Majority Of Americans Support Gay And Lesbian Relations

[truthquest]

Majority of Americans Consider Homosexuality Acceptable
June 02, 2010

For the first time since Gallup began measuring the “moral acceptability” of homosexuality, a majority of Americans support gay and lesbian relations. Last month’s poll found 52 percent of adults consider homosexuality acceptable, while 43 percent find it morally wrong.

Christians and people from other religious traditions have grown more tolerant of gays and lesbians, according to Gallup. The percentage of Catholics calling gay relations “morally acceptable” has increased by more than a third in the past five years, up to 62 percent. More Americans also favor legalizing gay marriage....

http://blogs.chron.c...s_are_ok_1.html

 

[pastorlesofm]

Majority of Americans Consider Homosexuality Acceptable
June 02, 2010

For the first time since Gallup began measuring the “moral acceptability” of homosexuality, a majority of Americans support gay and lesbian relations. Last month’s poll found 52 percent of adults consider homosexuality acceptable, while 43 percent find it morally wrong.

Christians and people from other religious traditions have grown more tolerant of gays and lesbians, according to Gallup. The percentage of Catholics calling gay relations “morally acceptable” has increased by more than a third in the past five years, up to 62 percent. More Americans also favor legalizing gay marriage....

http://blogs.chron.c...s_are_ok_1.html

Matthew 24:37-39; (KJV) ,But As in the days of No'e were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. v. 38; For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, unti the day that No'e enetered into the ark. v.39; And know not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ALSO READ: Romans 1:21-32.
This is prophecy being fullfiled, christians should not be surprised. Because the polls show a large number of adults supporting this abomination unto God, does not make it right, I'm saying of course something already known by those who read this. Also it demonstrates how far we've come away from the vision of our founding fathers in the United States. We must pray that America repent. America was never meant to be a secular Country, unfortunately this is obvious as to where we are headed. Very sad.

 

[truthquest]

Matthew 24:37-39; (KJV) ,But As in the days of No'e were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. v. 38; For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, unti the day that No'e enetered into the ark. v.39; And know not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ALSO READ: Romans 1:21-32.
This is prophecy being fullfiled, christians should not be surprised. Because the polls show a large number of adults supporting this abomination unto God, does not make it right, I'm saying of course something already known by those who read this. Also it demonstrates how far we've come away from the vision of our founding fathers in the United States. We must pray that America repent. America was never meant to be a secular Country, unfortunately this is obvious as to where we are headed. Very sad.

It certainly speaks of moral decay and this was also evident in Noah's day.

 

[Foreigner]

This is mortifying.

Presbyterian Leaders Approve Gay Clergy Policy

Thursday, 08 Jul 2010 08:55 PM

Article Font Size javascript:increaseFontSize(); javascript:decreaseFontSize();

Presbyterian leaders voted Thursday to allow non-celibate gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy, approving the first of two policy changes that could make their church one of the most gay-friendly major Christian denominations in the U.S.

But the vote isn't a final stamp of approval for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) or its more than 2 million members.

Delegates voted during the church's general assembly in Minneapolis, with 53 percent approving the more liberal policy on gay clergy. A separate vote is expected later Thursday on whether to change the church's definition of marriage from between "a man and a woman" to between "two people."

Such changes must be approved by a majority of the church's 173 U.S. presbyteries before they can take effect. Two years ago, the assembly voted to liberalize the gay clergy policy — but it died last year when 94 of the presbyteries voted against it.

Under current church policy, Presbyterians are only eligible to become clergy, deacons or elders if they are married or celibate. The new policy would strike references to sexuality altogether in favor of candidates committed to "joyful submission to worship of Christ."

"What this is about is making sure we uphold what Christ taught us, to not judge one another," said Dan Roth, a church elder from Sacramento. "We will no longer have to tell our brothers and sisters in Christ that they lie about who they are."

But critics said the move toward more liberal policy would simply create disputes and bad feelings in Presbyterian churches nationwide.

"If we are once again conflicted with this question in our presbyteries, all the air will be sucked out of the room," said the Rev. William Reid Dalton III of Burlington, N.C. "All the other things, the important issues we need to consider will not considered."

