Was it just yesterday that the US Senate passed a bill adding sexual orientation to the protected classes? Such a vague addition don’t you think? What does it mean?
There seems to be a great need for government to create a class of super crimes against humanity. These super crimes are anything that causes harm to one of the protected groups under this new bill. Homosexuality, Transgendered, Transvestite and God knows what else is now protected against hate speech. Why am I talking about speech and not the act itself? Because pastors who want to preach the whole word of God will be charged if they cross this vague line of protection.
Yes, I believe that crimes should be punished… I just don’t think that because someone else thinks your words are hateful (even though your words are not) the punishment must be greater. The Christian community will be attacked in the states not because they commit the crimes but they “incited” the attack because of their speech. How many pastors will avoid talking about sins that cause spiritual death because they don’t want to get charged for the crime of someone else? It is meant to gag the Christian who speaks the truth in love (or not) because the message is not received by the unrepentant.
This is such a flawed law now. What sexually perverse acts will now be protected. The law talks of sexual orientation… what of bestiality? Sex with Children? What else? Someone said the number of orientations is thirty. It is a sloppy law to strike with the widest and biggest fist those who object to the new normal.
We have our own hate crimes legislation in Canada. It is used on occasion to attack the speech of others who are concerned about the spiritual direction this country is taking. As sin heats up there is a chill blowing across Christian speech.
Lord Jesus we need your Spirit to touch the hearts of those in the legislatures of Canada and the provinces. Only you can turn the tide and bring back a wayward country. Before speech can truly be protected a new Spirit must first be in the people. Release your Spirit Lord. Revive this nation and revive the US.
I join you in your prayer Joe. As you may or may not know, our Pastor just finnished a 10 week series entitled ” Sex and the City of God”. I covered the whole series on my blog and I have linked it to my facebook. A very courageous move considering the issues you have mentioned here. It’s not going to stop us from telling the truth. You can watch the recorded tapes at http://www.westhighland.org. He has called us to join ” The New Sexual Revolution” against the paganism going on in our society today and has outlined a Manifesto as to how to go about that. It’s really worth the time to watch this. I have never heard such straight forward and bold teaching in my entire life. This man knows what he is talking about. His knowledge of history and scripture is amazing. He has counselled many homosexuals in Toronto and up until recently sat on some board that deals with these issues. He’s not afraid to preach the truth, no matter what the consequences and he has our entire congregation behind him 100%. I beleive it’s not too late to effect change for the good in our society, or at least in ” The City Of God”. I know one thing for sure, nothing will change if we sit idly by and do or say nothing out of fear of these stupid laws. The bottom line is this; a line has been drawn in the sand and Christians need to decide which side they are on. No more fence sitting. There is a way to live out our moral convictions in this paganistic society we now live in.
Care to join a revolution Joe? I would like to see every Bible believing church in this country join with us in this Revolution. Together we can take back the ground we have lost. It’s not too late.
You mentioned that we have our own hate crimes legislation in Canada. We also have our own “speech ” legislation just as you described has happened in the USofA. My memory seems to retain very little now, but several years ago when the Liberals were all gung-ho in passing homo laws, they did pass legislation that would incriminate any one publically speaking against homosexuality. At the time I was very well informed on the matter but it’s gone out of my mind now. The only reason it hasn’t yet surfaced as a matter of national news is because no one as yet has said anything to raise the hackles of some homo activist. But, it’ll come. I’m not a defeatist, but there’s little sense in trying to fight this type of thing at this stage. The world view of life and particularly as it pertains to sexuality is so far gone down the road of perversion that there will be no turning back until our Lord comes. Satan knows he’s near the end and he’s turned up the heat to full volume. As for persecution, we have to expect it as Christians. Our Lord told us we would suffer for Him and I think we may be facing some tough days ahead in the western world in the near future. It’s pretty bad in Asia but I think we’re going to get a taste of it here pretty soon.
Hi,
This will be out of place so you can delete it of course. (*This is true. I have limited comments additions to 2 weeks. This subject is actually of the Eragorn post of last year. Joe)
I read a review of Paolini’s book and wanted to get more input. I have sons who love tolkien and are homeschooled so naturally they are interested in Paolini. But my husband, who used to read scifi extensively before becoming a Christian, had misgivings about it as he pre-screened it. We don’t read Harry Potter and want to avoid books in which good and evil are turned back to front, ie in terms of witchcraft etc.
Do you have other series or authors who write in this genre who write clean and keep good and evil straight?
(*There are a lot of Christian authors who specialize in category types. As for finding those who are into fantasy/sci-fi not many come to mind. C.S. Lewis wrote a children’s series (like “The Narnia Chronicles” also a sci-fi series.) There are other authors yet I cannot think of their names. Some deal in sci-fi, others in fantasy. Your best bet is to find a good Christian bookstore and ask for their input. Blessings Book Store is a possible resource.
I do understand your husband’s concerns. Most fantasy have what appears to be a division between good witchraft/abilities and evil witchcraft/abilities. For those who are weak in the faith or simply not mature enough… these books should not be read. In fact there are many adults I would not recommend these types of books. Yet for all that, if they are being home schooled, then a healthy discussion can be had between you and the children. What is evil? What is good? And the works of the Devil to deceive. It must be age appropriate of course. I wish I could be of more help. Right now I have over a thousand books and they are in bins scattered about the house. Joe)