Tag Archives: homosexuality

H.R. 1913 Will Not Stop Preaching

Culture, Homosexuality, Legislation, , ,

763px-handcuffssvgBrethren are being warned about the passage, in the U.S. House, of H.R. 1913. The bill is called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. The warnings tell of future prosecution or persecution of preachers who speak Biblically against homosexuality.

We are all sensitive to any threat against the pulpit. Some in our culture would love to stop all preaching especially that which brings to light their own sins (John 3:19). God’s men have preached against sin in good times and in bad and will continue to do so no matter what threats may appear (2 Timothy 4:2).

H.R. 1913 will not shut down the pulpit as warned by some and likely will not open the door for federal seizures of preacher’s computers, books, files etc.

Here are some things about the bill typically left out of the dire warnings:

  • Hate crimes against religion are protected in this bill along with hate crimes against “NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY” (actual language, Section 6).
  • The bill specifically targets those who commit a crime “through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerouse [sic] weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device” (actual language, Section  6).
  • The bill specifically excludes any activities protected by the Constitution (Section 8). The First Amendment secures our right to practice religion and to engage in free speech.

Homosexuality is sinful (Romans 1:26, 27) and should be opposed. But let us be so careful in our church bulletins and our emails. Inaccurate reporting of legislation, although with good, solid motives, is harmful and should be avoided.

The larger question is whether preacher’s will stand for truth or cave in to  the latest fad or trend. Even if the government should somehow ban preaching altogether, faithful men will continue to preach the words of God loudly and  publically.

If you are still concerned you should know that your local Congressman, Jo Bonner, voted against the measure. The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee where your Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions is the ranking member.

The Homosexual Agenda

Culture

Homosexuality is the present cultural rave. We are led to believe that a significant proportion of adults are homosexual or, at the very least, open to the idea. In reality the numbers of those who identify as homosexual is rather small. It is their voice that is so loud.

Both government and the media have taken up their cause to the point that some preachers (in foreign countries) have been arrested for preaching against this sin.

Our brother Neil Richey offers an article he wrote after listening to a discussion of homosexuality on the radio. We think it is a timely article worthy of your attention.

As we have said before, Christians ought oppose the sin of homosexuality as they would adultery, fornication, lying, etc. But we must love the one caught up in the sin. There are no super sins before God. We are all subject to being separated from God through our own actions. As Jesus said, remove the beam first so you can see the speck (Matthew 7:3).

Let us all seek to obey and be found faithful before our Lord. And let us do all we can to guide those entrapped in sin to a knowledge of Christ Jesus.

How Far Have We Gone

Culture, ,

Kyle Butt at Apologetics Press reports on a story that may be a sign of things to come. A man has sued Zondervan Publishing Company for producing a Bible that uses the word “homosexual” in the text. Zondervan is one of the largest Bible publishing companies in the United States.

The homosexual political lobby has become one of the most vocal groups in politics especially considering the relatively small numbers of people who actually consider themselves homosexual. Overseas, preachers have been arrested for preaching against the sin. Now, in this country, it appears the Gay and Lesbian groups are testing the civil litigation waters to see if they can prevent teaching against same-sex relations.

The case will almost certainly be thrown out but Christians should be aware of just how far homosexuals have come in their assault against the Bible.

I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It

Culture, ,

(This article is from David Courington, a friend and preacher from Polishing the Pulpit – JBE)


The song entitled “I Kissed A Girl And I Liked It” is number one this week on Billboard’s Pop chart. While lyrics like “I kissed a girl and I liked it. The taste of her cherry chapstick. I kissed a girl just to try it,” may sound pretty innocent, the next line might really wake you up, “I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it.” The song is sung by a girl, Katy Perry. Actually this song is pretty tame compared to her 2007 release of “Ur So Gay.” It didn’t take Katy long to go from a “preacher’s Kid” in the “Christian” music industry to this raunchy MTV/VH1 bill of fare.

The point of this article is to give further warning to parents and teens about what you listen to and how you allow it to influence you. Not only is our culture being filled with gay experimentation, but gay rights are being pushed militantly. The Zondervan company(Bible Publisher) has recently been sued by a man who contends the Bible has made his life miserable. With the state of Massachusetts approving “gay” marriages, the onslaught of pushing this kind of “alternate lifestyle” will likely continue to flourish.

We need to be aware of this push, not only in music, movies, TV, etc., but we need to know what the Bible says about such a lifestyle. Paul did not say it was an “alternate” lifestyle, but that it was an “unrighteous” lifestyle (Rom. 1:18). This is the way he described it, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise 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.” (Romans 1:24-27 (NKJV).

In 1 Cor. 6:9-11 (NKJV) Paul also made it plain that practicing homosexuality was sinful, saying, “Do 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, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And 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.” (1 Cor 6:9-11). Please note that Paul was not “Gay Bashing,” as some would put it, but he offered that some of those in the church had practiced such, come to Christ, been washed, and were now “sanctified” and “justified.” This must be our desire for all who have chosen this ungodly way of life.