Ben Zickefoose Retired, Kinesiology Dept. ACU, TX & traveling ministry.

How should we as Christians deal with the homosexual situations and issues taking over the media today?

When Jesus dealt with sinners, he would tell them to go and sin no more. Why? Because he knew the consequence if they didn’t repent, that is, if they didn’t change their life-styles.

Should Christians be concerned enough to do the same today? Yes!

Christians, who evangelize a lost and dying world with the gospel of Christ because they do not want to see anyone condemned to hell, must warn sinners - whatever the sin - about the consequence of their sin.

The world labels Christians “bigots” because they warn sinners about the consequence of their sin. I call it love.

If someone doesn’t care for sinners, and doesn’t love sinners, and would like to see them condemned to eternal hell, this person might be a bigot. If this is the case, just leave the sinner alone. Don’t try to help them. God will take care of the judgment. Hebrews 13:4Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. NIV

But, to the contrary, if one does care about the salvation of sinners, do as Peter, Paul, James, Jude and John did. Warn them with a spirit of love, gentleness and respect. Encourage them to repent. 

Suggestion: Christians should be cautious about being interviewed by some media organizations today concerning anything, but especially about cultural issues. Depending on their ethics, some media organizations can and do edit interviews to “create the news.” It is a sad thing that they would do such, but some have done so and will continue to do so.

Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. NIV

1 Peter 5:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. NIV

April 06 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

sandra blankespoor

I can't help but feeling that the asker has asked a very practical question, whereas many of the answers do not reflect this "how to deal with...." on a daily basis. 
Earlier today, I watched the news and heard explicit information about teen girls who had been forced to work as prostitutes, in an area not that far from me. Then the (BBC) news reported that 77 children in the UK aged UNDER 10 (!) had been referred to gender councilling, because they were believed to be in the "wrong body". Two "girls" (born boys) of 8 and 6 (!) were interviewed about their transgender issue. 

For (I trust) understandable reasons, I'm not very comfortable with my young kids watching any of this.

So what about the daily show about a high school, with a lesbian pupil trying to arrange a date for her gay teacher. The weekly Bed & Breakfast challenge and property search programmes, which often feature gay couples. The many shows with gay hosts, who sometimes seem intent on making erotic comments about guests or situations during prime time tv. Gay couples kissing in ads for dating agencies, all before the watershed, as "before kids' bedtime" is referred to in the UK. 

What am I to make of this all? What are my kids to make of this all? 
I am a Christian and all about not wanting to condemn anyone for their sins. It is NOT up to me to judge anyone, and *I* certainly couldn't cast any stones.

But what am I to make of it all? I don't want my kids growing up to think that all they see in this respect is okay, when it is clearly one of the few "unacceptable behaviours" carried over to the New Testament from the Old Testament. Why would the Bible be so particular about this particular aspect of life if, really, it didn't matter because we will all be forgiven?

Someone who repents of sinful sexual behaviour, is just as much saved as any other person, whether they are drunkards, thieves, adulterers, murderers, or... me. So, no issue there! And anyone truly wanting to be a Christian, will not only repent, but also stop (doing whatever they were doing that was sinful).

But do I want my kids to be watching all of the above? Do I first want to let them think it is all okay (because that's what they've seen on telly!), and then try to explain to them that the Bible actually has a thing or two to say about all of this? 
That, yes, we were all created by God and that, yes, that therefore gives God the right to tell us what He expects of us, even if we don't understand and even if what He says may not suit our personal desires. 
But no, we can go out and do as we please; all will be forgiven.

Frankly no, that is not what I want them to "learn" from the media.

I would recommend the asker: if you find that your local media are constantly airing stuff that presents the opposite of what you read in the Bible: stop watching and listening. Find alternatives that line up with Biblical views. 
Avoid shows that have certain tendencies. I expect you'll be doing the same with programmes with violence and/or adult content. 
Or just switch off - you don't REALLY need them.
God is reality, and so is what He has taught us. If that is something people question, it won't help them to point fingers at others who are sinful in other ways and do not repent, either. If someone has an issue with God's authority, they need to sort that out themselves, and hopefully He will give them the strength and wisdom they need to come to the right conclusions. 

