Well technically he didn’t quote Leviticus so Maiden, North Carolina, minister Charles Worley can say he didn’t claim gays should be put to death. But Worley, the pastor of Providence Road Baptist Church, did suggest in his Sunday sermon on May 13 that gays and lesbian be rounded up and imprisoned until we die off:
“I figured a way to get rid of all the lesbians and queers. Build a great, big, large fence—150 or 100 mile long—put all the lesbians in there. Do the same thing for the queers and the homosexuals and have that fence electrified so they can’t get out. And you know what? In a few years, they’ll die.”
Yes, because there wouldn’t be any new gay people born if you got rid of all of us now! Genius!
later, Worley explained that “‘a man and a woman can have a family. A man and a man can have a bunch of hell!”
If we’re lucky, sir. If we’re lucky.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Ann Hayward
Worley, you are one sick man, may God forgive you. You have no right to sit in judgement of people who do not share your views. I am ashamed of you. You make me sick to my stomach. I will pray for you.
Pat Duffy
Hardly surprising. US Reps and Senators came up with the same idea in the 80’s for PWA’s…
Belize
Well, if we follow his mindset to the letter, perhaps he shouldn’t forget that homosexuals are referred to as fairies because we have wings we can use to fly over that fence.
In all seriousness, the simple-mindedness of people like Charles Worley make me feel so blessed knowing that even if I screw up big time in life, I will not surpass their stupidity. 🙂 Thank you Charles Worley for making me feel like a genius. You are my hero.
James
I dont even know what to say.
Cam
We can’t make the mistake of thinking that this guy’s opinion is any different than the rest of the right wing. He just said it.
Robert in NYC
Not one word of condemnation from the GOP, notice? Their party is infested with this scum.
Ron Jackson
It is ironic that the King James version of the bible that the pastor thumps us with was authored/edited/approved by King James I. It seems James had a thing for boys, namely one Robert Carr and others…
Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, was a politician, and favourite of King James I of England. In 1606, most likely at the arrangement of Overbury, Carr happened to break his leg at a tilting match, at which the king was present. According to Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, the king instantly fell in love with the young man, even helping nurse him back to health all the while teaching him Latin. Entirely devoid of all high intellectual qualities, Carr was endowed with good looks, excellent spirits, and considerable personal accomplishments. These advantages were sufficient for James, who knighted the young man and at once took him into favour. As the years progressed James showered Carr with more gifts, until 1615 when the two men had a falling out and Carr was replaced by George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham.
Shannon1981
And tell me again why the LGBT community should not absolute hate Christians. I really hope that these preachers keep talking, and more and more LGBT people recognize it for what it is: a false, harmful, hateful, homophobic set of beliefs that deserves to be feared and condemned, not respected. Wake up, gay christians. You are not wanted among them, and here is just another example in a long line. What more do you need?
1equalityUSA
Romney’srunningmate
dellisonly
This is the exact kind of eloquence I would expect from a hatemonger. Who wants to take bets that he and Fred Phelps are shackin’ up
indorri
@Shannon1981: Because not all of them hate us. I think that a plain reading of Jewish/Christian scriptures do condemn gays, which is why I hate the religion, but despite that there are Christians that disconfirm those readings and affirm our rights and human dignity.
Bob
How many gay kids will hear this and think about sucicide. Their blood is on this hate-monger piece of shit’s hands!
Spike
At least he is being honest and upfront, unlike most christian republican politicians, ie Willard Romney, who pretend to tolerate us, when in fact they would like nothing more then to send up to camps.
Shannon1981
@indorri: I hate the religion as well (obviously). But the ones who are truly affirming have got to take control of the religion from the nutjobs. They really do.
Kl
Baffles me how there is no hate speech legislation at this point in history to erect a barrier between hateful people like this and the rest of civilised society. What this man aspires to do in his own words in construct some kind of fucking concentration camp for gay people? Indeed, as someone previously mentioned, this man will have blood on his hand, indirectly, by denigrating a whole community and causing people who are insecure enough to feel they have no place but some damn fence built by a redneck pastor. Egh nevermind, this guy dent deserve the publicity—then again, maybe if people who watched mainstream news saw this guy on their talking boxes, they’d maybe be inclined to see the absurdity of religion.
delurker
I thought only black churches/pastors were homophobic. I am so confused.
