Sunday, October 7, 2007

The United States of....Homosexuals?

Many of us have been incensed when we see the American flag be treated disrepsectfully by supporters of illegal immigration (flag flown upside down, flown under the Mexican flag, etc.). However, I believe disrespect has been taken to a new level by something I saw yesterday--an American flag with the "gay pride" rainbow stripes in place of the red and white stripes. I imagine it won't be too long before homosexual activists will be pushing to have this made our official national flag.

One point of irony: The house flying this flag is located on Rainbow Drive.

24 comments:

Pippin said...

Whoa! I saw that flag too! Gay people are taking over our nation. This is not good. Believers need to take a stand for what is right and stop standing around waiting for someone else to do something. Before they know it, our nation will be completely run by liberals and gays and when they open their eyes, they'll realize that they want to change it but it will be too late. Teens should get involved too. It's a great learning experience for them, and since they are the future, they should be able to help change it and make history while doing it.

The Activist said...

pippin, have you even read my other posts about homosexuality? It's "homosexual", not "gay". "Gay" is a word co-opted by homosexuals to make the lifestyle sound better than it is. The Bible uses the term homosexual, and I think that's the term we should use as well.

The Activist said...

Thank you for your participation.

Anonymous said...

why are ya'll so afraid of gays?

Anonymous said...

I'm no expert at ancient literature, ancient language, or biblical interpretation, however, from what I have heard and read, homosexual actually wasn't even a word or used in the context we use it today until the 1800s and maybe even more recentl I believe. I'd have go back to my literature to be sure. And, depending on which Bible you pick up, homosexual isn't always in there. Yet, another reason why I don't subscribe to Christianity. Even among the lot of you, no one can agree on a correct translation of the Bible. Clearly, to some degree this is man-driven rather than God driven.

The Activist said...

Hi Stacy:

Thanks for your comment. I agree with you that "homosexual" is a fairly recent term. However, there is no doubt about the meaning from the original text. Typically, people who tell you the word isn't being used in the proper context are liberal scholars who are homosexual or support the homosexual agenda. They have stopped just ignoring the Bible, and now do all kinds of interpretational gymnastics to try to deny what it clearly says.

And even if you don't believe in God or the Bible, it is abundantly clear that homosexuality goes against the design of the human body. Not only do same-sex couples not "fit" the way opposite sex couples do, but AIDS and other diseases are often the result of sex between partners of the same sex.

Yes, there are many different translations of the Bible, which I'm not that thrilled about. But it is the original text that was inspired by God. Comparing all the early manuscripts that are in existence reveals very little difference among them, especially when it comes to important doctrine. And discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls further support the accuracy of those manuscripts.

Stacy, here is the real reason I asked you here. It seems like you are searching for answers, and that you are open to rational discussion. My church is conducting small group meetings where we examine what the Bible has to say about God, Jesus, the Bible itself, and a lot of other things you may be wondering about. The book we use has gotten rave reviews from believers and unbelievers alike, because it is a comprehensive look at God's plan for us, yet does so in a way that is easy and interesting to read. The groups meet for about an hour a week for a few weeks. I don't even know if you live in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area, but if you do, I'd like to invite you to attend one of these groups. Please consider it and let me know if you are interested. If nothing else, it will perhaps give you better insight on what Christians believe and why--better than what I (and perhaps other Christians you have encountered) have been able to do thus far.

The Activist said...

anonymous:

We aren't afraid of homosexuals, just the freedoms we are losing because of the homosexual agenda.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure all the women, children, and straight men with AIDS in the world will be go glad to hear that it is actually a gay disease. There must have been some misdiagnossis for these people.

The Activist said...

Wow, Stacy. I've never heard you be sarcastic before!

I didn't say that only homosexuals get AIDS, did I? Lung cancer doesn't effect only smokers, either, but they contract it at a much higher rate than the general population. Certain behaviors put one at greater risk for certain diseases. No rational person will deny that.

Homosexual men represent only 1%-2% of the population, yet account for 44% of all new HIV and AIDS cases. If homosexuality was normal and natural, those who practice it would not be afflicted at such a higher rate than the general population.

The Activist said...

So, Stacy, should I take that as a "no" to my invitation?

Anonymous said...

