Donnie McClurkin and Perfecting Gays

Among the great advice my father gave me as a child -- besides never buy tires at full price -- was that the only thing lower than a car dealer is a used car dealer, and car dealers are scum of the earth.

To paraphrase -- the only thing worse than a bigot is a black bigot...

And to take it a step further would be to include a black bigot who drapes himself in the cloth and hates in the name of the Lord.

And, yet, there is Donnie McClurkin who's planning an SRO three day stand with the brother who would be president, Barack Obama.

A lot of folks are calling McClurkin anti gay or a gay hater or a straight out homophobe 'cause he says that he's in a "war" against homosexuality, and homosexuality is a choice and gays can be fixed.

A lot like, I'm sure, Ann Coulter would tell you Jews can be perfected -- and while we're on the subject of the absurd, the Patriots can be beaten because their passing offense really can be stopped.

Anyway...

With Obama coming under fire for including a hate monger in his Compassion and Unity tour, McClurkin shot back at all the anti-hata haters and said that his comments were taken out of context.

A lot like, I'm sure, Bill O'Reilly will tell you his comments are often taken out of context.

McClurkin feeling that gays can be perfected does not come from nowhere. According to McClurkin, as a child he was raped by a male family member, which so affected him, he "became" a gay man for some 20 years before religion helped "straighten" him. I want to stress very, very emphatically that a young person being molested by ANYONE is beyond humorless. It is sick and depraved.

But as far as McClurkin becoming gay as a result, then later having ministry cure him, well...

A lot like, I'm sure, Ted Haggard would tell you a little church can cure you of the need to have your gay masseuse sell you a little meth.

According to a piece in the Chicago Trib, McClurkin now says he is straight and that his ministry is open to those who say they no longer want to live as a gay person. What he doesn't do, he says, is crusade against homosexuality.

And for the record, my house is open to all people who no longer want to be redheads. If you're a redhead, then get the F out! But I'm certainly not crusading against redheads.

And this is the guy Obama's gonna share a stage with?

In an official statement Obama has said that he "strongly disagrees" with Reverend McClurkin's views, yet he still intends to share a stage with him.

But, Barack, you can't say you strongly disagree with the head of the Klan, then invite him on stage just 'cause he knows his way around a Johnny Cash song (no disrespect to the late Johnny Cash or his family, just the first singer who popped into my head).

Comments

[hollywoody5000]

IF THE SO CALLED "REVEREND" ADHERES SO STRONGLY TO WHAT HE CALLS RELIGIOUS BELIEF, THEN I WONDER WHAT HE THINKS WHEN HE READS IN THE BIBLE THAT SLAVERY IS NOT ONLY ACCEPTABLE BUT RECCOMMENDED AND THAT A DISOBEDIENT SLAVE SHOULD BE BEATEN AND SERVE HER MASTER WITHOUT PROTEST. IGNORANCE IS AS IGNORANCE DOES....TOO BAD THIS BIGOT IS CALLED A "PREACHER" WHEN HE IS IN REALITY A PROPAGATOR OF HATE AND STIRS THE POT BY CREATING MORE HATE AND PREJUDICE IN A WORLD ALREADY OVERBURDENED WITH WAR, HUNGER, GANG VIOLENCE, DRUGS AND MYRIAD OTHER MALADIES. MAY THE TRUE GOD SHOW THIS LOST SOUL THE REAL PATHWAY TO ENLIGHTENMENT.

[clevelandchick]

Mr. Ridley,

You finally wrote something I agree with. The only reason I hesitated posting this is that I am a redhead, a human lover and of course...a dog lover...all without a lick of shame for being so.

I know why Obama is hitching his ride with this guy and so do you. I live in a multi-racial-sexual neighborhood in Cleveland. I've seen the bigotry you speak of acted out on my neighbors. It's beyond saddening.

Obama is really just another candidate. I am just as disappointed as anyone as to why he'd hitch his wagon to Reverend Hates-Alot but he's doing it to appeal to a group. And that guy I guess get's Obama an audience.

Others know more than I if black people hating gay people is a major issue but from the sidelines of where I live it sure seems like it is. I have one friend who is gay and black that tells me it is. Yet, she comes from religious family that says they love Jesus. I may be a lapsed Catholic but I do not recall Jesus telling me to hate gay people.

