Former US President Jimmy Carter, branding himself a born-again Christian, has sparked online-controversy with his remark to HuffPost Live, as he said that he believes “Jesus would approve of gay marriage.”
“I think Jesus would encourage any love affair if it was honest and sincere and was not damaging to anyone else and I don’t see that gay marriage damages anyone else,” he told the media.
However, Carter objected to the idea that churches that disagree with gay marriages should perform them. On another matter that the church objects to, he was more implacable, stating that he has “had a problem with abortion.”
READ MORE: Scottish Episcopal Church Votes to Allow Gay Marriage
“I have a hard time believing that Jesus would approve abortions unless it was because of rape or incest or if the mother’s life was in danger. So I’ve had that struggle. I’ve had that struggle, but my oath of office was to obey the Constitution and the laws of this country as interpreted by the Supreme Court, so I went along with that,” he told the media.
Carter’s acceptance of same-sex marriages and his extrapolation that Jesus would approve of it triggered a Twitter storm of outraged comments and ironic gifs.
— frog1981 (@FrogFan1981) 9 июля 2018 г.
Don't you believe if would be In the Bible if he did. Poor Jimmy
— @auburn🏈 fan 4🏀 Life (@Auburn_Mike43) 9 июля 2018 г.
Bible quotes seeking to prove that Carter’s judgment is flawed couldn’t be avoided.
This is wrong for a slew of reasons, so here's just one…
— Reagan Meredith (@rmeredith2053) 9 июля 2018 г.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:9, "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men."
"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." Lev Chapter 18:22
— Cheeky Gent (@ParralaxView) 9 июля 2018 г.
"If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them." Lev Chapter 20:13
What is vague here?
There were those who mocked and reprimanded the 93-year-old former US President.
Looks like somebody needs a Sunday School lesson.
— (((Voight75))) (@Voight75) 9 июля 2018 г.
Don't speak for Jesus, He can speak for Himself, Mr. Carter.
— 🌿Scarlett🌿ⓥ (@MercifulBiped) 9 июля 2018 г.
Others, however, used Carter’s remark to raise the Rainbow banners high and advocated for same-sex marriages…
Most Americans approve of Gay Marriage, & only Religious Zealots & Ignorant Haters disapprove! The LGBT Community has demonstrated their Patriotism, by serving in the Military, something Donald Trump refused to do, & they also perform Public Service related jobs! We Support LGBT! pic.twitter.com/1KDSXjXpIO
— Rev Ron (@RevRonNC) 9 июля 2018 г.
…or expressed their love for Carter.
I ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ you President Carter, and have since you were elected president in 1976. You are a true American, Christian, and a fine human being.
— theyoungersister (@dazedinpa) 9 июля 2018 г.