In the meantime, nobody "has" to watch and read media that promote behaviour which is not serving God, and nobody has to feel bad about not wanting to watch and read such media. 
DO love your neighbour as much as you love yourself - just don't feel forced to watch everything your neighbour does, OR allow the media to set a bad example to your kids....! God bless!

April 07 2015 • 6 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Aurel Gheorghe

Apparently, there is a great concern and division among Christians today regarding our attitude while interacting with sinners in general, and homosexuals in particular. While in the past the issue was mostly a moral one, more recently, politicians are trying to exploit the division and merge the legal with moral issue for their political gain. 

In the OT the capital punishment is prescribed for a variety of offenses; from breaking the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14), disrespecting parents (Deuteronomy 21:18-21), blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16) or gathering firewood on Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-36). Although many Christians are happy to cite Leviticus 20:13 in condemnation of homosexuality, are less enthusiastic to point to other offenses worthy of OT stoning. The lack of consistency is puzzling for many, especially for non-Christians. 

Another text often cited in condemnation of homosexuality is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Here Paul lists a number of sins that would undoubtedly separate us from God and eternal life. Sins like fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, greed, alcoholism, etc. Interestingly enough, we rarely hear Christians being outraged about any of the above listed sins other than homosexuality. 

And in Luke 16:18, Jesus tells "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery." In USA the divorced rate is about 50%, while among Christians is slightly lower, 42%. Many of these divorced Christians remarry. Taking Jesus' words to its face value would mean that lots of adulterous people are sitting in our churches today. Apparently this is not as concerning to many of us as the sin of homosexuality. 

Recently a few businesspersons expressed concern about being placed in a hypothetical position of being forced to perform services for gay weddings. Baking a wedding cake, or making a flower arrangement for a gay wedding seem to be a big worry for some Christians. Knowing what Jesus said in Luke 16:18 and Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, I wonder if there is any concern of providing services for a divorced couple that is remarrying? I never heard of any refusal of participating on a adulterous weeding and that makes some wonder why the double standard.

Opening the door to discriminatory business practices is a dangerous path that some are willing to take. Knowing that worldwide Islam is the fasting growing religion and in the USA atheism is fast growing, I fear that one day Christians might find themselves at the receiving end of religious discrimination if we are so eager to create a legal precedent. 

In Luke 7:36-39 we read that Jesus was not bothered by an interaction with a prostitute, a woman that the religious leaders of that time despised and marginalized. Also in Matthew 9:10-11 Jesus is having dinner with sinners, practice that bothered greatly the Pharisees. 

Paul, right after he cites the sins that would lead to death, he makes the following statement rarely mentioned in our churches: "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11). 

My humble suggestion is that rather than trying to divide, point fingers, castigate and marginalize anyone that might be the biggest sinner among us, how about trying to show them the love of Christ and tell them that they too can be washed and sanctified by the blood of Christ, just like some of the Christians in Corinth Church.

April 05 2015 • 20 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Emo Tenorio Shomer

I humbly submit that once again the secular intelligentsia media's current Orwellian five minutes of hate is really directed at God through His people.(Galatians 1:8)

Remember one Brian Williams once the most trusted name in deceptive media news, paid millions to tell us rubes the unbiased truth on any matter of propaganda and for years known within this revered media to be a liar, but he was their LIAR.
(2 Corinthians 11:13; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 2 Corinthians 11:15)

As the Lord said you can tell the kingdom and it's workers from the fruit that it produces and mark well fear and confusion comes not from Gods kingdom.(Luke 6:22; John 7:24)

God's people are told almost daily that they must change their hateful and out of date religious views on every sin and abomination under the sun as if there were an expiration date on the words of our faith.(Acts 5:29; Ephesians 5:6)

That somehow a free born citizen of the republic must yield and suffer lost of their liberties to a spirited small well dressed demonic mob, all for the crime of choosing not to partake in an immortal action of their belief is totalitarian. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Considering that the religion of peace is never taken to task on their views or positions by the alphabet grievance alliance communities, tells everyone what this is really about!

The answer is really quite simple for those who have a relationship with the Lord Jesus, be of good courage, as for all others they must choose who they will serve and obey this day. (Luke 11:23; Matthew 25:41)

"The crumb of freedom man grants you today, he will return for tomorrow" Jack_ten

In the Lord's freedom always.......................warrior on

April 05 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

An excellent place to start for determining how to react on issues of morality, including homosexuality, in daily life is I Tim 1.

