Blogs May 22, 2010 at 10:24 am

Comments

1
no answer.....I will call later. Apparently the cell phone doesn't have a voice mail box. VM must be too "gay".
2
In much the same way as all Americans are judged overseas for the misdeeds of some of our citizens, all Christians are judged by the misdeeds of their fellow Christians.

Christians: if you're tired of being linked by faith with monsters like this, it's time to drive the moneylenders from your temple & defy the Pharisees (again).
3
I love the uptick in JMG links these days. Very cool.
4
Shouldn't we be contacting the FBI? Shouldn't they investigate this guy for inciting violence?
5
Still no fucking answer; what is it with the right wing being technologically retarded?!?!?
6
@5 He's probably out having his luggage lifted. Seriously, it wouldn't surprise me if it were true.
7
Cato, you can't figure out why when you call they don't answer or let you leave a message, and that makes THEM "technologically retarded"?

Awesome.
8
I just called and got someone who said the tape must be edited in some way.

He was very civil...I directed him to the Slog, which he said was full of "guilt words." I told him I was much more worried about threats of violence against me and my family than I was about guilt words.

In any case, be nice but firm.
9
something tells me this guy probably has a rent boy on the side or is a truck stop cock sucker.
10
@7 Gloomy Gus, are you on the rag again?
11
the video's down, ya'll. i can't find a replacement either.
12
The link has been taken down, is there a new link?
13
Here is the message "no mail box for this number..the voice mail box for this cell phone number has not been set up" So yes Gloomy Gus, the guy IS technologically retarded. Please make a note of it
14
I wonder how long Dan would be a free man if he called on all the gays to go out and start murdering Christians.
15
@13, I'd post a snappier reply but I'm having a hot flash. I give you huge points for calling the number, don't get me wrong.
16
@9 FTW!!!!
17
Wow, that does sound like a pretty exciting church!
18
If he was as passionate about heterosexual sex as he is with his sermon, then he wouldn't have all this pent-up energy to manage belting out such a sermon.
19
@9, I'm going with truckstop cocksucker.
20
That is one serious case of the gayface.
21
This freak is obviously typical of ALL Christians.
22
@2 and @14 have it.
23
we're scaring them because they know we're winning. sadly, that means they're getting more violent...
24
With the big-haired, Tammy Faye-like wife he's got, who could blame him for hiring a rent-boy? "Don't forget to kill-a-fag-a-day, while he licks my hole, you loving christians, you."
25
Grr...Cato the Younger Younger's right. They're hard to get in touch with by phone. Writing a letter now. Not sure whether to send it by fax or snail mail. Advantage of snail mail is I could put a CD copy of the audio, just in case they keep on trying to remove all evidence of ever having preached this sermon.
26
@23, But they keep reproducing and training newbies for their perverted cause. Have you checked out that church's website? Very scary...
27
You just gotta ask yourself- How many fags would Jesus burn and shoot with a shotgun?
This one needs to be taken out, or at least kidnapped and given what he needs for a few hours.
28
I was able to speak to someone at the "church". This person said that he'd known Owens for 20 years and he'd never heard of him preaching the sermon that I listened to on the link provided.

As a gay Christian I am OUTRAGED at what was said!!! I cannot believe anyone would say these things. You know, the book of Numbers (3:10) indicates that people who aren't not authorized to preach the gospel shall be put to death. And since this verse, along with that hateful Leviticus verse, comes from the Torah (and since I'm guessing that Jeff Owen--won't call him a pastor--didn't attend Hebrew school), he isn't authorized to preach the gospel. So, if we go by his own words, then HE is also an abomination and should be put to death.

Now, just so there is no confusion, Christians believe (as do I) that Christ's death ended the Mosaic laws--the ones banning homosexuality, eating shellfish, wearing clothes of mixed fiber, etc. So, I'm not suggesting that anyone go out and shoot Jeff Owens. However, he needs to watch what he's trying to persuade other to do to gays. That Old Testament can cut both ways.
29
If you follow joe.my.god's links, one is to his speaking schedule. He will be in Marysville this January. Someone in Seattle needs to organize the welcome wagon....

http://www.owenspublications.com/calenda…
30
and still no answer.........
31
"serves as a suburb of Washington D.C."

