Larry Tomczak is the anti-gay fundamentalist Christian who accused Ellen of celebrating her lesbianism and "marriage" in between appearances of guests like Taylor Swift to attract young girls. This was an example of how he feels that Hollywood is pushing the "homosexual agenda" (and, apparently shoving it down all of our throats). Although she doesn't usually respond to right wing attacks on her show, she did respond to Pastor Tomczak. You can read about that (perfect) response here. It's wonderful.
Since he loved getting all that attention, Pastor Tomczak has responded to Ellen in return. He doubles down on his "Hollywood gay agenda" talking point. Check it out.
Joe Jervis of JMG gives us some background information on Pastor Tomczak:
Christian Nightmares points out that in 2013 Tomczak was sued for physically abusing a woman over a 25-year period.
The Rev. Larry Tomczak, an associate pastor at Bethel World Outreach Church near Brentwood, Tenn., was named in a Maryland lawsuit that was filed against leaders of Sovereign Grace Ministries, a denomination Tomczak helped found in the 1980s and later left. The suit was originally filed in October by three alleged victims of abuse and was amended Friday (Jan. 11) to add five others. All eight were given pseudonyms. It alleges that Tomczak, who lives in Franklin, Tenn., and other church leaders covered up sexual abuse in the denomination and at a Christian school in Gaithersburg, Md., in the 1980s and 1990s. Tomczak also is accused of repeatedly assaulting a woman (who is given the pseudonym Carla Coe) with plastic and wooden sticks. The alleged abuse began when she was a child and lasted more than two decades. When the woman was an adult, the lawsuit claims, Tomczak beat her bare backside.
I have posted my comments about the video (as I listened to it) below the fold.
A friend, John, who wrestled with his sexual identity? One wonders why that would happen ... living in the homophobic society that we do today (which, was probably far worse back then when John was struggling). So, he died of AIDS related health problems as many others have in the past few decades. Is there some point to that? Does Pastor Tomczak believe that only gay people get AIDS or that being gay causes AIDS? One wonders.
Lower our voices and treat others with respect and civility? Is that what this pastor believes he is doing by denying gay people their fundamental rights and making some of the other homophobic remarks he makes in that video?
Faithful to biblical teachings? No. He is being faithful to his own interpretation of biblical teachings (on an issue most of the writers of the Bible knew very little about). There is great disagreement among biblical scholars regarding this issue, and I'd say most of them would disagree with him.
Let's see. Being true to oneself and feeling good about oneself and fighting for ones civil and human rights is some sort of "homosexual agenda?" If so, count me in on that agenda.
So, Ellen's is pro-lesbian and pro-vegan. Is there something wrong with that? This pastor must think so. So much for respect and civility.
If Pastor Tomczak doesn't watch much TV, how does he know so much about Hollywood's "homosexual agenda." Something doesn't add up here.
So, Ellen made some jokes about pregnancy and drinking. They were jokes. She was not advocating that anyone drink or get drunk or that they don't get pregnant. Get a grip, dude.
Of course she disagrees with the pastor putting quotes around the word, marriage ( when speaking about her marriage). Again, so much for respect and civility. Yes, Pastor Tomczak, you WERE trying to be offensive -- and, you were.
Truth can offend? Who's truth? Yes, your version of truth does offend. And, it's certainly not what many of us would describe as truth.
A nation rises or falls on marriage? If that's true, we were doomed long ago before anyone ever even heard of gay couples getting married. Even so, many experts believe that marriage equality has strengthened the institution of marriage.
The pastor has some very erroneous assumptions about how marriage has existed for thousands of years. I recommend he speak to historian Professor Nancy Cott.
And, oh my! Here we go with the slippery slope nonsense again.
Now, the five reasons the pastor is against marriage equality:
1) No, pastor, the Bible is not unambiguously opposed to marriage equality. And, even if that were true, that is not an acceptable reason to oppose CIVIL marriages for same-sex couples.
2) Strike two! Homosexuality exists all throughout nature. It's perfectly natural.
A) On my! He went there. Gender roles of men and women.
B) The procreation argument. They beat this one to death. Nevertheless, we marry the elderly and the infertile in our society (and, most others). So, that won't work either.
3) No, every religion does not condemn marriage equality. Even Christianity has a number of mainline churches who support marriage equality. Again, even if that were true (which it is not), it is not an acceptable reason.
4) It's an injustice? How so? A harmful arrangement? How so? The children of same-sex couples are just fine. That is a canard.
5) It devalues the institution of marriage? How so? AIDS and STDs again. Do heterosexuals not get AIDS and other STDs? What IS he talking about? Negatively impacting our economy? How so? The reports that I have read say that marriage equality is a boon to the economy. Again, biblical scholars do not agree on what the Bible states with regard to homosexuality.
My guess is that Ellen has already heard all this nonsense (before). And, she has also probably already read all the Bible verses that the pastor would wish to share. It would most likely be a waste of their time.