I try to avoid sacrcasm online as it doesn't always come across:) I'm painfully sarcastic in person. Probably something I should work on.

I will have to decline your offer. I do appreciate it. However, if I do ever take a class regarding religion and it's meaning, I would like to look at multiple religions taught from a the perspective other than that of a Christian Church.

And, it's really not just Christianity. It's any religion. That anyone thinks their God should be everyone's God seems a little bit egocentric in my eyes. I would never tell anyone they should be a vegetarian, or they should be pro-choice , or that they should live with their partner before marriage. THose things work or have worked for me. They don't for others. I respect that.

But again, thank you for the offer.

The Activist said...

Stacy:

Your analogy doesn't work because comparing truth claims of the various religions is not the same as deciding whether you are going to be vegetarian or carnivore.

When you have two religions with exclusive and conflicting truth claims about something like salvation, for example, only one can be right. They might both be wrong, but they can't both be right. It's impossible. When Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me", He was either lying, delusional, or He was telling the truth. I choose to believe--based not only on what He has done in my life, but also the historical evidence--that He was telling the truth.

So, deciding what set of religious beliefs you are going to accept should not be done on the basis of what "works" for you, but rather on the basis of what is true.

Believing that Jesus Christ is the only way to God is not "egocentric" at all. It is a belief based on what we feel is the truth. And if it is true, it isn't just true for Christians, but for everyone, everywhere. Truth does not change based on what you believe.

Anonymous said...

So, then I ask this. What do you say to the Muslim who would say the same as you. Based on his/her own life experience and historical evidence the Koran is evidenced to be true? Truth doesn't change based on what you believe! For many, the Koran is truth and doesn't change just because other faiths don't subscribe to it.

pippin said...

Hey activist! Where are you? You haven't had a blog in awhile. My other friend put 4 posts on his blog just today! Sorry, I should probably use the term homosexual, but it takes to long to say. Hi stacey, well you're right that truth doesn't change based on what we believe, but I know for a fact the Bible is true and the Koran is not. I can give you some proof if you want.

The Activist said...

Hi Stacy:

I responded to your last post the other day, but I just noticed that for some reason my response didn't get posted! Sorry about that!

Seems like a post retyped never comes out quite as good as the original, and the motivation is lacking to retype a lost message, but I'll do my best.

"For many, the Koran is truth and doesn't change just because other faiths don't subscribe to it."

Do you not see the problem with that statement? The Koran is not true "for many". It is either true for everyone, or true for no one. The truth is not dependent upon whether or not someone believes it is true. If I jump off the Sears Tower, I will die. It doesn't matter whether or not I believe in gravity.

Yes, many people believe the Koran is true, but many people can be wrong. Islam and Christianity cannot both be true.

You must seek the truth Stacy (something I will be happy to assist with, if you want). You may decide that Islam makes the most sense to you, but if you become a Muslim because you think the Koran is true, you cannot then say that Christianity is also true.

Right now, you cannot understand or see the truth of the Bible. That is because no one can come to Christ unless God the Father calls them. Sometimes he calls people by using evidence. If you examine the evidence, you will see it overwhelmingly supports the claims of the Bible.

The Activist said...

pippin, I'll give you more posts! Don't compare me to another blogger. Some people have lots of time to blog about Huckabee!

Anonymous said...

Well, activist. I appreciate your point of view. And I totally respect what you are saying. I also, believe truth is truth regardless of how people choose to interpret it, ignore it, or deny it. Working with battered women, I see it everyday. You come in with black eye, your husband is abusive. That is the truth. Most of them don't want to believe that though. Sad.

Also, I realized I've been continuing to sign my blogs Stacy W. and it should be L now:) Can't quite get used to this whole marriage thing. lol.

The Activist said...

Stacy:

I appreciate that you accept there is such a thing as absolute truth. You'd be surprised how many people these days say, "That may be true for you, but it's not true for me."

I just urge you to begin your search for the truth now. I assume you are a younger person who probably feels she has her whole life ahead of her. But our time on this earth is fleeting and if you die without accepting the truth, the consequences are eternal. Then you will know the truth, but it will be too late to accept it. I'm not trying to use scare tactics (well, maybe a little!), but none of us knows when our last day will be.

pippin said...

activist: more posts would be good. Yeah, this other blogger has way too much time on his hands,if you ask me.

