Pastor Sean Harris and Berean Baptist Church offer official “retraction”… kinda.

Lawsy me… the official “not” apology this AM on the “beat the gay away” message has turned into a full “retraction” from Berean Baptist Church… kinda. But Once AGAIN – there is justification, contradiction and obfuscation. People ought to mosey over to the church website and listen to other messages.  I’m guessing there is more stuff like this buried away.

I’m just curious… How can he say that he has “never suggested children of those in the LGBT lifestyle should be beaten, punched, abused (physically or psychologically) in any form or fashion.”  (clear throat) Excuse me Pastor, did I not just hear you dedicate a good portion of your now infamous sermon to just that?  I mean, if THAT message in THAT form wasn’t “psychological abuse” of any gay or lesbian kids in that church, I’m not sure what would be.

No, you are correct, you never said children should be squashed… just that homosexuality should be squashed.  Oh, and I think you added a further descriptor of “like a cockroach” to make your argument crystal clear.  Hmmm…  I wonder what that does psychologically to a kid that might be grappling with their sexuality?  You ONLY advocated they they be punched, cracked and mocked. You ONLY said that their sexuality needs to be stepped on so hard that the insides squirt out.  And you did it all in the name of God.

No, gay marriage isn’t a threat to families Pastor.  YOU ARE.  You are adding to the Gospel.  You are like a Judiazer.  Never apologize for the Gospel — for the immense and immeasurable grace of a God that loves so deeply he would die for the world.  But my goodness, don’t add to it!

As my friend John Shore said to another pastor who found himself letting the words of his heart from freely…  “You dare to eclipse the son of God with the full moon of your own fetid ass. ”  Pastor, your ass is in FULL bloom on this one… BRIGHT and SHINING for the world to see.  Here is a sugesstion:  When you offer an apology or a retraction, please leave it at that.  And don’t give me this mess about bloggers “intentionally framing your words without the context of the entire sermon.”

Here is the context… you preached the message on “marriage sunday”.  A deceptive political move by those in NC who are in favor of this amendment. YOU framed your words yourself.  YOU used the pulpit for a political tool to scare members into voting or an amendment designed — not to protect heterosexual marriages — but to inflict damage on the homosexual community.  It is a definitive stomp in the proverbial “squashing of the cockroach” you so eloquently pointed out in your message.

I see now you have an interview to further clarify your not-apology and your retraction…kinda.  I’ll have to go and watch it… but I’m guessing it is more of the same.  Oh… and you’ve received nothing but words of support from the congregation?  Given the fact that they were laughing when you talked about cracking wrists and punching gay kids, that shouldn’t be surprising.

Pastor Sean Harris Clarifies what he meant in his “beat the gay away” sermon.

I really just became aware of this, but it speaks for itself.  Listen to the entire sermon and you will get a fantastic picture of what gay kids face growing up  in the church.  While most pastors and congregations are not quite so “bold” in their proclamation against homosexuality, the undercurrent is the same.  The message that gay people receive could not be more clear.  What REALLY gets me is this half-assed, lame excuse for an apology.  While Dan Savage is NOT my favorite commentator, his apology for saying pansy assed and bullshit at least appeared to be sincere.  Pastor Sean Harris should be ashamed.  He took his apology as another opportunity to “punch” the gay community in the face and “crack their wrists”

Important Clarification to Sundays Sermon 4/29/2012Dear Berean Family,By now you may know that my words, from Sunday mornings sermon, about effeminate behavior in children are being completely taken out of context by those in the LGBT community. Nearly every article is misquoting me.Clearly, I would like to have been more careful with exactly what I said, but sometimes I say things without enough clarity. I trust you understood my intent in the context of my total preaching ministry. If you did not, I would be more than happy to meet with you privately to provide clarity. Just reply to this email. I provided clarity to the Fayetteville Observer today, but I cannot be sure they will accurately report my words. For the record, I want to ensure everyone that I do NOT believe physical force is capable of fixing effeminate behavior or homosexual behavior. Parents should not punch babies or children. Ultimately only the gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to deliver one from sexual immorality and behavior including effeminacy;

via Pastor Seans Blog.