claim: In March 2017, Oklahoma State Representative George Faught said rape and incest are the "will of God."
origin: In March 2017, several articlesÂ reported that Oklahoma State Representative George Faught had said incest and rape were â€œthe will of Godâ€, during a debate about abortion legislation: < If Oklahoma state GOP Rep. George Faught has his way, rape will be on the path to being legal in the state. At least thatâ€™s what rapists are hoping for after FaughtÂ made a frightening statementÂ on the subject during a debate onÂ House Bill 1549, which restricts abortion. Democratic Rep. Cory Williams masterfully cornered Faught during the hearing by asking him if he believes rape and incest are the â€œwill of Godâ€ since the legislation has no exceptions for either, meaning women would be forced to give birth to their rapistâ€™s baby. Faughtâ€™s reply is absolutely appalling and demonstrates once again why women should never vote for Republicans, especially Republicans who want to base our laws on the Bible. â€œWell, you know, if you read the Bible, thereâ€™s actually a couple circumstances where that happened,â€ Faught said. â€œThe Lord uses all circumstances. I mean, you can go down that path, but itâ€™s a reality unfortunately.â€ Faught literally just used the Bible to justify rape. And then he used it to justify incest. > The Republican representative from the 14th district of Oklahoma (Cherokee and Muskogee counties) was speaking on 21 March 2017 during a reading of House Bill 1549, of which he is a co-sponsor. The bill would make it illegal in Oklahoma for a medical professional to terminate a pregnancy because the fetus is expected to be born with a genetic disorder.Â A full video of the session is available hereÂ (the most pertinent section starts at 11:58:50).Â Here is the relevant exchange between Representatives Cory Williams and George Faught: < Cory Williams:Â Representative, is rape the will of God? George Faught:Â Well you know, if you read the Bible thereâ€™s actually a couple of circumstances where that happened, and the Lord uses all circumstances. I mean, you can go down that path, but itâ€™s a reality, unfortunately. CW:Â Is incest the will of God? GF:Â Same answer â€“ doesnâ€™t deal with this bill. CW:Â With all due respect, I think it absolutely is on point. You wonâ€™t make any exceptions for rape, you wonâ€™t make any exceptions for incest in this, and you are proffering divine intervention as the reason why you wonâ€™t do that. And so I think it is very important, this body wants to know â€“ myself, personally â€“ whether you believe rape and incest are actually the will of God. GF:Â You know, itâ€™s a great question to ask and obviously if it happens in someoneâ€™s life, it may not be the best thing that ever happened, you know, but â€“ So youâ€™re saying that God is not sovereign with every activity that happens in someoneâ€™s life and canâ€™t use anything and everything in someoneâ€™s life, and I disagree with that. > Faught did not explicitly say â€œRape and incest are Godâ€™s willâ€, nor did he respond in the affirmative when asked these questions. However, he did say he could not agree with the proposition that God is not sovereign over â€œevery activity that happens in someoneâ€™s lifeâ€, implying that Godâ€™s will does indeed extend to acts of sexual violence. Logically, this position requires the conclusion that rape and incest â€” along with all other actions and experiences â€”Â are Godâ€™s will, although Rep. George Faught did not explicitly state this.Â