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is ranked the 10th-largest church in the U.S. with 2.8 million members, according to the National Council of Churches' 2010 "Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches." The church's media materials tout 2.1 million members.

Several major Christian denominations have voted in recent years to allow non-celibate gays to serve as clergy if they are in committed relationships. Among them are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the U.S. Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ.

Benjamin Wind, a nonvoting young adult delegate to the assembly from Syracuse, N.Y., said Presbyterians of his generation greatly favor the change.

"The world has become a more tolerant and accepting place," Wind said. "I've grown up with gay and lesbian friends, teachers, even spiritual leaders. They stand proud as people who deserve the same rights as all human beings."

 

[Paul]

Majority of Americans Consider Homosexuality Acceptable
...

Only goes to show that the "majority" isn't always right. The "majority" is also going to take the wide road. The "minority" will take the narrow road.

 

[Foreigner]

University of Illinois Instructor Fired Over Catholic Beliefs
Published July 09, 2010

| Associated Press

URBANA, Ill. -- The University of Illinois has fired an adjunct professor who taught courses on Catholicism after a student accused the instructor of engaging in hate speech by saying he agrees with the church's teaching that homosexual sex is immoral.

The professor, Ken Howell of Champaign, has taught at the university for nine years. He says his firing violates his academic freedom.

A professor at the university who is also president of the American Association of University Professors agrees. Cary Nelson says teachers are allowed to express their own beliefs.

University spokeswoman Robin Kaler declined comment because Howell's firing is a personnel issue.

The student had a friend register his complaint and has remained anonymous.

 

[pastorlesofm]

Only goes to show that the "majority" isn't always right. The "majority" is also going to take the wide road. The "minority" will take the narrow road.

A big AMEN!!!!

 

[brionne]

its interstesting to see the similarities between the religious leaders of Jesus day and those of our own

The scribes and pharisees had put Gods law aside in favor of their own man made 'oral laws' and so we see today the church leaders are putting Gods laws aside for their own man made oral laws such as homosexuality is not a sin.

very sad and for all those who continue a part of such churchs there is only one word of caution

Matt 23:13 “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in."

 

[truthquest]

NEA celebrates 'drag queen' teachersBill Bumpas - OneNewsNow - 7/15/2010 5:15:00 AM

The National Education Association (NEA) continues to alienate more and more of its conservative constituents as the organization showed its liberal leanings at its 2010 national convention.

At this year's meeting in New Orleans, the largest professional organization and labor union in the U.S. recognized a new caucus: the NEA Drag Queen Caucus. (See list of recognized NEA caucuses [PDF])

"They already have had the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, [and] Transgender Caucus and apparently felt that the drag queens needed their own caucus," explains Finn Laursen, executive director of Christian Educators Association International (CEAI).

"America, I think, needs to respond and to realize what the National Education Association stands for; they're not hiding it. It's appalling to many of our conservative Christian educators who, in their own lives, could not support this kind of thing but find that their dues are being used to support just those kinds of thing," he adds.

Laursen also tells OneNewsNow there was a movement this year to see the NEA's pro-abortion stance changed to a more neutral position, but that effort failed. "The organization and its delegates were just unwilling to step back and take no position on abortion," he laments. "They're going to continue their pro-abortion stance."

The CEAI executive director shares that every year following the NEA convention, he sees a spike in interest towards his organization from people looking for an alternative. He says that after this year's event, his organization "even had to put in an extra phone line and bring in extra staff just to answer the phones."

http://www.onenewsno...aspx?id=1088280

 

[truthquest]

Lutheran female bishop resigns in pedophile cover-up scandal
Saturday, July 17, 2010 By Martin Barillas

Bishop Maria Jepsen, the first woman to be anointed bishop in the Lutheran Church, resigned on July 16 having recognized that her credibility had been put into doubt, with respect to numerous cases of sexual abuse committed within her church.

