Anti-gay Gympie Goon

Owen ‘on his own’ on gays
07.09.2005
The Gympie Times
Story: Arthur Gorrie

RON Owen was on his own at yesterday’s weekly council meeting, quoting ancient scripture to condemn homosexuality.

He referred to Leviticus, in the Old Testament, which rails against male homosexuality, commands the faithful to wash their hands before eating, instructs on how to make a proper sacrifice (including preparation of the burnt offering), bans all statues and recommends death by stoning for anyone who swears.

Silenced several times as he tried to expand on his views, Cr Owen also was blocked from reading a prayer in which it was claimed that legislators had “ridiculed the word of God and called it pluralism”.

Councillors backed away from a motion by Mayor Mick Venardos to refer Cr Owen’s remarks to the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commission, but adopted one to disassociate council from the comments.

Cr Owen made headlines last month with his claims that gays are not human and have only the right to die.

Unrepentent yesterday, he said he had been telling the truth about his views and stood by them.

He claimed the support of ancient texts underlying Christianity, saying the same
religious laws had supported Judaism for 3500 years and applied within Islam.

Supported by Cr Bill McIntyre, Mayor Mick Venardos told the meeting that Cr Owen’s remarks were so offensive they should be referred to the Anti-Discrimination Commission.

Cr Owen responded: “If you don’t stand for something, you fall for everything.

“I presume I am at liberty to complain also,” he said.

“Do we throw away the Christian philosophy that has enlightened continents from tribalism to modern civilisation?

“Do we condemn the Torah, which has sustained the Jewish religion for 3500 years?

“Do we denounce the Koran which informs the Muslim faith? “If I am to be condemned for the crime of telling the truth then I am guilty,” he said.

Accusing Cr Owen of selective quoting, Cr Ian Petersen referred to an anonymous scholar who said: “The Devil himself can quote Scripture to his advantage.”

Calling Cr Owen’s opinions “jaundiced and intolerant,” he said: “This raving brings council into disrepute.

“I’m not about to sit here and be smote about the head by scripture,” he said.

Cr Wayne Sachs short-circuited the complaint motion, persuading several councillors that this was not a necessary part of council disassociating itself from Cr Owen’s views.

“We should move on. This does not have to go anywhere,” he said.

Cr Petersen said he took that point but thought the authors of two protest letters to the council probably would make complaints.