A justified refusal of entry

TVNZ report:

An American preacher known for his hateful stance against LGBTQI people has been refused entry to New Zealand on character grounds.

Now when I first saw this, I was skeptical it was justified as the term “hateful” has become so widely used to become almost meaningless. But in this case, it seems spot on.

Steven Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist Church announced on his YouTube channel that New Zealand had become the 34th country worldwide to refuse him entry.

That gives an idea he is something special.

Mr Anderson has previously published video promoting Holocaust denial, and has said the Orlando gay nightclub shooting was a good thing.

And that is the very clear line being crossed – he actually celebrates murder of gays. We would no more let him in that we would let in someone who celebrates Islamic state terrorist attacks.

“I do hate homosexuals and if hating homosexuals makes our church a hate group then that’s what we are.”

For once the term “hateful” appears spot on.

Anderson has also prayed for Obama and Caitlyn Jenner to die, and the execution of homosexuals. The barrier for refusing entry should be very high. Far higher than merely offensive. But actively celebrating murders and praying for them reaches that barrier.