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| Obama inauguration pastor backs out after anti-gay remarks are revealed | Obama inauguration pastor backs out after anti-gay remarks are revealed |
| (6 days later) | |
| The pastor chosen by Barack Obama to deliver the benediction at his inauguration this month has stepped down after criticism of previous anti-gay preachings. | The pastor chosen by Barack Obama to deliver the benediction at his inauguration this month has stepped down after criticism of previous anti-gay preachings. |
| The Rev Louie Giglio's role was announced by the presidential inauguration committee (PIC) on Tuesday. A day later, it was reported that Giglio, pastor of the Passion City Church in Atlanta, had delivered a sermon in the 1990s in which he had called on fellow Christians to fight against an "aggressive agenda" of the gay rights movement. He had advocated Christianity and the "healing power of Jesus" as the only way out of a homosexual lifestyle. | The Rev Louie Giglio's role was announced by the presidential inauguration committee (PIC) on Tuesday. A day later, it was reported that Giglio, pastor of the Passion City Church in Atlanta, had delivered a sermon in the 1990s in which he had called on fellow Christians to fight against an "aggressive agenda" of the gay rights movement. He had advocated Christianity and the "healing power of Jesus" as the only way out of a homosexual lifestyle. |
| The committee said on Thursday that it did not know of the previous statements. Addie Whisenant, a spokeswoman said: | The committee said on Thursday that it did not know of the previous statements. Addie Whisenant, a spokeswoman said: |
| "We were not aware of Pastor Giglio's past comments at the time of his selection and they don't reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this Inaugural. | "We were not aware of Pastor Giglio's past comments at the time of his selection and they don't reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this Inaugural. |
| "Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part for his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration's vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans." | "Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part for his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration's vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans." |
| Giglio told the committee and the White House early on Thursday morning, in a statement, that he had decided to withdraw. It said: | Giglio told the committee and the White House early on Thursday morning, in a statement, that he had decided to withdraw. It said: |
| "Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ. | "Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ. |
| "Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the President's invitation." | "Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the President's invitation." |
| Chat Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group, told BuzzFeed on Thursday: "It was the right decision. Participants in the inaugural festivities should unite rather than divide. Choosing an affirming and fair-minded voice as his replacement would be in keeping with the tone the president wants to set for his inaugural." | Chat Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group, told BuzzFeed on Thursday: "It was the right decision. Participants in the inaugural festivities should unite rather than divide. Choosing an affirming and fair-minded voice as his replacement would be in keeping with the tone the president wants to set for his inaugural." |
| On Wednesday, Wayne Besen, founder of Truth Wins Out, which fights anti-gay sentiment, told the New York Times: "It would be a shame to send a preacher with backward views on LGBT people at a moment when the nation is rapidly moving forward on our issues." | On Wednesday, Wayne Besen, founder of Truth Wins Out, which fights anti-gay sentiment, told the New York Times: "It would be a shame to send a preacher with backward views on LGBT people at a moment when the nation is rapidly moving forward on our issues." |
| In Giglio's 54-minute sermon, titled "In Search of a Standard – Christian Response to Homosexuality," he urged Christians to prevent the "homosexual lifestyle" from becoming accepted, advocates "ex-gay" therapy for gay and lesbians, and references a biblical passage which has been interpreted as requiring gay people to be executed. | In Giglio's 54-minute sermon, titled "In Search of a Standard – Christian Response to Homosexuality," he urged Christians to prevent the "homosexual lifestyle" from becoming accepted, advocates "ex-gay" therapy for gay and lesbians, and references a biblical passage which has been interpreted as requiring gay people to be executed. |
| One of the passages in the sermon said: "We must lovingly but firmly respond to the aggressive agenda of not all, but of many in the homosexual community. … Underneath this issue is a very powerful and aggressive moment. That movement is not a benevolent movement, it is a movement to seize by any means necessary the feeling and the mood of the day, to the point where the homosexual lifestyle becomes accepted as a norm in our society and is given full standing as any other lifestyle, as it relates to family." | One of the passages in the sermon said: "We must lovingly but firmly respond to the aggressive agenda of not all, but of many in the homosexual community. … Underneath this issue is a very powerful and aggressive moment. That movement is not a benevolent movement, it is a movement to seize by any means necessary the feeling and the mood of the day, to the point where the homosexual lifestyle becomes accepted as a norm in our society and is given full standing as any other lifestyle, as it relates to family." |
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