Hate group (The Liberty Counsel) doesn't actually believe in religious liberty

Mat Staver of the Liberty Counsel

Anti-lgbtq hate group The Liberty Counsel has made a name for itself via defending individuals like Kim Davis and others it claims are victims of religious persecution.  The organization would like for people to believe that it does these things because it stands for the so-called concept of religious liberty.

However, recent statements by the group regarding a church in Florida raises questions as to just whose religious liberty is the Liberty Counsel interested in preserving.

From the American Family Association's fake online news service, One News Now:

Northland Community Church in Orlando recently hosted the event, which was titled: "Elevating the Dialogue on LGBTQ Inclusion and Understanding of the Church." It was sponsored by The Reformation Project, founded by Mathew Vines, author of the book God and the Gay Christian. Joel Hunter, pastor of Northland Community Church, told Charisma News his church hasn't wavered on the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. But he said he invited Vines "because his organization helps churches – including churches that do not agree with him – have a conversation to increase understanding between the two normally adversarial groups." Hunter also told The Orlando Sentinel: "It's not about our church's position about homosexuality. It's about how we treat each other when we're different in our perspectives."

And here is where the Liberty Counsel comes in the conversation:

However, a litigation, education and policy organization based in Orlando has some concerns about the event. Roger Gannam is assistant vice president for legal affairs for Liberty Counsel. 

"It's one thing to host a conversation, a panel discussion, or a debate where different sides of an issue are presented," says Gannam. "But for a church to invite into its walls an organization led by a man who espouses basically heresy – something that is not biblical at all – it's very disappointing and it's very alarming." 

The founder of Liberty Counsel, Mat Staver, believes Pastor Hunter has fallen into a trap. "For him to host that pro-LGBT event is heresy," he adds. 

Liberty Counsel argues that the purpose of the event was to "distort the Bible and change theology in order to affirm an alternate sexual lifestyle as normative."

And there you have it. Under the guise of religious liberty, the Liberty Counsel will defend a government employee (Kim Davis) who discriminates against same-sex couples even though her salary in part is paid by their tax dollars.

Then the organization will make a 180 degree turn to criticize a church for having a simple dialogue about lgbtq issues.

Apparently the Liberty Counsel is more interested in preserving the religious liberty of those who would treat the lgbtq community as second class citizens rather than those who would treat us as human beings.

'VP Pence to speak at conference hosted by pastor who called gay equality 'demonic' ' & other Wed midday news briefs

Mike Pence To Speak At Conference Hosted By Radical Pastor John Hagee - VP Mike Pence will be speaking at a conference hosted by John Hagee, a guy who once said "that God sent Adolf Hitler to the world in order to be a “hunter” of Jews, advancing a divinely inspired plan to push Jews back to the land of Israel."  And of course Hagee is also homophobic. 

Cases in point:

AND my favorite:



Okay the following is also my favorite. Just go on youtube and google "John Hagee" and "homosexuality." It's a like a smorgasbord of homophobia:



Pence will practically LOVE it there at his conference.

 In other news: 

 Appeals court smacks down Wisconsin school’s anti-transgender discrimination - THIS happened yesterday. Sweet!!! 

 Russian retail chain puts up anti-gay ‘no entry for f*ggots’ sign - In Russia, of course. Ugh! 

18 Types Of People That Make Queer People Say "Oh Boy" - Probably controversial? Yes. Hilarious? HELL yes!

'It Gets Better' disputed, religious right overdoes celebration

Dan Savage

Dan Savage's monumental "It Gets Better" campaign recently fell under scrutiny via a study which questions its effectiveness.

According to LOGO Newnownext:

The It Gets Better projects was launched by Dan Savage and Terry Miller in 2010, in response to a chilling number of suicides by LGBT teens facing bullying. Sine then, it’s added more than 50,000 videos from people of all walks of life.

But a new study suggests imagining a better future may not be an ideal coping mechanism for struggling teens—and may, in fact, do more harm than good. University of Arizona professor Russell Toomey and his team examined profiles of 245 lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young adults to see how they coped with sexual-minority stress during adolescence. Three common strategies emerged: Cognitive strategies (the “It Gets Better” approach), alternative-seeking strategies (changing social circles or schools), and “LGB-specific” strategies (joining a gay-straight alliance). Young people who sought out LGB-specific strategies reported better psychosocial adjustment and were more likely to graduate high school. Cognitive and alternative-seeking strategies were associated with poorer adjustment, higher incidents of depression and lower self-esteem. Alternative-seeking strategies were even linked to lower likelihood of finishing high school. “Our findings question the ’It Gets Better’ narrative that’s been given to LGB youth,” said Toomey. “Asking youth to accept negative experiences as the only coping strategy potentially exacerbates stress.” 

 Personally,I think the study's premise presents an inaccurately simplistic view of the 'It Gets Better"  campaign. Regardless, it is a fascinating twist which will no doubt lead to debates, arguments, and unfortunately, groups and individuals who will  exploit the study to push their own anti-lgbtq agenda.

'LGBTQ community faces 'invisible' summer movie season' & other Tue midday news briefs

LGBTQ Community Faces An ‘Invisible’ Hollywood Summer Movie Season - Well this kinda sucks. Granted, we are probably being saved as Oscar bait pics, but I wouldn't mind seeing an action picture with a gay guy. Preferably black and wearing leather and knowing karate and holding a big gun in a few scenes . . . 

Anti-transgender legislation is still a threat as Texas considers a special session - A special session? For THAT mess? 

 Tank slammed online for performing at D.C. Gay Pride event - If this was a white artist, there would be more controversy over him receiving criticism. 

 Gay issues discussed at meeting of France and Russia’s leaders - Since a certain American leader didn't talk about it, France had to take up the slack. "Freedom fries," my ass! 

 32 Things Gay Asian Men Are Really Tired Of Hearing - Yes lawd!

Trump is bad, but Pence is the real drag

Pence

While folks are focusing on the consistent incompetence of Trump, they shouldn't forget the homophobia and false piety of his VP, Mike Pence. 

 Rolling Stone magazine didn't. In an article earlier this year, writer Stephen Rodrick blisters Pence.