The chapter lays out some core motivations:

1) We should show mercy towards the ignorance and unbelief of others, they are as we once were (I Tim 1:12-17)

2) We should hold fast to our faith, so we can stand firm in spiritual battles (I Tim 1:18-20)

3) We should love others from a pure heart and good conscience. This, among other things, includes:
A) Confession of our own personal sins
B) Advancing God's work
C) Standing against false teachings
D) Proper use of the law.

Our proper use of the law in the social and civic spheres (teaching, promoting good laws, which includes media interaction) should then come out of a heart pointed towards Christ, mercy, love, and truth.

(I Tim 1:8) Civil laws are very good when used to keep order, such as penalties for crimes like murder and rape. Yet a law can be bad if it is improperly used, such as laws promoting slavery. 

(I Tim 1:9) If man could be perfectly governed 'from within', he would need no force from without to make him comply with the civil order. Morally speaking, no one can perfectly follow God's law whether through internal motivation or external command, which is why Christ had to fulfill the law on our behalf. Now, we are internally motivated by the Spirit, and as we put on the mind of Christ.

Yet non-believers do not have the Holy Spirit, and we in our physical bodies are still subject to the ruling authorities (Rom 13:1-2, Titus 3:1-2). 
As such, we must and should interact with our local society and laws, albeit with the understanding that our true citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20-21). 

Law, being justice and order both ethical and practical, by its nature should stand against certain things. I Tim 1:9-11 gives a short list of these, most of which have bearing on current social and media issues, such as religious freedom in Indiana:

1) Lawlessness (anarchy; refusal to recognize any superior law to self)

We can stand against anarchy by promoting good laws/leaders, and following civil laws ourselves where they do not ask us to break God's law.

2) Rebellion (Deliberately flouting or standing against the law)

We can stand against this by honoring authorities in our own lives (parents, government) as an example to neighbors.

3) Lack of respect/disregard for the sacred

We can stand against this by 'respecting what is Holy' ourselves and promoting a general respect for what is sacred in society. Morally, we can stand against this by sharing the gospel. That is, we should stand against efforts to promote secular humanism or a 'godless' society.

4) Murder

We should promote laws that protect innocent life. We should stand against murder, genocide, abortion, murder by the State or religious group, etc.

5) Fornication and homosexual activity

We should stand against the promotion of sexual immorality in civic life, as well as against homosexual behavior. While we do not need to personally get involved with every earthly issue, neither should we be completely silent on matters of law and morality that affect us. At the very least, we should not support immorality simply because it is 'easier' or popular to do so.

Lot faced similar issues, but worse, as he lived in a depraved area. His righteous soul was 'tormented' day after day, but God rescued Him (II Pet 2:4-10

We should then take courage if we are faced with hostility or loss, as it is God who will judge in the end.

6) Kidnapping/Slavery
We should promote laws that protect freedom of personage. That is, we should promote laws that prohibit the taking of freedom or life from others. A law that forces someone to perform a service or provide a good to someone else is a type of slavery. Civil transactions should have mutual consent.

7) Misrepresentation/Perjury
We should not distort issues ourselves, and should seek truth and not media distortion.

April 07 2015 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Lynda Hickman Homemaker, plumber, carpenter, all around gearhead

This is how I dealt with homosexual issues in the media today.

While chronologically I am many years from being a child, in my heart I remain very much a child.
Like a child, I am easily offended by things that are offensive to the LORD & I pray that I remain so until He calls me home.

For many years, like millions of other families, we watched the telly in our home. In the very early years of TV, the bulk of programing was fairly innocent. Not completely, but enough so that a discerning "head of the family" could see to it that the impressionable members of the family weren't contaminated by filth.

I remember my dad loved shows like Lawrence Welk & Perry Como. And like many men of his era, he loved Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. 

But let a commercial break the airways that was suggestive or vulgar & off went the telly. No if's, and's or but's!
And there was always a limit to how much that "idiot box" could be on. There were no TV marathons. 

