First the Nashville Statement...

[Scooter]

And now here’s the evangelicals blaming hurricanes on the gays

In the magic and apocalyptic world of evangelical Christianity, God periodically gets really mad at the gays and sends a hurricane, or two.

After Hurricane Harvey ravaged Houston, many familiar faces in the far-right televangelist/talk radiosphere weren’t talking about climate issues; they were talking about Houston’s gay former mayor.

Virulent homophobe and old Ted Cruz pal Kevin Swanson didn’t beat around the bush when talking about “very, very aggressively pro-homosexual” Mayor Annise Parker.

“Jesus sends the message home, unless Americans repent, unless Houston repents, unless New Orleans repents, they will all likewise perish,” Swanson said his radio show. “That is the message that the Lord Jesus Christ is sending home right now to America.”

Far-right Christian “activist” Dave Daubenmire appeared on the Pass the Salt webcast early this month and also declared that Harvey is God’s divine punishment for Parker.

“Houston, we got a problem here,” Daubenmire said. “Could some of the problems be the result of the judgment of God coming your way because of the slaughter of unborn children? You had a lesbian mayor who wanted to look at the prayers of pastors in their churches. It’s debaucherous.”

Another far-right Christian and conspiracy theorist, Rick Wiles, echoed the idea that the storms were the result of an increasingly gay-friendly world.

“Here’s a city that has boasted of its LGBT devotion, its affinity for the sexual perversion movement in America. They’re underwater,” Wiles said, according to Reuters.

A favorite example of how this sort of rhetoric can go wrong is Tony Perkins of the anti-gay Family Research Council. During flooding in Louisiana last summer, Perkins talked about how his home had been damaged, forcing him and his family to live in a camper for six weeks. Oddly enough, the previous year Perkins interviewed Christian “prophet” Jonathan Cahn,who claimed that Hurricane Joaquin was a sign of God’s wrath for the legalization of gay marriage.

Perkins agreed, saying that while “those on the left like to mock these things,” many throughout history know “God is trying to send us a message” through natural disasters. The irony of Perkins almost losing his home in a flood a year later was not lost on many bloggers, including this one.

While these stories are amusing, it’s important to remember that preachers with these very same views have the ear of President Trump. One who’s seemed to have a lot of White House access lately is First Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress, who believes that legalized abortion led to 9/11.

Even during George W. Bush’s time as president, anyone who came in his vicinity and spouted the notion that America deserved to be attacked on 9/11 would have been soon marginalized. Trump, and his followers, embrace them.

[Burning Petard]

Personally, I blame it on french fries. I read it on Facebook that nearly every one of those people in those emergency shelters in Houston after the hurricane have eaten french fries. Jesus never ate french fries. I challenge you to find ONE instance in the bible where anyone eats french fries. Clearly they are an abomination.

And they are a gateway drug. Delaware has the highest rate of opioid abuse in the entire USofA. Every one of those abusers ate french fries before they began abusing opioids.

Now the entire state of Florida is threatened by a hurricane. Can you drive anywhere in Florida for an hour without being solicited to buy french fries?

The evidence is overwhelming.

Snailgate

[Econoline]

[Bicycle Bill]

-"BB"-

[Big RR]

Even during George W. Bush’s time as president, anyone who came in his vicinity and spouted the notion that America deserved to be attacked on 9/11 would have been soon marginalized

Of course they would, because god doesn't motivate or work through moslems, they are the devil's spawn and 9/11 was the work of the devil. But saying god is visiting natural disasters on us to punish immorality is quite different to that sort.

[Scooter]

Delaware has the highest rate of opioid abuse in the entire USofA.

Well that explains wes.

[BoSoxGal]

Only problem is, that isn't accurate:

https://wallethub.com/edu/drug-use-by-state/35150/

On drug use/abuse, Delaware ranks 23rd.

[Burning Petard]

OK. Here I go again, believing that fake news. On this topic, the current Delaware governor has said several times lately "We're Number One!"

Reminds me of a recent picture I have seen posted in several places. Shows a scene from the Wizard of Oz movie, Dorothy and her three buddies. The caption has Dorothy saying "You have no heart, no brains, no courage. Get it--you're all politicians."

snailgate.

[Scooter]

Is there a difference in rank between "drug use and addiction" and "opioid abuse" (however those are defined)?

[BoSoxGal]

Check out the methodology on the study - I believe opiod abuse is included in the addiction numbers.

Delaware is 4th for overall drug problems, which includes assessment of resources available to address abuse/addiction. I wouldn't fault any public official for possibly overstating the opiod problem in their community - it's basically a pretty horrific problem in many states.

[MGMcAnick]

it's basically a pretty horrific problem in many states.

Considering all the drug related items I read in the local paper, that surely must be correct. We're #50. To read the paper, it would seem like we must be #1.

[BoSoxGal]

Imagine how much worse it is other places, then - we had over 2000 OD deaths in Massachusetts last year, we're #9. I used to follow the local law enforcement scanner Facebook page, but I had to stop because it was so devastating to see half a dozen or more ODs every day - it's bad enough that I know when I hear the sirens all the time that somebody's life is hanging in the balance.

[rubato]

And now here’s the evangelicals blaming hurricanes on the gays

Western Civilization is only minutes removed from the era when it was ok to kill witches and jews and any disaster from plagues, floods, and vikings to lightening was blamed by thoughtful people respected in their communities, on an angry god. It takes time to wash out the superstition which saturates many peoples world view. Especially with people like those constantly ginning it up.


yrs,
rubato

[Scooter]

[BoSoxGal]

[Scooter]

[BoSoxGal]

Gays always come out ahead!

[rubato]

Its their agenda that makes them strong.


yrs,
rubato

[MajGenl.Meade]

... and we are, after all, aiming to be agenda neutral.

[MGMcAnick]

Yup, those Aztec's were sure one awful vehicle. I'm surprised they caused all those problems in 2012 since Pontiac was axed by GM the year before. Hmmm, maybe that was it...