January 21, 2008
1. Kirbyjon Caldwell — spiritual adviser to George W. Bush, pastor of Houston’s Windsor Village United Methodist Church, and senior pastor of “ex-gay” brainwashing program Metanoia Ministries — announces his endorsement for Barack Obama, and says he plans to campaign for Obama, apparently with the blessings of the Obama campaign: “I have been in contact with the Obama campaign team,” he said. “I will be making visits on his behalf.”
2. Gay folks and our allies go ballistic. Especially after the Donnie McClurkin flap.
3. I receive an email from a reader called “dbdors” whose panties are all in a twist because the link to Caldwell’s anti-gay ministry page (in this post) doesn’t work. Twisted-Panty Reader accuses me of lying, and concludes, predictably, that I must just be a Hillary supporter anyway:
It is a sad day in America when people resort to lies and plain fraud to discredit someone becasue of their choice of canditate.
Could you please explain why I cannot link to this website via www.kingdombuilders.com??? When I go to “care groups”, there is no such site.
Why is it that a Google search brings back a bad link? I know, it’s because you made this up!!
Why is it that I can’t register for the blog and leave a comment? I know, you don’t want any facts posted!!!
You want Hillary elected really bad don’t you!!
I read the email out loud to my better half, and as soon as we finish laughing, I reply to the Obamabot, mostly because I want to know what the heck “care groups” are. (So far, my hysterical little correspondent hasn’t responded.) I also explain that s/he did just leave a comment. Duh!
(P.S. to “dbdors”: You should be grateful I don’t sue your butt off for libel, twerp.)
4. I check the link to Caldwell’s anti-gay ministry page, and find it missing. Or, more accurately, it’s been scrubbed — deleted, suicided, tossed into the memory hole, gone — *poof!* — as nonexistent as Obama’s plan for a workable healthcare system.
5. Meanwhile, Matt Stoller notices the same thing.
6. But, thanks to the wonders of The Wayback Machine, I resurrect the original page from the dead. Some of the images are broken, so I check the properties of each broken image, figure out its original URL, copy the missing images directly from the live Kingdombuilders site, and reconstruct the page completely. I then tuck away the reconstructed page in case it’s no longer available on The Wayback Machine.
I also discover that the text of the original page is still on the Kingdombuilders site, in PDF form. (I save a copy of that, too.)
I also discover that a linked MSN Group (which may or may not have been affiliated with Caldwell’s church — but they liked it enough to link it), “The African American Recovery Corner” — has also mysteriously vanished.
Still, a directory listing at CrossDaily.com shows us the description of the group, presumably submitted by whoever ran it:
Site URL: http://groups.msn.com/TheAfricanAmericanRecoveryKornerTheArk
Title: The African American Recovery Korner
Description: An Christian support group for those seeking freedom from homosexuality. Although we believe that no one chooses to have homosexual desires, we do believe that you can choose to change your identity.
Top Category: Ministries & Organizations
Subcategory: Support Groups
City: Riverside
State/Prov./Region: California
Country: United States
Start Date: February 2, 2006 (719 days)…
(Heh… Couldn’t get enough momentum to keep your self-loathing homophobe group going a whole year, eh? *snort*)
I decide to search for other scrubbed pages, but before I start, I see that, in the meantime…
7. John Aravosis writes about the Caldwell dust-up, but concludes that there’s nothing to see here, so move along — and adds that “on this one we can give him [Obama] a pass” (I disagree, but I’ll take that up some other time):
I’ve talked to the Obama campaign about this, and they assure me of a few things:
1. Caldwell has not, and will not, be asked to do anything for the campaign (and this means, we hope, that Obama won’t be doing appearances with the man any time soon).
2. Caldwell was simply wrong when he told the papers this weekend that the campaign asked him to travel around the country on their behalf. In other words, Caldwell was freelancing when he called the paper for an interview.