It's so good that it's worth repeating :

During my travels across the self-proclaimed Crossroads of America, I learned that Mike Pence had once paid his mortgage with campaign funds, dragged his feet during an HIV epidemic and a lead-poisoning outbreak, signed an anti-gay-rights bill that nearly cost Indiana millions of dollars, lost his mind on national TV with George Stephanopoulos, and turned away Syrian refugees in an unconstitutional ploy laughed out of federal court. And he ended his gubernatorial term unpopular enough that his re-election bid in a Republican state seemed dicey at best.

 Pence is the nation's 48th vice president. Nine vice presidents have assumed the presidency as a result of death or resignation. That's a 19 percent ascendancy rate. Between Trump's trigger-happy Twitter persona, the ethical nightmare of his business empire, his KFC addiction and possible entanglements with Vladimir Putin, I'd say the chances for Mike Pence are more than 50-50.  

So what do we know about Pence? The governor benefited greatly from the wall-to-wall "Trump is a crazy monkey throwing feces" media coverage during the fall campaign, in that his record was undercovered, but it's out there and suggests that his impact as vice president will screw African-Americans, women, the poor and any other square peg in round America. His concerns for the parts of Indiana outside his comfort zone toggled between disinterest and disdain.  

 And here's the frightening thing: Unlike his boss, Mike Pence has an actual ideology. Pence proclaimed at the 2016 GOP convention that "I am a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order." However, his actual record – including turning down up to $80 million in federal pre-K funding – is the antithesis of Jesus' "whatever you do for one of the least of my brothers, you do for me" theology.

'Republicans are targeting lgbtq students' & other Fri midday news briefs

Needs to be said repeatedly. No matter how many times these folks claim to be protecting the children, they obviously aren't talking about our lgbtq kids.

Anti-gay Chechyna purge is orchestrated by the government, new report confirms - Explains a lot . . .

Alumni of this anti-LGBTQ hate group are serving in federal, state, and local governments - The Alliance Defending Freedom has been busy, unfortunately.

 The Amazing Journey These Gay Dads Took To Build Their Family - We must NEVER forget our families.

 Meet The U.S. Religious Right’s International Friends - oh wonderful. An international legion of homophobia.

Anti-lgbtq hate group & allies want to 'transform America' by pushing the church into political arena

Watchmen on the Wall is another bit of false Christianity

When folks like the Family Research Council and their allies get together for one of their "conferences," they tend drop all pretenses and talk too much. It's as if they get psychologically drunk by coming together and overwhelming themselves with their talk of how holy and righteous they are and how they will get the country to see things their way.

Below is a report via anti-lgbtq hate group the Family Research Council from what it calls its 14th annual Watchmen on the Walls conference . Read this hot mess in its entirety:

"Work like everything is up to you, and pray like everything is up to God." That was Senator Roy Blunt's (R-Mo.) advice to the hundreds of pastors who descended on D.C. for FRC's 14th annual Watchmen on the Wall conference. "The mission of our Watchmen on the Wall ministry is simple," said Dr. Kenyn Cureton, FRC's Vice President of Church Ministries, "We champion pastors to transform America... because the problems we face in America today... are spiritual at their heart and core, and the demand of the hour is for spiritual leadership to step up and engage."

A stellar line-up of spiritual and political leaders joined Senator Blunt, who reminded everyone about the importance of religious liberty. "The church house is the locker room, but the playing field is everywhere else." And that playing field includes Capitol Hill, as Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) made clear. "I've never started a day in Washington, D.C. that didn't start in the Word of God." That should come as a great relief to the men and women in the Hyatt ballroom, who've worked tirelessly to elect leaders who would exert Christian influence on government. After eight years of some of the most radical anti-faith activity, Fox News's Todd Starnes told the crowd, "We are surrounded by cultural bullies, the enemies of freedom are advancing. The time has come to stand resolute." After all, he went on, "We are to be civil lambs, but not silent lambs."

Thankfully, a majority of these pastors are no stranger to boldness. Rev. Mark Harris, who was a first-time attendee in 2012, reminded everyone, "You never know today, how God is going to prepare you for tomorrow." After his trip to Watchmen, he felt convicted to get more involved in the cultural battles of the day. Then, the Charlotte riots happened, and he was prepared. To those who ask should Christians be involved in politics, Frank Turek said, "Politics affects virtually everything we do." When people complain that you shouldn't legislate morality, Turek tells them, "I don't want to legislate your morality. I don't want to legislate my morality. I want to legislate the morality." If there's no standard, then there's no right or wrong, and everything is a matter of opinion. So, whose morality shall we legislate?

Rabbi Jonathan Kahn knew the answer. "America was uniquely founded on the word of God... It's time to become the Elijahs of our day!" Fortunately, most of these pastors are well on their way to achieving that vision. But please join us as we continue to pray for these pastors -- that they may be strengthened to stand and for the Spirit of God to move among us.

It's sad that these "God warriors" didn't talk about ways to improve the quality of life for Americans, particularly those 23 million uninsured people should Congress repeal Obamacare, Or anyone who would be negatively affected by Trump's attempt to cut monies from Medicaid or other programs.

They want so badly for people to worship the way they want and pray the way they want, they don't seem to care that the person praying could be a child who hasn't been fed because there is no food in the house. Or that the prayer could be for his mother who is sick and has no medical insurance.   They are so caught up in  having power and the desire to rule over everyone in the supposed name of God that they have forsaken the basic humility, and simple kindness which comes with being a true servant of God.

But, as nauseating as FRC's report of this event sounds, it's also healthy for those of us who oppose these "God warriors" to bear witness to their ecclesiastical bacchanalia.

It gives us a good reminder of what they really are. And it's something we can show the rest of the world.

'Four facts should be included in articles about anti-transgender bills/laws' & other Thur midday news briefs

Four facts reporters should include in stories about Texas’ pending attack on the transgender community - And not just in Texas. These four facts SHOULD be included in every article about legislative attacks on the transgender community. Thorough and totally on point.

First Chechnya, now Indonesia: Police have been told to target LGBT+ citizens - Well this is huge problem.

 Betsy DeVos Is An Enemy Of LGBTQ People. Always Has Been. Always Will Be. - Hell, I KNEW that. I didn't fall for the early nonsense implying that she was a friend of the lgbtq community.  

NBA betrays LGBTQ community by awarding Charlotte the 2019 All-Star Game - But we will still fight against HB2 and bills/laws like it.

DeVos has no problem funding schools which discriminate against lgbtq families & children

Trump's Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, just showed that she has no problem giving tax dollars to schools who discriminate against same-sex families and lgbtg youth. She uses a weasel word, "flexibility" to cover up the bias.

