Just In Case You Didn't Believe That There Is A Gay Agenda

In the comments section of Does the Bible Deal With Sexual Orientation? A black, homosexual, humanist/atheist who delivers the blog AUSFHART (which is the German word for exit) delivered the following commentary:

"The job of the gay community is not to deal with extremists( the black church) who would castigate us or put us on an island and drop an H-bomb on us. The fact of the matter is that there is a small percentage of people in America who understand the true nature of the homosexual community. There is another small percentage who will never understand us ( like Supt. Burnett who believes in a Bible that deems him a descendant of Ham: a slave).

Our job is not to get those people who dislike us to love us. Nor was our aim in the civil rights movement to get prejudiced white people to love us. Our aim was to try to create the kind of America, legislatively, morally, and psychologically, such that even though some whites continued to hate us, they could not openly manifest that hate. That's our job today: to control the extent to which people can publicly manifest anti-gay sentiment.

Therefore, you Negros can pontificate till judgement day, but this Black, gay man will lobby, vote, influence, and agitate for equality. Hey, you hetero Negros cannot make marriage work( marriage rate has plummeted from 70% to 30% currently) so let us Black gays set the example for education achievement, wealth building, family dynamics, child rearing, marriage bliss, love, sex, and overall successful living. You know I'm telling the truth!" ~ February 28, 2010 9:29 AM

Are We At A Loss? What Are We To Say?

I would guess that comments like this would make those cower who really didn't know the truth and chose to live in ignorance. Even children today watching advertisements and the parading of gay individuals, can easily see that gays have an agenda and that agenda is not only for equality, as AUSFHART suggests, but it is about domination, and suppression of anything that doesn't include it, honor it, or make room for it. If it were not for the fact that we've known for a number of years that the gay agenda is what it is, ie: an agenda, I guess we would be caught off guard with sentiments such as these. So in short we are not at a loss for words, neither are we surprised by radical homosexuals such as this. Let's discuss a few aspects of this confusion 

The Analysis Of AUSFAHRT's Statements & Assertions

1- Proponents Of The Homosexual Agenda Commonly Promote Religious & Class Discrimination

AUSFAHRT starts off by saying what the "job of the gay community" is not, and then goes on to deliver the biggest "straw-man", "red herring" and down right lie ever told in history. He states that

1- The "black church" is religious extremists (not full of them, we ARE them)

2- That church exists to castigate homosexuals and or drop h-bomb on all of them if possible.

First, I have not read any literature where any church, black or white (by tradition) has said anything close to what AUSFAHRT asserts. What this is called is sensationalism and extremism. The comment has no bearing in truth and is not supported by any evidence whatsoever, but yet he calls the "black church" extremists. Further, the comment is a complete lie designed to stereotype, castigate, humiliate and demonize anyone in the "black church" who stands against homosexuality and in favor of the traditional family (ie: marriage between one man and one woman) as outlined and endorsed in the word of God.

Read more!

"Hate Crimes" Legislation, Presidential Approval Of The Gay Agenda

This Is What God Says:

Leviticus 18:22-30 ~ 22-THOU SHALT NOT LIE with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination. 23-Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it [is] confusion. 24-Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: 25-And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. 26- Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit [any] of these abominations; [neither] any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: 27-(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which [were] before you, and the land is defiled;) 28-That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that [were] before you.  29-For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit [them] shall be cut off from among their people. 30- Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that [ye] commit not [any one] of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I [am] the LORD your God.

This Is What The President Obama Says:

"My expectation is that when you  look back on these years, you will see a time in which we put a stop to discrimination against gays and lesbians whether in the office or on the battlefield. You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognized relationships between two men or two women, are just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman."

On Oct. 10,2009 President Barack Obama said these words to a warm and welcoming cheer from the crowd of about 3,000 at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, (HRC) a gay rights advocacy group which we have detailed on this site. In fact gay advocate, Harry Knox, current member of the Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships was the former director of the HRC until Presidential appointment in April of this year.

