Just Out (Volume 21, Number 24, October 15 2004) asked for letters to the editor on the following topic: Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart said during a worship service that he'd kill any gay man who looked at him "and tell God he died." He apologized after getting complaints from several queer groups, saying the remark wasn't meant to harm anyone. Did the mainstream media do a thorough job covering these events, or were they downplayed? To their credit, they printed my letter at the risk of alienating the majority of their advertisers.
Here is the perspective of one bisexual atheist. We can wish that the Rev. Swaggart did not advocate the murder of homosexuals with the approval of Jesus Christ. But that is what he said: wishing otherwise doesn't change that. We can wish that the Bible did not advocate the murder of homosexuals (Leviticus 20:13) with the approval of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:17-18). But that is what the Bible says: wishing otherwise doesn't change that.
Christianity has inescapable murderous intent toward homosexuals, and therefore Swaggart was only following his faith. The problem isn't a misrepresentation of Christianity that requires a sincere apology. The problem is Christianity itself; wishing otherwise doesn't change that.
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