Ummm... horseshit. Martinsburg, West Virginia is a suburb of Washington, DC, kind of like Ellensburg is a suburb of Seattle. Sure, there are some people who will drive 2 hours in off peak or 3 hours in rush to get there, but that doesn't make them in its suburbs.
32
27
shotguns are so inefficient-
fire and brimstone are the only way to go....
33
@ 19 - Truckstop Cocksucker would make a pretty great band name.

@ 31 - Agreed. It's true that Martinsburg is on the panhandle, and isn't in the deep, dark heart of West Virginia, but it's definitely not part of the DC Metro area.
34
Forgive me for mischaracterizing Martinsburg. I was going off Owens' description of the place on his church's website.
35
@26

The reason why LGBT are more accepted is _because_ of the young people. Poll after poll proves that the majority of people who oppose granting civil rights to LGBT are 65+. Yes, some kids learn to hate, but far more kids out there are learning to accept, if not embrace. They've been doing that for a long time, and those kids are voting.
36
I think his wife is physically restraining him in that photo. She knows that if she lets go for one second, he'll be off and running for the nearest truckstop bathroom.
37
@ 34 - Oh, I see. It's odd, though. Why would Owens go out of his way to associate his town with that godless mecca of beltway insiders and married sodomites?
38
hey all--

if you can't get a hold of dear Pastor Owens via phone, go on the website. On the "Contact Cs" link, there is an email form ready and waiting.

39
hum. happy harvey milk day indeed.
40
Downloaded and saved to come back and haunt this asshole one day.

I wish I had thought to download those idiots in Texas.
I won't make that mistake again.
41
Good grief. This guy needs a helping dose of Lithium, on a consistent basis.
42
Dan, this is absolutely the way you should be handling these things. Show us how hateful and ridiculous they are, and along with it, give us their contact info, so we can call or email while we're still pissed off. Thank you. And as @8 says, be firm but nice.
43
Sunday

9:45 AM - Sunday School
10:45 AM - Morning Service

5:45 PM - King's Kids
6:00 PM - Young Fundamentalists
7:00 PM - Evening Service

You seem to be right, Cato. but i would like to point out that opposite marriage is legal in DC. Just so we can keep this radical asshole in perspective.
44
Hah, non-opposite marriage I mean. The government now legally recognizes that which he hates, and his type are losing ground every day. Many of the young he indoctrinates will go off to college or into the world and realize how very wrong they have been. I just hope no one dies because of his vile words.
45
Can you get a more obvious closet case? All this "REAL men aren't gay" bullshit.

And being married to the world's most obviously mannish beard certainly doesn't help the guy. Her jawline makes Kurt Russel look like Miss fucking America.
46
The mountains of Appalachia will eventually become our own domestic Afghanistan, a technologically and intellectually backward haven for radical religious terrorist cells hiding out in caves and protected by sympathizers.
47
I think this "Pastor" should be turned into "El Pastor" rotating ever-so-slowly over the fires of a great gay/pagan/lesbian/drumcircle bonfire.

(El Pastor: spit-roasted pork)
48
Just wondering does this guy even know/ studied his Bible? - he states he wants to speak truth well here is truth for him God Loves Us All regardless of Sexuality WE ALL are Created Equal in God's Eyes and "Thou Shall Not Commit Murder" is one of God's 10 Commandments. It also states "Judge not others lest you be judged". I'm not going to judge him or his motives but I will defend the Baptist Religion and I believe that these sermons has badly misrepresented the Baptist Religion as a whole being raised Baptist and attending other religions services None has Ever taught me it was O.k. to commit crimes against a neighbor for having a difference of opinion or lifestyle, I was always taught "Love thy neighbor " and walk among those who need guidance so that they may learn of God through example. Just wondering what example will the congregation follow? What they hear being said by their leader or what they see for themselves ? I just pray they all make the right decision cause Murder is a Crime .
49
OMG. I'm writing to this terrorist, his local newspaper and spreading the word to my friends.
50
@34 and 37 -- there is a commuter rail line between DC and Martinsburg, so at least some people who live in Martinsburg are treating it as a suburb of DC. Real estate in DC and its actual suburbs is still expensive, and people who work in DC have been moving further and further out.
51
I just want to say for the record that this asshole doesn't speak for the whole of the fine state of West Virginia. There was an attempt at a DOMA-esque law in 2010, but it never even made it out of committee in Charleston.

