For the record, the only gay youth Boissoin wants to protect are those enrolled in so-called reparative therapy. There is nothing abnormal or immoral about being true to oneself; it is immoral, however, to pretend to be promoting God’s work when in fact you are doing the exact opposite.

I thought his comments deserved their own post, as well as my response to them. Below, you’ll also find a link to a copy of Boissoin’s original 2002 letter so you can judge for yourselves if his letter was an incitement to violence, as I believe.

TODAY’S COMMENT FROM STEPHEN BOISSOIN:

You said "he basically compared gay activists to dangerous vermin against whom any action readers deemed necessary should be taken to save children."

Another perfect example of manipulation. Grossly stretching the facts to suit your cause. I NEVER encouraged nor advocate violence. Those that know me, including gay youth and young adults, know that I would never so such and that I would protect them if necessary. The media knew and has expressed that they do not feel that I advocated violence in my 2002 letter to the editor.

You people continue to BS the public and present yourselves as poor victims. Any communication that doesn't support you is 'homophobic' or hateful etc etc.

It's true, I hate homosexuality. It is a disgusting abnormal and immoral lifestyle. No use beating around the bush about it.

Stephen BoissoinStraight & Proud

AND MY COMMENT IN RESPONSE:

Stephen, your hateful religious views continue to cloud your judgment. My line is a very fair summation of your characterization of gay activists.

I'm not going to beat around the bush either: Homosexuality is a naturally occurring, inborn orientation that has always been with us and will always be with us. It cannot be taught, 95% of children will grow up to become heterosexual regardless of whether or not people like me are treated equally and with respect in this society.

It's sad that after all these years you still can't be rational about your own words and the extreme damage they have caused.

In 2002, you wrote: "It's time to stand together and take whatever steps are necessary to reverse the wickedness that our lethargy has authorized to spawn. Where homosexuality flourishes, all manner of wickedness abounds."

"Whatever steps are necessary"? Easily, that line can and usually does mean violence, particularly when you asserted in your letter that people like me winning equality and dignity in life is the equivalent of, "every professing heterosexual [having] their future aggressively chopped at the roots."

"Their future aggressively chopped at the roots"? You identified a problem that doesn't exist, you asserted all gay activists like myself are just trying to "sleep with children." You used fiery language meant to incite unspecified action, which could easily be interpreted by any gay basher as good justification for violence, especially since your letter was signed as a Reverend. In the history of homophobia, far less inflammatory words have been used to justify great amounts of violence and suffering.

Without a doubt, it was incitement to violence and you should be ashamed of yourself.

But clearly you aren't. Religious extremists will always cling to their hatred because it makes them feel powerful and righteous. That's the only thing that's disgusting here.

While I think some of the punishments handed down by the Alberta Human Rights Commission against you may have been heavy-handed, there is no doubt in my mind that you incited violence in your letter. And for that, there should be justice.

17 comments:

My religious views only support a view that I have always held...even pre-Christian.

Yes, unfortunately homosexuality has always been with us .....so has adultery, pedophilia, incest, beastiality and many other aberrant sexual behaviours.

My letter presents a clear disgust for homosexuality and a desire to warn the masses that the propagation of it to our young is just as immoral, just as wicked, JUST AS DANGEROUS as those who deal drugs to and molest children.

Mentalities like yours degrade our society and destroy lives.

You are a valuable creation of God but in need of therapy. How can you be PROUD to have anal sex with another man. Sick sick sick.

Homosexuality is as healthy and natural for me as I'm sure heterosexuality is for you. There is no harm done to me or society in general when I am allowed to live my life with dignity. In fact, society benefits.

When bigots like you get a chance to spread their hatred and promote any and all action against innocent people, society is harmed greatly.

I am in no need of therapy. I'm in need of love and understanding. And by the way, anal sex with a man can be very hot! Don't knock it until you tried it!

According to you, I am not only wrong about my views on homosexuality but because of them I cannot be a Christian.

Matt, being a Christian is dependent on one thing...trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour. The trust referred to, is evidenced through a practice of repentance. Seeking to understand and practive a lifestyle which is approves.

I am very imperfect but nevertheless a believer and follower of God through Christ.