In one of the most shocking parts of the President's speech he single handedly and in one sentence exalted gay and lesbian relationships to "admirability". Not only are the immoral relationships of homosexual unions out of the closet, they have taken center stage and are now touted as being something worth aspiring to. This means that homosexual relationships are, in the minds of many leaders of our country, at least equally as desirable as heterosexual ones. What has happened? This indicates a paradigm shift of morality, from objective values to culturally commensurate and relative values. Plain and simple the winds of CHANGE has shifted from the absolute truth of the God's word to a standard that is both socially and culturally acceptable and ever changing.

On Military Service

"I will end 'don't-ask-don't tell,'"..."We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country,"..."We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage and selflessness on behalf of their fellow citizens ... especially when we are fighting two wars."...I will end don't-ask-don't tell, that's my commitment to you."

Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell was the tag name of the law was passed by Congress in 1993 and signed by President Bill Clinton. The act prohibits any homosexual or bisexual person from disclosing his or her sexual orientation or from speaking about any homosexual relationships, including marriages or other familial attributes, while serving in the United States armed forces. President Obama said that he's working with Pentagon and congressional leaders on ending the policy so that gays can serve openly in the military without fear of reprisal or discharge.

The question is do the straight men and women that serve in the military mind taking showers with and bunking with individuals who are openly gay? Is there a psychology that comes along with these type of associations that make it difficult for both the straight and homosexual person? Will there be a greater risk on the battlefield for a homosexual than for a straight individual.? Will the homosexual receive preferential treatment in advancements and promotions?

I'll deal with some of these questions in the racism & the struggle for equal rights below.

On Marriage

"And I've called on congress to repeal the so called defense of marriage act and and to pass the domestic partners benefit and obligations act."

The HRC was one of the major advocates for repealing Prop. 8 in California and suffered a black eye at the hand of what they considered to be the "religious right". Since then 7 states plus DC have joined the ranks of legalized gay marriage bringing the total to 9 states plus DC. This is working according to the plans of the gay activist movement and in particularly groups such as Gay And Lesbian Advocate Defenders (GLAD) and Lambda Legal. who have aggressive plans to make homosexual marriages legal across the United States.

With that comes child indoctrination. As homosexual marriages become legal, and because we currently allow a system of federally controlled education, text books and syllabuses must be changed to reflect the laws of the land. This has happened, and will continue to happen as parents find that they have no rights when it comes to protecting their children in the public education setting. I've documented one such case HERE in Massachusetts which is the "gold standard" for homosexual educational rights.

President Obama has further committed and deeply entrenched himself himself into the homosexual agenda. From the Presidential Web site the further plans are open for everyone to view:

"President Obama also continues to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. He supports full civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples and opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. He supports repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in a sensible way that strengthens our armed forces and our national security, and also believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation."

Racism & The Struggle For Equal Rights

Is the struggle against racism and for homosexual rights equated? In my opinion absolutely NO. Homosexuality DOES NOT equal the struggle for racial equality although the struggle for social acceptance follows the a similar path.

The critic says that in all of those questions that were asked above, we can simply remove homosexual and insert Black. Those were similar considerations when Blacks were allowed to serve in the proverbial "white man's" army? But is that really the case?

Being Black is certainly nothing that can be changed neither can it be repressed although many try. Black is something that is beyond an individuals choice "to do" and one cannot vacillate between being black and or any other color. In fact once a person IS Black they cannot become any other race or nationality. most say that 1% of blood that is Black is Black forever no matter how bleached it may be.

Similarly to my Grandmother who was 100% Chippewa. By all accounts she looked like a white woman. She married a Black man. When that happened,  her future children, as fair skinned as they would be, were no longer considered Indian (except by the gov't & casino industry) They were considered Black. In fact when my father showed up at the job at General Motors in Detroit, MI., light skinned and as much straight hair as he wanted to have, his skin was yet a half hue darker than white, and immediately my Grandmother, as faithful and good worker as whe was lost her job.

