Tulsa World: Oklahoma House members take aim at gay pastor

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Oklahoma House members take aim at gay pastor

In this file photo, Rev. Dr. Scott Jones addresses members of the Metropolitan Library Commission during citizen's comments portion of their meeting at the Village Library back in 2006. JIM BECKEL/NewsOK.com

By MICHAEL MCNUTT NewsOK.com
Published: 2/12/2009 11:12 AM
Last Modified: 2/12/2009 11:55 AM

It wasn’t the prayer as much as an Oklahoma City pastor’s opening words that apparently troubled a fifth of the state House members.

The Rev. Scott Jones thanked his legislator, Rep. Al McAffrey, who asked him to pray to open Wednesday’s House session and acknowledged several in the gallery – "dear friends, my wonderful parents, and my loving partner and fiance, Michael.”

Jones is the pastor of the Cathedral of Hope — Oklahoma City.

When McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City, asked in the session’s closing minutes that Jones’ prayer be made part of the House journal, the chamber’s official record, Rep. John Wright objected and called for a vote.

Kern among critics

With 16 members having already left, the House voted 64-20 to include Jones’ prayer in the House journal.

Among those voting no was Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, who a year ago called homosexuality the biggest threat facing the United States.

"I’m sure that because most of Scott’s congregation are gay people and Scott is gay himself, I’m sure that’s the reason why there were negative votes on it,” McCaffrey said.

Other than Jones introducing his male partner, McCaffrey said he couldn’t’ see how anyone could have a problem with his prayer.

"I don’t know what was controversial over that.”

Contacted later, Wright, R-Broken Arrow, said the practice of including a minister’s prayer in the House journal usually is reserved for Thursdays, the last workday for legislators.

"It has not been the practice

to put every day’s prayer in the House journal,” he said.

He conceded he didn’t concur with comments made by Jones, who except for his opening comments, gave a generic prayer to a "holy and everliving God” and paraphrased the prophet Isaiah.

"I don’t know if it’s important to create an inflammatory issue out of something because that is not my intent,” he said.

Move motivated by ‘the faith’

Wright said his motion was "not meant to be derogatory nor divisive nor in any way trying to cause diminishment of someone’s sense of self-worth.”

"My actions were motivated by the faith, so now if you want to take it and cause the public to be inflamed about it, well, that’s at your feet,” Wright said.

McAffrey, the Legislature’s only openly gay member, said he’s never heard a legislator object to a prayer being made part of the House journal during his three years there.

"I’ve been around here long enough already that you just let things roll off your sleeve sometimes. If they want to show that they are against prayer by a minister, that’s their option.” By MICHAEL MCNUTT NewsOK.com