I imagine that religion gives some really insecure folks of all races a convenient excuse to hate others for being different from them, which of course is a trait of humans that has no color trend.

But Mr. Ridley, I am very glad you speak out against bigotry of all variety. Even if you hate me for being a redhead and loving my dogs ;)

[howdydostu]

Maybe Obama thinks this could be his "sista Soljah" moment?!
Stuart & Robert Wyman-Cahall
Las Vegas, NV 89142

[MarkInEugene]

An unfortunate move for Barack. I'm dissappointed and surprised that both Obama and McClurkin are not aware enough to see the connection between prejudice based on race and prejudice based on preference. It's just another indication of how difficult it is for human beings to recognize simple fairness, humanity and enlightened thought.

[changehorses08]

If Obama picks up a few votes in South Carolina because of this he loses the Gay community all over the rest of the country. Its a hail mary pass that will net him nothing.

[foxx]

Thank you for hanging touch.

Now will you take the same position on abortion?

[kj593]

"But, Barack, you can't say you strongly disagree with the head of the Klan, then invite him on stage just 'cause he knows his way around a Johnny Cash song (no disrespect to the late Johnny Cash or his family, just the first singer who popped into my head)."

This is by far the dumbest damn analogy, that keeps getting repeated OVER and OVER again, as if it proves a point. First, I'm sure if Obama extended an invitation to the head of the Klan, it would be met with hysterical laughter or stone silence. Second, this doesn't even CLOSLEY approximate the facts of this situation. McClurkin approached Obama as a SUPPORTER; not the other way around. Obama's views on LGBT issues is pretty damn good and pretty damn well known. So this bigot expresses support for Obama's campaign (which publicly and consistently has taken a position anathem to McClurkin's). And this is seen as a positive development. Bigot wants to be part of an inclusive campaign. Great headline. Er, except it's not. Instead the storyline is Obama embraces bigot.
If a racist country singer wanted to perform one night of a 3 night country concert in Tennessee on behalf of Obama's campaign, I would say that's a testament to Obama and what he represents and not an endorsement of the supporter's view.

[arethabaez]

STUPID REPLY, kj593, Mr Ridley's logic was perfect. If some openly racist celebrity wanted to support a candidate there's not one person running, on either ticket, who would embrace the racist or much less invite him or her on a tour.
Why give Mr Downlow Waco the pblicity or prestige of appearing with a giant like Obama? It's crazy. Protecting and respecting the LGBT community is still a low priority obviously. We've accepted that our constitutional right to marry will be ignored by all the Dems in 2008. But... EXPECT SOME NOISE if they plan on schmoozing around with a coo-coo homophobe for a couple votes. THANKS MR. RIDLEY, RIGHT ON!

[JoshuaGeneration]

What constitutional right to marry? Do you reference the same cosntitution that I do? Is there some interpretation or case law that references marraige as a right? Marraige is a priviledge conferred by the church and state and not the constitution. You need to get your facts straight. You are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts.

[kurttrail]

"McClurkin approached Obama as a SUPPORTER; not the other way around."

Really? Cite.

[arethabaez]

You don't appear with biggots just because they approach you. Remember Edwards said: I don't want your vote if your voting for me just cuz I'm white.

[JoshuaGeneration]

Obama was introduced to McClurkin at Oprah Winfrey's fundraiser. He volunteered his services probably at the suggestion of Oprah who is a good friend of his. He has appeared on Oprah's show. McClurkin is the most accomplished of the acts appearing in the concert series. Obama will not even be present nor was he ever scheduled to be there. There will be little financial benefit if any to the campaign. The modest door charge of 10 bucks will be barely enough to cover the cost of the venues. This is all about attracting the support of the black evangelical community, support that is presently attached to Hillary. He truly would be naive if he didn't go after these votes.

[Steamboater]

"McClurkin approached Obama as a SUPPORTER; not the other way around."
And Obama accepted. You just don't get it do you?

[VSamuels]

I get it fine!

What, then that seems to be missing in this discussion is that Obama was willing to accept McClurkin because of his differences, rather than condemn him, and scold him for seeing things different than himself. The fact that we have an opportunity in America to have a man who seeks to talk with those who he may have disagreements is wonderful, and definitely needed in our nation today, which is filled with petty 'identity' politics.

