Is Gay Marriage the Civil Rights Issue of the 21st Century? (Part 2)

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. (4) For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Jude 3,4

Let me clearly state that I do not hate homosexuals and lesbians. In fact, I have friends and individuals in my extended family who practice this lifestyle. My motive for writing this blog is a love for people and a desire for them to know the truth.

I believe one of the greatest ways a person can express love is by telling the truth. Life has taught me to trust those who tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. Sometimes truth is offensive, sometimes truth is uncomfortable, sometimes truth hurts and sometimes truth confronts our own desire and will. Although truth can be all these things, it is always better than a lie. If I truly love someone then I must demonstrate that love by speaking the truth to him or her. If I don’t speak the truth then I am a deceitful, disingenuous and disrespectful person. It takes courage to value truth more than popularity.

Here is the truth concerning gay marriage:

(1) Same sex marriage is defined as wicked and detestable behavior in the Bible. It will always be wrong because God says it is sinful. Although laws in a nation might change, God’s mind never will in regards to this issue. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

(2) Same sex marriage undercuts the idea that procreation is intrinsically connected to marriage.

(3) Same sex marriage undermines the idea that children need both a father and a mother, further weakening the societal norm that men should take responsibility for he children they beget.

(4) Same sex marriage corrodes marital norms of sexual fidelity, since gay marriage advocates and gay couples tend to downplay the importance of sexual fidelity in their definition of marriage. For instance, Judith Stacey, professor of sociology at New York University and a leading advocate of gay marriage, hopes that same-sex marriage will promote a “pluralistic expansion of the meaning, practice, and politics of family life in the United States” where “perhaps some might dare to question the dyadic limitations of Western marriage and seek some of the benefits of extended family life through small group marriages…”

(5) Same sex marriage has been legalized in societies or regions with low rates of marriage and/or fertility. For instance, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, and Massachusetts all have fertility rates well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.

(6) Finally, same sex marriage further weakens marriage itself at the very moment when it needs to be strengthened in our nation.

Good job America by voting for what is right and true and best for our society as far as marriage is concerned. Our success as a nation depends on the strength and health of our marriages. A marriage between a man and a woman is the only union where sex is not a sin. These marriages are better for society, better for children and essential for procreation.

Don’t be deceived by the protests, media pundits, musical entertainers, cultural icons, and those who want to practice and legalize immoral sexual behavior. Gay marriage is not a civil rights issue—it is a moral issue.

What do you think about this issue?

Is Gay Marriage the Civil Rights Issue of the 21st Century? (Part 1)

Florida may have turned Democrat on Election Day, but voters in nearly every county voiced resounding agreement on one conservative measure: Marriage should be defined in the state's constitution as between a man and a woman.

Even in California, a state that is known for liberal ideology, a majority of its population voted yes on Proposition 8. This proposition will amend the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. It will overturn a recent California Supreme Court decision that had recognized same-sex marriage in California as a fundamental right.

Many citizens in California are protesting this decision. While discussing this issue on “The O’Reilly Factor” Margaret Hoover, a Fox News Contributor and “cultural warrior”, commented to Bill O’Reilly that gay marriage is the civil rights issue of the 21st century.

Are same sex marriage rights the same as African-American rights?

I am not a black man, but I find this statement incredibly offensive. It is selfish and deceptive to try to equate ethnicity with sexual conduct. The civil rights movement fought to acknowledge the intrinsic value and equality of every person regardless of the color of their skin. Same sex advocates protest to legalize immoral sexual behavior. Big difference!

A majority of African-Americans voted to define marriage as an institution that consists of a man and a woman. Why aren’t African-Americans speaking up and challenging the validity of this thought?

Gay marriage is not a civil rights issue. It is not about ethnicity—it’s about ethics.

Stay tuned for part two, and please tell me what you think about this issue while you are waiting.

Wind of Change

The world is closing in
Did you ever think
That we could be so close, like brothers
The future's in the air
I can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
in the wind of change
Walking down the street
Distant memories
Are buried in the past forever (Scorpions, Wind of Change)

I would like to congratulate Barack Obama on winning the presidential election and making history by becoming the first African-American president in the United States of America. Although I did not personally vote for Obama, and disagree with him on many of the political issues, his election can be a good wind of change for our nation.

