The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Is Opening a Potential Can of Worms!

"…….BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly calls upon the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to affirm the faith, baptism and spiritual gifts of all Christians regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that neither is grounds for exclusion from fellowship or service within the church, but we celebrate that all are part of God’s good creation; and……"--- statement in proposed Resolution GA 1327 to be considered by the General Assembly during July 2013 gathering in Orlando FL

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Assembly will be meeting in Orlando FL July 13 through July 17. At that time an extremely critical resolution is to be considered.

At first glance a read through the opening “whereas” statements would lead one to conclude that this is an excellent declaration.

But hold on a minute before reaching a conclusion on the merits of the opening statements. As you proceed, you come to the affirming part – it is here that things get interesting as the can opener peels off the lid on that can of worms and the slimy things seek to get out of the can!

Look very carefully at the following words: “….BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly calls upon the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to affirm the faith, baptism and spiritual gifts of all Christians regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that neither is grounds for exclusion from fellowship or service within the church, but we celebrate that all are part of God’s good creation; and….”

It is obvious that the statement is saying no matter what your sexual orientation (and by implication, your sexual practices) may be, it is morally acceptable to us within the church! Sodomy and lesbianism are OK and we have no right to object to such practices on the part of those who are so “oriented.” Further, that those who practice same-sex intimacy should not be excluded from serving in various positions within the church, including that of being a pastor.

Watch out – here is where the worms start pouring out of the can.

Suppose a person is “sexually oriented” to molest small children – it brings him a real thrill each time he does it. The statement is clear – this guy must be affirmed since we do that “regardless of their sexual orientation!”

Suppose a family is “sexually oriented” wherein the parents are sexually intimate with their children and the siblings within the family are sexually intimate with each other. What to do? Simply affirm their faith “regardless of their sexual orientation!”

Suppose a young man in his 20’s is “sexually oriented” to rape young girls – that is his greatest pleasure in life, therefore who are we to object as to how his genes are programed? In order to be consistent, we must affirm his “faith” also if he chooses to be active within our fellowship and we must welcome him, must we not?

Let’s not forget Penelope – her “sexual orientation” involves her German Shepherd, Spike! She enjoys sexual escapades with him on a regular basis. She readily admits that she is a bit different but on basis of a church resolution, insists that she should be able to serve on the board of the church and on the Social Committee – particularly the subcommittee on Socializing with Animals!

Hang on – we’re not done yet – suppose there are those married couples who are “sexually oriented” to play musical beds with members of the opposite sex! You know, this thing of having an “open marriage.” Their dominating philosophy is “variety is the spice of life.” No choice here – we must affirm them without objection. Perhaps, if given the chance, they can serve as teachers and show the ladies Bible class how to really live in this world!

Yes, yes I already know - some of the activities previously mentioned are considered illegal -- criminal acts in which you can be charged, brought to trial and maybe do some prison time. Well, it's time to petition state legislatures to change the laws on such matters - a person can't help it if they are "sexually oriented" to do things that may be considered against the law. So, in addition to a resolution that urges our church people to full acceptance of all persons no matter what their "sexual orientation" may be, we may have to bring about changes in our justice system as well!

Let’s keep this thing in proper balance and cover all the bases when it comes to affirming the faith of all regardless of sexual orientation. How can we object? If we try to appeal to the Bible by saying that some aforementioned sexual activity is sinful, then we have to also include sodomy and lesbianism as being not merely sinful, but an abomination in the sight of God. After all, that’s how He identifies such activity in His Word.

Actually there is not one single statement in the entire revelation given to us by God in which the practices of sodomy and lesbianism or others as mentioned above have His approval and blessing.

Further, God established the institution of marriage with specific boundaries, involving one male and one female within the holy covenant of marriage. It is only within this covenant relationship that sexual intimacy is expressed and experienced with God’s approval – any kind of sexual activity outside the marriage covenant is totally condemned. In all of Scripture there is not one place that indicates God has altered His standard as to what marriage is and who the persons are whom He joins together to be one flesh!

