Am Just Wondering...?

 A number of decades ago, there was a quotation from somewhere which associated pedophilia, bestiality, polygamy, and homosexuality with each other....  Am not sure where this quotation came from but I've heard different people referring to it within the past 10 years, or so....  

Would like to ask if these comparisons are fair???  I think bestiality and polygamy aren't so relevant; and there may be a few gays who are pedophiles but there are also heterosexual men who are pedophiles....  I think it's an irrational fear to say that all gays may be pedophiles--or even to raise that suggestion...!

A while ago, I heard of a story--maybe from the 1960s I think?--where a pastor found out a church member was a homosexual.  And the pastor announced during the church services that so-and-so was a homosexual, and people should beware and keep their children away from him.  I think that was an awful thing to happen!  The pastor was quite ignorant about homosexuality, at the time....  But it has taken our society time to understand these matters....

Have read on the Internet that the American Psychiatric Association used to list 30 categories of sexual orientation in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, including pedophilia, masochism, sadism, and zoophilia (bestiality).  But these kinds of attractions have since been re-classified as mental disorders....  It was in the 1970s, I believe, when homosexuality was no longer seen as a psychiatric illness; and I believe that's correct....  There may be some psychological issues, as I've written before, but they're not mental illness....  

The above kinds of ideas have developed in a time of ignorance and misinformation....  I hope that people can be sensible; and make an effort to understand and be fair....  Some individuals may need to search their minds and their memories to see where their views have come from...?  Am just wondering...?  [Not to accuse any specific parties....]

A Letter Received

Would like to report that I received a nice letter from my church headquarters in the USA yesterday.  It was written a few weeks earlier and took time to travel.  The letter was written by an assistant of the president of the world headquarters.  The person remarked that they appreciated something about my first letter that I sent.  They didn't agree with everything but they were kind....  

This letter was apparently written before my third letter was sent....  I don't know if they'll still send another response, or not...?  Anyway, I was happy to receive this letter.  If I get more support from the police, I may be able to contact the church again with further discussion about the discrimination issues...?

Some Words of Encouragement

As I wrote recently in this blog, gay marriage is a relatively new concept in our world; and it may take the conservative Christians some time to get adjusted...?  I just read an article in a church magazine which was written by a lawyer who practices human rights and constitutional law in Canada.  He said that any individual who has SINCERE beliefs of a religious nature--whether right or wrong--is entitled to defend their position in the courts....  In the USA, the Supreme Court defended the right of the Christian cake baker not to sell a wedding cake to a gay couple....  (Even though it seems  that baker's legal problems aren't over...and I feel sorry for him...but I don't sympathize with his position....) 

If some gay people have to face negative views from Christians, I'd like to share a few Bible verses and comments to encourage them....

Regarding the difference between civil matters and religious matters, Jesus said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."  Matthew 22:21, King James Version.  Gay marriage is accepted as legal, and I think Christians should accept it as such--outside of the conservative churches.  Sometimes the things that God allows aren't His ideal will, but He allows them for different reasons....

God has an ultimate plan for this earth, I believe, but sometimes people are struggling just to cope with the here and now [people need to feel ACCEPTED, first of all...].  If we can be thankful for all our blessings and do the very best we know, we can make progress....  We'll increase our capacity for success....

Some comforting words are:  "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.  The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works."  Psalm 145:8,9.  It doesn't say that gays and transsexuals are excluded!

Finally, many people know that Romans, chapter 1, talks against homosexuality....  But the beginning of the very next chapter emphasizes that we shouldn't judge each other...!  And God wants to help us with all our problems--"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."  Psalm 145:18.  "...God is love."  l John 4:8.  God loves everyone, including the LGBTQ+...!

Have Made an Effort to Communicate

Earlier this month, I sent one more letter to my church headquarters in the USA [with delivery confirmation]....  The letter was about gay rights and gay marriage....  The American government is currently trying to pass a federal anti-discrimination law; and some Christians are trying to reduce the benefits, according to what they see as religious rights....  I don't know if or when my letter may help...?  At least I've made an effort to communicate my views to the church; and some local officials gave me some support....  I believe I've done what I can....  The church headquarters will have to "take it, or leave it," and I'll continue writing a little more in this blog to help gays....

WHAT Is Informing the Conscience?

If a Christian person wants to say that their conscience would be significantly offended or violated by serving or helping a gay person or married gay person, I think the Christian should examine WHAT is informing their conscience...!?--Is it possible their conscience wants to act on prejudice or homophobia...?  I believe people need to have a proper understanding of gays and their legitimate needs before they can answer these questions...?  Maybe that's the problem--that they don't have enough credible information? 

Dictionary.com says one of the meanings of "prejudice" is:  "an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason."  Conservative Christians believe that the practise of homosexuality is a sin...but that's not the only consideration or the only information we need, I'd say...!  I think it's harsh to say that sin is sin, and to stop there....  The Bible says "God is love," and we need to consider all the angles....

From what I've seen and heard, it seems many conservative Christians are speaking or acting on uninformed prejudice against homosexuality....  

We Discussed the Word "Mercy"

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...?

A New Concept for the World...and Christians

Within the past 10-20 years or so, gay marriage is a new concept in our society which the world has never before been confronted with, as far as I know....  [There were some unsuccessful attempts made a few decades earlier....]  I believe that every conservative Christian who has a problem with "gay rights" needs to ask themselves what "homophobia" means...?  They should take this matter seriously.  Also, if the Christians want to be helpful and not hurtful, they should seek credible information about the LGBTQs--not news stories and photos of outlandish people and gay pride parades--and understand what the legitimate needs of these people are...?  Will be discussing more about these issues later...but I believe that too many conservative Christians have a flawed view of Christianity regarding homosexuality; and they have a misguided sense of their duty to God and society....  The Christians need to have a breakthrough, in my opinion....  [Some non-Christian people may be prejudiced or homophobic, as well.]