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(August 7, 2012). [https://twitter.com/BryanJFischer/status/233004494584164352 "Why we need an Underground Railroad to deliver innocent children from same-sex households:] [http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2012/08/6065 story]. Twitter.com.</ref> Fischer also reiterated his views on his radio show, and on video.<ref name=CBS/><ref name=RawStoF/><ref>Mantyla, Kyle (August 9, 2012). [http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/fischer-says-ex-gay-mom-had-obligation-god-kidnap-her-daughter-and-flee "Fischer Says Ex-Gay Mom had an Obligation to God to Kidnap Her Daughter and Flee"]. Right Wing Watch. Retrieved August 9, 2012.</ref> In January 2013, he compared homosexual sodomy to pedophilic sex, [[incest]] and [[bestiality]].<ref>[http://www.mediaite.com/online/bryan-fischer-obama-ignorant-about-homosexuality-because-gays-have-no-right-to-sodomy/ "Bryan Fischer: Obama 'Ignorant About Homosexuality' Because 'Gays Have No Right To Sodomy{{'"}}]. Mediaite.</ref> In January 2013, Fischer compared the [[Boy Scouts of America]]'s change in views on gay scouts and scout masters to [[Jerry Sandusky]], saying allowing gay scout masters was inviting pedophiles into the tents of children.<ref> [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/29/bryan-fischer-boy-scouts-gay-policy-debate-pedophilia_n_2575448.html/ "Bryan Fischer: Boy Scouts' Gay Policy Debate Is A 'Suicide Mission', Compares Gays To Pedophiles"]. Huffington Post. January 29, 2013.</ref> In March 2013, Fischer compared homosexuality to bank robbery when [[Rob Portman|Senator Portman]] announced his views on [[same-sex marriage]] had changed due to having a gay son.<ref>[http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/03/15/1726851/bryan-fishcer-compares-being-gay-to-robbing-a-bank/ "Bryan Fischer compares being gay to robbing a bank"]. Thinkprogress.org. March 15, 2013.</ref><ref name=IA>{{cite web | url=http://www.instantanalysis.net/afa-blogs/2013/03/15/bryan-fischer-on-sen-portmans-reversal-on-same-sex-marriage#.UUMywpmBIkw.twitter | title=Bryan Fischer: On Sen. Portman's reversal on same-sex marriage | publisher=Instant Analysis | date=March 15, 2013 | accessdate=March 15, 2013 | author=Fischer, Bryan}}</ref>
(August 7, 2012). [https://twitter.com/BryanJFischer/status/233004494584164352 "Why we need an Underground Railroad to deliver innocent children from same-sex households:] [http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2012/08/6065 story]. Twitter.com.</ref> Fischer also reiterated his views on his radio show, and on video.<ref name=CBS/><ref name=RawStoF/><ref>Mantyla, Kyle (August 9, 2012). [http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/fischer-says-ex-gay-mom-had-obligation-god-kidnap-her-daughter-and-flee "Fischer Says Ex-Gay Mom had an Obligation to God to Kidnap Her Daughter and Flee"]. Right Wing Watch. Retrieved August 9, 2012.</ref> In January 2013, he compared homosexual sodomy to pedophilic sex, [[incest]] and [[bestiality]].<ref>[http://www.mediaite.com/online/bryan-fischer-obama-ignorant-about-homosexuality-because-gays-have-no-right-to-sodomy/ "Bryan Fischer: Obama 'Ignorant About Homosexuality' Because 'Gays Have No Right To Sodomy{{'"}}]. Mediaite.</ref> In January 2013, Fischer compared the [[Boy Scouts of America]]'s change in views on gay scouts and scout masters to [[Jerry Sandusky]], saying allowing gay scout masters was inviting pedophiles into the tents of children.<ref> [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/29/bryan-fischer-boy-scouts-gay-policy-debate-pedophilia_n_2575448.html/ "Bryan Fischer: Boy Scouts' Gay Policy Debate Is A 'Suicide Mission', Compares Gays To Pedophiles"]. Huffington Post. January 29, 2013.</ref> In March 2013, Fischer compared homosexuality to bank robbery when [[Rob Portman|Senator Portman]] announced his views on [[same-sex marriage]] had changed due to having a gay son.<ref>[http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/03/15/1726851/bryan-fishcer-compares-being-gay-to-robbing-a-bank/ "Bryan Fischer compares being gay to robbing a bank"]. Thinkprogress.org. March 15, 2013.</ref><ref name=IA>{{cite web | url=http://www.instantanalysis.net/afa-blogs/2013/03/15/bryan-fischer-on-sen-portmans-reversal-on-same-sex-marriage#.UUMywpmBIkw.twitter | title=Bryan Fischer: On Sen. Portman's reversal on same-sex marriage | publisher=Instant Analysis | date=March 15, 2013 | accessdate=March 15, 2013 | author=Fischer, Bryan}}</ref>


