Pastor Steven Anderson Suggests Executing Gays Will Cure AIDS

Pastor Steven Anderson has suggested that executing homosexuals will cure AIDS. He further suggests AIDS patients are “filled with disease because of the judgement of God.” Although the Arizona pastor’s statements are not unexpected, they are being criticized as unnecessarily harsh.

As the founder of Faithful Word Baptist Church, Pastor Steven Anderson believes it is his duty to interpret and spread the word of God. Although the name suggests otherwise, Anderson explains that his church is “a totally independent Baptist church,” which is not affiliated with other Baptist denominations or organization.

He freely admits he has “no college degree,” However, the Arizona pastor spent three months “serving” in independent churches throughout Eastern Europe and Germany. Upon returning to the United States, he founded the Faithful Word Baptist Church.

As his sermons reflect his strong conservative values, Pastor Steven Anderson is no stranger to controversy. As reported by the Huffington Post, he has previously suggested that “remarriage is adultery.” He also believes women ought to “learn in silence” and must never “usurp authority over the man.”

Although he has faced controversy, Anderson’s most recent sermon only added fuel to the fire. During his sermon, the Arizona pastor reminded his followers “homos” and “queers” are not welcome at Faithful Word Baptist Church.

Pastor Steven Anderson continued, quoting Old Testament scripture.

“If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.”

He then discussed his own interpretation of the scripture, and his opinion that it applies to all homosexuals.

“… that, my friend, is the cure for AIDS… It was right there in the Bible all along — and they’re out spending billions of dollars in research and testing. It’s curable — right there. Because if you executed the homos like God recommends, you wouldn’t have all this AIDS running rampant.”

As reported by Raw Story, Sunday’s sermon was not the first time Pastor Steven Anderson suggested death as solution. In 2009 and early 2014, he publicly prayed “for the death of President Barack Obama.” According to reports, the Arizona pastor’s unusual prayer drew the attention of the Secret Service.

Although the LGBT community has made great strides in the legalization of gay marriage and the acceptance of alternative lifestyles, the issues remain topics of hot debate. Pastor Steven Anderson’s sermon underlines the strong feelings behind the continued controversy.

[Image via Huffington Post]