We strongly support the Boy Scouts of America current prohibition on open homosexuality and retaining it without revision. Nearly 70 percent of BSA troops are hosted by churches and religious institutions. Upholding traditional morality is vital for sustaining this partnership, for protecting Scout members, and for ensuring BSA has a strong future. A proposal from the BSA board to prohibit “discrimination” based on “sexual orientation or preference” for BSA members potentially would open the Scouts to a wide range of open sexual expressions. In our current culture, it is more important than ever for our churches to protect and provide moral nurture for young people and for the Scouts. We implore members of the upcoming BSA Council to affirm the BSA’s present policy, which the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed, and which has served BSA well.
(Titles are for identification only.)
Bishop David C. Anderson, Sr.
President, American Anglican Council
Sara L. Anderson
Executive Vice President
Bristol House, Ltd. (United Methodist)
Randy Alcorn,
Director of Eternal Perspective Ministries
The Rev. Canon Phil Ashey
Chief Operating & Development Officer
American Anglican Council
Doug Beacham
Presiding Bishop, Int’l Pentecostal Holiness Church
Dr. Robert D. Benne (Lutheran)
Jordan Trexler Professor Emeritus
and Research Associate
Religion and Philosophy, Roanoke College
David K. Bernard
General Superintendent
United Pentecostal Church International
Dr. Robert H. Blackburn
Past Chairman, National Association of Covenanting Congregations
The Rev. John Bradosky, Bishop
The North American Lutheran Church
Rev. Dr. Gemechis Desta Buba
Assistant to the Bishop for Missions,
North American Lutheran Church
Galen Carey
National Association of Evangelicals
Pastor Mark C. Chavez
General Secretary, North American Lutheran Church
Nancy Clark
President, Evangelical Women Leaders of the National Association of Evangelicals
The Rev. Sue Cyre
Executive Director of Presbyterians for Faith, Family and Ministry (PFFM)
The Most Reverend Robert Duncan,
Archbishop, The Anglican Church in North America
Dr. Anthony Esolen, Providence College
Dr. Jim Garlow
Senior Pastor; Chairman, Renewing American Leadership
Pastor Matthew Harrison
President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Doug Harvey, Executive Director
Disciple Heritage Fellowship
Rev. Charles Huckaby,
Dean, Western Classis of the Calvin Synod Conference United Church of Christ Term 2010 – 2013
Clyde M. Hughes
Bishop/General Overseer
International Pentecostal Church of Christ
Bishop Harry R. Jackson
Presiding of the International Communion of Evangelical Churches.
Dr. Jeffrey Jeremiah
Stated Clerk
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Bishop David Kendall
The Free Methodist Church – USA
James M. Kushiner
Executive Director, The Fellowship of St. James
Dr. Richard Land
President
Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
John Lomperis
Director, United Methodist Action
Alex McFarland
Director for Christian Worldview and Apologetics
Senator Patricia Miller
Executive Director, Confessing Movement (United Methodist)
R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Bob Morrison
Secretary, REVIVE! (Iowa United Methodist renewal)
Rev. Dr. Mary Holder Naegeli
Minister-at-Large, San Francisco Presbytery; Moderator of the Presbyterian Coalition
Thomas C. Oden
United Methodist theologian
Director, Center for Early African Christianity
Eastern University
Rev. William Owens Sr.
President, Coalition of African American Pastors
Dr. Eric Patterson
Dean, Robertson School of Government
Regent University”
Dr. Bob Phillips
Senior Pastor;
Encourager Church, Houston
Co-Founder, Kairos Journal
Leon J. Podles
President
Crossland Foundation
Dr. Steve Riggle
Senior Pastor; Grace Church, Houston
President, Grace International
Dr. Mark E. Roberts
Publisher, Word & Spirit Press (Pentecostal/Charismatic)
Bishop David Roller
The Free Methodist Church – USA
Rev. Kevin C. Rudolph
National Covenant Association of Churches
Windwood Presbyterian Church
Dr. Rick Scarborough
Founder and President, Vision America Action
The Rev. Dr. Frederick J. Schumacher
Executive Director, American Lutheran Publicity Bureau
Charles G. Scot
General Bishop of the Pentecostal Church of God
The Rev. W. Stevens Shipman
Director, Lutheran Coalition for Renewal
The Rev. Paul Stallsworth
President, Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality
David M. Stanley
Director, Institute on Religion and Democracy
Chairman, United Methodist Action Steering Committee
Co-Chair, REVIVE! (Iowa United Methodist renewal)
John Stonestreet
Speaker and Author for Breakpoint and Summit Ministries
Bishop Ray Sutton
Ecumenical Officer, Anglican Church in North America
Eric Teetsel
Executive Director, Manhattan Declaration
Mark Tooley
President, Institute on Religion & Democracy
Bishop Matthew Thomas
The Free Methodist Church – USA
The Rev. Dr. David Wendel
Assistant to the Bishop for Ministry and Ecumenism
The North American Lutheran Church
Dr. Luder Whitlock, Jr.
