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Obama’s Gay Marriage Decision Getting Blowback From His Own Religious Adviser

May. 9, 2012 9:02pm Mytheos Holt

Washington (AP/The Blaze) – The evangelical pastor who President Barack Obama calls his spiritual adviser says he’s disappointed in the president’s decision to endorse same-sex marriage.

The Rev. Joel Hunter of Florida told The Associated Press that Obama called him before ABC News broadcast the announcement Wednesday.

Hunter says he told the president he disagreed with his interpretation of what the Bible says about marriage. Hunter says the president reassured him he would protect the religious freedom of churches who oppose gay marriage.

Hunter says the announcement makes it harder for him to support Obama, but he will continue to do so.

Hunter is the pastor of the 15,000 member Northland church in the Orlando area. He prays regularly with the president and last February, Michelle Obama visited his church.

Time Magazine did an extensive profile on Hunter in 2008. Here are some highlights of their coverage:

Hunter would be a good candidate for the next President’s bridge to white Evangelicalism, which he courted on Election Day but had only marginal success in winning over. Hunter is a bona fide megapastor in Orlando, Fla., and and a longtime mover in the Evangelical world. “For a long time now, Joel has been directly politically engaged as a Christian leader, in a nuanced and multifaceted way,” notes Andy Crouch, editor of the Vision Project at the Evangelical monthly Christianity Today. On a number of key positions, morevoer, he has shown his independence of the religious right.

Hunter shares his movement’s typical pro-life and anti-gay-marriage social commitments. But he became best known to the mainstream press in 2006 when an arrangement for him to take over as head of the Christian Coalition, the political machine founded by Pat Robertson, imploded as it became clear that Hunter intended to steer it into more moderate waters. He has since made a name (and Fundamentalist foes) combating global warming, championing comprehensive immigration reform and extolling a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Less ambiguously than any other leader (including Purpose-Driven Life author Rick Warren, who hedges more bets), Hunter is the avatar of the New Evangelicalism, which is increasingly contesting the priorities of classic religious-right figures like James Dobson. Given all this, it was not surprising that Hunter delivered the closing benediction at the Democratic Convention in August, or that he was asked to join Tuesday’s prayer circle.

Hunter is clearly a left-leaning evangelical pastor. If Obama can’t keep his support after this announcement, then the question arises – whose support can he keep?

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Comments (118)

South Philly Boy
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:52pm
Takes the MONEY and RUN

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- TH30PH1LUS
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 12:36am
  “Hunter says the announcement makes it harder for him to support Obama, but he will continue to do so.”
  
  Mr. Hunter, supporting a man who is in favor of baby-killing and gay marriage is a betrayal of Christ. You are a fraud. How will you answer, when you look into the fiery eyes of the Lord?
  
  Report this comment
- lukerw
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 1:53am
  Hunter is INSANE — Whom would tell anyone that he is Obama’s “spiritual advisor”? Why take any ownership of EVIL?
  
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- iampraying4u
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:41am
  Drink more tea
  
  Report this comment
- JRook
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:11am
  “Hunter is clearly a left-leaning evangelical pastor.” Only at the blaze could an evangelical pastor who comments on global warming, immigration reform and actual peace in Palestine. So Obama is a Muslim right up until the point we can garner a cheap shot by quoting his evangelical spiritual adviser saying something we can use against him. Class with a capital K.
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 3:07pm
  oh that’s one of your best to date JROOK..”actual peace in Palestine”. Let’s see…Hamas’ very own charter calls for the killing of every jew in the region. Abbas, the leader of Fatah has reiterated that the State of Israel will never be recognized by any Palestinian state.
  “actual peace in Palestine” ROOKIE…that’s comedy gold…
  
  Report this comment
Totally Domestic
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:45pm
Dr James Dobson is the REAL DEAL,
this guy who I never heard of is PHONY BOLOGNA.
Any “Preacher” who can support Obama is a FAKE.

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- db321
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 11:20pm
  Any Christian that VOTES for Obama is a Fake Christian!
  