 From The Huffington Post:

 Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said Wednesday that states should have the flexibility to decide whether schools can discriminate against LGBTQ students ― even if those schools get federal money. During a testy exchange in a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) told DeVos about Lighthouse Christian Academy, a private school in Indiana that receives state voucher money but denies admission to students from families where there is “homosexual or bisexual activity” or someone “practicing alternate gender identity.” Clark asked DeVos, whose budget seeks a $250 million increase for projects that include vouchers for private schools, if she would step in if that Indiana school applied for such federal funding. DeVos replied by saying she supports giving flexibility to states. “For states who have programs that allow for parents to make choices, they set up the rules around that,” she said. 

You can see the entire exchange in the video above. To me, however, this issue doesn't deserve any type of flexibility. Tax dollars have no business going to any schools which discriminate, especially against same-sex families or our lgbtq children.

'Why straight men kill the trans women they love' & other Wed midday news briefs

Jen Richards

Why Straight Men Kill The Trans Women They Love - A brutally honest piece from Jen Richards, a transgender woman and one which everyone should read.  It's not exploitative. Forget the stereotypes of transgender women trying to "trick" men because the truth is always more complex and powerful. It enthralled me from the beginning and I knew I had to put it in the news briefs. 

Taiwan Makes History As Court Rules In Favor Of Same-Sex Marriage - Hell yeah!!!

 Gay Dads Say Southwest Discriminated Against Them During ‘Family Boarding’ - Just a hot mess.

 Queer Prom A Safe Alternative For LGBT Teens - Queer Proms are a wonderful idea for our kids to be safe and have while being themselves.

 Harris, Carper seek answers on LGBT omission from 2020 Census - Nice to see that Congressional leaders aren't forgetting about us.

Anti-lgbtq hate group continues to target exonerated high school teacher

Mat Staver  and his group, the Liberty Counsel, continues to target an openly gay Florida teacher.

Last month, I posted about how conservative groups and anti-lgbtq hate groups targeted a Florida teacher, Lora Jane Riedas of Riverview High School, claiming that she was forcing her pro-lgbtq beliefs on students and discriminating against Christian students by making them take off their cross necklaces in her class.

After anti-lgtq hate group the Liberty Counsel sent a letter to the school district and the right-wing echo chamber tarnished Riedas's name (making sure to emphasize that she is openly gay), there was an investigation by the school district.

The investigation exonerated Riedas.

However, the Liberty Counsel doesn't want to let the situation end. The group is now claiming that the school district conducted a poor investigation and it is now representing four students. This new claim by the Liberty Counsel about the four students is an interesting twist to the situation seeing that students were interviewed during the  school district's investigation.

I'm going to post various parts of the Riedas exoneration letter sent by the district and compare them to the supposed refutations of the Liberty Counsel:

'Evangelical' Trump supporters are gutting, destroying Christianity

 Tony Perkins is abandoning Christian integrity to shill for Trump. He's not the only one.

At least once a week, I can find an item on the Family Research Council's Washington Update worth using to demonstrate the group's distortions and hypocrisy.

Today, I have two and they speak to a larger problem regarding the evangelical right's support of Trump and how this support is debasing the Christian religion in general.

The first item has to do with Trump's Saudi Arabia speech. It's not so much of how FRC praised Trump,  but how the group lies about Obama's Middle East outreach:

The best part of President Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia may have been what was missing: an apology. After eight years of Obama-sponsored groveling, Americans probably forgot what leading from a position of strength looks like. And while a 34-minute speech can't undo almost a decade of servility, it was a good start to reasserting our place as the unapologetic leader of the free world.

Unlike President Obama, who offered reparations for every American act since the Revolutionary War, Donald Trump made it clear that the only thing he's sorry about is that the legacy of political correctness has gotten in the way of true problem-solving.

As it has been pointed out consistently, Obama never groveled in any of his speeches. Of course the truth never stopped FRC from repeating a juicy lie.

 The second item has to do with the recent walkout of Notre Dame students from their own graduation in protest of commencement speaker VP Mike Pence. Notice how FRC proceeds to smear the students, who had every right to protest Pence's past actions and support of anti-lgbtq policies

The Class of 2017's choice of a commencement speaker wasn't without its share of controversy, but Mike handled the situation with the kind of poise people have come to expect from the Hoosier. In fact, he used the opportunity to point people back to the problem -- political correctness on college campuses. That much was evidence when a few dozen LGBT activists walked out of the auditorium in protest. (Once again we see that all the talk about "tolerance" is just that. Talk.) "This university is a vanguard of freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas at a time, sadly, when free speech and civility are waning on campuses across America," the vice president argued. "I would submit that the increasing intolerance and suppression of the time-honored tradition of free expression on our campuses jeopardizes the liberty of every American," he warned. 

Unfortunately, it was a message some students never heard. A group of liberal graduates and their families stood up and left at the beginning of Pence's remarks, giving the media a juicy distraction that was fanned by far-Left groups like GLAAD, who applauded the students' supposed "leadership." To many Notre Dame alums, it was a sad commentary on the church's compromise on the cultural issues of the day. After all, this is a religious institution that was once rooted in biblical morality. Like a number of faith-based institutions, they've surrendered important ground on the question of sexuality, which history tells us is just a harbinger of further moral compromise.

FRC's items, coupled with a few things I saw on twitter last weekend, has come to make me realize that Christianity in America is changing. But not for the better.

'Texas begins legislative assault on same-sex families, lgbtq community' & other Mon midday news briefs

TX governor Greg Abbott, legislators declaring war on lgbtq community.

With All Eyes On Trump, Texas May Soon Pass Horrific Anti-LGBTQ Laws - And old story we know very well and fear. With all of their money, planning, and discipline, the religious right and their allies always manage to go too far. Such as the case in Texas: 

Amendments to bills would allow nurses, lawyers and pharmacists to discriminate on religious grounds and restrict bathroom use for trans students. 

Texas Senate Approves ‘Religious Refusal’ Adoption Measure - This awful bill is about to become law. Hopefully it will be stricken down but why sit on our asses and wait? Make no mistake that this is an assault on our families. And I don't expect for it to stop in Texas. 

 On Harvey Milk Day, Here’s How to Honor the LGBT Visionary and Rabble-Rouser - Happy Harvey Milk Day and it is so apropo.

