The Attack on Chick-fil-A

To Every Precious Reader,

Each of us posit that our convictions and perception of this monumental issue would be the voice of reason which serves to give sound instruction and direction to all of humanity. However, the forum we are faced with has once again been narrowed down to one of two critical issues:

1. Is immorality sin?
2. Is immorality a perception?

If immorality is sin, then the Revelation of Jesus Christ stands as the Divine and Sovereign authority to define the sin, conclude with the verdict of innocent or guilty, and provide mediation for the sin. On the other hand, if immorality is a mere philosophical perception of Satan’s design, then it is of no consequence and each person has the right to do that which is justifiable in his or her own eyes.

The conflict and enmity between the two choices are discovered in the final analysis. If Jesus Christ is the final authority and supreme judge of all creation, then he has the right to justify and forgive whosoever and grant eternal life or the second death to whosoever. But, if it narrows down to Satan’s philosophical debate and relevance, then the subject of immorality is a mere fleeting obtrusive annoyance which will pass into insignificance.

Upon that premise, “Choose this day who you will serve, believe, and follow. If Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, follow him. If Satan’s way of philosophy, his deception of conjecture, and relevance of perception void of consequence is correct, follow him. Choose you this day who you will serve.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

In the end, Jesus has no discrimination towards sin.

Whether you are a homosexual, an adulterer, a monogamist, an abstainer, or within the realm of other spectrum’s of human sexual behavior, Jesus loves you.

God will not forsake you.

In Matthew 4:17 …Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Examine the writings of the Apostle Paul who wrote extensively on human behavior that invokes God’s wrath. He said at Romans 1:18-19: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. Here Paul speaks about the wrath of God against godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

At Romans 2:5, Paul states: But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Paul becomes more specific in his letter to the Ephesians: For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person such a man is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient (Ephesians 5:5-6).

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust,evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming (Colossians 3:5).

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. (Galatians 5:19-21).

REPENTANCE IS THE MISSING MESSAGE IN MOST CHURCHES TODAY!

Praise God for His everlasting Love and Truth and thank you Rev, Dan Cathy & family, and others for standing up for the Spirit-revealed Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This isn’t much of a shocker. We’re told by the Word that this would happen and a prophet isn’t welcomed in his own hometown and amongst his own family – yes, in this instance, even the church family. Let’s continue in prayer for the present worldwide church to be the Church of The Way, as in the days of old.

Stay bold.

In my prayers,
A.A.

James,
It’s time for all of us to get involved one way or another.I’m not worried about being drawn into the political arena.If we don’t become more involved in a big way we may find ourselves in another arena.The one that the early christians found themselves in at the Roman coliseum or something comparable.
Here’s a quote from Billy Graham: “Courage is contagious.When a brave man takes a stand the spines of others are often stiffened!”
Be Blessed,
Joseph

You and Dan Cathy have it entirely wrong, Everyone is free to believe what they want to, Because of Freedom of Religion. However Freedom of Religion also is supposed to give Freedom From Religion, which is why our country is supposed to have Separation of Church and State. Dan Cathy has used business money from Chick-Fil-A to donate to known groups that spread hate and intolerance about homosexuals, if he was just against homosexuality verbally I wouldn’t have any problem with it, the reason I will no longer spend my money at Chick-Fil-A is because I know that a portion of my purchase would go to continuing hate and Bigotry as people continue to try to keep ALL Americans from having the same Freedoms. And by Bigotry here I mean the fact that he claims to run the business on Biblical Principals and harps publicly about several Old Testament Laws while ignoring some in his business practice, for example selling bacon and sausage made from pigs which the Old Testament says are unclean and should not be eaten. I especially hate when Religious leaders claim to know exactly what God would want, no one knows that. In the Bible neither God nor Jesus said anything about homosexuality being wrong, there is no way to know if one of the people who have translated the bible or edited it over the many years put that in there because they didn’t like it.

The main point I’m trying to make here is that the only time people have problems with a Religion is when a group of the Religion tries to constantly shove it down the throat of everyone who doesn’t believe it, and right now there are many Christian groups in America trying to Force Christianity down America’s throat by attempting to make laws based on the Bible.

