Weeks ago, I wrote a blogpost called Destroying Freedom of Conscience which included the uncanny similarities of the plot of a Christian end-times movie called Judgment with the current push for "hate crimes" laws to include "sexual orientation." In both instances, Christians are routinely called "haters" because of their Biblical worldview.
Please take a moment to read the former post. Then, read about what is now happening to a Christian pastor in Sweden. There is no doubt about where such "hate crimes" laws would lead. We don't need to speculate what will happen to Bible-believing and preaching pastors in the U.S. if a "hate crimes" law is passed here.
This email alert that I received from the Alliance Defense Fund president Alan Sears shows us the seriousness of what is at stake in this trial. We need to pray without ceasing for this pastor to be acquitted of these trumped up charges because of the devastating error done in Sweden with the passing of sexual orientation "hate crimes" speech law.
TO: Christine
FROM: Alan Sears, President
EXCLUSIVE FROM STOCKHOLM: PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR PASTOR GREEN…
Last week, I asked you to pray for Pastor Ake Green, the Swedish pastor facing imprisonment for preaching a sermon on Bible and homosexual behavior. Argued before the Swedish Supreme Court last Wednesday, November 9th, this case has serious ramifications worldwide.
As we told you, ADF sent chief counsel Benjamin Bull to Sweden to assist with last Wednesday’s trial. Unlike U.S. Supreme Court oral argument, this was an actual trial where Pastor Green was called to testify and grilled by the prosecuting attorney.
Ben reports:“Pastor Green’s trial before the Swedish Supreme Court was one of the most remarkable things I’ve ever seen. It was surreal. The case should have been called Sweden v.The Bible. It was like a cross between George Orwell’s 1984 and a Stalin Soviet show trial. It was hard to believe that this was happening in a “developed” Western country. The entire case was televised live in Sweden and Parliament stopped to watch the proceedings.
The prosecutor made amazing arguments. He repeatedly mocked the Word of God. He ridiculed Biblical texts on homosexual behavior. The prosecutor asked Pastor Green several times what version of the Bible he was using. When Pastor Green politely replied that he used the New International Version, the prosecutor replied that Pastor Green was using a ‘bad translation’ and to ‘get a new Bible’ – one that does not question homosexual behavior. I sat in amazement as a government prosecutor was telling a minister to use another Bible translation. It was like a pastor telling the government that they need to use another law book. This was a case where the state was trying to dictate and reshape theology to fit its own agenda.
The prosecutor demanded that the court convict Pastor Green so he would be an example to deter other pastors from preaching what the Bible says about homosexual behavior. He did concede – quite amazingly – that it is still legal to publish such Bibles in Sweden (for now). The radical homosexual activists demand that Pastor Green be made an example as the first person to be prosecuted under the ‘hate speech’ law since it added 'sexual orientation' in 2003.
Throughout the trial, the justices were almost completely silent. Percy Bratt, Pastor Green’s defense attorney – whom we helped prepare the day before at a moot court – did a fabulous job. He also mentioned the brief that ADF had filed and another we funded on behalf of Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council – and the chief justice acknowledged that he had read the brief and found it to be helpful.
All people of faith need to continue to be in prayer for this decision – as three out of four people in Sweden (per a poll) believe that Pastor Green should be sent to prison for simply preaching the uncensored Gospel. If Pastor Green is convicted, it will open the floodgates – and the same thing will be happening in the United States and Canada – sooner than you think. It will be a precedent in international law that pastors can be targeted and prosecuted for engaging in ‘hate crimes’ and we will soon see this cited in American courts. This case must be won and it must be defended.”
Please continue to be in prayer for Pastor Green and for this decision – which is expected in 3-4 weeks. As soon as we receive word of the outcome from the Swedish Supreme Court, we will let you know. Thank you for your prayers and your support, which have made it possible for ADF and its allies to play an important role in this extremely important case for the future of the Gospel.
Again for more information on the homosexual legal agenda, you can order our book, The Homosexual Agenda: The Principal Threat to Religious Freedom Today
To read more about the ACLU and its efforts to use international law as precedent in U.S. courts, go to ACLU vs America.
For more information on the danger of international law in American courts, along with chilling statements from several of the six sitting Supreme Court justices, the ACLU, and other radical activists, go to ADF Issues.
Hi Christine -
ReplyDeleteThis is just one more proof that the drive to silence Christians will not stop at the church doors.
This is where "hate crimes" legislation leads.
Blessings,
Anna
I was reading a PDF article called "Startling Proofs of Prophecy" at the Cloud Ten Pictures Website and ran across this:
ReplyDelete"Homosexuality on the Rise
Today, all over the globe, in nation after nation, laws and charters are being altered to protect the rights of homosexuals and lesbians. People are being told that we should accept these “alternative” lifestyles.
Christians who preach otherwise are
condemned as religious, narrow-minded bigots. Education curriculum on homosexuality and lesbianism has been slipped into many health care and sex education programs in the public school system. Reading materials like “Daddy’s Roommate” and
“Heather Has Two Mommies” are becoming a common part of school curriculum.
US Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton have invited homosexual and lesbian lobby groups to the White House, giving them recognition as just another special interest movement.
Jesus did say that the end times would be “as it was in the days of Lot.”78
The days of Lot, of course, were famous for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah where homosexuality was rampant.
77 Luke 17:26
78 Luke 17:28
Cloud Ten Pictures
http://www.cloudtenpictures.com
Christine:
ReplyDeleteDo you know if there is a copy anywhere of EXACTLY what this pastor said in his sermon? I do not mean quotations from the Bible... I mean what he added in his own words? (ss)
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI will try to find out that information. So far, I haven't been able to locate any article that explains word for word what was said.
From the ADF email, we do know that the prosecutor is using the Bible version that pastor Greene used against him in the court room. And, the ADF lawyer who sat in on the proceedings said in his statement that the prosecutor shared the opinion that the pastor should get another version of the Bible; one that does not condemn homosexuality. Can you believe the gall of that prosecutor? This is an indirect way of stating that such a Bible (with verses that condemn homosexual behavior) should be eliminated.
I did find an excerpt from the ADF book mentioned in my blogpost. Read it and find out how persecution and verbal abuse by radical homosexual activists (to other readers, I am NOT CLAIMING ALL GAYS do this!) against people of Christian faith is already happening here in the U.S.!!
