Posted on 07/08/2011 12:31:34 PM PDT by wagglebee
NEW YORK, July 8, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - American Christians may one day find themselves facing legal penalties simply for believing marriage can only exist between a man and a woman, a fate already suffered by believers in other countries, said the leader of America’s most influential Catholic pulpit this week.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York reflected on his blog Thursday on the recent legalization of gay “marriage” in New York, and what repercussions true marriage supporters can expect in the future.
He called it “haunting” that the marriage bill became law on the day Catholics celebrate the feast of the Birth of John the Baptist, “whom King Herod would behead because the saint dared to defend the God-given truth about marriage.”
“If the experience of those few other states and countries where this is already law is any indication, the churches, and believers, will soon be harassed, threatened, and hauled into court for their conviction that marriage is between one man, one woman, forever, bringing children into the world,” wrote the archbishop.
Christians in the UK, Canada, and elsewhere have lost their jobs, been dragged through lengthy “human rights” proceedings, and faced steep fines for questioning the dangerous homosexual lifestyle, declining to facilitate gay “marriages,” or even failing to acknowledge “gay pride” events.
Dolan pointed out that editorials nationwide have been calling for an end to the Catholic Church’s religious liberties as a growing percentage of Americans consider defending true marriage a form of discrimination against homosexuals. The archbishop insisted the Church’s position was “never anti-gay.”
“As I replied recently to a reporter who asked if I had any message to the gay community, ‘Yes: I love you. Each morning I pray with and for you and your true happiness and well-being,’” he recalled.
Meanwhile, he says, the true aggressors have proven to be the gay “marriage” lobby.
“As one respected columnist has observed, the problem is not homophobia but theophobia — a hatred by some of God, faith, religion, and the Church,” he said.
Although Dolan said his brother bishops in New York were “particularly prophetic” in acknowledging an uphill battle on the marriage issue, Dolan said Christians would not back down on the truth.
“Like St. Thomas More, we’re willing to take the heat and even lose our head from following a conscience properly formed by God’s revelation and the teaching of His Church, even if it is politically incorrect, and clashes with the King’s demands to re-define marriage,” he said.
Read Archbishop Dolan’s full post here.
Zero would put us in gulags tomorrow if he thought he could get away with it.
It’s going to come to blood.
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Maybe the hierarchy should have spoken more forcefully in previous elections, not on the eve of this vote; they might change a few minds if they assertively state that people are endangering their immortal souls by openly defying God on something He spoke quite forcefully about.
I believe it. Absolutely.
America is facing a moral crisis every bit as great as the one brought on by slavery a century and a half ago.
They have been quite forthright, at least in New York, for some time. It took just two GOP state reps to turn traitor on this one. I don’t know if they’re Catholic or not, but if they are, they should be excommunicated.
> Maybe the hierarchy should have spoken more forcefully in
> previous elections,
Maybe they should have publically excommunicated pro-homo and pro-abort politicians like the Cuomos, Kennedys, etc.
This is the whole point behind the left backing “gay rights” -
the criminalization of Christianity.
The left/commies couldn’t care less about the homos, they’re just a weapon or tool. And when the commies accomplish their goals, they’ll be “discarded”.
The “gay marriage” push is simply about being able to punish with state power those who won’t buy into the statists and homosexualists ever devolving take on marriage.
Freegards
My mother had the best reply when she was asked if she backed homosexual marriage: “My spirit does not accept that.”
It’s coming. If I want to hear the truth from my Pastor, I’ll have to visit him in jail. he’s already told us that’s where he will be if the government out laws any part of the Gospel.
We as Baptists don't have "excommunication", I'd settle for horse whipping them.
Horsewhipping would probably work too.
It's just too bad they drag us “Social justice is no jusice” people down along with them.
That being said, the Catholic Church, along with those Protestant churches that preach the true Gospel, and other groups that follow the dictates of their religion instead of those of secular liberalism, are probably in for a hard time over the coming years.
‘
Sadly, most priests/pastors will turn. People don't want to risk the tax exempt subsidy.
I personally know a priest who will die before ever giving in on this issue or ever “ marry “ any of these deeply troubled people.
How about, "There's no such thing; anymore than there are square circles."
Historically accurate, and the no longer "useful idiots" are usually systematically murdered.
I'm surprised the "intellectually superior" leftie pawns can't seem to notice the fact.
Comrade Stalin, save me!