If you don’t want to eat at Chick-fil-A, that’s fine. Frankly, nobody cares. Dan Cathy’s restaurant will continue to sell chicken sandwiches, serve people regardless of their sexual behavior, and still hire homsexuals, adulterers, monogamists, abstainers, and most every other spectrum of human sexual behavior. They do not discriminate. But when you use the force of the American goverment, which was designed to be by the people and for the people, in order to prevent them from competing in the free market, you have crossed the line of American greatness. You pretend you want all Americans to have the same freedoms, then conveniently exempt Dan Cathy from being able to voice his opinion and continue his business.
And do you really want all Americans to have the same freedoms? Do you want a white supremist to be able to teach history in public schools? I don’t. Do you want a convicted pedophile to be a children’s sports referee? I don’t. Do you want the top three Republicans to also be the CEO’s of ABC, NBC and CBS news? I don’t. We all discriminate. You do, too. I don’t want any man to be the in-cabin sponsor of pre-teen girls at summer camp. I don’t want a first-year med student to be my heart surgeon. These are the choices we make individually and as a society. We discriminte because not to do so would be idiotic.
Also, your Bible knowledge is woefully lacking. The Bible says we can know God’s will (Romans 12:2, Proverbs 3:6, John 16:13, 1 Timoty 2:3-4). Of course, you could just read Jesus’ words, who spoke God’s will. Some of it was specific for people at the time, but much of it is true for all of us for all time.

On the specific topic of homosexuality and the more general topic of sexual promiscuity, the New Testament says this:

“Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” (I Cor 6:9-10) The term translated “effiminate” is Malakos in the Greek, which refers to gay male prostitutes and boys kept for homosexual use, as was common in Rome at the time.
 When Jesus was asked if divorce was permissable, he didn’t answer the question with a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, he laid out the full definition and purpose of marriage. “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6) That’s pretty clear. One man, one woman, joined in marriage so the two become one. That’s Jesus’ definition of marriage.
 Romans 1:26-27 says this: “For this cause God gave them up into vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 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 recompense of their error which was meet.” Again, very clear. The “cause” of this is stated in previous verses as worshipping and serving “the creature rather than the Creator.” Homosexual desires are a consequence of not worshiping and serving God.
 So you have two choices: believe the Bible and believe that homosexuality is wrong, or don’t believe the Bible and make up your own definitions of right and wrong. It’s really that simple.
 As for “laws based on the Bible,” I suspect you selectively support some of these. Things like, “Do not commit murder.” Or maybe, “Do not steal.” Now, I don’t know any Christians who want all civil laws to reflect Biblical instructions. Selfishness is wrong, but not illegal. The same is true for impatience, unkindness, rage, disobedience, arrogance, greed, and boasting. Nobody is suggesting these be punishable by law, at least as a blanket rule. Disobedience in the military is punishable, and we’re both okay with that. But that’s why we have a Constitution as a civil document and the Bible as a religious document. They do intersect at times, but they are separate. So while laws defining marriage as one man and one woman are rooted in Biblical values, they are civil laws which our people have chosen. Early Mormons didn’t like it, in light of polygamy, and now homosexuals don’t like it either. But that is the law and our Constitution gives the people every right to keep it the law. Even in the most left-leaning states, “gay marriage” has been defeated at the ballot box. Leaving marriage as it has been for thousands of years is not bigoted or hateful.

A minority of homosexuals are trying to force a majority of non-homosexuals to bend to their will. You are harassing, threatening, and abusing anyone who dares disagree with you. You complain that bullying is wrong (and we agree on that), but then you bully people mercilessly for not adopting your views. And you do it selectively. Where was your outrage when, up until a couple of months ago, President Obama believed in traditional marriage?  Where is your campaign against the majority of African-Americans who oppose “gay marriage”? And where is your boycott of the Grammy-winning duo Mary Mary for their support of traditional marriage? Homosexuality used to be punishable by law. Back then, things were definitely stacked against you. Now, nobody cares how many men you have sex with. It’s a free environment. But by trying to tilt things the other way where those who don’t endorse your sexual actions are punished by law, you have taken on the role of oppressor. It’s a shameful role to fulfill.