*******
Excerpt:
The Homosexual Agenda: Excerpt 3
Book: The Homosexual Agenda
The following excerpt is taken from Chapter 6, "The Silence (and Silencing) of the Church"
It was a Sunday morning in early December 1989. The late Cardinal John O’Connor was just beginning his sermon in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Suddenly, shouts came from the congregation.
“You bigot, O’Connor, you’re killing us,” yelled one angry man. Others quickly joined him from the militant homosexual group ACT-UP, who stretched themselves out in the aisles or chained themselves to pews. O’Connor tried not to be flustered and went on with the service. As he continued, the police arrested 43 protestors, carrying out on stretchers those who refused to stand. One irate individual made his way to the altar for Communion, took a wafer, and threw it on the ground. 1
Flash forward to 1993 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In November 1992, the voters of Colorado passed Amendment 2, which would have denied those who practice homosexual behavior special rights. The man who helped get Amendment 2 on the Colorado ballot, Wil Perkins, was sitting in his normal pew at Village Seven Presbyterian Church. Just before the pastor got up to read the morning Scripture, more than a dozen radical homosexual activists leaped out of the congregation and bombarded the parishioners with condoms. 2
Why is this battle so hot? Because for those who take their faith seriously, the Bible is very clear on this issue. (See Genesis 19, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Matthew 19:4-5, Romans 1:24-28, Leviticus 18:22, 1 Timothy 1:8-11.) These verses are very straightforward, and it is difficult to interpret them as anything different than condemning homosexual behavior.
Unfortunately, many evangelicals fear the I word (intolerant), have seen incidents like the ones described earlier, and therefore have sought appeasement with those who seek to undermine and silence the moral authority of the church and the Gospel. It is much like Neville Chamberlain’s going to see Adolf Hitler at Munich in 1938 and selling out his own country and its allies for the sake of “peace in our time.” The bottom line is that with radical homosexual activists, appeasement is not enough. As we have seen, they are demanding total submission to their agenda. Therefore, with each compromise the church makes, another compromise is expected, until the church has nothing left to defend.
The reality is that radical homosexual activists and their allies are looking for any opportunity to attack any church that takes a biblical stand with regard to homosexual behavior, regardless of denomination. As Chamberlain and Great Britain found out, appeasement only leads to empowering those who want to destroy you. For example:
Ron Greer, an 18-year veteran of the Madison, Wisconsin, fire department, handed out a tract to his fellow firefighters and friends that outlined the biblical position on homosexual behavior. Greer was suspended without pay and ordered to attend diversity training. When he refused, he was fired. 3
Orthodox Presbyterian pastor Chuck McIlhenny dismissed his church organist when the organist divulged that he was a practicing homosexual. The organist sued the church, tying up McIlhenny in five years of legal battles in which he and the church ultimately prevailed. During that time, he and his family received death threats, had their residence firebombed, and were told by the San Francisco Police Department that there was nothing they could do to stop radical homosexual activists from threatening him and his family. 4
Nowhere is the fight for religious freedom more evident than in the assault of radical homosexual activists upon the church. If intimidation does not work, homosexual activists are willing to unleash the power of federal, state, and local governments to cow the church and believers into silence.
And once the church is silenced on the sexual behavior issue, it will not take long before it is silenced on other issues. Already in Canada, churches and other religious organizations cannot speak out on homosexual behavior for fear of finding themselves in violation of hate-crime laws. If speaking out against homosexual behavior is considered “hate,” then what about other sexual sins, such as adultery? Without moral authority, the church in the United States will become like so many are now in Europe, museum pieces from an era long, long ago. The result will be tragic for the millions of individuals who will be unable to hear and respond to the Gospel because churches may no longer be allowed to proclaim it.
Footnotes
1 Ed Magnusen, “In a Rage Over AIDS: A Militant Protest Group Targets the Catholic Church,” Time, December 25, 1989.
2 Rosemary Harris, “Church Service Is Interrupted by Gay Activists Throwing Condoms,” Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, November 8, 1993.
3 “Federal Judge Upholds Firing of Madison Firefighter,” Associated Press, June 23, 1999.
4 The McIlhenny’s long struggle against radical homosexual activists is chronicled in the book When the Wicked Seize a City by Pastor McIlhenny and Frank York (Huntington House Publishers).
Thanks Christine. It is good to see you "back in the office"!
ReplyDeleteLove from the Holy Land. (ss)
Ake's full sermon is available in English on his Web site. Go here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.akegreen.org/
Thanks for your kind comments on my website (http://Christianrecovery.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteIm not surprised about what is happening in Sweden. Most of Europe now are socialist governments and it is typical.
The difference between Sweden and us is that we have the Free speech provisions of the US Constitution.I dont think the US Supreme Court is to the point where they would allow free speech restrictions for speaking out against gays from the pulpit.
However, unbeknownst to many Americans there have been recent decisions by the courts to allow restrictions on what they call "Commercial Speech". In other words, if you have a book for profit it doesnt have the same free speech protections as regular speech. Free speech restrictions around abortion clinics were recently struck down which is a postive sign. In addtion, many of the states have in their State Constitutions provisions which protect free speech.
For the time being, we are free to speak out against homosexuality in the United States, and we should avail ourselves of the opportunity.
Fortunately, Congress does not have the authority to overide the Constitution without amendement event if they want to.
God Bless
Ted Wegener
Hello boo,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog! And thanks for sharing your opinion and some additional information.
There is a major difference between your claim about the Westboro website material and what pastor Greene did. Greene was arrested, booked, and tried for "hate crime speech against homosexuals" mostly because there are those who are trying to silence him from expressing and commenting on what is CLEARLY written in the Bible on this subject. But what is even worse is that they are trying to censor him at the PULPIT in HIS OWN CHURCH!
While I was writing this response, I received email notification of a comment by Julie (thanks so much and welcome to my blog Julie!) on where we can all read the entire sermon.
Go Here to read pastor Green's sermon in its entirety. Then, you tell me if you still think he should be tried for "hate crimes" against homosexuals.
Hi Ted,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog! I'm glad you came over to visit. You are most welcome any time.
I love to find Bible-believing born again Christians in the blogosphere and see how they share their faith with others. I have been most blessed by many who frequent this blog and share their life-changing testimonies and comments.
I had not heard of the "Commercial Speech" laws until you mentioned it here. Can you share more details about it? Doesn't sound good AT ALL!
Ted stated: "For the time being, we are free to speak out against homosexuality in the United States, and we should avail ourselves of the opportunity."
