why are we homophobic?

This is an editorial response written by my dad in a local newspaper:

Community columnist Sara Hoffman (Feb. 19) would do well to think a little more deeply on the subject of homosexual marriage. Like so many that supports legalizing such unions, she trivializes what is really at stake. What is being debated regarding homosexual marriage is not a personal, private issue, but is the very foundation of our culture and society. We do not simply play around with the foundation stones of our culture and society as if they really did not matter. You can decorate your home any way you like, but you cannot mess with the foundation without incurring serous consequences. Marriage and family are too important to be tinkered with or simply dismissed as matters of personal preference.

Moreover, Hoffman fails see that the real issue for those who practice homosexuality is not marriage. Having a marriage certificate is not going to make the difference they are pursuing. The goal is the normalization of homosexuality. If marriage is granted to those who practice homosexuality then homosexuality will be declared normal and it will become illegal to speak against it. Ms. Hoffman, it will enter our homes and our churches. One only needs to look north and see that once homosexuality is declared normal, then those who disagree are effectively and legally silenced. The very fundamental freedoms of speech and religion are at stake here.

The preservation of marriage between one man and one woman is fundamental to the survival of our culture.

Dan Gardinier,
city: Wellington
Originally published: Monday, March 1, 2004

Is this issue at the fundation of American society? More importantly, is the sociallogical norms held by the American government open to the critical judgment of the Christian Church? Overll, in what way should the Church responsed to sociological norms? (I think that will be the word for this entry)

Every election the Church has gathered together to voice its beliefs on the ballet (a right that should not be taken for granted or under-minded). However, I must say that the American government is not the Church. Even though the founding fathers were leaders within the Christian community, the government was not established under the authority of the Church, but as a separate authoritative body to be maintained by the people for the people. As a result, the religious freedom granted to the Church by the government must also be extended to those outside the Church body. Subsequently, it is the masses that dictate what is considered to be acceptable norms within society and the legislation of these norms.

what 'rights' does an illegal imigrant have?

To what extent should individuals ‘rights’ be addressed on the bases of nationality? Was not man created equal before ‘God’ according to the four-fathers of America. Then on what grounds do we have the ability to segregate the rights of fellow humans according to nationality?

On the grounds soaked with blood by those who have sacrificed much for their country and countrymen. The freedom that was claimed in the revolutionary war, protected during both World Wars, I dare say, is not at the liberty and disposal of individuals from foreign countries.

On the other hand, as a christian, I have an obligation to offer - either in service, or material wealth - to those who are not as fortunate as myself or those who are simply in need of my help. To what extent does this apply to those who are "illegal immagrants"?


Comment by Andrea Lunn:
It is important to allow all people from all nations the opportunity to come to our nation and reach for the Amercian dream as our founding fathers did and our own families have done. However, the United States does not have unlimited resources and has the right to know who is living and using its land and infrustructure. The problem the nation is experiencing today is that the legal procedures to be legally present in the U.S. are too cumbersome and take so long that many are discouraged and enter unlawfully. Even as a Christian who wants to love and serve all; the Bible tells us to give to Ceaser what is Ceaser. Therefore, I would argue for an overhall of the procedures to allow for legal prensence in the U.S. while remvoing those who are unwilling to follow the easier procedures and preventing them from returning for sometime. I don't believe it should take any less time to become a U.S. citizen, that is a different issue, but I do believe it should be easier to live, work, and contribute to our society legally and that there should be harsher reprocutions to those who want to cheat the system.

Make the system fair and then we can stand proud to be part of a nation that is open to all who desire to be free and who honor the law!

Comment by Bruce Cooke:
As a legal alien in this country i find myself emotionally torn on this issue of illegal immigrants. on the one side, here you have people (most of them) searching to make something of the one life they have, and pursuing it in the one place where there is some chance of success (as an aside, it is worth noting that the US has historically played a significant role in impoverishing her neighbours to the South and so contributing to the imbalance that now causes illegals to flood in). On the other side there is a need for law and order and working within the system not trying to get around it.

I agree with Andrea, that the laws need to be enforced but let us not assume that all the immigration laws are just and equitable. there is room for compassion in immigration laws.

Finally, what concerns me is a seeming rise of anti-others. there is this assumption that American culture must look and sound a certain way and fear of being 'influenced' by other cultures. this could give rise to increasing racism and xenophobia ... within the church, too.

1.5.06

why should i be a pacifist?

