Christians Should Stand with Homosexuals Against Radical Islamists, Say Benham Brothers

Jun 14, 2016 04:00 PM EDT

Christian entrepreneurs and twins, Jason and David Benham, said in a video posted on Facebook Sunday, "now is our time to step up in Christian love and stand in the gap" between the gay community and "Radical Islamists who are targeting them." The Benhams were commenting about their beliefs after the shooting massacre at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Saturday evening.

"Here's the interesting thing, we as Christians believe that homosexuality is wrong, and the [Islamic extremists,] they believe it is wrong. But our response is different," the brothers said in the Facebook video.

"We've been going to gay pride marches for the past decade, and we're planning on going this year to the Charlotte gay pride march. But we're going to bring the love of Jesus, to people who need Jesus. Look, these are our gay brothers and sisters, and we need to stand up for them now. That's our Christian response."

One of the brothers' Facebook friends, Joy Wenning, said she agreed with them, "except the part of your comment... 'gay sisters and brothers.' Let's make sure not to confuse that with what God's Word says. They are a part of our human family, but praying that in sharing the love of the truth of the Gospel, they will become family in Christ! God Bless your work at these festivals!"

The Benhams mentioned if they were in the Pulse nightclub that night, they "hopefully would have placed our lives in front of those."

The brothers said they are "heartbroken for the families and those that were killed" in the shooting spree at Pulse. They said that regardless of how people try to politicize the issue, it is important for everyday people to be aware of threats. "We as Christians, we as just common sense Americans, need to keep our eyes peeled and stand up for the defenseless and the innocent."

"All of these that were killed at this nightclub were innocent, and their lives should have never been taken," they added.

"We pray that God does some mighty work in the lives of their families, and we'll be praying for them. Let's see a revival and an awakening in this nation. We need God more now than we ever have before, the Christian God of the Bible."

Another poster on the brothers' Facebook page, Steve Brown, said "LGBT needs to realize the huge difference between Christians and Islam. Christians tolerate your sins, Islam wants to kill you for them."

Cheryl Wiltse warned on the brother's Facebook page that "When you open Pandora's box there is always consequences! Sexual preferences should be kept behind closed doors! We have friends and family members who are gay but ask that they keep their sexual acts out of the eyes of our children just like we do as heterosexuals. Yes we do need to find love in this country again but not by sexual preference!"

The brothers, who reside in North Carolina, claim to be "missioneers" on a speaking circuit. They've also published a book entitled "Living Among Lions."