Sexual Choice

You see, all sex is a choice. Although many feel sex is an uncontrollable urge, it's really a choice. Love is also a choice and it is a spiritual venture not meant to be controlled by feelings (as it often is) or emotions (as is the modern standard). Homosexuality is not subject to the constraints of God and is a violation of his word. Plain and simple. It is a sin, along with heterosexual sin, and one must be saved or delivered from sexual sins IF that is one's propensity. I have written about a much argued point on Homosexuality In The New Testament HERE. FYI: God still does not favor homosexuality and it is still a sin.

Be it known, as I have stated clearly before on this blog, no person deserves to be discriminated against in employment, housing or the right to live and pursue freedom because they are homosexual. The reason is because homosexuality is not an illegal activity under the law (at least in most places). Homosexuality has advanced in the American Psychiatric Association (APA) definitions, and was declassified as a mental disorder in 1973. All disciplines soon followed. 

However the doors are open to members and advocates of other so called "sexual minorities" such as pedophiles and the incestuous, who are making the statement and asking the question, "I'm think I'm normal, why not make my sexual lifestyle legal?"

I'm sure that Warren Steed Jeffs is claiming that polygamy and pedophilia have not been give a fair hearing, and that he should not be in jail, not only because he's God's messenger, but also because he's simply a "sexual minority". Then there's movie mogul Roman Polanski who certainly feels unfairly treated especially since the young lady he sexually assaulted 10 years ago was 13 years old. He knows that the legal age of sexual consent in the Netherlands is 12, (see note below) and that America is just plain ole unfair.

Conclusion:

President Obama ended his speech by saying,

"Thank you for the work you're doing, God bless you, God bless America!"

The reality is how can we ask God to bless us when we endorse something contrary to his nature, his will and his word? How can that be blessed of God?

God has spoke and the President has spoken. Who's words will you follow and believe?

For me I'll conclude by saying this:

Joshua 24:15 ~ "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, we will serve the LORD."

Blessed!

Should We Be Alarmed About Hate Crimes Legislation?
Read HERE and then read HERE.

Note:
The Netherlands has no sodomy laws, the age of sexual consent is 16 for all, sex between an adult and a young person between the ages of 12 and 16 is permitted by law, as long as the young person consents. It may only be prosecuted by complaint from the young person or the young person’s parents. The question remains whether the public prosecutions department would proceed to prosecute if the young person themself had consented and their parents filed the complaint.

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Not So Wild About Harry & The New Humanism

Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Religion & Faith Program Director, Harry Knox, was appointed as a member to the President's Office Of Faith Based And Neighborhood Partnerships Advisory Committee. He joins an exclusive list of individuals from around the country as referenced in our blog "What Do They Have Planned For You?"

Mr. Knox is not the chairman of the committee, so ultimately will have as much ability to provide input as other members. According to BCNN1.com Other members added to the Faith Based Advisory Council include:

Anju Bhargava, founder of the Asian Indian Women of America
Bishop Charles Blake, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ
The Rev. Peg Chemberlin, president-elect of the National Council of Churches
Nathan Diament, director of public policy for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
Dalia Mogahed, executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies
Anthony Picarello, general counsel for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Nancy Ratzan, president of the National Council of Jewish Women
The Rev. Sharon Watkins, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Whether a person is gay or straight any individual having an opportunity to serve our country should be proud, however the problem is, that not only is Mr. Knox a HETEROPHOBIC, self proclaimed gay Christian minister, who doesn't view homosexuality as SIN. He also directs certain activities of his employer (HRC) that not only promotes gay rights, but holds that the right to marry between gays is a human right. We've seen those concepts promoted regularly within the gay rights movement as noted by me HERE and HERE. This, once again, is solid confirmation that those who promote gay rights agenda also hold fast that the right of marriage between gays is a human right.

