Senator Brownback Engages in Fruit-ful Dialogue
Last week, controversy erupted after Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), in an interview with Jeff Sharlet of Rolling Stone, made the following remarks:
"You look at the social impact of the countries that have engaged in homosexual marriage." He shakes his head in sorrow, thinking of Sweden, which Christian conservatives believe has been made by "social engineering" into an outer ring of hell. "You'll know 'em by their fruits," Brownback says. He pauses, and an awkward silence fills the room. He was citing scripture -- Matthew 7: 16 -- but he just called gay Swedes "fruits."
The Human Rights Campaign promptly fired off a letter to Senator Brownback, requesting an explanation and apology. Today the Senator issued the following clarification:
"When quoting Matthew 7: 16, 'Ye shall know them by their fruits,' I was in no way referring to sexual orientation. While this biblical passage was pertinent to our overall conversation about faith and deeds, it apparently led the writer to believe I was making a joke; I was not and would never do so with such a personal and sensitive issue."
In other words: Sometimes a banana is just a banana.
God's Senator [Rolling Stone]
Gospel According to Brownback [Washington Post]