During World War II my mother's father, who is now deceased, flew over 150 missions for US Air-force in the south Pacific, where my father's father also served in the US navy. At the time, there was a large movement towards serving their country in what has often been viewed as a justified war. Yet today I find my granddad disgusted by the very fact US went to war against Germany in addition to any other war, under the claim that war only manifests destruction, devastation, and humiliation (among other adjectives which describe in essence ‘pain’). The alternative act or philosophy of pacifists has been readily accepted with the goal to simply do good to those around you. Thus the evolution of humanity may continue to towards a more sophisticated state of being and distance us from our savage-like past. There in lies another question for another time: Has humanity evolved in any sense?

The conclusion achieved by a ‘pacifist’ can be defined as a moral conviction derived from one’s own conscience; meaning that a pacifist position is based upon an actions nature in terms of ‘good’ and ‘evil,’ or ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ For my granddad, the act or state of war can not bring about anything ‘good’ and is in itself evil. Naturally then a pacifist position in times of war avoids such evils. Yet, I have difficulty finding any substantial bases for the claim that nothing ‘good’ has come from wars. It can not be denied that pain and suffering is evident throughout war, but then again life has never been free of pain.

Events, experiences.....the perspective of each individual is more then likely to be shaped by their surrounding environment. But an individual’s perspective does not define reality. Instead reality is the common foreground in which various perspectives lie. Over time, the ideals and perspectives of a given generation shift or change in such a way that what was once given esteem is often discouraged. For example, the values of ‘Courage,’ ‘Honor,’ and ‘Loyalty,’ that were once character traits manifested during times of war have been replaced over the years. Despite the move towards a more ‘Tolerant’ and ‘Pacifist’ approach towards relations, either personal or political, values such as loyalty and courage are not to be discredited in times of opposition. Let me clarify that they are neither a motive towards aggression or opposition, but there is value in characteristics such as ‘Loyalty,’ ‘Courage,’ and ‘Patriotism.’

what is the purpose of evil?

One might dare say that life would be easier if it weren't for our sinful nature. The necessity of pain I can understand, but the sinful nature is one that is hard to come to grasps with. I don't deny its existence in my own life (how could I), but the origin of man's sinful nature takes a little more imagination. Its difficult to understand the creation of sin in a world where all things were created by God, but sin itself is often held by Christians to have entered through man - "The Fall of Man". If it were to enter by the hands of God, would that not contradict the very character of who God is (being Holy and sin-less). To rationalize the origin of sin is beyond the scope of my intellect (if I can call it that), but the characteristics of our sinful nature offer some in-sight to the glory of God.

The very nature of man due to our fallen state of being brings to light a much deeper understanding of God’s true love for His creation. “The Fall” (as it is referred to in the Christian society) did in fact invoke a response from God, and the death of His only Son shakes the soul of even pacifists. Adam’s humanity in contrast with the sovereignty of God (I dare to say) was lost in the light of his own innocence. Man’s dependence upon the grace of God is defined by the loss of innocence or what may also be referred to as the knowledge of 'good' and 'evil'.

when darkness reign

My failure is so evident
And I cannot hide the torment
Face first to the earth
Plagued by the earthly mindset
I cannot escape my basement
Face first to the earth
Hands around my neck
I might as well bow in shame
Overmatched, outwitted
Defeat is my only name
I believe everything you tell me
You've got me convinced I'm guilty
I'd better close my eyes and sleep
Runaway because tomorrow's a better day
But this is your hour when darkness reigns...

When darkness reign across the channels and mediums I feel the loss
Face to face with the possible death of dreams
Mental purity fades to the obscene
Hence the search for another crutch
Another voidfill, another cane to serve as much
And we'll mourn for death of the bother lost
And we'll toast to the death of another farce

Have I lost the battle?
Have I lost the war?
Do I have what it takes to endure the setbacks, ignore the scars
You'd have me adopt that suicide
You'd have me succumb without reply
But you forgot the thousand deaths I've died
You'd have me continue this pace
You'd have me join your race
But that grave will be nothing but an empty space
Arise from the dead, O sleeper
Prepare for the battle cry
Because this is the hour when truth divides...

When truth divides it's done
Revive the sick, the surge of blood
Grab a torch and we'll light and burn
Ignite offensives to claim the loss of sight
Wipe the sleep form your eyes
Release the fate of soul demise
And it's clear for you to understand that the smoke will clear and fill the land
And now the claims are made
Downcast eyes accompany shame
The chaos amassed against will redirect to find a home anew To face the depths...

You've lost my enemy
Now taste defeat Now taste your own saliva
Because you'll never quench the heat
Arise from the dead and wake

When darkness riegns - Project 86

http://www.project86.com/