Mr. Knox's appointment is a remarkably radical move for at least 2 reasons. 1- His appointment falls in line with President Obama's statements regarding faith based organization's hiring policies as it relates to qualifying for funds. The President has an opinion that in order for the church to participate in federal funding opportunities that it cannot "discriminate" ie: the church must employ homosexuals, in ministry positions even if that is against their doctrine.

As if that weren't bad enough the second problem is that Mr. Knox wholesale reinterprets the bible to accommodate his views on homosexuality. Certainly this is not new to the homosexual right. We have other apostates, such as Harvard's Dr. Peter Gomes, who proudly professes his gayness and twists scripture in effort to back his interpretations also. That dangerous combination may be what President Obama was looking for to create and promote a strong, militant, voice in favor of the homosexual right in order to help change the nature and context of the argument and by course change the methodology of the church in dealing with community service issues.

Scripture Twisters & Gender Benders

Mr. Knox, like many liberal homosexual scholars, seems to be proud of his biblical illiteracy and heretical teachings. His interpretations of scripture are so radical and to such an extreme, that he mangles both scripture's meaning and intent regarding the issue of sexual sins. In fact there is no practical way that he can believe in the inspiration of scripture to any extent while maintaining and espousing his views. Specifically speaking of Romans 1:22-28, which clearly speaks against the practice of homosexuality:

"22-Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23-And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24-Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25-Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26-For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27-And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28-And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"

Mr. Knox's gives this interpretation of the preceding verses as follows:

• “Paul did not have any idea of the kind of love that I feel for a partner when I am partnered. He didn’t know what that was about,” ...“The straight man, the heterosexual man who got the privilege of writing the book, the educated, rich, heterosexual man, Paul, who got to write the book, didn’t think it was natural because for him it must not have been.” ~ Debate with the Rev. Gino Jennings recorded Nov. 28, 2004 at the First Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Philadelphia.

As noted, Mr. Knox not only destroys the doctrine of scriptural inspiration, he also makes a cardinal error of improper biblical interpretation by decontextualizing the text all together. Once he does this he reverts to an interpretive based on relativism and a postmodern understanding of scripture when referring to homosexual issues. The anatomy of what he does is this: He confines the scripture to what he presupposes is its Sitz im Leben (life setting), therefore not allowing the scripture to speak eternally. As stated he presupposes the condition of the scripture based on his control belief that homosexuality is not condemned by God or within scripture. That's why he can look right at it and not see it.

For anyone serious about biblical studies, you should know that finding the Sitz im Leben is not wrong. That is the correct technique used to explore the context of what is being said and why, however imposing a prepositional bias upon scripture coupled with failure to accept scripture as being eternal or relevant through time, confines the scripture to a specific time frame and ultimately relegates the message, which includes morality and righteousness, to a culturally commensurate model. Jesus said however that his words are spirit and life:

John 6:63 ~ "63-It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

That "life" indicates at least two things. 1- That HIS words provide life spiritually to the soul that was dead in trespasses and sins (Jn.1:4, Eph. 2:1-5) and 2- That HIS words are applicable to our current existence and are not restricted to the time in which certain truths were revealed. Mr. Knox is blinded to this because he has regarded his sin as authentic, undefiled and a diversity of human nature. His example is one displaying how we are NOT to approach the understanding of scripture in general.

Prov. 14:12 ~ "12-There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Birds Of A Feather

In his defense, Mr. Knox's type of approach, (although there is none) we can honestly say that his approach is not exclusive to him. In other words, he is not the inventor of such apostate interpretations of scripture. As stated there are other homosexual heretics that promote a similar message, but in an even greater sense this is the approach of what I call the New Humanism. If you'll be careful to note, this approach is also espoused by President Obama who appointed Mr. Knox. When our President invokes the thought that we must "rethink" America and what we do or have done historically (as he often does), New Humanism this is underlying context of his statements. It's about more than going green and changing a light bulb or becoming less dependent upon foreign oil, it's about a complete moral paradigm and cultural realignment, based on modern standards and social norms.

