Posted on 07/12/2006 10:43:24 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 12, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Forget about traditional morality—Christianity should focus on eradicating poverty, protecting the environment and ending the war in Iraq, according to the general secretary of the National Council of Churches, Dr. Bob Edgar.
“Jesus never said one word about homosexuality, never said one word about civil marriage or abortion,” said Dr. Edgar to CBS News at a recent gathering of liberal Christian leaders in Washington.
The gathering was the latest effort by the “religious left” to gain back some of the political power the group enjoyed during the 60’s and early 70’s. 30 years ago liberal religious leaders used their political influence to lead demonstrations against social injustices such as civil rights abuses and the Vietnam War. Once those issues left the spotlight, liberal Christianity lost focus and faded to the background.
Now, liberal Christian leaders are attempting to stage a return to power, targeting young voters and concentrating on increasing childcare funding and raising the minimum wage. The group wants to build a strong voter base to counter what it calls the “ground game” of the Christian right—the powerful voting block of traditional Christians that has significant influence on the country’s politics.
Finding a unifying message that will allow the group to achieve political clout has been a struggle, observers have said. The New York Times reported in May on an earlier meeting by liberal Christian activists in Washington, a brainstorming session concentrating on identifying the group’s goals.
During a session on ethical sexual behavior, the meeting bypassed discussion of concrete issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. Instead, Rev. Ama Zenya of First Congregational Church in Oakland, California, directed the gathering to discuss their spiritual values and “to practice fully our authentic being,” reported the Times.
The results of the gathering were disappointing, said liberal Baptist minister Rev. Tony Campolo, who once acted as spiritual adviser to President Bill Clinton, and attended the conference.
“We didn’t get on the same page with everyone, and it is about getting on the same page. The thing about the left is that they want everybody to feel good.”
Dr. Edgar, who has been general secretary of the NCC since 2000, was applauded by homosexual activist organizations shortly after his election for withdrawing his signature from an ecumenical statement in defence of traditional marriage, “A Christian Declaration on Marriage.”
Dr. Edgar also apologized to members of the homosexual community for originally endorsing the document, which was co-signed by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the National Association of Evangelicals.
" == It just amazes me how someone can rise so high in an organization such as this and be completely clueless about such obvious facets of his religion. == "
It's the Peter Principle Corollary; If you have an incompetent nincompoop heading your department, get him promoted to Corporate in order to get him out of the way.
Many Arkansans did this with Bill Clinton several years ago.
This passage does not countenance the abrogation of the universal moral laws decreed in the Torah, nor could it.
BTW, I apologize for the harsh language I used in post 110. I misread your tone and responded inappropriately.
Why would a homosexual need an abortion?
No problem. I am old fart; I been in flame wars since the usenet days.
I enjoy a spirited discussion, and I admit sometimes I don't think through what I say (especially when I should be working).
Perhaps God the Son never said anything, but God the Father did.
Perhaps God the Son never said anything, but God the Father did.
He didn't have to. He came to fulfill the Law, not destroy it: The Law said "do not murder" and "do not lay with mankind as with womankind." Jesus backed the Law up as a whole and didn't have to quote it every few minutes...many Jews knew it by heart.
The faux Christians, and I use that term Christian VERY loosely, disgust me as well.
Yes -self evidently so -to support and promote homosexual sex is objective proof of disordered thinking...
Mat 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
That is Christ talking. Basic reading comprehension.
Paul is not the only person who asserts this. Luke also claims in Acts that Paul was called by Jesus personally.
I will say that Paul's words are the hardest to believe.
How so? Why are words of Paul more deserving of disbelief than the words of Revelation?
In moments of doubt I can envision a clever and brilliant man, working for the Roman authorities who, I hope, was contacted by God and then created the modern church.
If he was working for the Roman authorities, why would he be imprisoned and almost beaten to death by the Roman authorities?
I hope he has not led the world astray.
What he wrote is Scripture. Saying that Paul led the world astray is functionally equivalent to saying that God actively deceives us.
I say this not to damage the Church(as if I could), but because I believe the worst in people sometimes, and it is easier to have faith in God than in man.
I agree. Therefore I believe the Word of God and what the Word of God says about His servant Paul.
Hubby checked "Dr Bob Edgar's" bio. He has a BS and masters in divinity. No PhD, yet goes by "Dr."
Hubby (a PhD) called NCC and asked about it. They said it's because he has three (vs 4 on web page) "honorary" doctorates. Hubby doesn't know of anyone who goes by "Dr" based on an honorary degree, and he pressed the issue with the NCC rep.
The NCC rep stated that he knew of several in the academic and religious community who did. When asked for one example, the guy couldn't give even one name.
Sounds like this group (NCC) is a full of frauds.
You are correct. Paul had to address these issues when he preached to the Gentiles because perverse practices were going on among the Gentiles.
Thank you for all of the replies. I'll have to do some research of my own. I didn't know there was a difference between moral and ceremonial laws. Very intersting.
This is the sort of argument children make.
In any case, if one believes in the Trinity, Jesus, who is one with the Father, certainly DID make a statement about homosexuality. But perhaps the Trinity has gone out of fashion.
I've been lurking for awhile but I had to thank you for that marvelous post. Paul's letter to the Romans is a masterpiece of the Holy Spirit - and it touches on so many modern-day issues that sometimes it's hard to remember that its central message is that sinners are saved by God's grace. Thanks for reminding me.
I can handle outright atheists' support of viciousness a lot more than fake religious peoples' support. It ratchets up the evil a whole bunch of notches.
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