"The Stoning of Sally Kern: The Liberal Attack on Christian Conservatism -- and Why We Must Take a Stand"

This is the first of a Two-Part interview with Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) [click HERE to listen]. It was pre-recorded August 31 and aired September 3, 2011. Sally Kern is Christian conservative Republican lawmaker in Oklahoma who was deluged with hate-mail and hate-calls after the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund (GLVF) published excerpts from a secretly-recorded 2008 speech she gave in which she said, among other things, that “the homosexual agenda is destroying this nation,” and that it’s a bigger threat to America than terrorism. [Listen to GLVF's SELECTIVELY EDITED video excerpting Kern's speech HERE.]

Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern

Sally talks about her new book, “The Stoning of Sally Kern,” [available from AFTAH at the discounted price of $20 including postage; send check specifying "Kern book" to: Americans For Truth, PO Box 5522, Naperville, IL 60567-5522.] She describes the day, March 7, 2008, that changed her life forever — when thousands of hostile homosexual e-mails flooded her inbox. (Angry phone calls jammed her office phone system, and then started coming to her home.) Ironically, homosexual militants who denounced Sally’s alleged “hate” subjected her and her family to the sort of vicious attacks that most Americans could hardly conceive of — including publishing false reports that her son Jesse was a homosexual — and smearing Sally’s husband, Pastor Steve Kern, as a past member of the KKK. Sally discusses the role of her and her family’s Christian faith in sustaining them in the face of the hate-campaign, and AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera praises Kern for not backing down in the face of such evil attacks.

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9-3-11, Sally Kern, Part One

The following are the remarks of Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) at AFTAH’s pro-family coalition press conference in Chicago June 17 highlighting President Obama’s radical homosexualist agenda (links added):

The homosexual agenda is only one symptom of the real problem in America. The problem is that we have forsaken the Judeo-Christian values upon which this nation was founded. Noah Webster declared: “The principles of genuine liberty and of wise laws and administrations are to be drawn from the  Bible.”

There are two conflicting worldviews vying for power. The secular humanist worldview versus the Judeo-Christian or Biblical worldview. Humanism sees the world as impersonal matter shaped by chance with man just another animal. There is no basis for values or laws. The Biblical worldview recognizes a Creator who established moral laws and absolute truth as revealed in the Bible. Man, made in God’s image, is priceless.

Our founding fathers established this nation upon the Biblical worldview as evidenced by John Adam’s statement, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.” Or James Madison’s statement: “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government … but upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the 10 Commandments of God.”

For the first time in America’s history, we have a president who has no understanding of the Biblical worldview and who has even less understanding of the truths of the Bible. This is evident when he says that support for homosexual “marriage” [unions] can be found in the Sermon on the Mount or that certain passages in Romans are just obscure passages. Whereas George Washington expelled from his military those who practiced sodomy, President Obama honors sodomites by proclaiming an entire month as Gay Pride Month, but he won’t acknowledge one day for our National Day of Prayer.

We have a president who doesn’t know the difference between God-given rights and sinful, perverted behavior. The Biblical worldview teaches that all are created equal and worthy of respect but it also teaches that some behaviors, such as homosexuality, are wrong because they violate God’s moral law.

Today many in our churches and even many ministers have forsaken belief in absolute truth and are instead reinterpreting the Bible to justify their behavior. This leads to acceptance of anything and everything.

While conservatives attack the symptoms, like homosexuality or abortion, and these behaviors should be exposed and attacked; however, we should love the people involved in these behaviors and tell them God has a better way.

While conservatives attack the symptoms, those who don’t believe in or appreciate the uniqueness of America, our president included, are attacking the foundation of absolute truth, seeking to destroy it through teaching evolution and tolerance for deviant behaviors.

Our founding fathers understood that if a nation is to provide safety and the pursuit of happiness for its citizens, the Judeo-Christian worldview must be maintained. George Washington said, “Of all the habits and dispositions that lead to political prosperity religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

The Bible states, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” God is saying that if the people will practice morality, He will provide the prosperity.

Today we have a national moral crisis and leading the charge against religion and morality is the homosexual agenda with the president carrying their water.

Republicans lost control of Congress because they acted like Democrats. They forgot their conservative roots.  But the issue is not whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or whatever.  The issue is that if you believe in Judeo-Christian values, you need to wake up and wake up soon before it’s too late.

John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration of Independence, said, “A republic … must either preserve its virtue or lose its liberty.” It’s time to realize that the homosexual agenda is a real threat to the liberties of all who believe in Judeo-Christian values.

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Americans For Truth protests President Obama in Chicago June 15 while Obama addressed the American Medical Association. Our banner refers to Obama‘s extremist positions on: the homosexual agenda (he supports repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, which protects states from being forced to recognize out-of-state “gay marriages”); and the pro-abortion agenda (he supports the Freedom of Choice Act, which would nullify pro-life reform laws nationwide). AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera is at left. Click on photo, twice, to enlarge.

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Media Advisory

Americans For Truth About Homosexuality

June 16, 2009; Contact: Angela at 847-722-5330; americansfortruth@comcast.net

Coalition Press Conference: Obama’s Appointments and Policies Reflect Extreme Homosexual Agenda

CHICAGO, Ill. – Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) is organizing a news conference Wednesday, June 17th at 11:00 AM, to highlight President Obama’s radical homosexual appointments and overall “gay” agenda:

Where: 29 South LaSalle Street, Suite 610, Chicago, IL
When: Wednesday., June 17, 11:00 AM
Who: Scheduled speakers:

Peter LaBarbera, Americans For Truth About Homosexuality
Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel;
Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R);
Hiram Crawford, pro-family, pro-life advocate, Chicago;
Mary Ann Hackett, Catholic Citizens of Illinois;
Diane Gramley, American Family Association of Pennsylvania;
David Smith, Illinois Family Institute;
Pastor Larry Rogers, Israel Methodist Community Church, Chicago;
Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Pro-Life Law Center;
Pastor Calvin Lindstrom, Church of Christian Liberty, Arlington Heights, IL

What: press event drawing attention to Obama’s emerging homosexual- and transsexual activist agenda:

• Obama’s radical appointments including anti-traditional-Catholic Harry Knox (of the homosexual lobby group Human Rights Campaign) and Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) founder Kevin Jennings;
• Hate Crimes bill;
• Obama’s radical promise to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), signed into law by President Clinton in 1996);
• Obama’s ENDA (Employment Nondiscrimination Act) plans to force businesses to approve of homosexuality;
• Obama’s plan to homosexualize the U.S. military (repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”);
• Obama’s confusion about Christianity, the Bible and homosexual practice;
• Obama’s lack of mandate to push the envelope on homosexual and transsexual issues

“Americans are largely ignorant about President Obama’s extreme pro-homosexual goals, which includes repealing DOMA and homosexualizing the U.S. military,” said AFTAH’s Peter LaBarbera. “We are thrilled that these organizations and leaders are coming together to expose Obama’s ‘gay’ and transsexual agenda –– for which he has zero mandate because these issues were almost completely ignored in the general election campaign.”

Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel attorney and AFTAH board member, said: “By pledging his support for every demand of extremist homosexual pressure groups, President Obama has revealed himself to be out of step with those he serves. For example, he has promised to homosexualize the military supplanting sound judgment with San Francisco vice. It’s dangerously irresponsible for the President to place political correctness above national security. Now is not the time for sexual revolution in this nation. Now is the time to return to the family values that made America great.”
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Americans For Truth Needs You! … Give $25 and Get a Free Book

We need your financial help and prayers to keep fighting the powerful “queer” lobby.  If you will help Americans For Truth with a tax-deductible gift of $25 or more, we will send you a free copy of the hard-cover book Homosexuality: A Freedom Too Far, by the late Dr. Charles Socarides, who dedicated his life to understanding homosexuality and helping people overcome it.  Will you consider a gift of $25, $100, $500 or even $1,000 or more to help Americans For Truth fight the powerful, well-financed Homosexual Lobby?  You can make your gift online at www.americansfortruth.com/donate, or mail your gift to: Americans For Truth, PO Box 5522, Naperville, IL 60567-5522.

TAKE ACTION: Contact Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups and other GOP Utah Senate leaders and urge them to reinstate Utah St. Sen Chris Buttars (right) and NOT to punish him for speaking his mind against the aggressive and often hateful homosexual activist movement. Use the following contact information: e-mail: waddoups@utahsenate.org (other GOP State Senate leader e-mails HERE); Waddoups’ senate office: (801) 538-1407 or Utah Senate switchboard: 801-538-1035. Support Buttars at dcbuttars@utahsenate.org.

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By Peter LaBarbera

Folks, I don’t know which aspect of this story is more preposterous: the notion of anti-Christian, homosexual lobby groups like Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — with their long history of demonizing people of faith as hateful bigots — setting themselves up as arbiters of responsible speech; OR … the specter of Republican Party leaders bending to pro-Democratic HRC’s pressure tactics.

My good friend Matt Barber (a Board Member of AFTAH) is correct below: if the Republican Party’s leaders think they are going to succeed in the long run by caving in to the Left’s version of “tolerance,” then we’re looking ahead at decades of Democrat Party rule in these United States. You simply cannot appease the homosexual activist movement, and groups like HRC are now engaged in a campaign of intimidation against pro-family lawmakers nationwide. Their unsubtle campaign attempts to classify any discussion of organized homosexual activism as a “threat” as beyond-the-pale hate speech leading to violence. More ominously, savvy homosexual moneymen like Tim Gill are targeting pro-family legislators for defeat using out-of-state “gay” PAC bundling, and it’s working [see this 2007 NPR story, "Wealthy Gay Donors a New Force in Politics," featuring Americans For Truth].

Chris Buttars is hardly alone: remember Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern, who was trashed by hateful homosexuals across the country for a speech she gave identifying the “Gay” Lobby as a serious threat to our nation? (Kern easily won reelection last year despite the hate campaign.) There have been other pro-family lawmakers who have been targeted in what is becoming a new “gay” direct-action political tactic of Intimidate, Demonize and Isolate Politically. (Take note of how the Left tried to erroneously paint Buttars as a racist; here’s a link with Buttars’ response.)

We understand that Sen. Chris Buttars is somewhat of a curmudgeon who comes from a different generation of Americans less apt to use politically-correct nuances and obey the speech codes set up by hypocrites on the Homosexual Left (who are among, of course, the most intolerant activists in the nation). But for Waddoups and the Utah State Senate GOP leadership to buckle to a group like HRC (see their pressure-letter against Buttars HERE) is unconscionable and a good example of why so many cynical conservatives call the GOP the “stupid party.”

The Republicans need to follow the example of their new chairman, Michael Steele, and get a backbone, and St. Sen. Chris Buttars should be reinstated to his post on the Judiciary Committee ASAP.

TAKE ACTION: Contact Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups and other GOP Utah Senate leaders and urge them to reinstate Utah St. Sen Chris Buttars and NOT to punish him for speaking his mind against the aggressive and often hateful homosexual activist movement. Use the following contact information: e-mail: waddoups@utahsenate.org (other GOP State Senate leader e-mails HERE); Waddoups’ senate office: (801) 538-1407 or Utah Senate switchboard: 801-538-1035. Support Buttars at dcbuttars@utahsenate.org. 

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Statement by Matt Barber, Director of Cultural Affairs at Liberty Counsel (and Board Member of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality):

Contact: jmattbarber@comcast.net; February 24, 2009

Homosexual Activists Target Veteran Utah Legislator

Lynchburg, VA – During recent comments to a documentary film maker, Utah State Senator Chris Buttars observed that – as every major world religion and thousands of years of history have held – the homosexual lifestyle is immoral. Buttars further opined that militant homosexual activism poses a grave threat to American culture. Tens of millions of Americans and the majority of Utahns happen to agree.

Matt Barber, Director of Cultural Affairs with both Liberty Alliance Action and Liberty Counsel*, released the following statement today in response to news that Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups has caved to pressure by an anti-Christian homosexual hate group (the “Human Rights Campaign”) and has taken punitive action against Buttars by removing him from his post as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“If you need a prime example of why the Republican Party is presently spiraling into the abyss of political irrelevancy, you need look no further than to Utah,” said Barber. “The conservative majority in both Utah and across the country is starved for leaders who will represent the traditional values upon which our great nation was founded, and who will do so boldly and unapologetically. Sen. Buttars has done just that. He was elected in Utah to represent his constituents and the conservative values they hold near and dear. He’s been tested and has passed that test. By bucking left-wing extremism and speaking truth in plain and simple terms, Buttars has shown true leadership. Although his comments certainly lacked in political correctness and were quite direct, they were acutely accurate. Wouldn’t it be nice if more politicians would speak directly and accurately?

“Unfortunately, Senate President Waddoups has failed the same test. He’s responded in exactly the wrong way. No one should be surprised that HRC and other radical leftists are calling for Buttars’ head on a silver platter. That’s what bullies do when they don’t like what they hear. The self-styled proponents of ‘tolerance’ and ‘diversity’ are the most intolerant and hateful among us.  They allow zero room for dissent and seek to destroy anyone who stands in their way.

“But what is troubling is that Senator Waddoups has played right into their hands. He’s given their radical left-wing agenda an illusory air of legitimacy. He had a golden opportunity to shine here by standing firmly behind Senator Buttars. He could have told these liberal extremists to take their extremism elsewhere. Instead, he threw Senator Buttars under the bus.

“Waddoups’ equivocation is a slap in the face to his own constituents. He’s indirectly told every American who holds a biblical view of sexual morality and who rightfully believes that radical homosexual activism poses a grave threat to our American culture, that they should be ashamed of these traditional beliefs – that they should keep these beliefs to themselves.

“Therefore, I’m asking that people contact Sen. Waddoups and respectfully request that he immediately reinstate Sen. Buttars to his post as chairman of the Judiciary Committee and publicly apologize to both Buttars and to the millions of Americans whose traditional values Waddoups has impugned,” concluded Barber.

(*Titles provided for identification purposes only.)

###

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TAKE ACTION: Contact Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups and other GOP Utah Senate leaders and urge them to reinstate Utah St. Sen Chris Buttars and NOT to punish him for speaking his mind against the aggressive and often hateful homosexual activist movement. Use the following contact information: e-mail: waddoups@utahsenate.org (other GOP State Senate leader e-mails HERE); Waddoups’ senate office: (801) 538-1407 or Utah Senate switchboard: 801-538-1035. Support Buttars at dcbuttars@utahsenate.org. 

