A Message For My Church

 A little while ago, the pastor of my church told me about a problem at the church school.  Some gay people--he didn't say who--had requested the school to fly a rainbow flag, along with other schools in this area, as far as I understand.  The school felt that these people wanted them to approve of homosexuality...but I don't believe that was necessarily the case...?  I recently wrote a note to explain my views about the flag situation, and I gave it to the pastor....  I hope the school will come to some kind of an agreement with the gays...and they may need a little time to think about it...?  [Maybe some other schools will get an idea, also, if they meet the same request...?]

Islam and Homosexuality

A little while ago, someone brought up the religion of Islam to me; and they said Islam was not going along with our modern culture....  Have been doing a little study....

Some of the laws of Islam, and some Muslim countries, are very strict in their dealings with homosexuality [as of 2015].  There's a possible death penalty under Shariah law, as far as I understand [as of 2015].  Some other Muslim people have been re-examining the beliefs of Islam about homosexuality and they're watering down the issues....  They're compromising and excusing their views....  

Research has shown that in 2015, many Muslims believed the practise of homosexuality was wrong even if the Quran didn't address it much, if at all?  NOTE, added on September 11:  The story of Lot and the city of Sodom are included in the Quran, but there are different interpretations about them.  And otherwise, the Quran is less strict than the Bible.

Devout Muslims believe in Allah and they want to follow a code of morality.  It can be difficult for those who feel that they're inherently gay and who perhaps grew up with those feelings....  Sensible people understand that there needs to be support for gays within their religion but it's a challenge, and gays may spend time in confusion and dysfunction....  However, if Muslims want to hold to their standards, I believe it's their right to do so.  It's the same as in my church that I believe people are entitled to their beliefs.  

Instead of going along with traditional values alone, maybe people need to have a deeper look at the issues...?  They need to give some thought to these matters?  And if people decide on what's good for their own religion, then they can consider how they'll treat those outside of their religion, as I've been suggesting for conservative Christians....  According to my Internet research, there is some conflict within the Muslim faith?  But to be clear, I believe it IS OKAY for the different religions to have their beliefs and standards.  

My Third Pamphlet

Someone had recommended a special Bible commentary and a companion "study Bible," which were printed at the main theological seminary of my church in North America.  Was able to purchase these materials and work with them, along with other materials I've previously had, and I believe I was able to make a more professional pamphlet.  People might wonder if I'm a religious person(?)...but I can say I've had to reach out to God in the past years because I've had few other people to help me...!  So, I've prayed a lot, and have done my best, and I believe God has helped me.  I hope people will get some use out of this third pamphlet--and it may be my definitive answer to the conservative Christians and to their friends in uniform....  We'll see how long it takes everyone to respond to this latest information, or if we need to wait for them all...???  Sometimes there are things happening behind the scenes, and we may be able to carry on with our confidential business matters...?  [Please see the pages posted separately.]

My Third Pamphlet--pages 4 and 5

 

My Third Pamphlet--pages 1-3

                                                                                     

 

No Compromise--Part 2

Have to confess that my computer and Internet use are limited....  When I watched the church video, I skipped over some parts because I didn't have a lot of time and I thought I knew what the speaker was saying....  Yesterday, I went back over it and saw what I missed, and I have a little better idea...

This pastor did say, near the beginning, that churches shape and transform our culture.  I wonder if people want to say the churches have done a good job of handling homosexuality--like over the past 700 years, which I've written about before?  And is it the JOB of the church to transform our culture...?  

The pastor also was giving some facts about how aggressive gays have wanted to target young children with their messages....  Is it really that gays care about the children, or did they hope to promote a new generation which understood them better?  

Also, some Christian gays are distorting the Bible in order to say that same-sex marriage is good and desirable, that it's acceptable....  

In the video, the pastor was able to give a very clear explanation about homosexuality and why our church doesn't condone it.  I believe it's good to be able to give a reason for our faith.  And we need to uphold standards within the church.

THEN, this minister was talking about church members preaching the truth to gays in the church and encouraging them to overcome their way of life....  It's a sensitive thing in the Bible to point out someone else's errors; and I believe it's even more delicate when it comes to a person's sexual orientation.  Not to mention that any constructive criticism might be seen as "conversion therapy," which is condemned by professionals and is forbidden by law in Canada....  Conversion therapy has had a harmful effect on many gays because it made them doubt their self-worth and put them under pressure....  Maybe I'll write about it separately, when I have more time...?  Can we accept homosexuals as people, wherever they are, even if we don't give them specific privileges within the church...?  (There are some self-help groups available for gays, if they're interested, and I've seen that some of these are positive.)

Myself, I don't wish to condone homosexuality in any context, except that I understand when a gay couple feels love and wants to commit in a married relationship they are trying to improve their lives.--That's my view.  I accept "gay marriage--with religious exemptions."  The conservative churches don't believe in the practise of homosexuality, and therefore it's obvious that they don't want to accept same-sex marriage....  I think we don't need to state the obvious.  [Except we need to be able to defend our position, when and where necessary, as I mentioned above.]

My church has some official statements on various topics, and I just wish they'd give up their judgment of same-sex marriage for people OUTSIDE of the church....  I'd like to see them say, "We have our standards, but we don't judge others."  

Anyway, the issues are complicated and there can be many situations to deal with....  If we're not exactly sure what to do, I believe it's better to be nice--to have some mercy--rather than being harsh or judgmental.  The Bible says, "...And mercy rejoiceth against judgment."  James 2:13, KJV.  

No Compromise, But Show the Love of God--reacting to a church video, with respect

Just recently, I had an opportunity to watch a speech on YouTube which was given by a man who I understand has been a special assistant, or advisor, to the world president of my church.  The speaker has been a famous evangelist in the church and is now semi-retired, it seems, although he's still working hard.  The talk was labelled as being about LGBTQ+ issues, and the main point seemed to be to discredit same-sex marriage--even though the speaker wanted to be as kind and compassionate as possible, he said.

Would like to respectfully say that I agree with his views for MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.  We don't want to have any compromise; and if people see me failing at any time, they can feel free to correct me....

The speaker also said something to the effect that the church can have a conforming influence on the world, rather than vice versa.  He quoted Romans 12:2, from the Bible --  "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  KJV.  And again, I agree with this text for CHURCH MEMBERS!

Is the church honestly meant to change, or influence, the sexual behaviour of people in the world--people outside the church, the non-believers?  I have to respond that I haven't found any Bible passages which state that.

If I may say, we are to preach the gospel--the "good news...!"  "I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works."  Psalm 145:5.  And "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven."  Matthew 5:16.

We need to do good works and show the love of Jesus in our lives.  Then, if and when people become interested in our faith, we can explain the finer details of our moral standards!  Isn't that fair?

NOTE:  For this blog post, I partially received some information and inspiration from a small book called "Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing" [about the Sermon on the Mount, by Jesus], by Ellen G. White, who was one of the founders of my church.