-editor

James I greatly appreciate your views. So I hope you will respond to my questions and thioughts as earnest. I am trying to process the Chick-fil-A thing. I understand people who support Cathy’s statements, though I find them questionable. It seems to me that saying we as a nation might be facing God’s judgment is more of Cathy shaking his fist saying he has a better grip on the notion of dispensing judgment over grace than God the Son. It is public record that Cathy has financially supported the Family Research Council. FRC representatives are on record as saying that homosexuals are pedophiles and that they brainwash children. Peter Sprigg of the FRC also stated unequivocally on MSNBC that homosexuality should be criminalized. I watched the program, and here is a link referencing it in Christianity Today.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/februaryweb-only/15-51.0.html The other day Tony Perkins was on the Mike Huckabee show pointing the finger at the Southern Poverty Law Center for creating the kind of environment that led to the shooting at FRC. I think SPLC’s characterization of FRC as a hate group is horribly mistaken as it goes to motives of the heart. Still,I watched the show hoping Perkins would use the opportunity to tone down the rhetoric and perhaps self-reflect on the logical connection between regular anti-gay bullying that goes on in schools and across society, and the sort of provocative statements the FRC regularly makes. You say you do not know any Christians who bash gays or engage in or practise self-righteous judgment. Do you sincerely believe that calling gays “pedophiles,” “brainwashers” and “criminals” on national television contributes to ministering the Gospel of Jesus to gay people? Or tens of millions of unbelievers and believers who find that kind of rhetoric divisive? As for Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, I favored people’s decisions to support it or oppose it. I realize the Chick-fil-A menu is less toxic than some junk food chains, but I respect my own body as a temple of the Holy Spirit far to much to consume the cooked saturated fat they use in their ingredients and many of the other 56 ingredients that are included in their toxic junk food sandwiches. Many of which can only be pronounced by a chemist. I’ve watched the dialog shift over the years from the “homosexual lifestyle” to the “homosexual agenda.” I often wonder why it took evangelical spokesmen decades to discover what most people seemed to know as a matter of simple awareness – that there is no such thing as a “homosexual lifestyle.” It seems to me that Cathy as well as many others in the Evangelical community are quite fixated on what un-believing homosexuals do with their bodies. It reminds me of the old “catch the fish before you wash them adage” as it applies to salvation. I don’t suppose there is any likelihood that Cathy and Chick-fil-A would see the point in focusing more energy and lobbying money on what obesity is doing to the bodies of Christian people in this country, as that would require some serious food prep re-tooling of thier own. But I do believe it is observsationally clear that the environment for sharing the grace of Jesus Christ with gays is not just being polluted by unbelieving left-wing idealogues.

Wayne,

I appreciate your time and thoughtfulness in your comments. You bring up many mixed points, so allow me to attempt to distill it all down to a few concise observations without fixating too much on the personalities and addressing the core principles.

First, the overwhelming support for Chik-Fil-A seems to be resounding with the American people on two levels: First, those who oppose the extremely aggressive push by a small group of homosexual activists and their sympathizers to equate homosexuality with biblical marriage. Second, those who dislike the intolerance for differing views and the accompanying demand that their free speech be punished.

The situation has moved beyond a quest for tolerance into an intolerant demand for silence on the part of anyone who dares dissent. I will not be surprised when the day comes that every church that does not endorse gay marriage and/or homosexuality is branded a “hate group,” likely with legal consequences. Many conservative and Christian leaders feel like they were silent too long on the sin of homosexuality and that this brazen attempt to overtake our children’s generation is a result of their passivity. At the same time, there are many Christian groups who will help any individual who seeks to overcome their homosexual acts and impulses. Oddly enough, these groups and ministries are blasted as “haters” as well.