The Activist said...

pippie, I'm going to start posting them on a regular basis again.

Anonymous said...

exactly what freedoms are you loosing because of the "homosexual agenda"?

The Activist said...

Freedoms of speech and religion. You put quotes around "homosexual agenda". Does that mean you don't think there is a homosexual agenda?

Anonymous said...

I'm queer and being an activist myself I know my community. That is something you obviously cannot hold. With that...there is no "agenda" per say. We do want to have the same freedoms and rights that everyone else gets to enjoy and take advantage of every day. To respond to your original post and to actually show you how little you know about the queer community and how much you feel you have to say:

-there are many flags that represent minorities or communities of persons...the flag you posted is an original flag. Sure it does use a similar layout and star pattern, but if it doesn't have red and white strips, then technically, it isn't the US flag. Therefore, since it is not the US flag, no disrespect has been done.

-the original Hebrew text was first translated into Greek...and neither of them contained the word for "homosexual". The first person to coin the original word, "arsenokoitai," was Paul. You may find this link a little informative:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/homarsen.htm

Yes, I have a degree...I made sure it was not a .com to be fair.

-The latest breakdown of AIDS cases show African American women with the highest number of cases. And by the way...there is HIV and then there is AIDS. They are different.


And just a thought...If no one was around before Adam and Eve...who was there to document the creation of the earth? And if you want to ride your wagon of truth before I continue then do so. I believe that there is some truth to the Bible. There cannot however be truth in all its words. Because the work was scripted by human hands and interpreted by human minds, discrepancies are found throughout the book. And because they were done by humans they are interpretations of what they believe to be the word of God.

Lastly, finding truth is a personal journey, to which I think you would agree. If so, it is arrogant for you to feel that the truth you seek is far more important than the truth I seek, or Larry, or Susan, or whoever. I do agree that there cannot exists two truths about one item, however, when talking religion, we are dealing with faith and beliefs, not actual hard truths. Stories that we believe to be true we put faith into, because there is no documented findings to put our minds and hearts at ease. I could say so much more...like the fact I went to Wartburg College and was the president of Alliance. I could say more still. But I will only ask you to not respond, because your narrowmindedness gives me headaches. I can only hope that you will step off your narrow lane trail and notice the beauty and people around you. I am concerned that because you withhold experiencing things outside of your beliefs, you will wither into a illiterate babling person, too afraid to admit they never tried.

The Activist said...

Anonymous:

Who is more narrow minded--the one who welcomes discussion, or the one who doesn't want to hear any response to what he has said?

To counter your assertion that there is no homosexual agenda, I only need to point you to the book published 20 years ago by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen, entitled "After the Ball: How America Will Conquer It's Fear and Hatred of Gays in the 90's".

The creation account, like the rest of the Bible, was written by men who were inspired by God. No man was there to witness the creation, but God was, obviously.

Whether or not the actual word "homosexual" was in existence when the original manuscripts were written, the same meaning is conveyed--that of a man lying with another man, as with a woman.

How can you say there is some truth in the Bible, but it is not all true? How do you decide which is true and which is not? Obviously, you just throw out the parts you don't agree with. And what do you make of the fact that the Bible itself claims that it is all true?

All Scripture is God-breathed. The original manuscripts are without error. You are correct that some minor errors may have crept in through the centuries and translations, but any errors are minor, and do not result in any doctrinal differences between translations.

I would agree finding truth might be a "personal" journey, but that does not mean everyone has their own personal truth that is equally as valid as everyone else's personal truth. Multiple conflicting truths cannot all be true.

I did not say the truth I seek is far more important than the truth you seek. If you are indeed seeking truth, then you are seeking the same thing as I, and I have no quarrel with you. Religion may be about faith and beliefs, but underlying those faith and beliefs are hard truths.

My belief in the Bible is not based purely on faith. There is so much evidence for the accuracy of the Bible, that one would have to close their eyes to not see it.

You talk about me being on a "narrow lane trail", but that is exactly what Jesus told us in Matthew 7:13-14:

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

The fact that I believe God's word does not prevent me from noticing the "beauty and people around" me. And just because I hold to those beliefs does not mean I have not experienced things outside those beliefs, nor does it mean I will "wither into a (sic) illiterate babling (sic) person". How ridiculous!