One of my favourite passages in the Bible is Proverbs 3:3,4--"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee...so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man." King James Version. In this case, I believe "truth" means "justice." My church generally believes that God blends mercy and justice in His dealings with people.... Another Bible verse says, "...Mercy rejoiceth against judgment," James 2:13. Mercy is very important....
To use an example from the police, if they'd give out traffic tickets for every single speeding violation, that'd be justice. But sometimes police are kind and merciful, and don't give the tickets--especially if there's a good reason.... In the case of conservative Christians with homosexual people, it seems to me they want justice, justice, justice! They haven't found a lot of room for mercy, so far....
When I was preparing my church pamphlet in 2014, some church members and I were discussing the word "mercy." I decided I liked the word; and someone shared one of their favourite Bible verses--"...What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8.
Also in the Bible, the book of Romans, chapter 13, talks about how Christians should submit to laws and governments, and to social customs and requirements.... It's only in the case of a direct violation of conscience that we should refuse.... Conservative Christians have wanted "religious rights," and have even won in the Supreme Court of the United States.... But I think there might be more to this matter than Christians have realized...?
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