Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama was criticized Monday [story] for failing to cancel a campaign performance by Grammy Award-winning gospel singer and preacher Donnie McClurkin, after learning of McClurkin’s anti-gay views.

McClurkin, who claims he used to be gay, but now lives as a heterosexual, says his ministry and views have been misconstrued by the media. In an exclusive interview earlier today with the Chicago Tribune, McClurkin said the following:

“I don’t believe that even from a religious point of view that Jesus ever discriminated toward anyone, nor do I. Most of the things that were said were totally out of context and then other things weren’t true.”

“My only concern is to be in place with Sen. Obama in unity and bring all the factors together for the sake of change,” he said. “That’s my only thing. Of course some agents have twisted it as though he [Obama] were embracing a racist or a Nazi, and that is anything but true.”

“I believe in his [Obama] stance. I believe in his platform and his agenda. So when they asked me if I would be a part of it, there was no problem. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we do have to agree on the main thing: that there needs to be change and I believe he is the candidate to bring it.”

Truth Wins Out, an advocacy group opposed to the so-called “ex-gay” movement originally brought concerns about McClurkin to the Obama campaign. The organization has documented numerous instances which seemingly contradict McClurkin’s statements above:

“There are countless numbers of people who are not happy in this [gay] lifestyle and want to be freed from it,” said McClurkin. “They were thrust into homosexuality by neglect, abuse and molestation, and want desperately to live normal lives and one day have a happy home and family.”

“Homosexuality has really ravished our children. It started in my generation. I was touched by it and I struggled with it and all that for years and there was nobody to deal with it. I started dealing with it in my sermons and even when we do our concerts.” (An interview with www.FamilyChristian.com)

“Everybody is going to the same hell. The religious hypocrite will go to the same hell as the murderer and homosexual. My job is to say that sin is wrong and kill the sin, not the sinner.” (The Voice, 16 July 2001)

Commenting on New York City’s Harvey Milk School, which caters to gay students, he said, “The gloves are off. And if there’s going to be a war, there’s going to be a war. But it will be a war with a purpose.” (CBN, 700 Club Sept. 23, 2003)

While the Obama campaign released a statement condemning McClurkin’s views, the performer is still scheduled to appear at the South Carolina fundraiser this weekend.

Sources: Chicago Tribune, Truth Wins Out