The North Carolina pastor who ordered parents to BEAT the gay out of their children has retracted his violent, homophobic statements -- claiming his horrifying sermon was taken out of the "context of a ministry."

In case you haven't heard the sermon in question (above) -- which took place last Sunday at Berean Baptist Church in Fayetteville -- Pastor Sean Harris whipped himself into an anti-gay frenzy ... claiming parents should "crack" their sons' "limp" wrists if they act gay ... and then "punch" them.

But Harris called in to OutQ on Sirius XM yesterday to clarify his statements -- claiming, "Those were not the best choice of words. If I had to do it over again again I would not choose those words. I was using hyperbole in an effort to communicate the importance of the gender distinctions that God created."

Harris says his sermon was based on specific Bible passages which condemn homosexuality. But when asked about similar Bible passages that condone slavery -- Harris hedges ... insisting slavery is wrong.