Idaho state Rep. Paul Shepherd (R) reportedly compared gay people to slave owners by noting that both were “good people” who made terrible decisions, Idaho Reports, a program of Idaho Public television, reported on Friday.

Shepherd’s comments were made to a reporter from Idaho Reports who met with the congressman after his website was commandeered by a gay rights activist and turned into a hub for LGBT youth when Shepherd neglected to renew the site’s domain.

“Slave owners were very good Christians and good people,” Shepherd told the reporter, before noting that he was not not a fan of slavery. “I totally disagree with that.”

Shepherd allegedly noted that the fight surrounding gay marriage was an example of how “good people” can be led astray by poor moral convictions.

“They (slave owners) weren’t terrible rotten horrible people,” Shepherd reportedly said. Shepherd added that they were simply people who made bad choices, before clarifying that “that’s how I see gay people.”