Interim President of Knox Theological Seminary.
Mark Williams
General Overseer, Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee
Bishop Ronald Wilson
General Superintendent
Congregational Holiness Church
Dr. George O. Wood
General Superintendent
General Council of the Assemblies of God
Thanks to all who signed this. As a father of an 11-year-old boy scout and a 5-year-old who desperately wants to be one, I hope that scouting can remain what it has been for more than 100 years, a place where men of moral character help boys become men of moral character. Scouting cannot remain true to that heritage and mission if it compromises on this issue. Unfortunately, for my daughters, the girl scouts and many similar organizations have already so compromised.
May boy scouts continue to be able to honestly pledge this oath:
“On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”
And may all of those that suffer from the dysfunctional behavioral problem of homosexuality admit they have a problem and seek the help that they so desperately need!
Jason Collins(athelete) just admitted to having the affliction of homosexuality and is now, hopefully, seeking the help he needs, from one of the many fine institutions in America, that will help him purge himself of his abnormal, perverted behavior!
[…] of anti-gay activists and religious leaders have signed on to a letter calling upon the Boy Scouts to reject the proposed change to the policy banning gay […]
@Gregory K. Laughlin
No disrespect, but how are gays in the Boy Scouts going to hinder you’re sons becoming a man? You sound like incredibly educated, so I refuse to believe that you believe that all gay men are attracted to all men. That’s kind of like saying that all gay women are attracted to all women. Or all heterosexual men/women are attracted to all heterosexual men/women. Which I am sure you know to be demonstrably false. Again, your beliefs are your beliefs. I am just trying to understand them.
God made Adam & Eve not Adam & Steve! Just saying!!
Or conversly, God made Adam and Eve — not Madam and Eve. So, “right on, brother!” (also just sayin’)
Please refer to the response of Nunnyah Biz on May 22, 2013 at 11:05 AM stated above.
Untill we recognize Homosexuality for what it really is, having compassion on those affected and offer help for them to overcome the problem — instead of refusing to admit there even is a problem and passing it off as just “another qurk” in morally normal and healthy sexuality — the “problem” will not go away.
Influence by association is real and powerful — especially for young impressionable youth. That’s one of the main reasons for establishing the Boy Scouts of America in the first place.
No one is denying them counsel, help, or sympathy. However, if you have a problem with understanding your “feelings/emotions” regarding an object you don’t expose yourself to further problems by being in that objects presence.
Another way of putting it is that you would not want an alcoholic to be continuously exposed to alcohol, or an addict to have free and unlimited access to the drug/s they are having issues with.
Exposing morally straight boys to someone who cannot even honestly take the Scouting Pledge is not the answer to the morally corrupted boy, counseling is. It must be remembered that it is NORMAL for children to be curious about sexuality, but only in their very young years. Boys of scouting age are, if they are NORMALLY developed emotionally, do not have any sexual interest in other boys. Since there are NO “born gay”s the answer lies in removing their MENTAL association with homosexuality, since sexual behavior IS a LEARNED activity, not an innate one.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is not paying attention OR being honest about the issue.
As for the Christian beliefs, they too are consistently approached incorrectly by non-believers, atheists, and homosexuals (primarily because they’re opposed to ALL moral issues and/or Christianity itself). They simply will NOT accept that Christians do NOT “hate” homosexuals. Believing Christians completely understand it is the ACTUAL SIN, or the PERFORMANCE OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS that are hated. And there IS no conflict in “loving the sinner” while “hating/loathing the sin itself”.
Persons who believe otherwise are self-deceiving or consciously being anti-Christian.
You would not understand , that opportunity has passed .You made a decision, which does not allow you to understand.The homosexual people I have met were honest in that they have what they want, and marriage as defined was not what they/ you chose? If you wanted the American dream you would not be asking these questions.Flattering someone for intelligence then questioning them to “understand” their normal lifestyle is not honest! While we are being Honest here in regards to your life style choice, lets rekember that it evolves around “sex” Period.