I'm certainly with you on that one!! It is kinda scary to think that our freedom of speech and freedom of religious conscience on this topic may be only available, "for the time being!"
People do not realize the threat that radical gay activists present on this issue. They are relentless in their desires and attempts to silence Christians, once and for all, through bogus "hate crimes speech laws" through legislation efforts that are disguised as something good. Woe to those who call evil good and good, evil!
If you have not read it yet, go to this Link and read pastor Green's sermon. It's truly awesome for it exposes exactly how this gay agenda deception is ruining lives and families.
Boo,
ReplyDeleteI look at his comment as his own opinion that the Phelps & Co. methods give Christianity and the true gospel message a bad name. His comment may not have been legally consistent with what he is currently going through, but I believe that his heart was in the right place.
Boo,
ReplyDeleteI went to the site you posted and read the article. The paragraph in question stated:
"Green said that he has contacted newspapers in the United States to distance himself from the comments on the website. He added that he is surprised that authorities in the United States have not intervened. “This harms Christianity,” he said."
It doesn't appear that the "surprised that authorities hasn't intervened" is a direct quote. Do you know where the author of the article got that from?
I have seen pastor Green's words taken out of context, misquoted and slandered so without direct quote documentation, I am hesitant to trust that statement either.
If he did say it, it may be a result of what he has seen, experienced, and is currently used to under the Swedish form of government.
In any case, Green wants to distance himself from Phelp's claims, statements, and support of him at the GHF website. Do you know if many of the U.S. papers Green contacted actually agreed and published his concerns?
The problem is, many newspapers support the gay agenda and it most certainly works better for the gay activists side and views if they can lump Green in with Phelp's crowd.
Green has the transcript of his sermon to show the truth of what he shared and the views he holds. It is very evident that they are not anything like Phelp's.
About your "heterosexual men molest boys more than gays do" comment. Care to share your sources on that? If an act done on a boy is by a man, then it is a homosexual sex act. Heterosexuals do not engage in such acts. Maybe someone deemed bisexual would, but not men who are heterosexual.
Besides, the scientific studies done at NARTH state the opposite of what you claim here.
Also, the evidence involved in the 'pedophile' priest scandal in the Catholic church were more accurately 80% gay sexual molestation done on teen or pre-teen boys. It should have been labeled a pederast scandal because of the ages of the boys at the time that these awful molestations occurred.
Boo,
ReplyDeleteThere will always be competing studies going on about this issue. Statistics can (unfortunately) be easily manipulated. At Pastor Green's website, there is a comprehensive article with links that show statistics and answer the question, "Are homosexuals more often pedophiles?" One conclusion that was reached was:
"In other words: by using this methodology we find that a homosexual person is 10 times as likely as a heterosexual person to be a child molester."
ANY kind of child molestation is absolutely abhorrent no matter who or what sexual orientation the perpetrator hails from!!
There is such a thing as righteous anger and as far as this sin is concerned, I'm sure that Jesus would agree because in Matthew 18:6 He said:
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
The other article showed that percentagewise, homosexuals molest children more often than the percentage of heterosexual offenders.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to argue with what the Bible clearly states on all of these issues. The verse quoted in your comment DOES INCLUDE other sins, including heterosexual sexual sins. The pastor was focusing in on the homosexual issue in the sermon so that may be why you are seeing a lopsided representation of "sins."
The pastor was most likely referring to the acceptance of homosexual couples adopting children and thus being deprived of having both a mother and a father when growing up. We could probably argue ad nauseum on that issue, but it would be unproductive (IMO).
As far as equating gay people with seducing children goes, there is plenty of condemnation for heterosexual predators, too. Recently, my teen daughter and I watched "Human Trafficking" on the Lifetime channel. We were both completely horrified by this devastating type of sexual exploitation and crime perpetrated against women, boys, and girls. I have been planning on doing a post about it, but it is such a sad and awful subject, I haven't had the desire to do so yet.
In my current Bible Study on the book of Genesis, we all read the following verse which described what man was like just before the flood:
Genesis 7:5 - The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. (bold emphasis mine)
I thought of that verse when I was watching Human Trafficking because it perfectly described the type of people involved in such a horrendous trade that inflicts continual pain, harm, and death on its victims. It is evil depravity at its worse!
Then, I thought of the verse in the New Testament where Paul tells us that "God gave them over to their sinful lusts," (the Bible version below states it as "gave them up unto.") I can better understand that verse in the context of realizing Genesis 7:5. When a person reaches the point where every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time, what else could be done for them?
The terms "vile affections" include all types of sexual sin, and then the verse goes on to to say, "for even..." and indicates homosexual sex acts (even though the word wasn't invented yet...the description of what they did was indisputably clear)in the verse:
Romans 1:26-27:
"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet."
The only solution was the provision of Jesus Christ as Savior. He is the only way for man to be rescued from eternal death. Thank God that he has provided a way out! Those who hear Jesus "knocking at the door of their hearts" will repent, let Him in and allow His righteousness to cover their sins so that they can be reconciled to God.
This is the gospel message that Pastor Green was ultimately trying to get across in that sermon. It was not to condemn homosexuals, it was to rescue them from the same fate that we ALL deserve because of sin in our lives. The important thing to remember is that the 'bad news' that we are all sinners in need of the Savior must be shared, realized by each individual within his/her own heart, confessed and repented of before the 'Good News' of Christ can first be realized, and then be invited in to dwell within their soul in the form of the Holy Spirit. That is what being born again means. That is the salvation message of the gospel. There is no other way to be reconciled to God. We all need to answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" Our positive Peter-like response to that question (Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.)
And the born-again experience is necessary to be saved and live forever in God's kingdom when this brief live on earth is over.
John 3:3 -Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:7 - Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Boo,
ReplyDeletePlease don't be naive. There are MANY gay men who molest boys. Some end up murdering them. Two examples are the deaths of pre-teen boys by homosexual men which, if you did a google search, brings up 208,000 websites. The rapes and deaths of both boys can be read at Here. It is undesputable that these were gay men who committed these horrible rapes and murders of these pre-teen boys. The site is filled with stories of additional murders and this Page describes dozens of homosexual predators and their victims. Still need more proof? Visit Here, Here, Here, and Here.
I wonder. Have you ever heard of these two victims? If not, do you wonder why?
Matthew Shepard is a household name, but these two boys and the crimes perpetrated against them were not widely shown on the news. Know why? I'll let you take a guess first.
