Church cancels Leroy Butler speech over Jason Collins tweet

[RockaFowler]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/01/church-cancels-leroy-butler-speech-over-jason-collins-tweet/

Former Packers safety Leroy Butler was supposed to give a speech at a Wisconsin church this week. But that speech was canceled when Butler had the temerity to say something nice about NBA player Jason Collins on Twitter.

When Collins came out as gay on Tuesday, Butler tweeted, “Congrats to Jason Collins.” Those four words were enough to make the church decide that Butler lacks the morals to speak to its congregation.

Butler recounted on his verified Twitter account (@leap36 because he wore No. 36 and invented the Lambeau Leap) that he was informed he’s no longer welcome at the church because he dared to congratulate Collins.


How very Christian of them . . .

[Warpy]

1. The Christian far right is exposing itself

as nasty, ignorant, bigoted, hate fueled, bullying, and acting completely against the teachings of the NT.

It's only a matter of time before their numbers become depleted enough that we can march them firmly back to the lunatic fringe, suggesting they get treatment for their obvious mental health issues.

[Buzz Clik]

2. It's pretty clear Butler caught the gay. The church needs to protect itself...

... from the gay.

Poor people.

[G_j]

3. why would he want to speak in front

a bunch of intolerant bigots to begin with?

[d_r]

4. They were going to pay him $8500

[G_j]

5. LoL

in that case, I'll be glad to fill in, as long as i get payed up front, before they chase me out.

[Myrina]

8. He's on the God Squad now ...

... must have caught it from Reggie White. Or maybe he's trying to make up for his first couple seasons with the Packers, chasing tail at Lothario's and Top Shelf at every available moment.

[Bluenorthwest]

6. How odd that he was contracted for 8,5000 dollars to preach a sermon in a church...

my guess is that most assume those in the pulpit are not there to profit The entire set up seems like a con job, a scam.

[joeybee12]

7. There are Christians and there are Christian Fascists...

I know which group this phucked up Church belongs in.

[Bluenorthwest]

9. They call it religion but this is about a contracted, paid speaking engagement, like doing an ad for

shoes.

[joeybee12]

11. I wonder if he can sue?

If he can. I hope he does!

[Oilwellian]

10. It seems to me...

the church can find a better way to spend their money, like helping the poor, instead of paying a hefty sum to a professional athlete.

[BrotherIvan]

12. But then they might inadvertently help someone who is gay!

Or a woman or poor or a minority! Oh Mon Dieu, heaven forbid! Jesus likes a 78% margin.

[Bake]

13. Eff 'em, Leroy! You didn't need them anyway!

Bake

[Sentath]

14. There is an update: NFL player LeRoy Butler: As a role model, I can’t take back my congratulations

NFL player LeRoy Butler: As a role model, I can’t take back my congratulations to Jason Collins

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/03/nfl-player-leroy-butler-as-a-role-model-i-wont-take-back-my-congratulations-to-jason-collins/

Butler has since appeared in an interview with Anderson Cooper, and explained his reasons for not wanting to retract the congratulations.

“Some 16-year-old kid is somewhere in a closet with his father’s gun that he found,” he said.

“And he’s thinking about putting it to his head, because he’s been tormented in school every single day. Because they may have found out he was gay, or they suspect that he’s gay. He doesn’t have a voice right now. You’re asking me to take all that back so he doesn’t have a voice. I won’t do that.”

I have to say, I'm pretty impressed.