I just think that West Virginians, having mostly been the butt of jokes, have developed a great "live and let live" mentality.
52
I'm ashamed of him and for him. I'm sorry that such evil could be expressed by one who believes that he represents Jesus to the world. And, that his audience were so thrilled by his hatred, violence, bigotry and homophobia and applauded it.

I got through to the churches voice mail and left a message. I sent an email. I've posted a link of his speech to all my Christian friends.

Nothing left to say, but that this depresses me deeply.
53
Don't forget caller I.D. folks!
54
Vince,

What about caller I.D.? I think I'm missing something.

I had to leave my information to send the email. I'm not afraid to engage these people. Because, if I hold my tongue then I've consented to condone it. And, I just can't do that.
55
Jeff Owens has written to me after I sent him a quick email expressing my disdain for his rhetoric.

"Dear Friend,

Please accept my apology for that sermon. It was preached nearly 15 years ago and I have great regret for it. I do not feel that way and teach to the contrary. I was young, dumb and influenced negatively. I look back at it with disgust my self.

Jeff Owens"
56
I learned something about myself today. I learned that I now truly assume these people are sexually fucked up. As I clicked to go under the fold, I wondered casually "hmm, wonder what geder, age group, state of consent and/or kink" fully expecting to see another Rekers/Haggard et. al. I at least wasn't being snarky, I honestly thought it was going to be another outing.

A few more and people at large will automatically start hiding their children from homophobes by pure instinct.
57
I just emailed him to express how ashamed I am as a Christian and American to be associated with his sort of Christian. This is what I got in reply:

"Nearly 15 years ago I preached a sermon that promoted physically hurting gay people. I was young, stupid and immature. I didn’t even hold to the belief of hurting people when I wrongly made those comments. I regret those words and have asked God to forgive me for them. I am not a believer in the gay life-style but I was profoundly wrong in making any comments about hurting people. If I could retract those words I certainly would.



I wrongly represented both God and myself. I truly believe that God is a God of LOVE. I believe he loves the whole world even when people in the world do things that are wrong; Such as my wrong representation of how to treat someone who does not believe the same way I do.



I no longer preach like that and I purposely teach and train others to preach and behave properly as well. The hurtful words in that sermon tape were erased many years ago and somehow have resurfaced much to my disappointment and embarrassment.



I realize I have disappointed many who have heard those words in that sermon. May I include my disappointment in myself. Once again, I offer my humble apology.



With a sincere heart,

Jeff Owens"
58
I heard back from Owens at Owens Publication. He apologized for that sermon and said it was from 1995. He said that he no longer believes or teaches that way now.
59
While Martinsburg may not be the place of choice for those who work in DC, it certainly is home to a number of them, as evidenced by the fact that its traffic makes the local morning news and there are commuter train and bus routes from there to downtown.

That said, this guy is clearly nuts, as are many of the far-out suburbanites. It's only 2 hours away, maybe me and my friends can arrange a welcome wagon for him next Sunday.
60
Wow, this story gets more and more interesting...and incredibly sad. I know there are nice Christians out there, but they sure are hard to find (maybe because they don't speak up against the fundies, as Dan is always pointing out). Christianity seems like the most evil, cruel and vile religion there is.
61
@60: I regret that you and Dan feel failed, Mitten. Your anger and disappointment is legitimate in my opinion. I wish that I had more power and influence, that I didn't fail you all. If I could change things I would, in a heartbeat.

