The politics of Gay rights.
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Sure! I'm happy to help, and thanks for asking!
Bible Search: will hold you accountable
That's a clickable hyperlink immediately above.
There are scriptures for such situations!
New International Version
Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
New Living Translation
They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
English Standard Version
Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Berean Study Bible
Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
Berean Literal Bible
who having known the righteous judgment of God, that those doing such things are worthy of death, not only are practicing them, but are also approving of those practicing them.
New American Standard Bible
and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
King James Bible
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Although they know full well God's just sentence--that those who practice such things deserve to die--they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.
International Standard Version
Although they know God's just requirement—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do these things but even applaud others who practice them.
NET Bible
Although they fully know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.
New Heart English Bible
who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Who, while knowing the judgment of God, that those who commit such things are condemned to death, were not only doing these things, but also were attached to those who were doing these things.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
Although they know God's judgment that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do these things but also approve of others who do them.
New American Standard 1977
and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
Jubilee Bible 2000
Who having understood the righteousness of God, they did not understand that those who do such things are worthy of death, not only those that do the same, but even those who encourage those that do them.
King James 2000 Bible
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
American King James Version
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
American Standard Version
who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who, having known the justice of God, did not understand that they who do such things, are worthy of death; and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them.
Darby Bible Translation
who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only practice them, but have fellow delight in those who do [them].
English Revised Version
who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they which practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them.
Webster's Bible Translation
Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death; not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Weymouth New Testament
In short, though knowing full well the sentence which God pronounces against actions such as theirs, as things which deserve death, they not only practice them, but even encourage and applaud others who do them.
World English Bible
who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
Young's Literal Translation
who the righteous judgment of God having known -- that those practicing such things are worthy of death -- not only do them, but also have delight with those practicing them.
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Z
I don't see it as approval but as knowing limits. Say what you have to say, understand one plants one waters God gives the increase... .
I've not been told by God to enforce anything.
March on Washington..
Some He may have. Fantastic!!
I used to date women and sought for deliverance because I wanted to be right. I don't condone anything.
To work overboard because sinners sin, is ridiculous. If it's from love, great, not what I'm talking about.
The ever so constant picking one group to pick on is what I can't stand.
Idk why cherry picking is defended just because you can back your stance with scripture and scripture is right.. does not make how you use it automatically correct..
If someone would display an equal and sound "we want God's way upheld" with no blind eye...I'd be quiet... Do let me stand in awe.. please..
I've not been told by God to enforce anything.
March on Washington..
Some He may have. Fantastic!!
I used to date women and sought for deliverance because I wanted to be right. I don't condone anything.
To work overboard because sinners sin, is ridiculous. If it's from love, great, not what I'm talking about.
The ever so constant picking one group to pick on is what I can't stand.
Idk why cherry picking is defended just because you can back your stance with scripture and scripture is right.. does not make how you use it automatically correct..
If someone would display an equal and sound "we want God's way upheld" with no blind eye...I'd be quiet... Do let me stand in awe.. please..
The liberal "progressive" mind wants to pick and choose things that suit or amuse or fit into their logic or thinking, hence why some believers fall by the way side, and whether they realize it or not, they are already deceived by Satan. You cannot just pick and choose what to follow out of God's word if you're going to claim his best and pick up your cross and choose to follow Jesus, you either choose it all, or none of it, there is no on the fence, what is pleasing to me
America has lost the Gay battle long ago, now "Transgender" is doing the same.
Transgender Children’s Books are Encourage on our children
Primary schools in the United Kingdom are being encouraged to include books about
transgender parents and children in their curriculum, the Times of London reported
on December 13. According to a new memo from the National Association of Head
Teachers (naht), dress codes should also be changed to allow students and teachers
to dress according to their preferred gender. “Trans people, [their] issues and
experiences,” should be celebrated, not just accepted, it stated.
The document continued: “Primary school leaders may want to ensure books
featuring trans parents or celebrating gender identity and difference are included
in the curriculum.” This is to ensure that transgender children or children with
transgender parents “feel included in their learning” and teachers “feel positively
represented in lesson content.”
Put transgender books in primary schools, teachers told
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/...ks-in-primary-schools-teachers-told-qn27mljqj
Headteachers say school books should feature trans parents - what do you think?