Shannon1981
It is time to outlaw religion. It is dangerous,and here is the proof.
Will
Didn’t the nazi regime already try this. People forget than not just jewish people died in the holocast. If you were gay the nazis rounded you up, imprisoned you, and eventually killed you just the same as the jewish people. So i guess that makes the Providence road baptist church the new hang out for nazis.
rhenaiya
Easy now Charles Worley, you’re gonna get sued by infringing on Fred “You’re gonna eat your babies!” Phelps territory. Sheesh, do u beat your wife and kids with that mouth?
In all seriousness, it does bother me to hear this type of rhetoric not just for how it makes me feel, but for how it will make young lgbt kids feel. I think that this type of religion is a one trick pony (your mom!) and it’s only a matter of time before people who truly value all life as sacred smother the Charles Worleys of the world with love. Big white pillows of love, at night, while they sleep.
Stephen
@delurker Where the f–k have you been? Google “Bob Jones University”. Notice how many black people are in the photos.
James in Hollywood
An imitation Hitler and with littler charm.
IzzyLuna
Did you notice when he says, “Can you imagine kissing another man?” Then he pauses. It’s almost like he thought about it a bit. too. long.
Stewie
@Shannon1981: Thank you for saying what I think all the time but am usually too shy to say out loud.
1equalityUSA
Robert P. George, the founder of NOM, is just as insidious, but way more eloquent. This is why Separation of Church and State is such an important concept. Tax the Hell out of these pulpit politicians! This ignorant pastor is giving Christianity a bad name. Many ignorant religious leaders are using this controversy to generate dollars for their sham churches. They will ultimately look like the idiots they are. No matter how eloquent, arguments derived from a person’s religious beliefs shall not coerce civil laws. We should not be burdened by another’s beliefs, be it Sharia Law, Halakha, Hindu, Christianity’s Canon, or Mormonism’s cult practice. We must stand up to others forcing their religious beliefs upon us, even if it is Antonin Scalia and his BFF, Robert P. George. We need legal help and the Supreme Court is suspect. Now, this doesn’t mean that Churches could not effectively teach the Word. These misguided religious leaders moving towards politicizing their religion and it’s dangerous. The precedent set by this will eventually turn on the churches and harm them in the end. Separation of Church and State has never been more relevant. The line must not be blurred.
LadyL
And will he be charged with incitement when, inspired by his “sermons,” the gay bashings start happening?
ben
Gee, a north carolina church preaching against gays. so whats the surprise??
Spike
As if the lesbians wouldn’t know how to disengage the electrified fence anyways, not to mention all the str8t guys that die trying to climb the fence to get in with the lesbians. As for the gay side, wow, can we say t-party EVERY afternoon?!!?
Shannon1981
@Stewie: You’re welcome. Luckily, I am moving in the direction, career wise, of communing and working with like minded people, so I can say what I damn well please. Don’t care who doesn’t like it.
1equalityUSA
Shannon1981, your enthusiasm is refreshing, but try not to fall into extremism in the other direction, as it limits your potential. Not everyone who is spiritually minded is your enemy.
Shannon1981
@1equalityUSA: Thanks. And yeah, I know they aren’t. Just time to stop splitting hairs, get all the alternative religious paths, agnostics, and atheists together to overcome this zealotry. If there are so many supposedly sane Christians who hate the crap people like this Pastor Worley spews, then where the hell are they? I am beginngin to wonder if they exist.
JP
People like him is the reason why gay kids are afraid to go to school nowadays. The same reason why gay men are being persecuted worldwide. If he got lobotomised, I would not even care.
LadyL
@Belize: “…the simple-mindedness of people like Charles Worley make me feel so blessed knowing that even if I screw up big time in life, I will not surpass their stupidity.” LOL, My sentiments exactly!