Take care.
62
@55, 57

Sounds like, since then, he's managed to keep his homo self-loathing under better raps. No doubt he's had his share of rentboys over the years. Maybe like the Haggard wife, his Tammy-Fay-wifey is into it too. He's clearly gay though.
63
@60 - Some Christians try to follow Christ's teachings and examples, and believe the Bible is the collected writings of a bunch of early mystics, as edited and engrossed by others, not literally interpretable, and while interesting, not necessarily prescriptive. These tend to be really nice people, as are any people who follow the Golden Rule, regardless of labels.

Others use Christ as a totem, a molten idol, a brand name for their selective, batshit-crazy, bigoted, exclusionary, hate-filled fundamentalism, and the Bible as yet another idol, to be literally worshiped. It's really sad. They have no idea how wrong they are, nor how much they have poisoned what should have been one of the great religions of peace.

As Ghandi said of these people, "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
64
@47 - spit roast, heh heh... http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.ph…
65
Is it just me, or is the capitalization very un-Dan?
66
@ 50, 59 - Dude, I know, but commuter rail still takes forever. I'm originally from Moco, and my parents still live there--I know how crazy expensive it is. I've been to Martinsburg more than once; driven past this church on I-81. It's not that far out from Hagarstown. But saying it's a suburb of DC is an exaggeration. I guess you could say it's part of the greater capital region, but hell, that would extend all the way down to Richmond. Yes, I'm splitting hairs. I'm not disparaging those who can't afford to live on Wisconsin Avenue.

I'd love to see high speed rail, for instance, that actually brings the rest of Maryland and part of West Virginia within the DC Metro area. And seriously, props to people who are willing to make the long commute; commuting kills me.
67
Could kim in portland be any more patronising?
68
This made me so sick to my stomach to listen to what Jeff Owens had to say. The pure hate and intolerance disgusts me. Can people really be this brainwashed? My first reaction, b/c I'm human, was hate but my second reaction was that I truly feel sry for these wackos. God forgive them...they need it.
69
Could kim in portland be any more patronizing? Why, yes she could, but being offensively condescending wasn't her intent, BoomerinOZ. It's not her style to adress another's sorrow with patronization government, but with compassion.

Still, thanks for the feedback and the smile. I hope your handle means your one the many Aussies that brighten SLOG on occasion.
70
@27: Mental picture of Jesus sighting down a 12-gauge at the firing range...

@67, 69: http://emailsfromcrazypeople.com/2009/12…

But yes, this guy seems like all the non-angry parts of his brain have been lobotomized. And the response letter suggests that now someone got the angry part too.
71
Rewind:

Don't know why the word government is in my post. It doesn't make any sense, too bad I can't edit it out.

Thanks, venomlash for the link.
72
I haven't read through all the comments, but I'll add my voice to what (I hope) someone already said.
Muslims are no more responsible for AQ than I (an ally Christian) am for this asshole. It's definitely about having conversations within one's social circles, reaching out and condemning when one can make an impact. He'll no sooner listen to me than you.

I don't disagree with you Dan, this guy needs to get verbally skull-fucked, and that dressing-down should come from all views. That said, I do think "moderate Christians" will be able to engage him on a level of understanding of the scripture that atheists may or may not have.

What I'm trying to say, is I'm fine with this type of post from you, Dan. You're not attacking all of Christianity, you're saying THIS asshat is a bigot. I am all for calling out this despicable bigot for what he is and the views he represents. Well done.
73
"I know there are nice Christians out there, but they sure are hard to find (maybe because they don't speak up against the fundies, as Dan is always pointing out). Christianity seems like the most evil, cruel and vile religion there is."

The best people I know in terms of charity, service to others, humility and good fellowship are christians. Seriously.

I am an agnostic/atheist (if pressed, I would likely go atheist).

