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“You could call it the Sodomite community, but that only affirms the male aspect (laughs). “Homosexuality” at least encompasses men and women.” —Bill Keller

The first installment of The Devil’s Advocate with Bill Keller drew lots of traffic and more than a hundred comments. Welcome to our second Q&A. I’ll be playing the role of Devil’s Advocate.

One of our most controversial religious figures, Pinellas-based Bill Keller is known for his incendiary rhetoric and unbending view of Bible-based morality. He believes homosexuality is an abomination, abortion is murder and … you can pretty much guess the rest. Click here for a bit more detail on Keller’s ministry.

Today’s Topic: Is Bill Keller a hatemonger?

The Devil’s Advocate: Your adversaries often call you a hatemonger, or something along those lines. So I guess the most basic question is: Do you hate people who don’t conform to your Bible-based views?

Bill Keller: You know, that is probably the most laughable charge ever levied against me. If I hated people, nobody would know my name. The fact is, I love people. I love people enough to tell them the truth. If I didn’t care, if I was a hatemonger, I wouldn’t do what I do.

I don’t want to see people go through the tragedies of this life. I want people to be happy in this life and enjoy the life everlasting, and I know that’s only possible through Jesus Christ. The fact that I tell the truth isn’t an act of hate, it’s an act of love.

The way you say things about people — gays, Muslims, Mormons and the like — is often done with a harsh, judgmental tone. It doesn’t sound all that loving.

The fact is there is an absolute truth, and I happen to believe that the truth is what God gave us in the Bible. As much as people have been brainwashed into thinking there is right and wrong and a gray area in between, the gray area does not exist. It’s black or white, truth or a lie.

Here’s where the bottom line is: You can believe what you want to believe. God gave us free will. But God gave us the truth in the Bible. Otherwise it’s chaos.

But there are so many interpretations of the Bible, even among Christians.

People do disagree on the Bible, but there are some issues that are indisputable. There is no realistic way to interpret the Bible to say that homosexuality is acceptable. There are 103 passages that call it a sin. It’s what God wrote. Anything outside of that is another belief system. If you want to use another belief system, that’s fine, but it’s not the truth.

Your words and actions don’t seem to allow for other belief systems.

Here’s the issue: It now becomes a battle for the hearts and minds of the populace. It’s the advocacy of those who reject the Bible that are helping to break down the institution of marriage and family that was laid out in the Bible, and has contributed to decline of the moral and spiritual position of this nation.

[Non-Bible] people are much more resilient and forceful than those who believe in the truth of the Bible. In some respects I admire them, to be honest with you. If Christians had the guts and fortitude of those in the homosexual community, Christianity would be advanced that much further.

But most Christians are gutless. The Joel Osteens of the world — the “do as you want to do as long as I can sell you a book” mentality — do more to demean the cause of Christ than a thousand homosexual advocates.

You seem bent on using the term “homosexual” and avoiding the term “gay.”

Well, you could call it the Sodomite community, but that only affirms the male aspect (laughs). Homosexuality at least encompasses men and women.

You see, Bill, it’s a crack like that that make people see you as a hatemonger. I think it undermines your message.

Let’s be honest with people. Let’s cut to the chase and call it what it is. It’s guys who engage in activity … they suck each other’s dicks and screw each other in the butt. That’s what they do. Why do we candy-coat this stuff?

I’m no theologian, but the phrase “judge not, lest ye be not judged” comes to mind with regard to Bill Keller.

Yes, Matthew 7:1. I get that a lot. “Aw, you’re judging people.” People take that passage out of context.

The key to that passage is it’s talking about judging people’s hearts as to salvation. That’s something only God can do. Only God can decide someone’s salvation.

But the Bible also says that you will judge the angels. We have every right and responsibility to judge a person’s words and deeds in accordance with the Bible. That’s why I can call Barack Obama an enemy of God, because of what he does according to the Bible.

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