Another interesting point. The google search for the one name of "Jeffrey Curley" brought up 208,000 sites. For the other victim, Jesse Dirkhising, the search brought up 42,500.
Now. Compare these totals to the total of sites that come up when "Matthew Shepard's" name is put in. The google search for him brings up 4,390,000 sites!
I ask you again. Do you know why this is so? Also, did you know that it has now been revealed that Shepard may have been murdered for his money and not because he was gay?
Now, DON'T ACCUSE ME OF NOT BEING SYMPATHETIC TOWARD MATTHEW SHEPARD!!! This is what ALWAYS happens when I mention the fact of the discrepancy of news coverage when a gay man is murdered verses when gay men murder others. ALL OF THESE MURDERS WERE HORRIBLE!!!
I just want to point out that it may be possible that you are severely misinformed on this issue.
Make that "indisputable." Meant to change it but forgot before I hit the post button.
ReplyDeleteThe silencing of the murder of Mary Stachowicz is another example of the media bias against reporting the murder of Christians (or anyone else) by homosexuals.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I ask...why do you think this is so?
Forgot to add this. The google search for the murder of Mary Stachowicz yields 15,700 sites where Matthew Shepard's has 4,390,000 sites.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I ask anyone reading this to comment. Why do you think this is so??
Please visit Straight Talk Radio and click on the broadcast for 11/17/05 which mentions the upcoming trial of the murderers of Mary Stachowicz.
Never heard of her? This radio broadcast will tell you why.
The radio segment provides a detailed explanation of why the media does not cover cases like her brutal murder with the same veracity or diligence as they did when Matthew Shepard was tragically beaten to death.
I guarantee one thing after listening to this broadcast. The glaring and devastating error of 'hate crimes' law will clearly be revealed and seen.
Did you even listen to the Straight Talk Radio broadcast? You need to.
ReplyDeleteI am not pressing this issue to force you or anyone else to think that homosexuals commit more crimes against Christians or vice versa. The whole point (and original point) was to show how 'hate crimes' protection geared towards only a SPECIFIC group can lead to false claims, suppression of free speech and freedom of association for religious people (especially Bible-believing Christians!) and even CRIMINALIZATION of those who adhere to Bible beliefs that homosexual behavior is abhorrent and sin.
There is no need for the designation of a special group (a group that includes less than 2% of the population!) because of a specific type of BEHAVIOR that they engage in. In addition, statistics that I have read show that many assaults on homosexuals are done by other homosexuals! Now, how would we categorize THAT as a 'hate crime'?
I don't have the time at this moment, but later I will post some examples of faked hate crimes done by lesbians and gays against themselves!!! Don't believe me? Wait and see.
Again, this is YET ANOTHER reason to oppose sexual orientation in 'hate crimes' legislation because it can be abused in this way (among all the rest of the abuses I have cited) and it is not necessary because ALL assaults and murders are already covered under our laws. Pointing specific ones out to make them more 'deserving' for lack of a better word, of punishment than others is WRONG and can be terribly misused.
The following is from Concerned Women for America's Culture and Family Website.
ReplyDeleteFor Real: Many Well-Publicized 'Hate Crimes' Were Staged 8/24/2005
By Lindsey Douthit
The goal is to keep homosexuality in the public eye, no matter what the cost.
It seems to defy logic: people committing "hate crimes" against themselves.
But cases keep arising of homosexuals staging hate crimes and then portraying themselves as victims of narrow-minded bigots. Often, the cases occur while a pro-homosexual measure is under consideration, such as a "hate crimes" law or the addition of "sexual orientation" to a statute or campus policy.
Homosexuals who commit faked hate crimes often admit to police that they did it either for attention or to express anger over the slowness of social "reform." In either case, the initial publicity creates the impression of an urgent need for the public to do something.
We have assembled a brief list of such cases to show that they exist. This does not mean that some people are not victimized, which we find deplorable. Every person deserves equal protection under the law. But the public deserves to know there is a problem with fakery in the name of victim status.
Here are various instances of faked hate crimes that gained publicity:
At the University of Georgia, a homosexual resident assistant reported that he had been victimized in nine hate crimes, including three supposed incidents of arson. When police questioned him, he admitted to performing the acts himself.1
A homosexual student at the College of New Jersey, Edward Drago, was arrested for sending death threats to himself and a homosexual student group in which he served as treasurer. Before Drago confessed to committing the crimes himself, a large student rally was held, complete with faculty support and pink ribbons. Drago was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing in court.2
A lesbian student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota slashed her own face and falsely claimed that two men shouted anti-homosexual remarks and attacked her. Students raised almost $12,000 as a reward for information about her "attackers."3
At Eastern New Mexico University, a lesbian student claimed that she had been attacked after her name was posted on an anti-homosexual "hit list" at a local coin laundry. Police arrested her after a surveillance camera showed her posting the list.4
A lesbian in South Carolina was charged in 2001 with giving false information to a police officer, saying that she had been beaten. Police contend that she hired a man to beat her so that she could report it as a hate crime.5
In Manchester, England, a homosexual minister faked a story about being raped. He is quoted as saying that he felt "intrinsically evil" for his sexual desires. The staged rape attack prompted an intensive police investigation, and upon admitting to an attempted perversion of the court of justice, the minister was given a two-year community rehabilitation sentence and was fined 10,000 pounds.6
In Mill Valley, California, a 17-year-old female wrestler at a local high school faked a series of "gay-bashing" incidents that prompted a police investigation. She claimed that she was the target of hateful language, i.e. anti-homosexual epithets on her car and school locker, and was pelted with eggs outside her home. The teenager was the leader of her school's Gay-Straight Alliance and later admitted to authorities that she perpetrated all of the incidents.7
On the surface, these incidents might seem merely like stunts performed by attention seekers. However, there may be the deeper motivation of garnering cultural sympathy for the homosexual lifestyle. If you make people feel sorry for you, you'll get your way.
This manipulative method is described in After the Ball, a 1989 book by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen, two public relations experts who taught homosexual activists how to achieve societal desensitization and to "jam" anyone opposing them. Here's their core strategy:
In any campaign to win over the public, gays must be portrayed as victims in need of protection so that straights will be inclined by reflex to adopt the role of protector ... The purpose of victim imagery is to make straights feel very uncomfortable.8
Americans have a soft spot for victims and the downtrodden, which speaks well of American character. Images of an innocent person being treated unfairly invoke pangs of guilt, shame and anger in the heart of the average citizen. Over the years, homosexual activists have ruthlessly exploited this good nature and used it to advance a series of "gay rights" measures that, taken together, will result in suppressing anyone who opposes homosexuality for any reason.
