Posted on 06/27/2003 11:31:19 AM PDT by Antoninus
Friends,
In light of recent national and international events, it should be clear to most of you that the Christian underpinnings of western civilization are being knocked out from under our feet. Recent acts of judicial fiat in both Canada and in our own country have made it abundantly clear that the "post-Christian" world envisioned by anti-Christian radicals for centuries now may be close at hand.
Rather than continuing to scratch and claw our own eyes out over our differences (which will not, by the way, be resolved on this forum) I suggest that we call a temporary truce. Nearly all of us have the same cultural values including an abhorrence for abortion, a desire to raise our children free from intrusive and pervasive immorality, a revulsion at the "gay" deathstyle, and a desire to express our religious convictions publicly without threat of punishment.
If we continue on our current trajectory, is there any doubt that Christians will be reduced to the status of second class citizens? There are already whiffs of persecution emanating from Canada and some European countries. Are you truly prepared to face this threat if it arrives here? Of course, there is something to be said for being imprisoned and stripped of your family and possessions for expressing your Christian beliefs. But how many of us in our soft communities are ready to face the same trials that routinely confronted our early saints?
I maintain that there is much we can do to turn the tide. First and foremost, taking a cue from the citizens of Nineveh, we should put on sack-cloth and ashes (at least figuratively, if not literally) and seek personal repentence. Second, we must get active. If you're already active, prepare to become moreso.
The activity I'm proposing is not simply political, though that is a part of it. It needs to be evangelical--I accuse myself and my Church in general of going mainly soft on this issue. Indeed, many of the most celebrated evangelical Catholics are converts (!) And for you Evangelical Protestants, I challenge you to turn your fervor away from trying to convert pious and believing Catholics and train your theological cannons on the great and growing mass of secularized, sexualized youth. In short, I believe that a new, powerful burst of evangelization is the only thing that can save Western civilization from the otherwise unavoidable implosion of anarchy.
At any rate, if you think I'm being ridiculous or overstating the problem, just imagine we were back in 1990 and I told you that within 15 years, the Supreme Court would declare sodomy to be a constitutional right and that Canada would consider two homosexual men the moral equivalent of marriage.
If we unite, we can win. If we stay divided, we cede the victory to the forces of darkness. Your choice.
John answered him, saying: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, who followeth not us: and we forbade him. But Jesus said: Do not forbid him. For there is no man that doth a miracle in my name and can soon speak ill of me. For he that is not against you is for you. (Mark 9:38)
2Cr 6:14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
A little leaven leavens the loaf we need to be mindful of who we take as allies
And Mary ain't my savior
YOU ARE RIGHT RNMOMOF7 THE LACK OF CHARITY BY MANY WOULD MAKE US UNEQUALLY YOKED!
MATT 22
34 ¶ But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
***
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of
you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you
and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
__________________________________________________________
MarMema,
Ok no one is going to like this idea but.....how about every time we post here on the religion
forum, we first put a quote from Holy Scripture about how Christ wants us to treat others?
If anyone is lacking an appropriate verse, here are a few for a start:
_________________________________________________________________
ASSORTED
John 5:44
How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no
effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
[For backslappers?]
Acts 2:12
Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
[For when we don't understand]
1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of
you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you
and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
[A plea for unity?]
Romans 15:14
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of
goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
[Verbal irony?]
___________________________________________
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
John 13:34
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another.
John 13:35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another."
Romans 13:8
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one
another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you
have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the
heart.
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love
as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
1 John 3:11
This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one
another.
1 John 3:23
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and to love one another as he commanded us.
1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone
who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:11
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and
his love is made complete in us.
2 John 1:5
And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have
had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.
1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you
have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the
heart.
1 Peter 4:9
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
_________________________________________________
FORGIVE
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you.
__________________________________________________
HUMBLE
John 13:14
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also
should wash one another's feet.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above
yourselves.
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to
associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in
love.
Romans 15:7
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring
praise to God.
__________________________________________________
SUBMIT
Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of
you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to
indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
______________________________________
JUDGE AND SLANDER
Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up
your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's
way.
James 4:11
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his
brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you
judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
____________________________________________________
FELLOWSHIP
Ephesians 5:19
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and
make music in your heart to the Lord,
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one
another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with
one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
____________________________________________________
ENCOURAGE
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact
you are doing.
Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none
of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
let us encourage one another; and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds.
________________________________________________________
KISS
Romans 16:16
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send
greetings.
1 Corinthians 16:20
All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy
kiss.
2 Corinthians 13:12
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
1 Peter 5:14
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
_________________________________________
DG
And Mary ain't my savior
*** *** ***
I assure you No one is cozying up to the LDS here!
So many of you anti-LDS have made it clear if you are friendly to the LDS you are NO friend of mine!
Many of you describe the actions of your enemy.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY
CHAPTER 3
Paul describes apostasy and perilous times of the last days—The scriptures guide man to salvation.
1 THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I have not visited this part of FR much; I hang out mostly with social issues arguing with homosexuals and (lately) cloning advocates. I would not be counted in your list above; but I think my socially conservative "bona fides" would be satisfactory to most here. I would like to take part in your experiment, if the others here do not get bent out of shape. Personally, I believe it is time for all monotheists who adhere to traditional God-given laws of morality to stand together.
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