 Police Detained More Than 140 Men After A Raid On A Gay Sauna In Indonesia - Our fight for fairness and dignity continues around the world.  

Trans people are being blocked from registering to vote in the UK - I reiterate the point.

Notre Dame graduates walk out own commencement ceremony in protest of VP Pence

On Sunday, several Notre Dame students walked out of their own graduation ceremony during VP Mike Pence's commencement speech.

 According to CNN:

 A group of Notre Dame graduates walked out of their graduation ceremony Sunday in protest against Vice President Mike Pence and his policies. Pence was delivering the commencement speech after receiving an honorary degree from the Catholic university, located in his home state of Indiana. Videos showed some students standing as Pence took the podium, then walking out of the ceremony and gathering outside Notre Dame Stadium, where they held a short alternative "graduation ceremony." The protest action was planned ahead of the ceremony, with activist group We Stand For saying Pence's policies as vice president and as former Indiana governor targeted marginalized people on the basis of their religion, skin color or sexual orientation. 

All I can say is "Good for them!"

 

Eight states now ban fraudulent 'ex-gay' therapy from being used on youth' & other Friday midday news briefs

Conversion Therapy Now Outlawed in 8 States - Eight down, 42 more to go.

  New study shines light on how to ‘make it better’ for queer youth - Wonderful study giving out common sense advice on how we can make things better for our lgbtq kids.

 Court: Transgender people can sue under ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) - I can just imagine how the religious right will spin this one. 

Despite Nigeria’s Laws, LGBTQ Acceptance Is On The Rise - A bit of good news from the Mother Continent.  

Chechen gay men hopeful of finding refuge in five countries- Really wonderful news. Fingers crossed.

Family Research Council's message on Trump's troubles fails to show reason, reeks of fear

Leave it to the Family Research Council to try to fake a reasonable analysis of  Donald Trump's self-inflicted problems:

With only an hour's notice, Deputy Attorney General of Justice Rod Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller III as special counsel for the Russian investigation, given political blowback over President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey. Rosenstein stated that his decision was not the result of any findings that crimes had been committed or any prosecution warranted, but rather due to the unique situation and that he felt that the public interest warranted a special prosecutor outside the normal FBI chain of command. The WSJ responded by calling it the "Special Counsel Mistake," arguing that Rosenstein caved to the political pressure from Democrats giving them the ability to "bedevil" the Trump administration possibly for the next four years.

President Donald Trump issued a short response late yesterday, saying: "There was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity. I look forward to this matter concluding quickly." 

The explosion in the media, particularly the leftist "mainstream" media, should be no surprise, as talk of impeachment is already being bandied about -- even though not a shred of evidence that a crime was committed on the part of the embattled president has been produced. Congress, of course, continues to want Comey to testify in their ongoing investigations into Russia's influence on the election due to Michael Flynn's admission that he had lied to Vice President Pence about having had contact with Russians. 

While investigation into any wrongdoing must be taken seriously, jumping to conclusions as so many Democrats have over the firing of Comey (do they not remember that only a few months ago many of them called for Comey's ouster?) is entirely and purely political. Speaker Ryan offered the right approach to this situation. While welcoming Robert Mueller as special counsel, he urged that ongoing investigations should "follow the facts wherever they may lead," and reiterated his confidence in the president. It's entirely presumptuous to talk of impeachment, as even two House Republicans Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) did. Democrat leaders such as Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) who is the lead Democrat on the House intelligence committee investigation and no friend to the administration -- ironically has called for Democrats not to "rush" to talk about impeachment. That had little effect on members like as Reps. Al Green (D-Texas) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who spoke on the House floor of the need to impeach the president. 

John Adams reminded us that facts are stubborn things, and a clear uncovering of facts in various investigations from the Clinton emails and server to Michael Flynn's admitted connections to Russia, and any effort to obstruct justice must be pursued and prosecuted, if that is what the facts demand. 

As House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) observed, we should always welcome examinations into facts and truth. Only those who don't want the truth have reason to fear such investigations. As Chairman Goodlatte also noted, perhaps the previous administration should have taken similar matters seriously enough to ensure they were independently investigated. 

Regardless of this special counsel appointment, I am confident that the Left will continue its apoplectic and irrational pursuit to undermine the president's pro-American agenda at any cost -- facts be damned. Robert Mueller is a respected former FBI director who served under President George W. Bush and even President Barack Obama. His challenge is daunting. Not only must he seek just the facts, he must ignore the political missiles being lobbed by anyone who doesn't like what the truth reveals about President Trump. He must also be thorough, but expeditious in completing the investigation so as not to become a tool of the Left to further hinder and hamper the change Americans demanded in November.

Nice try, but the stench of fear can't be hid. Poor FRC.  By hitching itself to such a corruptible, irresponsible choice for president and his administration, the organization has gained a front seat to the crash and thus the thwarting all of its plans to inflict its "morals" on America.

Did I say front seat? I actually mean a view of the coming disaster while strapped down in the cockpit.

Enjoy the view, guys. You've certainly earned it.

'Joe Biden - Americans must stand with worldwide lgbtq community' & other Thur midday news briefs

Former vice president Joe Biden stands up for lgbtq equality.

Joe Biden: Americans must stand with LGBT people around the world - I DEFINITELY miss Joe Biden as much as I miss Obama. 

Gay Russians Are Trying To Flee Kidnapping And Torture. The US Has Denied Them Visas. - And his column couldn't have come at a better time. 

 Activists Are "Really Scared" After Two Indonesian Men Were Sentenced To 85 Lashes For Having Sex - I mean seriously 

 Nevada outlaws anti-gay clinical therapy on children - SWEET!  

Pence faces walk-out at Notre Dame over his anti-LGBT views - This is a situation I almost missed.

TX conservative leader wants God to punish lawmakers who support lgbtq equality & abortion

Steve Hotze

Please tell me again how religious right groups and spokespeople actually love the lgbtq community and our allies. Please tell me again how those who call themselves pro-life are actually concerned about preserving life.