Headteachers say school books should feature trans parents - what do you think? - Chronicle Live
When pupils see staff members are able to be authentic about themselves within
the school community and are treated with equal respect and acceptance, they are
more likely to feel able to be authentic and open themselves as well as encouraged
to treat all members of the school community with equal respect.
-
In some UK primary schools and nurseries, children as young as 3 are being
read books filled with transgender ideas.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gather-round-class-thomas-the-teddy-wants-to-be-a-girl-jlrzjn27k
In one book, Red: A Crayon’s Story by author Michael Hall, a blue crayon is mislabeled
with a red label during manufacturing. According to the crayon’s red label, it should be able
to draw red pictures. However, everything that it draws is blue. The other school supplies
try to help the red crayon draw red pictures, but they finally realize that the unhappy red
crayon is actually a blue crayon, after all. And everyone lives happily ever after.
In another book, a teddy bear named Thomas announces to his friend that he is really a
girl teddy bear inside. “I wish my name was Tilly, not Thomas,” he says. A picture book
intended for younger children, “Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?” encourages small
children to explore their gender identity through the story of the character Tiny,
a gender dysphoric child.
These innocuous-appearing books carry a potent message
indoctrinating young children with transgender ideas.
The books are on reading lists for nurseries and primary schools provided by Educate
and Celebrate, an organisation funded by the Department for Education (DfE) to help
schools prevent homophobia and transphobia. The charity has already supported dozens
of primary and secondary schools to adopt gender-neutral lavatories and uniforms.
-
Some parents and teachers are concerned that the school system
is introducing children to these ideas at too young of an age.
They say that it introduces unnecessary confusion into children’s minds. One National
Health Service (nhs) survey given to students as young as 10 in some British schools
asked them to fill out a questionnaire about their gender. It included questions like,
“‘Do you feel the same inside as the gender you were born with? (Feeling male or female)
” It also asked students to check the box for their correct gender: girl, boy or other.
NHS asks 10-year-olds if they're 'comfortable in their gender'
in official transgender survey for schoolchildren
NHS asks 10-year-olds if they're 'comfortable in gender' | Daily Mail Online
Some schoolchildren in Year Six have been given the official survey by the NHS
The pupils were asked to tick a correct box to say if they are a 'boy, girl or other'
They were asked if they 'feel' the same inside as the gender they were born with
-
In August this year, parents of children enrolled in a California elementary school
were outraged after a kindergarten lesson included a student’s transgender reveal.
The teacher read Red: A Crayon’s Story and another transgender children’s book
to the class before introducing a child to the class as a boy. The boy left the class-
room and returned wearing a dress. The teacher then reintroduced him as a girl.
'My daughter came home crying afraid she'd turn into a boy': Parents' anger
after kindergarten lesson has student's transgender reveal occur mid-class.
Parents angry after transgender talk in CA kindergarten | Daily Mail Online
-
According to Dr. Michelle Cretella, the president of the American College of Pediatricians,
children don’t really understand the permanence of gender until they are 6 or 7 years old.
Introducing confusion before that age almost guarantees that more children
will become gender confused.
What if Your Child is “Gender Confused”?
What if Your Child is “Gender Confused”?
Between 2010 and 2016, nhs gender clinics in the UK have experienced a 930 percent
increase in the number of children referred to the clinics. Of those children, three were
4 years old, and one was only 3.
https://www.transgendertrend.com/uk-news-930-rise-in-child-gender-identity-referrals/
Transgender’ as a protected category by law for children
The only protected characteristic we should insist on for children is ‘childhood.’
-
The U.S. and Britain are in this together. This year, California became the first U.S.
state to approve the use of “lgbt-inclusive history textbooks” in its elementary schools.
Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California, said that the landmark decision means
that “California schools will now have access to approved materials that accurately represent
lgbtq people.” These history textbooks are for children in kindergarten through eighth grade.
California Is Adopting LGBT-Inclusive History Textbooks.