This 'little' game which some here play is reminisent of grade school where some kids stop talking to some kids who talk to kids they don't like. It appears that while Obama has grown up, and sees that in an adult world, we often must talk and converse with diverse groups and opinions, some are still in Mrs. Johnson class, fuming that Obama is talking with someone they don't like.

O.K., Ridley it looks like its 'milk and cookie' time!

[smartstuart]

How smart(STUPID) is Obama for going on stage/travelling to get votes with this gay/straight "THING"??? Proves he's green around the gills-and UNQUALIFIED to be prez. He had a chance to step away from this hate-monger , but didn't! Only nutjobs and loons think gays can"be cured" by a supernatural force. Ridley should ask Obama if he believes that. Or maybe Oprah should!!!!!

[JoshuaGeneration]

Obama will not be on stage nor will he or any of the people involved be travelling. But don't let the facts keep you from spewing misinformation.

[Damu]

John! I'm beginning to seriously worry about myself. The is the second of your postings I agree with.

[slobone]

I can't believe Obama doesn't get it. This really is his Bob Jones moment. Maybe David Geffen is having second thoughts about supporting him now?

[arethabaez]

Geffen stood by Guns and Roses during their N----- & F----- moment. Course that was just a song and Slash is Black which no one ever brought up.

[slobone]

True, nobody pushes David Geffen around, and he has nothing to prove at this point. But he may start to question Obama's judgment, which is the real issue here. The hardest part of a political campaign these days is how to handle these gaffes when they come up, and they always do. Hillary's got a few decades of campaign experience that Obama doesn't have yet...

[rappar2]

I am a gay man. Obama is running for President. I do not care what a candidate's religious beliefs are UNLESS those beliefs affect the candidate's ability to govern, meaning an ability to enforce the Constitution as written. At least one state has found that prohibiting gay marriage offends the Constitution. That is the wave of the future.

Obama allegedly does not support gay marriage because of his religious beliefs. That is because many religions, including his, believe gays are sinful and, therefore "unequal" in everybody's eyes, including God's. If he is going to be President, he is going serve as President to all the people of this country, not just those who have the same religious beliefs as him. He cannot do so if he believes some are more equal than others and he has to realize that. His toting a self-hating homosexual (no matter what the cause) on his Compassion and Unity tour (how ironic) doesn't put him any closer to that realization.

And for those of you who think that it is unfair to hold Senator Obama up to a certain standard, please, please, please, help us hold them all up to the standards that they need to meet.

[kj593]

He's trying to decouple this argument from its religious underpinnings. Once you are able to do that, the constitutional grounds for discriminating against same sex couples prove to be non-existent. Key provisons: First Amendment and 14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause). I can go into greater detail if you want, but his position makes sense and I'm pretty sure would end this silly debate (over gay marriage).

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

Obama's position doesn't make any sense. I have heard him make statements about marriage in the debates. And, have contacted his campaign for clarification.

He blelives marriage should be left to the denonimations of each religion to decide.

He supports civil unions with all the federal and state rights of marriage.

If you read these two statements you might assume what Obama supports is the ALL states must have civil unions for ALL citizens whether straight or gay. And, ALL citizens are eligible to be married if their church will marry them because marriage should be left to the churches. Also, no state will issue civil marriage licenses.

Obama's position is no where near this.

Obama supports CIVIL marriage for ALL straights no matter what their individual church says. So, where is his "let the church decide" position. If the church is to decide, then atheists should be allowed to be married and neither should divorced Catholics. But, in Obama's world, the state will issue marriage licenses to straight atheists or straight divorced Catholics.

Obama supports CIVIL unions for ALL gays, but not for straights. Even if a gay couple belongs to a church that supports gay marriage, the state will still not issue a marriage license to them. So again, what happened to letting the church decide about marriage?

Obama does not support federally MANDATED civil unions in all states. He suppports letting each state decide on its own about granting civil unions to gays. So, he supports state sactioned discrimination against gays. By the way, this also means if a gay couple lives in a state without civil unions, they get none of the federal benefits of marriage that Obama supports.

Lastly, if Obama supports allowing the states to decide on civil unions, then why doesn't he also support the repeal of Loving v Virgina which made it illegal for any state to deny marriage to an inter-racial couple. If it is good enough for a state to decide about civil unions, why should a state also be given the right to decide about inter-racial marriage?

[kurttrail]

"At least one state has found that prohibiting gay marriage offends the Constitution."

