A pastor chosen by President Obama to deliver the benediction at his inauguration has been removed over his anti-gay remarks. Rev. Louis Giglio, of Atlanta decided to pull out of the gig, which he announced today.
The statements were made in the mid-1990s during a 54-minute sermon called “In Search of a Standard-Christian Response to Homos-xuality,” in which he spoke out against being gay. “People aren’t born gay—but even if they are, it’s still a choice like giving into alcoholism, addiction and overeating.”
Giglio founded a group called the Passion Conferences supporting therapy to turn people away from being gay. “We’ve got to say to the homose-uals, the same thing that I say to you and that you would say to me…it’s not easy to change, but it is possible to change.”
A spokesperson from the Presidential Inaugural Committee revealed that they were unaware of Giglio’s past comments.
This is the second time in recent years that the president’ affiliation with a controversial church leader has been brought into question. During his 2008 campaign he drew fire for his connection with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who made several controversial statements, such as God “damning” America.
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Photo: Dallasvoice.com