But first read this prayer, courtesy of Steve Hotze of the Conservative Republicans of Texas:

 “Pray this imprecatory prayer for the wicked state legislators. In the Name of Jesus, I prophesy and declare: may all the individuals serving in the state legislature, and their staff, who support, promote and practice sodomy and other perverted, sexually deviant lifestyles, who support the killing of unborn babies, and who hate God’s Law and God’s Word, receive just retribution from God for their evil actions. May they receive what their unfaithful ways deserve. May they be consumed, collapse, rot and be blown away as dust from their current positions because of their wicked works, thoughts and deeds. May people scorn them and nations abhor them. May their punishment lead them to repentance and faith in Christ. May God’s will be done in their lives.” 

Lovely.

Last year, the Southern Poverty Law Center named the Conservative Republicans of Texas as a hate group.  According to journalist John Wright, the group and Hotze has a long, sordid history of homophobia.


 Hat tip to both Right Wing Watch and the Texas Freedom Network who both brought this item to my attention.

'Lgbtq journalist calls out anti-gay pastors in new book' & other Wed midday news briefs

Clay Cane

Journalist Clay Cane Slams Antigay Preachers in New Book - Sweet! We need to call out those in our communities who treat us less than human rather than waiting for others to do it.  

Stunning Photos Debunk The Myth That Queerness Is ‘Un-African’ - THANK YOU for this. We need more visibility about lgbtqs of color. 

1st Man Prosecuted For Federal Hate Crime Targeting Transgender Victim Gets 49 Years - AWFUL situation, but justice is done. Trans lives matter. 

 Baltimore school’s GSA wins top honors from GLSEN - Just so you know that there are schools out there doing right by our lgbtq kids. 

 Gays Literally Yell Every. Single. Time. You Play These Songs - Okay, not usually my speed but sometimes you have to go "what the hell." This is a funny column.

Mike Huckabee: gay marriage bad, sharing classified info with Russia good

Earlier today, I posted a video of  Mike Huckabee going on a ridiculous tangent about the SCOTUS decision which legalized marriage equality. He was completely on his high horse talking about how "God wouldn't be mocked" and how the ruling turned the country away from "holiness" and "righteousness." and how we supposedly don't have a nation of law:

It's sad that he doesn't feel the same way about a president (in this case Donald Trump) who shares classified information with Russia:



Let's recap that again in it's totality:

 Huckabee thinks that the lgbtq community winning marriage through the correct process in which our government functions reduces America to less than a country of laws. However he sees nothing wrong with defending a president who gives up classified information to a nation which, amongst other terrible acts, oppresses it's own people, thereby scaring the living crap out of our allies and possibly putting people in danger.

Huckabee has to win the award for self-righteous hypocrite of the year.

I wonder what Franklin Graham will say about this . . .

'Mike Huckabee still mad over SCOTUS marriage equality ruling' & other Tue. midday news briefs

Mike Huckabee: The Supreme Court Declared ‘We Are God’ In Obergefell Decision - Mike Huckabee recently participated in one of those dreary and annoying "God and Jesus said America belongs to right-wing Christians" documentaries where he continued to show anger over the SCOTUS decision to legalize marriage equality. Keep in mind this came out today while the Trump Administration (including Huckabee's daughter) and the GOP continues to bring this country to the lowest level of ineptness and derision. Huckabee hasn't been vocal about THAT situation, of course.  The juxtaposition of the two items gives Huckabee's words in this video regarding "righteousness" and morality a certain vile poignancy. It kinda makes me nostalgic for the times in the Bible when God personally interceded and knocked someone on his or her butt for getting a little too obliviously blasphemous.  

Matthew Shepard's Mother: Multimillion-Dollar Hate Groups Are Bullying LGBTQ Children - Lay it down, Mrs. Shepard!

 DNC hires first lesbian CEO, former head of EMILY’s List - Not bad! Every step forward helps.

 In Texas: 'It’s an all-out assault on LGBT people' - I'm beginning to think that Texas just don't flat like us.

 BuzzFeed Threw Its First Queer Prom And It Was Seriously Beautiful - Simply wonderful for our kids.

Is the Family Research Council trying to make Trump presidency look like Second Coming of Jesus?

How the Family Research Council sees Trump.

The weekly missteps of Trump as president is bad enough. But they are even more alarming when one takes into account how some right-wing evangelical organizations such as the Family Research Council are bending over backwards to either ignore Trump's missteps (such as his firing of FBI director James Comey or the mind boggling way he sabotaged his Administration's explanation for the firing) or making it seem that in spite of his numerous errors, Trump is as great as the Second Coming of Jesus.

The following from FRC will make you gag:

When President Trump chose the college to deliver his first commencement address, he couldn't have picked a better one than Liberty University. And I'm not just saying that as LU alum! The message he delivered with that decision was just as important as the one he delivered at the podium. Once again, Donald Trump showed how much he values the Christian community and how committed he is to standing with them for the change they voted for in November. But the improbability of his win isn't lost on the president either. With a wry smile, he told the crowd of 50,000, "It's been a little over a year since I've spoken on your beautiful campus and so much has changed. Right here, the class of 2017 dressed in cap and gown, graduating to a totally brilliant future. And here I am standing before you as President of the United States, so I'm guessing -- there are some people here today who thought that either one of those things, either one, would really require major help from God. Do we agree?" 

 And with that, President Trump kicked off a speech that could not have been better -- not just for the graduates, but for every American hungry to see true freedom restored to their nation after eight long years of Barack Obama. The president didn't shy away from those topics either. Throughout his talk, he touched on a number of issues close to evangelicals' hearts. "America has always been the land of dreams because America is a nation of true believers," he said. "When the pilgrims landed at Plymouth they prayed. When the Founders wrote the Declaration of Independence, they invoked our creator four times, because in America we don't worship government we worship God. That is why our elected officials put their hands on the Bible and say, 'So help me God,' as they take the oath of office. It is why our currency proudly declares, 'In God we trust,' and it's why we proudly proclaim that we are one nation under God every time we say the pledge of allegiance."  

To loud applause he promised, "We will always stand up for the right of all Americans to pray to God and to follow his teachings." He wasn't just speaking to Liberty grads, but to his largest base of support: evangelicals -- who remain overwhelmingly supportive of the president. And his comments Saturday are a large reason why. "America is better when people put their faith into action. As long as I am your president, no one is ever going to stop you from practicing your faith or from preaching what's in your heart." And the administration is already taking steps to guarantee it. Not only is his rhetoric encouraging, but so is the record he's building to back it up. We've seen him tackle his pro-life agenda with a passion few expected. We've watched him make good on his vow to defend religious liberty. And we've seen him appoint principled men and women as leaders at every level of government and the courts.