In April 2013, Fischer commented on the case of Carla Hale, a lesbian teacher fired from the Catholic school she worked for when her partner was named in her mother's obituary, saying that it was right for the school to fire her based on her "immoral sexual behavior". He argued that just as shoplifters are discriminated against, society should discriminate against those who engage in other forms of immorality or aberrant sexual behavior.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/25/bryan-fischer-gays-shoplifters-discrimination-_n_3156760.html/ "Gays should face job discrimination"]. Huffington Post. April 25, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/fischer-gays-should-face-job-discrimination-just-we-discriminate-against-shoplifters/ "Fischer says gays should face job discrimination just as we discriminate against shoplifters"]. Right Wing Watch.</ref> During an interview on ''[[The Alan Colmes Show]]'', Fischer refused to answer when asked if he had ever had gay impulses, instead changing the subject to adultery.<ref>[http://mobile.rawstory.com/therawstory/#!/entry/bryan-fischer-to-alan-colmes-not-going-to-talk-about,518be6ccda27f5d9d0c00e3e/ "Fischer refuses to talk about his gay impulses"]. Rawstory.com.</ref><ref>[http://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/05/09/hate-group-leader-refuses-answer-question-about-his-sexuality/ "Fischer refuses to answer question about his sexuality"]. ''[[The Advocate]]''. May 9, 2013. </ref>
In April 2013, Fischer commented on the case of Carla Hale, a lesbian teacher fired from the Catholic school she worked for when her partner was named in her mother's obituary, saying that it was right for the school to fire her based on her "immoral sexual behavior". He argued that just as shoplifters are discriminated against, society should discriminate against those who engage in other forms of immorality or aberrant sexual behavior.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/25/bryan-fischer-gays-shoplifters-discrimination-_n_3156760.html/ "Gays should face job discrimination"]. Huffington Post. April 25, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/fischer-gays-should-face-job-discrimination-just-we-discriminate-against-shoplifters/ "Fischer says gays should face job discrimination just as we discriminate against shoplifters"]. Right Wing Watch.</ref> During an interview on ''[[The Alan Colmes Show]]'', Fischer refused to answer when asked if he had ever had gay impulses, instead changing the subject to adultery.<ref>[http://mobile.rawstory.com/therawstory/#!/entry/bryan-fischer-to-alan-colmes-not-going-to-talk-about,518be6ccda27f5d9d0c00e3e/ "Fischer refuses to talk about his gay impulses"]. Rawstory.com.</ref><ref>[http://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/05/09/hate-group-leader-refuses-answer-question-about-his-sexuality/ "Fischer refuses to answer question about his sexuality"]. ''[[The Advocate]]''. May 9, 2013. </ref> On November 5th, 2013, Fischer described [[Hinduism]] by saying, "This is a counterfeit religion. It is an Eastern religion. It is, in essence, an occult religion." He then claimed that the Hindu goddess [[Lakshmi]] was a demon, and that by celebrating the holiday of [[Diwali]], [[Michelle Obama]] had invited demons into the White House.<ref>[http://www.afa.net/Radio/show.aspx?id=2147490466&tab=video&video=2147540755/"Michelle invites demons into the White House"] American Family Association. November 5, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/fischer-michelle-obama-inviting-demons-white-house/"Fischer says Michelle Obama is inviting Demons into the White House"]Right Wing Watch. November 5, 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.politicususa.com/2013/11/06/festival-lights-invites-demons-white-house-bryan-fischer.html |title=Festival of Lights Invites Demons into White House Says Bryan Fischer |first=Hrafnkell |last=Haraldsson |work=politicususa.com |date=6 November 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 21:52, 7 November 2013

This article is about the U.S. sociopolitical commentator. For other people with a similar name, see Brian Fisher (disambiguation).
Bryan J Fischer
Born1951 (age 72–73)[1]
United States
Occupation(s)Conservative radio host, blogger, political activist
SpouseDebbie Fischer
ChildrenTwo

Bryan Jonathan Fischer is the Director of Issues Analysis for the American Family Association (AFA). He hosts the talk radio program Focal Point on American Family Radio and posts on the AFA-run blog Instant Analysis (formerly Rightly Concerned).