Even though most of the people committing faked hate crimes are eventually exposed by police or confess under investigation, their hoaxes still raise support for homosexual activism. Not everyone finds out about the hoax, and the attention is still focused on the "need" for more laws.
As recommended by authors Kirk and Madsen, the goal is to keep homosexuality in the public eye, no matter what the cost.
"The main thing is to talk about gayness until the issue becomes thoroughly tiresome. And when we say talk about homosexuality, we mean just that. In the early stages of the campaign, the public should not be shocked and repelled by premature exposure to homosexual behavior itself."9
By keeping the media fixed upon them as a victim class, homosexuals perpetuate their image as people in need of special protections.
So far, this has produced results that have stunned even the activists themselves: They continue to "cry wolf," and the public continues to run to their rescue.
Lindsey Douthit, a 2005 graduate of Baylor University, wrote this as an intern for the Culture & Family Institute at Concerned Women for America.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End Notes
John Leo, "Faking the Hate," U.S. News and World Report, June 5, 2000, p. 22.
"Gay Student Faked Hate E-mail Campaign," http://www.le-national.com/Worldnat/gay-faked-emails.html.
Leo, op. cit.
Ibid.
"Crying Wolf?" World, August 1, 1999, p. 8; and see Lisa Chiu, "Hate Crime Report a Hoax," azcentral.com, October 2, 2001.
"Gay Minister Faked Rape," The (London) Times, May 28, 2005.
"Girl Admits She Faked Gay-Bashing Incidents," Los Angeles Times, May 9, 2005.
Kirk, Marshall and Madsen, Hunter, After the Ball: How America Will Conquer Its Fear & Hatred of Gays in the 90s, (New York: Doubleday, 1989) p. 183.
Ibid, p. 178.
Staged Hate Crimes
Orchestrated Arson: Another Staged Hate Crime
Boo,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you agree with me that "hate crimes" legislation is a bad idea.
I did not claim that LGBT people are not targeted. But consider this. What is not well known (by the general public) or discussed is that a lot (not claiming all!) of the physical domestic abuse is often perpetrated on a gay person by a gay lover (or former lover).
I think that when the truth is not told on these issues, it gets skewed in the direction of the ideology that the media wants to portray; that of victimization. Remember. I am NOT claiming that gays are never victimized! What I'm saying is that the media chooses to ONLY portray gays as victims. They don't cover the crimes inflicted on children like Jeffrey Curley, Jesse Dirkhising, and people like Mary Stachowicz. And, I don't agree with your accessment as to why they are not covered. It's not because they are unusual and/or rare cases. It is because they don't portray gays as the victim. They are the perpetrators. And, I don't think you are correct that revealing this will incite more violence against gay people. It may reduce the "they are always the victim" status that is now prevalent in the news and thus could possibly affect the latest legislation (or, usually more often court case) they are trying to push through to get their way. This is one of the real reasons why these cases of gays as predators/murderers do not get the heavy coverage like the Matthew Shepard beating/murder did.
As I said before. They are ALL HORRENDOUS! But I think that it is an absolute travesty of justice for the news media to ignore, squelch or cover up the crimes against people like Jeffrey, Jesse and Mary just because these murders aren't deemed as newsworthy as Shepard's.
Additionally, I'd like to point out that existing laws can be applied in every one of these cases. If a law is not strong enough, then it should be strengthened. For instance. When the recent trial in the case of the death of a drag queen gave the killer a light sentence, I was horrified! No matter that he was deceived into thinking the man was a woman. That's absolutely NO EXCUSE to kill him! Personally, I think that the "gay panic" defense is at fault and THAT particular defense concept as applied to law should be changed.
I also think that Jessica's Law should be passed in all 50 states. Children need more protection from all types of sexual predators, period.
About the homosexual/pedophile link. I have heard your argument before. But it doesn't make logical sense. A male adult who sexually abuses a boy is involved in homosexual behavior, is he not? How can you label the person a heterosexual then? He may be bisexual, but not heterosexual. Heterosexuality is defined in the dictionary as, "sexual desire or behavior directed towards persons of the opposite sex."
A male pedophile who sexually abuses girls would be considered a heterosexual predator. A female pedophile who sexually abuses boys would be considered a heterosexual predator.
Why do you continue to insist that these descriptions are not true?
If we examine your argument further, then wouldn't we have to say that homosexual desire and behavior is fluid and not fixed? If a heterosexual man suddenly gets the urge to sexually abuse a young boy, would you be able to admit that heterosexuality is not fixed? If so, then how about homosexuality?
Yet, gay activists always insist that "gays can't change" and "it's harmful for them to change" yada yada yada. But is this the truth? No. Absolutely not. How do I know? I am friends with 2 people who were involved in homosexuality in the past and now have completely changed to heterosexual behavior and identity. Are you going to claim that these people are lying and don't exist? That's what gay activists try to do. In fact, when I was attempting to invite and ex-gay man to speak at a high school gay-straight alliance meeting, I had a long conversation with him over lunch. He told me that his particular reason for getting involved in the gay lifestyle was to punish his dad who was a Christian pastor. He contracted HIV because of his rebellion against both God and his own father. He repented, became born-again, and now works in sexual brokenness ministry. He is married to a woman, too.
I have a beautiful new friend named Susan who lives in Israel. She was caught up in lesbianism for 20 years and had other addictions, too. Her miraculous release from this bondage and her testimony is mentioned here in this blog. She is completely free through the power of Jesus Christ. Are you going to deny that this is not possible when we have living proof that change is possible?
So which is it? Fixed or fluid?
One other thing. My Christian friend Dean told me that he received much more bashing and death threats when he became heterosexual and a born-again Christian than he had ever received living as a gay man. Another good Christian friend of mine who I have spoken to on the phone several times told me the exact same thing. He runs a successful ex-gay ministry and he is often the target of vile threats against him and his family. This is absolutely awful!!
I've read about other men who are ex-gay and have been given death threats by gay activists. Where's the tolerance in that?? Where's the 'hate crime' protection for them? In every case, these men (and horribly, their families!)were targeted by gay activists because of who they now are and the ministry they are involved in.
