After nearly two decades of public service on social issues, and two statewide public victories on gay rights, a simple idea is synonymous with my name -- gay rights are wrong in every way.
The leadership of Stand for Marriage, a creation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, decided early on that any public discussion of the morality of homosexuality, homosexual behavior, gay rights or domestic partnership (in a critical way) would significantly risk the campaign. The YES on 1 television ad that ran most frequently on the final weekend of the campaign promised more gay rights and praised domestic partnerships for homosexuality. And I'm not the only one with concerns about this tactic. Click here.
The powers that be knew something I didn't know even before I knew it. You can't put that ad and Mike Heath in the same campaign. It just won't work in a liberal state, or so they think. Did I need to resign to bring about a victory? Who knows. We do know that YES on 1 prevailed on Tuesday.
It was my duty to stand on principle. That is the duty of every man.
Had the Stand for Marriage Coalition allowed me into the campaign they knew that I would fight them every step of the way on these points.
So where does the pro family movement in Maine go from here?
Homosexual marriage is inevitable, and will be created shortly by the courts or another legislative action.
Christians need to stop being politically correct. Many evangelical pastors emerged as leaders this year. My prediction is that you will see them fade back into the woodwork now. You shouldn't let that happen.
Here is the question that is burning in my heart for all the Pastors and Priests in Maine, "Why not give individuals the right to define marriage for themselves if you're going to concede that society can honor sexual promiscuity by other names (domestic partnerships and gay rights)?"
The answer is that there isn't a good reason to protect just the word marriage. If the church is going to agree with the decoupling of sex and marriage in the society then the end result is entirely predictable. Sodom and Gomorrah.
Individual passions must not be allowed to dictate social and moral norms. Social norms must be derived from something more objective, like religion -- in Maine's case, Christianity.
Some of my Catholic friends in Maine tell me that civil law can honor both marriage and homosexuality, as long as homosexuality isn't specifically endorsed. That is the reasoning behind Maine's clever Domestic Partnership law. It doesn't specifically ... in the words of the law ... endorse sex outside of marriage. EVERYONE, however, knows that 99 percent of domestic partners aren't platonic. While the argument might be fine in theory it obviously fails in practice.
So, the effect of this compromise on public conduct and thinking is obvious. Sex outside of marriage is fine in society, it's just not kosher for some churches. It is fascinating to watch the debate now come fully into God's house. We aren't just having this debate in the so-called public square anymore. It is fully engaged inside the sanctuary.
Most Christians I know can't make up their mind anymore about the fitness of homosexuals with respect to heaven. They aren't fit. I am regularly upbraided by parents of homosexuals who are faithful church goers. "How dare I judge, etc." I understand this from people who aren't in the pews. I find it bewildering coming from those who are in the pews. I'm one of the only voices left publicly challenging their loved one on the morality of their lifestyle, and they view me as a threat? This leaves me wondering what they really believe about heaven, hell and homosexuality.
A pastor of a large conservative evangelical church once told me that my presence would be unwelcome because lesbians who occasionally attend wouldn't understand. To this day I'm left wondering what they wouldn't understand?
The truth of the matter is that they would understand, and that's the problem. We win people to our side with honey only these days. We've deliberately forgotten the spare the rod, spoil the child/disipline/judgment theme in Scripture. Call it selective amnesia.
The future of the pro family movement is all about Christianity. It is about Christians, Catholic and Protestant, coming together on the basis of shared theological principles. If we continue to allow politics to shape our movement we will lose the civilization. I should think that's pretty clear by now.
While I don't usually do this I did it last night. I watched an hour of the Comedy Channel. I watched Jon Stewart and the other guy that follows Stewart. The shows were hilarious, and subtle. The humor they employed was faith-destroying, and left of center on hot button social issues. Without the sexual innuendo I don't think they'd have gotten one laugh! These guys are doing enormous damage to the moral interests and sensibilities of Americans.
The days of innocent slapstick are long gone. We are sexually serious about our humor, thank you very much.
And, the future of the pro family movement is serious also, for everyone.
I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. -- John 15
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