California's Battle for LGBT-Inclusive History Textbooks | Time
-
Forcing Transgender Ideology on Kindergartens
Transgender Kindergarten – California Kookery | National Review
An article in the National Review about the new naht guidelines stated:
Incidents such as these are bound to multiply as the left becomes bolder, insisting not only
on “proper” pronoun usage in every public forum, but also, increasingly, on indoctrinating
young people into a left-wing view of gender and sexuality. Students and parents at Rocklin
Academy learned the hard way. Parents everywhere else should beware.
That is a legitimate concern. As the article’s title itself states, the government is now
forcing transgender ideology on kindergarteners, even without parental approval.
Increasingly, parents are afraid to speak out because they fear being labeled as bigots.
First grader sent to office for 'misgendering' fellow student
First grader sent to office for 'misgendering' fellow student | Fox News
-
‘Let Boys Be Girls. Or Goys or Birls’
Society is coming to embrace the notion of ‘gender fluidity.’
https://www.thetrumpet.com/10874-let-boys-be-girls-or-goys-or-birls
These social engineers want you to think their cause is all about inclusion and tolerance.
But if you disagree with them, they have no tolerance for you. … The only victory is
complete victory. Until transgender crusaders achieve this utterly impossible goal—
every individual a true believer—they will continue their battle, using every tool of
coercion they can summon.
Sex is a biological truth, not an option. Teaching children that they can ignore the facts
of biology is teaching them that nothing is concrete—that there is no truth—that you
can do whatever is right in your own eyes (Judges 17:6; 21:25). Such thinking has
catastrophic consequences.
Here is the truth. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
God made two sexes—and only two. Teaching young children that they can be whatever
gender they want destroys the family, destroys truth, and destroys children’s lives—
one gender-confused child at a time.
Transgender Children’s Books Encouraged in UK Schools
https://www.thetrumpet.com/16654-transgender-childrens-books-encouraged-in-uk-schools
-
“Encouraging Gender Fluidity Is Child Abuse.”
https://www.thetrumpet.com/16403-encouraging-gender-fluidity-is-child-abuse
The University of California–San Francisco director of mental health now claims that
2-year-olds can know they are transgender. According to Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, a 2-year
-old boy can know he should have been born a girl, and a girl can know, at 2, that she
should have been born a boy.
“We expect a 2-year-old to know ‘I am boy. I am girl,’” she explained.
“So why can’t that also apply to transgender children?”
Child Psychology Gone Mad. How can a 2-year-old girl playing with her
brother’s cars or trucks represent gender confusion?
Transgender Children’s Books are Encourage on our children
Primary schools in the United Kingdom are being encouraged to include books about
transgender parents and children in their curriculum, the Times of London reported
on December 13. According to a new memo from the National Association of Head
Teachers (naht), dress codes should also be changed to allow students and teachers
to dress according to their preferred gender. “Trans people, [their] issues and
experiences,” should be celebrated, not just accepted, it stated.
The document continued: “Primary school leaders may want to ensure books
featuring trans parents or celebrating gender identity and difference are included
in the curriculum.” This is to ensure that transgender children or children with
transgender parents “feel included in their learning” and teachers “feel positively
represented in lesson content.”
Put transgender books in primary schools, teachers told
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/...ks-in-primary-schools-teachers-told-qn27mljqj
Headteachers say school books should feature trans parents - what do you think?
Headteachers say school books should feature trans parents - what do you think? - Chronicle Live
When pupils see staff members are able to be authentic about themselves within
the school community and are treated with equal respect and acceptance, they are
more likely to feel able to be authentic and open themselves as well as encouraged
to treat all members of the school community with equal respect.
-
In some UK primary schools and nurseries, children as young as 3 are being
read books filled with transgender ideas.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gather-round-class-thomas-the-teddy-wants-to-be-a-girl-jlrzjn27k
In one book, Red: A Crayon’s Story by author Michael Hall, a blue crayon is mislabeled
with a red label during manufacturing. According to the crayon’s red label, it should be able
to draw red pictures. However, everything that it draws is blue. The other school supplies
try to help the red crayon draw red pictures, but they finally realize that the unhappy red
crayon is actually a blue crayon, after all. And everyone lives happily ever after.
In another book, a teddy bear named Thomas announces to his friend that he is really a
girl teddy bear inside. “I wish my name was Tilly, not Thomas,” he says. A picture book
intended for younger children, “Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?” encourages small
children to explore their gender identity through the story of the character Tiny,
a gender dysphoric child.
