Free Speech, Religious Freedom and Gay Rights

Recently Phil Robertson, one of the members of the show Duck Dynasty, made the news for his comments about homosexuals in an interview with GQ magazine. The 'Duck Commander' found himself in a firestorm of controversy over simply stating his beliefs. Mr. Robertson is a Christian and he simply stated what the Bible says...homosexuality is a sin. For his comments he was put on hiatus by A&E, the cable channel that produces the show, so they could reassure the (LGBT) "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender " community that they are "gay friendly".

This is not a new phenomenon. One may remember Anita Bryant years ago coming under similar fire. All Ms. Bryant did was state her Christian beliefs also. For these simple statements of belief both Bryant, Robertson and many others have been labeled haters and much worse.

The principles of the first amendment are THE reason why the United States of America was founded. Our forefathers came here to freely practice their various religions and to have freedom of speech and the press. These very principles are under attack by the so-called politically correct. What no war with a foreign enemy has been able to do...the cultural war going on in America is doing.

The first amendment of the constitution says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

While the principles outlined in our constitution have been the foundation for building the greatest country in the history of the world...these days those principles are being eroded away. One can promote any vile, perverse and sexually degenerate comments one cares to these days...but any mention about God or Biblical morality are strictly forbidden in the public arena.

The Bible foretold of a time when men would call evil good and good evil. We are clearly in such a time. Not only Biblical principles are under attack but American principles are under attack as well. While the first amendment guarantees the right of freedom of speech it only protects one from the government, not commercial or private discourse. That's the argument people are made in Robertson case. The cable channel A&E had the right to pull Mr. Robertson from the air...even though it would had proved to be a very bad business decision.The backlash from traditional Americans pressured A&E to allow Mr. Robertson to resume his appearances.

What this episode did was expose a very dark undertone in our society. The real irony is that the same people who, not so many years ago, fought for their own freedom of speech and freedom of expression now don't want any voices speaking out against them. For a movement whose calls have been for "tolerance" and "diversity" this was pure hypocrisy. The 'LGBT' and "PC" crowd has NO tolerance for free speech or diversity...unless it agrees with them. They are among the first and the harshest to speak out against Christians and the teachings of the Bible which have been traditionally accepted by most Americans. What they demonstrate is a hatred for God.

Don't misunderstand this...homosexuality is no more or less of a sin than adultery, fornication or any other sexual sin. God doesn't hate His children for their sins...but He does hate their sins. The so-called "Gay" movement has coined it's own terms to attempt to redirect the conversation. Sodomites became 'Gays'. Anyone who disapproved of such perversions became 'homophobic'...like the actual problem is a 'fear of' that lifestyle. Gays insist on their unions being called 'marriages'. This is yet another slap at God. Marriage, Holy Matrimony, is a covenant with God that two people enter into. God recognizes no covenant that is based on, what He calls, sin.

On a personal level, I know both gays and lesbians that I love as people. I think the issue is a very hard one for a Christian. It is one of the main issues of our time. How do we reconcile personal friendships with our spiritual beliefs? We are called on to love our fellow man but real love has rules that the scriptures make clear. We are not to condemn sinners but we are also not to fellowship with them as Christians. That includes ALL who practice sin and refuse to put it out of their lives. I don't try to judge them or anyone else. Only God has the wisdom to do so. But I am called on to be true to what I believe. I can't compromise on that. I cannot condone behavior that, the scriptures, and my heart tells me is sinful. What I can do is love the sinners while not condoning the sins. What I can do is show compassion because I too am a sinner.

Now, as an American, I may not agree with what someone says...but I will fight for their right to say it. We need open, honest dialogue. That's the only way truth can come out as far as I'm concerned. I will not stand for the hypocrisy that the left has demonstrated in this or any other issue.

There is no question that our society is changing...and not for the better...at least from a Christian perspective. The darkness is closing in. Men have begun to call evil good and good evil. They hate the gospel of Christ which calls for men to "Repent" and turn to obedience to God. Even so-called Christian churches now preach what their members want to hear...instead of the truth of the scriptures.

The Bible is clear...we will pay for our disobedience to our Creator. That is not a message people are comfortable hearing...and they shouldn't be. We still need to hear it... No politically correct movement  will ever change that.