Those paragraphs did everything except for raising Kate Smith from the grave carrying a flag and singing "Glory, Glory Hallelujah." And its flowery rendition of Trump's speech is the third time in a few days the Family Research Council has applauded him in what seems to be an attempt to shine whatever positive light on his disastrous decisions and policies.

On Thursday, by way of a "prayer," FRC backed Trump and the GOP's attempts to repeal Obamacare by focusing on how it could defund Planned Parenthood while issuing the following flippant statement directed towards who would lose healthcare if the repeal was successful:

And may Americans look to God as their healer and not government.

Friday, FRC sent out a generic press release congratulating one of its spokespeople, Ken Blackwell, for being appointed to Trump's Presidential Commission on Election Integrity.

FRC  didn't, and probably won't ever, mention that this "commission" is nothing more than a way for Trump to push his unproven belief of huge voter fraud. In fact, there are valid concerns that the commission could pave the way for voter suppression - something The Washington Post pointed out about Blackwell:

Another commissioner, Ken Blackwell, a Republican who served as Ohio secretary of state in 2004 — and co-chair of the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign in the state. Among other things, Blackwell first insisted that voters could not register unless they did so on super-thick 80-pound card stock, preventing thousands from signing up. Thousands more waited for up to 10 hours to vote. Democrats howled, with a Democratic congressional task force concluding that in “many cases these irregularities were caused by intentional misconduct and illegal behavior” by Blackwell. He heatedly denied the Democrats’ charges.

The point I'm trying to make is what the Family Research Council is doing when it comes to Trump is downright embarrassing. I don't like FRC. I never did and I probably never will. But if the group has any small shred of integrity which I'm not aware of, it really needs to stop following after Trump like a lapdog and making his huge faux pas look like incredible reaches of good policy.

It's one thing to clean up poop. It's quite another to cover it with icing and birthday candles.

But as long as Trump continues to hand the Family Research Council little crumbs, like a weak executive order, expect FRC to treat it like filet mignon and Trump like he is the Second Coming.

Related post - The evangelical courtiers who kneel before the president’s feet

Franklin Graham accidentally shows he knows nothing about persecution

From my friends at Think Progress comes a sad obliviousness regarding actual anti-Christian persecution versus a wrecked sense of entitlement courtesy of Franklin Graham. For the record, the lgbtq community is not targeting so-called Christian businesses.




Think Progress added:

 Christians do, in fact, face persecution in many parts of the world, and militant groups such as ISIS have oppressed and murdered followers of Christ during terrorist attacks and in territories they occupy. But as the Religion News Service pointed out, it is unclear where Graham gets his staggering claim that 100,000 a year are killed because of their faith in Christ. By contrast, the Christian organization Open Doors — which tracks violence against Christians — reports a much smaller number: around 4,000. Regardless, this kind of persecution does not appear to be comparable to the American context, where the majority of citizens still identify as Christian according to Pew Research. To be sure, white evangelical Christians such as Graham have often claimed in polls that they face “discrimination,” sometimes by citing the debate over whether conservative Christians should be allowed to deny service to LGBTQ people. Yet most religious Americans don’t support “religious refusals”: according to a 2016 survey from PRRI, majorities of almost every major faith group in the country — including Mormons, Catholics, and white mainline Protestants — oppose allowing a small business to refuse LGBTQ people service by citing their faith. Only one group — white evangelical Protestants — expressed 50 percent support for the idea.

Family Research Council exploits Mother's Day to denigrate same-sex families

One would think that at least Mother's Day would be safe from being exploited against the lgbtq community. No such luck as long as anti-lgbtq group the Family Research Council is around.

 Check out this blurb from its president, Tony Perkins:

Just the sound of the word "mother" evokes a feeling of tenderness and reassurance in the minds of most. Even Jesus, when He was communicating His compassion for the people of Jerusalem used the metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks under her wing to protect and shelter them. (He saved the rooster for another occasion.) In the age of political correctness and gender confusion, suggesting that women and men have distinct, non-interchangeable roles is probably enough to get your picture posted in the nearest post office for crimes against the sensitive and easily offended! But while truth can be contradicted and denied, it cannot be changed.  

 To be emotionally and physically healthy, children need a mom and a dad. Not just parents that are present, but a mom and dad who are involved in their lives. On Sunday, we will celebrate motherhood. We will celebrate the women whose unconditional devotion to their children motivates them on a recurring basis to choose unparalleled self-sacrifice and causes them to remain devoted even in times of great suffering. Women like Christina Simoes, who may never walk again because of her devotion to her young son. When their apartment was engulfed in flames, the 23-year-old did the only thing that came naturally: she saved her son. Without thought to her own safety, she cradled him to her chest and jumped out the window. "I didn't think about it. All I was thinking about was getting him out of there. He mattered way more than I did," she said. Suffering from severe back injuries, she was interviewed a few years ago in the hospital. Knowing her little boy was safe was the greatest Mother's Day present she could imagine. Like so many mothers, she shrugged off her bravery. "I don't think that I'm any special hero at all. I'm just Cameron's mom," Christina said. It's that same kind of selfless sacrifice that defines moms around the globe. 

 I'm grateful for the love and compassion of a mother -- sometimes expressed in years past with a whack upside the head, but most often with a hug, a kiss and reassurance that things were going to be okay. I've had the privilege of not only have a great mother, but for the last 31 years being married to a woman who is a great mother to my children. To my mother and to my wife -- thank you and Happy Mother's Day.

Come on Tony. It would have been a nice piece if you didn't feel the need to add all of that ugly shade against same-sex families. Not only is it inaccurate (A large number of studies show that children thrive very well in same-sex households), and totally unnecessary, but it was also tacky.  Just plain tacky.

No holiday should ever be used to denigrate a group of people or exploited in an attempt to make them look and feel inferior. Particularly not  Mother's Day. Some children are being raised in a heterosexual mother/father household. Some are being raised by a single mother or a single father, grandparents, or any adult who has taken the responsibility. And a good many of these homes are led by members of the lgbtq community.

Really though, none of it should make a difference as long as the children in the household are given love, support, and are having their physical needs met. Parenthood is not a competition, nor should it be an excuse to create a caste system. One home environment should never be used to look down upon another.

The very fact that Perkins attempts to do this tells us that he obviously did not heed the lessons of love and compassion his mother attempted to instill in him.

