Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Two Stories

The print news and especially video news is all abuzz with Miss California's loss of the Miss U.S.A. title, presumably because of her answer about gay marriage posed by one of the judges, Perez Hilton.

The Noble Pig, a site more noted for its photography and recipes than political controversy, posted an entry entitled "Should Personal Biases Be Allowed?" which has, not surprisingly, sparked a number of entries regarding the whole brouhaha. The reaction seemed to be mixed among those who felt that Miss California had a right to express her opinion and that it shouldn't be considered in the vote of the judges (then why do they ask questions of the candidates? She wasn't the only one to be asked a political question), those who felt that it was right that they deny her the crown because of her opinions, and those who felt that Hilton shouldn't have asked it in the first place.

Some of the more intense comments included:

Perez Hilton chose this pageant to laud his own personal agenda which should be a no-no. He's a nasty piece of work and even nastier if you don't agree with his views.

For a group (the one that Perez Hilton belongs to) who says they hate bias and hate, well, let's just say his words are not backed up by his actions.

Sounds like "tolerance" is a one way street. If you agree with me, then we're both "tolerant"; if you don't agree with me, then you're a bigot, racist, hate monger, etc.

As far as I'm concerned, Perez Hilton should go marry another man. A woman doesn't deserve him. It was a set-up. I hope he marries someone exactly like himself.

I have never heard of this Perez Hilton, but he doesn't sound like a very happy person inside...Happy people just don't behave that way. I Have a hard time thinking of anything in my life style choices that makes me so defensive or bitter towards others around me. I guess that when people have to go around and force their views on others maybe it's time to step back and question their own beliefs. hmmm perhaps "his" life style choices are not all that pretty down deep inside after all...just saying. =O)

Good on her mom and dad for raising a child with convictions and morals, something our country seems to be seeing little of these days. Seems that people are quick to put those who stand for something "good" down...very sad.

It's the one time I wish I had actually watched the show so I could remember the other political questions that were asked, since so many seemed to feel Hilton was out of line asking the question. (Apparently he had cleared the question with the powers that be beforehand, however.)

But, as always, the lack of empathy for gay people who are the victims of this country's short-sighted opinions about equal rights came to the fore.

Whenever I'm confronted with people who want gay people to disappear, or who want to put them in a box, without the rights that straight people enjoy, or who dismiss the whole issue as an immoral "choice," and thus not worth talking about, I think about Bill Clayton and all of the other gay kids who chose to end their lives rather than face a lifetime of discrimination and possible violence.

jaheem.jpg (14809 bytes)And then this morning I was sent a link to a story by Sacramento News and Review reporter, Kel Munger about eleven-year old Jaheem Herrera.

Young Jaheem Herrera’s parents say he was called “gay” and a “snitch” (for reporting his abuse) on a daily basis as part of the harassment that led him to take his own life. His death comes just a few weeks after the similar bullying-induced suicide of 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoover.

But the anti-Day of Silence crowd thinks bullying—specifically that which includes the use of anti-gay language to intimidate and harass children—isn’t enough of a problem to warrant activism or legislation. Makes you wonder who Jesus would support: the anti-gay crowd, or the bullied 11-year-olds?

Any way you look at it, these are children we’re talking about. Children. Eleven years old. Still playing with action figures and watching cartoons on Saturday morning. And they’re being bullied to death while the right wing insists that doing anything to stop it is “promoting the homosexual agenda."

Well, if keeping 11-year-old kids alive long enough to grow up is “the homosexual agenda,” then, hell, yes! Count me in.

Jaheem Herrera and Carl Walker-Hoover and Bill Clayton are the reason why it's important to take the answers of a silly beauty pageant contestant into consideration. Because if it's OK to set aside the ideas of someone who believes in dividing us into "us" and "them," making it OK to harass, bully, and beat "them" because they aren't as good as "us," then we are minimized, yet again, as human beings.

The sooner straight America understands that there is no "gay agenda" other than gay people wanting to live their lives in peace like their straight neighbors, the sooner we can get on with the more serious business of this country.

In one of those serendipitous bits of coincidence, as I was writing this, I received an e-mail informing me that congress will vote next week on the hate crimes bill that would give LGBT people the protections they need and deserve, and honor the memory of Matthew Shepard, murdered in Laramie, Wyoming ten years ago. During committee hearings, some lawmakers will be trying to derail the bill with "poison pill" amendments.

