Former Pastor Suggests Christians Should Fight Gay Rights With Guns

An evangelical Christian suggested in a video posted to Facebook that Christians should fight against gay rights with firearms. 

Former pastor and current Internet personality Joshua Feuerstein opened his July 9 tirade with several examples of what he described as attacks on Christianity.

Feuerstein, who has about 1.6 million Facebook fans, mentions a man suing two Bible publishers to get the word “homosexuality” removed from the text, an Idaho pastor he says might get arrested for refusing to perform gay weddings and Oregon bakers getting fined $135,000 for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.

It turns out Feuerstein is a little misinformed about a couple of these stories (we’ll get to that in a minute), but it’s what he does next that’s bringing the video — which has received more than 5 million views since he uploaded it — so much attention.

“They are coming after our First Amendment constitutional rights,” Feuerstein puffs. “Well, check this out. This is one pastor that will not bow. Why? Because my First Amendment right is guaranteed by my Second Amendment right.” He then brandishes what appears to be an assault rifle.

“Think about that, ladies and gentlemen,” he continues. “It’s time we finally take a stand and say ‘no more.’ We’re not backing up any farther. We’re not going to allow a tyrannical government to try and strip away our rights as Christians and try to demonize us so that they can make the Bible bigoted.”

It should be noted that the “government” is not doing anything to change the text of the Bible. The lawsuit Feuerstein mentions actually took place in 2008 and was dismissed by the courts, Snopes points out.

The angry evangelist’s complaint about a pastor’s arrest is also inaccurate. He’s referring to ministers Donald and Evelyn Knapp, owners of the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in Couer d’Alene, Idaho, who filed a federal lawsuit last year claiming that the city’s non-discrimination ordinances would force them to face jail time if they refused to perform same-sex weddings.

However, the Knapps were never actually threatened with arrest or fines, city officials said at the time. Additionally, the Knapps registered their business as a religious corporation, making it explicitly exempt from the non-discrimination law in the first place.

Even if all Feuerstein’s claims were true, though, it would hardly lend credibility to the suggestion that Christians should use guns to fight gay marriage. We double-checked and found that “Thou shalt not kill” is still on the list of the Ten Commandments –and there’s no footnote saying it’s OK if you’re doing it to fight against gay rights.

H/T Gay Star News

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Two moms fight to be included on son’s birth certificate

Two moms in Texas are fighting to change state law to ensure they can both be listed on their son’s birth certificate.

The Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of same-sex marriage means Molly Maness-Roberson and her wife Keri Roberson are able to obtain a marriage license in their home state, but their son is not legally recognised as their child.

Molly carried her son, Boston, and gave birth to him earlier this month, after he was conceived from her wife’s egg and an anonymous donor’s sperm.

But despite changes to marriage laws, the hospital informed the couple that birth certificates only have space for one mother and one father.

‘We both feel angry and disappointed, but mostly heartbroken and sad,’ Molly said, speaking to GSN.

‘We are both ready and willing to do whatever we have to do to get both of or names on his birth certificate.’

‘No matter what kind of family you have, you’re still a family.’

Now the couple are asking the state to reissue their birth certificate with both their names on, and are asking other same-sex parents to petition the government to demand families with same-sex parents are recognised.

Molly added: ‘If the government refuses, we are prepared to take steps in the court system to enforce our family’s constitutional right to be recognized.’

As well as causing emotional pain, the omission of one of Boston’s parents on his birth certificate could cause financial and administrative difficulties down the line: the official document establishes parental rights, and determines whether the child is eligible for health benefits or financial support.

Carrie Williams, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services, said officials are reviewing which official forms and documents, if any, need to be amended following the Supreme Court’s ruling.

‘Once we complete that analysis, we would make any necessary changes as soon as possible,’ she said, speaking to Dallas News.

The post Two moms fight to be included on son’s birth certificate appeared first on Gay Star News.

Mel Spencer

www.gaystarnews.com/article/two-moms-fight-to-be-included-on-sons-birth-certificate/

What If People Said Happy Birthday In Real Life Like They Do On Facebook? -VIDEO

Ever had a hard time crafting a birthday message on Facebook? CollegeHumor has captured the experience in cringe-inducing detail with a sketch where people speak in real life just like they do on Facebook.

Look on with horror as the sketch’s main character suffers through the anxiety of coming up with the perfect birthday comment. From initial hesitation, to all the “good greetings” getting taken, to the special awkwardness of an inside joke being lost on you.

Check it out below:

The post What If People Said Happy Birthday In Real Life Like They Do On Facebook? -VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.

Jake Folsom

What If People Said Happy Birthday In Real Life Like They Do On Facebook? -VIDEO

Governor Scott Walker does not know if being gay is a choice

When it comes to gay sexuality, Governor Scott Walker is confused by it all.

The 2016 Republican presidential candidate appeared on CNN this weekend. Reporter Dana Bash asked Wisconsin’s chief executive if he thought being gay was a choice.

‘I don’t have an opinion on every single issue out there. To me, that’s, I don’t know,’ Walker replied. ‘I don’t know the answer to that question.’

He added, however, that this would not prevent him from being a president for the entire country, even those who don’t agree with him.

