I don't know if you heard this, but boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has been banned from an L.A. mall known as "The Grove" for making very clear comments that marriage ought to be as the bible says, between one man and one woman.
You can check out the various articles if you google/bing it. (Here's one. Here's another.)
I post this because I see a frightening trend in our culture where the opinions and even feelings of a man are more and more used against him. Hate crime legislation was the first major leap into the reality of a "thought crime", but now we see more and more people being punished for speaking their honest-to-God held beliefs.
How long before we are punished for speaking these beliefs in our churches? You think that would never happen? Think again. It has already happened time, and time, and time again.
I see this as a very frightening trend.
It is worth noting that these charges are coming from one side of the political fence. And I see this played out in various levels all around me, from interacting with co-workers and working in the corporate environment, to simply living as a Christian in NYC.
In fact, the late William Buckley once said "Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views." ...I have found this to be true.
I'm not looking to start a huge argument, and I realize that folks of different political, philosophical, and social stripes are here, but regardless of where you come from this is a frightening trend that we need to seriously consider.
What is the nature of freedom? What is the meaning of tolerance? Does it mean punishing those who's views and beliefs are not in vogue? Or does it mean living side by side with those who you may strongly disagree with, but doing so if not as a friend, then at the very least as a civil human being... and allowing them to believe what they like.
Just sitting here thinking about this, and thought I toss it out there.
Shalom.
Replies
Leviticus 18:22 - 22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 20:13 - 13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Romans 1:26-27 - 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.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Is all considered hate speech and can be considered grounds for fines or arrest in the work place for spewing such hate..
Revelation 18:3 - 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
"Also, the main source for this article is Breitbart-dot-com which has a spotty record for accuracy & honesty at best."
...Which is why I added the Huffington Post link. (Also, spotty.) And also why I suggested folks ought to just Bing it.
But the L.A. Times is also using the word "banned".... which admittedly is different from "not welcomed". But still... to say that you are not welcome to shop in a mall because you believe what you believe... that is ridiculous.
This attitude is growing in our culture, as it has already grown and blossomed in Europe and Canada- our right to hold our beliefs and speak our minds is deteriorating mighty fast, folks.
Thanks for posting! I may have to boycott the Grove!