*
@Ron Jackson: Did not know all that about King James I–thanks for sharing the delicious irony. 😀
*
@delurker: Not to let black churches or black homophobia off the hook (this is a black lesbian talking here), but arguably those attitudes were, and to a degree still are, influenced by racial insecurity and the desire for acceptance by white society generally and white Christians particularly. (One reason why a disgusted James Baldwin relocated to France.) Homophobia was once considered a correct and respectable response to a sexual difference many Americans did not understand.
*
@Stephen: And let’s don’t forget it was not that long ago that Bob Jones U. was lily white and for a reason. For certain people and organizations, gay is the new black.
1equalityUSA
Shannon1981, The Pastor Worleys of the world will fall on their own. His work will not be blessed.
RP
Thou shall not kill. I heard that somewhere. Maybe this dummy knows. One thing about some of these so called people in the pulpit is that they talk about stuff they know nothing about.
John Williams
This pastor has made a big mistake, he should have said they “should be dragged behind a pickup truck until there’s nothing left but the rope.”
Just like Dan Savage did.
In 2006, Savage said that Green Party Senate candidate Carl Romanelli, who was running against Democrat Bob Casey (the eventual winner), “should be dragged behind a pickup truck until there’s nothing left but the rope.” Casey was so offended he refused Savage’s campaign donations.
Say What...
Yank this fuckwads tax exempt status and see how quickly the message changes. Seriously, I find it appalling our Politicians would bemoan public funding being used to feature a Maplethorpe Exibition, and yet not a wimper to be heard when this self proclaimed Man of God preaches to any simpleton, who will listen, the need for the incarceration and untimely deaths of law abiding citizens.
Shannon1981
@1equalityUSA: But at what price? He is advocating for an LGBT Holocaust.
Oh, ok
We need to go into these white churches and white communities and educate them on why it’s wrong to hate others who they perceive as different from themselves.
If we don’t educate them they won’t understand why this is wrong.
1equalityUSA
Shannon1981, This country is frustratingly young, an infant by world standards. Where this country excels is that we are a conglomerate of ideas. Some ideas, such as this f–ktard’s will be dealt with appropriately in a country filled with free thinkers. Any person who has said such outrageous things usually ends up being the butt of jokes and held in ridicule. I trust that this man will suffer a similar fate for his words. He just makes his lot look completely insane, a favor to you and me. He will not make the cover of Time Magazine’s man of the year issue.
Oh, ok
@1equalityUSA: Hey at least in this article you don’t have people saying this guy represents all or the majority of white people. No one is saying all white homophobes are [insert racial slur].
This man is free to be a homophobe without his skin color coming into play, no slurs hurled at him, and no bigotry.
Talk about a luxury.
No white preacher will have to come out and say “This person doesn’t represent the rest of us.” and have people reply “Finally! A few of them are actually good people!”…
1equalityUSA
oh,ok, I see your frustration. It will change. Keep speaking out.
Shannon1981
@1equalityUSA: What scares me is that with Hitler, it took just one man. One man to plant the seed that all the Jews had to go in order for everyone else to be saved.
We already have a bunch of people who think this way, unless you haven’t noticed. I don’t think we should be complacent, lest we wind up in concentration camps.
Oh, ok
Eh I’m labeled a troll by the ones doing it, but it’s just a blog so I can’t really make a difference here anyway.
Thinking about staring a site promoting equality specifically in the gay community and pointing these things out.
It’s really time this gay community was an actual community. If I work hard enough I might actually make a difference and fighting with a few of these folks here has peaked my interest in the topic.
We’ll see where it goes. So tired of the racial divide in what’s supposed to be a minority group.
1equalityUSA
It is human nature and ego and fear that keeps us categorizing each other. Good luck with your project.
1equalityUSA
Sannon1981 said, “What scares me is that with Hitler, it took just one man. One man to plant the seed that all the Jews had to go in order for everyone else to be saved.
We already have a bunch of people who think this way, unless you haven’t noticed. I don’t think we should be complacent, lest we wind up in concentration camps.”
