UPDATE: In a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick clarified his tweet. He said he has tweeted a Bible verse every Sunday morning with the passages chosen in advance. He also says he is currently "on an island," and was not aware of the the tragic shootings in Orlando until later in the day.
Patrick has also since deleted his original tweet.
Read Patrick's full statement below.
Just hours after 50 people were killed in the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States, Patrick had tweeted a Bible verse that appeared to condemn the shooting victims, many of whom were gay.
At 7 a.m. on Sunday morning, Patrick tweeted a screen grab of Galatians 6:7, which reads “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick deleted this tweet so i just wanted to repost it pic.twitter.com/drVovAV9oh
— J.P. Roberts (@jpr602) June 13, 2016
Twitter responded harshly to the Tweet, calling Patrick insensitive.
This lands on a.m. after gay club shooting — deadliest in US history. Pre-set coincidence? Response? RT @DanPatrick: pic.twitter.com/BNJinc4VsU
— Emily Ramshaw (@eramshaw) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick You pervert Christianity in a way that would make Jesus cringe. Where is your compassion?
— Chris Sacca (@sacca) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick you should be ashamed of yourself
— Michael Urie (@michaelurie) June 12, 2016
Patrick later tweeted a verse from Psalms 37:39, reading “The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord, He is their stronghold in time of trouble.”
Have a blessed Sunday! pic.twitter.com/RaoitzD7fV
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) June 12, 2016
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
