Source: Friendly Atheist
Two people who use their Christian faith as justification for bigotry are going after a more progressive Christian for not staying true to the Bible.
The haters in question are Family Research Council President Tony Perkins and staffer David Closson. In a recent episode of their Washington Watch podcast, they complained about Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg for daring to call himself Christian despite being in a same-sex marriage.
CLOSSON: But real quick, just the point of this is what’s really dangerous with what Pete is doing, he’s not just mistaken about what the Bible says. He’s actually twisting God’s word to advance a political agenda that is antithetical to biblical Christianity.
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PERKINS: They’re not the party of science when it’s inconvenient, when it comes to biology and gender and life. But that’s not where he stops. I mean, he goes even further. In fact, he attacks Christians as being hypocritical for supporting Trump in this interview with Rolling Stone. He says, quote, “I think it does run the risk of generationally harming the credibility of Christianity in our country because if people who are avowedly Christian can get themselves into bed with a president like this, it raises the question of what ethical context — or content — at all Christians — Christianity even has.”
I mean, of course, I would come back and say, “Well, what about supporting a man who gets in bed with another man?” I think that’s really the issue here when you talk about biblical Christianity. The Bible speaks very clearly about the issue of homosexuality, and to — I just, it’s amazing to me that he would so use Scripture when he is in a — openly in a lifestyle that is contrary to the teaching of both the Old and the New Testaments.
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Perkins went on to complain about how Buttigieg was sending the “wrong message to Christians” by focusing on silly things like health care, climate, and human decency. All of this was in defense of Donald Trump, whose constant lies, utter corruption, and unrelenting cruelty are somehow compatible enough with Christianity that the FRC crowd fully supports him.
Question:
- Given that Christians on both sides of the issue claim they have the biblical perspective on LGBT issues, how can we adjudicate the correct position? Will it always be a subjective question?
- As a Christian, how do you feel this makes your religion look to non-Christians (given two sides both think they are probably right)?
- Does Perkins represent the views of most Christians? Does Buttigeg?
- Is Perkins morally justified in supporting the many immoral actions (according to this Bible) of Trump?
Socrates the Cat
Article URL : https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/11/25/religious-right-group-pete-buttigieg-doesnt-represent-biblical-christianity/