ABC News is reporting that Louie Giglio, the anti-LGBT pastor who was to perform the benediction at President Obama’s second inauguration, has been removed from the progra , ABC News’s Jonathan Karl reported Thursday.
Giglio’s selection angered members of the LGBT community after it came to light that in the 1990s, he preached that gay people were going to Hell, that the LGBT was a dangerous movement, and that homosexuality could be cured by prayer—among other homophobic homilies.
Giglio, who apparently withdrew from the ceremony voluntarily, issued a statement today:
I am honored to be invited by the President to give the benediction at the upcoming inaugural on January 21. Though the President and I do not agree on every issue, we have fashioned a friendship around common goals and ideals, most notably, ending slavery in all its forms.
Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.
Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the President’s invitation. I will continue to pray regularly for the President, and urge the nation to do so. I will most certainly pray for him on Inauguration Day.
Our nation is deeply divided and hurting, and more than ever need God’s grace and mercy in our time of need.
Wow, not even the faintest attempt at an apology.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Here’s the thing, Mr. Giglio—and Sen. Hagel can take note, as well: Unless you were a child, you’re accountable for things you said 15 years ago. Giglio is 54 years old now—he was in his late 30s when he said:
“..Homosexuality is not just a sexual preference homosexuality is not gay, but homosexuality is sin. It is sin in the eyes of God, and it is sin according to the word of God. You come to only one conclusion: homosexuality is less than God’s best for his creation. It is less than God’s best for us and everything in our lives that is less than God’s best for us and his plan for us and his design for us, is sin. That’s God’s voice. If you want to hear God’s voice, that is his voice to this issue of homosexuality.
It is not ambiguous and unclear. It is very clear.”
Just because George Bush thinks being a cokehead in his mid-30s counts as a youthful indiscretion doesn’t mean the rest of us do.
h/t: Think Progress
RomanHans
I am completely embarrassed at how our agenda of tolerance has totally bullied his history of anti-gay hate. What horrible people we liberals are.
pierre
What a fool. And a big ol’ closet case.
Michael
The Inaugural Committee has pleaded ignorance without explaining why their “vetting” of Giglio was so superficial. Yes, I WANT to believe that, in 2013, the same Obama who dug his heels in and refused to distance himself from rabidly homophobic Donnie McClurkin and Rick “Gay = Pedophila” Warren even when they were STILL very actively hatemongering, would have passed on Giglio if involved in the decision. BUT this is a manifestation of how skin deep any commitment is in this Administration to ENFORCING his lip service to a “vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.” If Good Christians are impelled to ask, “What would Jesus do?” then why haven’t the disciples of our self-anointed “Fierce Advocate” been forcefully told to ask how ANY decision affects the gay and lesbian community? “Vetting” is perhaps the Second Commandment in politics, right after “Don’t appoint KNOWN murderers to your Cabinet.” Bottom line: any let up on holding Mr. Obama’s feet to the fire only results in it going out.
http://youtu.be/jXq9mLCKuCI
Aidan8
Wow. “…those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration.” Right. So it’s those crazy annoying hissy-fit liberal queers who are pushing their “agenda.” Another example of an evangelical christian “pastor” being out of touch with reality. So so so sick of the evangelicals.
Sapphireone
Rick Warren last time, this idiot this time, and Hagal nominated — I am NOT feeling our President right about now. Could someone please look him in the eye and ask WTF?
hf2hvit
So what’s he have to say about all the reublican adulterers?
Republicans sure love their adulterers:
GINGRICH, LIMBAUGH, VITTER, MC CAIN, CRAIG, PALLADINO, GIULIANI, BARR, ENSIGN, TRUMP, LEE, SCHWARZENEGGER, SANFORD
And all why espousing FAMILY VALUES and attempting to legislate the morals of others!!!
Kieran
Could someone please point out to self-righteous Louie the part where Jesus warns us about JUDGING others? “Woe unto you Hypocrites. With what Judgement ye Judge others…..
balehead
Major “Gayface” on that closet case….just sayin…
mike777
@Aidan8: Hello? did you read the article? The gays didn’t quite have a hissy fit, but they def promoting their agenda. How is he not wrong?
Anyway, it’s all good. On to the next.
mike777
@Kieran: I don’t think he’s judging others as much as he is attempting to explain the bible. (taken out of context)
Sex outside of marriage is sin. Period. Fineto. Pretty simple really.
So if you’re having premarital sex, homo or hetro, it’s a sin.
Really not that big of a deal. We sin. He sinned. I definitely do and it won’t keep any of us from going to heaven (since someone mentioned Evangelical). Murder won’t either by the way.
Ya don’t perform your way to being a Christian.
If ya are a Christian, the bible (new testament) is very clear on who and when you can judge others.