CFN – Pink Politics are again raging in the headlines. This time the cause is the 2014 Winter
Olympic games in Sochi Russia. Because of new laws (horrible ones too) passed by Mr. Putin and his government in Russia activists like the witty and talented George Takei are suggesting that the Olympics be moved to Vancouver BC for fears of punitive actions and possible attacks not only on Gay athletes, but simply anyone that supports equality.
And attacks do happen to Gays in Russia LINK
The Olympic organizers are asking for clarification of the new laws which have not met any challenges in any courts as of yet, but do have some punitive and bizarre language in the translations at least.
In the video above Mr. Takei suggested negative effects on the sponsors and big money associated against the Olympics. Vodka is now being boycotted by many bars and businesses as well. The push is on to punish Russia for its new law.
The law, originally titled “the law against homosexual propaganda” was passed Unanimously, 436-0.
Holding a Gay Pride even, asking for equality, or speaking in defense of gay rights can lead to huge fines (over 30K) and other severe penalties.
Even the artistic soul of Russia, St. Petersburg, passed the law regionally.
While Russia has been a hot mess of a country, fighting off a declining population that has wrestled with the death of its communist rule to the wild and wooly changes since and the retrenchment of its Orthodox Church Homosexuality is not something new to Russia or its history.
While the gay press are Godwinning themselves by trying to connect the dots between the Nuremburg laws and this bizarre mess of legislation I don’t think moving the games is the solution. I also think that sometimes we have to think about the head space or thought process of the other side. Why is it that Russia is coming out with such a Draconian law? Is the Gay community missing out an opportunity to understand what could be triggering this sort of mentality? Does being gay make you Superman or Superwoman? Do you have more rights than the hetero world? Is it about equality or branding? Is there a political agenda at foot?
In the tradition of Jesse Owens I think the game, although a bit risky, is to attend the games and challenge the laws.
When the Pussy Riot girls were jailed the world spoke. This is what Russia is. This is what the people of this country have chosen. The Olympic committee chose to have the games in Russia. While boycotting is a legitimate option it fails to put the question on the biggest platform and in front of the largest microphone in the world at a given moment.
Maybe a new patch of support that athletes can wear? Maybe some of the openly gay athletes that win can say something.
To me it’s not waving a red flag in a big nasty bull’s face; but communicating the masses. While moving the games to Vancouver may be a great solution for Canada is it really a great solution to the question?
And if any Athletes or those travelling with the games are charged what better time to challenge the law in an International court system under world scrutiny?
No, I think this time George Takei may be wrong. Maybe we should be asking what William Shatner would do in this situation?
jg
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I’d like to see a total boycott of the Olympic games, but that won’t happen. It would deprive our “heroic athletes” of their moment in the spotlight. It would be interesting to know what the reaction would be if Putin and his thugs passed the same laws directed at Arabs or Jews or any other group of people.
In this situation William Shatner would just say “Beam me up Scotty, there’s no intelligent life here!”
The shirtless little Putin protests too much.
Putin is playing to his fundamentalist religious supporters. Let’s hope it backfires.
Putin is a pussycat compared to what the Muslim Arabs would do to homosexuals and lesbians.
Jules it could be why they don’t get Olympic Games in Saudi Arabia 😉
@ Jules. Putin is a pussycat? More like a thug and a murderer. Most of his political opponents are in prison or dead. Any reporter in Russia who writes anything critical of Putin doesn’t live very long. Putin is one of the most powerful and nasty dictators on the planet right now.
I have to say it is a little embarrassing seeing all this unfold.
It seems to have begun with good intent with bars boycotting Russian Vodka or so it was shown here in Toronto on the news
Vodka brands sold here are from Finland, Poland or Windsor Ontario….for the most part. Actually There is only one type vodka that is sold here truly imported from Russia. It is not true vodka but one made for our markets.
Now we have people wanting us to boycott the Olympics. That didn’t seem to work so well in 1980 when many protested the USSR for the invasion of Afghanistan. This is the same place the US in now fighting in and pretty much for the same reason. One wanted to eliminate the mujahidin and now they want to eliminate the terrorist or AKA mujahidin.
