In 2009 Elder D.L. Foster of Gcmwatch.com with me and the Dunamis Word in tow, took a considerable amount of heat and condemnation by calling the actions of Church Of God In Christ Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake into question as he vicariously signed the entire church leadership on to the endorsement of the United Nation's Declaration Of Human Rights.
In the multiple articles done on the issue, both of us pointed out the fact that although the Declaration Of Human Rights did not say homosexual nor did it outline homosexual behavior as a "human right" it had been and was currently being used as a support for homosexual marriage and gay civil unions all over the world and in the United States by homosexual advocacy groups such a The Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal and those seeking to overturn PROP 8 in California.
Of course there were all sorts of apologetic fiasco's including a diversion stating that the Grand Ole Church Of God In Christ was simply under a viscous "internet attack" by certain web sites (GCMWatch.com) that were delivering "false information" and "distorting the truth". In fact GCMWatch.com was named specifically in a multiple page rebuttal that was produced by some of the upper eschalon adjuntancy.
The Truth Has Been Confirmed
Well, I don't hate to say that WE told you so and had GOOD reason to question, but we can say that with confidence.
With the anniversary of the UDHR in mind, the UN has adopted a sweeping stance endorsing homosexuality with the ultimate result being that the international council of nations now affirms that Homosexuality is a Human Right and that member nations do not have a right to provide and restrictions of such unions and activities.
"The European Union-backed document, noting that the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was marked this month, said those rights applied equally to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
It urged states "to take all the necessary measures, in particular legislative or administrative, to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention."Opposition on the council noted the facts that regulation of these issues were associated with member states rights and would have some potentially devastating effects on all human rights process and understanding. See if this doesn't sound familiar:
"But the opposing document said the statement "delves into matters which fall essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of states" and could lead to "the social normalization, and possibly the legitimization, of many deplorable acts including pedophilia."..."We note with concern the attempts to create 'new rights' or 'new standards,' by misinterpreting the Universal Declaration and international treaties to include such notions that were never articulated nor agreed by the general membership," it added. This, it said, could "seriously jeopardize the entire international human rights framework."Yahoo News stated the following about the passage of the resolution:
"The resolution tabled by South Africa passed with 23 votes in favour, 19 against and three abstentions, despite strong opposition from African and Arab states. The resolution "affirms that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms ... without distinction of any kind."CNN reported Suzanne Nossel, deputy assistant secretary of state for international organizations, as saying
"It really is a key part in setting a new norm that gay rights are human rights and that that has to be accepted globally."..."It talks about the violence and discrimination that people of LGBT persuasion experience around the world,"..."and that those issues ... need to be taken seriously. It calls for reporting on what's going on, where people are being discriminated against, the violence that is taking place, and it really puts the issue squarely on the U.N.'s agenda going forward."
"gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights."..."Men and women are harassed, beaten, subjected to sexual violence, even killed, because of who they are and whom they love. Some are driven from their homes or countries, and many who become refugees confront new threats in their countries of asylum. In some places, violence against the LGBT community is permitted by law and inflamed by public calls to violence; in others, it persists insidiously behind closed doors."
Conclusion:
Question: Now that it is CLEAR without argument or speculation, or obfuscation that the UDHR creates, endorses and defends what are considered to be homosexual rights, including the right to pursue marriage and relationships, will the leadership of the greatest church in the world, the holiness, Pentecostal fire, Church Of God in Christ Inc. of Memphis, TN. withdraw our endorsement of the document?
I certainly won't be holding my breath.
Blessed!
PS: To Elder D.L. Foster. Thank You for sounding the alarm and suffering the rejection. That's what it means to be like Christ!
Related Articles:
1- Are "Human Rights" Gay Rights?
2- Are "Human Rights" Gay Rights? Pt. 2
3- Bishop Blake Endorses Gay Marriage Declaration (GCMWatch.com)
4- Did Our Bishop Obfuscate?
5- Presiding Bishop Blake's Response to the perceived "attack of his character"
Radio broadcast to all our COGIC brethren coming up...stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteIm both saddened and in praise. Please God help the leadership of this church to turn and repent.
ReplyDeleteOnly you can change the hearts of men.
Have you ever heard of this man named O C Allen? I understand he is supposed to be an openly gay bishop down in Atlanta. I just found out about him yesterday, before then I had never heard of him.
ReplyDelete"Lord have mercy on the souls of those in Leadership. Please give them a heart of repentance."
ReplyDeleteIf the Lord doesn't do this then COGIC is doomed. The love of money, popularity, acceptance, and the practice of indifference, have now become their god's, and their worship....
