Comments on: Christianity, homosexuality and the law

By: Roger Williams

Roger Williams — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:14:12 +0000

It will not impair the Church for homosexuality to be legal but nations which attempt to coerce moral sexual behavior will impair the free exercise of conscience by same-sex attracted people.

I’ve just seen this discussion and, while concerned by the fact that its participants may be overly “intellectualizing” an issue that is clear to everyone (the emperor’s new clothes), this seems to be as good a point as any to jump in.
The above comment seems to forget that the “legality of homosexuality” has usually been achieved at the expense of “the free exercise of conscience and dissent by heterosexual Christian, Muslim and/or atheistic citizens.”
Can we begin by considering Melanie Philips’ “How Britain is Turning Christianity into a Crime?
There’s more … and here I am thinking about the very basis upon which “same-sex attracted people” became “normal” in the everyday American/Western context … especially when much of their scientific, legal, medical and moral codes shouts otherwise. Did the change come about because of some sea scientific discovery? Or are you you pandering to a hoax, a deception, of truly enormous proportions?

By: Debbie Thurman

Debbie Thurman — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:02:36 +0000

Warren — wow, you used the term “Dominionists.” That took guts. Mel White would love you. Maybe instead of being what has been coined dominionist, Lively, et al, are “replacement theologists” (not sure the latter is a word), believing the Church has replaced Israel as God’s chosen people. I don’t believe such a thing for a minute, but I know some otherwise sensible people who do.
Here’s a thought for you: Since Christ, the Word Incarnate, always was and appeared in Old Testament history before the incarnation, can we say with 100 percent assurance that 2 Chron. 7:14 might not apply to all God’s people, including the grafted-in root of the olive tree? Believing that does not make one a dominionist, in my opinion. Many Christians see that as an intercessory prayer mission, for both the Church and the Jewish race. We are linked. I enjoy reading Romans and Hebrews, which reminds me of this.
I read Leland’s quote, and I get what he said. I was being rhetorical.
I’d have to study up on Uganda some more to see where things got off track (with regard to ABC and AIDS).
Still not sure what you mean by “coerce moral sexual behavior.” I was not associating homosexuality with the “slippery slope” of sexual crimes. Adultery should be criminal in Uganda (is it?) if homosexuality (sodomy?) is to be.

By: Ann

Ann — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:35:27 +0000

If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, etc, I will heal their land is a promise delivered to Israel not to the church or to America.

Dr. Throckmorton,
I really appreciate you writing this. The promise delivered to Israel is unique and sacred and not to be confused or diluted.

By: Warren

Warren — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:47:40 +0000

Debbie – The pedophilia etc slippery slope claims do not follow from decriminalizing homosexuality. These are crimes against children or non-consenting people. Despite what Scott Lively and other Dominionists say, the Scripture does not treat the church as the reincarnation of Israel. We are not to establish a theocracy. If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, etc, I will heal their land is a promise delivered to Israel not to the church or to America. We are not called to create the Kingdom on earth – at least that is my view of things – we are called to be salt and light, pointing to the Gospel.
Aaaahhh, thump.
Fell off my soapbox.

By: Warren

Warren — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:19:01 +0000

@Debbie Thurman: The quote by Leland addressed the distinction between immoral and criminality.
And the Uganda situation has been worsened by Langa and Ssempa. The Ugandan AIDS rates were going down but with Langa and Ssempa’s emergence, the C part of the ABC has been curtailed. And these Ugandan pastors do not want to expand their efforts to gays since being gay is illegal (aka immoral).