Homophobia?
The front page of the June 11, 2009 Whig Standard1 affirms: "Kingston considered a tolerant community." The article goes on to discuss the results of a Queen's University funded study2 about the condition of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community in the city of Kingston.
The article refers to homophobia no less than 13 times (the research report does so 40 times), as though the only negative response to homosexuality is one borne out of fear. I am opposed to homosexuality, but it is not a phobia. My opposition is based upon what God has revealed in the Bible, not fear.
Many disagree with the Bible, and speak evil against believers. Are they Bibliophobes or Christophobes? The fact is, not everyone will believe the message of the Bible. God has made us with the ability to choose to follow or reject Him. Many choose to reject Him, and they are free to do so. But, for Christians, who are a minority in the world, to cry foul and charge those who might speak evil of their faith as Christophobes is foolish.
No doubt there are some who, out of fear, have harassed homosexuals. Any physical assault, whether it be against a homosexual or anyone else is deplorable. Equally, verbal abuse, whomever it be directed at, should not be condoned. However, not all vocal opposition to a way of life or cause is verbal assault.
McDiarmid and Fergus, the authors of the report have "called on local political, educational and business leaders to be more vocal in their support for the gay community," sending "a message to the community that (homophobia) isn't right." If the aim is to combat violence, great; however, if it is to mold the mind of the community, to force acceptance of homosexuality, that is quite another thing. Given the number and nature of Civil Rights Tribunal cases over homosexuality in recent years, the agenda seems clear.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms3 declares in it's first line:
...Canada is founded upon the principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law...We will notice below what God has said in His supremacy about homosexuality. But as we continue in the Charter, it identifies our fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression...
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly, and
(d) freedom of association.
| NOTE - a shortened version of this article was run in the July 18, 2009 Whig Standard. |
These apply equally to all Canadians, homosexual or heterosexual, man or woman, rich or poor, old or young, etc.. If you believe homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle - you are free to believe so. If I believe that it is a sinful lifestyle - I am free to believe so. Such is freedom of conscience and religion. The Charter also guarantees the right of thought, belief, opinion and expression. Such promotes discussion, debate and allows for disagreement. It is no more a violation of your rights for me to preach or teach that homosexuality is a sin than it is a violation of my rights for you to cast doubt on the existence of God, the validity of the Bible or any other aspect of my faith.
Note what God says about homosexuality:
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22)
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:26-27)
That is what God said, not me. It was recorded in Scripture long before I was here; the Scriptures which were given by the sovereign God that our Charter of Rights and Freedoms acknowledges. This same God gives hope. Having listed several sins, among which homosexuality is listed, He reveals through the apostle Paul:
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
God calls all to turn from their sin, whatever it is, and to be made clean by the sacrifice of Christ, and thus to grasp hold of the hope of heaven. This is not a message of hate or fear. Opposition to homosexuality and the furtherance of such a cause is motivated by the love of souls, knowing what God's word says about the devastating effects of sin, both in the here and now, and in the there and then. Homophobic? Hardly. But I would that more would be "hell-ophobic" and as a result, heed the will of God and live eternally.
1) The Whig Standard, June 11, 2009
2) KAMP Community Report
3) The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
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Answering The Atheist
Complaint:
A visitor to our web site posed the following:
The Lord is characterized as kind and just in the Bible, and yet in 2 Kings 2:23-24, He acts like a murderous lunatic, just because some children called Elisha "bald head".
Response:
Thanks for the question.
The questioner is right, the Lord is shown to be kind and just in the Scriptures. In fact, Paul asked the Romans to
...consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. (Romans 11:22)
Whether we are recipients of God's goodness or severity is determined by how we respond to His will. Let us consider the youths who spoke against Elisha the prophet.
We cannot divorce the events of the preceding context from verses 22-24. Elisha had seen his predecessor, Elijah, taken up into heaven by the LORD (2 Kings 2:11-12). While some accepted Elisha as the Lord's prophet (2 Kings 2:15), others wanted Elisha to command a search for Elijah (2 Kings 2:16-17). Those who had faith in the power of God would have believed Elisha's word about Elijah - those who did not, would not.
It may be that these youths mocked Elisha's "story" of Elijah's ascension. They may have been of the same mind as those who rejected Elisha and sought for Elijah. As such, they did not mock the prophet so much as they mocked the LORD (cf. 1 Samuel 8:7).
Or, it may be that they, like many of the people in the land were glad to be rid of Elijah, and now wished the same for his successor. Many of the Lord's prophets were not welcomed by the people (Acts 7:52).
Had their comment been a meaningless tease by a group of children, surely the prophet would not have acted so harshly, and God would not have allowed his word to succeed. And it must be noticed, it was not a matter of 2 or 3 children shouting at the prophet - there were 42 youths mocking the man of God. Do not mistake a youth for a child. These were not little kids. These were perhaps a boisterous gathering of unruly 18-30 year olds who were intent on bringing harm to Elisha. In the end, they made themselves the object of the severity of God.
There is no contradiction.
This article is in response to a visitor submission.