My Skept-O-Meter is tweaked. I don’t doubt a word John says, but something smells fishy, and it’s coming from the Obama camp — where the people who run things either have a very short memory, or think you do. From the Washington Post, October 29, 2007:
“He’s more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ,” said Kirbyjon Caldwell, a Houston pastor who was on the tour and is backing on Obama.
The “he” Caldwell was talking about was Barack Obama. The “tour” was — you guessed it — Obama’s “Embrace the Homophobia Change” gospel tour.
“So?” the Obamaites will cry in unison. “It was one concert! Caldwell probably just got all fired up over Obama and went too far in saying he was ‘campaigning’ for Obama, when he’s never campaigned for him before!”
“Then,” I’ll respond, “I guess you’d better write to Washington Times reporter Christina Bellantoni and ask her if she was lying when she wrote this on December 3, 2007 — after the gospel tour, and before the South Carolina primaries”:
Religious leaders to hold Obama event
I hear that Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign will be doing a big event in Charleston, S.C., with several prominent black religious leaders in the morning.
Among them will be Kirbyjon Caldwell, the Methodist minister who delivered the inaugural prayer for President Bush and is a longtime friend and spiritual adviser to the president. Mr. Caldwell has been campaigning for Obama all year.
Ahem.
No, we’re not done with this Obama-Caldwell matter yet. There are more interesting things I’ll share with you shortly, but I want to get this entry up now.
I tell you, ‘though: The more I dig, the curiouser and curiouser this story gets.
Stay tuned.
Posted by: Sapphocrat
Filed under:
"Ex-Gays",
Barack Obama,
Donnie McClurkin,
Election 2008,
Homophobia,
Methodists,
Race/Ethnic Issues,
Radical Religious Right,
South Carolina
Over the next few days (or weeks, or perhaps months), we’re going to be talking a lot about Kirbyjon Caldwell, Metanoia, and “ex-gay” ministries — and, of course, Barack Obama.
But first, I want you to read something: a quote that prefaces the very first chapter of Chris Hedges’ amazing book, American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America. I’ll be referring to American Fascists a good deal as well in upcoming posts, but for now, I’d like you to focus on this quote (I mean, really focus, letting the meaning of each sentence seep into your bones), from The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popper:
Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion, suppression would certainly be most unwise. But we should claim the right to suppress them if necessary even by force; for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. We should claim that any movement preaching intolerance places itself outside the law, and we should consider incitement to intolerance and persecution as criminal, in the same way as we should consider incitement to murder, or to kidnapping, or to the revival of the slave trade, as criminal.
Re-read it a few times. Let it roll around in the back of your head for a while.
Posted by: Sapphocrat
Filed under:
"Ex-Gays",
Barack Obama,
Books,
Methodists,
Race/Ethnic Issues,
Radical Religious Right
From our eagle-eyed hero, AKATheKorman:
MCCLURKIN REDUX: Kirbyjon Caldwell, Pastor who will campaign for Obama, leads “EX-GAY” MINISTRY
I cannot believe this is happening AGAIN.
Kirbyjon Caldwell, former “spiritual adviser” to George W. Bush, will campaign for Barack Obama.
From the Houston Chronicle:
The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, longtime spiritual adviser to President George W. Bush and senior pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, plans to campaign on behalf of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.
Caldwell said Saturday that he’s endorsing Obama’s presidential campaign because of the senator’s “character, confidence and courage.”
. . .
The pastor, however, said he has informed his congregation of his presidential choice and that Obama may even pay a visit to his church.
“I have been in contact with the Obama campaign team,” he said. “I will be making visits on his behalf.”
Caldwell, who gave the benediction at both of President Bush’s inaugurations, said he personally called the president to tell him of his decision. Bush, he said, was “OK” with it. His presidential choice will not affect their relationship, Caldwell said.