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By Peter LaBarbera

Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) won re-election in a landslide, 58-42 percent, last week – overcoming a national smear campaign against her by homosexual militants and celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres who tried to paint her as an extremist – based on a secretly recorded speech in which she labeled “gay” activism a grave threat to America.

In another triumph over homosexual activism in red state Oklahoma, Kern’s close ally, Republican Dana Murphy, defeated open homosexual Jim Roth (D) for Corporate Commission – an important statewide office. Roth, the incumbent, heavily outspent Murphy, and was endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund (GLVF) – which launched the demonization campaign against Kern and which encouraged out-of-state “gay” campaign donations to Roth.

In this heavily-watched race, GLVF hoped that Roth – already the first admitted homosexual to hold statewide office — would become the first such candidate to be elected statewide in Oklahoma. Instead, GLVF itself became a campaign issue that helped bring Roth down.

Kern – who gained much sympathy in Oklahoma because her Christian demeanor did not match the vicious caricature of her by “gay” propagandists — was honorary chairman of Mothers Organized for a Moral Society (MOMS), a 527 group created to help Murphy. Oklahoma conservatives made an issue of Roth’s pro-homosexual activism and outside “gay” financial support.

“My race and Dana Murphy’s race show that Oklahoma is one of the most conservative states the nation – and we still believe strongly in the Judeo-Christian ethic,” Rep. Kern told Americans For Truth. “We will take a stand up for what we believe in – in spite of the attacks by liberal elites and the attempt by pro-homosexual special interest groups to use out-of-state money to influence the vote in our state.”

Kern told AFTAH that ironically, the massive web-fueled homosexual activist campaign targeting her actually elevated the homosexual agenda as an election issue in Oklahoma. MOMS sent out a mailer informing voters statewide of Roth’s endorsement by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, and that out-of-state homosexual donors were helping to finance the incumbent Democrat’s campaign.

Dana Murphy ousted heavily favored “gay” activist incumbent Democrat Jim Roth for Corporation Commission.

Roth received the major establishment endorsements in Oklahoma and outspent Murphy by at least two to one, according to Kern. But he lost 52-48, garnering 674,695 votes to Murphy’s 738,397.

As for her own victory, Kern’s margin was down from four years ago, but she told AFTAH that this was due in part to a physical ailment that greatly hindered her ability to campaign. Kern did not go door-to-door and said she did not campaign nearly as energetically as she normally would.

It is hard to overstate the animosity and vitriol that Kern faced after the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund posted online selectively edited portions of a speech she gave to a conservative group in Oklahoma. Lesbian talk show host Ellen DeGeneres even phoned Kern on air in a stunt to paint her as extreme. Kern never backed down despite receiving tens of thousands of hostile e-mails from pro-homosexual activists and some very ugly attacks against her family (including her husband Steve, who pastors a church in Oklahoma City). St. Rep. Kern benefited from a huge “Rally for Sally” at the state capitol that dwarfed a previous, small homosexual event against her in the same building.

Kern’s opponent, Ron Marlett, attempted to exploit the national homosexual vilification campaign against her by accusing Kern of being “obsessed” with the homosexual issue. It didn’t work.

Watching Kern face the withering assault from “gay” critics and the media with the grace and humility of a seasoned Christian led some supporters to begin talking up Kern as a future gubernatorial candidate for the GOP.

Grove City College prof Warren Throckmorton and Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern: is Throckmorton violating the Golden Rule by joining homosexual activists in unfairly attacking Kern and her motives? See this great testimony regarding Kern’s character: “The Untold Story about Sally Kern.”

Folks, we expect homosexual activists like Jeremy “Good As You” Hooper to take cheap shots at pro-family leaders like Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) — but we don’t expect the same from someone affiliated with a leading evangelical Christian College. Sadly, Grove City College psychology associate professor Warren Throckmorton is becoming a “gay”-affirming activist of sorts in his dubious quest for neutrality (as a Christian) on this divisive moral issue.

Warren has done some good work, e.g., debunking various “born gay” claims, but we’re taken aback by his hostile postings against Christian conservatives like Sally who are more principled and outspoken than he in their opposition to homosexual activism. Later we’ll examine a far more serious question: Throckmorton’s “neutral” counseling approach toward homosexuals, which also has raised eyebrows at NARTH and among Christian pro-family observers.

Below is my response to Throckmorton’s latest blog post about Sally Kern; also see THIS LINK for another Throckmorton blog post targeting Kern questioning her Christian love. –Peter LaBarbera

I wrote today:

Warren, I must say from your various blog posts on Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern that it looks like you’re going out of your way to (publicly) pick on this fine woman (and fellow Christian) — who has been targeted for vilification by radical homosexual activists. Your comments are petty and mimic those of gay activists, who only wish her the worst. I ask you on behalf of [various pro-family advocates]: why?
— Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.org; here’s a wonderful testimony from ex-gay Chris Morrison that testifies to Sally’s loving heart for people caught up in homosexuality: “The Untold Story about Sally Kern.”

PS. I just spoke with Sally. What happened is that as she was coming to a meeting at the Capitol, she accidentally forgot to leave her concealed-carry pistol in the car as she entered the building. The alarm went off and she explained the mistake and then quickly put the gun back in her car. (Other Oklahoma lawmakers have made this same mistake.) Even though only two Capitol police actually saw this incident, somebody leaked it to the press to embarrass Sally. (But in Oklahoma it may only make her more popular — she could probably run for governor [and win] after the way over-the-top “gay” campaign against her.) This is a non-story that has been used by liberals to bash her. Note this AP story cited by Warren T. with its curious and skewed lead paragraph (see red part):

Kern stopped from bringing gun to Capitol
Associated Press – July 23, 2008 6:55 PM ET
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper prevents a state representative known for an anti-gay rant from entering the Capitol today after a loaded hangun was found in her purse.

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Warren Throckmorton’s latest blog post:

Kern packs a hot lunch

Posted: 23 Jul 2008 05:39 PM CDT

Why would you need a gun in your legislative office? [AP story]

Oh, now I get it… [Tulsa World story]

OKLAHOMA CITY – Outspoken state Rep. Sally Kern was turned back by security Wednesday morning when she arrived at the Capitol carrying a pistol in her purse.

Kern, R-Oklahoma City, was nearly as surprised as security when a camera spotted the small handgun when her purse rolled through the camera-equipped conveyer.

The lawmaker, who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, said she routinely removes it before entering the Capitol, but just forgot this time.

Kern said she asked security if she “could put the gun up.” She returned to her vehicle, left the weapon there, and returned to the Capitol for a meeting.

The lawmaker was not arrested.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Chris West said, “We tell security to use their heads,” and assess this kind of situation before taking action.

Chris Morrison of First Stone Ministries credits Sally Kern with lovingly and graciously helping him in his walk out of homosexuality.

Folks, one of the temptations for Christians looking for new approaches to the homosexual issue is to assert or imply that they possess more Christian love for people involved in homosexual behavior — or that they are being more Christ-like — than other Christians who take a strong, principled stand against the “gay” activist agenda. We deal with such condescension all the time here at Americans For Truth, even though I would be the first to admit that I do not love sinners nearly as I ought, according to Christ’s dictates.

In our view, some Christians unfairly piled on following the “gay”-led assault on Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern, echoing homosexual activist criticisms of her without taking the time to get to know this fine woman and her motivations. I put Grove City College’s Warren Throckmorton — who snidely lectured Kern on the Golden Rule on his blog (“Maybe gays are having a hard time with the love thing when they are considered a worse threat than terrorists. Go figure.”) — in this camp. (We’ll have our own questions for Warren and his unorthodox ideas in future posts.)