‘The bottom line is I’m going to stand up and work hard for every American, without regard of who they are, no matter where they come from, no matter what their background, I’m going to fight for people, whether they vote for me or not,’ said Walker.

The Republican offered clarification on the Boy Scouts ban on LGBTI adult leaders. He supports it, but thinks the organization should decide if it stays or not.

‘I thought the policy was just fine. I’m saying when I was in Scouts, it was fine. You’re asking what should the policy be going forward. It should be left up to the leaders of the Scouts,’ said Walker.

This past week, the former Eagle Scout tripped over multiple comments about the Scouts. First he argued prohibiting gay leaders ‘protected’ children. After the backlash, he insisted he meant the ban shielded the group from ‘the political and media discussion about it, instead of just focusing on what Scouts is about…’

In 2013, BSA ended its exclusion on out Scouts. However, gay Scouts, once they reached the age of 18, out adult leaders, and employees of the organization remained banned.

The BSA’s executive committee’s unanimous vote to change the rule must be ratified by the organization’s governing body.

Below is a clip of the CNN interview. His comments on gay Scouts start at approximately the 1:47 minute mark.

The post Governor Scott Walker does not know if being gay is a choice appeared first on Gay Star News.

James Withers

www.gaystarnews.com/article/governor-scott-walker-does-not-know-if-being-gay-is-a-choice/

He Doesn’t Get It: Walker Can’t Say if Being LGBT Is a Choice

HRC released the following statement after CNN’s Dana Bash reported this morning that Gov. Scott Walker said he doesn’t know whether being LGBT is a choice or not.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/he-doesnt-get-it-walker-cant-say-if-being-lgbt-is-a-choice?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Donald Trump Defiant in Wake of John McCain War Hero Controversy, Says He Won’t Pull Out of 2016 Race: VIDEO

Donald Trump isn’t backing down in the slightest following his latest headline making controversy. Asked by Martha Raddatz on This Week earlier about his widely condemned comments questioning Sen. John McCain’s status as a war hero, Trump remained defiant and refused to apologize.

The 2016 candidate also brushed off the criticism he’s received from fellow GOP contenders (minus pal Ted Cruz), saying they’re all just upset because he’s leading in certain polls – a reality that may not be in place for long. Some have already said Trump’s latest grab for attention is a “turning point” for his campaign and its coverage.

The NYT’s Nate Cohn writes:

His support will erode as the tone of coverage shifts from publicizing his anti-establishment and anti-immigration views, which have some resonance in the party, to reflecting the chorus of Republican criticism of his most outrageous comments and the more liberal elements of his record. […]

After today, Republican commentators and campaigns will have far fewer reservations about attacking Mr. Trump. They will be dismissive of his candidacy, and they will probably diversify their attacks, expanding the onslaught to include his record of donating to Democrats and his continuing support for universal health care. Nearly all of the campaigns have incentives to pile on, and Mr. Trump — without a deep base of support and with few party allies — will struggle to hold on.

Watch the video of the alleged half-human, half-orangutan defend his new round of despicable comments below:

The post Donald Trump Defiant in Wake of John McCain War Hero Controversy, Says He Won’t Pull Out of 2016 Race: VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.

Kyler Geoffroy

Donald Trump Defiant in Wake of John McCain War Hero Controversy, Says He Won’t Pull Out of 2016 Race: VIDEO

Transgender Teen Barred From High School Volleyball Inspired by Caitlyn Jenner

A male gender marker on her birth certificate and a restrictive law stand in the way of a New Mexico teen’s dream.

read more

Dawn Ennis

www.advocate.com/transgender/2015/07/19/transgender-teen-barred-high-school-volleyball-inspired-caitlyn-jenner

Scott Walker: 'I Don't Know' If People Are Born Gay Or If It's A Choice

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker told CNN’s “State of the Union” that he “doesn’t know” whether being gay is a choice or if people are born gay.

Walker, the front-runner in polls of the Iowa caucus, made this declaration amid questions from CNN’s Dana Bash about his prior statement on the Boy Scouts’ ban on gay leaders.

On Tuesday, Walker was reported to have said that the ban “protected children and advanced Scout values.” He tried to clarify those remarks on Wednesday by stating that he thought the policy protected children from engaging in the political debate over gay rights.

He reiterated his clarification on Sunday, but then dodged a question about whether he had an opinion of the ban, which led to Bash asking him whether he thought being gay was a choice.

Walker fist rambled about the question not being “an issue for me to be involved in,” before stating that he did not “have an opinion on every single issue out there.” He then stated that he did not know.

Bash: Do you think that being gay is a choice?

 

Walker: Oh, I mean I think — that’s not even an issue for me to be involved in. The bottom line is, I’m going to stand up and work hard for every American regardless of who they are, no matter where they come from, no matter what their background. I’m going to fight for people whether they vote for me or not.

 

Bash: On behalf of people to do that properly you have to understand or at least have an opinion on who they are and where they’re coming from.

 

Walker: But again, I think — no, I don’t have an opinion on every single issue out there. I mean to me that’s — I don’t know. I don’t know the answer to that question. So, I’m saying I don’t know what the answer to that is. And I’m going to spend my time focused on things that I do know and I can work on.

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

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