The Liberty Counsel has connected homosexuality to higher rates of promiscuity and incest, Potok said, despite scientific evidence to the contrary. The firm opposes laws banning hate crimes and supports discredited conversion therapies that purport to turn homosexuals into heterosexuals. Staver once declared that the Boy Scouts would become a "playground for pedophiles" once it allowed gay troop leaders.
Staver, his hair bright white and his ties usually red, contends his quotes were taken out of context and he has legal arguments for the rest: hate crime laws infringe on free speech, he believes, and gay conversion therapies should be available to those who want them because he believes in "personal autonomy."
"It is irresponsible and reckless to call someone a hate group because you disagree with them," he said.
He added that he can't be considered a hater because he loves all of God's creation.
Williams also came to his defense: the Bible warned that Christians would be persecuted for standing strong for their faith, he noted.
"Jesus told us we would be hated for his name," he said. "For standing for what we stand for, people will hate us. It happened to the disciples, but it's also happening today."