What say you about that, Boo?
Well, I didn't mean to make this post so long, but I wanted to be thorough.
I wasn't changing the subject. I was making an additional point. It was just one more example about the media's lack of reporting when a crime (or domestic abuse, or what have you) is done by a gay person.
ReplyDeleteI realize that there are gay people who do not want to change. But I don't think that they have the right to mis-inform teens (who may be sexually questioning) through gay-straight alliances. Gay activist state that change is never possible. They also incorrectly add that trying to change is ALWAYS harmful. Bunk!!
I, and several other concerned parents saw such indoctrination happening with our own eyes while observing several GSA meetings. Also, just for clarity, I will say that the ex-gay man (Dean)was turned down by the advisors from speaking at club. It seems only certain "straight" people can be included in such "alliances." And before you say it...no...he wasn't going to present a talk that would insult, bash or in any way degrade anyone. Plus, it wasn't overtly religious, either. He prepares speeches that can be shared with secular audiences. He was going to share the truth that some gay people can, and have successfully, and happily changed.
I think that Dean's story would have been a very good presentation for teens who are sexually questioning. But no. The other side of the issue gets squelched, once again. They prefer the tired mantra, "you're gay, get used to it."
A few years ago, I attended a "speak out" forum at a local college. There were only 5 conservatives and 60 liberals sharing their points of view.
There was one lesbian minister who succeeded at verbally bashing Christians and conservatives. The moderator tried to stop her, but the words were already said. She had to tone it down for the rest of her rant, but her hatred was so very clear. She left before it was my turn to speak, thank God.
I shared Dean's story. Several students and a few adults attending the forum came up to me to talk afterward. I was surprised. I didn't think that my message was well received. People were mostly silent when I finished. The leader of the conservative side later wrote that my story about Dean was the most riveting. Anyway, one female (straight)college student in particular expressed that she didn't know that gays could change. She had a lesbian friend who was unhappy with her homosexuality, and knowing about Dean had given her new hope to help her friend.
The thing is, our society is so open about everything having to do with sexuality, except the fact that gays can successfully (and happily) change. Don't assume that they are not happy after changing their behavior and sexual orientation. Most are very happy and see it as salvation from that particular bondage of sin.
I realize that not all gays want to change or will change. But those who desire to change should be allowed to pursue it either through Christian or Jewish ministries, or, through secular organizations like NARTH.
Boo stated: "You also have to understand that what you percieve as lovingly offering the testimony that you feel called to offer is often experienced as extremely insulting and degrading by us. How would you like it if I said your "marriage" was a sham and you were in an unhealthy addiction and bondage?"
It is extremely unfortunate that you feel that way. God's Word is clear both about marriage being between one man and one woman and also about the sin of homosexuality. These are God's views about both. As a born-again Christian, I agree with Jesus when he stated, "Your word is truth" to God the Father. He didn't say some of it. He meant all of it.
The alternative is that a person can ignore God's Word, twist the Scriptures or disagree with them. But he/she does so at his/her own peril as far as salvation is concerned.
"Iocaine" powder? You lost me with that comment.
ReplyDeleteBut I will speak of what I know according to how the Bible is to be received and interpreted.
It is not my interpretation. Have you ever heard of hermeneutics? It is the art or science of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures. It is the branch of theology that deals with the principles of Biblical exegesis.
As I stated previously, the Bible verses which discuss homosexual behavior are crystal clear. No amount of twisting or re-interpretation could ever take away the original meaning which was being conveyed by God through the writers.
I am re-posting the following reply that I have given previously to those who often make the dubious claim that "Jesus never said anything about homosexuality." I realize that those who do not adhere to God's Word nor accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can ignore what is written, however, it does use accurate hermeneutics which obviously creates a profound case for the Biblical interpretation that homosexual behavior is an abomination to God and sin.
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Christ did say that God created people “in the beginning” as male and female, and that marriage is the union of one man and one woman joined together as “one flesh.” (Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9) Nothing is said about any other type of union.
When He discussed sexual morality, Christ had a very high standard, clearly affirming long-standing Jewish law. He told the woman caught in adultery to “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11) He warned people not only that the act of adultery was wrong, but even adulterous thoughts. (Matthew 5:28) And he shamed the woman at the well (John 4:18) by pointing out to her that he knew she was living with a man who was not her husband.
Christ used the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of God’s wrath ( Matthew 10:15, Mark 6:11,Luke 10:12, and Luke 17:29). Throughout the Old Testament, prophets clearly described these cities as being notorious for the practice of homosexuality. (Genesis 18:20, Genesis 19:4-5, Isaiah 3:9, Jeremiah 23:14, Ezekiel 16:46-59). Jesus certainly knew that this was how the comparison would be understood.
Christ was God incarnate (in the flesh) here on earth. He was the long-expected Messiah, which was revealed in Matthew 16:13- 20, Matthew 17:5-9, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 4:16-30, Luke 9: 18-21,John 4:25-26, John 8:57-59 and elsewhere. As one with God, He was present from the beginning (John 1: 1-13; Colossians 1:15-17; Ephesians 3:9 and elsewhere). So, Jesus was part of the Godhead as the laws were handed down through Moses to Israel and eventually to the whole world. This Old Testament law clearly prohibited homosexuality (Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13; Deuteronomy 23:18 and elsewhere). The apostles understood this also, as shown by Paul’s writing in Romans 1:24-27, Peter’s in 2 Peter 2:4-22, and John’s in Revelation 22:15.
So--the apostles, who were taught by Christ, clearly understood that homosexuality was a sin as it has always been. When people say, “Jesus said nothing about homosexuality,” they reveal that they really haven’t understood Scripture, or Who Christ is. Maybe some of these points can help them toward a clearer understanding.
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I am including two responses to this post that make the point even clearer.
Post ID: 709 Posted by: pool6x, 2005-09-17 02:13:00
This was an excellent reply based upon the truth of the Bible. Christ is God, the Holy Spirit (God also) inspired the Bible's writing, So when God declared homosexuality an abomination in the Old Testament, it was in fact Christ (God) who was the one declaring that. So, Christ did say a lot about homosexuality...everytime God says it in the Bible, Christ (part of the Godhead) is dittoing it.
Post ID: 716 Posted by: nitsuard, 2005-09-19 01:44:26
Excellent indeed! But I had a bad link to the original article and hope to read it b4 continuing my comments except to say that John 1 explains that Christ was GOD in the flesh and was the Creator who made everything, including every word written by man to be included in the Bible.
