Today Andrew Sullivan declared “God Hates a Fag” to be a hoax. (You can see the video here.)

At the risk of spoiling the illusion, the God Hates Fags video is, when you examine the site more closely, and watch the video more attentively, a brilliant piece of performance art. So brilliant it illuminates what it satirizes more deeply than any argument could.

Not so, says Seattle’s own Laurence Ballard.

Ballard did some digging on Donnie Davies’ website and found his AIM handle, and added it to his iChat “buddies” list. Davies logged on earlier this evening, and popped up on Ballard’s computer. Ballard asked for a video chat and Davies declined. But Ballard did manage to draw Davies—or the person pretending to be Davies—into a short chat session. So far as I know, this interview—truncated and one-sided—is the only one that Davies has done since this exploded. So let’s meet the man behind what is either the most brilliantly sublime piece of camp since South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut or the an appalling example of poisonous self hatred since Ted Haggard gave that interview in his minivan.

But first a word from Ballard:

I just had a brief iChat with the fellow who uses the AIM handle PastorDavies. The same Pastor Donnie Davies who has created a hoax/non-hoax shitstorm over the recent release of “God Hates a Fag” from Love God’s Way and lovegodsway.org. I think Donnie’s for real. As a former fundamentalist I know the power of sincerity wed with stupidity. When mixed with the faculty and word of God it can be a confusing amalgam to those not so inclined. This is where secular cynicism can lead one astray. Never underestimate the power of folly. A glance at our Chief Executive will make that point.

Also, whereas I might be surprised that an evangelical would write a song and produce a video entitled, “God Hates a Fag,” the achingly conservative and judgmental Fundamentalist mind-set would eat this shit up like a labrador in the kitty litter box.

Ballard sent me a copy of his chat with Donnie Davies. You can download a copy by clicking here. I’ve transcribed their short chat, below. Ballard wanted to note that, “this is the first time I’ve used—yuck—’smileys,’ but I figured they would help.”

Laurence Ballard: Just a simple and sincere question - is your ministry for real? (smiley)

PastorDavies: I think its strange you would ask.

Laurence Ballard: Strange only in the sense that your video has received so much attention.

Laurence Ballard: There are information sources out there that state that this is all - no offense - an elaborate hoax. In these cynical times, it is often hard to tell the difference. (smiley)

Laurence Ballard: A ministry that counsels homosexuals and concerns itself with life in teh womb needs to be taken seriously, if it is to have any success. That is what I meant by my first question. (smiley)

Laurence Ballard: Would you be willing to answer any of my questions?

PastorDavies: Sorry, yes.

PastorDavies: I am getting slammed right now, please forgive.

Laurence Ballard: I can only imagine.

Laurence Ballard: Many, many people probably want to talk with you at present, yes?

PastorDavies: Yes

PastorDavies: You can imagine.

Laurence Ballard: Talk about mixed blessings! (big smiley)

PastorDavies: yes

Laurence Ballard: You’ve probably touched quite a few nerves…

Laurence Ballard: Is all of this attention anything you expected?

PastorDavies: Not really.

Laurence Ballard: Didn’t you think your band’s video would capture a lot of notice?

PastorDavies: I hoped so.

PastorDavies: God works in mysterious ways.

Laurence Ballard: This could be the start of an online ministry.

Laurence Ballard: What do you hope your band’s video will accomplish - in the near term?

PastorDavies has gone offline.

UPDATE: Newspeak also got to IM for a moment with Donnie this evening.