The cost of not sending the athletes would be devastating and anyone thinking we can turn the tides and hold it in Vancouver should think about the economics of it all.
I am not supporting Russia for the actions, but I think we best get our own act together before we try and help anyone.
At the moment we look a little out to lunch.
If our “heroic athletes” were anything other than completely self-absorbed attention-seekers, they would boycott the Russian circus. I suppose if you’ve devoted your whole life to sliding down a hill really fast, it might be hard to pass up the glory of the podium. Basic human rights mean nothing compared to being in the spotlight.
Go Canada Go!!! Or not.
Gold medal, Stan!
Admin if there was ever such a thing as Olympics in Saudi Arabia and such places I can guarantee that they would end up killing their athletes if they did not succeed at the top like what happens in soccer in the Middle East and Brazil and such places. My husband and my daughter were going at this topic just a few weeks ago at how savage they are and there is no team spirit whatsoever. It would be literal savagery to the hilt.
Furtz yes Putin in mighty bad indeed and many are in prison or murdered and I can tell you that in many countries under dictatorship (Middle East included) this occurs all the time. I was looking at some videos earlier on what is going on in Syria and you talk about savagery that is it. These things happened in my husband’s country during the Civil War as well. We are living in a mighty crazy world and the word crazy is hardly a word to describe it.
Admin people would also have to learn how to compete doing camel races LOL LOL. ROLF! Camel jockeys is what they would be known.
My daughter and I just came back from our own “joy ride” from downtown on the buses since she had to go for X-ray and lab and talk about buses going fast Cornwall could never keep up and we are completely exhausted.
Furtz writes -“It would be interesting to know what the reaction would be if Putin and his thugs passed the same laws directed at Arabs or Jews or any other group of people”.
What most people fail to see, including Furtz, is that the practice of sodomy is not a race issue, but a moral (amoral) issue. Many, for example just one Martin Luther King’s daughter, are against calling the right to sodomize a racial or civil rights issue. There is no scientific evidence to date that validates that same sex vile affection is genetic. God did not make them such. Sodomy is a chosen sexual immoral life style that is the result of us being fallen creatures in sin[As the Bible informs us]. Also the popularity of sodomy in our day is also a sign of divine judgment upon those who reject God as Creator and Redeemer – Romans, chapter 1.
It is amazing that the Russians have better “morals” than us enlightened, liberated Canadians.
Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
@ Mr. Newton. The rules of this site prevent me from responding to your bigotry and gay-bashing, so I won’t. But I will say this… I would be happy to help you pack your bags, and even help pay for your one-way ticket to Russia, where you would be much happier.
Furtz the rules of the site as you termed them simply are that you can’t make personal attacks against Tom or anyone else. Nothing stops anyone from debating a point. The issues have always stemmed from you not being able to do that without adding attacks. While I may not agree with his position he has made a point, taken a position, and he did so without attacking you or any users personally. Democracy and free speech are not about only allowing them for people we agree with.
I understand that, Jamie. But with respect, is not Mr. Newton’s depictions of LGBT people a rather personal attack against an awful lot of folks?
Here is one for your Furtz – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHD5nd3QLTg
“What most people fail to see, including Furtz, is that the practice of sodomy is not a race issue, but a moral (amoral) issue. Many, for example just one Martin Luther King’s daughter, are against calling the right to sodomize a racial or civil rights issue. There is no scientific evidence to date that validates that same sex vile affection is genetic. God did not make them such. Sodomy is a chosen sexual immoral life style that is the result of us being fallen creatures in sin[As the Bible informs us]. Also the popularity of sodomy in our day is also a sign of divine judgment upon those who reject God as Creator and Redeemer – Romans, chapter 1.
It is amazing that the Russians have better “morals” than us enlightened, liberated Canadians.
Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”
Furtz there’s nothing that violates any rules or laws in this post. Yet you took a swing at it; albeit a lighter one. If you don’t agree with a position feel free to challenge it. There’s nothing illegal about Tom’s position that Sodomy is wrong. It’s his opinion and he’s allowed to have it and even share it. It’s not a statement of fact; that would be different.
Pastor Tom Newton August 15, 2013 at 9:12 am
@ THE MOST REVEREND PASTOR NEWTON.
Your ECELENCY,
Suicide is a painful situation for any family that experiences it: whether it is created by mental illness, drug addiction, or a sense of helplessness. It is unfortunate that those who complete suicide feel that there is no way out, or simply, things will not get better.
Have you ever considered that your religious rhetoric may very well be contributing to fuelling the bullying and hate that is a major cause of suicides of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth each year. When a LGBT youth is rejected by their church and family, as well bullied at school, they think there is no hope. There is no place to turn.
Those who grow up in families where the church is a core of their existence, the church is an extended family. Therefore, what is said from the pulpit is as important as what is said by their parents. Rejection by the church leads to rejection by parents. And has a devastating effect on LGBT youth that results in being judged rather than being LOVED by their parents. This kind of hateful teaching creates damaging stressful relationships that often lead to the demise of a human life.
A 17year old boy felt the pain of this hate and shame rhetoric, that was bestowed upon him. This letter was left for his mother to find when she found his LIFELESS body, just a few weeks ago.
July 13th 2013
Toronto, Ontario
“Dear Mom, I love you with all my heart. I just wasn’t meant for this world! I hope I can find a place of peace and happiness, a place I am child enough to live, yet man enough to survive. I love you! I hope you can truly believe me. Maybe on my journey I’ll find Jesus. Pray for me mom. Pray I will find happiness. I want it all to go away. I want a new beginning mom. I’m just so afraid of tomorrow! I can’t take it anymore. The constant bullying at school from being Gay is to hard for me. It will never end. I am not afraid to die. I hurt so bad inside!
To all my friends and loved ones, I ask of you one last favour: don’t let my spirit die. Remember me for the laughs and the good times, the thrills we all had together. I hope I made a place in all your hearts and touched each and every one of you in a special way. I have chosen to die, but I haven’t chosen to be forgotten. I must find a new world, a world of peace and happiness where I can be who I am. I want you all to know I am not afraid to die, only to quit living. I’ll miss you.”
Brad,
Your son that will always love you.
Pastor Newton, the next time that you preach against LGBT equality, I hope you remember that it is helping to create a societal environment that causes LGBT youth to commit suicide.
I am sure you do not wish that upon any family.
Hungry writes -“major cause of suicides of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth each year”.
On a far higher authority then myself, and Hungry by the way, is the inspired, preserved authoritative Word of the Son of God. The Lord Jesus Christ declares in John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. And it is the Devil that is come to “steal, kill, and destroy” humanity. Sinners, as we all are, and in bondage to sin, self, and the world system, believe and live out the lie of Satan, therefore we kill ourselves. The Lord Jesus also declares that “I have come to give live and that more abundantly”, and “I did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them”.
It is because such ones mentioned above, and by the way others, all others, that try to live out this live of sin (lives of sin), and their conscience will not allow them to do so. They can not accept themselves, so they must allow the guilt of their sin to destroy them. They do not accept themselves because God does not accept them, as long as they hold to their sin. This is what God our Creator has done by writing His law upon our hearts.
1Ti 1:15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief”. God’s solution for forgiveness, and freedom, and acceptance is all there for sinners to receive. The problem is that we love our sins so much, we rather kill ourselves then receive the free gift at the hands of merciful, and loving God. So stop listening to the Devil, and flee to God via the blood of the Cross, and that by faith. Can’t earn it, it is a gift, all at Christ’s expense.
Pastor Newton Writes;
“They can not accept themselves, so they must allow the guilt of their sin to destroy them. They do not accept themselves because God does not accept them, as long as they hold to their sin. This is what God our Creator has done by writing His law upon our hearts.”
It is not the guilt of sin nor because they do not accept themselves that leads them to despair. How could preachers preach such vehement messages towards gays? Why recklessly condemn a group of individuals? Why fixate on them when your congregation is knee deep in divorce or common law living?