What I discovered in defending Sally was that she is nothing like the evil, bigoted caricature that homosexual activists, led by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, sought to create in their web-driven campaign to destroy her. Sally actually has a wonderful Christian heart — but those who know her best, such as Stephen Black and Chris Morrison of First Stone Ministries, both former homosexuals, understood that all along, as this beautiful essay testifies. — Peter LaBarbera

The Untold Story about Rep. Sally Kern

by Stephen Black and Chris Morrison from First Stone Ministries

The Untold Story of Irony
Washington’s political gay elitists with the Victory Fund edited Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern’s comments from a closed door meeting given in a January speech of this year. They edited down the comments to what they considered the most inflammatory sound bites. Their cunning plan was to upload the edited comments to YouTube in hopes of enraging gay people and their supporters. This plan, they thought, would further the “Victory Fund” gay political cause and bring in funds for their political machine. Over and over they emphasize that Rep. Kern’s speech demonstrated hatred towards gays. What they failed to mention – or include in the sound bites – is the truth, that Rep. Sally Kern said we must love the homosexual. Her message was not about bashing gays. The mainstream liberal media outlets seem to be unconcerned about what was been left out, and unmotivated to seek the whole story, responded predictably. They thrive on bad news and smear tactics of conservatives, so they picked up the story immediately and replayed the inflammatory comments. The story was worldwide overnight! Sally Kern was labeled hateful, bigoted, anti-gay, an evil homophobe and so many other names that are so vile, I cannot repeat.

In her remarks during the January speech, Rep. Kern mentioned the parallel of the gay political movement in the United States – not individual gays. She said the agenda of the gay political movement is, in her opinion, as dangerous as terrorism. While I personally would not have used this parallel, the irony of this story is impossible to ignore. That irony is demonstrated very visibly in the hate emails numbering over 26,000, death threats, and the mean-spirited and orchestrated campaign calling for her resignation. These very tactics are akin to terroristic tactics, therefore point directly back to Sally’s original parallel. Truly this is ironic! This political tactic, directed to silence Rep. Kern, bully her and other conservatives and manipulate the unsuspecting public almost worked. However, what they did not realize was Sally Kern’s courage and steadfastness.

The demographics suggests that the 26,000 emails are a very small representation of how the gay and sympathizing population feels about Rep. Kern. No doubt there are politicians afraid of this very loud well-funded fringe group. Death threats and demands for Sally Kern to resign from office were meant to be a warning to other politicians. “We are listening!” They threaten. Hundreds of YouTube videos were uploaded with incredibly hateful words from those who piously declare, “SAY NO TO HATE.” Their usual demand for everyone, everywhere to have “tolerance” was diluted by their very own actions, which are incredibly hateful and intolerant. Truly this is hypocritical, and very misleading.

The irony of this untold story is indeed very interesting. But is anyone in the media elite willing to talk about it? Perhaps they fear the wrath of the gay community. Late-night comedian Jay Leno suffered just last week when he poked fun at a soap-opera actor who played a gay character. The irony is almost laughable if it were not so alarming to those who love Judeo-Christian values and the traditional family.

Well over 1,500 people rallied at the Oklahoma State Capitol to support Sally Kern. They realized that freedom of speech is under fire. Contrast this with the well-organized homosexual political activists who diligently push their manifesto. These activists want the USA to be like our Canadian neighbors. They desire control over free speech, using their banner of tolerance while at the same time labeling Judeo-Christian beliefs hate speech. They wish to silence Christian values by enacting hate speech laws that would make it a violation to state a belief that homosexuality is sin. There seems to be no end to their tactics to redefine American traditional values. Many, like Sally, are standing up now and saying, “enough is enough!” However, will we continue to stand up and lovingly sow truth?

The Untold Story of Ministry and Concern
Does it make sense to you to label someone who actually helps people who struggle with homosexuality as hateful, bigoted, anti-gay and an evil homophobe? The untold part of this story – which I delight to tell you now – is that behind the scenes, Rep. Sally Kern and her husband, Dr. Stephen Kern have supported First Stone Ministries for many years. Dr. Stephen Kern is the senior pastor at Olivet Baptist Church, which actually hosts some of First Stone Ministries’ support groups. The Kern’s have a special place in their hearts for our ministry to those who struggle with same-sex attractions and homosexuality. For several years before all this controversy erupted, they had put action to their love for those who are struggling and for their families. The next part of this untold story is from a current staff member with First Stone Ministries.

The Untold Story of Love and Devotion to Those Who Struggle
It has been an honor to be a friend of the Kern family for several years. I am Chris Morrison, development coordinator with First Stone Ministries. I want you to know that the Kern’s played a healing role in my life. Ten years ago I was battling with how I was to live my life. I would either continuing to seek the Lord in my weakness or just give up and live as a gay man. While in college in a neighboring city, I would drive to Oklahoma City and spend weekends in the Kern’s home; Sally Kern would also take me to the airport so I could fly home for holidays and leave my vehicle in their care.

Though I attended a Baptist university, I still carried my brokenness on my sleeve, as I struggled intensely with homosexual feelings. I will never forget the seed that was sown on Thanksgiving weekend in 1997. Sally Kern was taking me to the airport and she gently broached the subject of my homosexual struggle with me. I was surprised and scared of what she was going to say, because I hadn’t told many people about my struggle. It was rare for someone to bring up my struggle before I had ever disclosed it. Her tenderness was overwhelming; she lovingly ministered to me that day. She mercifully let me know that she and her family were praying for me, and that they loved me. That day is precious to me as I felt so loved and accepted. I am grateful to the Lord that Sally had enough courage to plant the seeds of God’s forgiveness, hope and healing.

In 2004 I had the privilege of supporting Sally Kern as she ran for State Representative. I attended her watch party on Election Day and remembered her saying she knew that God was calling her to run for State Representative, but didn’t know all the reasons. That statement resounded in my head as I stood and watch Sally Kern at the Freedom of Speech Rally – “Rally for Sally” on April 2, 2008. I remembered the words from the Bible, “For such a time as this.” Sally Kern, is a representative “for such a time as this.” I am grateful to Sally Kern for her humble stance, as well as her boldness to call the nation to repentance, and to call for Christians to stand for traditional values in our land. I am a man who was nearly enslaved by the lie of being born gay, yet Jesus saved me from that deceived existence. The Kern family played an integral role in my healing from homosexuality, for which I am eternally grateful.

This is the untold story behind the precious Kern family that you will most likely never hear as a main story in the liberal media.

In Conclusion
We should not be so quick to judge everything we hear in the media as the truth. I was wisely taught by my Irish mother to consider your sources thoroughly, make sure you have both sides of the story, and get all the facts before coming to a conclusion. Unfortunately many people did not with Sally Kern’s story. The propaganda machine of gay elitists fed only a part of the story to the liberal media in a deliberate attempt to stir controversy.

I am grateful that we are having this national dialog. I hope, as a result, more people will really take a look at what is happening morally to this country. A well-funded political gay movement with its warped ideology could completely change our country in just a few short years. Christians need to be informed and active. We need to stop being so apathetic. We cannot be afraid of angry loud voices. If we, as Christians fail to be salt and light, then the darkness will overcome the USA. It could become very dark in just a few short years. We must lovingly and compassionately proclaim the Gospel truth of Jesus Christ and pray for a God-breathed revival in the United States of America.

