country that are not outraged by it. And because of the cultural/religious milieu of modern America, a guy like this doesn’t lose all credibility because of such a statement. On the other hand, a similarly provocative statement by a non-christian would be met with HUGE outrage and total loss of credibility. This clown will continue on in his “ministry” making silly, outrageous, and hurtful statements and it’ll be chalked up to him “expressing his faith.” If you can’t see that fundamentalist/evangelical/conservative “christians” get a pass in this country, then you need to look more closely.
hyhybt
@Aidan8: @Aidan8: I got it now! By getting a free pass, you don’t mean getting a free pass in any sense I’ve heard of before. You just mean that a lot of people won’t hold it against him *because they agree with him.* And°° surely some do; equally surely, not nearly as many as you seem to want to believe. Vanishingly few would agree that someone deserves death for stating the fact that gay marriage is legal in some states now and will be in more states in the future as he did. And those who *do* agree with that would agree with it even if the statement came from a Muslim. But, of course, *other* statements that *you* would find equally outrageous, they wouldn’t agree with any more than you do.
Thank you for your patience. I’ve got it now.
°°That’s not the same as giving him a free pass in the usual sense because that expression involves recognizing that someone is in the wrong but not holding it against them, which is what threw me up to now.
Billysees
@Stache1: 23
I say this respectfully, if it can be called respectful —
Don’t spend much time in the OT. It was written for Jewish folk and it’s theirs to appreciate.
Non-Jewish folk have the NT to work with, and there’s plenty of comments to comfort those who wish to be comforted by bible inspiration.
If you do a “spectrum analysis” of the words found in the bible, interesting things come in view.
You can use any concordance to do this.
Take the word “abomination” and other phrases that contain the word.
I found that the word appears about 135 times in the OT and only 6 times in the NT.
The point I’m making here is that the word abomination lost popularity or significance as it had when the OT was written.
All kinds of things change over the course of time.
Today, the word is seldom used.
The examples you use from the OT is another realization of how utterly nonsensical so-called inspiration can be.
These are cobwebs in the bible.
The 4 gospels seem pretty much pristine.
It makes you ask yourself — what can be trust worthy or meaningful from anything in the bible ?
The NT does the much better job of imparting things that are beneficial.
But even it has limitations.
What could be a good recommendation for us then to get from the Book something useful.
Paul, the NT writer said it best, “work out your own salvation or understanding”.
That essentially makes Christianity a do-it-yourself religion, and that’s what’ll make it a uniquely personal experience and the “holy spirit” will back-us-up in our effort to do this.
Billysees
@Guillermo3: 22
Guillermo,
Que tal?
Gracias por la cordial acogida.
Cual es su profesion?
Donde vive?
De donde viene?
Le estoy muy agradecido
Prospero Ano Nuevo!
Me entiende?
Cuantos anos tiene?
Soy mayor de edad.
Podemos banarnos aqui?
Podemos banarnos desnudos aqui?
Ha sido muy agradable?
Hasta la proxima.
Muchas felicidades!
jmmartin
Klingenschit ought to know, he gave so many b.j.’s to “troubled sailors” while he was in the service.