With all due respect; If you don’t understand the ungodliness of homosexuality then we’ll never be able to explain it to you. There are none so blind as those who will not see. Please read through Romans chapter one, verse 18ff very slowly, carefully and prayerfully… perhaps a version that is easily understandable. Let it speak to your very spirit!
[…] MERE COMMENTS– Statement by Religious Leaders on Boy Scouts; Mere Links 05.20.13 … […]
[…] Here is their statement, which attracted about fifty prominent signers: […]
Substitute “black” or “Jew” for “homosexual” and re-read this letter while recalling that it was hardly yesterday in this country when blacks and Jews were targets for public discrimination. Is that a history to be proud of? Do we honor any of the public figures who supported such discrimination? Do we respect their beliefs? Do we tolerate racism and anti-Semitism now? Today’s target is gay people. Do these signers really expect to escape the judgment of history–that intolerance is disgusting and discrimination is shameful? Do these so-called leaders really want to earn a page in the annals of infamy along with racists and anti-Semites? Do they really think that future generations will not hold them in contempt?
Blacks & Jews did not willfully exhibit dysfunctional, perverted behavior as homo’s & lesbo’s do!
Therefore, your comparison is incompetent, irrelevant & immaterial!
Actually as Christian leaders they should care more about the judgements of God rather than the judgements of men/women. In the end it matters not at all if “history” declares the faithful to be an abomination or wrong. History will come to an end, and we must all finally stand before a holy and righteous God who has declared that all sexual immorality is sinful and under his wrath, and to support such is to place ourselves under His wrath. Thank God for Christian leaders who take a stand against sexual immorality, because that is the faithful thing to which they have been called. Thank God for Christian leaders who say NO to sin and YES to the life transforming message of Jesus who can give victory over all forms of sin and give divine joy and fellowship to those who would submit to Him in faith. If their actions are considered evil, then that can only be because we have come to the place in our society where we are now calling evil good, and good evil. That places us in a horrible position before God.
AMEN Robert Buechler!!
Better then the judgement of hell!!
Being Christian myself, I would like to offer a slight clearification in the statement about believing Christ is necessary to enter Heaven. As Christians, we believe that is nexessary for us Christians, but aslo believe “judge not, that ye be not judged”, so chose not to judge others and so cannot rule out other possibilities for entering Heaven. It is not our judgment to make.
Each situation leading to divorce is highly personal and unique. Sometimes divorce is the best solution to otherwise unsolvable donestic problems and as Christians, again chose not to judge others. So we never would believe universally, that divorse is a sin. If things don’t change, remarying the same person is not solving the problem that brought about the dirvorse in the first place. But that doesn’t mean someone else out there could not be a good mate. Believing that the “second comming of Christ” was eminent, Paul wrote that it would be better if all of us were celibate. Obviously, that would not have been a wise choice. Or, if we all became Homosexuals — same thing.
However, comparing all this to Homosexuality in scouting is like trying to compare apples to oranges. It can’t be done.
Being Christian myself, I would like to offer a slight clearification in the statement about believing Christ is necessary to enter Heaven. As Christians, we believe that is nexessary for us Christians, but aslo believe “judge not, that ye be not judged”, so chose not to judge others and so cannot rule out other possibilities for entering Heaven. It is not our judgment to make.
Each situation leading to divorce is highly personal and unique. Sometimes divorce is the best solution to otherwise unsolvable donestic problems and as Christians, again chose not to judge others. So we never would believe universally, that divorse is a sin. If things don’t change, remarying the same person is not solving the problem that brought about the dirvorse in the first place. But that doesn’t mean someone else out there could not be a good mate. Believing that the “second comming of Christ” was eminent, Paul wrote that it would be better if all of us were celibate. Obviously, that would not have been a wise choice. Or, if we all became Homosexuals — same thing.
However, comparing all this to Homosexuality in scouting is like trying to compare apples to oranges. It can’t be done.
Jim, Jim, Jim… comparing ones natural skin color or ethnicity to the deliberate choice of pursuing a perverse lifestyle is the ultimate insult. If I were a man of color or of the Jewish peoples I would be very upset with you. Grow up, please :)
Here we have the latest ineffectual, feeble, and futile gesture by extremists seeking to wage war on the future. I came here to see who the signatories were after having been alerted that the list included “United Methodists,” only to find the handful of names of the usual suspects, right-wing activists who seek to remake the UMC into their version of Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church.