  Jesus will say to them – “You confess to be a Christian, but I do not know you” – Jesus can only judge us on our Word (Support) and our Deed (Vote). If you vote for a man that will not stand with Israel – then you are spitting directly in the Eye of God!
  
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- Teabunny
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 11:26pm
  so…what you are saying is it is far better to vote RINO than libertarian..or democrat in the 2012 election?
  
  Report this comment
- mr.goodvibe
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 12:43am
  Tea, So if we can not turn back 100 years of progressive brainwashing and sedition in one day then we should call it quits and let freedom be a faint memory in the anals of history, good thing our soldiers don’t pack up and go home if they lose one battle. I guess if I don’t get everything I want then I should pack up my toys and go home. Yeah I know it sounds like conservatives are willing to compromise principles but that is a shallow argument. If Ron Paul were the nominee I would vote for him over Obama because I know that we would turn the country back in the right direction and if he does not get the nomination then we have Romney, I would rather have him appointing supreme court justices than Obama and we can still keep fighting and holding him and other politicians feet to the fire and replace them as needed. We should not give up on the US just because we did not get everything we wanted right away. Are you going to go to the polls even if Romney is the choice against Obama or will you stay home and not vote for the people in your local government? What is the best thing to do? I will vote for whoever is against Obama and for the conservatives on the ballot in my precinct because I beleive we can restore our country to prosperity and liberty if not for me, for my children and those who will come after me in this country. I will not give up the fight even if I get knocked down. How about you? Or is this where you call me a stupid sheeple neocon?
  
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- davecorkery
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 12:29pm
  Except god never said anything about gay people. A human did, and said god told me to tell you this . Look, I wrote it down, so it must be true. Sheesh. Wake up.
  
  Report this comment
MCDAVE
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:44pm
Is Hunter so stupid that he can’t see that Obama is an enemy of Christians…where is the line in the sand..Values are steadfast pastor..will you still support him when he throwing you into a Fema re-education camp…there is no compromise on Gods law.

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- Teabunny
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:51pm
  Gods Law is for Gods people! Even Jesus said we are to tell them…and if they refuse grace…shake the dust off!
  
  Report this comment
- blackyb
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 2:23am
  That is right Tea. Make that Tea for two.
  
  Report this comment
- lukerw
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 4:19am
  @TEABUNNY
  TRUTH is always True; GOD provides Truth; So, what GOD provides in knowledge, in Morals, is always Correct and is for Everyone, not just for Christians or Jews.
  
  Report this comment
- starman70
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 7:23am
  Birds of a feather flock together! Hunter and Obama flying the same path to the “One World Religion” combining Christianity, Islam, Buddahism, Hinduism, Shinto and a host of beliefs, to be forced on everyone in the world by the coming ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT.
  
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- ARMOR BEARER 147
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:43am
  Amen! I say “Bring on the One World Government and One World Religion.” Why do we keep trying to stop it? It is the way The LORD will be revealed! All believers who oppose the OWG/OWR are like Peter telling Jesus,
  “Be [Your Prophesy] far from thee, Lord: [Torture, Death and Resurrection] shall not be unto thee” Matt 16:21-22 KJV (Pronouns objectified for brevity.) —-|-
  
  To which the LORD Replied “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
  
  We are not called to stop or even oppose The day of The LORD! In which case we fall into Satan’s trap of not want the LORD revealed because we “savourest the thing of man.”
  
  We are called to witness to the SALVATION FROM IT! and Proclaim “Even So, Come, Lord Jesus” Rev 22:20 KJV —–|-
  
  Report this comment
Laureen1
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:28pm
“Hunter says the announcement makes it harder for him to support Obama, but he will continue to do so”

The fact that Obama supports and encourages not only abortion, but infanticide, didn’t get you to step back and question your support of him from the beginning? Priorities of a supposed Man of God – how utterly sad.

