Recently COGIC released the following statement to detail their position on President Obama's statements regarding gay marriage and civil unions:
Blessed!
Official Statement
of the
Church of God in Christ, Inc.
of the
Church of God in Christ, Inc.
Regarding Same Sex Marriages and Civil Unions
The President’s position regarding “same-sex marriage” has set off a “firestorm,” unlike any other debate in our civil society, perhaps, since the civil rights unrest of the mid-20th century. The advocacy for same-sex marriage, while in conflict with our nation’s long-standing moral posture, has indeed, created opportunity for the Church to communicate our unequivocal position about God’s design and foundation for humanity, the biblical mandate for heterosexuality through the bonds of matrimony and, the centuries-old understanding of the only acceptable means of procreation, habitation, and the establishment of the family.
The President suggests same sex relationships and male-female relationships committed to by oath before God and/or witnesses, where formal documents are signed before a civil or ecclesiastical figure. It further implies that both are equally good and valuable. In addition to this, it suggests that both equally contribute to the good and advancement of a society. From a fundamental view of scripture, the same word should not be used to describe both same sex and heterosexual relationships.
Fundamentally, traditionally, and historically, marriage has functioned to unite a man and women together in facing the challenges of life, to sanctify sexual involvement, to authorize the conception of children, provide an environment for the protection and development of offspring and to strengthen and sustain the family unit. Historically, the sexual coming together of husband and wife produces children who are the fruit of both their bodies and are united by blood to their brothers and sisters. This coming together of husband and wife is the means by which the world has been populated, and the human race sustained.
A husband, wife and children are the bedrock of a society which also mirrors the universal Church as a microcosm, or domestic church, out of which God’s values are modeled, nurtured, and disciplined. This divinely-inspired family framework, pronounced in Old and New Testament scripture, is without compromise. To tamper with the foundation is to disrupt the order God intended. This order is the intended structure by which all humanity is expected to govern their lives.
The human body is designed by God as male and female to anatomically accommodate individuals of the opposite sex in the conception, bearing, and nurture of children; the human body is unquestionably designed to accommodate individuals of the opposite sex, not of the same sex.
The Holy Bible, which is the authoritative Word of God, clearly prohibits sexual relations between members of the same sex. Though it does not isolate intercourse between individuals of the same sex as the only sin, it designates this and a series of other activities as sinful behavior from which the Christian is to abstain
1 Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. NKJV (See also: Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; and 1 Timothy 1:8).
The Bible indicates that there is nothing that can excuse or eliminate the sinfulness of sexual involvement between individuals of the same sex. Neither so called “marriage vows”, civil unions, nor homosexual drives or passions are recognized by the Bible as justifications or acceptable excuses or rationale for sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Sinful desires and inclinations must be resisted and overcome by the power of God in Christ Jesus, and by power of the Holy Spirit who strengthens our minds and our wills.
Our vocabularies are made up of thousands of words because there are so many distinctive entities and concepts to be referred to. Each word designates a category of entities which are unique to that word. Specific words are most useful when they reflect identical images, and when they do not create conflicting or unclear images in the mind of the speaker and the hearer. The Bible defines marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6). To define marriage otherwise is to dilute and destroy its usefulness as a word which denotes what is highest and best about human society.
While we are committed to proclaim and support the tenants of the Bible, and also to persuade others to do so, we recognize that in a free and democratic society morality cannot be legislated. We oppose violence and discrimination against individuals or groups because of sexual orientation. We do not feel that it is necessary to legalize same sex marriage to provide the civil benefits and civil rights to all regardless of sexual orientation.
We proclaim the value and worth of every human being regardless of sexual orientation. But, we passionately and unapologetically, defend the right of faith communities to maintain the integrity of their message, mission and identity. We welcome to the church all people who seek to serve and know God and His Word.
MY RESPONSE
Thank you, thank you, for making a clear stand on the President's assertions. This is a positive move and a step in the right direction.
Thank you, thank you, for making a clear stand on the President's assertions. This is a positive move and a step in the right direction.
Recently a Facebook contact it appears thought to use my criticisms of COGIC as a tool to drive a wedge dividing the Saints from my blog and person. As many of my fellow COGIC brothers and sisters have let me know that you have been blessed by what you read here and the discussions that we engage. This is my response to her actions and statements in a group called "Now, You Know You're COGIC If..":
"NONE of the criticisms I make of COGIC, whether on Facebook or on my blog, should ever be misconstrued as an effort to make folk leave COGIC or drive them away. My criticisms are in effort to make our church better and hold our leaders more accountable, as well as inform the Saints and minister to ALL God's people, no matter what church or non-church they are in or out of.
I am PROUD that COGIC has stood strong and in a clear voice on this issue in recent times. In fact I see very few taking the lead on this issue at all and most are confused reading the same bible. This is a step in the right direction and any missteps can and will soon be overridden by dedication and commitment to right steps now and in the future. This is an encouraging set of events.As I stated, we have much work to do in this church and there is much information I have right now that I plan to deliver, but our church has done much in this position and official statement to support it's mission of standing for Christ in these last days. To God be the Glory!
We may have our issues, but a position on the issue of homosexual marriage and civil unions isn't one of them."
Blessed!
I am a Baptist minister. I believe that, by the Bible same sex marriages are wrong. Having said that, I also recognize that marriage is not a Christian endeavor. Marriages are regulated by each state. The POTUS can do nothing to legislate Marriages. If you check out some of the laws of some states, living together is ok. I agree that this is a can of worms that needs to be explored. The common rule is, "one man for one woman for one lifetime." However, the divorce rate among Christians is just as high as non-Christians. Under grace or the standard marriage vows, there is no grounds for separation. I believe until death do us part.
ReplyDeleteDid you see that the NAACP is now in favor of same sex marriages as well???
ReplyDeleteI certainly won't be taking out a membership anytime soon!
There are laws that legislate against prostitution, adult-child sex, rape, pornography, beastiality and more. All of these, as is homosexuality, are acts of immorality and the government, with the consent of the people, do legislate such actions.
ReplyDeleteEd,
ReplyDeleteThat is a GOOD argument, however, none of those activities have ever been considered a "civil right" or an issue of "equality" and or 'equal access" under the law.
So that is not exactly the same as this issue, but you make a very good point regarding it.
Based on my humble understanding, the issue here is whether the word of God is being accepted, or rejected. The word of God plainly defines Homosexuality as sin. Therefore, to endorse homosexuality is the same as endorsing sin.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Homosexuality is not the only sin, it is the only sin that mankind commits with the body...not only is it sin, it defines the laws of nature to say the least.
Moreover, we live in a period of idol worshipping. The biggest idol is popularity and the almighty dollar bill. It is a sad thing when folk turn away from the creator of wealth and embrace the emptyness of wealth itself. It is even a more troubling thing when folk permit preasures and human desire become more stronger in their lives than the word of God.
Folk who feel that they need votes in order to survive, will alway cater to the majority vote caster. That is an established fact...this escalation of accepting the homosexual lifestyle is helping me to see that many who say they are Christians are not, and thats a sad thing.
So then, what does the true Christian do? The answer is simple, keep holding up the things of God. It is Christ Himself who declares that if He is lifted up, He will draw all men into Himself.
A true Christian will do good to all mankind, especially those who are of the household of God. A true Christian will not turn against a weak sister or brother and arm up with unGodly folk in an effort to point out fault..there is much i could say about the lifestyle of a true Christian, but I will close here by saying anything that is contrary to the word of God is sin whether it be homosexuality, hatred, or just plain ungratefulness for the things God has done...