That’s an Unfair statement regarding Westboro. They have no standing in the Christian community, and are clearly, severely dysfunctional. What is wrong with the Boy Scouts maintaining their refreshing 100 year old standards? The benefits are proven and have nothing at all to do with homosexuals. The homo agenda is to infiltrate and destroy perfectly viable institutions with their perverted views. I’ll have none of it, and will be surprised if the Boy Scouts do.
Hey Georgio, might I respectfully suggest you return to the library of your choice and check out some bona fide literature outlining the history of the UMC. Sounds like you’re the one attempting to redefine some things. Why I bet ol’ John & Charles are completely rolling over in their graves at the very thot of some things currently transpiring under the guise of Methodism. Just a thot:)
[…] A full list of signatories can be viewed here. […]
And the trolls are out…
[…] Here is their statement, which attracted about fifty prominent signers: […]
Boy Scouts of America has been a haven for traditional values, including God & Country and “morally straight.” Abandoning those values because of societal pressures exerted by a few perverts will only lead to the demise of a once great organization. I led 3 sons for 10 years in Scouting. It is as it should be and does not need “Change”. Canada did this and lost 50% of its membership. Preserve the BSA!
@Larry Collins: I completely agree. There is no need to change the BSA.
I agree, there is no need to change the Boy Scouts of America. God loves all people, those who are “straight” and those who are “gay”. However, parents have the right to choose what examples of lifestyle they want to lead their children outside of their home and those who have chosen the BSA have done so because of their policies. If someone disagrees with this policy they have every right to establish another Boys club that will meet the lifestyle teachings they want their children to be exposed to. That is what freedom is; it is not demanding a club to change but allows you to start another one.
Nunnyah writes: “Blacks & Jews did not willfully exhibit dysfunctional, perverted behavior as homo’s & lesbo’s do!”
Actually, being of the Jewish faith is not an inherited trait. One chooses to be an Orthodox Jew just as one chooses any other religious affiliation (whether it’s Catholic, Mormon or Buddhist).
Most Christians believe that faith in Christ is necessary to enter Heaven. Aren’t you afraid that little Jewish (or Mormon) boys will spread their ideas to other impressionable youth, leading them on a fast track to a fiery furnace for all eternity?
Speaking of Hell, isn’t divorce a sin? How does one repent of divorce? By marrying their mistress? No … you either remain celibate or reunite with your first spouse. Luke 16:18, Matthew 5:32, Matthew 19:9. How many oppose letting divorcees serve as Scout leaders?
Didn’t think so ….
I applaud those who are standing up for moral goodness in the Boy Scouts. I am standing with those who are standing for what is right concerning protecting the code of the Boy Scouts. I have empathy for homosexuals, but for them to keep pressing for their civil rights based on what I believe they know is wrong in their hearts as being ordained of God is wrong.
I will not allow my sons to have any affiliation with BSA if they do allow homosexuality in there organization. I also will stop my donations to any BSA.
Got a letter from the local council last month, asking if I could duplicate or increase my donation of six months ago. They followed up with a phone call, and I told the fellow that it all depended on today’s vote. I would either boost my donation or throw the letter in the trash, depending on what happened in Dallas.
Well, they made their decision, and I made mine. Ad majorem Dei gloriam.
So they passed a resolution to open Scouting to gay youth. Today’s scouts will be tomorrow’s leaders. Change is inevitable. I’m just wondering how some of you might feel if your own sons come out as gay in their teens. Would you appreciate that the Scouts will still have them? Or would you want them ostracized?
Me asks: “Or would you want them ostracized?”
It seems pretty clear to me based on the derision and contempt displayed here that these folks would either force their kids into a “reorientation” camp for an effective lobotomy, or they’d turn them out into the street to fend for themselves. There are numerous youth who are homeless for just that reason.
Or, they’d rather their sons just lie and pretend to be something they’re not. Look how well it worked out for Ted Haggard, George Rekers, Eddie Long, Larry Craig and John Paulk (the former poster boy of the “ex-gay” movement who has finally renounced reparative therapy).
You know, I can handle being uncomfortable with the unfamiliar and uncommon. There are things and even people that make me uncomfortable. Oftentimes, it’s simply arising from assumptions I’m making about things that may or may not even be accurate. Sometimes it’s based purely on personal prejudice.
