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Why are some denominations/churches changing their bylaws on gay marriage (Or drinking, smoking...
12/10/2012 | Laissez-Faire Capitalist

Posted on 12/10/2012 9:27:44 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist

...gambling, rock music, etc, etc?

Now, this thread isn't about debating what is sin and what isn't or what constitutes sin or doesn't. Please don't hijack this thread over the issues that I listed. Thank you.

This thread is about our changing culture - and let's face it, more and more denominations/churches are ever so slowly moving towards tolerance and/or acceptance of homosexual marriage. The rest in the list (following gay marriage) that I included in the thread were put there to show that if you look back far enough at various denomination's church bylaws some churches were once against this or that - but no longer are. Just like they once were adamantly against homosexuality/homosexual marriage, but are slowly drifting away from that.

Which makes me wonder and posit the following question:

Those (the various ministers who were the crafters of church bylaws and voted on them) believed that they were following God's will in the crafting of their church/denomination bylaws. And they believed that they had it right (or scripturally correct) be it in the early 1800's, early 1850's, late 1800's, early 1900's mid 1900's, etc.

So, if a church/denomination "took a stand" against drinking and smoking or gambling, etc, etc in the 1800's in its bylaws but now has since changed the bylaws on these, did those back in the 1800's really hear from God when they crafted those bylaws? If not, then how can those today who change the church bylaws on these things be certain that they aren't making a mistake by changing the church/denomination's bylaws as they are just as fallible as those who lived back then?

Which leads to churches and the slow change in many denominations taking place over gay marriage....

Where are we as a society headed? What bylaw(s) is/are absolutely correct and never need to be changed?


TOPICS: Apologetics; Current Events; General Discusssion; History; Moral Issues; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Theology
KEYWORDS: homosexualagenda; moralabsolutes; prolife; religiousleft; sin; trends; vanity
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To: Laissez-faire capitalist

I think churches only do this because they are desperate for members and most of all money. They believe this is the way to get both in the door.

Not realizing if they just preached what the Bible says there would be no problem.


101 posted on 12/10/2012 12:27:58 PM PST by Morgana (Time to play cowboys and muslims.)
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To: Coldwater Creek

“A lot of “Christians” have looked EVIL in the face, and embraced it.”

Actually a lot of “Christians” would not know evil if it bit them on the ***. That is the problem.


102 posted on 12/10/2012 12:30:02 PM PST by Morgana (Time to play cowboys and muslims.)
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To: Morgana
That
103 posted on 12/10/2012 12:31:26 PM PST by tomkat
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To: fwdude
"As I posted earlier, I have yet to know an alcohol defending Christian who doesn't get intoxicated."

Hi. I guess you haven't met me. I don't get intoxicated because I have never liked the taste of alcohol. Yet, I don't condemn the drinking of alcohol because the Bible itself does not condemn it. I think people presume to speak for the Lord when they decide no one should ever drink alcohol and use the Bible to defend that belief.

If you don't want to drink it, fine. But the Bible warns about becoming drunk. The Bible also warns about idolatry, putting anything in the place of God. There are numerous ways to idolatry, alcohol is only one of the possible ways.

104 posted on 12/10/2012 12:32:17 PM PST by Waryone
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To: JCBreckenridge

You mean “not blowing in the wind” like Father Michael Pfleger?

A (still to this day) Roman Catholic priest in good standing. Called critics of Louis Farrakhan “narrow minded,” has had Nation of Islam members speak at his church, and called Jeremiah Wright “...one of the great biblical scholars of our country.”

I could list more people, but (1) I don’t want to start a fight, and (2) that isn’t the point I want to make. The point I do want to make is that ignoring sound Christian doctrine is a problem that cuts across all denominational lines. Vigilance is required to keep any church in line.


105 posted on 12/10/2012 12:34:17 PM PST by Brookhaven (theconservativehand.com - alt2p.com)
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To: fwdude

“There are a host of practicing priests who are all in for the homosexual agenda, and yet they remain priests. This is complicit consent by the RCC.”

Again, I will address this.

Do you concede that the Catholic church has firmly rejected homosexuality, unlike the protestant churches mentioned in this article? Yes or no?


106 posted on 12/10/2012 12:41:13 PM PST by JCBreckenridge (Texas is a state of mind. - John Steinbeck :))
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To: Brookhaven

Pfleger’s well on the road to excommunication. He was disciplined in 2008, and suspended just last year. I understand your frustration with the process, but there’s a reason why Pfleger has been confined to his parish for the last 30 some years.


107 posted on 12/10/2012 12:51:20 PM PST by JCBreckenridge (Texas is a state of mind. - John Steinbeck :))
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To: Wyrd bið ful aræd

When I was a kid having to go to the local Baptist church, the “Sunday school teachers” were usually the local public school teachers. I got to see that witch at church too. (1960s) Today it is the same thing. The teachers are going to teach what they have to in the church to be PC.