And BTW, can you imagine 86 hours & 37 minutes of the Simpsons? Well, two people from CA are in the Guinness Book of World Records for doing just that! 

Now, in my life, many years later, I shudder to think how many thousand's of dollars we have invested in two different providers, one cable & one satellite.
My husband was an avid sports fan, especially auto & power boat racing.
As his health declined, he had more time to spend watching those events.
Obviously, while he lived, I would never have asked him to give up the one idle time activity that he could still enjoy. 

But when my husbands life on earth ended in January, I ended that connection.
When asked why I wanted to disconnect from the satellite, I told the company rep that I no longer wanted the open sewer pipe into my home.
And while this sounds like a humorous statement, it is indeed true when I say that I believe getting free of a notorious crime organization would be easier than getting free of a satellite provider! Once they have their hooks in you, they do not want to let you go!

I am sure we all know that the greatest percent of TV programing is aimed at either causing believers in Christ to question their faith or to proselytize watchers into a worldly mentality that accepts every behavior as O.K.

Those innocent programs of years gone by are truly gone. Now it seems that even programs that began with a somewhat innocent story line & a minimum of questionable dialog have begun to embrace subjects & controversies that should not be a part of a Christian's life, should not be brought into their thinking, into their lives.

Programs that once were just entertaining, now seem to have an agenda.
The writers, producers & sponsors all seem to have the same goal, & that is to make homosexuality acceptable.

I made the decision to end my "dependence" on the telly. I have since began a month to month association with one of those "movie" providers for a very low monthly fee with no contract. 
Of course, there is no news or weather programing but that is available right here on my computer.
No longer held hostage by a satellite, I have a wide variety of shows & movies available to watch when I want to. 

Groucho Marx once said, "I find television very educating. Every time someone turns on the set, I go into the other room & read a book!"

I would suggest to those who are concerned about having an open sewer line in their home end their relationship with whatever provider they are paying for that privilege. 

One added benefit is that I now have extra money each month to share as the LORD directs.

April 23 2015 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Vin Smith Concert Pianist. Piano Tuner. Talk Show Host. Novelist.

Wow... Is arrogance ever a terrible sin! Each and every day, I have to fight arrogance. It's hard! When I dress up in a monkey suit, and stride to a finely tuned grand piano, with an audience of eager listeners, and do not even have to prepare a program... Even compose a lovely sonata right then and there... Wow. Pride and arrogance CAN take over, if one is not careful.

While other concert pianists have to agonize over every single note for a standard length concert, I can just get in the zone and make the piano sing. Wow. Pride and arrogance CAN take over, if one is not careful. 

Other novelists usually have to rewrite--seemingly a thousand times; When I write a novel, 98.5 percent of the words do not have to be changed. Rumor has it J. K. Rowling is much the same way. But Irving Wallace reports that while it is all on the page when he finishes a rough draft, he must cut 75% out of it, and rewrite copious times. I do not have to do that! Wow! Pride and arrogance CAN take over, if one is not careful...

When each of us ply the trade and talents we have been given, we must realize where those gifts come from. Gifts from God. Otherwise... Pride and arrogance CAN take over, if one is not careful...

The original sin? It was in Heaven. Lucifer. His name meant "Morning Star." He was the height, the absolute embodiment of created perfection. But he acquired the attitude of arrogance. Every single manifestation of sin came from that original arrogance.

It is the height of arrogance to condemn the homosexual! It is a sin equal to the sin of homosexuality. We as Christians are charged with loving the sinner--and hating the sin. This is what Jesus preached.

Love the sinner... Hate the sin...

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15) ESV

"And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7) ESV

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23) ESV

April 06 2015 • 11 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Edwin Danny Reaid

Many, many, many Churches today are more of a reflection of our society than they are of Christ. The natural order of man in society is to redefine words or concepts to fit their world as they are creating it. Law's and Rules change depending on how many people you can fit on a particular side of a scale... society has a problem with a Law Giver and with Absolute Truth. 

They are more concerned with being in their FEELINGS than being in their KNOWINGS. TOLERANCE does not mean "Accepting" but means to be "Respectful". Scripture tells us what sin is and we all sin - we all fall short, BUT to (continue) in a sin deliberately without "change" is a reflection of the true state of someone's Heart and not being in Christ. A church which is accepting of such deliberate and continuing behavior is not of God but of Man...their numbers and acceptance among men is more of a concern than the standards of a Holy God. 