Boo,
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that you come here to argue for arguments sake. My post comments were backed up with Scripture verses that dealt precisely with the issue at hand. I noticed that yours did not contain any Bible verses. Not even a reference (except for one mention of the book of Ezekiel). This is very telling when discussing the Bible. Those who do not adhere to God's Word typically do not use God's Word to defend their point(s) of view.
Do we even need to wonder why this is so? No. We don't. And, I'll tell you why. Because it is extremely difficult and impractible, if not impossible, to stand up against the truth of God's Word.
Oh yes. Skeptics and naysayers have tried to counter God's truth in Scripture. Their superfluous efforts seem to increase and continue to this very day. But their efforts are in vein.
Your attempt to brush off the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah as just a "lack of hospitality" would be quite laughable if this wasn't such a serious subject.
But for the sake of those who may still be reading and following this thread, I will post (once again!) an inductive Bible study posted by an internet friend named Jerry Cesario that absolutely destroys your contention that the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah did not include homosexuality.
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Volume II Issue #8 AUGUST, 2003
The Days Of Lot
"Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed." Luke 17:28-30
While I am painfully aware that this month's commentary is not without controversy, I have struggled long and hard with how to present it. Unfortunately, there is just no other way than to just get it out. If you are offended by it, then good. I hope that you will search the Scriptures to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11). Now that I have your attention, let me just say that I am going to do my best to expose this darkness, but share the love and mercy of Christ as well. I am also going to use a lot of Scripture, as the Holy Spirit needs to be able to do His job through the understanding of His Word.
The story of Abraham and Lot should be familiar to everyone, however I will refresh your memory on the details. Lot was Abraham's nephew and they had left Ur together in search of the Promised Land. Because God had prospered them both with huge herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, the land began to be too small for their needs. At that point they agreed to separate and each find room for their herds, flocks and families. Abraham let Lot choose first and he chose the plain of Sodom to dwell in. As time would go on, it would become apparent that Lot had made a poor choice.
The Bible does not have a lot to say about Sodom other than that it was very wicked.
Genesis 18:20-21
" And the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave,
21I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know."
We are told just what this grievous sin is until the next chapter...
Genesis 19...
1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.
2And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way."
And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square."
3But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house.
5And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally."
6So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him,
7and said, "Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly!
8See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof."
9And they said, "Stand back!" Then they said, "This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them." So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door.
10But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.
11And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.
As I said, the Bible doesn't say much about Sodom, but what it does say is loud and clear. There are days worth of study in this passage friends. Why was Lot sitting at the gate? This signified his high position on the city council. Lot was tolerant of the rampant sin in the city. What an apt picture of our day and age friends. This is our first clue to why Jesus pointed out the days of Lot as a model for the time of His return. However the second, and most glaring, description of Sodom is that it was filled with the sin of homosexuality. The men of Sodom wanted the 'men' that had come to Lot's house. In fact, they wanted them so bad that they tried to break down the door to get them, and, according to their own words, they wanted them just to have sex with them. They would not even accept the offer of Lot's daughters. Nope. They burned in lust for the men that had come to town.
So where does that leave us today? Jesus likened the days of his return unto the days of Lot. What do we know about the days of Lot other than the rampant homosexuality that marked it? Isn't it odd that we do not know much more about it? I do not think so. In fact, I believe that it is exactly what Jesus was referring to.
The homosexual agenda has been pushing at us for decades with a marked increase in recent years. MTV has been a big factor in pushing it on shows like The Real World and Road Rules. Numerous TV shows, plays and even music stars have been instrumental in advance the homosexual lifestyle upon the world. However, it really seems that there has been a definitive increase in recent weeks. It is as if a line has been crossed, or a dam has been breached and the flood of homosexuality has begun to fill the world. I believe that the dam that broke was the Church. The big news recently was the appointment of the so-called "Gay Bishop". Deluded statements like, "Once again Jesus has turned Good Friday into Easter Sunday" (quoted by Gene Robinson on the day of his appointment), and "We have come to the conclusion as a Church that homosexuality is not wrong. It is just another of the many ways that God expresses himself through man." (in a statement made days earlier regarding the so-called 'Heresy Meeting' days before the appointment by a Episcopalian Church leader).
I do not think that many folks realize the spiritual significance of this story. This should never have even come up for discussion. This was the last frontier for the homosexual agenda friends and now it has been reached! The moral implications not withstanding, the legal implications are going to be very grave indeed. The door is wide open for the homosexual lifestyle to permeate every aspect of society now.
You may have noticed that right on the heels of the bishop appointment were a flurry of TV shows on both cable networks and regular television (to use a phrase lightly). Many more are being advertised for the upcoming season as well. You see, that is the whole point. Now that Satan has officially sanctioned the homosexual lifestyle in the Church, what is holding back the same agenda in the world? Every church is now going to be expected, probably forced, to allow homosexuals to be placed in ministry positions. We can not only expect the flood to fill the obvious demonic controlled areas of society, but now the Church as well. Surely Jesus is coming for his Bride!
Is there anything wrong with homosexual sex? Many today actually believe that it is fine, if homosexuals just keep it to themselves. Well, what does the Word of God have to say about it?
Leviticus 20:13
If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.
It seems pretty clear what God thinks about the act of gay sex. But that was Old Testament some would say...
Romans 1 gives us an overall description of the fate of those who reject God and His salvation through Jesus Christ...
26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.
And later we read that homosexuals will not enter in to Heaven unless they repent of their homosexual sins and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I Corinthians 6:9-11
9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Again in I Timothy 1:10
10for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.
I think the Bible is pretty clear, don't you? The problem isn't with homosexuality exclusively. You can replace that sin with any from the list, it simply doesn't matter. Sin is sin is sin! That is the key to this whole thing. However, the elusion to the days of Lot by Jesus Christ, and the delusion that is spreading in the world today are unmistakably linked to the homosexual lifestyle. Thus it is the issue that needs to be dealt with today.
As followers of and believers in Jesus Christ we must be compassionate and seek every opportunity to extend the Gospel to all sinners. Homosexuals do need to be reminded of their specific sins, but rather that their sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus, should they want it and confess that Jesus is Lord.