Before I continue, let me clearly state that I am concerned with how Barack Obama will govern the United States of America. I wholeheartedly believe that the protection and prosperity of a nation are directly related to its desire to adhere to Godly principles. As a senator, Barack Obama certainly voted contrary to God’s principles revealed to us in the Bible. If Obama leads us farther away from these principles as a nation, I believe America has not even come close to seeing the worst of its problems.

Now, let me explain why I think his election can be a good wind of change for our nation. Listed below are my top five reasons:

(1) As the son of bi-racial parents, Barack Obama has a unique gift to bring people of different ethnicities together. This is a crucial leadership quality that 21st century presidents in America must possess to lead our “melting pot” nation.
(2) Barack Obama inspired and mobilized the younger generation to get involved in the political process. Active participation from the younger generation in our nation is vital to its future success. Future politicians better learn how he did this so successfully. Did you see the younger generation dancing in the streets? What a scene!
(3) His nomination as the first African-American president is the straw that broke the back of bigotry in our nation. I know that bigotry has not completely been removed from America. As long as we have human beings on the planet, we will always have to deal with prejudice people. However, an African-American will occupy the highest office in our nation, and millions of white people help put him in this position. The wind of change is here.
(4) I believe Barack Obama’s victory brought tremendous healing to the African-American community for the atrocities done to many of their ancestors during slavery. It also brought joy and redemption to all who have fought in the civil rights battle in this nation.
(5) Barack Obama’s accomplishment should forever dispel the victim mentality that a person cannot advance in our nation because of the color of their skin. I know this was once the case in America, but no more because the wind of change is here.

Our most influential politician, talk show host, movie actor and athlete are African-Americans. Also, there are many successful actors, businessmen and women, educators and ministers who are African-Americans in our nation.

All people, no matter the color of their skin, are responsible to work hard and make the most of their God-given talents and the opportunities these talents afford them. God ultimately determines the destiny of every person. Love Him and serve Him and all things will be possible.

To conclude, I hope Barack Obama is a great president who honors God and serves the American citizens well. I am so thankful that in my lifetime I got to see an African-American elected to the office of the President of the United States. Today, our nation is living “The Dream”.

Please join me in praying daily for Barack Obama’s success as the 44th president of the United States. 2 Timothy 2:1 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings (presidents) and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” I am committing to do this with all of my heart.

Barack Obama’s success is our success as the United States of America! I pray the wind blows in good change to America.

What do you think about this historic moment?

Would Jesus Spread the Wealth Around?

Should government spread the wealth around? In other words, should the government take from those who have more to give to those who have less?

Does Jesus have anything to say about this by giving us an example to look at in the Bible? Yes! The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 gives us many points to think about concerning this issue. I implore you to read this parable right now.

Jesus would spread the wealth around, but not in the way you might think.

Jesus taught about His way of “redistributing wealth”. Matthew 25:14-18 says, “14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

First, I want to point out the fact that the master does not entrust each servant with an equal amount of his property. One servant received five talents of money, one servant received two talents of money, and the other servant received one talent of money. Although the servants were not given equal amounts of money, they were given the same opportunity to increase the owner’s property under their stewardship. Jesus does not expect everyone to have equal amounts, just equal opportunity.

How did the servants with five and two talents do with the master’s money?

The man who received the five talents gained five more. The man who received two talents gained two more. To each of them, the master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Jesus only gives more things to His servants who have been good stewards of a few things.

How did the servant with one talent do with the master’s money?

The man who received one talent came to his master and said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

How did the master, who represents Jesus in this parable, respond to his servant who brought no increase with his talent of money?

Did the master extend him mercy and grace? Did the master feel sorry for him? Did he take talents of money from the servant who had earned the most and give some to him? The answer is no to all of these questions.

In fact, the master dealt harshly with the servant who did not steward his talent of money well and take advantage of his opportunity to bring increase. His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Yes—Jesus does spread the wealth around. However, He does it in a way that is contrary to many of the tax policies proposed today. Like a wise businessman, he gives more to those who have proven themselves to be good stewards. Instead of taking from the productive servant to give to the unproductive servant, he does the opposite.

Jesus “redistributes wealth”! To those who work hard and take advantage of opportunities to bring increase Jesus gives them more. To those who are poor stewards and don’t work hard or take advantage of their opportunities to bring increase get less. They get their talents of money taken away and their “wealth” is given to the better stewards.

Our government should receive taxes so they can administer justice by protecting law abiding citizens and punishing criminals. They should not receive taxes to spread the wealth around.

Taxes are for vital services to its citizens not wealth redistribution.