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-------------------------
Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
Last week, so-called "ex-gay" activist James Hartline tried to swift boat me on an op-ed I wrote about race and Proposition 8. I responded by pointing out that he was nuts. He had claimed to have prayed away AIDS and is so extreme that he once attacked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as "one of the biggest anti-christian supporters of homosexuality and abortion in the American government."
Well, today he sunk to new depths of dementia by claiming protests against Proposition 8 are the cause of wildfires in California. According to Hartline:
God keeps trying to get their attention. They, for their part, are shouting so loud for the acceptance of homosexuality, that they cannot hear the thunderous warnings of God: 'Repent! For the judgment comes soon!'
Each time homosexual activists attempt to force their agenda on California, there have been raging, massive, incinerating fires sweeping across the California landscape.
The sad thing is, Hartline is what passes for an ex-gay "leader."
12 Comments:
This man is mentally unhinged. The sad part is how many LGBT people may be beaten or killed because of his delusional rantings.
Would that there was some law to get fanatics and psychopaths like him off the streets.
posted by Merlyn, at
11/17/2008 12:17 PM
No, I think God sent the wildfires because people are using his name to spread hate and division.
I mean, just think about it: If there's a God, he must be AWFULLY pissed at these people for connecting his name to bigotry and exclusion. Jesus must be turning over in his grave...
posted by Chris L., at
11/17/2008 1:06 PM
Anytime you combine natural disasters with deranged fanatics, they'll find a way to blame it on the latest scapegoats. In Medieval times, plagues and cattle disease were blamed on Witches and Jews. It never seemed to make make a difference that Witches and Jews were dying and losing their crops and cattle also. This nonsense started when Anita Bryant blamed us back in 1978 for the cold weather that damaged the citrus crop in Florida. Since then, we've been blamed for hurricanes, floods, fires and 9/11. If this were happening in the not so distant past, I have no doubt that the mormons and their fellow fundos would be lighting up the night with bonfires (bonefires!) fueled with the bodies of LGBT people. These protests have a 'new Stonewall' feel about them. I hope so! Gary (NJ)
posted by Anonymous, at
11/17/2008 1:58 PM
I don't even care what these freaks say anymore. Who knew us queers had such power?! If I can start wildfires, what else can I do? If the heteros know what's good for 'em, they'll legalize gay marriage soon!
posted by Anonymous, at
11/17/2008 2:32 PM
Gary, I concur. I mentioned in another post that we need a new Stonewall and this could well be the beginning of it. The passage of Prop. 8 has produced a silver lining in that respect. Its definitely a wake-up call, time for the collective gloves to come off and confront them head on. Its also a big wake-up call to Obama and every politician who takes our vote for granted and does nothing to address the serious issue of equality for ALL citizens. We must keep the momentum going and we must never give up. Religion must never be allowed to hijack the political process ever again and if it does, there will be consequences for the haters and the politicians who do nothing by supporting them with their silence.
posted by Anonymous, at
11/17/2008 2:34 PM
I can only say one thing in response to idiots that behave like this fool and that is FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!!!!!
posted by Spouse Walker, at
11/17/2008 2:51 PM
I was thinking this morning that if Prop 8 had failed the rattlesnake christians would be blaming us for the fires. Figures they would get it passed and then still blame us!
LOL, good one Keith. I like the 'rattlesnake christians' moniker. They commune with venomous snakes because they have so much in common. Actually, I read somewhere that some of these snakes actually die from fright from being 'handled' like they do in these crazy churches. So now we can add cruelty to animals to their long list of sins and crimes.
posted by Anonymous, at
11/17/2008 6:17 PM
Funny how these wildfires always take place in the fundie areas. The current ones are raging in the exact areas that voted heavily in favor of Prop 8!
"The sad thing is, Hartline is what passes for an ex-gay "leader." ***********
I don't believe that's sad at all. There's not a single "ex-gay leader" who's stable in any form or fashion (including being able to function in public with a job that doesn't involve yapping about homosex).
And as long as lunatics are considered "ex-gay leaders" (like Randy Thomas, Alan Chambers, Michael Glatze, Stephen Bennett and his horse-wife, etc.), I'd be thrilled. Not to mention these same "leaders" don't have much of an education, outside of homeschooling.
Well said, Scott. I can't think of a stable "ex-gay" leader who doesn't have more issues than a New York magazine stand.
posted by Wayne Besen, at
11/18/2008 8:55 AM
Wayne,
Totally agree with you on that, too! LOL
At first, they had "leaders" who couldn't stop being caught in the act. Now they just employ lunatics to lead the pack.
I've encountered many of them online, and the back-and-forth's have been hilarious, if not cartoonish.
posted by S., at
11/19/2008 1:44 PM
