By Victor Ochieng
Not too many people were pleased when the HuffPost reported that Bishop T.D. Jakes supports same-s*x marriage. The report came out after the megachurch pastor’s interview with the publication and made comments that led to their conclusion that he actually supported gay marriage.
But that’s not what he meant, at least if what he came out to say is anything to go by. The Potter’s House Church Bishop took to social media to declare his stand on same-s*x marriage. Jakes asserted that his comments didn’t mean he supported same-s*x marriage.
“My comment on HuffPo TV drifted into issues of the Supreme Court ruling and changing the world through public policy [versus] personal witness,” he said on Facebook. “Further, I have come to respect that I can’t force my beliefs on others by controlling public policy for taxpayers and other U.S. citizens. Jesus never sought to change the world through public policy but rather through personal transformation. All people didn’t embrace Him either. That’s what I said and what I meant… Nothing more and nothing less.”
Besides clarifying his position, he also took issue with the Post for “manipulating” his comments “using lazy journalistic tactics to further their own agenda.” Based on his writing, it was clear that the Bishop wasn’t pleased a bit with what the Post had reported about their conversation.
“I simply meant that my method is evolving — not my message,” Jakes stated. “I was shocked to read that this was manipulated in a subsequent article to say I endorsed same-s*x marriage! My position on the subject has been steadfast and rooted in Scripture. For the record, I do not endorse same-s*x marriage, but I respect the rights that this country affords those that disagree with me.”
It’s, however, not the first time Jakes has been forced to come out to explain himself in response to media reports. Last year, the gay media was elated after reports came out that Jakes had changed his stance on gay rights.
The reports were based on an August 2015 interview with Huff Post Live, in which the pastor was asked about the role the black church plays in ministering to the gay community.
“I briefly mentioned … the word[s] ‘evolved and evolving’ regarding my approach over the 39 years of my ministry to gay people who choose to come to our services” at The Potter’s House in Dallas,” Mr. Jakes wrote on Facebook.
“I was SHOCKED to read that this was manipulated in a subsequent article to say I endorsed same-s*x marriage,” he said. “My position on the subject [of same-sex marriage] has been steadfast and rooted in scripture.
Source