Those on the Christian right, for whatever reasons, have become fixated on Homosexuality. They are obsessed by it and in an almost perverse form of vengeance fuel this hatred campaign. Advocating and using Christian scriptures taunting the intolerance of Homosexual is what is directly fuelling and justifying the type of behaviours that leads to the predominant problem of bullying.
The subject right now is…where does the bullying start…who or what gives people the right or reason to bully others. I come up with only one answer….the Christian religion. The whole gay issue is no longer about the quest for the Truth; it is about fear and loathing. It is about shame and sorrow. It is anything but Christian. And it is this cantering of hate that Homosexuals do not learn to accept that leads to despair.
It is the fuelled stigma from this perverse obsession of judging, Homosexual persons as inherently more sinful and/or immoral than their heterosexual counterparts. Homosexual persons are no more (or less) sinful and are of equal character and personal integrity as any other group of people. And are equally worthy
of “GOD’S” love as any persons that live in (sin) before marriage or that have divorced from marriage.
If the Christian religion via its doctrines is being used as a weapon by these Bullies, and as the reason why they bully others, because the Bible calls for their Death, then we have to question the right of the Christian Church to exist if it causes members of the community to use its teachings to bully others into taking their own lives…as Death is called for by the Bible.
This opens the question…should the Bible and its religion be afforded special rights under the law, to exist and to keep legally teaching and espousing the practice of shunning and bullying of Gay People, which sometimes result in the consequent death of these victims… these Gay people. ..as ordered and encouraged by the Bible?
Hate and violence against persons, whether it is bullying in our schools, the taunting and violating of a person’s privacy to the point of humiliation under the guise of GOD’S WILL, is a violation of all that is good within us, and destroys the inherent human dignity of all of us.
I’m appealing to you to reflect on your own culpability for the continued violence against Gays and Lesbians and the high rate of suicide among homosexuals tormented by the intolerance of family members, the church, and the teachings that leads to the belief that God hates them.
I realize that in this matter you are doing what you feel is right and what must be done. The same is true of myself. It is my hope that the differing perspectives and conclusions we have reached will not be a basis of antagonism between us, but that we will be able develop a more compassionate ability
in fostering “GOD’S” equal love for ALL HUMANBEINGS.
@ Hungry. If it wasn’t so sad and toxic, it would be funny.
Thankfully, most people accept the people around them as equals.
Hungry for the Truth…….August 17, 2013 at 3:52 pm
“should the Bible and its religion be afforded special rights under the law, to exist and to keep legally teaching and espousing the practice of shunning and bullying of Gay People, which sometimes result in the consequent death of these victims… these Gay people. ..as ordered and encouraged by the Bible?”
Don’t forget to attack the Torah and the Quran too. They suggest that gays be killed as an abomination even more so than the Bible.
If you wan to take a purely, and feeble atheistic psychic view, you must treat all history equally. Careful though, they get you before you go to nirvana.
Hungry writes “Why fixate on them when your congregation is knee deep in divorce or common law living?”. I do not know where you get your information, but none of the Christians that attend Calvary Baptist Church are -“knee deep in divorce or common law living”.
We, by His grace, hold to consistent standard of marriage. Divorce, same sex, co-habitation, premarital sex, pornography,polygamy are equally condemned in the Word of God as sin. Such sinful practices are not consistent with the love that we are to show to each other, to our wives, and to our children as blood bought born again Christians. We practice such godliness not to earn salvation, but because we have salvation – a living relationship with the Godhead.
Heb 13:4 “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled; but God will judge fornicators and adulterers”.
@ Furtz
@ Hungry
Give it up. The Pastor is both out of date and out to lunch on this. He will forever mow you down with bits of biblical scripture by people with vested interests, who were rabidly intolerant and hadn’t the faintest notion of genetics or life in the 21st century. Besides, would the Jesus we read about in the New Testament have rejected or condemned anyone among the LGBT? No, he would have reached out to them with compassion and understanding.
