Scott Lively in Springfield

Scott Lively, anti-gay pastor and independent candidate for governor of Massachusetts, prepares to debate his opponents in Springfield on Sept. 29, 2014.

(Brian Steele | MassLive.com)

SPRINGFIELD — Scott Lively is a controversial figure in western Massachusetts, often advocating against the advancement of gay rights and pushing a worldview that even fellow Christians sometimes find hard to support.

But he doesn't believe that would be a problem if voters pick him to be the next governor of Massachusetts on Nov. 4. In fact, he believes he can only win if God intervenes and guides voters in his direction.

"The only way Scott Lively is going to become governor of Massachusetts is by a miracle of God," said Lively, sitting outside 1550 Main St. and preparing to debate his four opponents at CityStage at 7 p.m. in a forum that is being streamed live on MassLive.com. "And if God can put me in that office, he can pave the way, he can open the doors that need to be opened for policies to change."

A small gathering of Lively supporters nearby held up signs calling for the end of abortion and the return of the Christian God to the public square. They were outnumbered by people supporting the other candidates: fellow independents Evan Falchuk and Jeff McCormick, Republican nominee Charlie Baker and Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Lively is well-known internationally for fighting LGBT rights, and he's been accused of convincing the government in Uganda to adopt a draconian law punishing homosexuals with decades in prison. He has consistently denied that he pushed for the death penalty, despite advocates' claims otherwise.

"I love this kind of thing. I love the energy, I love the exchange of ideas," he said. He was wearing a lapel pin symbolizing the Ten Commandments. "This is what America really is about."

Besides a free and open exchange of policy ideas, Lively believes America is about Judeo-Christian values, and the erosion of those principles has created many of the problems faced by people throughout Massachusetts.

"From the founding of this nation and from the founding of this commonwealth, there's always been an acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God and his participation in the affairs of men," said Lively. "None of the candidates are going to be able to solve the economic problems ... It's only God that can sort this out and bring things back."

He said he advocates a Christian approach to secular matters like education, without actually putting Bibles into classrooms. The pastor and self-described Christian social activist outlined a homeschooling plan that families could use as an alternative to public education, benefiting from teachers who would train parents how to educate their children.

Families would grow closer, government would grow smaller, and children would have access to brighter futures, he said, especially in the inner city.

"I practiced Constitutional law at the federal and state level, so I don't want to hear any nonsense from people about the separation of church and state," he said. "You just simply have to have tolerance for people of different views."

When asked about his strategy for the debate, Lively said, "I'm going to preach the gospel."

He's polling in the low single digits along with the other independent candidates. Lively said he would never vote for any of his opponents because each of them is pro-choice on the issue of abortion, and he believes that makes them unfit to hold public office.

"The Bible says, 'Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,'" he said, quoting the Book of Psalms 32:12, "and I'm going to bring that blessing back."