Violence is almost never the way to solve a problem. But if anyone was ever begging for a punch in the nose, a certain homophobic North Carolina pastor making news today fits that bill. During a Sunday sermon, Berean Baptist Church pastor Sean Harris voiced his support for an anti-gay amendment up for debate in the state capital by telling fathers that they need to punch their toddler sons if they are acting "girly" and "rein in" their "butch" daughters.
Of course now that the Internet has called him out for his vile suggestion that dads crack their son's limp wrists and put his stamp of approval on child abuse straight from the pulpit, Harris is backing off. Don'tcha know he was just kidding?
Uh huh. He sounded real hilarious when he said he was giving parents a "special dispensation" to treat their kids like punching bags. Take a listen:
With "jokes" like that from Christian pastors who are supposed to be proclaiming the Good word of a Lord who advocated turning the other cheek, is it any wonder violence against LGBT members of society continues to rise? Any surprise that LGBT youth are at a four times higher risk of committing suicide than their straight peers?
Disagreeing with someone else's lifestyle is protected by the U.S. Constitution and the right to free speech. Getting violent against them for it, on the other hand, is still against the law -- and rightfully so. And hurting children, in particular, is just plain sick. You walk over the line from ignorant ass to scum of the earth when you start picking on 4-year-olds.
When -- if ever -- is it OK to make jokes about child abuse?
Image via richard_north/Flickr
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Comments 41
awful!
Yep, this pastor is probably a hero to a lot of the same people who thought Dan Savage was bullying high schoolers because he pointed out the hypocisy in their bibles. Hey Christians, this pastor is living and preaching EXACTLY what is printed in your bible. Is it time to start rapping your son's knuckles when he lets his hand go limp?
Disgusting.
This man is wrong, wrong, wrong and HE DOES NOT SPEAK FOR GOD! Anyone who chooses to listen to this man is intentionally allowing themselves to be lead away from Christ, not to Him. Jesus Christ would never speak this way or advocate such behavior.
I promise that a lot of people in NC are not like this. There are also a lot of Christians in NC who are not like this. Listening to what this man said and the people cheering made me sick to my stomach. My daughter is (according to this guy) not very girly. I love her for it and love how unique she is. I also don't like how he suggests that a girl is valuable only if she is attractive, pretty, wears pretty clothes, and smells good.
I disagree with you, Procrastimom. He is preaching his interpretation and his spin on the Bible. I am a Christian and I disagree with everything this man said. I'm pretty sure the Bible doesn't say to punch your son if he acts girly.
People like this truly give Christians a bad name (I'm not Christian, but this is way I think atheists like myself often feel nervous when someone describes themselves as "devout Christian," because they hear these sensational stories of homophobic preachers who advocate bullying!)