Michele Bachmann, appearing on CNN’s Piers Morgan last night, claimed that attacks against people who “stand for traditional marriage” are far worse that attacks against gay people or against people who support same-sex marriage equality. Bachmann, who has called homosexuality, “personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement,” also rushed to Kirk Cameron’s defense, stating, “He’s the one who’s getting trashed right now.”
Rep. Bachmann, who appeared visibly uncomfortable at times, also said, ““The rhetoric is far worse against people who stand for traditional marriage. If anyone gets attacked in this country, it’s people who stand for traditional marriage.”
Via Think Progress:
MORGAN: Yes. But you see, I was also taught to respect and be tolerant towards people who didn’t agree with those beliefs. And I think that America, with this movement on gay marriage and so on, just has to come a time when people who have strong religious beliefs, like you, like Kirk Cameron, actually show people like the gay community tolerance and a bit of slack, and say, I don’t agree with it, but nor am I going to demonize you. That’s all I’m getting at.
BACHMANN: I would like to see the lack of demonization for those of us who stand on sincerely held religious beliefs. It’s overtime. That’s where you see the demonization of people who stand on their beliefs.
What Bachmann and many other religious zealots fail to accept is that homosexuality is not a choice, and is not a mental illness, whereas religion is a choice. You are responsible for the choices you make in life. Signing up for a religion that demonizes gay people for who they are is just wrong. Not all religions, by the way, demonize LGBT people, but if you are part of one that does and use your chosen religion to attack LGBT people, how is that any different than using your chosen religion to attack people of color, or people of other faiths — which the Bible calls you to do?
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Bachmann also, as is typical, tried hard to inject her message, which often had little to do with Morgan’s questions. Via CNN:
When Rick Santorum’s recent college comments are reviewed, the host suggest his guest is dodging his inquiries:
“Michele, you’ve got to occasionally answer some of my questions,” pleads Piers Morgan.
“OK. I am,” promises Bachmann.
“Force yourself,” he presses.
“I am,” she insists.
“You’re not,” he continues.
“I am,” she announces.
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