@Rev Pastor,
“Hungry writes “Why fixate on them when your congregation is knee deep in divorce or common law living?”.
Newton writes; I do not know where you get your information, but none of the Christians that attend Calvary Baptist Church are -”knee deep in divorce or common law living”.
How could preachers preach such vehement messages towards gays? Why recklessly condemn a group of individuals? Why fixate on them when your congregation is knee deep in divorce or common law living? Hungry for the Truth…. August 17, 2013 at 3:52 pm
You will notice that It is not singular when I say PREACHER(S)= CONGREGATION(S) NO PERSONAL ATTACK OR JUDJEMENT ON CALVARY BAPTIST CONGREGATION.
To my disappointment you are not a lone preacher to encourage and inflict this hurtful despair in the name of “GOD”.
Pastor Newton, the next time that you preach against LGBT equality, I hope you remember that it is helping to create a societal environment that causes hopelessness in LGBT youth to commit suicide.
I am sure you do not wish that upon any family.
Diddlyscwatt August 17, 2013 at 5:32 pm
“If you wan to take a purely, and feeble atheistic psychic view, you must treat all history equally. Careful though, they get you before you go to nirvana.”
I can respect your opinion that you perceive my comments as taking a feeble atheistic psychic view. But I surely do not agree with them. I do not lead to anyone to believe that I’m an atheist.
As to not treating all of history equally, I believed I was responding to a Christian pastor. I was disagreeing with his Christian religious rhetoric, that is directly fuelling hate and despair. I was not addressing a Vizier or Sultan. If they show up I’m sure I’ll have something to write about. Until then I have to
work to get get to nirvana.
Furtz writes -“Besides, would the Jesus we read about in the New Testament have rejected or condemned anyone among the LGBT? No, he would have reached out to them with compassion and understanding”.
Yes, the Lord Jesus is far more compassionate and understanding then we sinful creatures, but to say, or to imply He accepts the sodomite life style, or that He condones all the satanic/sexual confusion that is in the world to day, is to be guilty of creating a Jesus after your own mind set – not truthful, nor can such be supported by Scriptures, and comes down to right out idolatry!
The Lord Jesus had compassion on the women caught in adultery- John 8. The Lord Jesus suspend the sentence of stoning because He was to pay her sin debt there on the Cross – justice was served. He did say to her after He forgave her – “go and sin no more”. There is forgiveness with God for any sin, or sinful life style, but He expects those that are forgiven to live from then on, as holy saints of God. With His help and grace such is possible.
1Pe 1:14-16 “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”.
Hungry writes – “If the Christian religion via its doctrines is being used as a weapon by these Bullies, and as the reason why they bully others, because the Bible calls for their Death, then we have to question the right of the Christian Church to exist if it causes members of the community to use its teachings to bully others into taking their own lives…as Death is called for by the Bible”.
No where in the New Testament Scriptures does it call for the death penalty for sodomites. Under Old Testament law, as a rule for the nation of Israel such was true. Sodomy is sin whether in the Old or New Testaments, but in the New God saves such and transforms them into Holy saints of God. In the day of grace, there is the call to turn and repent, and receive Christ. By doing so a sinner lovingly submits to the rule of King Jesus. If one use to live a sodomite life, or any other mentioned sinful life styles, as a Christian, such forsakes such wickedness for a life devoted to holiness and Christ likeness. Any so called Christianity that condones a life style of sin while confessing to be a Christian is not of God.
No death penalty, as the law of the land, required for sodomy, but there will be eternal consequences if one continues in such a sinful, rebellious lifestyle. “The wages of sin is death” – eternal death/hell and torment for those who reject God’s love offer, and go on to died in their sins. Pay day is coming. God will not be mocked, nor will He allow sin to go unpunished.
Hungry said; “I was disagreeing with his Christian religious rhetoric, that is directly fuelling hate and despair.” The key word are “HIS Christian religious rhetoric”. Fortunately, not all Christians use their religion as a tool for making, or trying to make, the lives of others miserable. Indeed, most try to do the opposite. I’ve read letters and articles by just about all the religious leaders in the Cornwall area, and only one of them consistently uses his religion to attack others.