So Chelsea Clinton partied with 2,000 boys (can we call them men?) in dresses at Portland’s annual “Red Dress Party” on April 12? Can’t say I’m surprised given the polling data on how “gay-friendly” youth are these days. But instead of the usual shock and outrage, let’s dwell for some moments on what these photos say about the social movement that so accurately calls itself “queer.” (See Willamette Week excerpts from the Portland event at bottom.)

Homosexual Men in Dresses

According to this article in the Willamette Week, the Red Dress Party “started years ago as a way for gay guys to wear girlie gowns and get stinkin’ drunk.” Like they needed an excuse. Why is it so easy to get homosexual guys in a dress anyway? Could it be because they are confused about their God-given masculinity to begin with? Sorry, my digression has taken me into overlapping phobias: I don’ t know which I’m more guilty of: homo- or trans-phobia? (Both, you Bible Bigot! I’m reporting you to the Thought Police.)

Sometimes you just have to laugh at a homosexual world that is so utterly lacking in seriousness. We’re dealing with a movement that is filled with overgrown adolescents who still have the gall to compare themselves to the Black civil rights movement. (Shhhh! — don’t tell anyone about the annual Aspen “Gay Ski Week” or how homosexuals travel abroad more (“especially for leisure purposes”) than straights — they’re VICTIMS — VICTIMS OF DISCRIMINATION, I tell you!)

Perhaps even a few non-activist homosexuals might agree with me that it’s silly — from a grown-up standpoint — for:

• men to party until all hours of the night — many high on stimulant drugs to keep them awake and …. enabling them to … well, uh … perform multiple and untold sexual perversions — at massive parties that double as “fund-raisers” for AIDS research and prevention! … Apparently, the Red Dress Party that Chelsea attended serves as a fund-raiser for AIDS prevention and “queer youth” support groups; isn’t that special?
• men to engage in sodomitic sex in public bathrooms and parks … facilitated by porn-financed homosexual websites that get millions and millions of hits per month …
• homosexual activists like Human Rights Campaign’s Joe Solmonese to demand that the ban on homosexual male blood donations be lifted (he’s crying discrimination) when the FDA has said: “Several scientific models show there would be a small but definite increased risk to people who receive blood transfusions if FDA’s MSM [men who have sex with men] policy were changed and that preventable transfusion transmission of HIV could occur as a result”; turns out a little discrimination is a good thing….
• transvestite men with their burly arms and legs (and Adam’s apple — can’t cut that off) trying to “pass” as women ….
• lesbian “drag kings” doing their own pathetic imitation of the real deal (men) at shows across the country — yes, the gender-confused lesbians, too, try to “pass” as men, “packing” fake penises, etc. … Add to that the specter of lesbians using sex toys to simulate male anal sex (who could make this stuff up?) …
• one of the most intolerant and bigoted (anti-religiously speaking) movements in the world lecturing everyone else about … tolerance and bigotry …
• homosexual activists to scold Pope Benedict about his “sins”: the following is from the website “PinkNews” (now that’s serious): “The Rainbow Sash Movement [RSM] said it is calling on ‘Catholics of good will’ to take the Papal visit as an opportunity to shower the Pope-mobile with ashes instead of confetti. Ashes are an ancient and appropriate greeting for a sinner who has caused the Church so much division and pain,’ RSM said in a statement.”
• transgenders of all persuasions using opposite-sex restrooms and demanding same as their “civil right” (talk about dragging down MLK’s movement …);
• self-described “queer” theologians to pretend that they are Christian or have something to teach the Church when their real goal is to undermine Biblical truth on the subject to justify their lifestyle choices …
• activists to promote homosexuality and gender “nonconformity” in schools — even for young children — in the name of safety, of course …
• for one member of a homosexual household to play the “husband” and the other the “wife” in the relationship — at least they admit there is a standard of normalcy;
• pro-homosexual advocates to pretend that HIV/AIDS is not a predominantly “gay” disease in America — and teaching kids in school that AIDS “does not discriminate” when it clearly does (the homosexual Task Force’s Matt Foreman went off the “gay” taking points here when he declared that “HIV is a gay disease”) …
• smug homosexual academicians and activists to claim that same-sex parents are actually better for kids than traditional mom-and-dad households … Hitler would be proud: always go after the Big Lie….
• for GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination) and other same-sex whiners to complain that the movies and TV are not sufficiently pro-”gay” when everyone knows Hollywood is largely run by homosexuals (and straights who are strongly pro-”gay”) …
• leftist and “queer” bloggers like Pam Spaulding to feign outrage over Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern for saying the homosexual agenda is a greater threat than terrorism when they compare groups like AFTAH and pro-family leaders DIRECTLY to terrorists all the time. (I write this as a one-time designated member of the “American Taliban”; the subtle, judicious Spaulding now says she’s tired of the term — preferring a new putdown: “The Peter” — a phallic slang reference I used to hear as a kid; now that’s doing your Duke University employers proud, Pam!);
• men to say that they are really a lesbian trapped in a male’s body, and vice versa, and all the perverse permutations associated with the “T” in the “GLBT” movement: transsexualism, transvestism, etc.
• women to stay married to their husbands for decades and raise children to adulthood — and then leave their husband for a woman, only to claim that they were “always lesbian” and are just living out “who they really are” …
• the city of San Francisco to allow the sadistic Folsom Street Fair to go on every year with its rampant full nudity and even orgies in the streets — while the cops stand idly by doing nothing;
• homosexual activists to scold the Roman Catholic Church for harboring pedophiles when it was homosexual men who entered the Church after seminary standards were lowered — and then who engaged in so many of the predations on boys that brought dishonor to the Church in the first place. Have homosexual activists no shame?

The list could go on and on. Answer to the last question: no. So why are we losing to a movement this “queer,” again? Perhaps because most people don’t take it seriously. But mostly because the activists on their side care about their agenda (and, ultimately, their perversions) — more than most Americans care to stop them. Apathy and politically correct silence rule the day — at least for most straights and, to our shame, for most religious people.

Unfortunately for all of us, the dangers that the homosexual activist movement poses to America — to our religious and First Amendment freedoms, the corruption of youth, the sanctity of marriage, etc. — are very real indeed, and not funny at all.

___________________________

Below is an excerpt from the Willamette Weekly article:

Party Girl: Chelsea Clinton Cuts Loose With 2,000 Gay Men in Red Dresses

…

Yes, Chelsea Clinton made it to the infamous “Red Dress” Party.

Not to be confused with that other annual “Red Dress” fundraiser, this is the “Red Dress Party,” a mondo-alcohol-fueled dance party where nearly 2,000 gay men in various states of red dress undress (and several nearly naked straight men as well as one very colorfully decorated naked woman) invade a warehouse in Northeast Portland and dance their collective asses off to pounding disco music and the incredible Storm Large and her Balls (they were beyond fabulous).

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL Willamette Weekly STORY

The following are YouTube videos of last week’s “Rally for Sally” Kern held April 2 at the Oklahoma State Capitol, including my talk representing Americans For Truth. A huge and enthusiastic crowd of 1,500 (Daily Oklahoman estimate) or more citizens came out to support State Rep. Kern, who had been deluged with hate mail and hate phone calls after a homosexual activist group, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, created an anti-Kern YouTube using selectively edited portions of a public speech she had given.

