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V RaptureChrist Newsletter
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On August 6, 2003 the House of Bishops voted to confirm Gene Robinson as Bishop to New Hampshire. He is the first gay bishop in the history of the Episcopal Church. Those opposed to Robinson's nomination stated that the selection of an openly homosexual bishop would split the U.S. Anglican Church and alienate it from the 73 million member Worldwide Anglican Church. Those fears have become reality. On September 27, 2003, the Episcopal churches of Texas and Pennsylvania have called on the Anglican Communion to state that those who are against the openly homosexual bishop and homosexuality are "the legitimate expression'" of the Episcopal Church. In 1986 Robinson divorced his wife and left her and his two young daughters to move in with his homosexual companion, Mark Andrew.
Not only is Bishop Robinson an open homosexual, there has been an allegation against him of inappropriate behavior with other men. Another allegation has to do with pornography. Bishop Robinson was a founder of a gay and lesbian outreach ministry, Outright. This ministry preaches to gay and lesbian youth, who are often confused about their sexuality. Outright had a website with links to several pornographic websites. David C. Anderson, President of the American Anglican Council, declared that those pornographic sites showed "hard-core pornography." But what else could anyone expect from a homosexual? Jesus said: Luke 6:44 Opponents to the nomination of Bishop Robinson such as Bishop Robert E. Duncan of Pittsburgh, state ''This body, in willfully confirming the election of a person sexually active outside of holy matrimony, has departed from the historic faith and order of the church of Jesus Christ...this body has denied the plain teaching of Scripture and the moral consensus of the church throughout the ages.'' We are living in a time similar to Sodom. These truly are the last days. God says in the Bible: 2 Peter 2:6 Can a fireman be a pyromaniac? How can a man who is living in open sin lead anyone to God? 1 Corinthians 6:9 2 Timothy 3:1 |
On September 17, 2003 Canada's House of Commons passed a controversial bill that will penalize public expression against homosexual behavior. Anyone who quotes certain verses of the Holy Bible which speak against homosexuality could be guilty of "hate speech" and forego a penalty of up to five years in prison. This bill, passed by a 141-110 vote, will add sexual orientation as a protected category to Canada's genocide and hate-crimes legislation. "It's been a good week for equality in Canada," said Svend Robinson, the sponsor of the bill, who is an openly gay member of Parliament. To be enacted into law, this bill needs to be passed by the senate, which is quite likely to happen. As WorldNetDaily published, church leaders worry that if the Robinson's bill becomes law, the Holy Bible will be not be used for preaching because it is "hate literature" under the criminal code. Canada has a history of persecuting Christians who publicly express themselves. One example is Hugh Owens of Regina, Canada who on June 30, 1997 placed an ad in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix with four Bible passages from Romans, Leviticus and First Corinthians, which condemn homosexuality. As a result he was fined by the Saskatchewan human-rights tribunal. On April 14, 2003 a teacher, Chris
Kempling, was suspended without pay by the British Columbia College of
Teachers (BCCT) for writing a letter against homosexuals to the editor of
a local newspaper in British
Columbia Canada is not the only country setting a trend for the United States to follow. In May 2002 Sweden passed a law in the Riksdag that criminalizes "hate speech" against gay people. In a formal address to the Riksdag, the Swedish chancellor of justice Göran Lambertz said that any reference to the Bible stating that homosexuality is sinful "might" constitute a criminal offense under the law. If convicted, the person could face up to two years in prison. Leading homosexuals have declared that they will report preachers who "speak disparagingly" against homosexuals. The President of the Swedish Federation for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights, Sören Andersson, said that his organization will "report hate speech irrespective of where it occurs." He has demanded that no exceptions be made for clergy. Church leaders are very concerned. Johann Candelin, a Finnish pastor and president of the Religious Liberties Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance said, "If the bill passes, it will place Sweden on level with China, with the state defining which theology is permissible." England is another country that
is following the trend of persecution against Christians who express
themselves publicly against homosexuality. On November 13, 2002,
posters went up in London telling people to report "hate crimes"
to police. This will enable police to target the "criminals" and
stop the "abuse." The British government is
encouraging
people to report "criminals". If a preacher refuses to marry a homosexual couple he can be arrested. If he speaks out against sin he can be arrested. If the little sheep complain about the lions and tigers that attack them, that is "hate speech." How can Christians speak out against
homosexual pornography if we can be accused of "hate
speech"?
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