Don’t think this hasn’t crossed my mind. I don’t think it is possible, but the probability of such a heinous action has crossed my mind. I suppose I have an inordinate amount of faith in our constitution, the framework of freedom. It really rocks. The country sways to and fro, but always seems to settle on some middle ground. Oh,ok has pointed out a few flaws that still need to be worked on. We aren’t perfect, but freedom of thought is underrated. I like seeing young people so passionate.
JasonMacBride
Things Conservative pastors say about gays: (1) they should fry; (2) love the sinner hate the sin; (3) I hope I can hook up with one when I go out of town.
Stephen Rider
Just say NO to ridiculous ancient superstitions used to justify bigotry and intolerance.
Shannon1981
@1equalityUSA: I hate to say it, but, yes, I am motivated by two things: anger and fear. Those are not good emotions…but they drive me to do what has to be done as best I can. We aren’t perfect, no…but I think we are taking a big enough beating from the outside to where we really need to work on the Pastor Worleys of the nation first. As for faith in the Constitution? Sure, if they’d follow it.
Basch
I think the worst thing about this whole situation is not that a disgusting man like this is preaching this nonsense, but that there is a crowd of people sitting there and listening to him, even sometimes cheering.
1equalityUSA
Shannon1981 said, “As for faith in the Constitution? Sure, if they’d follow it.”
That remains to be seen. My faith in the Constitution may be tested to the max by Scalia, Alito, Thomas, and Roberts. I’m beginning to wonder if Separation of Church and State is a fleeting speculation, a dream. Do I believe that spirituality has a place in American life? Yes. Do I believe that spiritual doctrines should dictate civil law? No. The question remains to be seen if Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Samuel Alito can make legal decisions apart from their religion. The tyranny of the majority has GLBT Americans needing legal protection. Inequality needs to be rectified. Will these Supreme Court Justices hold all Americans, even atheists, to their religious doctrine? Churches could teach properly and even transform hearts if their teachers are talented enough. When doctrine is forced onto others through man-made laws and politics, it yields unrecognizable fruit and meaningless laws that stand to be over-turned in time. A transformed heart is a new creature. Any church leader forcing their doctrine into civil law has very little faith in their Word and even less wisdom. Laws go away, in futility, however, a transformed heart goes on to produce abundant fruit. Wisdom would want Separation of Church and State, so that compromise is achieved with discovery, not political whim. My hope is that the vote will be unanimous, when marriage equality finally reaches the Supreme Court of the United States.
Sowhat
So what. It’s not like it’s going to happen. Freedom of Speech exist for a reason
Shannon1981
@1equalityUSA: I don’t think we have ever had true Separation of Church and State. We are pushing for that now, but as to whether it is held to the standard it should be remains to be seen.
I don’t think religion (organized) has any place in American life, no. Know why? When people have those beliefs in their heads, you get folks like this preacher and his flock. It’s not only untrue, but dangerous.
1equalityUSA
Danger is inherent. Godlessness doesn’t make humans less cruel, just less hypocritical in their cruelty.
jason
A woman doesn’t need to be aroused to engage in the act of reproduction. Therefore, she can be any orientation and still reproduce. A man who swings both ways can reproduce.
jj
The world will be a much better place when that generation dies off…
Shannon1981
@1equalityUSA: No, godlessness enhances and gives a ready reason and justification. Good people will be good. Bad people will be bad. For good people to do terrible things, that takes religion.
Oh, ok
@jj: People say that about every generation. True change comes from time and interaction. Interaction is the part America always fails on.
1equalityUSA
Shannon1981, That is a mighty broad brush you are using. We have differing views on this. Bad people do bad things. The outcome is the same.
Ian
Sooooooooo sick of the sanctimonious christofascist “pastors” spewing their drivel.
Randall Reynolds
I’m very pleased about his comments, for they keep LGBT in the spotlight and advance our Movement!
The more the public sees such bigotry, the sooner WE see Equality.
UsualPlayers
@indorri: Actually, you have no idea what you are talking about.
