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“I don’t think I can answer that question without knowing more specifics, but it’s certainly going to be an issue. I-I don’t deny that. I don’t deny that… It is-it is going to be an issue.”
And that is my deepest concern. Although it should not be, religious freedom itself is “going to be an issue.” In this way, the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding so-called “marriage equality” will be used as a wedge to narrow the scope and weaken the protections afforded by the free exercise of religion guaranteed to Americans by the First Amendment. No religious person-Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.-can view that possibility as good news. No freedom-loving American should.
A Judicial Usurpation of Politics
As an American, I believe that this decision represents a judicial usurpation of politics. Proponents of same-sex marriage like to draw analogies between their movement and the Abolitionist and Civil Rights Movements. The analogy is false, but it is nonetheless instructive in this particular case.
Whereas abolition and civil rights were enacted democratically by amending the U.S. Constitution in the 1860s and passing national civil rights legislation in the 1960s, same-sex marriage has been democratically enacted in only 11 States and the District of Columbia. It has been imposed on 39 States and American territories by State and Federal Courts that overturned democratically enacted definitions of marriage as a man-woman union.
I cannot help but think that this is an unhelpful way to resolve the political, social, and moral conflicts that divide the American people.
Closing Words of Advice
I close with three words of pastoral advice:
First, to Assemblies of God ministers: Politics reflects culture, and culture reflects religion. If you are concerned with the political drift of American culture, preach the gospel! As it sends out roots in the lives of believers, the seed of the gospel will change hearts and minds.
Second, to Assemblies of God adherents: You are privileged citizens of a blessed nation. Use your citizenship well! Seek the common good. Advocate for the last, the lost, and the least. Speak the truth in love. And vote for candidates and issues that reflect a biblical perspective on issues. The difference in so many conflicts in American politics and culture turns on who turns out to vote.
Third, to all Christians: If you are troubled with the Supreme Court’s decision, keep perspective! In this and every other matter, always remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ:
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
Let us all pray for a great spiritual awakening in our country!
May God bless you richly today and every day!
Paul Dagostino
Goood
Joan Montgomery
God didn’t intend for men to marry men he made man and woman
Wilfredo V. Pamisa
God forbid
Gregory Rogers
If the weatern church would arise from its slumber and realise just one tenth of its power in Christ, we could start to reverse these alarming decisions of our now nearly-Godless courts.
Neil Steven Lawrence
Homosexuality is not a human right but a sin, a perversion, a distortion of God’s image, a mental illness up until the 1980’s.
Jerry Eicher
The following quote from the article would have been a good way to introduce this post:
”Scripture defines marriage solely in terms of the union of a man and a woman (e.g., Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:5-9; cf. Genesis 1:27-28, 2:20-24; Ephesians 5:21-32). Not only that, Scripture prohibits same-sex intercourse (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; cf. Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). When it comes to same-sex marriage, Scripture prohibits what the Supreme Court permits.”
Varnel Watson
we are not in the habit of changing our posters submissions or their introduction BUT this being a direct quote from a publication was considered well prepared by the publisher and not needing much changing. What do you feel is the effect of this good way to introduce this post? after all the post says what the post says