My Church Pamphlet--current update

 

Another Letter Sent

Have written to my church's headquarters about abortion; and the post office confirmed the letter was received a couple of weeks ago....

We Need Reliable Information...

In yesterday's post, I was trying to be tactful and didn't spell everything out....  And I'd actually be a little afraid to say everything I could....  If there aren't enough conflicts already, I don't want to stir up new ones....  

There was a TV evangelist from my church whom I saw about five years ago....  He was expressing some discomfort with gays and gay marriage....  He didn't try to cover it up with any religious reasoning....  I appreciate his honesty....  

A family member once commented to me about a gay pride parade....  Myself, I've seen bald, husky, middle-aged gay men dancing with little pink bows on their heads in a gay pride parade....  It's possible some other Christians are reacting to this kind of thing...?  Or to other outlandish-looking gay people...?  But these aren't typical of all gays, I don't believe....  And during their pride week, they have a lot of workshops and programs, I've heard, and the parade is only a small part of it--although it's more public....  In their daily lives, I believe the gays have to more or less conform to society; and the parade and pride week may be a special time for them to relax and goof around...?  I don't know...?  Anyway, I also met a young man who was dressed as a "princess" at a health clinic one day....  He had a few friends with him and I overheard some conversation....  This man actually sounded like quite an intelligent person...!  So, we can't always judge by the appearance--not for gays or others...!  

A few years after my landlord/tenant matter, I found a comprehensive article about gays in our local, community newspaper....  I read it and found the information to be quite serious....  A few more years later, the big city newspaper nearby published a comprehensive article....  This kind of information is a lot more realistic than just observing a few gay people here and there, in my opinion...!  That's why I recommend for Christian people--especially the church leaders and TV personalities--to read my pamphlet, in this blog, or to find their own information....  I've done research on the Internet also and found helpful information....

Well, I'm trying to help people think and maybe to generate some discussion....

Voluntary Cooperation Is Better...

Have been working on getting my church--and other conservative churches if possible--to understand the needs of the LGBTQs better....  I think it's much more preferable to have people cooperate voluntarily than to have rules forced on them by governments....  

The mission of conservative Christian churches is to preach the gospel.  I wonder if the ministers, and some TV personalities, have considered if they really WANT to preach the gospel to the LGBTQs...?  Or do they hope things will happen by themselves...?  

Have heard that Christian churches need to be an influence for good in society and to point out sin, etc....  Is this really true in the case of the LGBTQ community...?  Or are the Christians reacting out of a personal squeamishness regarding the group and their issues...?  

A long time ago, I read a booklet called "Homosexuality:  An Open Door?," by a man named Colin Cook.  It was published by a late TV evangelist named George Vandeman and his It Is Written ministry.  I don't recall all the details in the book but I know that it helped to strengthen my heterosexuality.  Some other people told me they appreciated reading the book, also.  At this time, I don't know if this booklet is available in print any longer...?  It'd be nice to have some copies available....  Mr. Cook, himself, had a complicated history...and he'd be quite elderly now, if he's still alive...?  But I believe he did something good by writing this booklet.

Was reading a book from my church last night and came across some counsel to pastors....  The book said pastors should mingle with the people whom they hope to benefit, and to become acquainted with their needs....  How many Christian pastors and TV personalities have mingled with the LGBTQs?  There are some gays and others who may already have an interest in my church...and there are others out in the public who aren't aware of my church....  Two groups....  Would the pastors and TV people LIKE to have some sensible information?  What I can offer is that they could read the pamphlet I wrote for my church....  Even if they'd read the first page, I believe they'd benefit....  My pamphlet is posted in this blog--November 1, 2021....  The pamphlet itself was printed in 2014.  And if people can find something better somewhere, that's fine too.

May God bless us.

The Other Social Issue

Gay marriage has been a relevant social issue for a while....  Another issue, which has been agitated for some time--especially in the USA--is abortion....  When I was a child, people asked the question, "Is abortion murder?"  Am not sure if anybody has clearly answered that question yet...?  Maybe the conservative Christians want to say they have...?

Our North American society has a background in Christianity, which has been aware of the "Ten Commandments" in the Bible, which say "Thou shalt not kill."  

Is it always wrong to kill?  We have to kill some insects, rodents, and nuisance animals; and people like the police and soldiers too often have to kill in self-defense--for themselves or society....  Sometimes people kill, and it's acceptable....  The Old Testament of the Bible is also full of stories where some wicked people had to be killed, at God's command....  Of course, babies aren't wicked....  Notwithstanding that some babies could inherit evil from a parent--like the babies of rapists or addicts, perhaps--my opinion is that babies are innocent....  

During most of my adult life, I've had an interest in gardening....  Serious gardeners know that some pruning can be helpful and even necessary....  

To me, there's no question that the contents of a womb are "life."  An embryo or fetus is living....  However, they can't live outside of the mother's body until they're ready to....  If a fetus can be supported safely and healthfully on it's own--with or without the help of technology--I wouldn't justify abortion, except in the case of severe physical distress to the mother or baby....

Actually, there's a Christian expert whom I read about on the Internet who provides guidance or advice in situations where there IS physical distress during pregnancy or childbirth....  Sometimes abortion is medically necessary; and he doesn't believe in any other abortion....  But I believe that--during the early term--there may be mental/emotional issues affecting the prospects of childrearing; and the future of mother and child should be considered....  

It'd be wonderful if everyone got the proper training in appropriate sexuality--whatever their beliefs are, in family planning, and in birth control...!  But we're human, and life is complicated!  Mistakes happen....  Some people say they don't believe in abortion as a means of birth control, but I've heard abortion can be a BACK-UP when birth control fails!  Myself, I'd prefer to see mainly first-trimester abortion, and some others have agreed with that, also....  If we can AVOID abortion, that's better--by planning better--but it's an intervention that's possible, after the fact....  

One of the founders of my church wrote something to the effect that when we have excessive material possessions and don't give to help the less fortunate, it's like we're stealing from them....  The Ten Commands also say, "Thou shalt not steal...."  I believe we ARE "our brother's/sister's keeper," and there are many needy orphans and families in Africa, India, and Asia....  There's enough work to do to eliminate poverty, if it was ever possible to do so....  I don't think we need to depend on and demand that North American foster families and potential adoptive parents can always cover our unwanted pregnancies...!  I don't believe it's realistic or healthy, even though some cases may turn out all right....  [Sometimes it turns out badly....]  

The liberal people in the USA have gone to extremes in their abortion beliefs, I believe, because the conservative side was so intolerant and inflexible....  I'd like to say that abortion during the first trimester or so, is like "pruning."  Sometimes it's necessary....  May God help us with this debate!

My Letter Was Received!

Have received confirmation from the post office that my letter to the church headquarters was received nearly two weeks ago....  Am happy that it arrived safely.  While I'm waiting for a response--which may take some time especially getting past the holidays--I wanted to write about another social issue, which also affects my church and some other churches....  Will continue writing separately.

Contact By Letter...

Have decided to send a letter directly to my church's headquarters in the United States....  It's travelling by "snail mail" but there'll be delivery confirmation....  It seems this letter is needed...the church needs more encouragement than what's in my pamphlet....  (Have learned some things on the Internet.)  

In the past, I've contacted the headquarters several times, by mail and by email, and I had good results....  We'll see what happens this time...and they still may need a while--first before my letter gets read and then time to think about it...?  

It's a little hard for me to wait in the meantime...this isn't like a regular job....  Sometimes I wish I had one, but I don't know if it's possible at this point...?  Anyway, I'll try to "Let Go and Let God...."