Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Discrimination in a Christian Nation

One might expect the phase "discrimination in a Christian nation" to be an oxymoron, yet it seems increasingly clear by the recent spate of "religious freedom" legislation that has been signed in states such as Georgia and North Carolina, that discrimination is alive and well in America.  What is ironic is that those in support of such blatantly discriminatory laws, believe they are doing God's work, protecting children from gay, lesbian and transgender perverts, as is their perspective.  Even more ironic, is that many of these same people watch in horror at the news of the atrocities committed in the name of god by Islamic fundamentalists, not seeing how much like them they are in their intolerance for others.


It might be wise for those who support such seemingly anti-freedom (anti-American) laws to review the work of Utah, yes Utah, in this area.  While the Utah law is not perfect, is was created with the cooperation of the LGBT community, including one openly gay state representative.  Cooperation, as opposed to last minute legislative meetings with only one political party represented.  A law that addressed the concerns of both sides, found common ground, and was supported by both sides, even though no one was completely happy.  Adult compromise concerning a very difficult issue.


I often say that mankind is evolving in a positive direction, intellectually, socially and spiritually.  I also frequently lament the backlash that can occur following a step forward, usually with the comment that sometimes progress is two steps forward, one step back.  That being said, it should not be surprising that with marriage equality the law of the land, there would be some people who are not ready for such change, and would therefore respond by circling their religious wagons to establish some kind of buffer between themselves and these changes. 


Hence, religious freedom laws that allow for the righteous to refuse service to those with different sexual orientation or gender identification.  Not straight, sorry, no wedding cake for you.  A different gender identification, no job for you.  The only thing missing would be straight and gay public water fountains; after all, perhaps the gay disease can be transmitted orally, through saliva!  (I am sure I read that on the internet, so it must be true).


I no longer affiliate with any religion but I would like to think that the priest that says mass at my mother's church would speak out against this kind of intolerance.  I know that if he didn't, my mother would not be happy.  Unfortunately, I am sure that there are people with religious influence that do not share that sense of intolerance.  They are the first to scream discrimination when they cannot have a manger scene on public property, but yell the loudest to restrict those with different viewpoints from those same facilities.  Even worse, they fail to see the inherent evil in teaming up with local businesses to justify who can be served and who cannot, who can be hired or fired, based on their narrow perspective.   I guess the lesson of World War 2 when so many minorities were persecuted, is lost on them; they forget that intolerance has no boundary, and no consistency, and today's purveyors of discrimination might well be tomorrow's victims.


If I may be so bold, the stories I have read about Jesus recount a man who spent time with the outcasts of his era.  If we are to believe that he was The Christ, son of God, conceived immaculately, sent to earth to provide an example of how to live, and who died for our imperfections so that we might live eternally, the founder and reason for all that is labeled Christian, then perhaps we should act us such. 


Some say there is too much religious influence these days, too many people who so passionately believe the tenants and dogma of their particular religion, that they are blind to the possibility that other sets of beliefs may be just as viable.  But perhaps, in fact, there is not enough religion, where religion is defined by the spirit of its founder, as opposed to the rules created by men to control the believers. 


To me, there is no room for discrimination in a Christian nation, therefore there is no room for discrimination in America.  One might even go so far as to say that anyone who supports such laws is not only not Christian, but not American as well. 


       

5 comments:

  1. Jesus did associate with outcasts...but to CONVERT them and preach the Gospel to them, not approve of their ways and be "tolerant".

    ""Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, He never changes or casts shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

    God never changes. From the Old Testament to the New, God's rules remain the same.

    "If a man also lies with a man, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them" Leviticus 20:13.

    The God that orders the execution of homosexuals in the Old testament is the same one who preaches them the gospel in the New. The homosexuals, as well as any other sinner, will go to hell if they don't accept Christ, but they're given a reprieve to have time to change, should they use their God given free will to do so.


    A THOROUGH reading of the Bible would answer a lot these questions you have. A quick cursory view at phrases only adds to the confusion that one who doesn't know about the Bible has.., after all, you said above:

    "I no longer affiliate with any religion..", and thus admit you know nothing about it.

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  2. Wow, two comments! I guess I hit a nerve. Of course, the first one is reprehensible and reflects the creativity of someone who not only reveals his inhumanity, but spits on the example of Jesus by condemning people he judges without knowledge of their hearts.

