Let me preface this entry by saying, I truly believe that anyone and everyone is entitled to their own opinions, beliefs and thoughts.
It never ceases to amaze me how it is ok to spread hatred and ok to judge others from the pulpit when it comes to homosexuality... but only when it comes to homosexuality. But that is not the point of this entry... I just do not understand most homosexuals.
Last month, Alfred Owens, Jr. pastor of Greater Mount Calvary Church in Washington, DC, gave a stirring message about how gays can not worship God and how gay men aren't real men. On this Palm Sunday message, Owens made it very clear that gay men were not welcomed on the righteous path. But yet I can't even count the number of homos I know that serve in the choir, the deaf ministry, and sit in those pews and tithe every week. (Read more about the sermon here)
But again this message is not surprising or doesn't disturb me. Back in 2002 I visited this church for the very first and last time. The co-pastor Susie Owens, wife of Alfred Owens, also gave a very similar message. I recall her stating that they needed real men for a mentoring program... not any gay ones pretending to be men. That was only the beginning of a hate filled service accompanied with a choir and audience full of homos.
Again while everyone is entitled to their own views and able to express them, I do not understand how anyone can continue to allow people to humiliate and belittle them on a weekly basis. The hate filled words of 'fag and sissy' are not the words of God and we should not sit by and tithe to a church that allows such nonsense from its pulpit. I have had several friends attend this church over the years. As of last month 5 of them were attending, and now only 2 remain. One guy who has been converted from being a homosexual and is now engaged to be married next month and another who just hasn't seen the light yet.
I would never ask anyone to accept me, because as long as I accept myself that is all I need. But I do demand respect... the same respect that should be given to any human being.
12 comments:
I just want to add that God loves all of us. However, just because God loves us does not mean he doesn't hate somethings within the earth. The bible is full of examples where God expressively claims what he hates and his recourse. I do not fought the Bishop in his sermon. He has that right to speak the truth to his congregation. Sin is sin, no matter where it is in our lives.
If you love God as much as you claim God love you, then you would do as God desire for your life. In many cases we never allow God to change us and do the miracles we so desperately need. God cannot and will not ever force himself on any of us. However, he is not required to take us as we come unto him, but we must come to him with a contrite heart. That is where the issue is at within homosexuality. We want to be loved by God and accepted, but the heart is callous. That is why God says that his word is given for the renewing of our minds and hearts. God has condemn this abomination throughout the bible. He will not allow sinful men stand in his prescence.
We go around demanding for God to take us as we are. The problem is that we deny changing ourself to please God.
The issue isn't soley neccessarily the aspect of what is good in God's eyes because in reality all of us are dirty and unworthy of the blessings that he has given us. The issue should be more based on christians feeling like they are God and thinking they have the right to belittle and shame someone for something they have done or feel like they have no control over. For the last comment you are right sin is sin, but why does it seem like homosexuality is the one sin that everyone sees as unforgivable. Last time I checked no sin is bigger than another. Jesus would have never approached anyone in the way of belittling them as the bishop did or other chrisitians do on a regular basis. It would have been a different story if the bishop would have said that homosexuality is a sin just like so many other things (drinking, smoking, premarital sex, etc.) that we do in our lives are, but we should strive for a greater purpose and try to be pleasing in the eyes of God. Instead you do get a message that could be seen as a message of hate from this Bishop, which is sad because people that should be in the church are being turned off because they feel like there is no place for them, but who's to say who belongs in what church. None of us are God we should be able to say what is correct and found in the word but not twist it in a way to shame others or gain some self-acclaim for ourselves which is what people do these days. That mentality is not a representation of Jesus nor Christianity. We all need to work harder to be more christ-like.
This is the precise reason why I have not found a church yet. I grew up Missionary Baptist. If anyone knows the religion, you know that in this chruch, children and young adults are taught to believe and not ask questions---to speak when spoken to. I had so many questions about the inconsistencies that the church would pull out of the bible and what to take literally and figuratively. It got so bad that I just could not take it any longer. I will write a blog entry about how my dad help me deal with this but it was very hard. Now, I will NOT attend any church where the minister sits there and gay bashes when he knows half of his congregation is gay. Why would anyone put up with that??? There are a lot of other churches out there that are accepting of who and what you are.