The problem here is that too many people patently refuse to separate the sin from the sinner. Consider the scripture that says God hates divorce. To the spiritually dull mindset, this means God hates everyone who has suffered a divorce. But to those who understand God’s nature and honestly deal with the issue, they know that God hates what divorce does to people while always loving the people involved. The same is true with homosexuality and every other sin. Sin is a spiritual cancer. We hate the cancer, but love the person battling it! But the pressure now is to accept or even embrace the cancer, which Christians absolutely should not do.

Those who support the homosexual activists’ goals rarely deal honestly with those of us who oppose them. They constantly shift the argument, attribute words and attitudes to us that are false and malicious, and take things out of context to bend to their advantage. The grace that does exist will rarely, if ever, be acknowledged or reported by the secular media. I would strongly advise believers to avoid the trap that they lay. Do not be manipulated by them or anyone else, but stick to the truth of God’s word. Show individuals love, without compromising biblical principles. It is possible. Yet realize that standing with conviction will always anger some people. Jesus said in His very first sermon, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad…” His word divides. It always has and always will. Our responsibility is to proclaim the truth in love. Just know that when we do that, some people will hate us, mock us, and seek to harm us. In the end, we simply follow Paul’s admonition to “take up the full armor of God [truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, God's word, prayer], so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

So its okay for Dan T. Cathy to donate money to groups that want to strip gay Americans of their rights but we’re not allowed to have a different viewpoint and state our opinions? Mr. Cathy states his opinion and you applaud it, but when those that disagree with him state their opinions, suddenly they free speech is not allowed. If he wants to fight for his beliefs, then you better believe that those he wishes to erase from society will stand up to defend themselves from eradication and not just sit by while hateful people us God as a defense to strip away our rights and leave us second class citizens.

Brendan,

I want to encourage you to exercise your right in what ever capacity you desire. As an American, you have been provided the right to believe whatever you subscribe to. As an American, your opinion is as important as the next person’s and I support you in that freedom. If you and I were engaged in a debate, I would want you to have complete freedom to speak about your philosophy and the issues which are important to you, and I would genuinely respect your position.

As a Christian, and I speak for all Christians, we are not using God to express hatred or any type of vengeance upon gays or lesbians. I am sure there are those persons (not Christians) who are homophobic and have strong prejudicial and vindictive feelings toward those of the gay community. But, should you have the privilege to meet a genuine Christian, you will find them to be the most compassionate, loving, and forgiving of any group of people. I want you to understand that Christians are not better than any one else nor do they see others as inferior to them. We as Christians live for one purpose and that is to introduce every person to the man who to took our place on an old rugged cross and gave his life so we could have access to the greatest gift ever provided…the unmerited gift of salvation and eternal life.

Jesus Christ did that for you and for me. I am not gay, but prior to my experience with Jesus Christ, my personal sins and transgression, my fleshly lusts, my rebellion and disobedience, and my cup of iniquity was spilling over on the feet of the Lamb of God who came to take away my sin. Do you know what Jesus Christ did? As the filth of my sin poured out upon his precious feet, he reached down and pulled me up out of the pit and embraced me close to himself. He wrapped his robe of love and righteousness around me, washed the stench of my sin off of me, and gave me his seal of promise, the Holy Spirit, to be my comforter and guide as I walk through this valley of the shadow of death.

Jesus Christ showed me the hand writing of ordinance that was against me, that I was worthy of death, and I was guilty of breaking every law he had given. I begin to see the emptiness and miserable condition I was in and that no matter what I attempted in life, that gaping hole in my soul could not be healed. He took his tender nailed scarred hands that had been fastened to the cross and by his holy fire completely burned the ordinance which displayed my guilty verdict and in its place he handed me the document of my heavenly inheritance…eternal life and treasures beyond what the eye can see or the imagination of the heart can conceive.

Brendan my dear friend, I want you to exercise your rights as an American, but I would also desire that you would consider another right you may not be aware of. The right of which I refer you to is Jesus Christ, the Tree of Life. You have the right to his forgiveness, his love, his mercy, and his inheritance. This is your divine right provided to you from a heavenly government which will never end. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the government of Jesus Christ will never pass away. I encourage you to read about your rights in Revelation 22:

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according to his life on earth. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Blessed are you that do his commandments, that you may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are those who practice immoral perversions, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and invents lies.”

