US: Anti-gay preacher Scott Lively announces run for Massachusetts governor
Evangelical anti-gay preacher Scott Lively has announced that he will run for Governor of Massachusetts in 2014.
Mr Lively is on trial for Crimes Against Humanity over his alleged support for the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill and recently gave backing for Russia’s anti-gay laws.
“After long contemplation and prayer I am convinced that I should run for Governor of Massachusetts. I will run as an independent,” he said in a statement. “The people of this state need a candidate who can clearly and unapologetically articulate Biblical values without fear or compromise.
“They need a candidate who will tell the simple truth that abortion is murder, and homosexuality is condemned by God (but that Jesus forgives and heals those who repent). That parents and not the state have authority over their children, because government is our servant and not our master. That socialism is slavery and humanism breeds corruption. But mostly they need a leader who will remind the people that Massachusetts was founded upon Jesus Christ and the Bible and that our future security and prosperity depend on restoring our trust in Him.”
Continuing his biblical theme, Mr Lively said: “These are very dark days in Massachusetts and across America, and growing steadily darker. I believe it is time for Christians with a strong Biblical worldview to rise up and preach the whole truth of the Bible as widely and boldly as possible.
“Massachusetts is the bluest of the blue states: the first to adopt socialised medicine and ‘gay marriage,’ the national model for promoting homosexuality to children in the public schools, and the most aggressive defender of child-killing through abortion. The Mass Republican Party is solidly controlled by moderate to liberal “progressives” and the Democrats are virtual communists. They both embrace and champion the culture of death. With these two liberal parties splitting the liberal vote, a true conservative independent could win the governorship.”
Mr Lively then proclaimed he was immune from impropriety. “As a long-time favourite target of extreme ‘gay’ and leftist slander I have skin thicker than a rhinoceros and cannot be intimidated or manipulated by critics or the media. As someone who voluntarily gave up a lucrative and growing law practice in preference for a non-materialistic missionary lifestyle, I cannot be corrupted by money or big-spending lobbyists.”
Before his unsuccessful 2012 run for the US presidency, Republican Mitt Romney served as Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 – 2007. Mr Romney came out firmly against LGBT equality in November 2011, in the midst of the Republican primary contest, when he signed a formal pledge declaring his opposition to same-sex marriage.
Equal marriage was legalised in Massachusetts following a court ruling in 2003. The current Democratic Governor, Deval Patrick, who will not seek re-election in 2014, supports marriage equality.