@ Mr. Newton.
I did not write ”Besides, would the Jesus we read about in the New Testament have rejected or condemned anyone among the LGBT? No, he would have reached out to them with compassion and understanding”.
Please don’t quote me as saying things that I didn’t.
@ PJ.
I agree, except Mr. Newton is hardly capable of mowing anyone down with BS.
Furtz- you should know by now, that it is not what other religious groups have to say, but “thus saith the Lord” – from the Word of God that matters. Any religious group, denomination, or religious person that condones same sex marriage, and the sodomite lifestyle is embracing know sin that God clearly condemns.
Romans 1:32 “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”.
Tom, a question. What happens to the good married man that likes to sodomize his good married wife according to your belief? Many happily married couples are into that practice….
@ Mr. Newton. Your bible, and your god, and your lord, and even the voices you hear in your head, mean absolutely nothing to me or millions of others. By all means, enjoy your religion and live by it if that’s what turns your crank. But don’t expect others to subscribe to the insanity and nastiness that you preach.
@ Jamie. Pretty sure that “practice” would be a no-no too.
Pastor Tom Newton August 18, 2013 at 6:06 am
Newton writes: “No where in the New Testament Scriptures does it call for the death penalty for sodomites.”
Hungry writes: If the Christian religion via its doctrines is being used as a weapon by these Bullies, and as the reason why they bully others, because the Bible calls for their Death, then we have to question the right of the Christian Church to exist if it causes members of the community to use its teachings to bully others into taking their own lives…as Death is called for by the Bible.
You yourself use the Old Testament passages as a weapon to create hate and despair in the name of “GOD”.
Newton writes: “No death penalty, as the law of the land, required for sodomy, but there will be eternal consequences if one continues in such a sinful, rebellious lifestyle. “The wages of sin is death”.
You have frequently rested the justification of your actions in the name of “GOD” in the reference quote of Leviticus, 18:22 which is not in the New Testament. Writings in the Holy Bible, include Leviticus 20:13, which says…”KJV: (King James Version Old Testament.) “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.
You are constantly quoting references of the Old Testament. And they do suggest that they be put to DEATH.
Pastor Tom Newton August 15, 2013 at 9:12 am
Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination
Heb 13:4 “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled; but God will judge fornicators and adulterers”.
Your attempt at suggestion that your actions do not promote justified use of harm, to inflict upon others BULLYING tactics, are 100% inaccurate. This form of Christian religious rhetoric creates a societal environment that is growing at an alarming rate, causing human casualties in it’s promotion.
I see nothing “GODLY” nor Christian in this form of promotion of hate towards any Humans.
I’m appealing to you to reflect on your own culpability for the continued violence against Gays and Lesbians and the high rate of suicide among homosexuals tormented by the intolerance of family members, the church, and the teaching of the belief that God hates them.
Pastor Newton, the next time that you preach against LGBT equality, I hope you remember that it is helping to create a societal environment that creates hopelessness that cases LGBT youth to commit suicide.
I’m certain you do not wish this on any family.
I understand that, and I know there are Scripture that prohibits, for example sex during the woman’s menstrual cycle. What a husband and wife does in their bedroom has to be agreed upon by both, maintaining a good conscience. But also receiving and giving sexual pleasure is not the primary goal of marriage. That the good Lord has made sex enjoyable is truly a blessing. Making pleasure the main goal in someways leans toward idolatry, when procreation is left out. And we all know that anal sex will never produce babies! Also there is enough Biblical examples found in the Scriptures that we can lean from, like the Song of Solomon, where we do not have to incorporate such forms of sex that brings along with it much disease, and even physical damage to the anus.
It is God that has defines marriage – between one man and one women for life. What the husband and wife does in bed can not violate their consciences, and in all things must still be to the glory of God.
1Co 10:31-33 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved”.
Heb 13:4 “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge”.
@ Hungry. You say “I’m certain you do not wish this on any family.”