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. This invitation is specifically for you Brendan. You are as thirsty for Eternal Life as I am.

For I testify unto every man (you and I are included Brendan)that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man will add unto these things, God will add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man will take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Brendan, Today is your day of salvation. In the past God overlooked ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed, Jesus Christ. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.

God Bless you my friend…

As a Christian I am amazed at those that call us bigots and think that we should not allow our biblical beliefs to guide us. The Bible has many “laws” that influence and even became the basis of civil and criminal laws. Why not throw out stealing, murder, lying, cheating, and all the other “laws” the Bible supports.
Shoving it down others throats is not our purpose. Standing up for what we believe is the purpose. Why are you intolerant of someone who supports the Biblical position against any obvious breach of what the Bible teaches.
I detest those that support the pornography industry through the profits they make from the industry, but it is their right under the freedom we once had in this country to do so.
Mike

“We are indeed fighting for the future of our nation and freedom around the world.” This statement by James Robison gives testament to the heart of every Christian.

We are indeed in a spiritual battle and the compelling urgency to “fight the good fight of faith” and “to contend for the faith…” is not a novel idea or the scheme of radical activists. This is a divine commission given by the Author and Finisher of the Faith, Jesus Christ. This nation and the world fails to realize that the church of Jesus Christ is “no longer the tail, but she is the head” as was prophesied in Deuteronomy 28. This prophecy applies not only to Israel as a nation, but equally applied to the royal priesthood, the holy nation, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. The government of Jesus Christ has taken preeminence of her life and she gives testimony to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as “the only way, the only truth, and the only life.”

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” This holy nation is an invincible army. She is fully dressed in the whole armor of God and she will not back down from the condemnation, accusations, and intimidating tactics of Satan. Her weapons are divine love, forgiveness, healing, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the infallible Word of God, the Fruit of the Spirit, and divine revelation.

My friend, my brother, and my sister, we are engaged in the greatest battle ever fought in the history of Christianity. It is Satan’s last stand to seek who he can devour and he is using every diabolical strategy known within the mind of a psychotic reprobate and blasphemer. He has come with all the forces of hell, darkness, deception, fear, and damnation to take as many to the lake of fire as possible.

America and its leaders fail to recognize the day of their visitation by the body of Jesus Christ through the Word of God demonstrated in the life of every Christian and likewise have failed to recognize the deceptive influence of Satan in the lives of humanity and his antichrist word. Satan is a blasphemer, reprobate, a liar, the father of lies, and he has no interest in repenting of his blasphemies and sins against Jesus Christ and his church.

The battle is on and I encourage you read the outcome of this battle described in the book of Revelation…The armies following Jesus Christ wins.

If you’ll read my commentaries, you’ll see that I defend your right to voice your opinion without using government to shut down your businesses. And nobody is “stripping away” your rights. Marriage has always been one man and one woman, and should continue to remain that way. You are the one trying to force change against people’s will. Not the rest of us.

I love Chick Fil-A, they’re my favorite! I’ve been eating them for 30 years, and next year they’re coming to my home state of Minnesota. That makes me very happy. They’ve got the best chicken sandwiches in the world. A chicken sandwich with pickles. It’s so good that it doesn’t even need mayo on it. There have been other chains that have tried to imitate it, but Chick Fil-A is the original, often imitated but never duplicated. God bless Dan Cathy and his company, they’re a breath of fresh air in this day and age.

James, thank you for leading the charge for Christians – we the Army of the Living God. Truth is not something we preach, its not something we just know, its something we LIVE BY. We stand for truth. Jesus said to know the truth shall make us FREE. We are to live in this truth, abide in it. Our actions speak louder than words..if Christians do nothing (live in apathy) and accept what the world dishes out, then they are not living in the fullness of the Lord. We are ambassadors of the Lord. “It is the Spirit who testifies because the Spirit is the truth.” 1 John 4:6

It would appear that the “anti-bully”, “tolerance” crowd, unbigoted bullies and showing their true colors. The homo-activists are rude, ugly (inside), hateful, intolerant, bigoted, ignorant and they are (in my opinion) just nothing more that bullies.

