Mike Huckabee compared gay marriage to a lifestyle choice like drinking and swearing on Sunday. He appeared on CNN‘s “State of the Union” to promote his new book Gods, Guns, Grits and Gravy.
The Republican presidential hopeful and former Arkansas governor said he still opposes same-sex marriage, even if he has friends who are gay.
“People can be my friends who have lifestyles that are not necessarily my lifestyle. I don’t shut people out of my circle or out of my life because they have a different view,” Huckabee said as he defended an excerpt from his book that describes his gay friends.
“I don’t drink alcohol, but gosh, a lot of my friends, maybe most of them, do. You know, I don’t use profanity, but believe me, I’ve got a lot of friends who do. Some people really like classical music and ballet and opera – it’s not my cup of tea.”
Mike Huckabee said gay marriage went against convictions Christians have held for 2,000 years. He critiqued the sensitivity “to make sure we don’t offend certain religions,” as hypocritical if people simultaneously expect Christians to forget their own beliefs against same-sex marriage.
Furthermore, Huckabee compared forcing people to accept same-sex marriage was the same as telling Jews they had to serve “bacon-wrapped shrimp in their deli.”
The Republican presidential hopeful also acknowledged legislation that some conservatives are advocating on the national and state levels which would protect businesses from discrimination claims for adhering to their owners’ religious views.
“I’d like to think that there’s room in America for people who have different points of view without screaming and shouting and wanting to shut their businesses down,” Huckabee said.
Currently, same-sex marriage is legal in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The Supreme Court is also expected to rule on the social issue this year.
Mike Huckabee described gay marriage as a biblical issue. He said unless he receives a new version of the scriptures, his opinion on the matter won’t change.
[Photo Credit: Brennan]