A cop-preacher from Tennessee asks the execution of LGBTQ people

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"They deserve death," said Grayson Fritts in a June 2 sermon at All Scripture Baptist Church, a small church in Knoxville that he runs.

According to the Washington Post, the church published the sermon online and then removed it. The video was taken over by Tennessee Holler, an independent liberal newspaper, and published in a six-minute clip.

"God instilled the power of the civilian government to send the police to LGBT monsters in 2019, arrest them and put them on trial, and if they are found guilty, they must be put to death." he declared. clip.

Frits said that it would be easy to find people to stop at events such as gay pride parades.

"We have a number for which we are going to be condemned because they all have their hogwash of pride, and they claim what they are, that they are an unclean animal," he declared.

CNN has not been able to contact Fritts for comment. Speaking to reporters before delivering a sermon last Wednesday, Fritts said his anti-LGBTQ convictions did not interfere in his work as a peace officer.

"It's totally separate, because if I'm employed by the sheriff's office, then if they come into the sheriff's office, they're obviously allowed to," he said, according to WATE . "You understand what I'm saying, this, I'm above that, I'm the head of this church, I'm saying who's coming in. They're not allowed to participate, they're not allowed to assist."

DA investigating cases of Fritts

Charm Allen, the Knox County Attorney General, issued a statement describing Fritts' remarks as "personally offensive and reprehensible." She will review all pending Fritts cases and a Deputy Attorney will review all complaints regarding closed files involving Frits .

"When a potential witness in a criminal proceeding expresses an opinion of hatred and / or bias towards a class of citizens, I am morally bound to explore the credibility of this witness," Allen said. "As a result, I am reviewing all outstanding cases involving Mr. Fritts in order to review them for any bias, although my office has never received a complaint about Mr. Fritts. prior to this incident, I have instructed a deputy prosecutor to receive complaints about closed cases, and I will act on those complaints that justice dictates ".

The types of cases that Fritts investigated are unclear. Once contacted by CNN, the sheriff's office would not comment. WATE, affiliated with CNN, said that Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler had said that Fritts had recently bought out his business and was on paid sick leave until the workforce was downsized. comes into force on July 19.
"I want to be very clear about the fact that it is my duty to provide equal protection to ALL citizens of Knox County, Tennessee, in accordance with the law, my oath and the Constitution of the United States without discrimination or hesitation.Make sure I have and will continue to do so then, "Spangler said in a statement, according to WATE.
Spangler told Knoxville News Sentinel Friday that Fritts would not be fired for possible lawsuits based on the motives of the First Amendment.

"We looked at all the possible solutions without violating the rights (and) the freedom of first amendment expression, and the best thing for us was what we did," he said. "And that's what we stand with."

A small church

The Fritts Church leads operates from a storefront in Knoxville. WATE attended a service on June 12 and reported that 16 people attended.

The All Scripture Baptist Church website says it's "an independent and basic church, solely dedicated to the Bible, such as the Bible for King James." Do not expect anything something liberal, diluted or contemporary here. "

The website clearly describes the church's position vis-à-vis the gay community:

"We believe that sodomy (homosexuality) is an unnatural sin: a person will burn with desire of the same sex only if it has been delivered to a disapproved or rejected spirit. Homosexuality should be punished with death penalty, as stated in Leviticus 20:13 No homosexual will be allowed to attend or join any Baptist Church churches. "

In the sermon that night, Fritts said that he was not an exception to LGBTQ rights.

"The world is looking at it, there's Pastor Fritts, there's this lone wolf," he said. "There's Pastor Fritts, this guy, this Baptist pastor who's just a fool … it's just crazy, guess what?" "There are many people who believe exactly as I believe."

Mayors criticize Fritts

Two Knoxville officials criticized Fritts' comments.

"I am outraged by the statements of Detective Grayson Fritts of the Knoxville County Sheriff," said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero in a statement posted on the city's website. "Fritts' statements raise local and national concerns about the protection of LGBTQ + rights and their equality, they cast a negative light on our community, which makes it imperative to share my personal position and that of the city of Knoxville. "
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has also criticized Fritts, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

"Mr. Fritts is not my employee, so I can only give my personal opinion on the matter," Jacobs said. "I find his remarks extremely vile and reprehensible and I strongly condemn the threats or calls for violence".

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