Archive for the ‘homosexuality’ Tag
Logical Conclusions: Temple Prostitution
Filed under: Christian, politics, religion | Tags: Christian, church, homosexuality, men, ministry, religion
Leave a Comment I do not normally link to blog posts from others but this time I simply have to make an exception. I first found this post linked at Chris Roseborough’s blog Extreme Theology, which he had linked to the original article. The basic premise here follows the logical conclusion that if liberal churches can accept homosexuality as a viable part of Christianity and not call it sin, why not do the same thing with temple prostitution? I think it is a brilliant piece and absolutely worth reading. If you have any comments, please leave so that we can have a discussion.
Why I signed the Manhattan Declaration
Filed under: Christian | Tags: abortion, Christian, homosexuality
Leave a Comment After hearing quite a bit about it in the news I decided to check out the Manhattan Declaration. If you have not yet read the declaration I suggest you check out the website and read it yourself. If you have not heard of it (living under a rock will do that) it is a position paper put together from leaders of various Christian churches that affirms the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and the right of conscience and religious liberty.
In recent years these principles have been attacked by various groups and individuals that want to change society to fit their wants and desires. The document serves as a line in the sand for what we will tolerate and what we will affirm as what is right and just for all society.
Now some Christians have rejected the idea of signing this document for various reasons. Those who call themselves Christians and yet reject Biblical doctrines think we should allow people to make choices about who lives or dies or allow anyone to marry just because they want to declare their love for each other or share work benefits. This is a matter of allowing the culture to dictate truth, which it cannot. Truth is objective and therefore timeless, and cannot be perceived by a culture that changes with the season’s fashions.
I urge everyone who reads this, and who understands the Biblical application of these principles to sign this document. For those that do not, I suggest you investigate who Jesus is, what He has done for you, and how you can receive Him into your life. Amen.
Hate crime legislation: is it Good?
Filed under: Christian, government, religion | Tags: Christian, church, courts, gay, homosexuality, law, politics
Leave a Comment The US Senate is currently considering new hate crimes legislation that would add sexual orientation into existing laws on hate crime. While some people think it is good to add these “enhancements” to the law I submit to you that it is not, and will explain why.
Hate is not a Crime Hate is an emotion,not an action. We can’t punish hate anymore than we can punish love (which we cannot by the way). Only actions are punishable, along with the intent that preceded them. But without action, intent is meaningless. So if we cannot punish emotion, what are we attempting to punish? Thought and speech.
Speech in the US is protected Almost all speech in this country, with the exception of sedition, is protected under The Constitution. Ten years ago the Ku Klux Klan held a small rally here in Cleveland, Ohio where they made racist speeches. Many people here thought our mayor, who at the time was black, should not have given them a permit. But the mayor did the right thing, allowing them to march and rally. While the Klan may be dispicible, they have a right to exist, a right to speak, and those opposed to their views have a right to condem them, which they did. Hate crime legislation would make it illegal for a Pastor of a church to read or expound upon the chapters of Leviticus and Romans in the Bible that condemn homosexuality as a sin. This would not only violate our right to free speech but but also our freedom of religion as well.
Hate crime is not justice The US Constitution guarantees equality under the law. Equal protection as a defendant, equal punishment as the convicted. Hate crime elevates certain crimes to a special status, requiring enhanced punishments. This is not justice it is revenge. What is worse, under the new hate crime bill the defendant is only charged with a hate crime. If he proves that he did not commit the crime based on hate, hw would be found not guilty, receiving no punishment.
No life is more valuable than another. If the victim of a crime is of a different ethnic group then the perpetrator, do they suffer more? Of course not.The Mathew Shepard murder was a despicable crime, but it is no worse than any other murder. Does Mathew Shepard’s mother miss him more than any other mother who has lost a child? No one in their right mind can say yes to this. Therefore this legislation is illogical and unnecessary.
Hate crimes legislation is not needed The only way this legislation would make sense is if someone who committed a hate crime today would not be punished under existing law. But the fact is that people are punished . In the previously mentioned Mathew Shepard case the two men were both given life sentences, one without the possibility of parole. Another good example of a punished crime involving hate is that of James Byrd, Jr. a black man from Jasper, Texas who was dragged to death by three white men in 1998. In this case two of the three men received death sentences, the other life in prison. What would hate crime legislation do? Can we kill them twice? Can we make the third defendant live long enough to serve two life sentences? Of course not. If that is not possible, then it is not possible for this legislation to do anything productive and is therefore unnecessary.
Men, if we want our rights to free speech and free exercise of religion protected we must stand up for them. Thomas Jefferson said: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” I urge you to call the US Capitol switchboard at (202)224-3121 and ask your Senators to not support this bad legislation (S. 909), lest it become bad law. If you do not know who your Senators are, you can simply tell the operator where you live and they will connect you.
