Christian preacher says gays should be executed because the Bible commands it
Matt Powell called homosexuality "disgusting" and said "the Bible puts the death penalty on it"
A Christian preacher has claimed that gays should be executed because the Bible commands it.
Matt Powell, 22, made the comments during an interview with YouTube personality Skylar Fiction, saying he believes gays should be killed in accordance with writings in the Bible.
“As far as homosexuality goes, you know, I believe the Bible puts the death penalty on it,” he said. “I believe it’s disgusting.”
Fiction asked Powell, who is not an ordained minister, to clarify his death penalty comment.
“We’re not a theocracy in this country, so you don’t believe that gay people should be stoned to death, do you?” Fiction said.
“I believe the Bible puts the death penalty on it,” Powell said. “Obviously, not by me or anybody in a regular society… I believe it’s the government’s job to execute criminals. I believe that the Bible says clearly that homosexuality is a criminal crime. It’s a crime. It’s one of the worst crimes ever.”
“Is that what you’re advocating for?” Fiction asked. “That our government should stone gays to death to execute them?”
“By whatever means they execute people,” Powell responded. “And obviously, I believe in humane, you know, putting to death.”
Fiction pointed out the contradiction, saying, “You can’t use the word humane and then say you’re going to kill people because they’re gay.”
Powell also believes that the government should be allowed to kill disrespectful children, because that’s what the Bible says should happen. When Fiction asked why he believes God is good, Powell only could say it was because that’s what the Bible says.
After the interview first aired, Powell took to his own YouTube channel to complain about the way his homophobia had been received.
“I just want to make it clear to everybody that I do not take those statements back,” he said. “I mean what I said in those statements and I don’t care what anybody thinks of me. You guys can all say that I’m a crazy idiot — I just simply believe the Bible.”
Powell added that a video he created in which he discussed homosexuality had been removed by YouTube for infringing guidelines on hate speech.
Watch Powell’s original interview below. The homosexuality discussions start at roughly the 6:13 mark.
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