I think it was Stalin himself that said
if they’ll betray their countrymen, they can’t be trusted not to betray the revolution
Sure they do. The SBC excommunicated at least 2 entire congregations over the past several years for homo affirming. It simply means to disfellowship.
Inherent in leftist/communist ideology is the mindset that "I'm special" and that "I'll end up in charge".
Tolerance for the perverts but not for the Believers. Its a one way street only.
And yes, it will end in blood.
BTW, I'm a Protestant. Heck, I'm a Calvinist Protestant. But in this I will stand with my Catholic brothers and sisters 100%. Nothing makes me more passionate than uniting with Christians to defend the Word of God and His Church!
We can disfellowship them, though.
Of course, they can just go down the road to that liberal BAptist church, or even start their own
Did the SBC use that word? Disfellowship, yes but I’d have to see a reference from the SBC that they excommunicate anyone or entity.
Yes it is and that is why they try to disarm us.
Mine also. But, I told him I would share the cell with him, that he wasn’t going alone because I believe as he does. I have one fine Christian, Gospel believing, Bible teaching pastor. In the traditional southern style. I love him and his message he brings from his heart and what the Holy Spirit inspires him to say.
Speaking of the tax exempt "subsidy" (not taxing someone isn't a subsidy) my pastor shocked me in a good way several months ago by saying he would not let the government dictate what he preached as the Gospel. He said if they threatened to take his tax exempt status, he'd say "take it!"
The "Theophobes'" constant threats and expressions of hatred is to "tax the churches" nowadays. But, predictably, revoking the tax exempt status of churches that won't bow before the state agenda won't placate the raving anarchists. They won't stop their vicious attacks until the church is pounded into dust. The "tax-exempt" excuse is just that - an excuse.
I’ve seen web pages calling for the Knights of Columbus to be labeled a “Hate Group”.
It was also heard in the Gulags and prison camps before execution for hoarding and black market crimes. It was heard a lot.
Pastors and their congregations need to get informed on the actual laws concerning tax exempt status.
You can give a whole sermon on politics, endorsing a particular candidate. If that is one out of 52 sermons given in a year, or better yet, one out of 100 (if you have Wednesday services and special services on holidays),
then your church would owe taxes on one dollar out of $100 for the time spent on the non-tax exempt activity.
No, they use the word “disfellowship,” which is as strong as it gets in Baptist circles. Nobody “excommunicates” anymore, which implies treating as if the excommunicated is a heathen. It’s a shame, because treating an obstinate, willful offender as an unbeliever is thoroughly biblical.
Yes...it is going to come to blood...ours. It will not be long before there will be protestors marching around churches on Sunday mornings demanding masses be stopped. It will not be long before Christians are pulled before human rights courts to explain their “conversion” to pro-gay attitudes...or lose their jobs.
It’s coming and it’s coming fast.
Can we add the Governor to that list?
I do not what hole in the ground most people have their head stuck in but people are already being punished by the state for holding beliefs against gay marriage or against the views the left-wing has on homosexuality. People have been fired from jobs for not holding left-wing beliefs, businesses have been punished by Courts for being against left-wing views on homosexuality as well. So why in the world would anyone think that the Church will end up any different being the way many on the left hate Christianity?
It amazes that anyone can doubt the 100% fascist agenda of the left-wing homosexual movement. They will not accept any freedom of expression on this issue nor will they ever have tolerance for Christianity or traditional values. Those who do not start fighting back on this issue full force are setting our children up to be under the rule of a evil and perverse fascist movement.
“The archbishop insisted the Church’s position was “never anti-gay.””
This is why they fail. There is no such thing as a state of “being gay”. Gay is a desire for abnormal destructive behavior. Being anti-gay is good.
Yep, part of plot to outlaw Christianity and morality.
The Government can pass all the laws they want. Perverts will always be perverts.
Jimbo, they teach gay marriage in public skool in CT. And ya can’t sign a waiver to get your kid excused from the class.
They want us to be more tolerant than they are
Brought to you by the Lavender Mafia using Gaystapo tactics.
Orwell was off by a few years.
Unjustified Government involvement in marriage needs to be ended.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.” Skousen claimed Communists sought to encourage the practice of masturbation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Naked_Communist
Communist goals stated in 1958 and guess whom you can find behind the movement (bad choice of words...) Yep Communist who want to take down the US.
Evil is on the March speak out!
There’s been talk about jailing ‘global warming deniers’ as well. The left wants facism.
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