Oklahoma Rep’s ‘proclamation’ blames gays, porn, abortion for economic woes

Raw Story-By Daniel Tencer

Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern, probably best known for her comparison of homosexuality to toe cancer, has ignited controversy once again with her “Oklahoma Citizen’s Proclamation for Morality,” a document that blames America’s current economic crisis on “our greater national moral crisis.”

The document (PDF) blames “abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse and many other forms of debauchery” for the country’s economic woes.

To rectify the problem, it suggests the following solution: “BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, humbly call upon Holy God, our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, to have mercy on this nation, to stay His hand of judgment, and grant a national awakening of righteousness and Christian renewal as we repent of our great sin.”

Though Kern’s proclamation reads like a latter-day version of a tribal appeal to the gods for rain, it is being taken very seriously, especially among gay-rights groups.

“Instead of dealing with issues that she ought to be dealing with, it seems she’s advocating her religious views once again, which is not the proper purview of an elected official,” Scott Jones, a gay pastor, told Oklahoma City’s News 9.

Jones added that he didn’t think the timing of the document — the week after Pride Sunday and the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots — was a coincidence.

“I think it’s a response to this celebration,” Jones said.

He said the real moral issues are about poverty, hunger, the cost of health insurance and environmental degradation — “Representative Kern, a public official doesn’t address any of these moral issues.”

The proclamation implicitly blames President Barack Obama for the economic crisis — or at least sees his policies as contributing to the problem.

The document says the undersigned are “grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer.”

The undersigned are also “deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior” — referring to the Obama administration’s support of gay pride events this month.

News 9 states that “Kern, and a host of other lawmakers, civic and religious leaders, will gather at the State Capitol next month to sign” the proclamation.