These innocuous-appearing books carry a potent message
indoctrinating young children with transgender ideas.
The books are on reading lists for nurseries and primary schools provided by Educate
and Celebrate, an organisation funded by the Department for Education (DfE) to help
schools prevent homophobia and transphobia. The charity has already supported dozens
of primary and secondary schools to adopt gender-neutral lavatories and uniforms.
-
Some parents and teachers are concerned that the school system
is introducing children to these ideas at too young of an age.
They say that it introduces unnecessary confusion into children’s minds. One National
Health Service (nhs) survey given to students as young as 10 in some British schools
asked them to fill out a questionnaire about their gender. It included questions like,
“‘Do you feel the same inside as the gender you were born with? (Feeling male or female)
” It also asked students to check the box for their correct gender: girl, boy or other.
NHS asks 10-year-olds if they're 'comfortable in their gender'
in official transgender survey for schoolchildren
NHS asks 10-year-olds if they're 'comfortable in gender' | Daily Mail Online
Some schoolchildren in Year Six have been given the official survey by the NHS
The pupils were asked to tick a correct box to say if they are a 'boy, girl or other'
They were asked if they 'feel' the same inside as the gender they were born with
-
In August this year, parents of children enrolled in a California elementary school
were outraged after a kindergarten lesson included a student’s transgender reveal.
The teacher read Red: A Crayon’s Story and another transgender children’s book
to the class before introducing a child to the class as a boy. The boy left the class-
room and returned wearing a dress. The teacher then reintroduced him as a girl.
'My daughter came home crying afraid she'd turn into a boy': Parents' anger
after kindergarten lesson has student's transgender reveal occur mid-class.
Parents angry after transgender talk in CA kindergarten | Daily Mail Online
-
According to Dr. Michelle Cretella, the president of the American College of Pediatricians,
children don’t really understand the permanence of gender until they are 6 or 7 years old.
Introducing confusion before that age almost guarantees that more children
will become gender confused.
What if Your Child is “Gender Confused”?
What if Your Child is “Gender Confused”?
Between 2010 and 2016, nhs gender clinics in the UK have experienced a 930 percent
increase in the number of children referred to the clinics. Of those children, three were
4 years old, and one was only 3.
https://www.transgendertrend.com/uk-news-930-rise-in-child-gender-identity-referrals/
Transgender’ as a protected category by law for children
The only protected characteristic we should insist on for children is ‘childhood.’
-
The U.S. and Britain are in this together. This year, California became the first U.S.
state to approve the use of “lgbt-inclusive history textbooks” in its elementary schools.
Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California, said that the landmark decision means
that “California schools will now have access to approved materials that accurately represent
lgbtq people.” These history textbooks are for children in kindergarten through eighth grade.
California Is Adopting LGBT-Inclusive History Textbooks.
California's Battle for LGBT-Inclusive History Textbooks | Time
-
Forcing Transgender Ideology on Kindergartens
Transgender Kindergarten – California Kookery | National Review
An article in the National Review about the new naht guidelines stated:
Incidents such as these are bound to multiply as the left becomes bolder, insisting not only
on “proper” pronoun usage in every public forum, but also, increasingly, on indoctrinating
young people into a left-wing view of gender and sexuality. Students and parents at Rocklin
Academy learned the hard way. Parents everywhere else should beware.
That is a legitimate concern. As the article’s title itself states, the government is now
forcing transgender ideology on kindergarteners, even without parental approval.
Increasingly, parents are afraid to speak out because they fear being labeled as bigots.
First grader sent to office for 'misgendering' fellow student
First grader sent to office for 'misgendering' fellow student | Fox News
-
‘Let Boys Be Girls. Or Goys or Birls’
Society is coming to embrace the notion of ‘gender fluidity.’
https://www.thetrumpet.com/10874-let-boys-be-girls-or-goys-or-birls
These social engineers want you to think their cause is all about inclusion and tolerance.
But if you disagree with them, they have no tolerance for you. … The only victory is
complete victory. Until transgender crusaders achieve this utterly impossible goal—
every individual a true believer—they will continue their battle, using every tool of
coercion they can summon.