Ordained bishop in 1992, Bishop Jepsen transferred Pastor Dieter K. in 1999 to a prison chaplaincy in order to prevent further contact with children. However, according to Der Spiegel, she did not notify anyone of suspicions that the Lutheran pastor had sexually abused minor. Pastor Dieter K. gave religion classes at an institute in Ahrensburgh even while no one at the school had been notified of his record of abuse.

According to various victims, the Lutheran cleric abused minors and others between the ages of 5 and 20 years of age during the 1980s. Heide Hemse, who held an important position in the Lutheran Church in Hamburg, informed Bishop Jepsen in 1999 of the abuse. A victim’s sister also notified Bishop Jepsen in 1999 of Pastor Dieter’s past. Bishop Jepsen recently denied any knowledge of the abuse but affirmed that she investigated Pastor Dieter K. for sexual affairs with women. According to Bishop Jepsen, “My credibility has been placed in doubt. I do not see that in this situation I can continue to proclaim the Gospel.”

It was Bishop Jepsen who celebrated in 1993 the first “blessing” of a homosexual couple in Germany, while she unsuccessfully campaigned in 2008 to have a openly homosexual male named bishop. Bishop Jepsen is widely known with the Lutheran Church for openly denying the virginity of Mary – the mother of Jesus. Mary’s perpetual virginity was proclaimed by Martin Luther himself, and is an article of faith for many Lutherans, as it is for Catholic and Orthodox Christians.

http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=36724&t=Lutheran+female+bishop+resigns+in+pedophile+cover-up+scandal

 

[[email protected]]

Majority of Americans Consider Homosexuality Acceptable
June 02, 2010

For the first time since Gallup began measuring the “moral acceptability” of homosexuality, a majority of Americans support gay and lesbian relations. Last month’s poll found 52 percent of adults consider homosexuality acceptable, while 43 percent find it morally wrong.

Christians and people from other religious traditions have grown more tolerant of gays and lesbians, according to Gallup. The percentage of Catholics calling gay relations “morally acceptable” has increased by more than a third in the past five years, up to 62 percent. More Americans also favor legalizing gay marriage....

http://blogs.chron.c...s_are_ok_1.html

My previous post on this subject has been deleted because I used a politically incorrect word (the Q word) to refer to those of the homosexual persuasion.

So, I'll try again.

Let me begin by saying that I DO NOT TOLERATE homosexual activity in any form. If you don't like it, then repent because you're flirting with Hellish damnation. The Bible does not sanction this vile and disgusting activity in any form by anybody. It isn't cute and it isn't love. IT'S FORBIDDEN.

That being said, it is my belief that most Christians do not and have not accepted Gay activity in their hearts. They are just bullied into it, as I have been here.

At the end of the 1960's and early in the 1970's, the Gay rights movement began to gain traction. Encouraged by legitimate efforts on the part of blacks to obtain equal rights under the law, Gay organizers determined to use the courts to secure the priviledge of displaying their shame in public.

American law is based upon precedent and when the courts make law where no law exists they are usurping the principles of the Constitution.
With legal precedent behind them, the Gays can now confidently march all over the rights of everyone else, even in church.

Most churches cannot afford lengthy expensive litigation that is doomed to failure.
As a consequence, we are forced to comply with unjust and illegal restrictions and quite literally swallow Gay actions as it's hideous agenda is forced down our throats.
We have been bullied into acceptance by illegal actions of our government.

The issue isn't moral, its economic and so we cave.

It's rather interesting to note that in this case the Constitutional separation of church and state does not apply.
The separation principle never seems to work FOR Christians, only against us.

How long will it be before the word 'Christian' is politically incorrect and its use forbidden in polite conversation?

 

[truthquest]

[font="Arial][b]Ga. School Forces Christian Student to Alter Beliefs to Graduate[/b]
[color="#444444"]By Nathan Black|Christian Post Reporter[/color][/font]
[font="Arial] [/font][font="Arial] [size="2"]An Augusta State University student filed suit Wednesday after she was told to change her Christian beliefs or otherwise be expelled from the school's graduate counseling program.[/size]

"A public university student shouldn’t be threatened with expulsion for being a Christian and refusing to publicly renounce her faith, but that’s exactly what’s happening here," said David French, senior counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund. "Simply put, the university is imposing thought reform."