The quality of these videos is not that great, but it is more than made up for by the moral clarity of the speakers. Below is part one of Sally’s moving speech:

Compare this “Rally for Sally” crowd to an earlier “anti-Sally” homosexual protest rally in the same Capitol Rotunda, which drew less than 100 activists. (The Daily Oklahoman later misreported the homosexualist rally attendance at 500 people; Paul Blair of Reclaim Oklahoma observed the rally and said there were 60 people there.)

It was my privilege to join these great Oklahoma speakers and passionate men and women of God to defend Sally Kern, whose humility, goodness and Christian commitment shine through in her speech, and give lie to the false “queer” caricature of her as a “hate-monger” and “homophobe.” Let’s commit ourselves to stop apologizing for agreeing with God about homosexuality! Thanks to Paul Blair and Reclaim Oklahoma for posting these videos. — Peter LaBarbera, www.americansfortruth.org:

Part 1A: Introduction by Steve Kern, Sally’s husband and pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Oklahoma City; and first part of Sally Kern’s speech (same as above YouTube video; click HERE for transcript of Sally’s speech):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwIpxrzung4

Part 1B: second part of Sally Kern’s speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22SXvy1-mQE&feature=related

Part 2A: speech supporting Sally by ex-”gay” Stephen Black of First Stone Ministries, which helps men and women leave the homosexual lifestyle (click HERE for a transcript of Black’s speech):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrsjFY2Mzmw&feature=related

Part 2B: second part of Stephen Black’s speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccUoNdMiI40&feature=related

Part 3: speech by Peter LaBarbera of Americans For Truth about Homosexuality:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cSL–sHpiw&feature=related

Part 4: Speech by Paul Blair, founder of Reclaim Oklahoma:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOple37sJhE&feature=related

More arrogance from the liberal media below — in this case, on online voiced editorial by Daily Oklahoman Editor Ed Kelley. Of course, Kelley is free to leave journalism and become a political activist — which does not seem like much of a transition after reading this. Perhaps he could even run for office on the “real issues” he talks about below. That would take a lot of work, especially if he’s as out of touch with Oklahoma’s voters as it appears.

Nope, it’s much easier for Kelley to whine about the people whom his newspaper is supposed to serve and respect. On the day that the “Rally for Sally” drew 1,500 or more people to the capital — to defend a decent, Christian woman who was the target of a national homosexual campaign — Kelley’s paper ran a condescending (and inaccurate) editorial that ended, “Perhaps constituents ought to hold a rally of their own, urging this one-trick pony to put her tiresome personal agenda aside and work to do something constructive.”

We think it would be very “constructive” for Kelley and fellow Fourth-Estaters to embark on a serious study of the Sally Kern “controversy” and their own reporting practices — so they could learn how they got the story so wrong. I’ll give them lesson number one: don’t take your editorial cues from left-wing activists — especially if you’re in a red state. That’s a good way to lose subscribers. — Peter LaBarbera

_________________________

Transcript of Ed Kelley’ Online Editorial

[You can listen to the voiced editorial by clicking HERE]
April 4, 2008

Hi, I’m Ed Kelley, editor of the [Daily] Oklahoman.

So, more than a thousand people showed up at the State Capitol for the so-called “Sally Rally,” to support Representative Sally Kern and her rantings against gays in America. By all accounts, it was a boisterous bunch that lined up way outside the Capitol so they could come in and praise old Sally.

But what if? What if instead of a thousand people gathered to praise her, a thousand people, smart law-abiding people who really cared about Oklahoma and it’s future, came instead to insist that our State can and must send legislators to the Capitol, who will focus on real issues that affect Oklahoma?

In other words, a thousand voices that said, “We’ve had a hundred years of people like Sally Kern and a hundred years of that is enough.”

What if, a thousand people came to the Capitol and proclaimed Kern’s running mate, Representative Randy Terrill, to be the biggest political liability on our state early in the Twenty-First Century for his ramming the toughest anti-immigration law in the country down the throats of his fellow Oklahomans?

In other words, a thousand voices that said they were going to stand up to this man, for moral reasons if nothing else, even when the leadership in the Capitol is too cowardly to do so.

What if, a thousand people came to the Capitol and expressed outrage over the precious time wasted in the legislative session on bills that don’t make a hill of beans, like English as the official language, or designating a state rock ‘n roll song, or creating some more car tags as if we don’t have a jillion of them already.

In other words, a thousand voices that said Oklahoma’s future as a state of importance and creativity is in jeopardy unless our elected representatives take on an air of urgency before it’s too late.

What if all these scenarios happened? They could. They could happen. And if they did, how different our image would be. Not just to the world outside our borders, but to the thousands of young Oklahomans growing up in our state — who deserve a serious discussion of a better Oklahoma than what they’re getting now at 23rd and Lincoln.

Good afternoon and thank you for the privilege of sharing with you today. My name is Stephen Black and I am the Executive Director with First Stone Ministries located here in Oklahoma City. First Stone is dedicated to helping men and women overcome unwanted same-sex attraction and to live in accordance with what we believe is God’s design for sexuality — which is one man and one woman in a covenant marriage relationship.

I stand with Rep. Sally Kern today to say that I, who once lived as a gay man, agree with her assessment, that there is a political agenda and a cultural message about homosexuality [and] that it is destructive to our country.

Over 26 years ago, I lived as a gay man for eight years. My story begins here in Oklahoma. I was raised in a Catholic home by parents who were devoted to one another and to the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, my dad traveled a lot, so he was missing for the first few years of my life. At age 6 — something happened that even further the confused in my life. I was molested by my babysitter. [Being] molested by someone who was supposed to care for me, brought huge distortion to my sexual identity. I was molested again at the age of ten by a neighbors’ friend visiting from out of town. I was terrified as he trapped me in a garage, and warned me I would be hurt if I said anything to anyone about what he had done to me.

Events of this type are significant and very common among those who struggle with homosexuality. About 65 percent of the men and more than 75% of the women we serve were sexually abused as children, though most do not really process the abuse until adulthood. The overwhelming majority of those we serve experienced what I call “sexual distortions” in their early childhood, assaulting their innocence. These distortions include voyeurism, exhibitionism, exposure to sexually explicit material from sources like the television, the Internet, porn-magazines, sexual talk from adults and peers.

My father was a man’s man. You know, he was the tough country boy from Kentucky, a Navy boxer, career Air Force and world-traveler. After ten years of military service my parents moved to Oklahomain 1960 to Tinker Air Force Base. My mother was an Irish war bride raised in England during the war where my parents met.

As is common with many who struggle with homosexuality, I found it difficult to relate to my dad. I found that my heart was hard towards him. Most of the men that I have served in over twenty years of ministry have similar stories of being unable to identify with the good of the masculine. However, I was able –– through the ministry of others — to identify these common factors in my life. God restored my soul and my relationship with my dad before he died. In my process, I discovered that I had overidentified with my mother and sister. This was part of my own personality; I found safety in women as a young boy, as I perceived my dad as unsafe.

With my father traveling in the military, my mother and my older sister became my mentors; they raised me. Femininity was safe, therefore my personality was feminized. The strong masculinity of my father or other men was fearful to me, and unfamiliar. I didn’t like Dad, and I didn’t like men that were like him! I viewed myself as different. Yet, I found myself always curious about other boys and men. I was afraid to enter into sports for fear of ridicule and for fear of the locker room because of my past sexual abuse. By the time I was a teenager, I found myself sexually attracted to men. I now call that Father-Hunger. At thirteen, I found myself depressed and alone in my homosexual thoughts. I was angry with God because I believed he had made me gay. I wanted to die. I thought God couldn’t love me and I wanted to kill myself.