Sex is a biological truth, not an option. Teaching children that they can ignore the facts
of biology is teaching them that nothing is concrete—that there is no truth—that you
can do whatever is right in your own eyes (Judges 17:6; 21:25). Such thinking has
catastrophic consequences.
Here is the truth. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
God made two sexes—and only two. Teaching young children that they can be whatever
gender they want destroys the family, destroys truth, and destroys children’s lives—
one gender-confused child at a time.
Transgender Children’s Books Encouraged in UK Schools
https://www.thetrumpet.com/16654-transgender-childrens-books-encouraged-in-uk-schools
-
“Encouraging Gender Fluidity Is Child Abuse.”
https://www.thetrumpet.com/16403-encouraging-gender-fluidity-is-child-abuse
The University of California–San Francisco director of mental health now claims that
2-year-olds can know they are transgender. According to Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, a 2-year
-old boy can know he should have been born a girl, and a girl can know, at 2, that she
should have been born a boy.
“We expect a 2-year-old to know ‘I am boy. I am girl,’” she explained.
“So why can’t that also apply to transgender children?”
Child Psychology Gone Mad. How can a 2-year-old girl playing with her
brother’s cars or trucks represent gender confusion?
Z
As I said earlier it the washing the outside of the cup. Homosexuality is just a manifestation of an inward problem.
The whole of the problem must be preached too not just "don't lay with man as one would a woman"..
Redemptions plan laid out from the beginning. God's desire and design for future reconciliation through His son. It's a love story that had a very detailed process. ..
How many tell of all that went into it? How many just say because God said XYZ and it's unholy.
There are so many truths that are never told.. just barking of laws, regulations.
Love wins people. Submission comes when someone understands "rules" are for my good.
The whole of the problem must be preached too not just "don't lay with man as one would a woman"..
Redemptions plan laid out from the beginning. God's desire and design for future reconciliation through His son. It's a love story that had a very detailed process. ..
How many tell of all that went into it? How many just say because God said XYZ and it's unholy.
There are so many truths that are never told.. just barking of laws, regulations.
Love wins people. Submission comes when someone understands "rules" are for my good.
So having an ethical view, if it's based on religion, is tyranny.
Hmmm.
So I guess... having an ethical view, if its NOT based on religion... is ... fine.
So, if instead of basing my views about gay marriage on religion, I just based them on my "personal preferences"... it would no longer be tyranny to be against gay marriage?
Your objection to my view is simply HOW I ARRIVE at my view?
How is that logical?
The method for arriving at my views determines whether they're good or bad???
Is that logical?
If I was against gay marriage because of "person preferences", then my view would no longer be tyrannical, and it would be just fine?
Great.
Then let me change my vote... I'm now officially against gay marriage for reasons of "personal preference".
I guess now, by your own logic, you MUST accept my views as being a reasonable personal choice.
Hmmm.
So I guess... having an ethical view, if its NOT based on religion... is ... fine.
So, if instead of basing my views about gay marriage on religion, I just based them on my "personal preferences"... it would no longer be tyranny to be against gay marriage?
Your objection to my view is simply HOW I ARRIVE at my view?
How is that logical?
The method for arriving at my views determines whether they're good or bad???
Is that logical?
If I was against gay marriage because of "person preferences", then my view would no longer be tyrannical, and it would be just fine?
Great.
Then let me change my vote... I'm now officially against gay marriage for reasons of "personal preference".
I guess now, by your own logic, you MUST accept my views as being a reasonable personal choice.
Let me ask you a question, we were encouraged by Christ to love one another, and Christ even said that greater love hath no man than he lay his life down for a friend. But you're all about the rights and freedoms of those who practice this kind of abomination, are you going to stand off to the side and let them continue on their path to damnation, or will you actually step up and plant the seed of Christ in them, so they can get off that path?
The terms “Father” and “Son” are used hundreds of times in the New Testament alone.
The terms “sons of God” and “children of God” are also found in the New Testament on
numerous occasions. The saints are called sons just as Christ is called the Son of God.
We can read that there is a husband and wife relationship between Jesus Christ and the
Church, or the firstfruits. Corinthians 11, Revelation 19,Romans 7,Ephesians 3,Ephesians 5.