Is it not strange that the subject of repentance from sin is never mentioned in the proposed resolution? Oooops! I forgot – the word repent is a word that is intentionally banished from the vocabulary of most churches these days.

The trends taking place in the denominations being what they are, we can expect the worms to begin crawling soon after the General Assembly bash and acceptance of GA 1327 in Orlando FL in July 2013!

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! --- Isaiah 5:20 (ASV)

Boy Scouts Send Inconsistent Message – Is It OK or Is It Not?

The Boy Scouts of America (May 23, 2013 in Grapevine TX) voted on Thursday to lift a ban on openly gay scouts that had been in place throughout the organization's 103-year history, capping weeks of intense lobbying on both sides, the group said in a statement. --- internet news release

Well, they went and did it after months of mounting pressure which included large church groups such as the United Methodist Church and the Church of Latter-day Saints that sponsor a rather substantial number of scouting units. Young scouts that are sodomite oriented are now permitted to become members of a Boy Scout troop. The ban was lifted due to a vote of more than 60 per cent of the leaders in their gathering at Grapevine TX on May 23, 2013. However, it was emphasized that there is still a ban on adults being Scout leaders if they are of sodomite orientation. This poses a rather critical issue – how is it that sodomy is OK for the young ones who are members of a troop of Scouts, but it is not OK for a Scout leader to be of sodomite orientation?

Our culture has been under pressure for years to accept same-sex activity as being just as normal as sexual intimacy between a male and a female. Some states have already passed legislation in which two sodomites can legally marry each other and likewise it is the same for two lesbians who want to be married.

Now for a time of “meddling” by bringing Almighty God, our Creator, into this mix! God has given us a complete revelation about Himself and the moral laws which He has established for us human beings. In regard to our sexuality, God has explicitly drawn the boundary lines as to what is acceptable and what is not. According to God’s standards, sexual intimacy is acceptable only within the covenant of marriage involving a man and a woman!

There are a lot of sexual violations taking place around the clock throughout this chaotic world including fornication, adultery, incest, sodomy, lesbianism, bestiality, rape, and sexual abuse of children and youth. There are those who attempt to justify sodomy and lesbianism by a twisted and perverted interpretation of the Scriptures. One vain example of such is the attempt to paint David and Saul’s son, Jonathan, as sodomite lovers! But when one becomes honest and open in regard to the total revelation God has made available to us through His Holy Spirit, not one statement can be found where He places His stamp of approval on sodomite and lesbian activity or any of the other sexual violations previously mentioned!

God gave us a very powerful and blessed gift in our sexuality which can so easily be abused and perverted. But when experienced and enjoyed within the covenant of marriage as God originally intended, it is indeed the highest and the best. Unfortunately, a majority of Boy Scout leaders have failed to see this issue as God views it. The price to be paid for such a debacle has yet to take place! It is simply a further demonstration as to how it is in the “land of the free and the home of the brave” – who in the world pays any attention to God and what He has to say about human beings, their relationships, their behavior patterns, and their responsibilities during these days of mass confusion?

And so the question still remains -- how is it OK for young lads to be sodomite oriented and be accepted as members of a Boy Scout troop, but adults who are sodomite oriented cannot be Scout leaders? Explanation please!

They knew God but did not praise and thank him for being God. Instead, their thoughts were pointless, and their misguided minds were plunged into darkness. While claiming to be wise, they became fools. They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for statues that looked like mortal humans, birds, animals, and snakes. For this reason God allowed their lusts to control them. As a result, they dishonor their bodies by sexual perversion with each other. These people have exchanged God's truth for a lie. So they have become ungodly and serve what is created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen! For this reason God allowed their shameful passions to control them. Their women have exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. Likewise, their men have given up natural sexual relations with women and burn with lust for each other. Men commit indecent acts with men, so they experience among themselves the punishment they deserve for their perversion. --- Romans 1:21-27 (God’s Word translation)

Opening a Can of Worms United Methodist Style!