Here is a page where you can find a video made by Judy Shepard and a place where you can send a letter to your Congressperson asking for their support for the hate crimes bill. Do your bit to protect kids like Jaheem Herrera and Carl Walker,

Thanks!

22 comments:

Unknown said...

Perez Hilton fancies himself a journalist but is really nothing more than a hack, a media whore and a self-appointed gossip queen.

While I disagree with Miss California's stance on gay marriage, I applaud her for giving her honest opinion and not being a bitch about it, unlike the idiot posing the question.

First rule of real journalism: Don't ask a question you are unprepared to hear an honest answer for!

Finally, I was under the impression that answers to questions were scored not only on content, but also on clarity, confidence, tact, self-assurance, etc. If so, Miss California should have gotten higher marks, and Perez Hilton should be sanctioned for his evident bias -- It is obvious that he used this opportunity for self-absorbed purposes.

Tiffany said...

Right on, lady. This was a lovely post, I only wish I was as tactful and eloquent. Hence the reason I won't be winning pageants anytime soon...

However, if I ever say something along the lines of "opposite marriage", oh my.

Christine said...

Bev...

This is such a heated issue...and to be really honest it is really hard to listen to guys like him. What he did to her verbally was wrong. The way he and others lash out at those of us who don't agree with their lifestyle is wrong. Now, those on the other side of the fence who lash out at other peoples choices is equally as wrong.

Bottom line with the contest...ask heated questions and be open to heated answers.

Now...in my response that you posted up there from Noble pigs blog...that was directed at him...he seems very hateful, angry and bitter. If you are living a life that you believe in your heart is right..then let it be. What is with the hate? Where has hate over the years taken us? It looks to me that he is a very bitter and angry person inside.

I guess I don't see the gays who want to live in peace..I am really seeing a lot of them in my face calling myself and others bigots because we don't agree with them.

Why do they feel the need to win mine or anyone's approval? I don't feel that need to win people over to my side. And when they can't win my vote I am a bigot? I really don't understand the hate on either side.

I was actually very surprised at the very low percentage of gays in this country. This country has pretty much always reflected the views of the majority on every issue, not just gay issues.

As I stated in the blog over there to you..we can all disagree and still be kind and respectful to one another. We don't have to be best friends with everyone, and we don't have to agree with everyone, but we all should at least try and be kind to one another.

We sometime become so eager to protect one side of an issue that we tend to over look the very fact that we indeed are committing the same crime to the other side. We can't say love and respect one view and then throw hate and death towards the other. Everyone on both sides should get that. I say hate the sin but love the sinners..on both sides.

Bev Sykes said...

I hope, Christine, that you read all of my blog entry and realize why this is such an important issue for gays. It is literally "life or death." If we are allowed to divide us into "us" and "guys who aren't as good as us" we are going to continue to have people being beaten or killed because they are "them" and we are going to continue to have kids committing suicide because they can't see anything else for them except a lifetime of pain and suffering.

Christine said...

Bev...

I did indeed read your blog. Me agreeing and voting for gay rights or anyone for that matter is not going to stop the deaths and beatings of anyone. I hear what you are saying, but until hearts are changed, no amount of laws are going to protect anyone. That's like saying out law guns and we are all safe again. The rule breakers don't follow rules nor pay attention to laws. Men and woman with harden hearts are going to beat and kill regardless of laws. The laws can change all they want but until the heart of man is changed it will continue on and on and on as it has from the beginning of time.. It is why I think this man lashing out at this young lady is so wrong and I am in awe that he is allowed to behave that way. So for me as a Christian to cross a moral lines with my God, it can not happen on my end of all this. Does that mean I look down on or belittle those who don't share my beliefs? Not at all. Do I believe it is right for others to beat and kill people for their beliefs..nope. I don't think you and I nor anyone have the right to cross those lines. We are to love one another regardless. Jesus even takes this a step further...love your enemies.

Christine said...

Here is what I have come to believe and hope you who have not found Him will one day also be blessed with the knowledge of His love.

