House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is under scrutiny for his ongoing role on the board of Living Waters Publications, a Christian publishing house recently embroiled in controversy. Politico reports that Johnson has been part of this board since at least 2013. This association has drawn attention due to the publishing house’s content that characterizes MPOX – previously known as monkeypox – as a punitive consequence of being gay. Johnson, before his political tenure, served as a senior attorney for the Alliance Defending Freedom, an organization labeled as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group.
Living Waters’ Stance on MPOX and LGBTQ+ Issues
In July 2022, as MPOX outbreaks were prominently reported among men who have sex with men, Living Waters released a video featuring founder Ray Comfort. In it, Comfort interprets a biblical passage to suggest that homosexuality is sinful and leads to disease. This perspective aligns with Comfort’s previous publications, where he compared homosexuality to dangerous situations, and his recent speculative article about potential antichrists including notable global leaders.
Johnson’s Involvement and Response
Johnson’s spokesperson emphasized that the speaker’s participation in Living Waters was to support its core mission of spreading the Christian gospel and that Johnson was unaware of the contentious content. However, Johnson’s public admiration for Comfort’s work, as expressed in a 2022 podcast episode, seems to contradict this claim. Johnson praised Comfort’s ministry and influence on his life, indicating a deeper familiarity with Comfort’s viewpoints.
Implications of Johnson’s Association
Johnson’s position as House Speaker, along with his history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights, brings his connections with Living Waters into sharper focus. Andrew Whitehead, an associate professor of sociology at Indiana University, noted that Johnson’s rise to speaker, backed unanimously by Republican colleagues, places his conservative Christian ideology at the forefront of the party. This association, along with Johnson’s role on the board of a publishing house promoting controversial views, highlights the intersection of religion and politics in his career.
Reevaluation of Outside Obligations
In light of his elevated political role, Johnson’s spokesperson stated that he would reassess his external commitments. This reevaluation comes as Johnson’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance and his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results have become more widely known. His continued involvement with Living Waters raises questions about the influence of his religious beliefs on his political actions and decisions.