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- MCDAVE
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:47pm
  so very true…he misleads his flock…
  
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- chazmo
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:58pm
  yes yes.. everyone keep saying that..
  
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- blackyb
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 2:23am
  The pastor is selling his birthright for Obama soup.
  
  Report this comment
lassiegirldawn
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:23pm
I am sure that Mooochell bends that boy over, I don’t care how much she tries, she looks pretty dikie to me.

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Harry19
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:17pm
Great title for this. Great Blowback. From one Queer to another

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Jenny Lind
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:15pm
This should come as a suprise to no one, this is a political move, period. Oh, and he is no Christian.

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- rangerp
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:19pm
  Getting blowback on the gay decision. Little play on words there Blaze. You all are some slick ones
  
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- HowardSternIsABigot
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 7:13am
  hes atheist obamanist. He worships himself. Even his moslem brothers would be sickened by this except they know each other to be liars out to destroy the christian west. Obama probably had fond memories of his transvestitite manny in indonesia.explains his taste in manly women.
  
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dennisS
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:15pm
Just one more of the anti-christs that the Lord warned us about. A wolf in sheeps clothing. Hunter, you better wake up and repent before you find yourself somewhere that you will regret for eternity. What’s amazing to me is that 15K people in Florida that call themselves Christians listen to this charlatan.

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- blackyb
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 2:26am
  There is a lot of Obama soup around for people to sell their birthrights for. You are right about the sheeps clothing on a wolf. They are many. They are legion.
  
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FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:14pm
IN 2007 – “legal union” IN 2012 – “marriage”

“I don’t believe it should be called marriage, but I think it is a legal right people have that should be recognized by the state. If people find that controversial then I would refer them to Sermon On The Mount. Which I think in my mind, for my faith, is more central than an obscure passage in Romans.” Barack Obama – 2007

Puts no moral stock in Romans.

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- blackyb
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 2:21am
  Obbie and thugs are selling their birthright for porriage. They are buying a one-way ticket to hell.
  
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- lukerw
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 4:30am
  Before the Government collected Taxes or gave Benefits… based upon Marriage… no one cared about the Definition of Marriage… nor was it written into Law. Government created the Problem… by practicing SOCIALISM: taking money from the people as a Collective to be Redistributed to others. Hence, if Government had not dictated Socialist Policies… and violated the 1st Amendment of the Constitution… all would be as the Founders set in place… and Marriage would only be a Religious Rite & Acknowledgement. SOCIALISM is the EVIL!
  
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lassiegirldawn
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:12pm
It is funny that crazy Joe outted the Commie In Chief. Now the head Commie has to side step and dance around his words. Not only is this a sin in the Bible, it is trying to tear down the Christian Community. It will be if you don’t marry them, they will sue the church. They will purposely go out and target church’s that will not consent to this unnatural behavior.

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- Brokendrum
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:29pm
  Biden did not Out Obama. Think about it. He was given talking points.
  
  If the back flash isn’t too bad – ok we can go with this..
  
  If it is nuclear – well, you know old Joe – always saying goofy stuff..
  
  Biden was the taste test to see if the media would vomit.
  
  Report this comment
- 13th Imam
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:30pm
  These guys do Everything for a reason. Bite Me was told to out the one with slender girlielike fingers.
  
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Hephzibah
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:12pm
Of course he’s for gay marriage. He HAD to announce he was on the opposite side of whatever the Republican would say. If a Republican said the sky was blue, the kommies like him would say it’s gray for colorblind folks, so we will force everyone to wear blue glasses, which you will pay for, of course.

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- blackyb
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 2:25am
  That makes more sense than some might think.
  
  Report this comment
FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:02pm
“Hunter says the announcement makes it harder for him to support Obama.” – Hunter better stop sniffing glue and wake up. This is not just a little issue with God. God calls it evil.