A loving God does not say the things He says for no reason. He is the Creator of all mankind and because of our sin, provided His Son to die in our place. He knows who we are and provided that certain behaviors would be an abomination in His sight. Here are some quotes that may help you understand His view and help you see why Mr. Hilton is so angry. I hope you will take the time to look them up. Leviticus 18:1-26 says, to lie with a man as with a woman was forbidden to the Jewish nation, as were many other kinds of sexual deviancy including copulating with animals. Leviticus 20:13 gives the penalty that was to be imposed upon those who practiced such things, death.

Genesis 19:1-26, the sin of sodomy. The men of Sodom are referenced through both the Old and New Testaments as very sinful. Their primary sin was their insatiable desire to rape the men who had come to stay at Lot ’s house. Lot even offered his virgin daughters to these depraved men of the town. The men did not want women. However, after trying to break down the door of Lot ’s house to reach his visitors, one of the visitors (angels) blinded them. Nonetheless, they continued to “weary” themselves trying to get at Lot ’s visitors. Ultimately God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of its great sin. To this day Sodomy refers to anal or oral intercourse whether with a man, woman or animal.

In the New Testament, Sodomites are not to be put to death but the book of Romans makes it abundantly clear that exchanging the “…the truth of God for a lie…” will result in being given “… over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” Romans 2:25-27.

Consequently, “…God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper…” as a result of this “depraved mind” they become people who are “..filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanders, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.: Rm. 2: 29-32.

I think we see from Perez Hilton’s behavior the exact representation of the passage. Numerous portions of it apply specifically to his action. Nonetheless, he can be forgiven and that is what Jesus is all about. If a person will turn to Him, “…repent of their sin, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, into the forgiveness of their sin…” they will begin a new life full of the “…Holy Spirit…” of God. Jesus died for those who sin and His great love is commanded to those who love Him. That is why Christian people do not hate the sinner but merely the sin being committed because they realize that they too were once in sin. God likewise loves all who are in sin but will not tolerate their behavior and they will suffer the due penalty of their error. I hope all of you who disagree will take some time to search out His great love and forgiveness.

Sodomy is in fact a lifestyle, no one is born a homosexual or the God of all the heavens and earth is untruthful. Jesus loves you.

I have enjoyed talking back and forth with you Bev. I think when we are all open to hear one another out is when change can begin. We don't need to agree on everything, but we do need to be respectful to one another if we truly want positive change.

You are a good writer and have a gift for it. I am praying that someday you give that gift over to Him and use your words to help heal a very sick world.

You are being bathed in prayer by me.

Blessings on ya!

Unknown said...

Christine, I'm sorry to tell you this, but you've been brainwashed into bigotry.

I suggest you watch this video ("Gay Education"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PooEhBxh0NY

You might follow that up with Thunderf00t's series on common fallacies held by Christians (even if you're religious, they're extremely educative -- good science):

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=AC3481305829426D


Your current views make you an enabler of the kind of violence you claim to hate.

Unknown said...

Christine, my dear, you are an idiot. Who in their right mind would just wake up one day and "decide" to be gay?

Ah, yes. Today, I got out of bed and having nothing better to do I decided to be gay. Why? Because I think it's way more fun to be beat up, spat upon, ostracized from society, scorned, abused, picked on and looked down upon. I really do feel like these things are truly in my best interest and, therefore, "decided", on a lark, to be gay.

As I said, you are an idiot. As someone else said, you are brainwashed. And as far as your bible says ... The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals. It's just that people like you need more supervision.

Bev Sykes said...

Karooble: Thanks for the links.

Baddy B: Well put, as always.

Christine said...

Bev...did you invite Perez Hilton here to visit us? lol

So you are calling me a bigot and an idiot because I have a different opinion then you? Are you treating me as you want me to treat you?

So now Christians are bigots because we differ from what you believe..so that would make you a...? Is this really what you think a bigot is? Because on the flip side your opinions do differ from mine. We can throw rocks at everyone around us and it really doesn't take the pain away.

I love gay people as I love everyone. An opinion was asked and an answer was given. For me to judge or lash out at anyone would refer that I some how live a sin free life...and I for one am not free of sin. My sins are covered and only by the grace of God.

I feel sorry for anyone walking around with this hate and anger inside of them...it isn't the answer. And name calling really doesn't resolve anything that I have yet to see. I mean this on both sides of the fence.

