Right-wing Christian groups use Foley to condemn homosexuality

RAW STORY
Published: Wednesday October 4, 2006

Some right-wing Christian groups have started directly blaming homosexuality for advances made toward minors by then-Congressman Mark Foley, particularly following claims yesterday by the former lawmaker's attorneys that he had been molested by clergy, RAW STORY has learned.

National Clergy Council President, Rev. Rob Schenck issued a statement on Monday, focusing on swift intervention on behalf of the young people affected. "There is no justification whatsoever," Schenck told the media, "that would excuse a person in power preying on vulnerable young people."

Concerned Women for America on the same day issued a release that appeared to refer to homosexuality indirectly while implying that calls for toleration are part of an attempt to lower the age of consent for sexual activity with minors. "Not all 'diversity' should be accepted," an unnamed CWA spokesperson said, "and not all conduct or beliefs should be 'tolerated'... Americans know that some lifestyles, such as aberrant sexual behavior, are just too damaging and dangerous to individuals, and that society and children especially should be protected from them."

Today, the rhetoric intensified, with two groups blaming homosexuality for the scandal. Jason Jones, public relations director for Human Life International, issued a statement using the Foley matter to condemn not just homosexuality, but abortion and contraception, as well.

"Homosexuality," Jones writes, "is every bit a part of the culture of death as is abortion and contraception... Foley's actions were that of [a] homosexual predator, not a pedophile. Homosexuals reproduce sexually by molesting children."

"Ex-gay" guru Stephen Bennett issued a statement that took another tactic, using the revelation as support for his belief that homosexuality is caused by sexual abuse. "He or she tries to relive those sexual experiences, even as traumatic as they may have been, because of the pleasure," writes Bennett, who claims he himself was molested.

"We have to stop worrying about being 'politically correct' in the media regarding homosexuality," Bennett argues, "and finally deal with the truths and facts that homosexual molestation (and heterosexual) of children can and does produce future homosexual men and women."

Bennett's release concludes with a call for Foley and others like him to join in his "ex-gay" program.