No Gays Near Joe the Plumber's Kids

Ah, Joe the Plumber, the election ended in November and your candidate lost, but for some reason people still think your opinion matters. Why, I have no idea—oh wait, is it because you published a book and hired a PR agent? Why you're still being interviewed and people are quoting you is beyond me. The latest: Christianity Today.

The "magazine of evangelical conviction" asked average Joe Samuel Wurzelbacher what he thought about same-sex marriage at the state level, now that Iowa and Vermont both recently passed laws allowing gay couples to marry and receive the same rights as straight couples. He said he thinks it's up to the states to decide and that he doesn't want it to be a "federal thing." All well and good. But it's what came next that's disturbing.

"I personally still think it's wrong. People don't understand the dictionary—it's called queer. Queer means strange and unusual. It's not like a slur, like you would call a white person a honky or something like that. You know, God is pretty explicit in what we're supposed to do—what man and woman are for. Now, at the same time, we're supposed to love everybody and accept people, and preach against the sins. I've had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn't have them anywhere near my children. But at the same time, they're people, and they're going to do their thing."

This is wrong on so many levels and upsetting that so many people who read Christianity Today will probably agree with Joe the Butthead. Yes, queer means something different, but "gay" is also defined as "having or showing a merry or lively mood," "bright or showy" and "given to or abounding in social or other pleasures." Gay people are bright and lively and we're also different—differnet in the sense that we're not the same as straight people. We don't "naturally" procreate and, if we're to believe Joe's statement that that's what men and women are for, then sure, we're queer. But Joe, what about all the straight couples who choose to not make babies? Or what about older couples who have gotten remarried after divorcing or losing a spouse? By your statement, shouldn't those people be making babies if they're allowed to marry? At least that's your lord's definition, isn't it? Ok, fine, he never explicitly says that's what God means, but we can infer. It's an asinine argument.

"I've had friends who are homosexual ... they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn't have them anywhere near my children." Really? Who says that ... and believes it? If these homosexuals you claim as friends honestly knew how you felt, they wouldn't be your friends. And in fact, it's amazing they even tolerate you, you close-minded bigot. Why the hell would any "friend" be alright with their "pal" saying that it's ok if we talk at work or at church or grab a beer, but damn you if you think you're going to molest my children with your big, gay agenda?

Oh, and thanks for acknowledging that we're people. Yes, it's true, Joe, we're people and we're capable of having feelings and loving each other and warding off our inner demons to do bad things to kids, as you imply we're going to do. The types of comments this man vomited all over is what's wrong with religious conservatives -- and I don't care what religion. Wake up and accept the fact that not everyone lives or thinks like you, that people are able to think differently than how your god "expects" you to think and that—and here's the important thing (drumroll please...)—GOD DOESN'T GOVERN. Take god out of politics people. There's a separation of Church and State for a reason and Joe the Plumber just showed us, once again, why.

(Image courtesy of Getty)

Comments

[Gary-7]

Good article. I liked reading what this writer had to say and I could not agree more. The points are well made and well stated. Nicely done.

[Nathan]

I understand the average heterosexual's view about queer or difference. I understand the fear that these people portray in their views. What I dont understand is how they could justify that fear as being at odds with their religious views. It tells me how christianity has laboured on the fear and superstition of human history to such an extent that it thrives well under such conditions. It makes for a sad world.