Posted on 10/20/2015 11:04:32 AM PDT by wagglebee
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, October 19, 2015 (LifeSiteNews)—There was a time when Church and State cooperated – when governing powers welcomed the influence of Judeo-Christian values and sought to harmonize its laws with morality. But since the radical secularization of Western society, Christians have been forced into an adversarial, politically incorrect role, much like the early Church in times of persecution. Since a "culture of death" began to dominate the West, genuine Christians have become counter-cultural.
The leader of America's largest Protestant denomination, Dr. Albert Mohler, applies this Christian counter-culturalism to the latest politically correct trend in society: the approval of sodomy and sodomitical relationships – in other words, gay "marriage."
Rev. Mohler writes that Christian love "does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right," including the good of others. Genuine love does not enable abuse or influence people toward harmful behaviors, including homosexuality.
Sodomy is very harmful physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually –sodomy hurts, and those who honestly care about others do not encourage its practice or imply approval in any way.
According to Dr. Mohler's latest book, We Cannot Be Silent, Christians should not attend a same-sex "wedding," because to attend the celebration implies condoning the behavior. The Southern Baptist Seminary president writes that the Christian's presence at a homosexual ceremony signals "moral approval" of something terribly harmful to both parties.
Mohler pointed out that avoiding participation in homosexual rites is simply living consistently as a Christian. "At some point, attendance will involve congratulating the couple for their union," Mohler wrote. "If you can't congratulate the couple, how can you attend?"
With compassion and understanding, Mohler writes that missing the ceremonies of gay friends, relatives, and loved ones will be excruciatingly difficult, but there are other ways a Christian can affirm and love those who suffer from same-sex attraction without implying approval of gay "marriage."
Mohler wrote that Christians should not shun or isolate themselves from homosexuals. "We should make every effort to develop real and authentic friendships with our LGBT neighbors," he wrote. He conceded that Jesus ate with sinners, but he pointed out that the Lord never approved of sin. "His constant call was to repentance."
As expected, homosexual activists have vehemently denounced the book, saying it will further divide homosexuals from their families. Chris Hartman, director of the Fairness Campaign, a homosexual advocacy group, commented, "Dr. Mohler's self-righteous intractability on this issue ... can cause nothing but strife, heartache and hardship."
Some Catholic bishops have likewise urged parishioners not to attend homosexual weddings. Bishop Michael Jarrell of Lafayette, Louisiana, wrote in a letter to his flock, "All Catholics are urged not to attend same-sex marriage ceremonies."
Bishop Joseph Edward Strickland of Tyler, Texas, wrote to the faithful that "the solemnizing of [homosexual] relationships" is intrinsically immoral, and "[t]here are absolutely no grounds for considering unions between two persons of the same sex to be in any way similar to God's plan for marriage and the family."
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence wrote, "Our respect and pastoral care, however, does not mean that we are free to endorse or ignore immoral or destructive behavior[.] ... We are required to 'speak the truth in love' (Eph 4:15)[.] ... 'Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,' and always sinful." The Rhode Island hierarch wrote that attending same-sex ceremonies "might harm their relationship with God and cause significant scandal to others."
Fr. Edward McIlmail summarizes the Catholic view in his response to a parishioner's question about attending her niece's same-sex reception: "Receptions are for celebrating, and morally this isn't much to celebrate in this case. In fact, by not attending you would be living in accord with the promises you made when you became godmother to your niece. You are giving witness to your faith."
There are 15.5 million Southern Baptists in the United States.
Exactly. I would no more attend one of these satanic rituals than I would sit by silently and watch a loved one shoot-up heroin.
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I agree!
Absolutely agree.
I won’t attend a gay wedding. But then, considering my circle of friends and family, I can’t imagine ever being invited to one.
I agree
God takes notes
Dr Mohler has always had a keen grasp of the obvious.
Sadly that is a trait many religious leaders today are lacking.
This really shouldn’t even be a question.
They can pretend that what they do is a marriage all they want. I will not pretend to agree.
In essence he is correct as to not attending Sodomite “Weddings.” He is incorrect as to associating with them. I’ll follow St. Paul who advised us to “come out from among them.” One doe not have to stone them(though that is biblical) but neither does one have to associate with them which is in effect giving approval of their “life Style.” We have many tasks in this world one can visit a children’s cancer center, etc. Why spend time on those who state they will continue in their sin? We are not Jesus. The Sodomite has placed themselves into needing his mercy.
Because “Religions” make up their own versions of worship and what is right or not...
Catholics have their own Go Between who keeps an eye on the windsock over he Vatican Bank to change policy...
I am a Minister but I claim no religion, My journey is purely one of Faith...
Breakfast wouldn’t stay down for a start.
I don’t personally know any queers.
Just the other day there was yet another thread with a Freeper pushing the whole Gay is OK thing. It’s not real surprising that a minister making such an obvious statement is considered shocking when our supposed ‘own’ on a hard right website find ways to excuse this madness.
I keep saying it and I will keep saying it until lightning strikes. The enemy is within.
AMEN and AMEN...and BTW voting Democrat is just as harmful, actually voting Democrat in any way shape or form means the person already gave their blessing to homosexual marriage abortion and the removal of God Christ from the classroom public square.
Why not add this before even mentioning what the jist of this article says
I’m surrounded by them in my work place It’s awful
And I’d never be able to stop laughing.
“Why spend time on those who state they will continue in their sin? We are not Jesus. The Sodomite has placed themselves into needing his mercy.”
Christ calls us to love our neighbor. He doesn’t exempt a single one.
To whom are you neighbor? Only the saved?
The Good Samaritan - a sinful halfbreed, according to jews - was a neighbor, when “righteous Jews” refused to obey the command.
Maybe this is too obvious, but we shouldn’t be watching television that promotes homosexuality or other sexual depravity either. Which pretty much means Christians should be pulling the plug on the TV.
Who? What thread?
My Pastor stated just last Sunday, Jesus did not spend his time with the righteous but with the broken sinner.
Mark 2:15-17 reads: “And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
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