Below is the internet site for Rahm and Barack gay bath house, Man’s Country Chicago, they were members of at one time. – DONT BELIEVE – Study on the internet

http://manscountrychicago.com/about/about.html

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- Teabunny
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:07pm
  okay…without the graphic photos…how does this site tie in to Obama or Rahm? (please, no pictures)
  
  Report this comment
- marhee9
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:08pm
  Yu have to admit it’s kind of funny reading some of the headlines. “Barack Obama takes a wide stance on the issue of gay marriage.” and “Obama’s Gay Marriage Decision Getting Blowback From His Own Religious Adviser.” Does it make me a bad person to find that funny?
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R83lXxK_8SI
  
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- FromSeaToSea
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:20pm
  @ Teabunny
  
  Google the issue of Obummers gay past and study for yourself. He appears to be bisexual.
  
  Report this comment
- FromSeaToSea
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:29pm
  I apologize for young boys pics, there shirtless but still may be offensive to some. I attached the site because this is where Rahm and Barack had ongoing memberships. Google the issue for further info.
  
  Report this comment
- Teabunny
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:32pm
  doing so…thanks.. (stories, not photos! Thank you Lord!) warning do not click the link above!
  
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- Teabunny
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:40pm
  its cool…no problem ( I’m a prude. okay. so…) anyway…the articles i read says they scrubbed all info connecting them to the club. but i am finding many different sources (some semi-credible) that carry this…I also found you tube has scrubbed a lot of stuff on this.
  
  Report this comment
USA-Ron
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:57pm
Pastor Hunter, from a Pastor,

You do, what you believe in doing,

support what ever, who ever you wish,

I only respond because, we as Pastors can NOT Flip..

May God Bless You and Yours

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- Teabunny
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:29pm
  as a pastor…you are to protect the flock…NOT THE ENTIRE WORLD! that is not your job! there was supposed to be a stronghold, that the gates of hell cannot prevail against…tell me…what will happen, when the church refuses to perform these ceremonies? or how will that defile the house of God when they HAVE to?
  
  Will this be what is needed…for the sacrifices and offerings to cease? (by shutting down the churches?)
  
  Report this comment
hogtrashhd
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:56pm
the preacher is a bigot.. get off the bi-sexual president’s back.. it’s in his dna as they say.. he wants it all and he wants it now..

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Teabunny
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:51pm
he told the Catholics the same thing about abortion and Obamacare! look out! we should have separated out civil unions from marriages! now the churches will be forced to perform gay ceremonies…nice move gang. You fought so hard to hold your ground…that you lost the churches! (what do you think “BE YE SEPARATE” is for??? that is for OUR PROTECTION! ) we should have jumped on the separation of church and state band wagon…and allowed the government civil unions…and marriages to be a separate function of the church!

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- Teabunny
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:05pm
  What was it that penguin said to batman…”I Played this city like a harp from hell!”
  
  …and NO ONE seen this coming??? really? NEVER underestimate your opponent! you must think ahead! he is smart!
  
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Boray
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:49pm
Disappointed, but I’ll still support him does not blow back make. The guy is a coward. He should have told Obama to make a choice, be a Christian, or support that which is anathema to the teachings of scripture and against God.

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chazmo
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:43pm
Another false Christian… Who gives up their religious beliefs for a politician?? Wow

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13th Imam
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:31pm
Joel will fall in line like a good Liberal, Progressive, Socialist, Communist, DEMOCRAT. His messiah Barry will command him, in the closet.

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Tri-ox
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:28pm
Obama eats gay dogs.

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- dont_tax_me_bro
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:43pm
  Now we know whats really on your mind, beastiality…LOL!
  
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yathink
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:27pm
Conflicted, If your not breakin my leg or pickin my pocket who am I to say. Relationships let God sort them out. But if your not designed to procreate as a couple. Sorry can’t get married.

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- the_united_states_of_britain
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:53pm
  old couples cant procreate, infertile couples cant procreate, some people choose not to procreate. should they be stopped from marrying? the answer is no, thus your argument is flawed.
  
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- Teabunny
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:53pm
  so you are saying a healthy woman cannot marry a man paralyzed from the waist down? Even if she loves him? procreating might be an issue for them, you know.
  