Father, Son, Husband, Bride, wife, children
—these are all terms that denote family!
God Is a Family
The Enemy of Family values and it's structure?
Satan the devil, Gods adversary creating broken families.
Last edited:
You just said a mouthful ... of truth!
THE GAY EPIDEMIC AND NATURAL SOLUTIONS... - Christian ...
www.facebook.com/cchr3k/posts/658254440925970▼
When these causes are corrected, the entire syndrome goes away, especially when correction is done early in a student's life. Cause #1. Nutritional deficiencies. Without exception, all homosexual students are malnourished, usually from birth. This has to do with the nutrition of their mothers, and perhaps that of their fathers, ...
Homosexuality is due to Nutritional Deficiency of Pregnant ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmkugm4ef7y▼
Jul 10, 2015 ... Homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender are congenital events due to lack of nutrition? - Duration: 53:55. Info Wallach 5,380 views · 53:55. Why Bruce Jenner is a Transgender by Dr Joel Wallach - Duration: 5:23. 1beinki 41,287 views · 5:23 · Diabetes cured in only 2 weeks? Dr Wallach explains how!
Zi,
I completely agree with the statement I underlined.
I think everyone here agrees.
I also appreciate your honesty in discussing your past, and your struggles.
We all have past struggles, and we all have current struggles... we're all made of the same stuff.
Let me point out a few things:
Distinctions between different levels (categories) where sin can occur:
1. Homosexuality, or any sin, is just the manifestation of an inward problem... but can it grow into something more? Can it creep out into society, into the culture, into our psychology, into academia, into the legal system?
- I think the bible, and secular history, both show that sin is a thing which grows.
- It grows within a person, and it grows within a culture and society.
- An individual's sin problem certainly IS a personal problem for that individual - but sin also grows beyond the individual, into culture and society, thus creating ENTIRELY NEW problems and issues.
3. Differentiating the Problems:
SIN, any SIN, often OPERATES AT MULTIPLE LEVELS, and each of those levels creates it's own unique problems... and those LEVELS, with their DISTINCT ISSUES, all have to be addressed SEPARATELY.
Three common levels, where we often see sin operating are:
A. Personal / Individual
B. Legal / Society
C. Social / Cultural
Each of these levels comes with it's own distinct issues, it's own problems, it's own debates, and it's OWN BIBLICAL RESPONSE.
The issues arising at different levels are NOT THE SAME.
We need to deal with them separately and distinctly.
We need to debate them separately and distinctly.
We need to refrain from confusing them.
WHEN WE CONFUSE THESE DIFFERENT LEVELS WHERE SIN OPERATES,
WE LOSE OUR ABILITY TO IDENTIFY THE CORRECT BIBLICAL SOLUTION.
Quick example of the need to separate issues, and deal with them differently:
A. Perhaps a Christian is upset about some "political agendas" of the gay rights movement, and then he goes over to talk to his neighbor, who is a gay man. Let's say the Christian is so upset about the political issues, that he starts a fight about gay rights and legal issues, but perhaps the gay neighbor DOESN'T EVEN VOTE, and ISN'T POLITICALLY ACTIVE, and HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GAY POLITICS... maybe he's just a regular non-political guy struggling with his personal problems.
- This neighbor doesn't need to have a fight about politics, and social issues... he just needs a personal message for his own personal life... he needs the gospel.
B. Conversely, if we ARE dealing with political issues in a political arena... well... we probably need to debate the issues rather than give the audience biblical counseling.
* We need to separate these different areas where sin operates, and deal with these areas differently... they are not the same.
* The BEST WAY to change all of society, is through the gospel and evangelism, however... when talking to people, we need to recognize that POLITICAL ISSUES and PERSONAL ISSUES, are VASTLY DIFFERENT THINGS.
3. Here are these 3 levels addressed in detail.
(There are other levels and areas, but these are 3 common ones).
A. Any particular sin operates at the PERSONAL / INDIVIDUAL level.
This is where a person is struggling with the sin, or perhaps completely overcome by it.
At this level, the person needs the gospel, and love and compassion... but we also need to be honest in talking about sin... because nobody can get saved without first recognizing his sin.