Anyone who would hurt anyone for any reason is not the answer. There is no excuse for such hatred- Hate kills. Go re read the story in this blog about the boy who was killed by hatred. Folks, this isn't the answer...hatred feeds on hatred! You are spewing hatred at me right here...name calling belittling..etc. Who is going to step up to the line and stop the hate? Christ died under Hate...but he did it willingly. "Father forgive them they don't understand what they are doing."

In my comments here I have only showed why and what I believe. And yes, you are right...everyone needs to be addressed not just gays. This was carried over from another blog that Bev and I met on and continued the conversation here.

Bev, once again, thank you for your constructive comments. =O)

Unknown said...

"Sodomy is in fact a lifestyle, no one is born a homosexual". -- Christine

Christine, I'll put the question very directly and I would appreciate a very direct answer:

Do you honestly think that I just woke up one day and *decided* to be gay? To use my own words, I decided to "choose" a lifestyle which would cause me to be beat up, spat upon, ostracized from society, scorned, abused, picked on and looked down upon? Do you really think that untold millions of people all over the world just *decided*? Think about this for a sec and then answer it.

I appreciate the comprehensive way you've quoted scripture, but you left out a few:

Exodus 35:2 says "For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death."

So, if a church was burning down on a Sunday and firefighters came to put out the fire they should be put to death?

Genesis 38:8-10 says "Then Judah said to Onan, "Lie with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother." But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so he put him to death also."

So wait. The "LORD" killed - KILLED - this guy because he refused to sleep with and impregnate his brother's wife? Seriously? Are you kidding me?

1 Corinthians 11:14 says "Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him."

I'm pretty sure this is the most hypocritical rule in history. Jesus had long hair.

Speaking of hypocrisy, 1 Samuel 17:50 and 17:51 contradict each other. In verse 50, it says David killed Goliath without a sword; in the very next verse it says he killed him with the Philistine's sword.

1 Samuel 17:50 says "So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him." Verse 51 says "David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword."

Before you try to refute this, ask yourself if my inevitable response of "so he killed him twice?" will really be answered.

I could go on and on and on.

Yeah. Homosexuality is a sin and all gays are going to Hell. It's right there in the Bible, next to all the above completely sane, un-hateful things.

If he's your God and you take the Bible literally, you have to abide by all his rules - ALL of them. You can't pick and choose.

So, back to my original question? Do YOU, *personally*, really believe that millions of people the world over chose to be gay? Operators are standing by ...

Christine said...

BaddyB,

Can we agree that there is a God who Created the heavens and the earth including man and woman?

And that His love for us is never ending?

And as a result of His loving ownership of us that He knows our hearts and what is right and wrong in His creation?

And that He has given us His inerrant word which we call the bible?

Can we agree that there is a God who reveals Himself to us through His word?

Bev Sykes said...

Hmmm...I didn't see a single answer to the very logical questions that Baddy posed to you.

Unknown said...

Christine, you are attempting to change the subject. However, I will answer your question after you've answered mine. You don't even have to address all of the other biblical contradictions I've made mention of. Mine is really quite simple. I'll ask again:

Do you honestly think that I just woke up one day and *decided* to be gay? To use my own words, I decided to "choose" a lifestyle which would cause me to be beat up, spat upon, ostracized from society, scorned, abused, picked on and looked down upon? Do you really think that untold millions of people all over the world just *decided* to be gay one day? Think about this for a sec and then answer it.

Thank you.

Christine said...

No, I personally do not believe that you or anyone just woke up one day and decided to be gay. Just like I didn't wake up one day and decide to become a Christian. Things over time happen to each and every single one of us in our lives to bring us to these choices, both good and bad. I'd be happy to share with you what brought me to my decision, would you be willing to share what brought you to yours?

The scriptures you shared indeed are not contradictions at all and easy to explain with a little
understanding of how Gods word is put together. I'd be more than happy to share it with you if you'd like. It is why I posed the question to you; Do you know My Lord, if not, I'd loved to share Him with you. If you are not interested, than I will lovingly walk away and leave you in
peace.

You are more than welcome to email me at christinelynn39@yahoo.com in respect to Bev' Blog here.

Bev,
I read your email this morning and I agree with you, I was wrong and
crossed a line by posting my answer to you in here from the other blog. This is not what your blog was about, I apologize.
For the record, what these
people did to that little boy and others was and is beyond hate to me.