Dear Supt. Burnett,
ReplyDeleteI am a son of the Church of God in Christ; and will always be.
But extremely disheartening information has been coming to me concerning the present state of our Church; mainly, the official stance of, Presiding Bishop Blake, concerning homosexuality.
Supt. Burnett, if, Bishop Blake, is in total support of the sanctity of marriage set forth by the Holy Scriptures, why did he all of a sudden have no knowledge of, Magic Johnson, (one of his churches biggest donors/tithers), calling certain members of the West Angeles COGIC, among others, to stand against Proposition 8?
Father God would rather that we were hot or cold; because if we are lukewarm he will spue us out of His mouth. Our Church is in the lukewarm position right now.
Supt. Burnett, I am ordained and have also worked as an adjutant for the COGIC; and have seen the inner workings of the Church up close... and the behind-the-scenes pictures are not too good.
Whenever an election of any type in the COGIC has to be decided by a purely political tally of votes, does that not take away the very sanctity that, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, prayed, fasted and labored for?
Absolutely no good can come out of finite, men who lust for power; and flatly deny the universal sovereignty of Almighty Father God.
I must also agree with you, Supt. Burnett...
I too see another COGIC split on the horizon. My sincere prayer is that Father God will protect His true and faithful sheep during this transition period.
Elder J.E. Buchanan, 3rd
FM,
ReplyDeleteI did a story on him some time ago. O C Allen is a former 7th Day (at least so it seems) that has a husband called the "First man" of the church. They are openly gay and openly apostate inclusionists.
Elder Buchanan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your commentary and I must say that it is startling. For a number of reasons. Primarily, are we so open (as preachers) that we don't know who is coming to our churches and preaching? Or we don't know what our most popular members are endorsing publicly?
Well, Magic may be a good fella, but he first laid the ground by giving $5 Million to the building fund of the current building. Did he buy access? I find it hard to believe that, but it did seem that he bought silence...and that was and is just as evil.
So what do we do in COGIC? First thing is to return to what made us who we are as a community of believers...fasting and prayer...Second thing is to rid ourselves of the thought that a "group" or an "organization" is favored and contains the fullness of God. I deal with that thought in my current article. I think part of the problem stems from the fact that too many of us in COGIC have dealt in organizational worship.
How many times are you threatened with a "curse" because you entertain thoughts of leaving the organization? I mean that is real to many that I know.
On a personal note, I stay in the organization so that I can be a witness of righteousness, not because I can't be what God wants me to be without it. So I think to an extent that God is dealing with this church on a number of fronts. Nothing, not even the Grand Ole COGIC will be worshiped with HIM. Nothing will be associated as being worthy of worship like HIM. Not even our church, or any church for that matter.
So our victory lies in repentance and turning and delivering this organization back to God. I believe we are seeing the Lord open the eyes of the Saints and revealing just how far we've come and the shape that we are really in.
All I know is that I'm glad to befriend you and the Saints that are serious about their commitment to God in holiness (Heb. 12:14).
Blessed!
I heard that everything started down hill when they got rid of the office of senior bishop and started having the presiding bishop and general board.
ReplyDeleteIm still calling on Bishop Charles Blake to undo the incalculable damage he has done and repudiate COGIC's involvement in the ungodly UDHR. The Church should NEVER partner with demons to do the work of the Lord. Bishop Blake caused great harm to come to the church by the partnership. Bishop Mason brought us out from among them and Bishop Blake is taking us back in.
ReplyDeleteThis was an act of his own will, not the consensus of the church and certainly not God. That's why he got "retroactive" GB and GA approval. But that was largely stirred up on false charges that COGIC was "under attack".
"Supt. Burnett, I am ordained and have also worked as an adjutant for the COGIC; and have seen the inner workings of the Church up close... and the behind-the-scenes pictures are not too good."
ReplyDeleteCareful Elder, There are spies that read this blog and will most certainly put you on the list of "troublemakers" and those who "fight leadership". The tragic thing can be seen in this analogy. A disease like AIDS make take some time to manifest. On the inside it is working against the cells that keep the body healthy. A person can even look good for a long time. But eventually what is going on "behind the scenes" is going to manifest and every will see that you are not healthy. Taking drugs may prolong the inevitable, but most assuredly you will die from the complications caused by the disease.
We see the signs and warnings have been given, but still this leadership is stiffnecked and will not even acknowledge the obvious.
Elder Foster,
ReplyDeleteMan, I'm going front page with that one. That's a message to this church and one that I will do all I can to make sure it is heard right along with the others.
What are we doing and with whom are we aligning? Where are the advisers now? They came out the woodwork then...but like that cell phone company..."WHERE U AT???"