Now, I'm sorry if you've heard angry people beat up homosexuals when presenting the gospel poorly.
But you certainly CAN address sin in an honest way, while also being compassionate and loving.
B. Any particular sin can operate at the LEGAL / SOCIETAL level.
Laws can be written all kinds of ways, and they can address issues well or poorly... but laws DO HAVE EFFECTS on ethical issues, and that's part of life.
Laws can be written to curtail certain sins, and try to lessen them; or laws can be written to promote certain sins, and make them more prominent and likely to spread and do more harm.
But laws DO exist, and they DO address morals and ethics (what christians call sin) and they DO affect the culture and society we live in.
Examples of Common Laws attempting to curtail sin:
- People still drive drunk and hurt others, but we do have laws to attempt to curtail drunk driving, rather than laws to condone and promote drunk driving.
- People still commit burglaries, but we do have laws to attempt to curtail burglaries, rather than laws to condone and promote burglaries.
- People still harm themselves and society through heroine addiction, but we do have laws to attempt to curtail heroine use and sales, rather than laws to condone and promote heroine use and sales.
- Cigarette ads are not even allowed on TV... that is a result of laws intending to curb the spread of nicotine addiction, for the good of society.
* We can debate the effectiveness of any particular laws, that's fine... but we do have laws to deal with ethical issues that harm individuals and society at large... and these laws are usually aimed at curtailing the problems, RATHHER THAN CONDONING THE PROBLEM AND PROMOTING IT.
* We can debate the constitutionality of particular law, that's fine, but we'll ALWAYS have a bunch of laws which all deal with ethics and morality... because THATS WHAT LAWS ARE, THEY ARE ETHICAL BOUNDARIES... therefore the general concept of creating ethical boundaries through laws is not inherently unconstitutional.
(Therefore, limiting someone's "rights" is quite normal, and it's something that every law does every day.)
My point here is NOT to debate all the laws, but to simply point out that ethical issues (sin issues) DO EFFECT SOCIETY & THE LEGAL SYSTEM... and we often have LAWS to curtail them rather than to condone and promote them.
C. Any particular sin can operate at the SOCIAL / CULTURAL level
1. When a sin becomes popular, it WILL work it's way into the culture, naturally, as more and more people want to participate in it, discuss it, and justify it.
2. It is well understood, from the bible, secular history, and everyone's personal experience, that people OFTEN MAKE EFFORTS TO JUSTIFY THEIR SIN... when this begins to occur at the societal level, this JUSTIFICATION creates a huge chain of events.
A. These justifications, by definition, must be both unbiblical, and illogical.
- sin will always be against the Bible
- sin will always be illogical...
on some level it MUST be illogical, as SIN is a thing which HARMS THE DOER... therefore any argument in favor of it is, at some level, illogical
B. These justifications, which are illogical, creep into all areas of life and society
- These justifications creep into art, literature, media.
- These justifications creep into academia, and work their way all the way down to the elementary level.
- These justifications creep into the laws.
- These justifications creep into all social areas, like conversations with friends, social media, and family get togethers.
- These justification creep into all areas where thinking occurs... even the churches.
C. These justifications, which are unbiblical and illogical, MUST, BY NECESSITY, create problems with the rationality and thinking processes of the entire culture.
- When you accept a premise which is illogical, this premise does not exist in a vacuum... a person has many other beliefs, and all of these beliefs must be MADE TO FIT with this belief with is illogical.
- logical beliefs cannot affix themselves perfectly to illogical beliefs... so if you want to hold an illogical belief, then all the beliefs which adjoin it must be ADJUSTED TO FIT.
- This is much the same as placing an irregular stone in a wall full of clean square stones... all the stones around it would no long fit correctly; all the other stones would have to be adjusted, changed, recarved, tilted etc. in order to fit around the bad stone.
- good stones cannot fit around a bad stone without all of them needing to be adjusted - and likewise you cannot have an ILLOGICAL FOUNDATIONAL BELIEF without the NECESSITY to adjust all the beliefs around it, to make them all fit.
* Once you adjust all your thinking to FIT AROUND an illogical foundational belief... you are filled with bad thinking and logical errors... you no longer think rationally on many issues.
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