In a recent development, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s wife, Kelly Johnson, has taken down the website for her company, Onward Christian Counseling Services. The controversy centers around documents found on the site that equate homosexuality with bestiality and incest, sparking a heated debate on the intersection of personal beliefs and public office.
Kelly Johnson, who serves as the owner and CEO of Onward Christian Counseling Services, advocates for Bible-based pastoral counseling. The now-removed website featured an operating agreement from 2017, which outlined the company’s corporate principles, asserting that sexual acts outside of a heterosexual marriage are considered offensive to God.
This document controversially placed gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in the same category as those involved in acts deemed as “sexual immorality,” such as bestiality and incest. The language used was unequivocal in labeling such behaviors as “sinful and offensive to God.”
The document further addressed the issue of “pre-born babies,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to safeguarding all human life from conception until natural death.
The removal of the website occurred promptly after HuffPost’s report, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the level of Speaker Johnson’s involvement in crafting the company’s bylaws. While his signature appears on the document, it is important to note that notaries are not obligated to read the contents of the documents they notarize.
Looks like Kelly Johnson, wife of Speaker Mike Johnson, is busy scrubbing her social media presence … but the Internet is forever. pic.twitter.com/zi5WxKXfQa
— Receipt Maven (@receiptmaven) October 27, 2023
Of particular interest is the striking similarity between the language employed by Kelly Johnson and the content of a “model bylaws for churches” document created by Freedom Guard, a nonprofit organization founded by Speaker Johnson. This association raises questions about the Speaker’s role in formulating the controversial content.
Freedom Guard, led by Speaker Johnson as its president and chief counsel, has a history of involvement in contentious legal battles, including defending a creationist group seeking tax incentives for a Noah’s Ark-themed amusement park. Additionally, the organization offered pro bono legal assistance to public officials who expressed reluctance in issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the Supreme Court’s landmark decision on marriage equality.
Notably, Freedom Guard’s website is currently inactive, redirecting to a page focused on gambling laws and regulation.
As this story continues to unfold, many await Speaker Johnson’s response to the questions surrounding his potential role in crafting the bylaws for his wife’s company, and the subsequent removal of the website. The incident underscores the complex interplay between personal beliefs, professional roles, and the responsibilities that come with holding public office.