Jennifer Keeton, 24, has been enrolled in the College of Education's School Counselor masters degree program since fall 2009. She has expressed her Christian beliefs in class discussions and written assignments, but it was her views regarding gender and sexuality that irked faculty.

According to the filed complaint, "She has stated that she believes sexual behavior is the result of accountable personal choice rather than an inevitability deriving from deterministic forces. She also has affirmed binary male-female gender, with one or the other being fixed in each person at their creation, and not a social construct or individual choice subject to alteration by the person so created. Further, she has expressed her view that homosexuality is a 'lifestyle,' not a 'state of being.'"

In May, Keeton was notified that she would be asked to participate in a remediation plan. Mary Jane Anderson-Wiley, an associate professor who also oversees student education and discipline, explained that the faculty wanted to see Keeton's writing skills improve and that they are concerned with some of her beliefs and views pertaining to GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) issues.

Several faculty members later met with the student and told her that they considered her to be failing to conform to certain professional standards. In a written Remediation Plan, the faculty said her speech on GLBT matters violated the codes of ethics that counselors and those in training are required to adhere to.

Keeton's views "depart from what 'the psychological research about GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, ...) populations asserts' that that 'sexual orientation is not a lifestyle or choice, but a state of being,'" faculty members said.

The Remediation Plan required that Keeton attend workshops on diversity sensitivity training toward working with GLBTQ populations, work to increase exposure and interaction with gay populations by attending such events as the Gay Pride Parade in Augusta, and read more on the topic to improve counseling effectiveness with GLBTQ populations.

Failure to complete all elements of the remediation plan will result in dismissal from the Counselor Education Program, according to the plan.

Keeton told faculty members, "I can’t alter my biblical beliefs, and I will not affirm the morality of those behaviors in a counseling situation."

But she stressed, "I understand the need to reflect clients’ goals and to allow them to work toward their own solutions, and I know I can do that."

When Keeton asked why her biblical ethical views would disqualify her competence as a counselor, Anderson-Wiley at one point responded, "Christians see this population as sinners." Though Keeton stated that all people are sinners, including herself, Anderson-Wiley told her that she had a choice of standing by the Bible or by the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics. Keeton chose the Bible.

"Abandoning one’s own religious beliefs should not be a precondition at a public university for obtaining a degree," ADF's David French contended. "This type of leftist zero-tolerance policy is in place at far too many universities, and it must stop. Jennifer’s only crime was to have the beliefs that she does."

http://www.christian...uate/index.html

[/font]

 

[WhiteKnuckle]

Here's my thoughts, unorthodox as usual.

I agree that homosexuality is immoral. It's an abomination to say that it's acceptable to God.

However, I don't think it's a worse sin that cussing or lusting, or hate, etc, etc. I also don't think that we as Christians should dictate a moral law for people who don't believe in Christ.

I don't like how homosexuality is becomming socialy acceptable. There's even some small things snuck into childrens shows here and there. It's getting harder for me to hide that stuff from my kids. Although I'm sure they know about it given they're ages.

As bad as it is, and as apathetic as I sound, for some reason I'm not alarmed by homosexuality. In all honesty I believe it's one of the lesser issues we have to face these days. The fact that openly homosexual pastors are allowed to preach speaks volumes already and that is a serious issue. As for outside the church, I believe that as long as abortion is legal and acceptable, we shouldn't be worried about gay marriage.

One more thing I want to mention,,, It seems there's alot of Christians that hold themselves and the rest of the believers accountable for what the world does. As if we've failed some how and that we will be punished. I don't believe that's true either. I wont be held accountable for my neighbors sins.

 

[JarBreaker]

its interstesting to see the similarities between the religious leaders of Jesus day and those of our own

The scribes and pharisees had put Gods law aside in favor of their own man made 'oral laws' and so we see today the church leaders are putting Gods laws aside for their own man made oral laws such as homosexuality is not a sin.

very sad and for all those who continue a part of such churchs there is only one word of caution

Matt 23:13 “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in."