I’m willing to admit that, however. I don’t understand why people can’t see their hostility towards gays as being the same thing. If it really, honestly had anything to do with morality, they’d be consistent in other facets of Christian morality. They’d treat divorcees and those who have pre-marital sex with the same contempt and derision they treat gays, but they don’t.
It’s one of the reasons I have a slight degree of respect for the members of Westboro Baptist. At least they’re consistent in their theology of blind hatred.
[…] partnership, for protecting Scout members, and for ensuring BSA has a strong future,” says a statement signed by 50 of them. ”By introducing homosexual identification into Scouting, the Boy […]
James: You are correct, there is a “theology of blind hatred” displayed here. A lot of us have reached out to you in God’s name and with his Word to help you deal with it. But you’re not hearing your own words, just imposing your own unhappy and inaccurate views of Scripture and genuine Christianity on the orthodox view. It does not prove SSA to be right to say that divorce is also wrong. And sinners who repent and reform are not the same as sinners who glory in their sin and refuse God’s help to change. Which went up justified from his prayer in the Temple, the one who was proud of his sin and was full of self-justification, or the one who knew God’s law and repented of his offenses against it?
Amen Michael. As our Lord Jesus said: “Those with ears to hear, let them hear!”
“You are correct, there is a “theology of blind hatred” displayed here.”
Keep in mind that I’ve repeatedly voiced my support for religious freedom on numerous occasions, even in instances where I disagree with the viewpoints and ideas expressed. I don’t even agree with forcing employers to provide contraception where it is against their deeply held religious ideals.
My attempts to be considerate have been met with contemptuous labels. We’re not human beings. We’re “perverts” … “sodomites”, nothing more. My relationship with the person I have cared and sacrificed for has been designated with utter disregard and disdain. Any legal protections for this relationship are being fought at every level. Other gay men and women are being fired from their jobs. We’re supposedly unworthy of even giving up our lives for the country we love. In this instance, you’re fighting the inclusion of youths into the Scouts not for what they do but for who they are and for being honest about who they are.
Do you honestly wonder why your religious pleas leave me cold and unimpressed? Why would I give up a deeply satisfying and authentic life for one based on fear and hatred?
No, James, we don’t wonder why our entreaties leave you unimpressed. We know why, you are more in love with what you do than you are with God. What we wonder is why you keep posting here when you will not listen to what is said to you, and when you respond out of hurt and anger to people who would see you healed.
However, you don’t think you need to be healed. But we are not speaking to you out of arrogance, but as sinners who have themselves been healed by the grace and mercy of God. I am sure I have done worse things than you have ever even thought of, and yet God healed and forgave me. He can do the same for you. But what you cannot do here without contradiction is call a relationship “authentic” when it is outside of the providence of God, by His own clear and perfect Word. We war for the benefit of your soul, and you condemn us for it. And yet, some of us still try, because the stakes are so high for you. It does not hurt us that you condemn us. Beware instead of condemning the One who would save you from yourself.
Again Amen! James, there are many things in my life that I “enjoyed” and found “satisfying”. They were destroying my life though, both physically and spiritually. Both the good Deacon and I have spoken to you out of love for your soul, not hate. Understand that we understand that you are “free” to discount what is said, but that doesn’t change the dangers that face you and the man you are with when all of us must stand before God. I urge you to reconsider your attitudes and actions. I for one was saved by the grace of God in Jesus. He delivered me from a life that was unclean before God and was leading me to hell. When I met Jesus I found the life and joy that the things of this world, and the relationships of this world cannot compare to or with. Seek Him about it. Ask Him to show you the truth, and He will set you free. I want you and all people to have the freedom in holiness and joy that I received. He is such a compassionate God. He will set at liberty the captives. Cry out to Him, and live!
Robert writes: “I urge you to reconsider your attitudes and actions”
Oh, I have. And I honestly appreciate your sincerity and attempts to try to lead me out of what you believe is certain destruction.
If I believed the Bible was actually the Word of God, perhaps I’d take your words seriously.
But I don’t …
I don’t think the Creator of the Universe has or had a temper that could be appeased by snapping the necks of doves or slitting open the bellies of goats. I don’t believe He demanded Moses smash a man’s skull open for gathering wood on the Sabbath. I reject the notion that it’s moral for masters to beat their slaves (so long as they don’t actually kill them – Exodus 21:20-21). I don’t believe that the only moral option for abused women is to be forced to remain with their husbands in a marriage that endangers them and their children. I don’t believe God ever commanded armies to slice open pregnant women and infants to prove a point. I don’t believe that buying and selling human beings for one’s own profit is in any way moral or ethical, despite what pastors Doug Wilson and John MacArthur and Richard Furman say about the matter
Yet, if you are going to take the Bible at face value, you must believe all these things.
