FriendFellaAl,
I went to the site you mentioned. I do not have time to read the entire site but I chose the one titled Homosexual Agenda. What do you see wrong with their statement?
Are We Singling Out Homosexuals?
Karen Battles
Contributing Columnist & AFR Staff Member
April 2, 2001
Much discussion has been given to the idea that homosexuals are being targeted for punishment by those of us labeled as "conservative Christians." Many observers claim we do not oppose adultery and other sins in the same way we oppose homosexuality.
Two events in the State of Georgia will serve nicely to discuss this issue. Both revolve around the Southern Baptist denomination, but this argument is heard in numerous other denominations as well. This is a Biblical problem, not a Baptist problem.
Event 1: Atlanta ChurchesHere is a quick summation of one controversy in the proverbial
peanut shell. Southern Baptist associations and conventions, including local, state and the national convention, and other Christian groups have been following the case of the Atlanta Baptist Association and two of its member churches -- Atlanta Oakhurst Church of Decatur and Virginia-Highland Church of Atlanta.
Atlanta Oakhurst and Virginia-Highland created controversy when they went beyond ministering to homosexuals and chose to affirm and endorse homosexuality, evidenced in placing homosexuals in church leadership positions and providing access to church property for same-sex union ceremonies. Atlanta Baptist Association created controversy earlier this year by not doing anything about the two member churches unscriptural position.
This has been a long saga, but recently the Atlanta Baptist Association voted to amend its bylaws, stating an affiliated church does not include a church which knowingly takes, or has taken, any action to affirm, approve, or endorse homosexual behavior. This would seem to terminate the membership of the two churches in the Association; but in another vote on the membership of Atlanta Oakhurst and Virginia-Highland, the two-thirds majority necessary to oust the two churches was not attained -- so, they remain members of the Atlanta Baptist Association. As a result, the Atlanta Baptist Association has now been de-funded by the Georgia Baptist Convention due to the Conventions Biblical stand on homosexuality.
Much of the above information was garnered from an article by William Neal, editor of
The Christian Index. The singled-out specter was raised in a direct quote from Mr. Neals article: Perry Ginn, pastor of Valley Brook church in Decatur, questioned the fairness of
singling out one particular sin like homosexuality, when 'all of us are contaminated by sin.
There, it has been said, the dreaded phrase -- singling out. It conjures up images of childhood rejection and alienation; the one who was always picked on. But before we get to the discussion, lets take a look at the second situation.
Event 2: Jimmy CarterIn October 2000, former President Jimmy Carter left the Southern Baptist Church, citing the SBC's conservative views and subsequent stand on the issues of homosexuality, abortion and ordination of women. A
Baptist Press article stated Jimmy Carter believes homosexuality is a sin, but he approves of the ordination of homosexuals. If a homosexual was demonstrating the essence of Christianity, I would not object to the individual being ordained, Carter said in an interview with
Baptist Press. Adultery is a more serious sin than homosexuality... Homosexuals have a perfect right to profess to be Christians, accept Christ as Savior, and I wouldnt have a problem if they worshiped side by side with me, Carter said. Jesus never singled out homosexuals to be condemned. When the Southern Baptist Convention started
singling out [emphasis mine] homosexuals as a special form or degree of sinfulness, I didnt agree with it.
Once again, the phrase singling out has been cast upon the waters. Are conservative Christians really after the homosexuals? Whats the real reason conservative Christians take a stand on homosexuality? Could it be because it is a sin and Christians must take a stand against sin, including the sin in their own lives? Even Mr. Carter said he believes homosexuality is a sin, although not as serious a sin as adultery. It would seem Mr. Carter believes the best way to deal with sin in the church is to decide the level or severity of sin. After establishing the sin quotient, you then tolerate or encourage the lesser sin.
Sin 'Normalized'Perhaps there is another reason more groups are defining their view of homosexuality -- specifically, the organized effort to normalize and promote this sinful behavior. During the 1970s, homosexuals organized and started promoting their lifestyle. What Christians know to be sin, this movement calls "alternative lifestyle"; what Christians know to be aberrant, this movement calls "normal"; what Christians know to be a choice, this movement calls "genetic." (By the way, there is no scientific evidence to support the gay gene theory.) The national news media and entertainment industry joined this campaign and are careful to present homosexual-friendly images. Because of this campaign, morality has been breached. Churches are now trying to establish the level of sin that is acceptable. Some are even trying to redefine what sin is -- these are the ones who believe the only sin is to speak out and hold firm to moral truths. This overt campaign to normalize the abnormal and sinful brings up another question: Where will we stop redefining Gods word?
Let's suppose there was an organization called the National Association to Promote Adultery, whose mission was to promote adultery as a healthy and beneficial alternative lifestyle. What if their campaign started making inroads into some churches? What if churches even started allowing adulterous union ceremonies on church property and allowing open adulterers to be church leaders? Should the church take a stand? Or should Christians fold their hands and say, We are all sinners. Lets embrace their alternative lifestyle? Would the church champion the ordination of an open adulterer?
Wait a minute ...
there are people in the church actively committing adultery, including some who are leaders. Sure, they try to hide it, but others know their secret. And what about all the premarital sex that is going on? Maybe there
is a reason some people are confused and think Christians are singling out homosexuals. Could it be the overwhelming lack of church discipline? No one wants to be accountable for his/her actions -- thus, no one holds anyone else accountable. It grieves me to think there are those who call themselves Christians, including church leaders and even ministers, who are cheating on their spouses, taxes, and who knows what else. But what grieves me even more is for another Christian to be aware of this ... and do nothing.
Sin ConfrontedGods word clearly lays out the process for confronting a believer who is in sin:
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people -- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (NIV)
This passage clearly states we have to confront those who call themselves Christian but choose to live contrary to Gods word. If they choose not to repent, the church has no choice but to remove them from fellowship. Should people continue to compassionately reach out to the expelled immoral believer? Yes -- but true compassion is always shared with Gods truth, which will lead to restoration if there is repentance.
Can we call those who are not believers to this standard? No -- and we should reach out to unbelievers and share the Gospel of Christ with them. Conversely, we cannot allow unbelievers to hold positions of leadership in the Church, nor can we allow the perverting of the Word of God to make them feel more comfortable.
Call for ObedienceOnce again we are faced with our initial question: Are conservative Christians singling out homosexual sin over other sins? The answer would depend on the Christian you are speaking about. I am sure there are those who focus on someone elses sin to make themselves feel better about their own sin. But there are Christians who want our churches to be filled with those who are truly seeking the face of God. They want their fellow believers to have a passion to live in faith and obedience to God.
The solution to this is not in accepting homosexuality. The answer is clear: we must call those who bear the name of Christ to obedience in the Word. The answer is in cleaning up our churches and confronting the immoral believer. The answer is sanctification -- the process of becoming like Christ.
http://www.afa.net/homosexual_agenda/kb040201.asp
Remember we are Christian believers. We must follow bible Christianity. No one is forced to be a member of a Christian church. No one is forced to believe the Christian faith. But, no one has a right to demand that Christians abandon their sacred beliefs to please those who do not agree with them.
If there is a statement on the American Family web-site that is trying to deny homosexuals their rights in any way please post that link and I will read it.
Borgfree