Fischer opposes abortion, national health care, environmentalism, gay adoption,[2] and same-sex marriage.[3] Fischer's controversial comments on homosexuality were cited by Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in explaining the hate group designation they gave to the AFA in November 2010.[4]

Biography

Fischer has an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Stanford University, and holds a graduate degree in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Fischer served at the Cole Community Church in Boise, Idaho and founded the Cole Center for Biblical Studies and was the church's director for thirteen years. Fischer then founded Community Church of the Valley and was senior pastor for twelve years. Before joining the board of directors of American Family Association, Fischer was also executive director of Idaho Values Alliance.[3]

In 2004, he co-founded the Keep the Commandments Coalition, a group dedicated to keeping a Ten Commandments monument in Julia Davis Park in Boise, Idaho. From 2000 to 2005, he served as a commissioner for the city's Park and Recreation Department.[3]

Views and activities

In November 2010, the SPLC changed their listing of the AFA from a group that used hate speech to the more serious one of being designated a hate group.[5][6][7][8][9] The SPLC's Mark Potok said that the AFA's "propagation of known falsehoods and demonizing propaganda" was the basis for the change.[10][11] Fischer's anti-gay comments were given as an example by SPLC in support of the hate group designation.[4]

Fischer has voiced support for the AIDS denial movement. His guest on the January 3, 2012, edition of Focal Point was prominent AIDS denialist Peter Duesberg; Fischer strongly supported Duesberg's contention that AIDS is not caused by HIV, but by recreational drug use.[12][13] Fischer expanded on this further in a post on Rightly Concerned, saying that it isn't possible for a virus to remain dormant for a long period of time. He cited as an example Magic Johnson, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and has remained healthy for over 20 years. This is despite overwhelming scientific consensus that HIV can stay dormant for several years before the onset of AIDS.

MormonVoices, a group associated with Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research, included Fischer on its Top Ten Anti-Mormon Statements of 2011 list for saying "Mormonism is not an orthodox Christian faith. It just is not ... It's very clear that the Founding Fathers did not intend to preserve automatically religious liberty for non-Christian faiths."[14]

In the June 18 issue of The New Yorker magazine ("Bully Pulpit"[15]), author Jane Mayer featured Fischer in an article describing his influence in the Republican Party and 2012 presidential election. On April 20, Fischer attacked Republican Party presidential candidate Mitt Romney's national security spokesman Richard Grenell for being openly gay. Other conservatives joined Fischer in calling for Grenell's ouster, and by May 1 Grenell resigned from the Romney campaign, in what Fischer described as a "huge win" for conservatives.[16] During the 2012 presidential primaries, Republican Party candidates Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty were guests on Fischer's show. Romney was not invited.[15]

In the article (whose facts Mayer says "were ... all checked with Fischer, and where he had factual objections, his caveats were included"[17]), Mayer also quotes Fischer as saying that President Barack Obama "despises the constitution, ... nurtures a hatred for the white man", and aims to "destroy capitalism". Fischer strongly believes that sexual orientation is "always, always, always a matter of choice", and strongly opposes what he calls the "morally and intellectually bankrupt theory of evolution".[15][18]

On the issue of religion and tax policy, Fischer believes that the progressive income taxes and estate taxes violate the Eighth and Tenth Commandments, because (he feels) by taxing the income and estates of the well off, the government "steals and covets" their wealth.[19]

In 2012, as jury selection was to begin in a trial on charges of kidnapping of a lesbian couple's daughter, Fischer wrote on Twitter in support of kidnapping of children from same-sex households and smuggling them to what he calls "normal" homes.[20][21][22][23] Fischer also reiterated his views on his radio show, and on video.[20][21][24] In January 2013, he compared homosexual sodomy to pedophilic sex, incest and bestiality.[25] In January 2013, Fischer compared the Boy Scouts of America's change in views on gay scouts and scout masters to Jerry Sandusky, saying allowing gay scout masters was inviting pedophiles into the tents of children.[26] In March 2013, Fischer compared homosexuality to bank robbery when Senator Portman announced his views on same-sex marriage had changed due to having a gay son.[27][28]

In April 2013, Fischer commented on the case of Carla Hale, a lesbian teacher fired from the Catholic school she worked for when her partner was named in her mother's obituary, saying that it was right for the school to fire her based on her "immoral sexual behavior". He argued that just as shoplifters are discriminated against, society should discriminate against those who engage in other forms of immorality or aberrant sexual behavior.[29][30] During an interview on The Alan Colmes Show, Fischer refused to answer when asked if he had ever had gay impulses, instead changing the subject to adultery.[31][32] On November 5th, 2013, Fischer described Hinduism by saying, "This is a counterfeit religion. It is an Eastern religion. It is, in essence, an occult religion." He then claimed that the Hindu goddess Lakshmi was a demon, and that by celebrating the holiday of Diwali, Michelle Obama had invited demons into the White House.[33][34][35]