We can LOVE someone and not Like, Accept or Approve of their ACTIONS! Taking a stance on (anything) and I mean anything in society carries acceptance more so than TRUTH!

April 06 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Kraft 74 year old retired pipeline worker

We cannot expect unbielvers to act like believers. That is the reason that the law does no good. People can only be changed from the inside out. If there is no heart change there will be no right action. Only Jesus can change the wicked heart of man.

I think all we can do is point out what the bible says on any subject. And then point out that the law was given to show us we are sinners in need of a savior. A leapard cannot change his spots. Many times people will have to hit bottom to find Jesus.

Remember that the media thrives on controversy. We really need to depend on God when ever we are in such a place as we really do not know at any given time what to say without the spirits leading. It is so easy to do the right thing in the wrong way.

April 23 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Chinonye Chukwuemeka wife and mother. Health professional.

My candid opinion is this: - If the foundation is faulty, what can the righteous do? 
If we take away the foundation of a true and living God from our schools, adverts and from everything else just because we don't want to infringe on peoples' religious right, in a country which made a declaration on God, then the foundation becomes faulty.
We've taken God away from everything and suddenly become our own creator. A child who grows up in such times, gets so deceived into everything else because he/she doesn't know better. A child bombarded daily with the negatives becomes all knowing and unbelieving of any being higher than him.

For us that still know what truth means, are charged with the responsibility of saving a remnant for the Lord and these remnants are our children. They are our responsibility and we still have a say over their lives both spiritually and physically, till they become adults. Shield them from negative media and remain unwavering and strong in faith for their sakes.

May 25 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Orville Carney

As I read the questions and answers there is a Russian Dating Ad next to the answers with a scantily clad apparently single woman enticing us to find our match now! To top that off there is a logo for the site that is clearly using all the colors of the rainbow which just happens to be as we all know the colors that represent the gay community! Subliminal and yet the answer to this question is right in front of us. I clicked the link to remove an inappropriate ad and I was redirected to a page that states ebible is funded by Google adwords. So the short answer is be careful of everything as our beliefs are under attack and its not always in front of our eyes or even of our own doing. Wear your armor!

May 30 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Gary Creel

It should be dealt with the same way you deal with all the divorce and adultery that is currently occurring in this country.

April 05 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Joe cattani

This is how I handle the world. 

Whenever I am listening to the news, reading the paper, watching a televangelist, or talking to a pastor or neighbor, if I don't recognize the Sheppard's voice, I walk away.

April 23 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Sunday Kunkushi

Homosexuality is a sin, a desire of the flesh and an abomination. It goes against the will of God for humanity as it is said "Be fruitful and multiply and subdue the earth". I don't care what anyone tried to justify the act with neither do I care about how we tend to relate it to other sins. The fact that media makes us become sympathetic is already the devil at work. 

A lot of people are fearful in telling the truth. Toy stores, media, bars and movie world are raking in billions of dollars, therefore pushing acceptance into the hearts of sane people.

I am not hating on anybody, but let's be frank and not be political about the things of God. Diseases and plaques are affecting the world due to acceptance of so many man made stuffs. Next time you're in the store buying fruits, buy the organic natural stuffs than buying seedless generic produce. The bible clearly states that God made plants, herbs and trees that has their seeds in itself. Probably these fast growing seedless mindset of people may have something to do with eating generic plants that can not produce after its own kind.

May 01 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

UDUAK Udom

Homosexuality has become a big issue all over the world. Rich countries stop sending aid to a developing country because a law is passed against gay marriage. The state visit of a developing country's president to a developed country, dates which had been fixed and preparations made, is cancelled as soon as that developing country's senate passes a law against gay marriage IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY! It makes me realize that this whole thing is not ordinary! I just believe we are coming to that point that we have to make up our minds to either compromise with the world in serving or bowing to their gods, or stand up to our faith. I see this whole thing tending towards asking believers to 'fall before the golden image' that the world is creating. And true believers have to make up their minds, asking help, wisdom and boldness from God to answer like the three Hebrew children in Babylon:

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

May 02 2015 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report