For those who are watching the skies and looking for Christ's return, this impending flood is inching oh so much closer. The great rescuing of the Church is surely nigh. Keep the faith saints, and do not bend on the essentials of the faith. The degree of sin being displayed may be perceived as worse than any other, but it is still just sin. We were all guilty before we received the grace of God. Don't forget that God dearly loves the sinner and does not have any joy in the death of the wicked. He loves the homosexual just as much as any other, so much that he sent his Son to die for them too.
... Written by Jerry Cesario
Boo,
ReplyDeleteI call them as I see them. And in this case, I perceived you as using an ad hominem type of argument which has the purpose of not paying enough attention to the issue at hand while attempting to divert people's attention from the point. I just thought it was easier to say "argument for argument's sake."
With that said, here is the crucial point. God had already determined to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, as Genesis 18:16-33 indicates, even before the incident in 19:8. Consequently, it is much more reasonable to hold that God had pronounced judgment upon these cities for the sins they had already committed, namely, homosexuality, than for a sin they had not yet committed, that is inhospitality.
Boo,
ReplyDeleteAbout your "invented" word comment. It is well known that the term "homosexuality" was not used at the time that the Bible was written. However, the description of the act(s) of sex between two men or two women is unmistakably revealed to be sin.
*******
This portion of Jerry's comments bears repeating:
"Is there anything wrong with homosexual sex? Many today actually believe that it is fine, if homosexuals just keep it to themselves. Well, what does the Word of God have to say about it?
Leviticus 20:13
If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.
It seems pretty clear what God thinks about the act of gay sex. But that was Old Testament some would say...
Romans 1 gives us an overall description of the fate of those who reject God and His salvation through Jesus Christ...
26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting."
*******
I would like to add here that in the book of Leviticus chapter 15:1-33, we read that this portion of Scripture discusses bodily emissions from both males and females. In each case, there are two types of emissions. The first type is pathological, though the diseases involved are not specified. These required a sin offering in addition to washing with water. The second type is sexual. These required only washing and did not require a sin offering which is a way of saying that sex itself is not sinful.
But notice one more thing. The ONLY sexual relationship mentioned there that doesn't require a sin offering or sacrifice of an animal is between a man and a woman.
Go over to Leviticus 18. There, it is listed what "unlawful sexual relations" are. Many included there involve laws against certain types of heterosexual sex. These were forbidden not only for holiness sake, but also because many could cause devastating diseases. There are those that are listed as detestable and abominations. Verse 22 specifically states: "do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." The NKJV calls it an abomination. The rest of the chapter tells those people who are to be God's people and "set apart" from the pagan culures around them to not defile themselves in any of these ways.
Leviticus 18:24-30:
24 'Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. 25 For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. 26 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you 27 (for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), 28 lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you. 29 For whoever commits any of these abominations, the persons who commit them shall be cut off from among their people.
30 'Therefore you shall keep My ordinance, so that you do not commit any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves by them: I am the Lord your God.'"
*******
Jerry continues:
And later we read that homosexuals will not enter in to Heaven unless they repent of their homosexual sins and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I Corinthians 6:9-11
9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Again in I Timothy 1:10
10for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.
I think the Bible is pretty clear, don't you? The problem isn't with homosexuality exclusively. You can replace that sin with any from the list, it simply doesn't matter. Sin is sin is sin! That is the key to this whole thing. However, the elusion to the days of Lot by Jesus Christ, and the delusion that is spreading in the world today are unmistakably linked to the homosexual lifestyle. Thus it is the issue that needs to be dealt with today.
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Yes. As born-agains Christians our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. But Jesus told us that he didn't come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. This is for our sakes.
Christ speaking:
Matthew 5:17 - Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (emphasis added)
Many Scriptures admonish us by using the term "God forbid" for willfully continuing in ANY sin that we know is wrong.
Romans 6:2 - God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
1 Corinthians 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid.
Gal 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, [is] therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Boo stated:
ReplyDelete"You can't just say "it's God's Word" and leave it at that, you have to know what it's actually talking about. You have to interpret."
Interpreted by whom? You in 2005? Or Biblical Scholars who have agreed for hundreds of years what the original intent of the writers was, is and ever shall be?
Boo stated: "A strict reading of 1 Timothy 2 says you shouldn't even have this blog, since men might read it and be spiritually instructed by a woman. I doubt you interpret it that way, tho."
Have you ever heard of the concept that "Scripture interprets Scripture?" Here is an example on the subject of 1 Timothy 2:9-15.
"To understand these verses, we must understand the situation in which Paul and Timothy worked. In first-century Jewish culture, women were not allowed to study. When Paul said that women should learn in quietness and full submission, he was offering them an amazing new opportunity. Paul did not want the Ephesian women to teach because they didn't yet have enough knowledge or experience. The Ephesian church had a particular problem with false teachers. Evidently the women were especially susceptible to the false teachings (2 Timothy 3:1-9), because they did not yet have enough Biblical knowledge to discern the truth. In addition, some of the women were apparently flaunting their newfound Christian freedom by wearing inappropriate clothing (2:9). Paul was telling Timothy not to put anyone (in this case, women) into a position of leadership who was not yet mature in the faith (see 5:22). The same principle applies to churches today (see the note about 3:6 below).
Some interpret the passage of 2:12 to mean that women should never teach in the assembled church; however, commentators point out that Paul did not forbid women from ever teaching. Paul's commended co-worker, Priscilla, taught Apollos, the great preacher (Acts 18:24-26). In addition, Paul frequently mentioned other women who held positions of responsibility in the church. Phoebe worked in the church (Romans 16:1). Mary, Tryphena, and Tryphosa were the Lord's workers (Romans 16:6, 12), as were Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2). Paul was very likely prohibiting the Ephesian women, not all women, form teaching for the reasons already stated above.
In Paul's reference to women being silent, the word silent expresses an attitude of quietness and composure. (A different Greek word is usually used to convey "complete silence.") In addition, Paul himself acknowledges that women publicly prayed and prophesied (1 Corinthians 11:5). Apparently, however, the women in the Ephesian church were abusing their newly acquired Christian freedom. Because theese women were new converts, they did not yet have the necessary experience, knowledge, or Christian maturity to teach those who already had extensive Scriptural education.
1 Timothy 3:6 - He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
Younger believers who are selected for office need to beware of the damaging effects of pride. Pride can seduce our emotions and cloud our reason. It can make those who are immature susceptible to the influence of unscrupulous people. Pride and conceit were the devil's downfall, and he uses pride to trap others."
Reference: Life Application Bible NIV commentaries.