    The second one at least quotes the Bible in his condemnation of the LGBT community. Of course, the Bible has been used to justify bigotry and cruelty since its creation. As for my not having read the Bible, I have read it, every word, more than once, just as I have read many of the great religious tomes. There is certainly wonderful examples to be found in all those great books, including the Bible. For me though, a God that orders executions of people, and/or condemns people to eternal hell because those same people act as they were created by Him, is not a God that I choose to worship.

    In the end, if I am condemned to hell for expressing compassion for those in the LGBT community, I accept that judgement, as is my free will, for I would prefer eternal damnation than to live eternity with a God that is so vengeful, and with people who choose to hurt and demean rather than support and understand.

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    1. Don't worship Him, then. It's your soul that's at stake, and yes, God gave you free will.

      " As for my not having read the Bible, I have read it, every word, more than once, just as I have read many of the great religious tomes."

      What it really comes down to is you hate God, you hate goodness, you falsely believe that just because you don't murder, rape and steal that you're a "good" person, but in reality, NONE of us are good. Evil is defined by more than just what the world thinks. Yes, murder, rape and theft are evil, but so too is accepting perversions and pretending their normal. Gays were executed in the Old Testament, but when Jesus came He stopped that and gave a temporary reprieve to all sinners so that they may have time to repent. He did NOT excuse or condone their sins, he simply place a moratorium on their execution as an earthly punishment for the time being.
      As I said above, you and those like you hate God, and you arrogantly say that "I would prefer eternal damnation than to live eternity with a God that is so vengeful....." as if you know what comes after death, being so high, mighty and full of "wisdom".

      "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools". Romans 1:22.

      When this life here ends you the reality hits you that not only is there something afterwards but what it is will be horrific (and last forever) due to your arrogant, ignorant attitude here in this life you WILL be sorry regardless of what lie you tell yourself now.

      You wrote:

      " Of course, the first one is reprehensible and reflects the creativity of someone who not only reveals his inhumanity, but spits on the example of Jesus by condemning people he judges without knowledge of their hearts."

      God (Jesus) wrote:

      28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32and 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. Romans 1:28-32.

      I spit on the example of Jesus???
      Above it is clear about how Jesus feels about those who do evil. YOU are the one who creates this affeminate "jesus" who aquiesces to every sick, evil perversion that afflicts mankind. You may have "read" the Bible, but you never read it. What you want is to give in to your basest passions, go along with the crowd and not be left out. If you had lived during Jesus' times you would have been among those who hated him. If Jesus walked the earth today, he'd be the most hated of the world, just like He was then. The truth doesn't just set you free, it makes you an object of hatred and scorn.

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  3. Nicholai,

    You have decided from my defense of the LGBT community that I hate God. Shame on you!! You don't know me, don't know what "base" passions I may or may not give in to. You may want to review the passages in the Bible about judging others. However, you are right that while I do not know what comes after death, I sincerely hope that what you believe is true for your eternal soul, because if it is not and you have been led astray by your longing to preach your version of God's will, you may be in for a surprise. In the meantime, I hope you are able to be happy in your life on earth and that you might find goodness in other men rather than seeing evil everywhere.

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    1. You wrote:

      "You have decided from my defense of the LGBT community that I hate God."

      I determined that you hate God mostly from your arrogant statement here:

      "In the end, if I am condemned to hell for expressing compassion for those in the LGBT community, I accept that judgement, as is my free will, for I would prefer eternal damnation than to live eternity with a God that is so vengeful, and with people who choose to hurt and demean rather than support and understand."

      Is your mind so infantile that you think that for the truth to be the truth it must be pleasant sounding to your ears or agree with the way you want things to be?
      By the time most people reach the age of adulthood they begin to realize that the truth is, most of the time, VERY UNPLEASANT, hence the heavy drug abuse that is rampant today...all to escape from reality (i.e. The Truth).

      You wrote:

      "You may want to review the passages in the Bible about judging others..."

      I suggest that YOU read the Bible about judging others. What Jesus was against is hypocrisy. Before a Christian rebukes others he must ensure that he is not also doing the same sin. Jesus did NOT mean that "anything goes". Below are some examples:

      "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2

      "Brothers,1 if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." Galatians 6:1

      So as the Bible says, a Christian can indeed rebuke others when they commit sin, but the Christian must constantly strive to not fall into the same trap. Those who embrace filth LOVE to take the same Bible they scorn and try to use it against God but:

      "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools". Romans 1:22

      I preach the Bible's version of Christianity and show the verses to support it. YOU are the one making thigs up. Prove me wrong WITH FACTS if you think otherwise.

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