I have to call this line of thinking into question.

Oral torah / talmud were building upon His laws ... they called it "building a fence around the torah"

Not in any way condoning talmud or saying it is right ... people dont understand that the majority of reason for the talmud is that jews took sin far more seriously than anyone imagines .... constructing ways to ensure they kept torah is evidence of this.

All that said, it is still self righteousness ....



But you comparing that to,

"the church leaders are putting Gods laws aside for their own man made oral laws such as homosexuality is not a sin."

just doesnt quite make sense.

Putting His law aside today in favor of their own interpretations of morality is not the same as the Jews MISGUIDEDLY constructing their own laws in order to better keep His laws ... if anything it's the total opposite.

I agree that homosexuality is immoral. It's an abomination to say that it's acceptable to God.

However, I don't think it's a worse sin that cussing or lusting, or hate, etc, etc. I also don't think that we as Christians should dictate a moral law for people who don't believe in Christ.

I don't like how homosexuality is becomming socialy acceptable.

I wont be held accountable for my neighbors sins.

Only in a few cases were some sins also labeled an abomination.


As far as us letting others decide for themselves what's right or wrong, even if they dont believe.

Those who comdemn the righteous and declare the wicked justified are equally an abomination.

 

[WhiteKnuckle]

I have to call this line of thinking into question.

Oral torah / talmud were building upon His laws ... they called it "building a fence around the torah"

Not in any way condoning talmud or saying it is right ... people dont understand that the majority of reason for the talmud is that jews took sin far more seriously than anyone imagines .... constructing ways to ensure they kept torah is evidence of this.

All that said, it is still self righteousness ....



But you comparing that to,

"the church leaders are putting Gods laws aside for their own man made oral laws such as homosexuality is not a sin."

just doesnt quite make sense.

Putting His law aside today in favor of their own interpretations of morality is not the same as the Jews MISGUIDEDLY constructing their own laws in order to better keep His laws ... if anything it's the total opposite.





Only in a few cases were some sins also labeled an abomination.


As far as us letting others decide for themselves what's right or wrong, even if they dont believe.

Those who comdemn the righteous and declare the wicked justified are equally an abomination.

Good point. However,, I think my point was misunderstood. Nonetheless.... good point anyway.

 

[truthquest]

Here's my thoughts, unorthodox as usual.

I agree that homosexuality is immoral. It's an abomination to say that it's acceptable to God.

However, I don't think it's a worse sin that cussing or lusting, or hate, etc, etc. I also don't think that we as Christians should dictate a moral law for people who don't believe in Christ.

I don't like how homosexuality is becomming socialy acceptable. There's even some small things snuck into childrens shows here and there. It's getting harder for me to hide that stuff from my kids. Although I'm sure they know about it given they're ages.

As bad as it is, and as apathetic as I sound, for some reason I'm not alarmed by homosexuality. In all honesty I believe it's one of the lesser issues we have to face these days. The fact that openly homosexual pastors are allowed to preach speaks volumes already and that is a serious issue. As for outside the church, I believe that as long as abortion is legal and acceptable, we shouldn't be worried about gay marriage.

One more thing I want to mention,,, It seems there's alot of Christians that hold themselves and the rest of the believers accountable for what the world does. As if we've failed some how and that we will be punished. I don't believe that's true either. I wont be held accountable for my neighbors sins.

For me, this issue goes well beyond whether homosexuality is a sin. It is also the way it is being used to change laws that are now being used against Christians. It is being taught in schools even to kindergartners. It is being used to change the definition of what marriage is. It is being used in universities; and I just read a story of a girl who is not being allowed to graduate unless she changes her christian beliefs to conform to homosexuality. Christians are being arrested for preaching against homosexuality. It is now considered a hate crime.
This issue has brought division and split up churches.
But the bottom line is, it is a tool being used against Christians to take their rights away. There is a war on Christianity and this is one of the many tools being used in that war. And it seems to be succeeding as this recent gallop poll showed that the majority of Americans now find homosexuality acceptable.