Source
In fact, Caldwell has already been on the campaign trail for Obama. His name was overlooked at the time, but a little digging reveals that Caldwell was also part of Obama’s S.C. gospel tour featuring “ex-gay” bigot Donnie McClurkin:
At the event, McClurkin said more about himself than the man who the concert was supposed to help, Obama. But the singer said the candidate “is standing for change” and “a man not afraid to bring different opinions to the stage.”
In fact, for all the criticism on the left for President Bush mixing faith with politics, some of the speakers essentially described voting for Obama as akin to a religious cause.
“He’s more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ,” said Kirbyjon Caldwell, a Houston pastor who was on the tour and is backing on Obama.
Source
Here’s the kicker: CALDWELL IS THE SENIOR PASTOR OF METANOIA MINISTRIES, AN OUTFIT WHOSE WEBSITE ADVERTISES “A PROGRAM CREATED TO PROVIDE CHRIST CENTERED INSTRUCTION FOR THOSE SEEKING FREEDOM FROM HOMOSEXUALITY, LESBIANISM, PROSTITUTION, SEX ADDICTION AND OTHER HABITUAL SINS.”
METANOIA is apparently an offshoot of United Methodist Church.
Here is a link to METANOIA’s website:
http://www.kingdombuilders.com…
This is actually WORSE than McClurkin. This man actually RUNS an organization that ministers to youth to “cure” them of their sexual orientation. These organizations result in severe psychological trauma and death to GLBT youth not to mention an environment that encourages violence and discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people. Obama supporters: tell your candidate that it is UNACCEPTABLE to have this man campaign for Obama again, no matter how much he “disagrees” with his message. This is the last straw, and if Obama allows this man to appear on his behalf I will do EVERYTHING in my power, including campaign for his opponents, to work against his candidacy.
This is so not over, folks. We’re going to be digging deep into Caldwell’s operation, and reporting to you what we find.
This is so not over.
Stay tuned.
Posted by: Sapphocrat
Filed under:
"Ex-Gays",
Barack Obama,
Donnie McClurkin,
Election 2008,
George W. Bush,
Homophobia,
Methodists,
Radical Religious Right
September 24, 2007
A columnist who goes by the totally made-up-sounding name of “J. Grant Swank, Jr.” makes up crap about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA):
Liberals are going to wipe out church tax exemptions due largely to pressure from homosexuals.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said: “‘The state, local and federal governments all grant various tax exemptions to those organizations, because historically they serve a vital public function in the community that benefits all in the community, not just the members of a particular church. Since the government giveth, the government can taketh away those exemptions.’
. . .
In addition, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) before Congress would “grant special protections to homosexuals in the workplace,” per CitizenLink.
. . .
As to tax exemption: “Two lesbian couples who were denied permission to use a church group’s seaside pavilion for civil-union ceremonies have persuaded New Jersey officials to punish the group through revocation of its tax-exempt status. Proposed federal legislation could accelerate that trend.
. . .
“‘What’s happening in Ocean Grove is a perfect example of the dangers which will be at issue if ENDA passes,’ senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund Brian Raum said.”
What is making it difficult for the Ocean Grove Methodists to stand alongside biblical morality is that there is an aggressive group within the denomination demanding practicing homosexuality as a divinely approved lifestyle. They are scheduling seminars throughout the nation in order to push their agenda into every Methodist pulpit and pew. …
Gee, where are these seminars? Not that we want to join them, but stop them; we sure don’t want to be forced “into every Methodist pulpit and pew” — we like sleeping in Sundays!
But, seriously… Buffy writes:
Interesting how they consider ENDA “special rights” for us, yet all the laws prohibiting discrimination against them not “special rights”. 
Nor do they consider their tax-exempt status a “special right”. And that claptrap about performing a “vital function to the community”? Spreading hate and working to cause greivous harm to people is not, in my book, a vital function to the community. But then maybe I’m just biased. 
I say revoke the tax-exempt status of all religious organizations. Period.