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	Report Comment irwindale, Tulsa (2/12/2009 11:19:29 AM) Run for your lives he's gay...
	Report Comment Bville, (2/12/2009 11:21:09 AM) Democrats object. Republicans "take aim."
	Report Comment Biker Patriot, Broken Arrow (2/12/2009 11:29:09 AM) The wording of the title of this story shows the liberal, leftist tactics of the Tulsa World. This is nothing but a hit-piece directed toward conservatives and Christians.
	Report Comment Welcome to America !, Claremore (2/12/2009 11:32:49 AM) Some people talk about action, the Republicans are taking action. Too bad they were unsuccessful.
	Report Comment NothinLikeOklahoma, Jenks (2/12/2009 11:36:15 AM) Bville and Biker Patriot, the republicans did "take aim" at a gay pastor. McAffrey said he has never heard of a legislator object to a prayer being made part of the House journal during his three years there. The only reason they objected was because this man was gay. So yes, I would agree they took aim.
	Report Comment SRV, (2/12/2009 11:40:20 AM) Hey Neo-Cons. What about your buddy, Larry Craig? LOL God bless them losing Republicans!
	Report Comment Scritchner, Tulsa (2/12/2009 11:41:13 AM) I don't understand why the Reps would be opposed to putting a prayer in the journal. Why do they hate God? Haha.
	Report Comment PepePeru, (2/12/2009 11:50:04 AM) If only there were a magic piece of granite on the Capitol grounds. You know that one that reads 'Thou shalt not be gay' Oh, wait. What?
	Report Comment Check It out, Tulsa (2/12/2009 11:53:20 AM) Was it a gay prayer? Is there such thing as a gay prayer? When he prayed it were the moral majority crossing their fingers so that our omnipotent God would know that they were not really praying the gay prayer too? Do not all sinners pray and does not our merciful God hear all of our prayers? Do adulterers and liars and tax cheats get to pray in the capital? I read that God does not like them either? I am afraid my brothers and sisters in Christ have stopped following Christ in order to turn back and gather stones for throwing. Be careful lest when you turn back to following His footsteps the trail may have gone cold and you will find yourselves lost along the way with some new self righteous stone throwers breathing down your stiff necks, ready to stop your rock hard hearts.
	Report Comment Non-BUBBA, Tulsa (2/12/2009 11:58:32 AM) so... God doesn't hear prayers from gay people? hmmm...if he doesn't like gay people, why does he make them?
	Report Comment Jason L., Tulsa (2/12/2009 12:00:31 PM) Funny thing is that he probably will break up with Michael in a year or two anyways. Gays fight for the rights like no other but have no idea how to maintain a relationship. Which makes all the saber rattling rather pointless. To be fair hetersexuals suck at relationships in general too.
	Report Comment Non-BUBBA, Tulsa (2/12/2009 12:01:13 PM) In that vein, why does God make Muslims, Hindus, and Atheists? Oh and another question, if he created the earth, why can't he repair it?
	Report Comment Few Clothes, Austin, TX (2/12/2009 12:07:52 PM) Let them get married. They should be as miserable as most married couples these days.
	Report Comment lizzy, Tulsa (2/12/2009 12:21:25 PM) Jason L, I have a number of gay friends in long-lasting, healthy relationships. And a number of straight friends who've been divorced numerous times. You don't know what the hell you're talking about. Biker Patriot, how presumptuous of you to speak for God.
	Report Comment Jason L., Tulsa (2/12/2009 12:27:16 PM) Lizzy, that is why I said "to be fair heteresexuals suck at relationships" too. Nevermind... I wasn't being argumentive. Next time lighten up and maybe you'll find yourself in a decent relationship for once.
	Report Comment zzx375, BA (2/12/2009 12:30:43 PM) "...I have a number of gay friends in long-lasting, healthy relationships. And a number of straight friends who've been divorced numerous times. You don't know what the hell you're talking about." Says zero about sexual preferences and everything about the people involved.
	Report Comment sly99, Blackwell (2/12/2009 12:31:38 PM) I think comments should be suspended on this story. It's turned into one long gay bashing rant having nothing to do with the story other than "look a gay guy and he's not doing gay things" Grow up people. The House should equally be ashamed, wasting their time on such trivial matters.
	Report Comment toyourdismay, Tulsa (2/12/2009 12:32:59 PM) shakes head This is beyond ridiculous...but sadly, this doesn't surprise me one bit coming from the kind of people we keep electing to office.
	Report Comment kelmar, tulsa (2/12/2009 12:36:32 PM) I'm gay & I pray to the same god as hetersexuals.Mabey if they would loosen their Bible Belts they could see & hear him when he answers my prayers.
	Report Comment Libertista, BA (2/12/2009 12:40:51 PM) I don't believe in a government that prohibits a class of people from doing what they want, or scorns them, and makes laws against them. If homosexuality is an abomination to God, then let God sort it out with them. At that point, it's between Him and them. He doesn't need anyone's help. However, Jason L has a very good point. Their relationships are not that stable, as I have observed. Sorry. Of course, heterosexual ones are mostly flops too. Not surprising, as 80 percent of this country has an unstable personality disorder of one type or another. But hey, let them get married if that's what they want. Even so, as much as I completely despise government in all it's forms, if I was gay, I wouldn't care if gov't put their stamp of approval on my marriage, or didn't like it, me or anything I do. What gov't thinks of me is the last thing on my mind. If anyone should be worried about going to hell, it should be parasite politicians who Worship Government, and not God. Politicians that legally steal money from one group of people, to give to another just for votes. Politicians that oppress small businesses to court larger businesses - just for the tax roles. Bottom line, humans are not fit to govern humans and this is another example.
	Report Comment Joe E., Tulsa Metro Area (2/12/2009 12:44:08 PM) sly99, Blackwell (2/12/2009 12:31:38 PM) {I think comments should be suspended on this story. It's turned into one long gay bashing rant having nothing to do with the story...} You ain't seen nothin' yet. Fasten you seat belt, keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times.
	Report Comment kelmar, tulsa (2/12/2009 12:45:37 PM) I'm sorry, did I say hetersexuals? I ment hatersexuals.
	Report Comment Rocketman, Tulsa (2/12/2009 12:46:17 PM) Why didn't they just stone him?
	Report Comment Ignatz, Broken Bow (2/12/2009 12:47:55 PM) God must not like Republicans..they're losing more and more elections.
	Report Comment Ignatz, Broken Bow (2/12/2009 12:48:40 PM) Rocketdude...song of the day..."evrybody must get stoned." B. Dylan

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