This pastor said: Tell gay couples to die on their wedding day

Lots of people sensationalize the title of articles, but in this case there is no exaggeration. Kevin Swanson, a Pastor and Christian Right radio host, has said that it is appropriate to attend a same-sex wedding – but only if you hold up a sign calling for the happy couple to be put to death. Dear Lord… Specifically, Swanson said that guests can

“attend the wedding and hold up the sign Leviticus 20:13 word for word: ‘If a man sleeps with a man as he sleeps with a woman the two of them have committed an abomination and they shall both be put to death.’ You could attend a wedding and hold up that sign.”

This is kind of reminiscent to the approach pro-life activists take outside of abortion clinics. It helps no one and is damaging, hurtful and insensitive. Unfortunately, Kevin is not alone in this insane trail of thought. A former navy Chaplain called “Dr. Chaps” (Gordon Klingenschmitt) wants photographers to print “WORTHY OF DEATH” on all LGBT Couples’ wedding photos. He’s really passionate about this. He goes on to say:

“God’s law is the highest law, and when man forces us to disobey God for which there’d be a greater punishment; we must obey god we must disobey man we must protest, even if it costs us our jobs!”

Here’s a video of Dr. Chaps’ speech: There was also a cake shop in Oregon that refused service to a gay couple. To that, Kevin says: “if you bake a cake for a homosexual wedding you can put Leviticus 20:13 on the cake.” By the way, I’m happy to say that that cake shop has CLOSED, although Kevin has kindly blamed this on gay people. Swanson accused gay “fascists” of attacking the Oregon bakery, telling listeners

“that the Nazi Party had their birth at a homosexual bar in Berlin…. This is what homosexuals do best and they will engage in their Pink Mafia effort to control and shut down businesses that do not cooperate with their agenda.”

Religion is powerful. However I wish it united us more than it divided us. It can bring out the best and the worst in human nature, depending on how it is being used. I don’t understand how hate can be justified through religion. For these words to come from a Christian, I believe, violates the very principle of the religion. I see now acceptance and love, but I see a lot of hate and judgment. What would Jesus say? To finish this post on a more positive note, and to restore your faith in humanity, this is a mother’s response to her son coming out: You can read more about that story here! If homosexuality goes against your religion, you don’t have to agree with it. But you do have to accept that everyone is equal and deserves the same basic human rights. It is important to understand where your rights end and where someone else’s begins. No one should be able to dictate what rights another person can and cannot have. I think it is a sad day when religious leaders are encouraging hate instead of love, just because people are different. Sources: LGBTQ Nation, AATTP, I Acknowledge Beauty Exists

About The Author

Patricia Colli, Editor of Beutiful Magazine, is a human rights activist, equality advocate, and promoter of health, acceptance and wellbeing. Having experienced disordered eating, unhealthy exercise patterns and poor body image, she is especially passionate about shedding light on eating disorders and the power of body acceptance.