Today, homosexuality is accepted almost everywhere; not so when I was a struggling teen. In February of 1974, in my deep depression, I stopped talking to everybody, and plotted a way to end my life. During this time, an older friend introduced me to the gay community here in Oklahoma City. I was “comforted” by other gays … now “I wasn’t alone in my struggle.” I embraced a gay life. Yet, those were some of the darkest years of my life.

In 1981, my younger brother died while serving our country in Germany. I began to think about eternity. And I sure had a lot of questions. I started seeking truth. During this time I was living with a man who was an elder in the Episcopal Church. I noticed at the funeral that he was very chummy with my parents’ priest who was officiating. Later I contacted the priest to find out if it was “OKAY” with God to be gay. The gay priest told me that God loved me just the way I was. A peace came into my life, but it was a false peace, because I was STILL so disillusioned with gay life. For the next year and a half, depressed over my brother’s death, I determined I would try to make myself straight. I even adopted a policy of celibacy, but to no avail. Instead, I ended up in another gay relationship.

However, it was at this time in my life I really encountered God. A friend from high school asked me out to celebrate her birthday. We partied all night, and on the next day –– Sunday — we ended up at her sister’s house who was a devout Christian. While we were visiting her sister, I discovered that these people in this home were completely devoted to Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. They weren’t religious; they were devoted to Christ, and in-love with God. These people began talking to my friend about Jesus Christ in a way I had never encountered. I thought these people were absolutely crazy. Jesus was talking to them. Jesus was answering their prayers. You know . . . they lived their lives like they really believed the Bible.

As I listened to them talking, and without them saying one word to me, something began to happen to my heart. It started racing, it started pounding; and then I heard a voice in my head, “Stephen, you need to accept Me tonight or you’re going to die.” I knew for sure that God was talking to me. I got the nerve up. I told the man of the house that I needed to know Jesus Christ . . . like they knew Him. He was amazed. He told me, “God must be calling you, son!” WOW… Did I know at that time that God was indeed calling me! It was – February 6, 1983 — I made a complete decision to live for and obey Jesus Christ that night. God has been so merciful to me!

My journey was not easy. I tell anyone that overcoming homosexuality is, indeed, VERY difficult, especially if the person seeking change has had many years of [homosexual] involvement. BUT NOTHIING is impossible with God! My freedom was not absent of struggle. There is not a Christian here whose freedom is absent of struggle. Freedom is not without struggle or temptation, is it? BUT Freedom is the ability for all of us to rise above life-controlling circumstances and choose differently. I chose FREEDOM! I choose Jesus Christ as my Lord. I choose to believe the Bible!

I want you to know after 26 years in my journey of freedom … after 22 years of marriage … after three children and a granddaughter, I am living life beyond my eight years as a gay man. I stand with Rep. Sally Kern today because she has dared to say what I know is true. I lived in it….

I believe with Rep. Kern:

• That gay life and the destructive messages I encountered there, nearly destroyed my life and it is destroying others.

I believe:

• That we must love others enough to accept them as individuals, but not legitimize a way of life that will harm them.

I believe:

• That we must undergird values that hold families strong together, not tear them apart. Thank you for letting me share my story. May God Bless You, AND Representative Kern and family!

May God Bless America!

First Stone Ministries, 1330 N. Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73106-6856 • Stephen Black, Executive Director • 405-236-4673 • www.firststone.org • 405-236-4673 • email: info@firststone.org

By Peter LaBarbera

Yesterday’s “Rally for Sally” at the Oklahoma statehouse to support State Rep. Sally Kern (R) was an amazing success, and we will have several reports on it. By all accounts, more than a thousand people turned out — the Daily Oklahoman newspaper reports 1,500 — and people were turned away from the building once the rally began.

CLICK HERE to watch a short DAILY OKLAHOMAN VIDEO-STORY on the “Rally for Sally” [you may have to click on the video story, "Free Speech Rally for Sally"]; and click HERE to read an extended Baptist Messenger interview with Kern about the controversy. You can write Kern at sallykern@okhouse.gov.

It appears as though the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund’s smear campaign against Kern — their YouTube video left out the part of her speech where she said she tries to “love everybody,” even as they charged her with contributing to hate-violence — has only made her one of the most popular politicians in Oklahoma. Although Sally disavowed any interest in running for statewide office, the calls for “Sally for Governor” and “Governor Kern” were heard repeatedly yesterday from her enthusiastic backers.

Sally was moved to tears by the tremendous show of support. Earlier, in the morning, as I met with her and her pastor husband Steve (haters falsely accused Steve, who pastors Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, of being a former KKK member), they had no idea how many people would turn up — perhaps just 50 or 100. But as we arrived at the statehouse two hours early for the event only to see capitol parking lots jammed with cars, it became apparent that something big was about to occur.

As I waited in Kern’s second-floor legislative office as one of the speakers at the rally, Oklahoma citizens — some from as far away as Tulsa, a two-hour drive from the capital — filed in to show their support. Then, as the scheduled noon start time drew closer, it was obvious that this was going to be a very large rally — of the sort that a state lawmaker (or perhaps any politician) rarely receives outside of campaigning for office.

A capitol policeman arrived at Kern’s office with an urgent request to move the rally outdoors — the statehouse rotunda could not accommodate the crowds, he said — but the microphone was already set up inside so instead they allowed crowds to watch from the rotunda’s third-floor balcony. Then Sally was taken by police escort through the throngs to the Capitol’s first-floor rotunda. From the dais as you looked out there were deep crowds in all directions, spilling into the hallways that were like spokes on a bicycle wheel. The third floor balcony had a crowd of supporters as well.

As the speakers, along with Sally’s family and closest friends, were packed in behind the podium, I looked out through glaring media lights at all the appreciative faces looking in. The verse from that “obscure” Book of Romans — 8:28: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” — came to mind. This was no hate-monger — no ignorant, frothing at the mouth bigot or whatever “religious right” caricature the GLVF and their pro-homosexualist allies sought to affix to Kern — but a wise, decent, loving, and humble Christian woman trying to serve her country and her God. Note the absence of triumphalism in her speech below as she calls for repentance in the Christian Church and a return to godliness.

Imagine if a rising tide of Americans of whatever persuasion stopped “tolerating” sin and bending to the world’s sinking standards — and started caring deeply about God’s Word again, re-”orienting” their lifestyles and conduct to be obedient to it! Who knows if that will happen, but I have a lot more hope for this country after witnessing and being a part of Oklahoma’s “Rally for Sally.”

________________________

Below is the text of Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern’s speech (emphasis added):

Sally Kern Speech, Oklahoma Statehouse, April 2, 2008

I want to thank everyone for coming here today. This rally, Freedom of Speech Rally for Sally, is really about freedom of speech for all who want to stand for the truth of God’s Word. This is not about me. It’s about the Church having the right to speak out for the redeeming love of Jesus Christ who died to set us all free from sin. The Lord gave me a verse I’ve been claiming. Philippines 1:12: “I want you to know that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

I’ve gotten lots of e-mail lately. Some good, some not so good. I’ve been called lots of names. I can’t repeat most of those names. Some of the good names have been courageous, brave, and hero. I want you to know I have more trouble relating to the good names than the bad. I know I’m a sinner, but I’m not courageous, brave, or a hero. I’m just an earthen vessel, an old clay pot. II Corinthians 4: 7 says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, clay jars to show that this surpassing power is from God.” The last few weeks have been tough but God’s grace has been sufficient. So if I seem courageous, brave, or a hero, it’s not me but God’s grace.

