Believers Are Not Bigots

Last month in Moorhead, Minnesota where I lived during most of my childhood, a Catholic schoolteacher named Trish Cameron (pictured here) lost her job because of expressing support for same-sex marriage.  Several letters to the editor have since appeared in the local newspaper calling the school’s action “bigotry.” 

One letter writer questioned why some religious organizations continue calling homosexuality a sin when they have supposedly changed their views regarding other “abominations” such as wearing clothes of mixed fabric (which applied only to the children of Israel in Leviticus chapter 19) and slavery. There’s a clear difference between forced and voluntary servitude. 

During Bible times, some individuals willingly became servants of others because they received provision and personal safety not available otherwise. Unlike other ancient cultures, the Law of Moses provided rights and privileges for slaves regardless of their ethnic background. While it’s unfortunate some early American church leaders twisted Scripture to support forced slavery, many others didn’t and became abolitionists.

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines bigot as “a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices.” It should be pointed out that same-sex marriage advocates are often guilty of being bigots themselves. In recent years, numerous God-fearing individuals have been terminated, harassed, sued, and fined for “discrimination” because of not embracing alternative lifestyle choices.

As a Christian missionary, I believe every human being should be treated with love and respect. But my conscience will never let me condone the practice of homosexuality, which is clearly forbidden in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. People of faith should not be afraid to take a stand for Judeo/Christian principles this nation was founded upon.

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  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 6:9-11

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