Listen to our President as he explains these concepts were developed in his mind. Be careful to note the basis for his own sense of morality or values:

The President's Thoughts On His Mother And Values:

• "My mother, who I think had as much influence on my values as anybody, was not someone who wore her religion on her sleeve, We'd go to church for Easter. She wasn't a 'church lady." ~ Senator Barack Obama, Sunday March 14th 2004 at Salem Baptist Church


• In his 1993 memoir, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, Now President Obama, describes his mother as "a lonely witness for secular humanism." and also said "My mother's confidence in needlepoint virtues depended on a faith I didn't possess, a faith that she would refuse to describe as religious; that, in fact, her experience told her was sacrilegious: a faith that rational, thoughtful people could shape their own destiny,"

In other words his mother's concepts on faith, which were as influential as anyone else's influence in his life, and were transferred to him, weren't actually a model of biblical faith and were based on a view of self or individualism. His concepts were based on an inner direction, self actualization and self control. eg; The thought that one can "shape your own destiny" no need for God to do that. Sounds a lot like modern WOFers(Word Of Faith'ers) doesn't it? In fact, more specifically, it sounds like teachings of the New Enlightenment that I previously set forth on this blog. Oprah and Eckhardt are feelin' fine and fabulous...

In the Obama and Knox world, faith is only a pseudonym used to gain access to a greater audience. When they use the word, it sounds like it belongs within the community of them that espouse biblical faith, but it doesn't. Look at a few of the President's conclusions on faith

• "So, I have a deep faith, I'm rooted in the Christian tradition. I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people. That there are values that transcend race or culture, that move us forward, and there's an obligation for all of us individually as well as collectively to take responsibility to make those values lived." ~ Senator Barack Obama, Sunday March 14th 2004 at Salem Baptist Church

The New Humanist approach offers shades of spirituality and sounds all but too convincing, but quickly reduces everything to social relativism and subjective interpretations. The New Humanism promotes the recreation of morality and moral standards in every age leading to the "rethinking" of moral values and the ultimate redefinition of everything that was formerly held sacred. In other words, using these new interpretive methods, there can be no universal truth and no enduring or efficacious truth that is truly sustainable from generation to generation.

Another feature of this methodology is the belief that scripture is culturally commensurate eg: in line with current culturally accepted standards of morality, values and norms. I hate to be repetitive, but please remember, what we said about the direction of humanism under the Humanist Manifesto...the ultimate goal was and is complete replacement of the "City Of God" with the "human city":

"…The wider platform for human progress as part of a New Enlightenment needs, I submit, to advocate secularism in the above three senses:

(1) the separation of religion from the state;(2) the humanization of values that satisfy the deeper interests and needs of human beings; and (3) the decline of religious practice, entailing the growth of the Human City in place of the City of God." ~ Dr. Paul Kurtz's Council For Secular Humanism's Humanist Manifesto of 2000.

How Is This Happening Within The Church?

Through a weak, flesh centered, people powered leadership.The new humanism/apostasy isn't rising outside of the church, it is coming directly to the church, talking the language of the church and it's taking no captives and holding no hostages that it does not plan to kill. This type of apostasy is rising through leaders who worry more about the clothes that they put on than the substance that they put in (their hearts). Who care more about what they drive, than what drives them. Through leaders who have turned from God and became "scoffers" walking after their own lusts and have catered to what seems and appears to be the right path after the flesh.

2 Peter 3:3-4 ~ "3-Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4-And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."

Jude 3:18 ~ "18-How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts."

These are the atheistic teachers of the bible who do not believe in the miracle working power of God and if they do, they only use such as a display and pretense to open church doors so that they can promote their filth. They are the ones who are dumbed down by the world's political leaders in the name of advancing the gospel. Ultimately they serve themselves and not God because their light has been dimmed if not even put all the way out.

