Huckabee takes heat for gay marriage comments
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/17/art.huckabeecom.ap.jpg caption="Huckabee is campaigning in South Carolina ahead of Saturday's primary there."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Republican Mike Huckabee is taking heat from some members of the gay community over recent comments that appeared to equate gay marriage with bestiality.
In an interview with the religious Web site beliefnet.com, Huckabee pushes back on recent critics who have called some of his positions "radical."
"I think the radical view is to say that we're going to change the definition of marriage so that it can mean two men, two women, a man and three women, a man and a child, a man and animal," he said in the interview, published on the Web site Wednesday. "Again, once we change the definition, the door is open to change it again."
David Smith of the Human Rights Campaign told CNN Huckabee's comments make clear the former Arkansas governor stance is "out of the mainstream of American thought."
"I think he's equating a loving marriage between two people of the same sex with some form of bestiality," he said. " I think that's really out of the mainstream of American thought, and most people will find that offensive."
Huckabee has previously come under fire for past comments on homosexuality. In his 1998 book "Kids Who Kill," the onetime Baptist minister seemed to link homosexuality with sexually deviant and criminal behavior.
"It is now difficult to keep track of the vast array of publicly endorsed and institutionally supported aberrations - from homosexuality and pedophilia to sadomasochism and necrophilia," he wrote.
Responding to that passage, Huckabee said on ‘Meet the Press’ last month he was not linking the three, but rather pointing out all are deviations from the "traditional concept of sexual behavior."
Huckabee's campaign told CNN the candidate is not equating gay marriage with bestiality, but rather he simply saying that he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. The campaign also said gay rights groups are trying to pick a fight.
Related: Huckabee touts conservative views to woo Carolina voters
- CNN’s Brian Todd contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
- These 5 states will be the first to kick residents off Medicaid starting in April
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Inside the long and winding road to Trump's historic indictment
- Listen: After negotiating a peace deal, Jimmy Carter taught this Bible class
- Abortion foes take aim at ballot initiatives in next phase of post-Dobbs political fights
- Untitled
ryk read the Bible, let the Lord lead you to Him, because you my friend are way out in left field without a mitt.
I have read the bible several times. I know it well. Well enough to know it is a load of hooey. I would say the person who believes in the big invisible fairy tail is way farther out in left field than I am. You are entitled to believe in whatever floats your boat and I will defend your right to do so. I however, having thoroughly researched the subject, choose not to.
I didn't realize that you agreed with Mike also... but I still feel my point about changing the definition of marriage is logical... I agree with the point that you made that marriage is not just for the purpose of procreation. But in your statement that children are slightly more likely to become gay themselves if they are brought up by same sex parents just supports my point even more... my point again being that CHANGING the traditional definition of marriage to mean 'any' combination will say to all future generations that it is ok and natural for these alternative choices... and it's NOT natural in the sense that it is not the way NATURE (God) intended... so the human race would reproduce and not eventually die out. If future generations start believing that these other choices are just as natural (as the traditional one man and one woman choice that has sustained our species) and more and more people start choosing these alternative lifestyles it would decrease the human population to the point where the human species is threatened. And if you add some lethal untreatable virus to the scenario then 'poof' we could be gone just like that... it might sound far fetched and this theory could take many many years to come to fruition BUT it could happen!!! What I'm trying to say is that to give the stamp of approval to alternative unions as being equal with the traditional institution of marriage...to promote alternative choices... is a threat to our survival! Establishing the instituion of same sex UNIONS for the purpose of equal treatment under the law would not be as destructive as trying to insist that it is the same as the institution of marriage. Heterosexuals have a right to claim the institution of marriage as their own!! Possesion is 9/10 of the law as they say. With all that being said I, as a Christian am not condoning homosexuality but our free will that God gave us lets us make these choices if we want and I agree that it should not be illegal if it is a personal choice that does not threaten the well being of others.
I believe that his comments were distasteful and hurtful to many gay americans. We in this day and age have over come discrimination against many different races and religions. I feel that not allowing someone to marry based on personal beliefs in discrimination and can not be tolerated. If you agree or disagree who are you to say someone can not marry the one they love. If it is merely based on religion then why is polgamy not allowed. In the bible it takes about Abraham and his two wives. If it talks about two spouses and is no longer accetable then why is same sex marriage so outrageous. Everyone knows someone who is gay. How would you feel if your son daughter mother sister wasn't allowed to marry someone they loved just because it isn't the norm. If we just allowed what majority ruled than America would be a lot different and wouldn't be a free country. I stronger believe that they are human and should have the same right to marriage as anyone else. They work and support this country just like anyone else. They are doctors, lawyers, politicians, and many other workers in our community. I just don't see what their marriage and love affairs have to do with everyone else. My marriage doesn't effect my neighbors or anyone else for that matter. Why would theirs?
Mike Huckabee is a strong leader, he won't be bullied by views contrary to the truth. May He satnd strong and may God bless him for it.