I would also ask that you pray for God to grant our elceted officials wisdom in these troubling times, for mercy for our sins, and for repentance and revival to come to our troubled nation.
Amen
Proposition 8 Upheld in Court-Update
Filed under: Christian | Tags: courts, gay, homosexuality, marriage, men
Leave a Comment This is pretty amazing. Earlier today I posted a story about CA’s Prop 8 being upheld in court. I would have thought this would have been the end of the issue, but apparently gay activists are not ready to let this go.
Since the California Supreme Court, the highest court in the state upheld this amendment, gay activists have decided to file an injunction in Federal court. My question is: “what do they think this is going to accomplish? Why would a Federal court strike down a part of the Constitution of a sovereign state?” Okay, that was two questions. But hey, it’s my blog.
My best guess is they expect to get this case from the circuit court to the 9th Circus Court of Appeals, the most liberal court in America. This is unfortunately possible, as I don’t think they will win in the Circuit.
Here is another question: does anyone out there know if a federal court has ever struck down a state constitutional amendment? It seems to me that would be over stepping the federal court’s bounds just a bit. Of course, these courts have been doing that a lot lately.
Men, let’s keep the same prayers as the prvious post, adding that God would give the dederal jurists wisdomn in dealing with this case.
Amen.
The Myth about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Filed under: bible, Christian, men, religion | Tags: Christian, homosexuality, military, religion
Comments (6) A lot of people think that President Clinton changed the law by allowing homosexuals to serve in the millitary by instituting a law called “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” stating that homosexuals were allowed to serve in the millitary as long as they kept their sexual deviance in private. Today I want to set the record straight and give you a status update on this issue.
In 1993 President Clinton attempted to get Congress to lift the ban on Homosexuals in the military. After numerous hearings Congress passed what is officially known as Section 654, Title 10 which clarifies the law that was in place as Pentagon policy even before the Clinton administration, which states that homosexuals are not eligible to serve in the military. Since that time, the law has been held up in federal court numerous times as being constitutional. For confirmation of this and more detailed information, check out the testimony before Congress from Elaine Donnelly from the Center for Millitary Readiness.
Now why do I bring this up on this blog, which is was created to deal with Men growing closer to God? On the surface, this issue probably sounds totally irrelevent. I do it because as Christians we live in the world, and hear about issues like this all the time. It is neccesary for us to be able to stand up and defend the faith to others.
To that end we need to remind people that the Bible clearly says, in both Testaments, that homosexuality is a sin, abhorent to God. It goes directly against God’s plan for sex in marriage. I was going to place Bible references to these points in this post as I normally do, but in my search for them I found an article which does a much better job outlining this entire subject, and is worth reading in it’s entirety.
I hope you will check out the article from CMR for information on homosexuals in the millitary, as well as the article on Homosexuality and the Bible. If you have any questions or need more resources feel free to either leave a comment or use my contact form. And pray for those who are gripped in the sin of homosexuality to repent of their sin and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Have a great Palm Sunday!
Homosexuality & Incest
Filed under: Christian | Tags: Christian, homosexuality, incest
Leave a Comment Here is a post from a Twitter friend of mine on Homosexual lifestyle and incest: http://mklouie.blogspot.com/2008/06/pro-gay-argument-supports-incest.html
Hard Bible Questions Part 1-Homosexuality
Filed under: bible, Christian, men, religion, sex | Tags: bible, Christian, homosexuality, men
Comments (2) Recently in our church’s adult Bible study we were asked to submit our hardest questions to be answered by our primary teacher, Dan. So, here for the glory of God and the expansion of your knowledge is a series of posts which will report the answers as researched by Dan.
The first question is a good one to get this started off with, as it will seem controversial to non-Christians and informative for Believers. The question is (drum roll please):
Is The Bible for or against Homosexuality?
Many people are familiar with the Old Testament comments on this subject, especially Leviticus 18:22, which clearly states that a man should not lay down with another man as a woman. But many in the Secular World (as well as many Christians who wish to avoid the truth of the issue) say that this should no longer apply, or that the New Testament does not have anything to say on this issue. But the truth is something very different.
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 homosexuality is not only reaffirmed as a sin, it is compared to other sins that are considered like it: robbery, adultery, extortion, and even idolatry! These are not minor things to be accused of, but some of the most despicable acts for people to commit.
But as usual The Bible brings good news in this area as well. In verse 11, we learn that through the power of Jesus Christ, we can change who we are and what we do. We can be forgiven, cleansed, and even consecrated (set apart, hallowed) and justified (pronounced righteous by trust) by simply confessing our sins and doing everything we can not to commit them again.
Can you believe it? After making those kinds of horrible mistakes before God, He is not only willing to forgive and love, but to trust us and hold us in His highest favor! This is something that for humans is almost unheard of, as once we are hurt, it is very hard for us to trust again. Praise the Lord for being such a loving Daddy to us, even when we fail!