Regardless what we hear from modern pseudo-theologians, homosexuality is clearly wrong in Gods eyes. Thus mankind is to repent from it.

Matt, on a personal note. I know that you feel that twinge of shame when you read my posts whether you admit it or not. You have probably pushed it way down deep but it is still there. That is good ole conviction. There is hope for you if you ever embrace it. If that ever happens, contact Exodus International or someone like former homosexual Stephen Black from First Stone Ministries http://www.firststone.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Pseudo-theologians? You don't seem to have much respect for other people's religious views, Stephen. A little hypocritical, don't you think?

Homosexuality is clearly wrong in Gods eyes? How can you claim that unless you claim to be speaking with God directly? Surely you can't be using the Bible to back up that belief?

It's been well-proven that the Bible's so-called condemnations against homosexuality are rooted deeply within the historical context in which they were written. Our modern definition and knowledge of homosexual orientation is quite different than that depicted in the Old testament.

Natural law and truth would dictate to me that we accept homosexuality. Furthermore, it causes no harm in and of itself.

Furthermore, it's clear that most modern Christians ignore other sections of the Bible which support slavery, violence against women and other questionable acts. If you quote Leviticus to condemn homosexuality, why don't you take your literal interpretations to their full extent and promote mass executions for all gay men? That's what that book calls for. You pick and choose which parts of the bible you consider God's word and ignore those sections you don't.

Homosexuality is not a behavior, it's an orientation. For more on this, read my post about Andrew Sullivan's comments from Thursday.

I feel no twinge of shame, Stephen. I'm more proud than you will ever be. I KNOW I am right on this issue and that you are very, very wrong. But I too hope that one day you'll see the light and regret the great pain you've promoted. I know you will eventually agree with me on this, perhaps just not in this life.

God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[c] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[d] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Golly. It's like reverse Christmas. You're waiting for Santa to come down the chimney...and out of the toilet comes Steve. Or Eve as I call him.You know at least two recent scientific studies have shown that extreme homophobes are really self loathing homosexuals. So I wouldn't really be surprised if Eve is one of us. AAAAAAAAAARGH !!!!!I mean do you know any straight guys who are OBSESSED with gay sex like he is? I don't. Do we care or even think about what straight people people do in bed? Of course not. So puhleaze...try not to give him TOO much publicity. Just flush his comments down the toilet like I would. That way in a couple of years nobody will even remember that ridiculous LOSER.As for your religious views.... surely you're not suggesting that you are going to end up in the same place as Eve?Is there something we should know about you that you haven't been telling us? ;)

P.S. Eve dahling...have you ever thought of moving to Saudi Arabia? Not only would you feel right at home in that homophobic shithole. But I bet you'd look FABULOUS in a burqa...

Interesting points, Simon. I do agree many of the most homophobic bigots tend to be closeted, self-loathers. As for my own spiritual beliefs, I think I've been fairly clear in previous posts. I believe in a God that loves us unconditionally and doesn't disapprove of homosexuality.

Hi Matt...I forgot to say good for you for standing up to Mr B. in your own quiet polite way. I also should say that although I'm an atheist I know a lot of good Christians...like you and my mum. :)It's nasty bigots like Steve that give Christianity a bad name...

It's not me who has the obsession Matt. I just search my name from time to time to see who is talking about me.

It is people like Lund and others who instead of just debating views, attempt to control a persons freedom. Homosexuality is a non-issue to me. My views are set in stone. I just happen to be forced to defend my views. Lund has done more damage to your cause than good. His actions have awakended those that value freedom of speech and religious expression and only emboldened them.

Had Lund not filed the complaint against me and waged this riduculous self-serving,attention seeking war against my (our) freedoms, this would have been a dead issue back in 2002.

Sooo Jason, you would love to hear....but you won't be listening anyway????? Ya ok...

Re: Obsesses - Again, homosexuality is not something I think about UNLESS I am thinking about this case which has been brought upon me by a pro-gay activist. I would LOVE this to be over but Lund took things too far and picked a big fight. I am simply defending myself.

When I Google my name out of curiousity, it is others that are obsessed and/or interested with this case.

I am well aware that some agree and others disagree with me. I am quite fine with that.