Tulsa World: Newspaper appears to have Henry endorsing Kern proclamation

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Newspaper appears to have Henry endorsing Kern proclamation
Kern says she alerted the Baptist Messenger to the error.

This is a copy of state Rep. Sally Kern's proclamation for morality, which declares the need for a spiritual renewal in the nation to address societal problems. Jim Beckel / The Oklahoman

By CARLA HINTON NewsOK.com
Published: 7/21/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 7/21/2009 4:10 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — State Rep. Sally Kern said Monday that she was the first to alert a Baptist newspaper that it had made an error in printing a copy of her "Proclamation for Morality" with a fake endorsement from the governor.

The Baptist Messenger, the official newspaper of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, published Kern's proclamation in its July 16 edition, making the document appear to be on state of Oklahoma "executive department" letterhead, complete with the state seal and signatures of Gov. Brad Henry and Secretary of State Susan Savage.

Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said she saw the Baptist Messenger when her husband, the Rev. Steve Kern, a Baptist minister, brought a copy home last week.

She said they notified the newspaper's leaders about the error and learned that someone had made the mistake unintentionally.

"Looked like he tried to doctor it up to make it look nice," Kern said. "They tried to make it appear like the governor had signed it."

Kern's proclamation says the country's decline is a result of a decline in moral values and includes a petition for the signatures of people who agree with its premise.

Neither Henry nor Savage signed the document, which Kern presented July 2 at the state Capitol.

The proclamation is not proposed legislation.

On Monday, Scott Phillips, a spokesman for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, said the Baptist Messenger's leaders called the offices of Henry and Savage last week and apologized for the error.

He said a retraction will be printed in this Thursday's edition of the weekly newspaper and another retraction will appear in the July 30 edition. Phillips said the Baptist Messenger's circulation is 68,000.

Paul Sund, the governor's spokesman, said: "They apologized profusely. We understand that people are human and they make mistakes."

Sund said Monday in a written statement: "The Baptist Messenger editor indicated that a graphic artist has merged the images of an old state proclamation and the Rep. Kern petition without realizing the old, official state document contained the signatures of the governor and secretary of state. Neither official signed the Rep. Kern petition."

Kern's proclamation caused a stir when she presented it at the Capitol, with groups of people chanting and singing both in support for and opposition of the document.

The proclamation notes that President Barack Obama scaled back the National Day of Prayer events but signed a proclamation declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

It states that the signers are deeply disturbed by the president's disregard for "the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior."

The proclamation calls for God to grant a "national awakening of righteousness and Christian renewal as we repent of our great sin."

Kern, who made headlines in 2008 when she said homosexuality is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism, said the proclamation merely makes a statement and does not place blame on the Obama administration or a particular group of people.

"According to the Bible, homosexuality is just like adultery, murder or any number of sins," Kern said. "It is an immoral behavior and so he gave credence to that but wouldn't acknowledge our national day of prayer by honoring it with his presence."

The Tulsa World contributed to this story.

chinton@opubco.com

By CARLA HINTON NewsOK.com

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	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (7/21/2009 5:05:20 AM) I'll have to agree Politico.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (7/21/2009 5:05:28 AM) Politico LOL ... I thought it was a "miracle" when the Baptists actually admitted to making a mistake.
	Report Comment gba, (7/21/2009 5:08:49 AM) welcome to okiehoma
	Report Comment Honest Lady, Tulsa (7/21/2009 5:55:18 AM) As a devout Christian, I am saddened my Sally Kern's mistaken idea of morality. In fact, she is doing the work of the "father of lies" and master of "deceit." The power of evil is that it can appear to be "good." For example, at one time, people believed that it was unnatural (against God's Law)for Black people to marry white people. To the ignorant, this appears to be an idea of moral purity, but in reality it is nothing more than the work of Satan. We must be ever watchingful when people try to make evil look morally right.
	Report Comment Honest Lady, Tulsa (7/21/2009 5:56:34 AM) As a devout Christian, I am saddened my Sally Kern's mistaken idea of morality. In fact, she is doing the work of the "father of lies" and master of "deceit." The power of evil is that it can appear to be "good." For example, at one time, people believed that it was unnatural (against God's Law)for Black people to marry white people. To the ignorant, this appears to be an idea of moral purity, but in reality it is nothing more than the work of Satan. We must be ever watchful when people try to make evil look morally right.
	Report Comment grizz, tulsa (7/21/2009 7:19:34 AM) Well, isn't that special.
	Report Comment justiceawaits, Claremore (7/21/2009 7:38:46 AM) A Proclamation of morality with Forged signitures, Classic.
	Report Comment Eagle 4, Tulsa (7/21/2009 7:45:47 AM) So, at least Sally Kern can read? "A tiny bit of intelligence will cover a mountain of ignorance." - Confusions
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (7/21/2009 7:59:08 AM) Doctoring this photo is as bad as the photographer who doctored his photo showing an American soldier pointing his rifle at five year old boy in Iraq in the early part of the war. It never happen, neither is good journalism, they should be ashamed of themselves.
	Report Comment AnaBannanna's, east of T town (7/21/2009 8:00:58 AM) Liars Liars pants on fire... If I didn't live in Oklahoma this stuff would be Funny.
	Report Comment desert fox, (7/21/2009 8:01:48 AM) Just spreading the word of Christ, only false and partisan! Wow, The Baptist Messenger of Okieland.
	Report Comment Skeptic, Tulsa (7/21/2009 8:55:54 AM) It's always easier to get forgiveness than permission. I wonder how many will ever see the retraction statement and go on believing that the governor really signed this rubbish?
	Report Comment okpaul, Tulsa County (7/21/2009 9:47:29 AM) I don't believe that Sally was the first to alert them. I am sure they got caught with the fake signatures, then started their "it was a mistake" rhetoric. Sad, Sad, Sad
	Report Comment GoGreen, Mid-Town Tulsa (7/21/2009 10:03:29 AM) Gov. Henry is smart enough to know he shouldn't support Sally Kern. She is a complete joke!
	Report Comment Ayo, T-Town (7/21/2009 11:13:49 AM) Do you think the editors at the Baptist Messenger support the ten commandment statute at the state capitol?
	Report Comment Eric, Tulsa (7/21/2009 11:51:36 AM) ... ""According to the Bible, homosexuality is just like adultery," ... Oh, please! People should not treat Scripture à la carte. You can't pick-and-choose which portions to suit your ideology. ... Does Kern refrain from eating pork? Does she worship on the original Sabbath (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday)? Et cetera. Doubt she does. But she (and a lot of other folk) sure like to dip into Torah to amplify their ideology. ... As a citizen, I defend her right to say and think what she wants. As an elected official, she is way off the sane and rational chart. ... .. .
	Report Comment Alix Smart, (7/21/2009 3:57:29 PM) oh well as long as they said "sorry"
	Report Comment Alix Smart, (7/21/2009 3:58:34 PM) it's not a crime if you are truly sorry,,can't get a judge to understand that???
	Report Comment insider9909, Cushing (7/21/2009 5:23:37 PM) SOP for the religious right. Promote violence, hatred, racism, and bigotry. Make millions and don't pay any taxes. All for the rich and none for the poor. The Southern Baptist Convention was founded on racist beliefs, now they have moved on to richer targets. I wonder what God thinks about this?

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