Pastor: Telling Parents to Punch Gay Kids Was a Joke

FAYETTEVILLE -- A North Carolina pastor says he was joking when he told parents to punch any gay-appearing sons.

The Fayetteville Observer reports Berean Baptist Church pastor Sean Harris was preaching about marriage before next week's vote on a state constitutional amendment that would make marriage between a man and a woman the only legal domestic union in the state.

Harris says he does not advocate hitting children and wishes he could take back a remark encouraging fathers to punch boys who act effeminately. But the Fayetteville pastor says parents should reinforce traditional gender roles in children.

The group Vote For Marriage NC urged church leaders to preach a marriage-themed sermon last Sunday and encourage church members to vote early this week in favor of the constitutional amendment.