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| Volume 17 Number 8 August 2015 | Page 6 |
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| Volume 17 Number 8 August 2015 | Page 6 |
Raymond Elliott
This was said by a ‘gay’ person who planned on marrying his ‘partner’ after the Supreme Court Justices (I shall call them ‘little gods’ since they redefined the definition of what marriage has been understood for centuries, that is, the joining together of a man and woman in matrimony) legalized same sex marriages on June 26, 2015. The man probably was correct in his assumption that his particular marriage ceremony would not affect others; however, the legalization of homosexual marriages will have some of the greatest impact on the citizens of the United States of America like it has never experienced before in the history of our nation.
First of all, let me say that the liberal estimate of the number of ‘gays’ living in our nation is only 2-4 percent. Whenever any negative statements are made, or articles written about the homosexual style of living, the words ‘homophobic’ and ‘bigot’ are used toward the heterosexual population. Now that the ‘little gods’ have legalized ‘gay marriages,’ we are going to discover just how intolerant a group of people can be when individuals and businesses will not canter to their demands. The courts throughout the land will be filled with law suits of ‘gays’ demanding their ‘rights,’ whatever they might be. F. LaGard Smith wrote the following in his book, Sodom’s Second Coming (page 8), “Hardly anyone stops to notice that gay rights means heterosexuals having to give up rights – like the right to consider character when renting one’s house or when hiring the church secretary; or the right of parents to keep their children from being taught that homosexual couples are just as acceptable as mommy and daddy.” Incidentally, his book was published in 1993.
There are individuals who are not ‘churchgoing’ people who understand that men marrying men and women marrying women is contrary to nature, and whose consciences will prevent them from encouraging and accepting this kind of lifestyle. They will also be challenged when ‘gays’ demand of them services that will be contrary to their convictions.
Here is a partial list of individuals, churches, religious organizations and businesses that will certainly be tried and tested because of the legalization of ‘gay marriages.’
We can now expect that television commercials will be using ‘gay married couples’ in their advertising of different products, companies and businesses. The ‘soap operas’ have been encouraging the ‘gay lifestyle.’ You can be sure that more will be forthcoming.
Christian parents will have to be more aware of what is being taught to their children in the public school system. More time will need to be spent in teaching children what the Word of God has to say on the subject of homosexuality. Conviction on such matters can be held and taught without hatred for anyone. “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled” (1 Peter 3:13-14).
Weightier Concerns
Donald R. Fox
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matthew 23:23 KJV). I must admit that I worry too much about the times we live in. My weightier concern is the lack of overall respect for what the Word of God teaches. At one time, we Americans looked toward the Bible, the Word of God, as a supreme guide in the comportment of people. We notice that Matthew 23:23 indicated an overlooked or making light of “the weightier matters.” Too many of us exalt the fluffy things of this life and minimize the momentous. In our obedience, reflecting on the right and the wrong, we leave these God-given obligations unfulfilled. The “scribes and Pharisees” and mankind in general are engaging in the trivial matters of this life.
They were very strict and precise in the smaller matters of the law, but as careless and loose in the weightier matters, Mat 23:23, Mat 23:24. They were partial in the law (Mal 2:9), would pick and choose their duty, according as they were interested or stood affected. Sincere obedience is universal, and he that from a right principle obeys any of God’s precepts, will have respect to them all, Psa 119:6. But hypocrites, who act in religion for themselves, and not for God, will do no more in religion than they can serve a turn by for themselves. The partiality of the scribes and Pharisees appears here, in two instances. (Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible)
Great Concerns over the Changing
Ethical Direction of our Nation
Note the following: “The Jackson City Council has passed an anti-discrimination resolution recognizing the dignity and worth of all city residents – including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.” (Jackson, Mississippi, <https://bit.ly/1hX61Ey>). We wonder whether the time will come, and maybe sooner than we think, that preaching and teaching what the Bible says will be a crime. It is apparent that the passing of the anti-discrimination resolution will place the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and transgender person in an exalted, weightier citizenship.
End Note: Blatantly mere men are mockingly changing God-given guideposts for mankind. No matter what manmade laws are enacted, God is still the author of moral and ethical fixed standards. God-fearing Christians are distressed over the trends we see today. As we see fixed or established laws being changed and enacted concerning sexual orientations that are contrary to human nature, we shudder. When will we return to God? God help us!