Florida Pastor Describes His Talk With Obama About Gay Marriage Position

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Rev. Joel Hunter, pastor of an Orlando, Fla., megachurch, described his discussion with President Obama after Obama endorsed gay marriage last week. Hunter, who serves as a spiritual adviser to the president, told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell he disagrees with the president’s new stance but did not give the president political advice.  

We started off the conversation just with some personal — I was with my wife Becky.  So, he wanted to say hi to Becky because he knows her.  And I asked about his wife and children, as I always do.

 

And then we kind of got into it, and he just got right into it. And said basically this — I just now did an interview, this is what I said. And I wanted you to know about it. I know this is going to be difficult for you, want to make sure our relationship is OK.  And so we just kind of went on from there.

Hunter said that the president explained to him that his announcement endorsing gay marriage was prompted by Vice President Joe Biden’s remarks earlier that week. 

“And so when you’re in that office, it’s always political,” Hunter said. “But that doesn’t mean it’s devoid from a sense of personal responsibility and personal morality the way you take it.  And so I think he’s a very serious man.”  

Hunter said he personally believes that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that comes from his interpretation of the Bible, but that Obama’s decision ultimately did not come from scripture. 

Despite their differences, Hunter expressed fondness for the president:

Well, you know the life of a pastor is fairly simple. You just tell whoever is willing to listen what you believe the Bible says, and then you leave the rest to God. And the president’s a man. You know? And I love him. He’s a friend.

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