Example Of A Weak Church & Weak Church Leaders:

On May 4th and 5th 2009 Mr. Knox's HRC will be holding their Clergy Call For Justice & Equality 2009 You Tube video HERE. Previous efforts have netted up to 200 + pastors from across the nation. Yes, this is a relatively small group but it's influence and voice is being heard in almost every aspect of Christianity. The call is made to all clergy in efforts of galvanizing pastors and ministers from every region and religious faith to support and promote equality (aka: THE HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA) and to ask churches to be inclusive "like the bible says that it should" This is from the HRC's site:

• "This year our mission is to ignite religious leaders to be agents of change for lesbian, gay, bisexual and, most particularly, transgender people across the country! You have been prophetic in your insistence that we affirm the worth and dignity of LGBT people not just in our congregations but in our laws, our workplaces and our families. Religious voices stand at the vanguard of our movement for equality."

A Final Note:

As one should understand, we are in a full faced frontal attack of the enemy and we must engage. Although I believe that the church's battle in America against homosexuality is a far gone cultural conclusion, I also believe that God is still in the saving business, and the attack of the enemy shall not prevail against HIS church (Mt. 16:18) I believe that he is yet moving by HIS Spirit and that a homosexual or any person in sin, whether they want to be in that sin or not, is just right to be saved.(Mt. 18:11, Lk. 19:10)

I received an email from an individual battling with thoughts of homosexuality. He wanted to know what he needed to do to be free. The first stop is to not buy into the lie that you are destined to be a homosexual. If you were born a homosexual, thank God that the scripture records that you "MUST be born again" (Jn. 3:3) and that Christ can make you free.(Jn. 8:35) This freedom however, does not come without responsibility. Just as the sexually immoral heterosexual involved in extramarital sexual activity has a responsibility to personal purity, the sexually immoral and abominable act of homosexuality must be avoided, and individuals tempted must find respite both in God's word, prayer and fasting, fellowship with believers and breakthroughs in schematic thinking.(1 John 3:2-3, Rom. 8:7-9)

Beyond that, active living and true biblical faith must be applied knowing that God can and will change the mind, (Rom. 8:2, 2 Cor. 10:4) That God is a deliverer of the heart and heart issues (Ps. 51:10) That God has a way to provide the relief from the burden and guilt of sin (Jn. 10:10, Rom. 8:10-11) that is required for you to live above and beyond the grip of the nature of sin. (Mt. 11:28, Rom. 6:1-2, Gal. 5:1) Your deliverance is IN Christ and in noone else. (Ephes. 2:1-5, Rom. 8:15)

We don't need the excuses and allowances for sin of the Harry Knox's of the world. We need an intervention of epic spiritual proportions with the God of our salvation.

Jude 20-25 ~ "20-But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21-Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22-And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23-And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24-Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25-To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen"

Blessed!

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Praying For The Healing Of AIDS?

On Sunday Aug. 17th 2008, the CBS Evening News featured a story on an organization called RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network). The impetus of the story was to uncover the alarming rates of HIV and AIDS infections among African American individuals especially in the Southern United States. The report was that although African Americans, by demographic, only make up 19% of the population of the South, we somehow manage to represent 56% of all new diagnosed HIV infections.

An August 8th article at Charlotte Observer.com stated the following:

• "The South is now the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this country. We have the highest number of adults and adolescents living with and dying from AIDS. (Southern States Manifesto: Update 2008). The South does not get the attention or funding to adequately address prevention, treatment care and housing."

Along with setting forth information of the current conditions, the story also set out to uncover the religious community's relationship to this resurgence. The report claimed negligence and absenteeism by the black church in dealing with people both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS virus. Repeatedly representatives form RAIN claimed that the Black church has been disengaged in ministering to the needs of individuals with HIV and AIDS within the Black community and community in general.

This Deserves A Much Closer Look

On June 27th 2008 the Washington Post.Com reported what the CDC (Centers For Disease Control) called the current resurgence of HIV/AIDS in the United States a "2nd wave epidemic". The CDC reports a a 12% rise per year in reported HIV infections among young black gay males ages 13-24. The reported stated the following:

• " The study found that homosexual men were the only risk group in which the number of new infections rose annually from 2001 through 2006. (Epidemiologists prefer the term "men who have sex with men," or MSM, because many of them do not identify themselves as homosexual or gay.)"

