Recently, we observed Rick Warren appear to backup on his stance on homosexual marriage. I asked in another forum, “Can a Christian go 12 Rounds for what they believe in, or do they show good for 3 and then can’t Answer the Bell?”
Whether you agree with a person or not, you have to admire anyone who is willing to stand up for what they believe in against all odds. When they have the courage, belief and convictions to stand and stand steadfastly no matter what.
The homosexual community has taken that stand. That stand is changing, not only, the perceptions of what Christians call sin but what is held as morally correct in our nation and the world. The influence over media, politics, business, government and yes the church is profound.
What has happened to the Christian. It would appear that we are afraid to speak out openly for what we believe is the truth. More and more, the rights of the Christian are eroding away. Look around us. How can we miss what once wasn’t and is now very obvious.
Our churches can not speak out because they have tied themselves to the governments will. The fact that churches have applied for 501(c)3 status, has essentially silenced direct influence in many areas of our lives. The church no longer has the degree of influence it once had due to it’s financial entanglement with the federal government.
Are we taking refuge in the church for God’s sake or fear’s sake?
You can not say you are a Christian at work because you may offend someone.
You can not have your closed bible in plain view on your desk because you might offend someone.
You can not wear a t-shirt that displays your belief in Christ because you may offend someone.
You can not speak boldly against sin in church because it could one day violate someone’s civil liberties.
Do Christians even pray over their food in public with a bold acclamation?
You can not pray comfortably at a sporting event without wondering if you are offending someone.
So as a Christian am I not offended when:
Men are kissing men and women are in longing embraces with other women on prime time TV?
On, almost, every prime time TV show there is a depiction of homosexuality, adultery, lying, cursing, gluttony, violence and fornication; just to name a few?
Maybe we don’t speak out because in the privacy of our homes we are voyeuristically enjoying looking through the window of the world?
We will answer to the Lord, not for losing a stance, but for not taking one! We are going to have to defend what we believe in. If if means a position that does not seem logical or intelligent to the learned or average man, then so be it. If we have to appear as lunatics to those who would paint us with the broad brush of intolerance, so be it. For it is not just a stand against homosexuality, it is a stand against sin. It is that simple, it is not complicated. Issues are often complicated by man to mask the true intention of those that support another ideal. Such is true with sin.
So the question, “Can a Christian Go 12 rounds for what they believe in?”

I asked, “Have you ever been in an abusive relationship, seen an abusive relationship, been party to an abusive relationship?”

He wanted to know what that had to to with anything, and I answered.

There is psychology to any oppression, be family, racial, or other wise. When the subconscious fabric of a society states that you are somehow inferior, that constant message can be challenging to overcome.

You will not agree with what I am about to suggest, but opinions will very. It is not racist or bigotry, just fact. A fact that emotionally will not be acceptable but realistically undeniable.

If you are white, Your white skin is your greatest asset with everything else following. If you watched the special by CNN on Race in America, the most disturbing conclusions were there perceptions effecting blacks in and out of their community.

My black skin is my greatest liability if we are meeting face to face. Because it is the first thing that you will see. You form options that have been propagated by the media and other entities.

The white woman can really empathize with me, but many will not because that would be to admit that they have often been seen just a little better that the black male but not much. The black Female has the greatest hurdle of all.

If you are a white male, it is not your fault that you do not, and quite possibly, can not understand what I am saying.
The privilege you enjoy, to what every degree, is subconscious. It is this way in any society where those that have dominated exist.

The very fabric of their existence supports their ideals.

What is changing in America is due to the generation shift. And that shift has caused a potential change in the mindset of enough people to effect a substantive change in our politics. This shift has caused the elevation of a black to the highest office in the land and with that comes the potential for tremendous pride.

There have been proposals in this post Obama era that Blacks no longer refer to themselves as “African Americans” but in the spirit of unity and national solidarity, refer to themselves as simply “Americans”. The elimination of Black History Month, the closing of Black Institutes of higher learning (HBCUs), Black museums and anything perceived as once necessary but now no longer required.

Let us know what you think.

January 20, 2009 is one of the greatest days in the history of our present century. The election and inauguration of President Barack Obama has caused reverberations that have spanned the globe. People everywhere who see themselves as disenfranchised and absent from the political process now see hope. For if America can turn the corner of true equality it is possible for other countries to turn the same corner. America has, once again, assumed the position as the standard bearer for the world. Many of the actions of this country were causing questions as to the idea of democracy and its true implementation in our society.
President Obama brings, once again, at standard of intelligentsia to the most powerful office in the land. He has become and instant role model for people throughout the entire world. His rise to becoming the Leader of The Free World includes experiences that most politicians are lacking. He will not need the focus groups and think tanks to empathize with those who are less fortunate and those who are affluent. His life experiences up to this point include the bases of the socioeconomic strata.
Only time will tell if the expectations of a nation and, for that matter, the world come to fruition. I do believe President Obama posses the capabilities to move the country forward creating the potential and possibility for a greater tomorrow.

Where is the Christian is the debate concerning Rick Warren and the Inauguration? The GLBT community is united in their stance against Pastor Warren. Their position seems to state, “You are with me all the way or you are against me, there is No in between!!”
Their community has the media on their side, sympathetic to their cause. Where is the Christian in all of this? Are we so afraid of being called intolerant that we will lay down for anything? We will be held responsible for our inaction and God will require their blood at our hands on the day of judgment because we did not Stand Boldly for the truth of God.
The question is not, “To Marry or Not To Marry”; the question is, “To Sin or Not To Sin!!!” We are either going to stand for what we profess to believe in or wither away like some archaic idea who’s time has long since passed.
If we would stand up in one voice, we could make a stand for truth. It is not our duty to win an argument or a debate, it is our duty to speak the truth. Once the truth is spoken the responsibility for receiving that truth is not ours but the person or persons to which it is directed.