Thank you James for the article. Very informative.

You always sum things up well and your thoughts are like a medicine to my soul today. This intolerance against Christians started a long time ago but there was a time period when we were safe (or safer here in America) but those days may be slipping. I just am frustrated that I have felt terrorized the last four years into silence with a fear (which I believe is akin to terrorism)that if I speak out my thoughts, my heart, my mind I will be labeled or even attacked. Please keep speaking truth boldly. It encourages me to do it even if I lose some friends along the way.

James,

As a regular reader of your columns and a devoted Christian, I do appreciate many of your columns. I’ve also financially supported your work with Life Outreach International, which is incredibly important.

When discussing highly-charged issues like same-sex relationships, I think it’s important that we separate issues of faith and politics. Individuals or non-politicals groups (like the muppets) have every right to boycott organizations or companies, for any reason that they choose. It’s basic freedom of speech. I agree that a mayor outright blocking an organization because of his or her own personal views is wrong. (You’ll note that the mayor of Boston has distanced himself from his statement – as politicians often do – admitting that there is no way he can actually block Chick-a-fil).

As much as homosexuality is an issue of faith, it is also a political issue. The Boy Scouts of America has recently banned homosexuals from its ranks, likening being gay with pedophilia. This is a political stance made by a public institution. Once they made this decision that affects many thousands of young people, they were making a political statement. Whether you agree with it or not, they have the right to do that.

I understand that because of a strong Christian faith, many of us feel empassioned to rush to the side of those like Chick-a-fil CEO, Dan Cathy. However, in doing so we enter the political arena where it is perfectly legitimate for others to refute those views and even boycott as necessary. Indeed, it is our first amendment right to do so.

Dan,
I agree with your post.But now is not the time to go mushy.Let’s get “empassioned” and rush to their side!The political “arena” is the least of our worries.If we fail to act forcefully we may one day find ourselves in another “arena”…the same “arena” that the early christians found themselves in at the Roman coliseum! Billy Graham quote:”When a brave man takes a stand the spines of others are often stiffened!”

My Dear Bro. Dan,

I deeply respect your stance and convictions of the separation of faith and politics. The historical arena of conflict between the two entities has always been one of great enmity and many times resulting in violence and bloodshed. The issues become intense, heated, prejudicial, and intolerable. It would be expedient, from an intellectual ideology, if a peaceful solution could be reached in the quest for personal understanding, the protective issues of individual rights, and the unification of Christianity and secularism. This would be ideal, however, at the core of the dilemma we find spiritual warfare between Satan’s kingdom of darkness and Jesus’ kingdom of light. Darkness cannot exists without the absence of light and light can only exist from its source, Jesus Christ. “In him was life, and the light was the light of man.” The darkness of Satan is the result of his refusal of light.

Upon that premise, I submit to you that Satan’s devices are many and one of the most significant schemes he uses is to blend just enough scriptural footnotes with political propaganda to confuse the masses. God is not the author of confusion, therefore the author is Satan. Satan’s georeligious politics is at enmity with the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is a spiritual conflict between the Christ and the antichrist, between theistic revelation and antitheist doctrines of devils. The spiritual engagement between truth and error has always existed and will continue until Satan is annihilated.

In providing you with several examples I encourage you to look closely at the history and reason for the beheading of John the Baptist. John stood fearlessly in the face of a highly-charged issue of adultery between Herod Antipas (a Jewish politician) and his brother’s wife. The adulterous issue could have been ignored by John since adultery was a common indulgence of the times and besides, Herod had a right to marry whomever according to political governmental policies. John the Baptist, on the other hand, was baptized with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb and the revelation of the word of God was birthed in him from a heavenly government without end.

Isaiah prophesied of this government saying, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” John was anointed with the zeal of the righteous judgment and justice of the infallible word of God. The two governments clashed. John was beheaded.