There is no “plain reading” of the Bible. Its been translated from languages multiple times. There are approximately 6 references to homosexuality in the Bible even after all that re-interpretation. Of those 5, have nothing to do with being gay, but modern Christians twist them into being about homosexuality. That leaves like 1 quote. That quote is negative, but no one reads the Bible that way. If they did, Blacks would still be shackles because the story of Hamm plus the Biblical support of slavery would say so.
I really wish those who speak on these subjects would take the time to Google them like I did.
UsualPlayers
By the way, for those who don’t understand, when I say that the Bible has been translated, what i mean is that there can be no literal translation of cultural meaning from words spoken (most of the Bible was not written until years after the actual words were spoken) over 2000 years ago. Its the historical equivalent of speaking in someone’s ear in Arimaic and other languages, then going down the line verbally for years, then finally written it down, then finally cutting o ut pieces of it as the Catholic church later did, then finally cutting out more. Then translating it, and then re-interpreting it as the King James version. that does not even get into the multiple cultural issues and prejudices. For example despite what modern Christians think- the chruches views on Homosexuality according some some historian did not really gel until 1,000 years afgter the start of the Church. Moreover,e and i learned this in school- the fact is that marriage itself was not a sacramenet for most of the catholic churches history etc. What a lot of preachers trade on is (1) ignorance of the flock and (2) ignorance fo the non believer to pass on bullshit as fact.
Danny
That’s why it is important to defend the 2nd Amendment, which was obviously created to protect people because the Founders knew the religious freaks would try to assert their babble over the country to violate everyone else’s 1st Amendment right not to have others force archaic, sociopathic religious edicts upon them.
Everyone knows the Old Testament also says eye for eye, injury for an injury, life for a life, as well as making any work on the Sabbath punishable by death, including religious leaders who take paychecks. But this hypocrite won’t mention that part because he is seeking a scapegoat. That’s pathetic and evil. No wonder the rest of the world thinks America is as dangerous as the Mideast extremists.
Shannon1981
@1equalityUSA: there are plenty of good people who use religion as a tool to justify terrible acts. It isn’t a broad brush, and you are blinded. Religion is evil.
1EqualityUSA
Then those “good people” aren’t so good, because they’re taking words and using them wrongly.
B
You missed the funny part.
Worley wanted to fenced off areas, one for lesbians and the other for “queers and homosexuals”.
The 64 thousand dollar question: what, according to Worley, is the difference between a “queer” and a “homosexual”? Note that “queer” cannot include lesbians according to Worley because lesbians are in the other fenced-off area.
Shannon1981
@1EqualityUSA: They would be just fine without those words.
1equalityUSA
Censorship now, shannon1981? You seem to be getting more and more oppressive as the posts wear on. In post #17 you said, “It is time to outlaw religion. It is dangerous,and here is the proof.” You are you? How is it that you get to say what people will and will not read? Have you even read that which you despise?
1equalityUSA
B–The queer section would have Tinky Winky, the purse carrying, lavender Teletubbie that disturbed Jerry Falwell badly enough to call for this character’s censorship, to protect children from gay vapors.
Tinky Winky is the first Teletubby. He is the largest and oldest of the Teletubbies, is covered in purple terrycloth, and has a triangular antenna on his head. He is notable for the red luggage (described by the show as a “magic bag”, but often described by other media as a handbag) he always carries. His character has caused controversy following allegations that his character’s behaviour, bag and body colour have stereotypical homosexual qualities.
Do electrified fences work on terry cloth characters?
B
No. 69 · 1equalityUSA “Do electrified fences work on terry cloth characters?”
Depends on what the triangular antenna is made of. If it is metal, the fence will work.
Otherwise it will work some of the time – when the terry cloth is soaking wet after it rains. Some salt picked up by random contacts would help as well, once wet.
Hyhybt
The kicker to me is that, even if you took all his premises as true, he doesn’t get to the point he seems to have been aiming at. Because the result has nothing to do with the people in the pens being gay: locking away all *straight* men in one place and women in another will result in their dying out too.