When Jesus dealt with these people on the cross, He told the Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing. Luke 23:34

I'll leave you with this

Gal. 5:18-23

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

It has been a little over thirty years since I gave my life to Him and I am still daily working on getting the sin out of my life. The closer I come to Him the more refreshing the waters are.


Blessing and love your way. =O)

Bev Sykes said...

Don't apologize for bringing the discussion here. I am happy to see this discussion carried out openly where others can learn from it.

Unknown said...

Christine, on the one hand you say:

"No, I personally do not believe that you or anyone just woke up one day and DECIDED (emphasis mine) to be gay."

But then you go on to say:

"Things over time happen to each and every single one of us in our lives to bring us to these CHOICES (emphasis mine), both good and bad. I'd be happy to share with you what brought me to my decision, would you be willing to share what brought you to yours?"

So, which is it? Do you believe that I *decided* to be gay or not?

As I am gay and have a little more experience with this than you I'll answer this for you: I did not "decide" to be gay. No one gay today "decided" to be gay.

If I understand you correctly, your statement presupposes that everyone was born straight, then some event or trauma or circumstance or incident happened sometime in their life that then made them gay. And whatever this event was, it happened to millions upon millions of people all over the world.

Really *think* about this for a second. Do you know how utterly ridiculous, absurd and improbable this sounds?

You answered my question so I'll answer yours. Indeed, there was one singular, extraordinary event in my life which 'turned' me gay. That event is what my mother would commonly refer to as my 'birth'. Yes, I was born this way. It is identical to the singularly, extraordinary event which 'turned' you straight: You were born that way.

Here is the heart of the matter: Christians such as yourself have to absolutely believe that being gay is a "choice", or a "lifestyle" instead of a life. That way, it is easy for you to cast aspersions and blame the individual for his gayness ("He could CHOOSE differently if he really wanted to!"). If you were to admit the truth, that I was born this way, that I was genetically predisposed to be gay and that it was hardwired into my biology just as your straightness was hardwired into yours you would also have to admit that it wasn't my fault, it wasn't my CHOICE or my DECISION.

You would then also have to admit that GOD MADE ME THIS WAY -- and I do believe that's more than you want to admit or that your narrow mind can handle.

In an earlier post you stated that "you felt sorry for" ... etc. On the contrary, it is *I* who feel sorry for *you*. I truly do. You believe yourself to be enlightened simply because you have found the word of God. But in doing so, you have lost everything else. There are many worlds, experiences, viewpoints feelings, adventures and realms of possibility that will never be open to you simply because you have CHOSEN to not accept the truth -- that I am gay because I was born this way.

You have this one life to live and and you will never live it as fully as I if you continue to cling to your one narrow viewpoint, or continue to view your world through bible-tinted glasses. Your 'interests' as listed on your blog page make my point: You scrapbook, bake, drink coffee with the girls and, apparently, wash a lot of clothes. A full life, indeed.

And that, my dear, is truly worthy of pity.

Christine said...

So back to my question Baddy,

Can we agree that there is a God who Created the heavens and the earth including man and woman?

And that His love for us is never ending?

Please know that this isn't what I say vs. what you say. I am basing everything I share with you here from what I am reading from Gods word. And I am with you 100%..you can't pick and choose. It is either all of God and His word or none. So this is you vs God right now. I am simply sharing with you from the bible what someone shared with me.

It isn't about me coming to you with a list of things you need to give up in order to be loved, accepted, or saved by God. He leaves that up to us, he just sheds light on our sins is all.In due time the Holly Spirit convicts each and everyone of us.

Can we agree that there is a God who Created the heavens and the earth including man and woman?

And that He has given us His inerrant word which we call the bible?

Hey Baddy, I will be gone a few days, some things have come up, so note I am not ignoring you. I'll be back again next week sometime.

And baddy... I hope that you know how much God Loves and adores all of us. I am not judging anyone, merely sharing, so please forgive me if I have at all sounded that way here with you.


Thanks Bev for letting us visit here. Have fun at the JCS show show..are you giving a review here or was that somewhere else?

~ enjoy the week end =o)

Unknown said...

Christine, unfortunately I cannot agree with you that there is a God who created the heavens and the earth including man and woman because I don't believe in her existence.