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was the result of corrupt politics, religion, and prophecy. This begin when Herod the Great had attempted to have Jesus murdered when he was born in fear of a new King overthrowing his kingdom. At the trial of Jesus the political issue was the release of Barabbas or Jesus. The contention and enmity between Pilate and Herod was politically mended during their shuffling of Jesus back and forth in determination of his guilt of making himself a King.

One day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto Jesus, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Jesus was exposing the cunning political spirit that controlled Herod. We would say today, Go tell the “foxes” of this earthly government that the work of Jesus Christ still casts out the devils of sexual perversion and ungodliness and he still heals and cures the heart broken by sin.

The government of Jesus Christ and the governments of this fallen kingdom of darkness under Satan’s domain, are in constant enmity. It is prophesied to be so from Genesis. The highly-charged same sex political agenda is a fulfillment of scriptural prophecy which will result in the total destruction of every nation that practices that abomination as well as every other ungodly and unrighteous sin. Each of have a choice, to attempt to find protection and freedom under the deception and rebellion of political rights or turn to the rod and staff of God’s holy word that brings comfort to the soul.

Peter prophesied of the result of man doing that which is right in his own eyes and worshipping the god of politics in place of the Lord Jesus Christ. He said that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 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.

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

God Bless you my dear friend.

I don’t understand what Christians mean when they say ” it’s important that we separate issues of faith and politics.” My faith in the Lord Jesus Christ cannot be separated from any issues I discuss or any area of my life. The founding fathers of this great country never intended for church and state to be separated. You hear many who like to quote the separation of church and state, but of course, cannot find in the Constitution, because it is not there.
Just had to vent. I am so tired of Christians being the ONLY religion discriminated against.

James, Thank you SO much for speaking up about this! Too many Christians and Christian leaders think, “it’s too political, don’t say or do anything about it”. Are you kidding me?? That’s why our Nation is in the dire situation it’s in today. Christians remaining silent because it’s “politcal” IS the problem. For too long Christians have sat back and watched the un-godly take over everything. Enough is Enough! Thank you James for not being a wimpy Christian but being bold by telling it like it is. I will definately be supporting Dan Cathy and his restaurant, Chick-fil-a on Wed Aug 1st and will be telling everyone else I know as well! Wake up Christians and get involved before it’s too late! God bless you James!

Responses to your objections, with your words, followed by a response in italics:

I think it’s wrong for Christians to constantly bash gay people so often in the efforts to speak for God.

Stating the scripture is not bashing a person. Actions and attitudes that the Bible clearly condemns should be condemned by all Christians. When a person repents of those actions and attitudes, we forgive them as Christ does. But saying that lying is wrong is not “bashing” all liars. The same is true for saying that homosexuality is wrong.

First of all, Chick Fil A is the one who started the whole debacle. Then now they’re crying at the backlash.

Dan Cathy stood up for biblical truth. He never cried about it for one second. That’s just silly.

You can keep sacramental marriage as a religious institution by way of the rules of the invididual churches, but you cannot governmentally legislate against gay marriage without being guilty of discrimination.

Yes, we can. Scroll up and read the reply “So Many Holes In Your Argument” for further discourse.

To use the Bible as case in point there are 3 distinctive reasons I say this: 1) God sends rain for the just and for the unjust. 2) Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. 3) Judge not lest ye be judged.

1) Rain is not a justification for gay sex. 2) No homosexuals are stoned in America, that’s Iran. Homosexuals should appreciate this. 3) On the “judge not” point, the rest of the phrase is, “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” Frankly, I’m fine being judged on homosexuality, but the more relevant point is that agreeing with scripture is not passing my personal judgment on anyone. All sinners are judged by their own actions, Paul said. (“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”) For more scriptures, I again point to the earlier response. We are also told to “discern the spirits.” Understanding spiritual matters and speaking God’s truth is not the same as passing judgment on an individual.

So gathering everyone together, including charities, to enter this fray on a political matter (it’s only a moral matter if they are trying to force a CHURCH to recognize a gay marriage as sacramental), I think is clearly NOT what Jesus would do.

It’s a moral matter. Politicizing it does not remove it from the realm of morality. And even from a political standpoint, a majority of Americans do not want to redefine marriage. So the only ones forcing others to accept their view is the homosexual minority. They have no moral or political standing to do this.