Anecdotal, I know, but there you go.
74
Seems to me that there is only one judge and that is God. What the preacher did was wrong but what you are doing back to him by getting everyone re-riled up again is just as hateful and wrong. God is in control and will judge each according to his deeds. You have to give the guy credit for stepping up to the plate and apologizing for his hateful behavior. You were mad at him for being hateful but it's okay for you to be just as hateful about something that happened 15 years ago? Let it go. It's not worth getting all tensed up over something that's not your place to deal out punishment. Leave it in God's hands. God loves each and every one of us regardless of what or who we are. He loves us regardless of our sins. No one sin is lesser or greater in God's eyes - it's all sin but He loves us anyway. Go ahead and take your jabs at me but remember I'm just the messenger.
75
Gym made me gay.

Too much heterosexual sex made me gay.

Drinking made me gay.

Reading Slog made me gay.

Voting Centre-Left made me gay.
76
I sent this jerk a message and let him know his excuse was lame, that he's undermined the authority of Chrisitans all over and that if he really wanted to retract his words (as he said he does) he could do so publicly on Oprah and Good Morning America. Christians (like Republicans) somehow don't need external enemies--they are able to manufacture their own quite nicely.
77
I gave the church a call, and was directed to his website where he apologizes and asks forgiveness from God for those words. Doesn't repentance require doing something to make amends? There are plenty of places where he could be donating or doing volunteer work to help those who've been victimized by violent homophobia, and that's what I want to see happen.
78
@34 Dan, I live and work in DC and have had many co-workers who do indeed travel by Amtrak or the MD regional commuter trains to work in DC daily. It is a long distance away from DC and I wouldn't really think of it as a suburb but if suburb is defined as a bedroom community of people who travel to urban work centers, then I does somewhat qualify.
79
Dan, can I make the probably snarky suggestion that you should capitalize words that are meant to be capitalized. In the name of journalism, or whatever feels compelling, it's a nice gesture for people who get paid to write to just make that effort. It makes you look less serious, less intelligent, and less compelling when you don't bother to follow basic grammatical conventions.

You write very, very well...hate to see it watered down by a sticky 'shift' button, or whatever.
80
I hate to be down on it, but when you are trying to convince someone that they're wrong it really does matter: try not to write in a way that makes you read like an illiterate child. Seriously. Consider this paragraph:

i would like to interview you for my blog, perhaps for my column, about that old sermon. i realize that you'll most likely regard my post and the updates, if you read them all the way through, as snarky and highly disrespectful. sorry about that. but so long as you're out there condemning my "lifestyle" — and you do continue to condemn my "lifestyle," whatever that means, even if you are no longer calling on your followers to actually murder me — i feel justified in subjecting you to a little sarcasm