Chew on this: At what point does personal responsibility become a factor in this equation? Hmmmm......
Damn this is why I don't believe in going to Church to me it's all a contradiction.
Homosexuality is the strongest sin that will not bow to the name of Jesus currently. In your confession of sins, this one in particular is strong and is not recognizing that Jesus is LORD OF ALL. Two Masters cannot rule the same house. No two Chiefs can run the same piece of land. I'm not saying one sin is BIGGER than the other. Yet, we do have some sins and strongholds within our lives that has higher precedents and will not confess that Jesus is Lord.
You're right. God loves us all and we turn our hearts towards him, but we must give him (God) our all. That is the issue.
You should never go to church to get/or be comfortable! If you are comfortable in any church, then the true gospel is not preached. God words is to edify our souls and change us and to fortify our love and salvation. Many times His words are sharp as of a two-edged sword. It pierces the very issues and struggles we have within to help us gain victory in the end.
Captain, how in the hell can you be gay and believe this shit that you do? If you feel that homosexuality is such a bad sin, why are you a PRACTICING homosexual?
I just life live to way that I believe that I should live as a good person...I believe in the Bible word for word and it's sad that people abuse the words of the Bible for their own causes...God is love...there's no hate from God anywhere in that book.
To reply to what the captain said:
I disagree with the idea that homosexuality is the STRONGEST sin (if you can even put a level on sin, which i don't think you can but...). With all of the rape, murder, lies, and lack of love for one another in the world...there is so much that doesn't bow down to God that should be on the top of this list of things that don't bow down to God. Homosexuality doesn't even have a stronghold over everyones lives as some other sins that everyone shrugs as being ok or forgivable. The stongest sin that always has been the root of plenty of things that don't bow down to God is HATE!!!! That's what should be at the top of the list.
Also no one is saying anyone should get comfortable, but presentation is everything and if you come across to people as a religious hypochrite ( i know i probably didn't spell that right but i'm rushing..lol); that's how you will be preceived and that's the issue. Like I said before Jesus Christ always spoke the truth, but the difference between him and so many is that he spoke it with love and understanding.
Even with what you stated in your past statement: "God words is to edify our souls and change us and to fortify our love and salvation."
This is so true and I agree totally with that, but nothing about what that Bishop from Greater Mount Calvery said was edifying or said with love and this is as well another issue! There is a difference from bringing to attention someone's problems when it is done in love and you have definitley looked at yourself opposed to name calling and belittling people. That's not christ-like. That's all i'm saying is some Bishop's especially with having a higher calling then some of us should definitley watch how they say things and identify where it's coming from because that statment that Bishop made was definitley not from or of God!
ProfessorGQ: There are many places in the bible where God has expressively mention his hate for certain things and even demonstrated his hate because of rebellion and not doing as God demanded.
Dude: Read my blog...I went in more details on that.
Anonymous: All sin is great and strong. What could be strong to you maybe weak to me. However, brimstone and fire did not rain down from the heavens on murders, thieves, liars, he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah becaues of their sin and callous heart that they did not recognize God and did evil, wicked works. I tend to disagree that homosexuality has a stronghold on someone's life. Homosexualiity controls your thoughts, emotions, feelings, body, and spirit. That control must be broken if you wish to be free. The strongest demons that God hates, is Pride, Leviathan and Death.
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God loves all people, but hates sin homosexuality is a sin. You can choose to do or be whatever you choose, but God is not slow or off. He created man for woman and woman for man. In the beginning it was not man and man, but man and woman. You don't have to believe, but when you die and stand before him in judgement then you'll believe, but it will be to late to repent then. So keep on. The time for you to meet your maker is closer than you think. You may not bow today, because he is a God of mercy not willing for any to perish, he gives us room and space to repent, but if we choose, because it is our choice
to be gay (male or female) one day sooner than you think you will bow, in judgement, but it will be to late. Hell is real and the eternal lake of fire never cease theirs no second chances.
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