Jesus would be hanging out right now with the homosexuals who have been so ridiculously maligned and misunderstood by society; constantly thrown under the political bus every 4 years, and he’d be having dinner with them and loving them and letting them know God loves them too.

And, like the other sinners Jesus “hung out” with, they would be repenting.

I cannot wait until the church stops with its self-righteous judgement and sticks to erring on the side of Love & Mercy at all times.

It’s not the church’s supposed self-righteousness that is the problem. It’s Christ’s righteousness that is the stumbling block. Love and mercy are not expressed by abandoning the truth or accepting sin. 

How dare we continue down this road. Shame on you LifeOutreach. You’re such a great charity, I will continue to donate. But I am saddened that you’re stepping into this arena.

We stepped into it by believing and proclaiming the Bible. And we’re not stepping out of it.

-editor

I think it’s wrong for Christians to constantly bash gay people so often in the efforts to speak for God.

First of all, Chick Fil A is the one who started the whole debacle. Then now they’re crying at the backlash. You can keep sacramental marriage as a religious institution by way of the rules of the invididual churches, but you cannot governmentally legislate against gay marriage without being guilty of discrimination.

To use the Bible as case in point there are 3 distinctive reasons I say this: 1) God sends rain for the just and for the unjust. 2) Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. 3) Judge not lest ye be judged.

So gathering everyone together, including charities, to enter this fray on a political matter (it’s only a moral matter if they are trying to force a CHURCH to recognize a gay marriage as sacramental), I think is clearly NOT what Jesus would do.

Jesus would be hanging out right now with the homosexuals who have been so ridiculously maligned and misunderstood by society; constantly thrown under the political bus every 4 years, and he’d be having dinner with them and loving them and letting them know God loves them too.

I cannot wait until the church stops with its self-righteous judgement and sticks to erring on the side of Love & Mercy at all times.

How dare we continue down this road. Shame on you LifeOutreach. You’re such a great charity, I will continue to donate. But I am saddened that you’re stepping into this arena.

Dear Carine,

I understand your frustration concerning this most sensitive issue of homosexuality. It is a delicate issue and certainly one that mandates and attitude of love, mercy, and grace. Before I continue, I want to first address your frustration in regards to gay bashing and self-righteous judgement by Christians. I do not know of any Christians who bash gays or practice self-righteous judgement. Christians are the most loving, understanding, compassionate, and merciful people I know. Christians are the first to respond to issues of sin with the love and mercy you speak of. They are constantly aware of where they came from.

Jesus, our perfect example, would say to the homosexuals of today, the same thing he said to the woman caught in the act of adultery, “You without sin cast the first stone…neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” The message of love and mercy you speak of contains the admonition, “go and sin no more.” Jesus Christ would not state, as the President stated, that same sex marriage is as honorable as marriage between a man and a woman. Neither would Jesus teach that adultery is as acceptable as Holy Matrimony, or sinning is as acceptable as not sinning, or blasphemy of the word and spirit of God is as honorable as not blaspheming. His emphasis is “go and sin no more.”

Remember, the difference between a politician and a Christian is, the politician does not see nor does he care about sin and its eternal consequences. However, a Christian has read Revelation 21 that states “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcomes will inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he will be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and immoral, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” The Alpha and Omega who is speaking here of the judgement that is coming is the same Jesus who said go and sin no more.

The Christian who speaks out against the sin and perversion in this world is only fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus found in John 16: “But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you ask me, Where are you going? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

My dear sister, Christians have the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) in them and they want everyone to have the Comforter in them also and experience the grace and forgiveness offered by Jesus Christ. But, the same Spirit of Christ also reproves the world of sin, as Jesus stated. Light always exposes the darkness, truth always exposes error, and righteous always exposes sin.

Politicians can only offer political agendas that will pass away, but Christians always speak of repentance, forgiveness, and the salvation which comes by Jesus Christ. They see the end of the story. The scripture warns us in Hebrews 2:

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How will we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with many miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

God Bless you richly.