I’m certain that you are dead wrong. Any religious “leader” has to be aware that what they preach has an affect on those who are gullible enough to believe them. Even if that gullible group is small, the results can be tragic. Society in general has recently recognized that bullying and taunting of LGBT kids has resulted in misery and suicides. There’s been a lot of effort lately to put an end to this sad situation. What boggles my mind is that there are still some so called “Christian pastors” who continue the bullying at every opportunity.
It is very clear that this verse applies to Hungry as he, or she tries to use the Holy Scriptures – Isa_8:20 “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them”.
Quoting Scripture as a lost man or women is like -1Co 2:14-16 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ”.
The spiritual man is every truly born again Christian. The natural man is like Hungry, lost, blind, even maybe religious, but still unable to rightly understand, and divide the Word of God. One needs the Holy Spirit in you to understand spiritually the Scriptures, and apply them in a godly way to one self and to others.
Pastor Tom Newton August 18, 2013 at 4:17 pm
“The spiritual man is every truly born again Christian. The natural man is like Hungry, lost, blind, even maybe religious, but still unable to rightly understand, and divide the Word of God. One needs the Holy Spirit in you to understand spiritually the Scriptures, and apply them in a godly way to one self and to others.”
If it’s all the same to you Reverend I’ll remain as you judge me lost and blind. Because if having having sight and direction leads me to a level where I can create hate and despair in the name of
“GOD” as you do, and claim no personal responsibility for the hurt I inflict onto other, I’d rather be lost and blind in your eyes. But LOVING AND COMPASIONATE to those who need hope, love and joy.
I’m appealing to you to reflect on your own culpability for the continued violence against Gays and Lesbians and the high rate of suicide among homosexuals tormented by the intolerance of family members, the church, and the teaching of the belief that God hates them.
I’m certain that you do not wish this upon any family.
Hungry for the Truth that was a very touching letter that you posted. The Bible is not a pack of lies but is the truth and the word of God. I am an RC and I can tell you that our Catholic priests have done terrible things to young boys and others that made many marriages fail and many suicides as well. The good Pastor is quoting from God’s word and he is right in what he is quoting.
If I were of the Protestant faith I would like to go to the United Church of God which is a good institution from what I gather. I am a Catholic and staying that way and I don’t blame God for what man has done and is doing as wrong.
Whoever that person is that you posted about must have been terribly humiliated in his life and it isn’t fair at all and people are like that everywhere. This person should never have taken his life and gained strength instead especially having strength in God. There are a vast number of people who are gay and don’t turn to suicide but you have to gain strength.
As an RC I like to listen to a program on the computer and it is called “Beyondtoday.tv” and it is from the United Church of God and it is so good to listen to these people. Don’t turn yourself off God because of the scriptures – believe me trying to interpret the Bible sure isn’t easy. I listed to Walid Shoebat who turned form Muslim to Christian and he answered plenty from the Bible that I did not know and he is a former Palestinian terrorist. God is great and He is a forgiving God and He knows that we are just people and we are not God nor are we perfect.
Hungry writes -“I’m appealing to you to reflect on your own culpability for the continued violence against Gays and Lesbians and the high rate of suicide among homosexuals tormented by the intolerance of family members, the church, and the teaching of the belief that God hates them”.
My reply is simple and straight forward – Eze_3:18-19 “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul”.
Act_20:26 “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men”. You and others have been warned!
jules August 18, 2013 at 9:12 pm
“The good Pastor is quoting from God’s word and he is right in what he is quoting.”
See jules this is where we do not see eye to eye. It is not because this “GOOD PASTOR” quotes scriptures that his message delivers hope and love to God’s people. His message delivers hate and despair. And creates a societal environment that encourages and fosters human judgement on someones sin. You must have learnt this in your church as it is thought in Christian doctrine “Judge not and thy shall not be judged.” The message that the good pastor delivers is condemnation, hate and invites all humans to be judgemental towards Homosexual people.
“Whoever that person is that you posted about must have been terribly humiliated in his life and it isn’t fair at all and people are like that everywhere.”