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. --- Titus 1:15,16

The scramble has been on for quite a while, but intensified in the wake of a Virginia Conference pastor's refusal to receive a man into church membership who was openly practicing sodomy. The man was unwilling to cease his immoral behavior pattern.

The pastor was suspended by a vote of the Executive Session of the Virginia Conference over which Bishop Charlene Kammerer presides. The UMC Judicial Council ruled that he was to be reinstated and reimbursed all lost salary.

The Council of Bishops of the UMC, looking out for one of their own, responded with a "pastoral letter" which basically declared that the man should have been received into the membership of the church as he had requested.

UMC bishops are increasingly capitulating to the demands of the sodomite/lesbian cartel. The rallying cry now is "homosexuality is not a barrier" when it comes to church membership!

A petition to the General Conference of 2008 which seeks to amend the UMC Book of Discipline is making its rounds in the annual conferences, including the W. PA Annual Conference now in session in Grove City PA.

The petition seeks to add this phrase to the BOD -- "No person shall or will be excluded from membership in The United Methodist Church for reasons related to sexual orientation." Each conference to which this is being submitted will act on it, either adopting or rejecting it.

Incidentally, there are those in the W. PA Conference who hold to the position that homosexuality is not a sin. This includes a very high profile leader involved in the well orchestrated "Believe Again!" campaign now underway in the conference. He so stated that position publicly at a seminar a while back.

What if the proposed petition is finally adopted at General Conference in spring of 2008? It will mean a lot of adjusting will have to be done. "How so?" you may ask.

Consider some possibilities (or maybe more appropriately "some fall out!") in this thing of "sexual orientation":

• a couple is "oriented" to a swinging sexual lifestyle -- the husband and wife enjoy sexual escapades with other couples on a regular basis -- they want to join a United Methodist Church, but also state that they fully intend to continue their present lifestyle after joining up! Who is to say that their way of life is a sin if the person practicing sodomy is considered a non-sinner according to a number of United Methodists including members of the episcopacy?
  
  
• a woman who is "oriented" to practicing adultery. In this case, her husband is aware of her sexual involvements with other men, but he is a compassionate and understanding person and does his best to support her. She wants to join the UMC but also insists that she will continue her sexual adventures with other men. Her justification for this? She was born that way and is "oriented" to intimate affairs with numerous men -- the more the merrier is the way she sees it. How can we object to her becoming a member when she is so "oriented?"
  
  
• a man enjoys sexual experiences with animals. His preferrd "partner" is a young Holstein heifer. He is not hesitant in revealing how he is sexually attracted to young heifers because in his understanding, he is "oriented" that way, even from birth. He is quick to respond to his critics with the ultimate put down -- "Don't knock it until you try it!" He is also among those with varied sexual "orentations" who want to become members of the UMC. On what ground could any bishop, district superintendent, or pastor refuse him? If the man practicing sodomy is not considered a sinner by such behavior, who are we to condemn a guy who is sexually intimate with his heifer?"
  
  
• a young female teacher enjoys having sexual moments with her male students -- she prefers the 15 year olds and gets great delight out of "initiating" the youngsters into world of sexual adventures. Seems as though this is a thing happening more and more in schools across the country. But she and others such as she are "oriented" that way and we ought not to stand in the way if they want to join and become members of the UMC! Don't forget, it's all about "orientation" when it comes to sexual experience and expression -- just don't mention the word "sin" or the word "repent" when considering the subject!
  

The list could be greatly expanded, but you get the picture, do you not? For an exercise in how far this can go, try adding to the list and picture how the UMC of the future will appear if General Conference 2008 adopts a change in the Book of Discipline which reads, "No person shall or will be excluded from membership in The United Methodist Church for reasons related to sexual orientation."

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! --- Isaiah 5:20