You can no more get me to believe these things than you can get me to believe that the moon is made of marshmallows.
This isn’t about “doing what I want”. There are a lot of things I don’t do: I believe stealing is unethical, so I don’t do it, even when it may benefit me and I’m unlikely to be caught. I strive to treat others with the same decency I expect for myself, even when I don’t particularly LIKE them. I sacrifice time and money for various charitable causes.
I may have done things in my life I’m embarrassed about, but THIS … having a relationship with another male who has become part of my family … this, I have no regrets about whatsoever.
Why do you find this so impossible to believe?
[…] prompting about a dozen heads of or spokespersons for denominations—collectively including nearly 25 million members—to urge against the new policy. Among them were the Southern Baptist Convention, the Assemblies […]
James: Again you mistake us. We do not find what you say, that you have no regrets about your relationship, impossible to believe. We find it impossible to reconcile with the will of God. And we know that because we once said equivalent things to ourselves, until God by His grace showed us we were wrong. There was immense pain — at least for me — in coming to that realization, for I had to give up much I valued that was not of Him. Yet, He gave me far more than I had in return.
You say you don’t believe the Bible? We knew that months ago. What we are saying is that if you do not trust God, then you only have yourself to trust. And you can no more save yourself than you can fly to the moon on gossamer wings….
And I must add: You can cite all the Scriptures you wish to which you object, and I freely admit I don’t understand them either. But I have encountered the living God, and He is good beyond our imagining. Therefore, there must be things about His actions in history that make the things you cite either misinterpreted, or have reasons that have not been revealed to us. But the God I have encountered cannot do evil. That God wants to do good for you, too. Stop making up reasons to ignore Him.
Amen Deacon. James, my prayer for you is that you may come to meet Jesus. I have no doubt this is possible, for I myself have met Him. He lives, just as surely as you do. I have seen him heal the sick, cast out demons, baptize in the Spirit. The God I serve is the living God who acts as He says he will and does in the Bible. You asked me once how I can be so sure of God and that the Bible is His Word. I am sure, because He himself lives to confirm it. He has better for you and for your partner. I pray he will work all things for that moment when you will experience His grace.
Robert and Dc Harmon, though I think we will not agree on this issue, I will say that I appreciate your good will. I’m not an atheist, by the way. I do believe in a benevolent Creator who desires that we love as He does.
My intent here is simply to find a way for us to co-exist in a way that allows us to “agree to disagree” without making each others’ lives miserable. Freedom of speech and religious expression should continue to be protected. No one should be fired or harassed for expressing their religious ideals. At the same time, I will continue to insist that gay men and women be granted the dignity of receiving reasonable legal protections in both housing and employment. It does not benefit society in any way if we are deprived of either. Most of us are not criminals. To the contrary, many of us are exemplary employees and neighbors.
It’s unfortunate that both sides have made this a “winner take all” sort of fight. Political and religious blogs seem to fuel this. I remain hopeful that compromises can be made on both sides.
The Bible makes it plain when it says that men who lye with men is a condemnation to our God, But through Jesus Christ we can seek forgiveness and turn from our evil ways! When governments condone evil as good, it is their way of trying to take us away from God, so that we will praise government as our god!
“Agree to disagree”? Heck, we disagree, whether we agree to doing so or not. And of course we cannot compromise with you, because any diminution of God’s laws is a path straight to Hell. So, we disagree, and we will fight you via whatever legal means are available to us, and even if we (temporarily, and in some places) lose the legal battle, we will still continue the moral one by testifying to God’s truth. And that is how we disagree. May God have mercy upon us all.
Deacon Harmon writes: “So, we disagree, and we will fight you via whatever legal means are available to us, and even if we (temporarily, and in some places) lose the legal battle, we will still continue the moral one by testifying to God’s truth”
So I take it you’ll be working to reverse decades of no-fault divorce laws and making it illegal for heterosexuals to divorce and remarry without “biblical” grounds?
I’m doubting it.
I hope you are granted the same tolerance and mercy that you’ve extended to others in this life. Take that any way you wish.