 

[[email protected]]

I have to call this line of thinking into question.

Oral torah / talmud were building upon His laws ... they called it "building a fence around the torah"

Not in any way condoning talmud or saying it is right ... people dont understand that the majority of reason for the talmud is that jews took sin far more seriously than anyone imagines .... constructing ways to ensure they kept torah is evidence of this.

All that said, it is still self righteousness ....



But you comparing that to,

"the church leaders are putting Gods laws aside for their own man made oral laws such as homosexuality is not a sin."

just doesnt quite make sense.

Putting His law aside today in favor of their own interpretations of morality is not the same as the Jews MISGUIDEDLY constructing their own laws in order to better keep His laws ... if anything it's the total opposite.





Only in a few cases were some sins also labeled an abomination.


As far as us letting others decide for themselves what's right or wrong, even if they dont believe.

Those who comdemn the righteous and declare the wicked justified are equally an abomination.

Those who comdemn the righteous and declare the wicked justified are equally an abomination.

Don't minch words. Tell us how you really feel. OohRah

 

[HammerStone]

To me, homosexuality is indicative of larger issues within our society.

I don't think it can be ignored that God specifically condemns the act. I've seen folks try and squeeze their way around it one way or another either claiming that the book of Leviticus is intended only for Priests (and the same for Sodomy, etc. in the NT being intended for pastors, etc). I see that as a very poor argument indeed.

[bible=Leviticus 20:13]
If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.[/bible]

That being said, let us remember that Christ came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5) and that there is only one unpardonable sin (Mark 3:28). Let me further point out that there are other abominations including idols and insincere sacrifices. Remember not that our bodies are to become living sacrifices? How many Christians offer that offering to our Father 100% of the time? There are, of course, other abominations and I'm merely trying to illustrate a point.

That being said, legislating against homosexuality and treating homosexuals differently is not the way to win folks to Christ. I think the country has grown callous and fatigued by this debate, hence the slow change in the polls. Legalism in any form ultimately becomes a shell that collapses as it has here. My point is merely that you do deal with the sin and the person by changing the heart, not by legislating the heart.

Homosexual marriage is a symptom of the government being in marriage in the first place. It should remain a private institution of churches and individuals. However, that tax man does cometh and so Uncle Sam has to stick his hand in the jar and we end up with a mess like this. Legally, folks "should" be afforded the same "rights" to be fair. However, the opposite is evident in that if marriage expands to a man and a man or a woman and a woman - what's to stop a man and his car or a woman and her pet dog? (Tax purposes, anyone?)

It goes back to the heart. You don't win people over by legislating this or that - in fact it is a sign of a point of failure on our part long ago.

If former adulterers, gluttons, addicts, robbers, and those who worshiped other gods can be saved, then the door is open. The problem is we try pretty hard to shut it when we start using legalism. You're not going to sow seeds when you condemn the person. Yes it takes patience, and yes it takes debunking the establishment, but the reward is great.

 

[[email protected]]

To me, homosexuality is indicative of larger issues within our society.

Homosexual marriage is a symptom of the government being in marriage in the first place. It should remain a private institution of churches and individuals. However, that tax man does cometh and so Uncle Sam has to stick his hand in the jar and we end up with a mess like this. Legally, folks "should" be afforded the same "rights" to be fair. However, the opposite is evident in that if marriage expands to a man and a man or a woman and a woman - what's to stop a man and his car or a woman and her pet dog? (Tax purposes, anyone?)

The legalization of homosexual marriage by the Federal government is a usurpation of power as defined in the US Constitution. It is outside the mandate of Federal jurisdiction and is therefore in and of itself illegal.

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
US Constitution
10th Amendment

The problem is systemic of the sin of our age. The wickedness of our nation has filled the nostrils of God and He has had enough. Judgment is upon us and the nature of that judgment is to give us exactly what we want. Only those who love Christ and fear God will escape the wrath which is coming. For some that escape will be spiritual only.

Pray for one another and all those who are called by the name of Christ that we may be delivered in these evil days.
Pray also that God may hold Israel in the palm of His hand.