The week of Aug. 11th 2008, NBC News reported an Associated Press discovery that treatment for men with HIV/AIDS is inadequate. Reporting on the same story Newser.com stated:

• "In 86 nations, homosexual sex is considered a crime, and in seven countries it is punishable by death, according to the Foundation for AIDS Research, known as Amfar. During the conference's inauguration, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged nations "to follow Mexico's bold example and pass laws against homophobia." "In 2003, Mexico banned discrimination based on sexual orientation, and it has opened what it calls homophobic-free health clinics. The government has a national campaign that includes radio spots with mothers accepting their gay sons. Saavedra's program has earmarked 10 percent of its $12 million budget toward prevention among gay and bisexual men."

The RAIN website said the following:

• "RAIN hosts the nation’s largest minority CareTeam program. The Minority program targets the African American community through African American congregations. RAIN is a national partner with the Balm in Gilead and sponsors the Black Church Week of Pray for the Healing of AIDS. The minority program staff hosts Pastors Summits providing culturally appropriate theology training for ministers and lay leaders."

"culturally appropriate theology training for ministers and lay leaders"

What does this little statement mean?

This means that RAIN is teaching churches and church leaders to respect the diversity of sexual lifestyles within the African American community. In the CBS report one minister proclaimed that the church shouldn't be known for its "homophobia" and that stigma against the church created by the church must cease. In essence the suggestion was that the church engage the gay community with "love" and "tolerance" instead of with "love" and "truth".

Here we have two things inextricably woven together to create the greatest emotional response, and stir up unrest against the bible and the church. The seeming objective of RAIN and other organizations is to use the resurgence of the epidemic of HIV/AIDS and inadequate medical care associated with it, as being directly associated with issues of religious tolerance.

In other words the suffering of individuals with HIV/AIDS is being exploited and used as a camouflage in an attempt to reinculturate the church in the acceptance of ungodly and unbiblical value systems, thereby committing the church and church leaders in accepting, allowing and having regard for the homo-agenda and the homosexual lifestyle.

One Thing That RAIN Does Not Teach Or Promote Is Repentance From The SIN Of Homosexuality

I acknowledge that NOT every HIV/AIDS infection is solely the result of homosexual activity or sin. In fact current statistics affirm that the largest segment of new HIV infections in the United States are among heterosexual black women. Many of these women contracted the disease from their male lovers, "friends with benefits", and in some cases husbands.

I acknowledge that anyone who has contracted this disease should have access to the most proficient medical care available to anyone with a life threatening illness.

I acknowledge that anyone should not face any sort of discrimination or lack of care because of the disease.

I acknowledge that the medical profession and social service agencies should treat the HIV/AIDS virus like any other illness that is currently allowable in their system.

I acknowledge that the human aspects and devastation of this dreaded disease cannot and should not be overlooked.

Simultaneously, I also acknowledge that it is inappropriate to ask the church to change it's message against the sin of homosexuality and non marital sexual relations simply because individuals are infected with this deadly disease.

Some call this sentiment cold, unfeeling, callous and insensitive. I would respond to that accusation by presenting the following three points:

1- The New Testament message against sexual immorality is clear. All sexual sin is grievous (Gal. 5:19). Although most individuals clearly acknowledge the Old Testament mandate against homosexual activity, it should also be acknowledged that the New Testament has set forth a convincing and solid case against homosexuality and homosexual behavior as well as other sexually immoral behaviors. I have set forth and affirmed the New Testament Case against homosexuality HERE. The church should remain stable in the acknowledgement of the Word Of God and remain steadfast against the special pleading of RAIN, Balm In Gilead, and/or any other organization that addresses this issue suggesting that the church must change.

