Congressman Shimkus Bible post on morning of Giffords shooting says unbelievers and gays are worthy of death

[Willinois]

My Congressman, John Shimkus, regularly posts Biblical verses on his official Facebook and twitter page. I was reading his Facebook page today when I noticed the unfortunate verse he posted on the morning Gabrielle Giffords and others were attacked.

Romans 1:32 Who, knowing the judgment of God, they which commit such things are worthy of death, doing same, and having pleasure in them

It appears that the verse was posted earlier in the morning before the shooting.



I wondered what "they" the verse was referring to so I looked up the first chapter of Romans. The preceding verses focus on those who "knew God" but turn from him. It names a long list of sins, but the chapter is more well known for being one of the few Biblical references to homosexuality.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

I emailed Shimkus' office asking if he feels posting that sort of language on his official site is appropriate after the attack and whether he believes the verse he quoted applies to homosexuals. I'll write again if I receive a response.

Shimkus sometimes responds that he's being attacked for his Christianity when questions like this are raised. So, I want to be clear that I don't take issue with him being Christian.

Still, it's grossly offensive for a Congressman to post a Bible verse that says many of the people he was elected to represent, including non-Christians, gays and lesbians, are worthy of death. I'm amazed that no one removed the post after they learned of the attack on Congressman Giffords.

I hope Shimkus will apologize, and in the future not contribute to violent rhetoric by posting more death-to-the-infidels verses. Otherwise, I suggest he move to a country that approves of violent anti-gay rhetoric and elected officials who only represent the views of their own narrow religious sect. Perhaps he could run with Ahmadinejad in Iran.

[OptimistesMaddie]

Americans need to wake up and realize that the Zeolot Christian nuts that are in our government today are dangerous. They say and post exactly what they mean and then when there is too much flack they walk it back. These are not mistakes......

[Willinois]

FYI, this is the same guy who said global warming isn't real because the Bible says so. He's the new chair of the Subcommittee on Environment and Economy.
He isn't being dismissed as a fringe figure. Republicans are putting him in leadership and call him a leader on energy issues.

[Shea]

FWIW, that "long list of sins" also includes murder.

(29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,)

[There Is No Spoon]

Stating that Rep. Shimkus is an ignoramus is an understatement and a waste of my energy.

[Treestar]

1. He should represent everyone in his district regardless of religion and keep his own beliefs to himself. They have nothing to do with representing his district.

2. That verse should make Christians think a little bit. Consider the times in which the Bible was written. Do we need to take that literally?

[Willinois]

I received a response and posted it on my blog here for anyone who's interested.

John Shimkus' office responded by email to my question about the post on his Congressional facebook and twitter page the morning Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot. Since my email to his office mentioned that I'm writing about it on my blog I'm going to post his response in full.

Quote: Thank you for contacting me with regard to my tweeting of my daily devotions and political rhetoric. I appreciate the opportunity to comment.

Every morning I tweet the verse from my daily devotions. I think it's important for my constituents to know what I'm thinking and how my faith guides my life as their representative.

In regard to my devotion from January 8, I personally believe as the Bible says that the wages of all sin is death yet no sin is unforgivable for those who put their faith in Christ as their savior.

Despite no supporting evidence, some continue to float theories and opinions that certain politicians, heated rhetoric or even guns are to blame for the shooting in Arizona. The only person responsible for this tragedy is the young man who pulled the trigger.

I hope I've addressed your concerns. Again, thank you for contacting me.

Sincerely,

JOHN SHIMKUS
Member of Congress

It was nice to receive a response since his office knows I'm not likely to write anything flattering.

It would be interesting to have more insight into how the Congressman's faith guides his life as my representative. But for me, this response doesn't clear up how he represents constituents who don't "put faith in Christ as their savior," especially since the verse comes from a chapter of the Bible that's often used to justify bigotry against gays and lesbians.

I made no suggestion that Shimkus is partly to blame for the shooting but his defensive response regarding that is revealing. I've never seen a public statement in which he expresses concern for how violent, inflammatory rhetoric creates an environment of hate. The posts haven't been removed so he must not agree that quoting a verse which says unbelievers are worthy of death is inappropriate on a day when the first Jewish member of Congress from her state was attacked.

I have to wonder what the public reaction would be if a Muslim elected official had posted something similar. Twitter and Facebook aren't the best places for theological discussion. I understand that Shimkus isn't literally wishing death on anyone. But, would any amount of explanation be accepted or understood if a Muslim member of Congress wrote that those who reject Allah are "worthy of death?"

If that wouldn't be tolerated from a Muslim then it's also unacceptable from a Christian who's elected to represent people of all faiths. And yes, there's a Bible verse about that.