Hugh linked to what he described as "Jimmy Swaggert's [sic] outrageous outburst directed at gays and lesbians." Even with this warning I was wholly unprepared for what I would see...
On a recent television broadcast, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart exposed his murderous rage against gay men:
I knew Swaggart was a wack job, but this is sheer wretchedness.I'm trying to find the correct name for it . . . this utter absolute, asinine, idiotic stupidity of men marrying men. . . . I've never seen a man in my life I wanted to marry. And I'm gonna be blunt and plain; if one ever looks at me like that, I'm gonna kill him and tell God he died.
Swaggart's murderous hatred is far more grievous a sin than the propensities of those who he would kill over the merest offending look. He himself is thinking with the carnal mind, even as he rages against those he deems carnal.
Some detractors of Christianity would attempt to point to Swaggart as a spokesman for Christianity.
Preposterous! The spirit manifested by Swaggart is antithetical to true Christianity.
Others would say that the Bible is dangerous, that the Old Testament Scriptures encourage or even command Christians to do precisely what Swaggart advocates.
Such individuals fail to understand the Old and New Covenants, or the difference between the two. What’s more, there is not one text of Scripture—Old Testament or New—that support Swaggart’s brand of hate in letter or in spirit.
UPDATE:
(via Drudge, who finally caught up with the story)
After receiving many complaints, Swaggart has apologized for his 'lemme killa gay' diatribe.
If it's an insult, I certainly didn't think it was, but if they are offended, then I certainly offer an apology.
Forget "insensitive pig," try "space cadet." What planet is the guy on? At this point do we really care?
Regarding his statement, "I'd kill him and tell God he died," Swaggart explained,
It's a humorous statement that doesn't mean anything.
Note #1 to Swaggart: It isn't funny—killing never is.
Note #2 to Swaggart: It doesn't mean nothing—words have meanings (Mat. 12:37).
We've been following the story.
First, one of our bloggers' response (critical of Volokh):
http://resipsaloquitur.blogspot.com/2004/09/guilt-by-association-volokh-posted.html
Next, Volokh's reply to same:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2004_09_14.shtml#1095723733
(see update)
And, finally, our response:
http://resipsaloquitur.blogspot.com/2004/09/swaggart-agonistes-it-seems-as-though.html
Seems pretty silly to me. If "Christians" have to apologize for Swaggart, does that mean we have to apologize for Al Sharpton, too?
Posted by: do at September 22, 2004 01:51 AM (Permalink)Is anyone else concerned about this?
http://www.greenfaces.se/upload/uploads/godvsbush.gif
Posted by: HisWay at September 22, 2004 05:22 AM (Permalink)Growing up in a non-religious household in the 1980s, I had no exposure to Christianity other than Oral Roberts and Jimmy Swaggart; is it any wonder I hated Christianity?
Posted by: aphrael at September 22, 2004 08:48 AM (Permalink)hisway:
that map is a lie. those are not the tracks of the hurricanes. they were simply drawn in by whoever made the map to make it look how they wanted.
Posted by: Kaltes at September 23, 2004 04:34 AM (Permalink)