However, if I did, I believe she would have been a lesbian because I am assuredly created in her image.

Being such, what I do with another man in bed is not an abomination, nor a sin, nor immoral, nor impure, nor debauch.

Have a nice few days off.

Unknown said...

PS. Christine, you said "And I am with you 100%..you can't pick and choose. It is either all of God and His word or none". So, you agree with the following then?

Romans 1:26-27
For this reason God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another.

**The above clearly means that God himself incited homosexual behavior.

I Corinthians 14:33-35
As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission.

I**f you go to church I certainly hope you aren't speaking to anyone or singing. If so, you are sinning.

I Corinthians 11:6
If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.

**I assume you wear a scarf or chapeaux at all times so as not to incur the wrath of God, correct? I notice you're not wearing one in your blog avatar photo. For shame!

Leviticus 25: 44-46
You may acquire male and female slaves from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been born into your land; and they may be your property. You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property.

**I bet your house is the cleanest on the block, what with all the unpaid help you have. Hopefully, they do floors and windows too.

Exodus 21:17
Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.

**I pray that God never finds out if your children yell at you.

Deut. 5:11-12
If two men fight together, and the wife of one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of the one attacking him, and puts out her hand and seizes him by the genitals, then you shall cut off her hand; your eye shall not pity her.

**If your husband ever gets into a fight with another man and you come to his rescue you'll lose a hand. Hopefully, you get to choose which one.

Christine, it really relieves me that you follow ALL of God's words. Otherwise, you'd be in a heap of trouble.

Christine said...

Baddy,


The reason I have not directly answered your questions is because it is difficult to do so without a full understanding of the Bible. Let me try to give you a quick lesson that may help you be able to grasp it better. I say quick but this may take a while to put together for you, so stay tuned. First of all let me explain that none of the issues you raise are any problem when you realize how the Book is written and divided. The Bible was written over a period of about 1,500 years and has two major divisions, what Christians call the Old and the New Testament. Even though it has a number of writers, it has only One Author and His name is “I AM”, the English word for this is Jehovah and all of that simply means; He is the forever existing one. He is the One who claims to have created all the heavens and the earth. His Book then goes about telling us and demonstrating to us when, how and why He made the Universe. To sum that up quickly He made it so that those who would chose Him would be separated from those who chose not to believe. Why this separation is needed is the great mystery that remains to be revealed but will be revealed on the last day of these heavens and earth, The Day of Judgment.

The books written prior to the coming of Jesus are referred to as the Old Covenant or Testament and those written after His coming the New. The Old Covenant is the Father’s way of dealing with His people, the Hebrews or Jewish people, prior to the coming of the one referred to as the Anointed One, the Christ. The New Testament is an explanation of how those who believe in Christ’s, birth, life, death, burial and resurrection and forgiveness of sin for all those who accept Him, should live today. These two ways that people are to be dealt with are quite different.

Under God’s Old Covenant, He set up a law through a man named Moses, which contains the Ten Commandments, laws of sacrifice and other issues of daily living. Under this law there was punishment for anyone who violated the terms of His law. Some times that punishment was death, for other more minor offences lesser condemnation. You can read about the law, why it was given and what it is in these books of the Old Testament, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Determent. That is why some of the passages you refer to in your questions may seem difficult to understand, they are part of the Law of Moses, which we as Christians have been released from.

Let me give you a few answers to get started, here is one of your questions and my answer:

Question:

Exodus 35:2 says "For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day
shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any
work on it must be put to death."

So, if a church was burning down on a Sunday and firefighters came to put out the fire they should be put to death?


Answer:

Under the law of Moses no work to be done on the Sabbath Day under penalty of death (Ex 31:15 Num 15:32,36). You know how easy it is to not pay attention to various laws, even in our country, well God wanted to impress upon the Jews the importance of taking the Sabbath as a day of rest to Him. If you think about it, had He not done this, people would simply work day and night for 7 days a week. He prescribed very serious punishment for working on the Sabbath, even death. More to come if you want


Baddy, Do you have a watch on? If so please tell me whether it was made from a pattern and plan or did it just come together from spare parts which at the time were floating around in your neighborhood. As crazy as that question seems, it is the one that seems to be getting all the attention in our schools and places of higher education today. What I mean is the theory of evolution, that mankind just happened to come together from a cell that somehow came from somewhere, but know one knows where. The Big bang theory and others are floated around as if they were the only possible way things happened. Here is what another source says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Yes, that’s right that is what the holy (the word means set apart) Word of God says. Just like your watch, which obviously had a planner and maker, the heavens and the earth and all they contain also had a planner and maker, His name is ‘I AM’,
which means, the
all existing one. During the time of creation He gave the earth and heavens everything needed to sustain life and then created man and woman to populate the earth.

