Saturday, November 15, 2008

Faith vs. Being Politically Correct -- Prop 8

With all of the stuff going on about the passage of Proposition 8 in the California election, November 4, and people being called bigots and worse for voting their morals, I came across this particular article by Dr. Michael Youssef on Crosswalk.com. I agree with what Dr. Youssef said and could not have said it better. We are called to tell the truth, even when the world does not hear it. The truth is that there are many good people out there who believe that marriage is between a man and a woman only, and that is how they voted. Does that mean that they think that a homosexual person and his or her "partner" can not have the same benefits as a married couple? I can't answer that one for other people but I can answer it for me.

I will always define a marriage in the traditional way, between a man and a woman. Nothing more. Now, do I think that a homosexual couple should have the same benefits as a married couple? No.

I do not apologize for my beliefs and if that offends you, then so be it. I happen to follow Christ, the Son of God who offended the politically correct of His day, until they put him to death. They did not want to hear the truth, and sadly, it seems that there are people who don't want to hear it still.

The people of California spoke, and the gay community, along with their backers can't stand the outcome. So what is that community doing? Attacking elderly ladies,protesting in cities and states not even involved with the California vote, and attacking churches such as the one in Lansing, Michigan, just to show some of their current deeds.

What is really bad is that the gay community is trying to equate this want of theirs to the civil rights movement of the 60's. Well, that is too bad. The civil rights movement was necessary to correct the evils of prejudice against people of color. You see, the people of the civil rights movement, were born with their color. Gays choose that lifestyle. As one person has put it, there is no gay gene that has been discovered by scientist. Not one. It is a choice, a lifestyle. So stop with the "I have the right too..." argument. The only rights being trampled on are the rights of California voters whose vote to say no to this will be tied up in courts for years. Let the votes count. Let the people who have had their say, keep their say.

And now that I have gotten completely off the target of what I wanted to say, allow me to get back on track and give you Dr. Youssef's article.


Political Correctness vs. Faith
Dr. Michael Youssef
Leading The Way


If you take the concept of political correctness at face value, it is a good thing. If being politically correct means that we treat people of different backgrounds with respect and do not stereotype them based on their race or gender, then it is in fact, very biblical.

But this is not the real intention of our modern, politically correct movement.

In truth, this movement is designed to intimidate people into using language that has been pre-approved. Political correctness tends to be completely focused on human sensitivity and self-esteem. When you focus on human sensitivity and self, you eliminate God from your life.

Emphasizing human sensitivity and adjusting our terminology will not produce self-esteem or self-respect. Self-acceptance stems first and foremost from our knowledge of who we are in Jesus Christ. That is why true followers of Christ must not engage in this absurdity and shallowness. We must declare openly and without shame that all those who are in Christ Jesus are brothers and sisters in Him. Everyone who knows Jesus, whether they are men or women, young or old, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American-or from any other background-are equal in His sight. Each will share equally in the inheritance of their heavenly Father's estate. That is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Before the politically correct crowd was ever born, believers loved one another. We didn't love because we were pressured by society to do it. We loved because Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35). We must continue to declare to the world that God does not judge us by outward appearance, but He judges us based on our faith in Him. Faith is our common denominator, not political correctness.

Historical revisionists and liberal Bible scholars are trying to apply modern-day values to the Word of God and to historical facts. They remove all of the pieces they don't like. May we be warned: If we continue on this path, we will end up with a pack of lies and our children will not learn the truth about the Word of God or the history of this nation.

Scripture is clear. In 2 Timothy, Paul warns his young friend to not be ashamed to preach the Gospel, saying: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

It is politically incorrect to say that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life-but it is the truth. Only His truth changes lives and unlocks the beauty of our full worth as men and women who are made in His image. Only He can change our hearts so we are able to love our neighbors.

We must remember that the only thing that counts is true faith "expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6).

No comments: