Sinner and Saint

Politics Prompt Church Tax Questions

Rev. Chan Chandler led an effort to expel members of East Waynesville Baptist Church in western North Carolina because they did not support President Bush.

This is insane. While I applaud Rev. Chandler's stand on homosexuality and abortion as sin...I cannot support the way in which he is handling this situation. While I am very upset that the Democratic Party constantly stands firm in its support of homosexuality and abortion, I cannot support the throwing out of members that happened to vote for democrats.

First of all,  Rev. Chandler does not have the right to ask every member how they voted in this past presidential election. Secondly, there are many Democrats that do not support homosexuality or abortion. Many people have many different reasons for why they support a specific candidate. Just because a person votes one way or the other does not make them Christian or not Christian or a good Christian.

While I am swayed to vote on the issues of Abortion and Homosexuality that does not mean that others have different issues of importance. The Church has every right to preach and teach that abortion and homosexuality is a sin but it has NO RIGHT to tell someone how they must vote. This is going to lead to more problems in the future for churches while dealing with the IRS and the separation of Church and State.

Parent group blasts MTV over sleaze

An Associated Press story published today reports that a Parental watchdog group is critical of MTV and the images it portrays to youth. The watchdog group, Parents Television Council, counted: " 3,056 flashes of nudity or sexual situations and 2,881 spoken references to sex." MTV responded that this report was unfair and that this group ignored MTV's public service efforts.

Now, I have to agree with the Parents Television Council that MTV does have too much "sex" on their programming. The normal response that I hear is "Sex sells." But this does not make it right. There is a serious problem with sex in our culture. Aids is spreading as well as other STD's and our television rapes the minds of our children with a message of sex is great...sex is OK for you...go do it its alright.

But there is a much bigger problem then MTV...it is television in general. It is hard to turn a television on these days and not find anything that relates to sex in some way. It turns out for me...that I spend most of the time watching ESPN and even they have references to sex. There is nothing wrong with sex...at least sex after marriage between husband and wife. We are certainly in the midst of an ongoing sexual revolution. Once we allow our society to be dumbed down... and de-sensitized... they can show more and more shocking things. Don't believe me? Look at the history of television, clothing, STD's, etc... Television shows more nudity then ever. Clothing shows more skin then ever. STD's are spreading faster...etc.

So who is to blame? Television...Yes. The movie industry...Yes! The Porn industry...Yes. ALL OF US ARE TO BLAME...for we allow this garbage to be shown. We don't stop our kids. We buy things we shouldn't. We watch things we shouldn't. We are all responsible for our society...and it is up to us to change it.

Senate may reconsider gay marriage ban

This is an article that can be found at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/legislative/2005-01-24-senate-gay-marriage_x.htm

It discusses the possiblity and probablity that the Senate may consider a new round of votes dealing with a gay marriage ban. Many liberal Democrats lost in the past election with conservative Republicans taking over many seats. While it is not known what the voting would be like this time around...it failed quite miserably the last time it was brought up.

While it is dangerous for the government to decide what marriage is...we have already been letting the judicial system decide what it is or isn't. Now that this has happened...we must let the government get it right and fix what our courts have been failing to do. Marriage is between one man and one woman.

Herman Farrell's "Love Child"

I can't say that I have ever planned on bringing political events or persons into this website but...i feel inclined to do so this time. It seems that when a politician brings religious language into the picture that he opens himself up to being scrutinized by religion. What follows is my opinion on Herman Farrell's "Love Child" and his own actions regarding the media involvement with this being announced to the public. The two articles that I am making mention of follow: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/38025.htm and http://www.nydailynews.com/front/breaking_news/story/270573p-231705c.html.

Let me begin by saying that the Bible is very clear on marriage principles and sinful practices outside of marriage. Another point that I would like to make is that a pregnancy is not something that can be "hid" relatively easily. Sure, you can hide a person from the public, but you can't hide the pregnancy itself...not that i've tried...but i'm not sure how you can hide the belly of a woman for the span of the entire pregnancy. This is something that is public. Another point is that Farrell is a major politician in New York (head of the Democratic party there) and is a servant of the people (not that politicians see it that way or act that way all the time). When a politician wants to tout his own record, or show how worthy he is, or how honorable and trustworthy, etc... you look at his background. This child is a black eye to Farrell and the Democratic Party.

Now for the quote that just bugs me the most (almost in a humorous "I can't believe he would say something that dumb" kind of way). He says, "I think the question of whether I have a child out-of-wedlock — and even that word — it makes it look like major sin," Farrell said Wednesday. "We're living in the 21st century."

What on earth is he talking about. Now if he isn't religious or Christian for that matter, He wouldn't even begin to think of calling this a "sin." Considering this, He must have some background of knowing what Sin is! I'm just flabergasted... The Bible clearly says this is a Sin. And then to try to justify it by saying this is the 21st century... thats a load of crap. What he is saying is that... I can do anything I want that is considered a sin...because this is what goes on right now. So sin is something that changes throughout time so that anything that people like to do...can be justified?!?! Wonderful... makes you wonder where our society is going. It makes you wonder where our world is going. It makes you wonder when our Lord is coming to judge the living and the dead. I hope that Mr. Farrell comes to the realization of His sin and asks God for forgiveness.

Pope gives two cents on gay marriage

Frances D'Emilio writes (http://www.suntimes.com/output/religion/cst-nws-pope11.html) that the Pope has announced some of his major concerns and priorities for the new Year. I wonder if this means that the Pope also makes New Year's resolutions. Aside from this is the fact that the Pope is standing firm against a trend that is becoming more and more popular in the United States and has been popular in Europe: that is Gay Marriage. This topic is in the forefront today and has been viewed as one of the main reasons that Bush was re-elected to office. It is hard for me to admit that the Pope is doing a wonderful thing on this issue and is even embarrasing some Lutherans (at least so-called Lutherans) with this issue. I have to agree with the Pope that Gay Marriage is bad for society and bad for family. The problem is that we live in a society that may not agree with it but also fears to offend anyone. I have to say...I'm tired of being told that I'm offending others holding to my belief... I'm tired of people expecting me to be nice to everyone and not ever hold my ground. This is a double standard! Liberals are allowed to shower our society with their belief but Conservatives are not (Theologically speaking at the least). I have to remind you that the Gospel is offensive and is a double eged sword. While I do not purposely try to offend anyone I am also unwilling to give in.

Will the ELCA "come out of the closet" on homosexuality?

Cathleen Falsani of the Chicago Suntimes reports that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is set to reveal their study on homosexuality and the Church this week. You can access her article at: http://www.suntimes.com/output/religion/cst-nws-luth10.html In her article Falsani gives us the bare minimums of what may be announced. She does not get into detail with the strife this announcement may cause.

I am personally against any decision that would allow homosexuals to be in the clergy. I am a LCMS Lutheran, and thankfully we do not have this problem...at least not yet. Scripture clearly says that homosexuality is a sin and not to be tolerated...especially not when it is openly done in defiance of Scripture.

Talking to friends, we believe that the ELCA will most likely take the middle road (not a surprise) and allow individual districts (synods) and congregations the choice in having openly gay pastors. This is harmful to the church no matter how they put it and dangerous. I would hope that they would take one side or the other (which I believe they will do eventually when it is less harmful to their Synod). This will put a strain in further relationships with other Confessional  Lutherans.

There are many within the ELCA that do not support this decision. It will be interesting to see how many of these individuals react. My prayers are with the ELCA has they come to this decision.

Progressives’ goal: Take Christ out of Christmas By: Bill O’Reilly

This commentary first appeared in the Chicago Sun Times on

Dec. 13, 2004

. Some of the first blogs on this site discussed much of what this article speaks to us about. Bill O’Reilly is showing us where our country is heading if we do not speak out now. We must purposefully put Christ in Christmas. It seems that when it comes to our great country it is only the Christians that offend with their holidays. It seems that only Christians are told they can’t have songs sung, messages put up, manger scenes, Christmas trees or the like. Yet, the same does not hold true for other religions. It seems that since Christianity is the largest religion…they have to give everything up so that they don’t offend anyone else. Where does this stop. Does it stop when we are finally outlawed to say things that might offend. Look at dear

Canada

…where drugs are legalized but saying that homosexuality is a sin is a crime under law. Yes, its true. It is also true that Ted Kennedy has been trying to pass a similar law in the

United States

as well. That would mean that a Christian cannot speak (as Scripture says) that homosexuality is a sin. If that keeps up….then what will we be able to call a sin, what will we be able to preach? Will Bibles be outlawed as well for what they say? Questions, no answers. We must stand up for our faith! The more we let society abandon Christianity the sooner Christianity will not be allowed in public.

Unfortunately, i cannot find a website that has this article listed...i searched the Sun Time's site and Bill O'Reilly's site but came up empty. Since that is the case i will now put selected sections of his article up as follows:

"Put these facts in your stocking:

• Federated Department Stores, which includes Macy's, has suggested that managers avoid displaying "Merry Christmas" banners and have ordered employees not to talk about it.
• In Denver, a church was banned from the "Festival of Lights" parade because it wanted a religious theme to its float.
• The Maplewood, N.J., school board has banned all religious music from "holiday" concerts (Would somebody please tell me exactly what holiday this is?)
• And New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg insists that the lighted tree outside City Hall is not a Christmas tree, its a holiday tree. (What holiday Mr. Mayor?)

"The anti-Christmas forces say its all about diversity, protecting the sensitivities of those Americans who get offended by the mere mention of the birth of Jesus."

"So the diversity excuse is a bunch of bull."

"The secular-progressive movement understands very well that it is organized religion, most specifically Christianity and Judaism, that stands in the way of gay marriage, partial birth abortion, legalized narcotics, euthanasia, and many other secular causes. If religion can be de-emphasized in the U.S.A., a brave new progressive society can be achieved."

"It has happened in Canada."

"Unlike Americans, Canadians have legalized gay marriage and any kind of abortion. Also, the age of consent for sex up north is just 14 years old."

"Even drug legalization is close to being reality as the city of Vancouver is developing a reality as the city of Vancouver is developing a heroin giveaway policy and pot has been largely decriminalized across the country."

"The Canadian model is what progressive Americans are shooting for, and so, religion must be dealt with."

"Committed secularists in the media, in the courts and in the education system know exactly whats going on. And now, so do you. Merry Christmas!"

Parents group finds TV more negative about God

After yesterday's post, i thought this article matches up quite well (http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0412170248dec17,1,1954439.story?coll=chi-news-hed). It seems that not only are some networks afraid to talk about Christ, but when they talk about God it is in a negative fashion. We have seen how society has changed throughout our history as a nation (and the world). It changes when people are forced to see things, read things, and watch things over and over again and make divisive issues commonplace. The more we see these things the less we are offended by them. Look at homosexuality, sex on television and in the movies, violence in our videogames and the like. The more we see things the less shocked we are at the next step up. This is just another showing of where our society is heading...and it isn't for the better for Christains or society.

NBC's Today Show afraid of Christmas songs with Christ in them

A good friend of mine brought this embarrasment to my attention yesterday (just finally getting the time to post this). My friend found this out by listening to the Michael Graham talk show out of Washington D.C. (http://630wmal.com/) Click on the Michael Graham link to the right. Graham also has a brief article on his own website, http://www.michaelgraham.com/ as well. To see the actual online poll from NBC's today show click here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6694171/ .

This is the kind of thing that really starts to annoy me. Once again, the mainstream media is not only afraid to mention Christ during Christmas but helps to destroy CHRISTmas. Come on...the word Christmas is nothing without CHRIST being in it to begin with. I would love for people to start writing in to NBC complaining about their choices. It won't really change anything, but at least for me it is a way to vent my frustration.

I also urge for you all to go to Michael Graham's website and vote on your favorite Christmas hymn that does mention Christ from those choices he gives.  I would also love to hear what all of your favorites are myself...go ahead...and put them in the comment section.

Comment on "Let 'Em Have X-mas"

This is a post that I recently put up on "the evangelical outpost" which you can access through this link: http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com/ . Just from my own point of view I wish that people would stop using X-mas and put Christ back into CHRISTmas. That is just a personal pet peeve of mine. This article has alot to say to us about the battle of showing Christianity publically while offending others or as the author of article says,

When the ACLU sues to remove the Christmas tree let’s give them the nativity scene as well. When the secularists fight to stop the Christmas pageant let’s let them have the caroling too. Let’s let them have X-mas. Because maybe then we can finally show them Christ.

Now, I don't know about everyone else's opinion on the matter, but i'm tired of giving in to the ACLU, non-Christians, and the government for that matter when it comes to my Christian faith, heritage, and right of free speech. We live in a society that now taunts and condemns anything that remotely condemns Christianity.  We live in a country that has the motto of "don't offend anyone." All the while it is alright to bring up Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Lunar New Year, or whatever other non-Christian religion wants to celebrate but no...not CHRISTmas...make it X-mas or something so it doesn't offend.

The point that i'm making is not that we should force our Christianity onto others, but we also cannot condone other religions as Christians either. The Gospel is a double edged sword and offends on its own. The question I have to the author of "Let 'Em Have X-mas" is where do we stop. Where to we make a stand if we give up Christmas trees, nativity scenes, and carols? When the Gospel offends others do we give in to them? When the Gospel says that we are saved by Christ do we add the words "or any other name you would like to call him?"

It sickens me to see how much Christians are willing to give up. I do not believe that by giving up on these "less important" things will help us to show them Christ. If they do not accept Christ from the Word of God and the Spirit working in their hearts they will never accept Him. Maybe we should just try to do miracles so that these non-Christians, atheists, and others would believe. But then again, Scripture tells us in Luke 16:

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

As Paul proclaimed "We preach Christ and Him crucified." We must continue to show the world Christ in any way we can and that does include Nativity scenes, the ten commandments, and the like. We must not give up marks of the Church. If we continue to give up these marks we will have much more then Gay Marriage and Civil Unions, we will have much more then Kwanzaa and Muslim holidays. In the end Christianity will be pushed away and blend into the New Age. Maybe the author is right..."Let 'Em Have X-mas" but let me have CHRISTmas.