How can you possibly expect that to be taken seriously? I'm sure the pastor is quaking in his boots.
81
This guy mates with his sister but hates gays?
82
He sounds seriously remorseful. I'm impressed.
83
this is a man of God. whether he said something you agree with or not. he apologized for the comments and is still a man of God. before you go bashing him i would think of the consequences of degrading someone in his position. God will judge such acts. making an anti-gay statement does not mean he is screwing his sister or has a rent boy. and whether or not martinsburg is a suburb of dc is beside the point. and for whoever posted about "judge not lest ye be judged" took it out of context. the passage is saying judge yourself before you judge someone else.unless you have no sin inyour life do not judge. a man of God is Gods messenger. God has no sin. people who mock the man of God will be judged.
84
I will be honest. I used to go to the Shenandoah Bible Baptist Church. Pastor Owens does not preach this way anymore. A little background on the man and you will find that much of the early ferver that gets him in trouble here comes from the place he went to Bible College. Fortunately he has changed quite a bit from that mold to become a truely loving Pastor. I do not attend Shenandoah Bible Baptist Church anymore, but I could not speak a word against him. I do not agree with the strict nature of the church anymore as I believe that sometimes we make Christianity too difficult with unecessary rules. That being said, the event in that video is something I am sure Pastor Owens would like to forget. Forgiveness is what Christianity is about, he states that he asked the Lord to forgive him and with that I believe he is truely remorseful of those statements. I believe that this man would extend the same genuine love and hospitality to homosexuals as he would hetrosexuals despite the belief that he disagrees with the lifestyle.
85
Mykids used to attend that church regularly for 2 or 3 years and begged us to go so one day we did and my husband was TOTALY convinced it was a CULT of some kind during the sermon 2 older couples kept talking to us asking us to join the church and saying if we ever needed anything to tell them and kept saying how great dr. owens is and how he is almost perfect it was a lil scary and the pastor was talking about if girls where a 2peice bathing suit of shorts they are doomed to hell and just all kinds of cult like stuff so needless to say we took our kids out of there quick and then for months they would drive the bus to our house to ask why they have not been back we stopped answering the door my kids have found a VERY ACCEPTING church to go to who does not discriminate to anyone and you can wear what you want {well maybe not booty shorts and a bikini top..lol} i am so glad that God talked us in to going there to see that our kids were in danger of being brainwashed and growing up hating people because they are different then themselves. you just reassured me our decision was a good one thanks so much for ur info on him God Bless you ALLLLLL
86
Mykids used to attend that church regularly for 2 or 3 years and begged us to go so one day we did and my husband was TOTALY convinced it was a CULT of some kind during the sermon 2 older couples kept talking to us asking us to join the church and saying if we ever needed anything to tell them and kept saying how great dr. owens is and how he is almost perfect it was a lil scary and the pastor was talking about if girls where a 2peice bathing suit of shorts they are doomed to hell and just all kinds of cult like stuff so needless to say we took our kids out of there quick and then for months they would drive the bus to our house to ask why they have not been back we stopped answering the door my kids have found a VERY ACCEPTING church to go to who does not discriminate to anyone and you can wear what you want {well maybe not booty shorts and a bikini top..lol} i am so glad that God talked us in to going there to see that our kids were in danger of being brainwashed and growing up hating people because they are different then themselves. you just reassured me our decision was a good one thanks so much for ur info on him God Bless you ALLLLLL
87
If you people out there believe that dr.owens is anything other than a great awsome precher you are mistaken.He dosent hate FAGS he loves the sinner but hates the sin itself.And yes you sike misinformed people being queer is a sin.This liberel sickened country we live in tries to push this sickness of being gay is o.k.it just is not.I support Dr. owens 100% on everything he preaches!!! Same go for FAG marriage,what a joke. Amarrige is a triangle between God,a man and a women. nothing else....GOD BLESS AMERICA! and GOD will bless The Owens familly.
88
I love Dr. Jeff Owens - he's the best preacher, pastor, teacher, friend. He really does love people - and I can't figure out why. I really feel sorry for all the folks that write mean things about him. You will all probably burn in hell forever and ever and ever and ever. There's no getting out. The devil hates your guts. Sad for you - but it's what you deserve for mocking God. God is not mocked - he says he will break your teeth and laugh at your calamity and mock you when your fear cometh. You poor sick fools. You have no idea what you are in for. Sad, sad, sad for you. Perhaps Jesus will come today - and you will be left behind.
89
I used to attend this Church and went to their christian school. It left lasting scars. Thank God his love found me. I left this church and for awhile lost my faith due to this teaching. I left God but he came looking for me. I have regained my faith and learned that not everyone teaches the bible they way they do. http://www.gaychristian101.com.
90
I used to attend this Church and went to their christian school. It left lasting scars. Thank God his love found me. I left this church and for awhile lost my faith due to this teaching. I left God but he came looking for me. I have regained my faith and learned that not everyone teaches the bible they way they do. http://www.gaychristian101.com.
91
That sermon wasn't even preached in church, it was preached in a college chapel. This goes to show how hypocritical the gay movement in America is. How they claim that they are all about equality and love but they won't even forgive a pastor with a sincere apology. Just be glad your getting your freedom in America, just be glad your not in the Middle East where they'll cut your head off or hang you in the street for homosexuality
92
do you guys have nothing better to do than to sit around and judge somone like your a bunch of 8 year olds. Seriously He's more of a man than any of yall will ever be.
93
Is this the same Jeff Owens who is now pastor of Twin Rivers Baptist Church?

Twin Rivers Baptist Church
Dr. Jeff Owens, Pastor
2601 Trent Road
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 633-4220

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