It was widely reported two days ago that Bret Baier, thoughtful and winsome host of the FOX News program Special Report with Bret Baier, has canceled his commitment to speak at the annual conference of the Catholic organization Legatus, which Domino’s Pizza owner Tom Monaghan helped found.

It appears that an infamous homosexual blogger, Jeremy Hooper, was instrumental in impelling Baier to cancel. For those who are unfamiliar with Hooper, he has a website Good As You (get it, “G.A.Y.) on which he attacks anyone and everyone who expresses orthodox Christian views of homosexuality, castigating them as ignorant, bigoted, haters, which, of course, includes anyone who publicly affirms the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Hooper’s “arguments” amount to, “Can you believe he (or she) said this?”

So, this is what Hooper presented as his “evidence” that Legatus is a bigoted organization:

Legatus is a very anti-gay organization of Catholics. Here are just two examples of the views that this organization pushes out to its members:

It’s impossible to see homosexual unions as being in line with God’s intentions for marriage since the product of intercourse is not fruitful. Along with masturbation, fornication, and adultery, homosexuality is a selfish act that cannot fulfill the divinely ordained purpose of the reproductive powers. The Church teaches that God instituted the sacrament of Marriage, and only He has the authority to change the nature of marriage. Neither the Church nor the state has the competence to alter the substance of marriage or the family. Attempts by civil government or the courts to alter the law in favor of same-sex unions distort the true meaning of marriage, which has existed for thousands of years.

The Church encourages people who suffer from the disorder of same-sex attraction to live a chaste and celibate life. Chastity is required of all people, no matter their state in life — single, married, or celibate. It is a virtue in which our thoughts, words, and actions are modest. Celibacy is a discipline by which one does not marry.

***

There are many reasons why people suffer from SSA disorder. Some “discover” this tendency within them. Others grow into it through pursuits of pleasure or experimentation. Some use it to punish themselves or others. Whether the disorder has some deep, unknown roots over which one has virtually no control, or whether it’s a developed disorder resulting from bad choices, it leaves an individual disposed toward activities and a lifestyle that are dangerous — physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Fortunately there is hope for those who suffer from the disorder. The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality reports that significant numbers of homosexual persons have undergone treatment and had their sexual drives properly ordered. These findings are a beacon of hope to those suffering from SSA, as well as for their family and friends who desire their happiness and good health. Finally, for those who for whatever reason cannot be cured, there is a support group known as Courage to help them live safe, moral, chaste lives. Those who continue to suffer from this disorder can find true help through an orientation toward their Savior and Redeemer, “the Orient from on High,” and the life that He offers them in Himself. [Legatus]

You might remember that I [Jeremy Hooper] helped convince Bob Newhart from appearing at a benefit for this anti-gay organization. 

A few words about the word “bigoted”:

A “bigot” according to The Merriam Webster dictionary refers to a person who is “obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.”

Clearly, there is a distinction between bigotry and moral views. Bigotry cannot simply refer to holding opinions or being in possession of moral precepts, for if it did, everyone but sociopaths would have to be considered bigots because everyone but sociopaths holds certain behaviors as moral and others as immoral.

In addition, the word “obstinacy” in the definition of “bigot” warrants some discussion. According to The American Heritage Dictionary, “obstinate” connotes “unreasonable rigidity.” I would argue that conservative views on homosexuality are completely reasonable, and that conversely, liberal views are woefully unreasonable.

In order to determine whether a tenaciously held conviction reflects obstinacy requires an evaluation of the content of the belief and the justifications for that belief. For example, very few would characterize the act of consistently, tenaciously, unrelentingly, and enduringly holding the belief that infantilism, or pedophilia, or polyamory, or genocide, or female genital mutilation is wrong to be a manifestation of obstinacy or bigotry. Rather, holding unwaveringly to the moral conclusions that these behaviors are wrong represents legitimate and essential moral judgment.

Moreover, “obstinate” cannot be severed from the other parts of the definition. Bigotry is the obstinate devotion to uninformed or unintentional inclinations, especially ones that result in hatred of members of a particular group.

The key phrase for distinguishing between bigotry and moral conscience is that a bigot not only holds opinions but “regards or treats the members of a group…with hatred and intolerance.” Certainly there are those in society who demonstrate this kind of behavior–just as there are “progressives” who demonstrate such behavior toward people of faith–but anyone who truly submits their lives to Christ, dooes not treat anyone with hatred. And simply expressing the view that some particular volitional conduct is wrong is not an act of hatred.

While FOX News contributed $10,000 to the National Gay and Lesbian Journalist Association and both FOX News personalities Megyn Kelly and Shepard Smith have attended its events, Bret Baier cancels a Catholic event because the organization upholds Catholic teaching.

If Baier refuses to speak at any event hosted by an organization that affirms the teachings of the Catholic Church on homoerotic activity, will he attend a church in which a priest preaches homilies about the Catholic Church’s position on homoerotic activity?

What if Hooper and other homosexual activists are wrong? What if the God who Christians—including Baier—claim to serve does, indeed, hate homoerotic activity? What if the words of St. Paul in 1 Cor. 6:9 are true that “neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.…”? If successful, homosexual activists who seek to censor public speech will prevent those who experience same-sex attraction from hearing the truth that could set them free. Their efforts are not acts of love but acts of ignorance that may result in eternal separation from God.

And because of Bret Baier’s apparent cowardice, he has become complicit in their destructive efforts.

The Truth Project

First Annual IFI Worldview Conference
featuring Dr. Del Tackett
April 10-11, 2015
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