Wrong. Mass. Supreme court ruled that banning gay marriage unconstitutional according to the Mass. State Constitution, not the US Constitution.

NJ also ruled that denying gays committed couple the same rights as married straight people is again the NJ State Constitution.

[arethabaez]

Iowa too for 1 quick Gay marriage.

[dijo]

Wrong...Obama is a member of a UCC congregational church as am I. It is the only church I know of that openly accepts homosexuality. One of the ushers in my church is a gay man. A lesbian couple sat in the pew in front of me two weeks ago holding hands during the service. No one in the congregation batted an eye. Granted, the large majority of members are heterosexual, and the church doesn't preach that everyone ought to be gay, but it allows people to be who they are without fear of condemnation. Which is the way I think christianity should be. Especially in a church, everyone should feel welcome. Who said that we should only associate with people that agree with our every view? Sounds like a republican way of thinking to me. Obama's appeal to me is that he will reach out to everyone...even those he openly says he disagrees with...to build bridges.
As for McClurkin, I am saddened by his years of repeated abuse as a child at the hands of a male family member. I think that could have the effect of causing more than a little confusion about sexuality. I don't hate him for his opinions, even though I think he is wrong.
Come on people, you are sounding like a bunch of republican hacks.

[kurttrail]

And Obama is acting like it's fine to campaign with a bigot.

I want a candidate that's willing to stand up for what is right, not one that's gonna try to walk a tightrope between right & wrong.

Bigotry is wrong. Bigotry should NEVER be tolerated.

[MoreMoxie]

Obama loses his claim on being different by spouting the empty nonsense about his religion being the reason he can't be for gay marriage. He has to know better, because he knows marriage is a civil institution and he knows religion does not determine civic issues and personal rights. The Canadian prime minister had no trouble explaining to Canadians that churches retained the freedom to decide their rules for marriage, even though as a civil matter, gays had equal marriage rights.

[JoshuaGeneration]

Marraige is not a right, it is a priviledge. It is not a constitutional right. I don't particularly care what the Canadians do. The Canadians didn't even adopt a constitution until the 1980's.

[jmundstuk]

Can't find anything to disagree with in John's post, except that Haggard had a gay masseur, not masseuse.

Is the message of the Obama campaign here that we won't insist on agreement with our sort of pro-gay stand to accept support etc from black evangelicals?

[ThinkSomeMore]

Obama, as every other contender except Kucinich and Gravel, is against the equal application of civil rights. It's a dead issue in this country. The movement took hold when Clinton was president and signed legislation against equal access to military service and to marriage. Trouble is, it is a test of how many rights can be taken away and from whom before anyone protests. Especially disgraceful for those who have gained from the first wave of civil rights in the middle of the last century to now seek to deprive others today. Remember the saying about not being there for others when THEY came for them. Folks like Obama stand to lose it all when the racists regain their hold on America and come for him. You might have noticed that it gets closer every day.

[JoshuaGeneration]

Marraige is not a civil right. No court has ever held that opinion nor is it supported in the constitution. Your argument is specious. The states currently hold the right to define and license marriage. The courts have further held that the institution of marraige as defined by most states as a man and a woman is not discriminatory on the basis of sex. It does not prohibit either a man or a women from participating. It did find that laws that prohibit intermarraige of races to be discriminatory and hence those laws were struck down. Currently states have the right to redfine marraige if they wish to do so. The consitution will not be amended for the question of marraige. Stuff like DOMA under Clinton should be repealed. Obama holds that opinion.

[AnotherTry]

DOMA is unconstitutional. Ever read the 14th amendment?

[ohmemercylard]

I HATE that people in southern California are the current victims of global warming, but I do think we can discuss other topics at the same time.

Thank you, Mr Ridley. This really is the height of hypocrisy for "the politics of hope." Your piece is sharp and funny. And true.

I'm an old 'mo whose long-term (15yrs) BF is black, and I've seen firsthand the complexities faced by gay black men and their families. Not unlike my redneck ancestry, the clash of rural baptist [or Islamic]rules & regs with the actual modern secular world is inevitably bloody.

Until we all give up magical thinking and try to be reasonable, how will we ever evolve? [I ask this question only of those who believe in evolution.]

[jackbauer0396]

What's funny about this is the dichotomy of O'Reilly types wanting to defend idiots like McClurkin and attacking Obama. What EVER will they do?