2- The church is not a social service agency. The world's vision of the church is no greater than the "sifted" and powerless social gathering. The world views the church as a glorified and unfunded social service respot and in many cases a mere marketing opportunity. To the contrary, the church that Jesus established has a mission is to draw men and women to salvation through preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Mt. 28:19) Part of that mission is to preach against sin. (Isa. 58:1) with love and humility. Without equivocation, homosexuality is a sin and must be preached against. I submit that the epitome of being unfeeling is to minister to a person's physical or emotional condition with no or little regard for their spiritual welfare and behavioral and spiritual condition.

3- The church should be careful as not to interfere with the judgement of God upon certain sins and behaviors. If we are not careful, vicariously, the church could become guilty of endorsing unrepentant sin. I acknowledge that this is the most emotionally charged part of this discussion, and a point that fuels rage among many.

Many individuals assert that the HIV/AIDS virus is a judgement against homosexuality but they do not explain how. In the following I will attempt to provide the biblical precedent as to why the church must continue to be on the Lord's side of this issue no matter what type of pressure is exerted from organizations such as RAIN and Balm In Gilead.

Part I: The Establishment Of The Justice Of God.

As any other attribute of God, HIS ability to judge and judge righteously cannot be overlooked, diminished or set aside for our convenience. The church must continue to be made aware of the judgement of God because judgement will first begin at the church.

1 Peter 4:17~ "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"

Scripturally, when God moves in judgement, those that oppose HIM are often cast aside and in many cases included in that judgement.

In Judges 19, we have a story of a Levite who had an unfaithful wife. She left him for a season and ended up at her father's house. To cut to the heart of the issue, after the Levite recovers his wife they end up spending the night in Gibeah which was part of the Tribe Of Benjamin. An "Old Man" of Mount Ephraim that lived in Gibeah ended up taking them into his house to lodge for the night. As it got darker and later the true problem of the city became magnified:

Judges 19:22 ~"Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him."

The term "sons of Belial" was used to indicate men who had an evil nature and evil intentions. These men ruled the night of the city and were certainly observant of the changes that took place in the are with a purpose of exploiting weakness. They were also homosexual and bisexual men and at the very least men who believe that having sex with other men and strangers were permissible acts.

Now it should be remembered that these "sons of Belial" were descendents the Gibeonites who, approximately 200 years earlier, (Joshua 6-8) deceived Joshua and the Elders of Israel into an agreement of protection from the Amorites by pretending to be sojourners and strangers instead of residents of the land.

The Levite eventually gave his wife to these evil men and they sexually abused he and killed her(Judges 19:27)

That incident prompted the following actions:

Judges 19:29 ~ "29-And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel. 30-And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds."

After this incident, the Levite cut his wife's body into 12 pieces and sent them to the elders of Israel. This represented a message of distress and untold despair. Once the elder's received this they met the Levite in Mizpeh (Judges 20:1). In this council it was decided that all of Israel would go up and make war against Gibeah.

The Benjamites were bound to protect the Gibeonites and the inhabitants of Israel resided in the city also. The message and response was clear:

Judges 20: 19~ "Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:"

The Benjamites refused to hear the council of God because they were busy "protecting" the people from God's judgement. This led to the loss of 26,000 Benjamite soldiers in the battle (Judges 20:35) and an utter destruction of the city.

Four Things Are Interesting To Note Here:

1. The deceit of the Gibeonites graduated to other sins for which the Bejamites became responsible.
2. The sins of the Gibeonites grew to affect the entire region.
3. The people of God in trying to assist and protect the Gibeonites and "sons of Belial" positioned themselves as enemies of God and HIS righteousness and were judged accordingly.
4. At NO POINT did the people of God pray for the "healing" of the sin. Sin cannot be healed, it can only be repented of.

AIDS can be healed, SIN can only be repented of and there is a distinguishable difference between the two. The healing of the Homosexual comes when they repent of their SINS which includes their homosexual activity.

In Part 2 I will set forth a deeper biblical precedent and reaffirm the call of God to HIS church.

Blessed!

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