108 posted on 12/10/2012 12:59:36 PM PST by timeflies
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To: JCBreckenridge

“Do you concede that the Catholic church has firmly rejected homosexuality, unlike the protestant churches mentioned in this article? Yes or no?”

What is official policy often differs from what what goes on in the trenches. And, in an organization as large as the Catholic church, it’s hard to maintain perfect control.

For example, liberation theology grew out of the Catholic church, despite the fact that it was condemned by the Pope.

“Pride goeth before the fall.”

There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your church, or with defending it, unless you fail to keep your eye’s wide open.


109 posted on 12/10/2012 1:00:54 PM PST by Brookhaven (theconservativehand.com - alt2p.com)
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To: JCBreckenridge
Do you concede that the Catholic church has firmly rejected homosexuality, unlike the protestant churches mentioned in this article? Yes or no?

The nominal answer, yes.

But Jesus had something to say about those who say "yes" to God, but do not do His will. And it isn't pretty.

110 posted on 12/10/2012 1:11:38 PM PST by fwdude ( You cannot compromise with that which you must defeat.)
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To: fwdude

The Catholic church upholds the will of Christ by opposing homosexuality.

Do you affirm this? Or deny this?


111 posted on 12/10/2012 1:24:16 PM PST by JCBreckenridge (Texas is a state of mind. - John Steinbeck :))
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To: Brookhaven

This whole thread concerns ‘official doctrine’ and policy. The official doctrine of the Catholic church is in opposition to homosexuality.

I agree that there are problems, the Catholic church isn’t perfect, but the fact that the Church continues to uphold the principle that homosexuality is sinful and contrary to the will of God is significant in this day and age when many fall to the wayside.


112 posted on 12/10/2012 1:26:14 PM PST by JCBreckenridge (Texas is a state of mind. - John Steinbeck :))
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To: JCBreckenridge
The Catholic church upholds the will of Christ by opposing homosexuality.

LOL!! You can't be serious. Or maybe your break with reality is acting up again.

113 posted on 12/10/2012 1:27:22 PM PST by fwdude ( You cannot compromise with that which you must defeat.)
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To: vortec94

Let’s not forget that science. The antiseptic quality of alcohol in low concentrations is also quite important. It would be difficult for me to expect God’s wrath for those who lived prior to the understanding of “germs” and modern water treatment plants.

The NappyOne


114 posted on 12/10/2012 1:29:04 PM PST by NappyOne
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To: ravenwolf
...i take one drink each year because it gives me a buzz and if that was a sin and my only one i would be a saint.

And do I get to fornicate once a year, if it's my only vice?

Your attitude about it seems to be a much bigger sin than the act of getting drunk.

115 posted on 12/10/2012 1:38:06 PM PST by fwdude ( You cannot compromise with that which you must defeat.)
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To: NCLaw441

Traditional, you mean like stripping to a loin cloth and dancing in the streets like David?
Or are you talking about hymns....you know those songs that are sung with heads faced down in a book rather than lifting up your eyes and praising.
Music worship comes in all sorts of flavors, and it has for centuries upon centuries........some are low key, some are lively.
Think about like this: kids are playing and the dad comes through the front door - one child looks up and says ‘hi dad’, another stands, walks over gives a quick hug, the other jumps up and runs into his arms......all have greeted their father - none is more important/valuable than the other, they are just different.
I prefer the running and jumping into the arms of my Father.


116 posted on 12/10/2012 1:39:39 PM PST by svcw (Why is one cell on another planet considered life, and in the womb it is not.)
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To: JCBreckenridge

ALL - what are you talking about, apparently you have never been to a Bible based Spirit filled church.


117 posted on 12/10/2012 1:42:01 PM PST by svcw (Why is one cell on another planet considered life, and in the womb it is not.)
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To: svcw
"ALL - what are you talking about, apparently you have never been to a Bible based Spirit filled church."

I actually attend one daily for Mass.

Peace be with you

118 posted on 12/10/2012 1:47:26 PM PST by Natural Law (Jesus did not leave us a Bible, He left us a Church.)
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To: fwdude; ravenwolf

Huge difference between fornication and drinking wine - one is prohibited out right, one is allowed with moderation.


119 posted on 12/10/2012 1:48:54 PM PST by svcw (Why is one cell on another planet considered life, and in the womb it is not.)
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To: fwdude

100 percent serious. Yes or no, fwdude?


120 posted on 12/10/2012 2:01:01 PM PST by JCBreckenridge (Texas is a state of mind. - John Steinbeck :))
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