Do complex things in man’s world just happen or are they planned? For example, an automobile, a hair dryer, a skyscraper, a ship, a nuclear power plant or bomb, just happen? All are designed and created by the hand of man and no one would say they just came into beginning on their own. Yet the human eye is considered one of the most complex creations of the universe and we are to believe that it just happened without a designer. How does a man and a woman come together in mutual love and produce a child from their union? Once again we must ask, is this without design and also is this without purpose?


Your mom and dad followed the plan that I believe was put into effect by the One who created all that is around us. You are the result, in fact He says through His prophet Isaiah: “Thus says the Lord, who made you, And formed you from the womb, who will help you, Do not fear, O Jacob my servant…..”, or this: “For You formed my inward parts: You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance, and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”

It is a wonderful thing to bear children once you know the purpose and the plan. The two of us; you and I were “…fearfully and wonderfully made…” That’s who you are Baddy, a child of God, planned and created by One who wanted you. We who have chosen His path simply call Him, “…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace…” or Jeshua, which means God Saves, you might have heard of Him by His English name, Jesus.

No matter what you have been told or read, He loves you and has proven that by allowing Himself to be hung on a cruel cross for you. He died because of your sins and mine and those who He left to share His Way with us after His death, the Apostles, have told us why He died. It was to cover all the sin and evil in this world. Sexual immorality is called “…a sin unto death…” and by continuing in it the scripture says that we trample “…under foot the Son of God…”, and have “…regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which…” we were “…sanctified, and…” have “…insulted the Spirit of Grace…” Your sin is no different that anyone else’s, they all will bring us down. But just remember you are loved and there is One who has already proven His love for you, He wants you to come out of the sexually immoral lifestyle and into the beautiful life that is in Him. For the fruit of His Spirit is “…love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control; against such things there is no law….” I hope that someday soon when you are ready that you'd like to learn more about my God.





Question:

Genesis 38:8-10 says "Then Judah said to Onan, "Lie with your brother's wife
and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring
for your brother." But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his;
so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the
ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother. What he did
was wicked in the LORD's sight; so he put him to death also."

So wait. The "LORD" killed - KILLED - this guy
because he refused to sleep with and impregnate his brother's wife? Seriously? Are you kidding me?


Answer:

The account of Onan's death in Genesis chapter thirty-eight and why God killed Onan is this...

And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her. And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan. And she yet again conceived,
and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.

And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. And Judah said unto Onan, "Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother."

And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did
displeased the LORD: wherefore He slew him also. (Genesis 38:1-10 ACPKJV)

So why did He kill him?

Let's look back a little and see just what Onan did that so upset God. What it was that went against something that God warns us about over and over again. What did Onan do that God forbids us from doing, at least three times in the Bible?

Onan's father, Judah, said to Onan "'Go in unto (fornicate with) thy brother's wife (Tamar), and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.'" And what did Onan do? "and it came to pass, when he (Onan) went in unto (Fornicated with) his brother's
wife (Tamar), that he spilled it on the ground.

Now, let's look at some Scripture that does show just What Onan did that was so bad.

One: Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:13)

Two: Honor thy father and thy
mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (Deuteronomy 5:16)

Three: For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. (Matthew 15:4)

And while there are many more, let us look at just one more: Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

When a child out and out disobeys his parents he is not
honoring them. When a father tells his son to do something and he makes it absolutely clear exactly what he wants him to do, as Judah did with Onan, and that son out and out disobeys his father, is he honoring his father? Of course not, and that is why God killed Onan. God killed Onan to impress upon us the importance of honoring our parents.

As we move into the New Testament, we find Jesus teaching on this very subject. He not only quotes the Old Testament, He incorporates grace and adds a new dimension to the entire Law of Moses – taking it from sins of external actions, to the internal thoughts of man. He in effect, raises the standard to a place where no one is free from guilt. (For detailed information and context, read Matthew chapter 5 – 6, where Jesus is teaching the multitudes.)