…Which sounds right to us, while having nothing to do with ENDA, as “J. Grant Swank, Jr.” (doesn’t that sound like a Dudley Do-Right villain?) wants everyone to believe.
Discuss this story
Posted by: Sapphocrat
Filed under:
Alliance Defense Fund,
Employment/ENDA,
Marriage Equality,
Methodists,
New Jersey,
Radical Religious Right
September 21, 2007
Lifesite isn’t too happy about it, but we are:
OCEAN GROVE, N.J., September 19, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced on Monday that it was stripping the Methodist Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of its tax-exempt status for part of its property. The Methodist camp made the news earlier this year after it refused, for religious reasons, to allow a lesbian couple to hold a “civil-union” ceremony at a pavilion on the camp’s property.
. . .
Until recently the camp held tax-exempt status on its entire boardwalk property under a New Jersey program that gives tax-breaks to organizations that open up their property to the general public.
In June, however, Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Pester, a lesbian, filed a complaint with the state attorney general’s office on the basis of sexual orientation discrimination, after Ocean Grove refused to allow them to hold their “civil-union” ceremony at the camp’s pavilion. A second lesbian couple has also sued Ocean Grove. New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws currently forbid those who “offer goods, services, and facilities to the general public” from “directly or indirectly denying or withholding any accommodation, service, benefit, or privilege to an individual” on the basis of sexual orientation.
. . .
In August, the Christian camp preempted the complaints currently pending against it by itself suing New Jersey state officials. According to the Alliance Defense fund, which is representing the camp, the attorney general’s office is violating First Amendment protections by investigating Ocean Grove. “Religious groups have the right to make their own decisions without government interference,” said Brian Raum, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund. “The government can’t force a private Christian organization to use its property in a way that would violate its own religious beliefs.”
See also:
Public advocate questions group’s ban on civil unions
Lesbian couple denied beachfront access for civil union
N.J. church group sues over gay ceremony
Judge may rule Oct. 1 on gay union motions
Discuss this story
Posted by: Sapphocrat
Filed under:
Alliance Defense Fund,
Marriage Equality,
Methodists,
New Jersey
September 12, 2007
Kate Walter recalls:
When I was a kid growing up at the Jersey Shore we made jokes about “Ocean Grave” and how they locked the town gates on Sunday and forbade driving and shopping (and how they’d probably outlaw breathing if they could get away with it). Those bans were ruled unconstitutional in 1979, but the town of Ocean Grove still hasn’t learned its lesson. This past Labor Day weekend the whole place—one square mile—was buzzing about its newest controversy. It was the first conversation I overheard on the boardwalk.
. . .
I knew immediately that he was referring to the two lesbian couples who wanted to have their civil union ceremonies in the boardwalk pavilion and whose requests were denied by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, the Methodist group that founded the summer retreat in 1869. They own the pavilion, which is used for worship services and other activities, including the weddings of straight couples.
. . .
Politeness reigns in Ocean Grove, and politeness kept things friendly and civil for years between the Methodists and the gay and lesbian home and business owners who helped revive the decaying Victorian resort. … We stupidly thought the town was a risky investment. But the climate changed dramatically in the 1990s, and then whenever we visited, we noticed more and more gays and lesbians. Now we seem to be everywhere.
. . .
… When I saw that the Reverend Dr. James Forbes from New York’s Riverside Church was preaching, my friends and I decided to attend. …
Since I knew Riverside was famously liberal, I prayed the visiting minister would address the conflict. Even though he was not on his home turf, the Reverend Forbes got right into it and said, “So, I’ve been reading in The New York Times about some trouble here in Ocean Grove.” I elbowed my friend. “Everyone is God’s children,” he continued, “and that includes gays and lesbians.”
“Yes,” I said aloud, and started to clap along with about 50 other people in a room with about 500 worshipers. …
See also:
Gays only welcome if they know their place
Discuss this story
Posted by: Sapphocrat
Filed under:
Marriage Equality,
Methodists,
New Jersey
