Charles Barkley Accused of Irrational, Anti-Christian Bigotry

The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission is calling on former pro basketball star Charles Barkley to apologize for comments he made to Wolf Blitzer regarding "fake Christians."

Said Barkley: "I think they -- they want to be judge and jury. Like, I'm for gay marriage. It's none of my business if gay people want to get married. I'm pro-choice. And I think these Christians -- first of all, they're supposed to be -- they're not supposed to judge other people. But they're the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like their Christians. And they're not forgiving at all...they should read the part about they're not supposed to judge other people. They forget that one when it doesn't fit what they want it to say."

Said Chairman and CEO of the CADC Dr. Gary Cass: "We respect Barkley as an expert on basketball, but he is obviously not an expert on Christian moral theology. The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission calls on Barkley to apologize for his hateful remarks. We are hopeful that he will do the right thing. For Barkley to think that Christians cannot have an opinion about matters of public policy and personal morality is astonishing. Jesus forbids judging by hypocritical double standards, but he requires Christians to make just and sound judgments everyday according to biblical precepts. Ironically, Barkley engaged in the very activity of judging others that he condemned in conservatives. Barkley's words reveal an unfortunate, irrational anti-Christian bigotry."

Group Calls for Apology from Charles Barkley for Anti-Christian Remarks [earned media]

Previously
Charles Barkley Supports Gay Marriage, Slams 'Fake' GOP Christians [tr]

Charles Barkley Supports Gay Marriage, Slams 'Fake' GOP Christians

Former pro basketball star Charles Barkley appeared on CNN's The Situation Room on Friday and talked about why he's voting for Obama. He also excoriated members of the GOP who use the bigotry and hate of the religious right to move their agenda forward, calling them "fake" Christians. It's not the first time Barkley has spoken out about gay marriage. He gave an interview in August 2006 to Chris Meyers on FOX sports in which he said, "I think if they want to get married, God bless them. Gay marriage is probably 1 percent of the population, so it's not like it's going to be an epidemic. Hey, trust me, I'm never going to kiss you and say, 'Chris, you're sexy.'"

Here's a transcript of Barkley's comments from last week, clip AFTER THE JUMP...

BLITZER: All right. One quick point before I let you go. You used the phrase "fake Christians" for conservatives. Explain what you're talking about.

BARKLEY: Well, I think they -- they want to be judge and jury. Like, I'm for gay marriage. It's none of my business if gay people want to get married. I'm pro-choice. And I think these Christians -- first of all, they're supposed to be -- they're not supposed to judge other people. But they're the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like their Christians. And they're not forgiving at all.

BLITZER: So you're going to get a lot of feedback on this one, Charles.

BARKLEY: They can't do anything to me. I don't work for them.

BLITZER: You feel comfortable saying all that?

BARKLEY: I feel very comfortable saying I'm pro-choice, and I'm for gay marriage. Very comfortable.

BLITZER: But you can't lump all these conservatives as being fake. A lot of them obviously -- most of them are very, very sincere in their religious beliefs.

BARKLEY: Well, they should read the part about they're not supposed to judge other people. They forget that one when it doesn't fit what they want it to say.

Watch the clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

Charles Barkley: I'm for Gay Marriage but Not One of Them

Former NBA MVP Charles Barkley recently sat down with Chris Meyers for an interview scheduled to air Sunday night on FOX SportsNet. The outspoken Barkley said that he's considering running as a Democrat for Governor of Alabama and commented on a variety of topics, including homophobia in the locker room and gay marriage.

According to ESPN, "[Barkley] acknowledged that a gay athlete likely would be discriminated against in professional sports, though he said he believes they would face the same discrimination in everyday life."

On gay marriage, Barkley said:

"I think if they want to get married, God bless them. Gay marriage is probably 1 percent of the population, so it's not like it's going to be an epidemic. Hey, trust me, I'm never going to kiss you and say, 'Chris, you're sexy.'"

No word on whether or not Meyers was relieved or disappointed by that last comment.