Logan Robertson

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Logan Robertson is an Independent Baptist pastor of Westcity Bible Baptist Church in Auckland, New Zealand, and the pastor of Pillar Baptist Church in Davao City, Philippines, who is associated with the New IFB. Robertson is best known for his extreme homophobic beliefs, including the idea that gay people "should be shot". Robertson is New Zealand's version of America's Steven Anderson.

Controversies and views[edit]

In 2014 Robertson admitted sending an abusive email to a prominent gay New Zealand author, Jim Marjoram. Robertson wrote to Marjoram: "I pray that you will commit suicide, you filthy fag." Marjoram's book - which prompted Robertson to send the email - detailed his struggle with his homosexuality, his life as a fundamentalist Christian, and his former involvement with "ex-gay" therapy which he says does not work. The New Zealand Human Rights Commission condemned the email.[1]

In 2017 a sermon delivered by Robertson emerged online in which he called for gay people to be shot. In the sermon, Robertson stated "my view on homo marriage is that the Bible never mentions it so I'm not against them getting married," which he followed with; "as long as a bullet goes through their head the moment they kiss… Because that's what it talks about — not homo marriage but homo death." When contacted by the New Zealand Herald, Robertson denied inciting vigilantes to take action against gay people, but stated that he thought it was the "government's job" to carry out executions.[2]

In 2017 Robertson delivered a sermon saying that women should not be allowed to vote, and said that he does not let his wife vote. He called it "a curse for a nation to have a woman ruling over them". He also attacked Jacinda Ardern, then a candidate for Prime Minister, saying, "I sure wouldn't be voting for that new Labour lady… she needs to shut up and go home and get in the kitchen where women belong and bake a cake for her boyfriend."[3] (Ardern became Prime Minister of New Zealand in October 2017.) Preventing his wife from voting appears to be an offence and a corrupt practice under section 218 of New Zealand's Electoral Act 1993.[4]

In 2018 Australia deported Robertson for alleged harassment of Muslims. Robertson had reportedly entered mosques and harassed worshippers. In one case, Robertson recalled asking an imam how old his wife was, and when the Imam didn't answer, Robertson called him a "sissy" - which led to hostility.[5]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Westcity Bible Baptist pastor admits praying for suicide of gay author Jim Marjoram, John Weekes for The New Zealand Herald (8 December 2014) nzherald.co.nz
  2. West Auckland pastor preaches gay people should be shot by Dubby Henry for the New Zealand Herald (17 August 2017) nzherald.co.nz
  3. West Auckland pastor believes Jacinda Ardern should 'get back in the kitchen', Newshub (15 August 2017).
  4. Section 218 Undue influence, Electoral Act 1993.
  5. Deported NZ pastor Logan Robertson shows no remorse for harassing 'sissy' Muslims Zane Small (27/07/2018) Newshub.co.nz