When I gave that now infamous speech, I was not putting down any individual. I believe each and every person is precious in God’s sight. He loves us all. He loves us all equally and He loves us regardless of our sin. Yet, God is not just a God of love but also a Holy and Righteous God who sent His Son to die for our sin so we could have forgiveness and experience life abundantly. To have His forgiveness we must first acknowledge our sin. We can’t excuse it or justify it.

Let me tell you why I will not, why I cannot, apologize for my comments. First, I believe God’s Word. When God calls something a sin, then it is a sin. God never changes and neither does His Word. My opinion doesn’t matter. His Word is all that matters.

Second, this nation was founded on Christian principles. We all know Patrick Henry’s famous words “Give me liberty or give me death.” He also said “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Some say we should separate church and state but Noah Webster said when writing to school children “When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God.”

Third, when I was running for office, I told the people I was running as a Christian candidate because I believed we were in a cultural war for the existence of our Judeo-Christian values. This situation is evidence that the cultural war is real. And it gives me the opportunity to keep my promise to those who voted me into office.

Psalms 11:3 says “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” We can remember that the foundation of society is the home as established by God—one man and one woman. So stand up for it. We can remember that the foundation of this nation was Christianity. Teach it to our children. We can remember that the foundation of the Church is God’s Word. Believe it and practice it daily. We can remember that the foundation of salvation is Christ dying for a world lost in bondage to sin. Proclaim the Truth that will set people free.

When you go home today, go turn on all the lights in your bedroom. Get into the closet and close the door. Stand in the dark a few seconds. Then open the closet door and notice what happens. The darkness in the closet doesn’t swoop our and overtake the light. No, the light spreads into the closet dispelling the darkness. Our world is dark with sin today, not because of the homosexuals, or the murderers, or the drug addicts. It’s dark because the Church has not let its light shine. What the righteous must do is pray II Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Thank God we still have Freedom of Speech in America. Let’s speak out while we still can. God bless you and God bless America.

It will be my privilege to stand tomorrow with Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) at a grassroots “Rally for Sally” at the state capitol — to defend her against the vicious homosexual activist onslaught unleashed by those who confuse opinion with “hate speech”:

DATE: Wednesday, April 2
TIME: 12:00pm Noon
WHERE: Rotunda of the Oklahoma State Building
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City Oklahoma

Dozens of pro-family groups and leaders outside of Oklahoma have come to Kern’s defense, and she has not backed down, while demonstrating grace toward those who seek to destroy her.

Incidentally, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund — which launched the web campaign against Kern and alleged in a public letter that she is somehow partly responsible for the murders of homosexuals (“your words give aid and comfort to those who would hurt, maim and even kill people who are different from you”) — conveniently edited out the part of her speech where she said that, “the book that I base my life upon is God’s word. And it says to love everybody and I try to love everybody.”

You can see below in this portion from the full Kern speech transcript where the GLVF stripped out that phrase — highlighted in red — from the half-sentence (in blue) that followed it, and which was used in the online “hit-recording” against Kern:

Now, I don’t know about you, but the book that I base my life upon is God’s word. And it says to love everybody and I try to love everybody but not everybody’s lifestyle is equal. Just like not all religions are equal. Okay. All money isn’t equal. You know, we have this dumb idea now days, that tolerance means that everything is equal. Well, everything is not equal. We see that in many areas of our lives. You know, all things are not equal. All religions are not equal.

So, you blind-side a public official with charge that her speech is of the sort that leads to heinous murders, but you leave out the part where she tries to follow God’s command to love everyone? (Of course, the media engage in this type of selective editing all the time to make Christian conservatives and others look bad.)

Tomorrow’s “Rally for Sally” rally begins at noon; after that I will be addressing the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee. Pray for Saly and the rally’s success. You can reach Rep. Kern at sallykern@okhouse.gov.

CWA Press Release, March 31, 2008

Free Speech Rally for Sally; over 50 Pastors organize rally to support besieged Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern

DATE: Wednesday, April 2
TIME: 12:00pm Noon
WHERE: Rotunda of the Oklahoma State Building
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City Oklahoma

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, April 2, Concerned Women for America (CWA) will join over 50 pastors in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to rally support for State Representative Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) and her right to free speech. Recently, Rep. Kern has been under attack from radical homosexual activists and their followers over remarks she made regarding the homosexual agenda. Rep. Kern took a Biblical stand against homosexual activism and has refused to back down from her statements despite receiving death threats.

CWA applauds Rep. Kern for continuing to be steadfast and resolute in this fight against the homosexual agenda and for shedding light on the threat it poses to our nation. Rep. Kern has been quoted as saying that the homosexual agenda is dangerous “because it destroys the basic moral fiber of this nation, which is traditional marriage and the traditional family.” She couldn’t be more right.

Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues, said, “There are certainly those who hate Rep. Kern. They’ve made that perfectly clear with vicious personal attacks and even death threats. But millions of Americans proudly stand alongside Sally Kern and say, ‘Thank you. Thank you for boldly standing your ground and for unapologetically defending Biblical Truth.’ They intended to make an example of her. They have, but not in the way they had hoped. She has set an example for millions of believers around the world. Her courage and refusal to deviate from God’s unequivocal condemnation of sexual immorality is serving to galvanize and embolden others. People say, ‘Well Sally Kern wasn’t intimidated, why should I be?’”

CWA of Oklahoma State Director, Linda Caswell, said “Rep. Kern has exercised her right to free speech and has spoken boldly about the effects of homosexuality on our families and on our nation. We strongly encourage everyone to come to the rally and show your support for Rep. Kern. Let others know that we will not back down from taking a Biblical stand on the moral issues facing our state and our nation today.”

Concerned Women for America is the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization.

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As a state representative who is always willing to meet with any and all of my constituents on any issue with an open and sincere dialog, it is apparent from the statement released by PFLAG that their “open dialog” was for the purpose of politicizing the conversation to their benefit.

While I did meet with PFLAG in what was a cordial and polite meeting, they have taken my statements and have spun them to make it appear that I am backing off my comments that homosexuality is a sin. As a Christian who believes in the authority of God’s Word, I will never retract my comments that homosexuality is a sin.

PFLAG has also spun my words to say that I am in favor of “sexual orientation” laws. I unequivocally do not support “sexual orientation” laws. While I do not advocate employers going on a witch hunt to fire homosexual employees who are performing their jobs in a manner just like any heterosexual employee, I do not support laws that would force employers to check their First Amendment rights to freedom of religion, speech, and association at the workplace door.

Since PFLAG has shown their lack of integrity by misinterpreting my statements from our meeting to fit their agenda — thus revealing their purpose of open dialog to be just a means of seeking to weaken my position and strengthen theirs — I see no benefit in having future meetings with them.

God’s Word does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever [Hebrews 13:8]. His Word expresses His moral character. Therefore, my opinion also will not change.

State Rep. Sally Kern
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma City, OK
March 28, 2008