Yeah. I said it.

Anti-lgbtq hate group's prayer to God is heartless, self-serving tripe

FRC president Tony Perkins

While it's generally not my practice to mock anyone's prayer to God, I will make an exception when it comes to prayers from anti-lgbtq hate group the Family Research Council. The organization took it upon itself to ask God to the following:

Lord, Obergefell v. Hodges was an assault upon Your institution of marriage, the cornerstone of society. The effort to mainstream transgenderism is an assault on You as Creator and the heart of Your created order. Please help us to prevent the conferring of special rights and privileges for those who embrace aberrant sexual identities, and those who seek to re-engineer American society and law to require god-fearing Americans to submit to such moral subversion. Please stop parent's rights from being violated, the massive confusion of our youth and the effort to capture their souls. Intervene to waken us, our pastors, churches, families, neighbors, and friends to engage in this fight and win it! (Gen 1:27; 5:2;6:19; Dt 22:5; Josh 1:7; Neh 4:14; Dan 9:8; Mt 19:4; Rom 1:32; 1 Jn 3:8)

Now I could be upset at the above prayer, but I'm not. I will simply remind folks of the many times FRC has been caught and called out for using either junk science, cherry-picked information, or outright lies against the lgbtq community. With all of the Bible verses FRC cites, it's fascinating that the organization seems to have omitted the ones about not lying and not bearing false witness.

But I think it would be more apropo to point out another prayer FRC made before its anti-lgbtq soliloquy.  It speaks more to the organization's hypocrisy and preoccupation with social issues over basic kindness.

May God shepherd the Senate to improve and not damage the AHCA. May measures to prevent taxpayer funding of abortion and Planned Parenthood remain intact in the Senate version. Pray that reconciliation will produce an excellent bill that both Houses can pass. And may Americans look to God as their healer and not government. (Ex 15:26; 23:2; Dt 19:10; 2 Chr 16:12; Phil 1:10; 1 Tim 1:5; Jas 3:17)

You read right. FRC is praying to God that allows the Senate to pass that awful healthcare bill which is supposed to repeal Obamacare.  That's same bill which is extremely unpopular  because it would take healthcare away from millions of Americans, could increase premiums for older Americans, and generally plays havoc with defining what "pre-existing conditions" can be used to deny insurance coverage.

People are scared about this bill and have been letting their Congressional leaders know it in boisterously angry town hall meetings.

But to FRC, the only thing which seems to matter is that the AHCA defunds Planned Parenthood. And what about the people scared about what the AHCA could potentially do to their healthcare and thus their lives? One would think that in invoking God's attention, FRC would ask that He assuage their fears.

No such luck. Instead, FRC offers a flippant side comment about  Americans depending on God as their healer, as if God will float from Heaven Himself and lay hands on people whose healthcare would be taken away or premiums would go up.

Or even worse, it's as if FRC is asking God:

Dear God, please stop those nasty homosexuals and transgenders from getting married or getting any rights in general so they won't think that they are just as good as us heterosexuals. And about the AHCA, please let it pass so that Planned Parenthood can be totally defunded. 

Amen. 

Oh wait a minute. Those people who are scared that the AHCA would take away their healthcare, takemuch needed money out of their pockets, or basically cost them lives . . well do whatever to them. They rely on government too much anyway. 

For real this time amen.

So not only is the Family Research Council conveniently forgetting the Biblical verses which speak against lying and bearing false witness, the organization sounds like it is also abandoning the verses which speaks about kindness and compassion to others.


Hat tip to Right Wing Watch.

'The Advocate counts down the top 50 homopobes of the last 50 years' & other Thur midday news briefs

Kim Davis (top), Tony Perkins (middle), and James Dobson (bottom) all made The Advocate list of top homophobes.

The 50 Biggest Homophobes of the Last 50 Years - The Advocate creates a controversial but highly necessary list. Knowing your history includes knowing those who stood in the way of your equality and dignity. Poor Porno Pete LaBarbera. He didn't make the list.  But a gay man did.

Target doubles down on Pride celebrations despite anti-LGBT boycott - props to Target for sticking to its guns. The religious right has been using the chain like a basketball. 

Berkeley schools go beyond bathrooms to support gender non-conforming students - It's comforting to see schools not fall for the "bathroom predator' lie. 

 The Census Won’t Collect L.G.B.T. Data. That’s a Problem. - Damn right it's a problem. 

 West Virginia Supreme Court Rules Anti-Gay Assaults Are Not Hate Crimes - Excuse me?

Anti-lgbtq right conveniently quiet after exoneration of teacher they targeted

Last month, anti-lgbtq organizations and personalities targeted a high school teacher, Lora Jane Riedas, of Riverview High School in Florida. They claimed she bullied Christian students. The fact that she is openly gay was the proverbial icing on the cake to these folks as they implied all sorts of ugly things about her, particularly the story that she made students remove cross necklaces while in her classroom. That specific gem was hyped extensively by various religious right and conservative news sources, facebook pages, and discussion boards. Anti-lgbtq hate group The Liberty Counsel began the chaos against Riedas by sending a letter to the Hillsborough school district detailing the charges. Naturally, the school district investigated..

Via People for the American Way's Right Wing Watch, came news last week that the investigation ended and Riedas has been totally exonerated:

 . . . the school released the results of its investigation and found Liberty Counsel’s claims to be without merit: 

 A teacher at Riverview High School who was accused by a conservative organization of banning crosses while advocating for gay rights has been cleared of wrongdoing after a school district investigation. Lora Jane Riedas, who teaches freshman math and is faculty advisor of Riverview’s Gay Straight Alliance, said she did not allow rosaries, as they are considered gang symbols and not allowed in the school dress code. She said she did not discuss lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in class. All 10 students interviewed by district investigators backed her up on that point, although some contradicted her on the issue of the crosses.  

A letter released by the school examined the allegations made by Liberty Counsel and found no evidence to support any of them.

 Here is the interesting, or rather not to be unexpected part, of this entire controversy. All of these organizations and personalities who made Riedas appear as if she was bullying Christian students have been conveniently silent regarding her exoneration. To my knowledge, there has not been any mention of Riedas's exoneration by any of the groups, figures, or conservative news sources which portrayed her as a huge anti-Christian bigot.

