An Evangelical Christian pastor at a Texas city council meeting spent his time at the microphone spreading bigotry and inciting violence as his followers in the audience cheered him on.
Jonathan Shelley, leader of the homophobic Stedfast Baptist Church addressed the city council of Arlington, Texas. He expressed his outlook on the city’s support of June's LGBTQ+ Pride celebration.
He condemned it using nonsensical arguments.
According to Shelley,
“I don't understand why we celebrate what used to be a crime not long ago. God has already ruled that murder, adultery, witchcraft, rape, bestiality and homosexuality are crimes worthy of capital punishment.”
As he spoke, Shelley was supported by the person taking the video and a few others of his flock saying “Amen” in agreement with his statements. Though at the end, it was revealed to be only people in a single section.
Shelley’s arguments gay people deserved death stemmed from misinterpretations Old Testament scripture in Leviticus.
But all debates about those aside, the United States of America is not a theocracy.
The Constitution is clear on not installing or imposing a single religion.
Shelley often spews hateful rhetoric, reciting pseudoscience data claiming gay men have higher rates of disease.
However, this misses context.
Studies show homophobia and stigma increase homelessness and risky behavior among LGBTQ+ people, and makes medical interventions more difficult.
Shelley also tried to claim the “average” LGBTQ+ person molests children.
Shelley and his church are known for their hate and bigotry.
During last year’s Pride in Florida, he cheered a fatal accident that killed three people.
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