References

  1. ^ Adler, Ben (January 18, 2011). "The Liberal Media's Conservative of the Month". Newsweek.
  2. ^ Fischer, Bryan (June 15, 2011). "Homosexual adoptions victimize children".
  3. ^ a b c Biography at American Family Association. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
  4. ^ a b Potok, Mark (December 15, 2010). "SPLC Responds to Attack by FRC, Conservative Republicans". Hatewatch. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  5. ^ Schlatter, Evelyn (2010). "18 Anti-Gay Groups and Their Propaganda | Southern Poverty Law Center". Splcenter.org. Retrieved December 17, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Waddington, Lynda (November 23, 2010). "Groups that Helped Oust Iowa Judges Earn 'Hate Group' Designation; SPLC Adds American Family Association, Family Research Council to List". Iowa Independent. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  7. ^ "SPLC's Anti-Gay Hate List Compiled With Diligence and Clear Standards | Southern Poverty Law Center". Splcenter.org. December 23, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  8. ^ Eichler, Alex (November 23, 2010). "13 New Organizations Added to Anti-Gay 'Hate Groups' List". The Atlantic Wire. The Atlantic Monthly Group. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  9. ^ Benen, Steve (December 18, 2010). "This Week in God". Political Animal. Washington Monthly. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  10. ^ Banks, Adele M. (November 29, 2010). "Religion News Service: Hate group watchdog adds Family Research Council to its list". The Pew Forum. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  11. ^ Nelson, Josh (November 29, 2010). "Judge-ouster supporters blast 'hate' label". WCFCourier.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  12. ^ Part 1 of Fischer interview with Duesberg from AFA YouTube channel
  13. ^ Part 2 of Fischer interview with Duesberg from AFA YouTube channel
  14. ^ Walker, Joshua (January 8, 2012). "Group lists Top Ten Anti-Mormon Statements of 2011". Deseret News.
  15. ^ a b c Mayer, Jane (June 18, 2012). "Letter from Tupelo, Bully Pulpit". The New Yorker. (subscription required).
  16. ^ "They didn't want to confront the religious right". Steve Benen. Maddow Blog. May 3, 2012.
  17. ^ "Have Not Love: How Bryan Fischer Turned on a Friend" Jane Mayer. The New Yorker. June 15, 2012.
  18. ^ "Nonpolitical?: What a travesty". wvgazette.com. June 17, 2012
  19. ^ "Bryan Fischer Tries Pushing Romney Right". Fresh Air. Boston: WBUR. June 14, 2012.
  20. ^ a b "Bryan Fischer: We Need 'Underground Railroad' To Save Kids From Gay Parents". CBS News. Associated Press. August 9, 2012.
  21. ^ a b Edwards, David (August 8, 2012). "Fischer calls for 'Underground Railroad’ to kidnap children of LGBT parents". The Raw Story. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  22. ^ "Bryan Fischer Calls For 'Underground Railroad' Kidnapping To Save Gay Parents' Children". The Huffington Post. August 8, 2012.
  23. ^ Fischer, Bryan (August 5, 2012). "Only way to keep your own kids out of same-sex homes: use the Underground Railroad. Straights = slaves".
    "Trial nears in VT Civil Union Child Custody Case". Fox News. August 5, 2012.
    (August 7, 2012 ). "Head of Underground Railroad to deliver innocent children from same-sex households goes on trial". story
    (August 7, 2012). "Why we need an Underground Railroad to deliver innocent children from same-sex households: story. Twitter.com.
  24. ^ Mantyla, Kyle (August 9, 2012). "Fischer Says Ex-Gay Mom had an Obligation to God to Kidnap Her Daughter and Flee". Right Wing Watch. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  25. ^ "Bryan Fischer: Obama 'Ignorant About Homosexuality' Because 'Gays Have No Right To Sodomy'". Mediaite.
  26. ^ "Bryan Fischer: Boy Scouts' Gay Policy Debate Is A 'Suicide Mission', Compares Gays To Pedophiles". Huffington Post. January 29, 2013.
  27. ^ "Bryan Fischer compares being gay to robbing a bank". Thinkprogress.org. March 15, 2013.
  28. ^ Fischer, Bryan (March 15, 2013). "Bryan Fischer: On Sen. Portman's reversal on same-sex marriage". Instant Analysis. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  29. ^ "Gays should face job discrimination". Huffington Post. April 25, 2013.
  30. ^ "Fischer says gays should face job discrimination just as we discriminate against shoplifters". Right Wing Watch.
  31. ^ "Fischer refuses to talk about his gay impulses". Rawstory.com.
  32. ^ "Fischer refuses to answer question about his sexuality". The Advocate. May 9, 2013.
  33. ^ "Michelle invites demons into the White House" American Family Association. November 5, 2013.
  34. ^ "Fischer says Michelle Obama is inviting Demons into the White House"Right Wing Watch. November 5, 2013.
  35. ^ Haraldsson, Hrafnkell (November 6, 2013). "Festival of Lights Invites Demons into White House Says Bryan Fischer". politicususa.com. Retrieved November 6, 2013.

External links

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