"For I (Jesus) say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard it said that it was said to those of old (Israelites during the time of Moses) ‘You shall not murder,' and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment (death). But I say to you, that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the Judgment. And whoever says to his brother ‘Raca!' (A mean-spirited phrase the Jews used during the time of Jesus, meaning senseless man) shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire…You have heard it that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart…" Matthew 5:20-22

"You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also." Matthew 5:38 -40

Indeed Jesus raised the standard of righteousness. It is no longer about what we do; it is also about what we think. He is asking us to go the extra mile to extend grace. Sure, we can go by the Law of Moses (As long as it is the law of the land) but Jesus made it clear we are to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees – and the Pharisees were more concerned with outward appearance and the letter of the law, instead of their hearts and the Spirit of law. (Read Matthew chapter 23.)

In answer to the question is "an eye for an eye" biblical, we can clearly see that it is. As far as it still being applicable, you decide. Remember the ‘Golden Rule", would you want Law or Grace?

My personal opinion is in some cases, Law is necessary. There is a place where Law and Grace can work together – this is altogether another lesson.

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 3:23, 6:23


Question:

1 Corinthians 11:14 says "Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him."

I'm pretty sure this is the most hypocritical rule in history. Jesus had long hair.

Answer:

Where did you see in the Bible that it says Jesus had long hair? If you'd be willing to share the scripture I can research it for you if you'd like. But with out the scripture you are referring to I don't really know what scripture you are talking about here.

Assuming that Jesus was under a Nazarite vow, some may argue that although the hairstyle for men of Christ’s time was short, He wore His hair long. But Christ was never under such a vow. He did grow up in Nazareth, fulfilling a prophecy that He would be called a Nazarene (Matt. 2:23; Mark 1:9; Luke 1:26; John 1:45). This is why early Christians were sometimes referred to as Nazarenes. However, neither of these words has anything whatsoever to do with a Nazarite vow. Those under a Nazarite vow could not drink wine or touch a dead body.


Question:


Speaking of hypocrisy, 1 Samuel 17:50 and 17:51 contradict each other. In verse 50, it says David killed Goliath without a sword; in the very next verse it says he killed him with the Philistine's sword.

1 Samuel 17:50 says "So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him." Verse 51 says "David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he
killed him, he cut off his head with the sword."



in his hand he struck down the Philistine
and killed him." Verse 51 says "David ran and stood over him. He took
hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he
killed him, he cut off his head with the sword."


Answer:


There are a couple of points here. First, "killed" (muwth) often means "killed" but also means "destroyed". Some have also suggested that 17:50 is a scribal gloss intended to correct the impression that David was reliant on his armament, not God, for his victory. I would suggest rather that a chiastic structure is at work to enable memorization of the key portion of the story:

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand (Hebrew: yad) of David. Therefore David ran, and stood (Hebrew: 'amad) upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you, I have a lot going on right now (always behind on the laundry around here) but happy to answer any more questions if you’d like. I do hope this helps to answer some of your questions here.


Have a great week end! –O)

Unknown said...

I appreciate the time you took to explain all that, but I wasn't really looking for a bible lesson -- my posts were rhetorical and meant to show what utter drivel the bible really is.

However, on the subject of answering questions, I notice that you've neglected to answer the one most important to me. I'll state it once more:

Do you honestly think that I just woke up one day and *decided* to be gay? To use my own words, I decided to "choose" a lifestyle which would cause me to be beat up, spat upon, ostracized from society, scorned, abused, picked on and looked down upon? Do you really think that untold millions of people all over the world just *decided*? Or that some event or trauma or circumstance or incident happened sometime in their life that then made them gay? And whatever this event was, it happened to MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of people all over the world?

It's a multi-part question but it's an easy one. It requires nothing more than a 'YES' or 'NO' answer. The fact that you have continually avoided answering this question is an indication to me that perhaps your faith isn't so strong after all -- if you faith is absolute and unshakable this question should pose no dilemma for you whatsoever.

You stated "The reason I have not directly answered your questions is because it is difficult to do so without a full understanding of the Bible."

So, with the full understanding of the bible at your back, Christine, what is your answer?

Yes, or no?