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- CounterStrike
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 11:14pm
  What YaThinks is trying to say is “designed to procreate” meaning man and women.
  
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- Git-R-Done
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 1:59am
  Except homosexuality is NOT something that’s physiological or genetic.
  
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stockpicker
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:25pm
This whole administration is filled with false prophets.

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- chazmo
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:57pm
  Bingo
  
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- CounterStrike
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 11:19pm
  And the czars were put in place so the false prophets would still have control after the coup.
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:46am
  “Hunter says the announcement makes it harder for him to support Obama, but he will continue to do so.”
  I’m sure God is very proud that it’s “harder” for you pastor. If supporting evil as long as it’s “hard” for you to do so is what you preach, your church should put a float in the next gay pride parade. As long as it’s “hard” for you to do it, I’m sure your god (little g) will approve.
  
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Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:19pm
“I will Stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction!”-Barack Hussein Obama .
Homosexual relations are a crime and face the punishment of death in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Mauritania, northern Nigeria, Sudan, and Yemen.
In Egypt, openly gay men have been prosecuted under general public morality laws.
Areas under Sharia have instituted death for men and women. Any content, advocating groups or associations, support, talking to, marriage, etc., regarding LGBT persons can land you in jail for at least four years.
That is where Obama really stands.He is holding the gays and lesbians for ransom until November.

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Maxim Crux
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:13pm
Ha…****** the Muslims off too. Obama is doing a good job throwing himself under the bus

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- teebubba
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:54pm
  This is where Democratic politicians make fools of themselves in endorsing an interest group’s agenda.
  1. The biggest fear of a normal heterosexual voter is not of gays shacking up with each other but that his own children will be recruited through the curriculum of the public schools. And this goes across the political spectrum.
  2. Not all gays are interested in marriage.. The individual gay is a promiscuous sort who will have an average of 67 different partners during his lifetime as opposed to the average heterosexual who will have an average of 6. How strong a voting bloc gays really are is dubious outside of enclaves like San Francisco.
  While Obama appears to be throwing himself under the bus there are plenty of other reasons related to the economy not to vote for him.
  
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- Maxim Crux
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:28pm
  Gay marriage is a non issue with the exception that these things tend to grow momentum with others that either think it is a big deal or not. Believe it or not, some people follow idiots because it is popular…not because they morally object to it. When it was popular to be kind of for it or kind of against it, it was OK because people that support this guy knew it was some kind of political maneuver. Being that it may be, his hand has been forced by the law that was just passed. In reality, in agreement with what you stated, most people…even gays, do not really agree with gay marriage. Most black people are Christians and believe in union between man and women and Islamist, Communist and Nazis…all hate gay people, so they are definitely not with him on this one. So…by declaring definitively in this particular direction does not help him at all…it hurts him politically with the idiots as well as with the radicals that support him when he furthers their agenda
  
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- Teabunny
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:49pm
  His agenda, is to destroy the republican base. libertarians first…then the Christians through the churches! the ones that comply will lose the flock, the one that don’t will close down due to lawsuit
  
  Should have separated civil union and marriage! the only way to save the churches! It would have stopped the domino effect!
  
  and the Muslims…are in on the plan. they hate America anyway, and the Christians…so they will pick them off…churches first! where else can one seek sanctuary? a mosque?
  
  Report this comment
disenlightened
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:12pm
Not to be outdone by Rush and his RushBabes, Barack struck upon an idea…ButtBabies…and threw his support behind gay marriage.

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- osgeek
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:40pm
  literally…
  
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LeadNotFollow
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:09pm
…
Rev. Joel Hunter, why don’t you and your congregation try to “pray the Gay” out of The White House?

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- Totally Domestic
  Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:47pm
  AMEN TO THAT
  but a “preacher’ who supports Obomanation has no prayer power.
  
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- blackyb
  Posted on May 10, 2012 at 2:28am
  Pray that “gay” right out of their ****.
  
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