Their convenient silence gives you an actual perspective of their supposed Christian mindset, doesn't it? Seriously, it looks to me that the Liberty Counsel targeted this teacher to create some type of moral panic about lgbtqs targeting Christians. Had it not blown up in the organization's face, my guess is it and several other conservative organizations and groups would have continued to hype the situation up to give a degree of credibility to their "religious liberty" talking points, i.e. justifying discrimination against lgbtqs on religious grounds.

That being the case, we shouldn't be so quick to celebrate just yet. The Liberty Counsel and its cohorts were unsuccessful this time, but I bet they are, probably even as I write this, moving on to a new situation which they hope to exploit the false boogeyman of "anti-Christian gay bullies."

'TX adoption discrimination bill could especially harm lgbtq children' & other Wed midday news briefs

Texas advances bill allowing discrimination against LGBTQ kids and families - Texas again. And this is really bad. Not only could a 'license to discriminate' bill allow adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex families, but according to Think Progress, this bill could also allow agencies to subject lgbtq children under their care to "religious education." I'm so not liking this.

Discrimination in Texas: House Passes Anti-LGBTQ Bill HB 3859 - More info about that awful bill.

Texas bill could keep transgender kids out of high school sports - Seriously, why has Texas declared war on lgbtq children? 

MT Republican: Protecting LGBTQ Americans Is Bad For Business - The intense stupidity of homophobia is such that folks can claim that we don't need anti-discrimination laws because we are rich and well-educated while simultaneously claiming that we are drug-addicted alcoholics. 

Trump’s Army Secretary Pick Is Victim Of ‘Gay Gestapo,’ Right Wing Activists Claim - I thought we were the 'Gay Mafia.' I was kinda favorable to that description of us.

Five years ago, Obama became first president to support marriage equality

I think I'm slightly a day late on this, but I'm still going to note this historical event. Five years ago, President Obama  made a wonderful announcement supporting marriage equality. It's worth remembering, particularly when one thinks of the monstrosity in the White House at the present.

'Family Research Council spokesman wants Senate to question lesbian candidate about her 'homosexual conduct'' & other Tue. midday news briefs

FRC spokesman Peter Sprigg

Peter Sprigg Urges Senate To Grill Lesbian Air Force Nominee About Her ‘Homosexual Conduct’ - Just to be clear - a spokesman of anti-lgbtq hate group Family Research Council- the group which whined about anti-Christian persecution when a candidate for Army secretary faced a backlash for homophobic and transphobic comments he made - is now demanding that the Senate make a candidate for commandant of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy go into detail about her sexual history simply because she is a lesbian. This situation ALONE raises questions as to why the media calls the Family Research Council a "Christian advocacy" group. 

How The Media Covered Hate Groups Last Week, 5/1/17- 5/7/17 - Speaking of which - some news sources have been really good at calling out these groups. Others? Not so good.  

Another Religious Right Claim Of Anti-Christian Persecution Gets Utterly Debunked - A while back, I posted about how the Liberty Counsel was targeting a lesbian teacher by claiming she was bullying Christian students. Guess what? Another anti-lgbtq lie down the drain.  

Trolls Come For Debra Messing Following Her Message To Ivanka Trump - I HATE trolls . . . they never come for me. All of this "shade" is going to waste.

Mark Green controversy not anti-Christian bias, just 'foot-in-mouth' disease

As to be expected, anti-lgbtq evangelical groups are play the martyr and beating the somber tambourine over Trump's former nominee for Army Secretary, Mark Green. Green withdrew his name last week after a firestorm over comments he made in the past, include comments bashing the transgender community, the Islamic community, and evolution.

However, leave it to anti-lgbtq hate group the Family Research Council to claim that Green was a "victim" of anti-Christian bias:

What does evolution theory have to do with the Army? A lot, if you want to be the branch's secretary. That's just one of the fights the Left picked over Donald Trump's choice to lead the Army. Dr. Mark Green's beliefs on everything from creation to sexuality became the subject of a nasty campaign to discredit the respected flight surgeon -- a campaign, unfortunately, that ended Friday when Green withdrew his name from consideration.

"Due to false and misleading attacks against me, this nomination has become a distraction," Green said. "Tragically, my life of public service and my Christian beliefs have been mischaracterized and attacked by a few on the other side of the aisle for political gain."

LGBT activists, in particular, were upset that Green supported privacy laws like North Carolina's and the view of marriage that Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and even Barack Obama held at one point. To them, that was an unacceptable change from former Army Secretary Eric Fanning -- who not only identified as gay, but openly used his power to advance that agenda in the military. (How convenient that Fanning wasn't put under the same scrutiny when he was nominated!) Green, on the other hand, was maligned, misquoted, and mistreated by liberals desperate to keep a pro-family, pro-gun, pro-freedom, pro-marriage leader from a position of military authority.

But if being a conservative disqualifies Green from public service, then Washington is going to be a pretty empty place. A group of 11 congressmen, led by Marine vet Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), tried to defend Green, writing in a letter to Senate leadership that "Any attempt to politicize personal statements or views that have been expressed by Mark at any point throughout his career must not be allowed to supersede his qualifications or be conflated to create needless uncertainty with his nomination." But it was too late. The Left's crusade against the West Point grad, Tennessee state legislator, and longtime conservative had already taken its toll.

"I think there is a movement to target people of faith who are being nominated," Tennessee Lt. Governor Randy McNally told the Washington Examiner. "They want their own, either agnostics or people who are non-Christians. 'They' being the Democratic Party." FRC's own Army vet, Lt. General Jerry Boykin (Ret.) knows what it's like to be in the cross-hairs because of your Christian views. Sadly, he said, liberals have become "so powerful, and so vicious, that it's getting hard to find good people like Mark Green to run for office or engage in public policy because of the lies and hateful attacks they will have to endure." And the military in particular needs strong leaders with the stomach to stand up for what's right.

Just stop it already. The controversy over Green was not a case of anti-Christian bias. It was, in fact, a case of "foot in mouth" disease. Let's be honest about this situation. Green basically said dumb things which rightfully caused people to question his ability to lead.  Green wasn't done harm by anyone except for his inability to keep his ego in check. He practically made it easy for people to call him out, as the videos below prove. When viewing them, ask yourself is this the type of person you want leading the Army?  A man who inaccurately characterizes a group of people as a "disease." and says he wouldn't follow a SCOTUS ruling simply because he didn't like it?