Marco Feliciano says he is suffering "religious persecution"

247 - "We are living under a gay dictatorship," declares pastor and federal deputy Marco Feliciano (PSC-SP) in an article. Nominated by his party to preside over the Human Rights and Minorities Commission (CDHM) of the Chamber of Deputies, the parliamentarian claims to be a victim of "religious persecution" and defends himself against accusations of racism and homophobia. "I am a pastor and I preach to people of all ethnicities," he says, adding: "including because black blood runs in my veins as well." He also declares that he has no prejudice against homosexuals, but says he preaches what he learned in the Bible, "which does not approve of sexual relations or marriage between two people of the same sex." According to him, the Constitution "would need to be amended to approve" the struggles of these activists.

Read below his text, published in Folha de S.Paulo:

Gay dictatorship and human rights

A few days ago, Congressman Gabriel Chalita (PMDB-SP) was suggested for the Ministry of Science and Technology. There were protests from some in the scientific community simply because he is a practicing Catholic, and his name was vetoed. Now it is the turn of an evangelical pastor to be questioned about presiding over the Human Rights and Minorities Commission (CDHM) of the Chamber of Deputies. Religious persecution?

The presidency of the CDHM, due to the proportionality between parties, went to my party, the PSC. The nomination of my name generated a hurricane of veiled online protests from activists in the LGBT community (gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transvestites, and transsexuals). Some accused me of being racist and homophobic.

It all started when I posted online that Africans are descendants of an "ancestor cursed by Noah." I was referring to a biblical quote, according to which Noah's son, after being cursed by his father, was sent to Africa. The curse was broken with the advent of Jesus, who shed his blood to save us. I didn't use the word "black" because I was referring to a people defined by a region and not by the color of their skin.

I am a pastor and I preach to people of all ethnicities. Never, neither before nor after this episode, have I been considered racist, especially because I also have Black blood running through my veins. I love the African continent. I am beloved by the people of Angola, where I have done ministry.

Regarding homosexuals, my position is more tolerant than one might imagine. As a Christian, I learned from the Gospel that we are all God's creatures. I have never addressed any group of people with disrespect. I only teach what I learned from the Bible, which does not approve of sexual relations or marriage between two people of the same sex. Beyond that, salvation is within everyone's reach. That is my faith – I only preach love and forgiveness.

However, these LGBT activists label anyone who disagrees with their positions as homophobic. They accuse them of inciting violence, which any impartial person knows is not true. But, thrown to the wind, this lie wreaks havoc on the accused's image in the eyes of the public. We live in a gay dictatorship.

Last year, I tried to participate in a seminar organized by the CDHM and chaired by Congressman Jean Wyllys. I was horrified by the topic: sexual diversity in early childhood. I was met with insults from LGBT activists. I was given one minute to speak, but I couldn't. The activists wouldn't allow it.

It was heartbreaking to hear from those present that if a boy in daycare wanted to touch another boy's genitals during bath time, he couldn't be stopped. After all, according to them, children aren't born male or female, but rather have a gender that is discovered over time. If they are prevented from doing so in early childhood, who knows what might happen...

Their fury stems from knowing that I question their claims. I defend the Constitution, and it would need to be changed to approve their demands.

That committee cannot deal solely with those issues. There needs to be impartiality. Other groups require equal attention.

There are issues that have fallen into oblivion. Brazilians imprisoned in subhuman conditions in various countries as illegal immigrants. The demarcation of quilombola lands. The trafficking of women and organs. Support for families of autistic individuals. People with special needs. It's not enough to pass laws; it's necessary to know if they are being respected.

Why doesn't the CDHM (Commission on Human Rights and Minorities) question the Executive Branch about maintaining trade relations with a country that condemns people to death for their religious or sexual orientation, like Iran?

This committee is far more important than shallow discussions. I ask God for wisdom to carry out such an honorable mission.