Video: Preacher in Missouri gives speech on LGBT rights with a surprise ending
A video of a speech by a preacher in Springfield Missouri has gone viral because it contains a twist, where he uses the example of speeches by pro-segregation preachers from the 1960s, replacing the word ‘integration’ with the word ‘gay rights’.
The video was taken during a Springfield City Council public hearing over the city’s nondiscrimination law which was being extended to include sexual orientation and gender identity protections.
In the video, Phil Snider, starts by saying that the bible says being gay is a sin, and that gay rights were bad for society:
“I worry about the future of our city. Any accurate reading of the bible should make it clear that gay rights goes against the plain truth of the word of god.
“This step of gay rights is but another stepping stone toward the immorality and lawlessness that will be characteristic of the last days.”
Towards the end of the video, the pastor then seems to struggle with the words written down in front of him. He says:
“You see, the right of segregation is clearly established by the holy scriptures both by precept and example.”
He goes on to explain that he had been directly quoting white preachers in the 1950s and 60s, in support of racial segregation, and that he was using them as an example of why people should support equal rights for all:
“All I have done is take out the words racial integration and subsituted it with the phrase ‘gay rights'”
“The arguments I have been hearing around Springfield recently sounded so similar to these that I got them confused. I hope you will not make the same mistake.”
“I hope you will stand on the right side of history.”
Stephen Fry retweeted the link from another user, saying: “RT @RobCoy1 ‘This man is quite frankly amazing. Watch until the end for the twist….’ Brilliant! A must watch!”
