E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS







> More Newsletters
Privacy Policy / Terms of Use
There was an error processing this request. We cannot subscribe you to newsletters at this time. Please contact technical support with details.
Blogs Sponsorship

About Dr. Warren Throckmorton

Warren Throckmorton, PhD is Associate Professor of Psychology and Fellow for Psychology and Public Policy at Grove City College (PA). He is the producer of the critically acclaimed documentary, I Do Exist, regarding sexual orientation. His academic articles have been published by journals of the American Psychological Association and he is past president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association. Over 60 newspapers have published his columns and he is co-author, along with David Blakeslee of the monograph, Health Education as Social Advocacy. He can be reached at ewthrockmorton@gcc.edu.

Author Links

Search The Bible   
Advanced Search
Recently Posted
<< >>

Dr. Warren Throckmorton

Columnist, Speaker, Professor of Psychology and Fellow for Psychology and Public Policy at Grove City College

Monday, March 24, 2008

Rep. Sally Kern says homosexuality worse threat than terrorism

Sally Kern is an Oklahoma state representative who recently found herself a YouTube star thanks to gay advocacy group the Victory Fund. Mrs. Kern, a second term lawmaker from Oklahoma City and Baptist pastor’s wife, was secretly taped giving a rambling speech to her Republican colleagues regarding threats to conservatives in local political races. Her comments, now viewed over 1 million times on YouTube have ignited a firestorm of controversy and opposition, particularly among homosexual rights groups. Perhaps most quoted has been this passage:

Matter of fact, studies show no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades.  So it’s the death knell for this country.  I honestly think it’s the biggest threat even, that our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam, which I think is a big threat, okay.

Predictably, a firestorm of controversy has enveloped Rep. Kern. She has been defiant and resolute in response. Several days after the YouTube video hit the cyberstreet, Kern was interviewed by a supportive Matt Barber of the Concerned Women for America, where she again stated, “homosexuality, in my opinion, is a bigger threat to this nation than terrorism.”

All of this reminded me of survey findings reported in the recent book, UnChristian, reviewed recently by fellow Crosswalk blogger, Regis Nicoll. Here is Regis' take on what UnChristian has to say about homosexuality:

In survey after survey, Kinnaman found that the homosexuality issue, more than any other has shaped public perceptions about Christians. "Hostility toward gays--not just opposition to homosexual politics and behaviors but disdain for gay individuals--has become virtually synonymous with the Christian faith," Kinnaman writes.

 

Whether or not that's a fair association, it reflects how we come across to others. When our criticism of homosexual behavior is out of proportion to our concern over heterosexual divorce and promiscuity in the church, it smacks of hypocrisy. Add to that, a perceived air of moral superiority, and you've got the picture of the "unChristian." Again, while these impressions may not accurately represent Christianity, they do affect how the Christian message is received.

 

Seems to me, Sally Kern's comments, refusal to see the offense they cause, and the stance of her defenders put an exclamation point on the findings of UnChristian. What makes her comments all the more jarring is that she represents a district in Oklahoma City, scene of the Murrah building destroyed by domestic terrorist, Timothy McVeigh.

 

While it is tempting to opine further, I would like to hear from readers on this one. What should Rep. Kern do? Should she stick to her guns, basing her views on her faith? Or should she retract this comparison and engage in dialogue with those who are offended? Or something else? To discuss this and address any of these issues, click this link...

 

 

  • Email
  • Print
  • Discuss
Most Recent User Comments
KarenGross
4/28/2008 10:55 AM
I think that the homosexual issue is a sign of end times coming. It is becoming increasingly difficult to speak out about the immorality in our society when the Bible is no longer respected as the standard of right and wrong. "Political Correctness" and tolerance are being preached instead. We are in a battle here, people, and it is time that choose a side and stop worrying about who gets offended.
We also need to be careful about how we approach "Hot" topics - "speak the truth in love", and admit that we are all sinners and that homosexuality is not worse that terrorism or shoplifting or gossiping or harbouring grudges- it is all sin - God doesn't list specific sins in a hierarchy - and Christ died to pay for our sin. He doesn't give us a list of which specific sins are forgivable.
Report this post Report this post
davemiller7
3/27/2008 2:47 PM
"Seems to me, Sally Kern's comments, refusal to see the offense they cause, and the stance of her defenders put an exclamation point on the findings of UnChristian." Now there's a really intelligent comment!

I guess we are to care more about some hurt feelings than we are to care about speaking truth? When Jesus walked the earth some 2,000 years ago, didn't He "tell it like it is?" Did He pull His punches for fear of offending a sinner?

I'm afraid that if we keep following the "can't we all just get along?" philosophy, we'll all be going down the road to hell hand in hand, singing Kumbaya (sp?).

May God bless Sally Kern and may she keep on voicing the TRUTH. Dr. Throckmorton needs to have a road to Damascus experience.

God bless you all.

-Dave

Report this post Report this post
CONNERRON
3/27/2008 12:05 AM
EL
Hello and God Bless You:
I thank God that someone finally said outloud the truth of the abomination going on in the churches. I really feel that this may be abomination that can destroy the church.
I really believe that two points must be considered though, before any other conclusions can be made.
One is the fact that all manner of filth is going on in the churches today, and is allowed at any level. For this
Paul gave the judgement of GOD in Romans, A reprobate mind, and man lusting after man, in verse 24. I think that every wher you look at this problem in the churches,it can be a red flag, ( no play on words), and a big alert of a worse problem in their group, so GOD has finally just said fine go destroy your selves, get AIDS, rot , and finish dieing.
Rom 1.32 says this is are sins unto death, and for all that have pleasure in them, like the money they bring in?
I think it's a bigger problem, but could be fatal.
Ron Conner
Report this post Report this post