The humiliation that he was subjected to was not personally delivered by “God” ,but by his preachers that quotes scriptures and claims to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. They cast a message of despair and hopelessness and tell Homosexuals that God does not love them. It is the human rejection from the church, parents and society that creates despair. It is not “GOD” that creates these conditions but HUMANS.
“God is great and He is a forgiving God and He knows that we are just people and we are not God nor are we perfect.”
Right now jules, If the young 17year old Brad that commit suicide had seen more messages that had your words of encouragement you could have given him hope. And shouldn’t a
good pastor deliver a message of hope and love rather than one that leads to inviting us to Human JUDGEMENT and condemnation. GOD IS JUDGE NOT THE HUMAN RACE.
I am very much into the belief of live and let live. Its funny how our society sometimes works. People that are forbidden to marry will council others on marriage, people that are forbidden on having sexual relations will tell others what to do even with it happens between 2 consenting adults. Maybe mister tom should read the following passage in the bible,¨tourne ta langue 7 fois avant de parler¨.
Richard writes¨tourne ta langue 7 fois avant de parler¨- turn your tongue seven times before speaking. Do you have a chapter and verse, which bible? Roman Catholic? forget, sorry!
Hungry – so homosexuality is sin? “And creates a societal environment that encourages and fosters human judgement on someones sin”. Who are you to determine what is sin or not? Your opinion, what society accepts or rejects, my opinion? Nope – the Holy Scriptures is what God has given to us to determine such things.
And it is bad Bible exegesis to only quote part of a verse and then to ignore its context. There is more to “Judge not and thy shall not be judged.” As you have quoted it, it would imply that all judging is wrong, but if you include the rest of the verses Matt. 7:2-5, you will see that actually the Lord Jesus is condemning hypocritical judging. You need to do better on your use of the Bible if you are going to quote Scripture as your defense. Compare that to John 7:24 for example, and you come up with the truth. I guess you are not so hungry for the Truth after all?
¨Il est attribué à Salomon (Proverbes de Salomon dans Le Livre des proverbes, Xe siècle av. J.C.) : « Le sage tourne sept fois sa langue dans sa bouche avant de parler. ¨
http://les-proverbes.fr/site/proverbes/il-faut-tourner-sa-langue-sept-fois-dans-sa-bouche-avant-de-parler/
Does it really matter thought, where the verse comes from ? Until you live a perfect life yourself, then you can start judging someone else’s. Dernièrement, tout ce qui arrive dans le milieu hétérosexuel et dans le milieu des religieux, personne ne peut juger personne
@ Jules. Are you aware of Mr. Newton’s often repeated opinion of the Roman Catholic Church, and its adherents?
Richard the standard is the Word of God, and it is for us now. We are not allowed to wait until we are perfect, for one, none of us are perfect, but as sinners we are accountable to the revelation that God has given to us now,.
John12:48 He that rejecteth me[Messiah Jesus], and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Furtz I haven’t read Pastor Newton’s opinions of the Catholic church and it is his opinion. My father was a Protestant “Anglican” and believe me Furtz nothing would shock me to read Pastor Newton’s comments since I lived with it. That is what free speech is all about Furtz. I don’t think that anyone can do any worse than what those Southern Baptists did in the US at funerals, etc. I wouldn’t doubt that Pastor Newton comes out with some dillies. I lived in a household where there were battles between Catholic and Protestant beliefs. I sure do like the Pastor’s blogs on the Biblical quotes. I have the KJV Bible here as well as the Catholic but the Catholic Bible that I have here is so mighty elementary and the KJV Bible is in detail like what the Pastor quotes. Furtz none of the Pastor’s remarks would hurt me. I am too used to it. I also had a Protestant (Presbyterian) brother-in-law.
Vous avez raison Richard Tremblay mais les gens sont des gens et tout le monde en parle sans pensé aux autres. Regarde ce qui ce passé avec les prêtres catholiques et ils font des sermonts contre l’acte sexuelle et tout le temps ils le font eu meme.