-grins- you got this one at least, mate.
Not handsome.
-
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Another minister criticse New AWARE team
- Thread starter myfoot123
- Start date
Not handsome.
-laughs- never said I was. Or were you referring to something else altogether?
Who is this minister anyway?He is a man of huge moral???
I only remember him stating that guys and gals dancing on bar top will lead to huge murders,people killing each other.
But he quickly changed his tune after finding out that MM Lee was the master mind of huge gaming dens and naked dancing gals fr foreign lands.
he stated that that was the thinking of a super brilliant brain who thinks thousands of years ahead of his own nice president's scholar brian.
You have different info???
Last edited:
Dr Thiu is actually not as brave as she claims.
But basically she is right,we should fight against all the decacent western influence that has been trusted upon us by MM Lee of 2009-quoted fr MM Lee of 1989-OUR TREASURED ASIAN VALUES
Dr Thiu has no gut to bang against a powerful MM Lee,she has chosen the easeir way out-in a typical MM Lee's way,fight a soft target.
Sigh!!!
BREAKING NEWS: Staff sent out email asking members to vote at Aware EOGM
Monday, 27 April 2009, 1:43 am | 3,353 views
Breaking News: Ng Teck Siong, chairman of the Reform Party, has resigned from the party. Speaking to TOC, Mr Ng said he has “resigned completely” from the party. He confirmed he is not even an ordinary member of the Reform Party
But church denies instigating Aware takeover
By Terence Lee and Deborah Choo
26 APRIL, 2009 –A CHURCH of our Saviour (COOS) staff sent out an email calling church members to vote at AWARE’s upcoming EOGM, the church spokesman confirmed yesterday.
For a while, it had been unclear whether the leaked email messages, readable in various forums, were authentic.
Speaking on the sidelines after Sunday’s 10.30am service, the church spokesman verified that only Shawn Tay and Linda Seah’s email messages are genuine. Both are staff of the church.
Mr Tay sent out an email on 17th April calling for church members to join AWARE and support the new Executive Committee members. He is from Choices Ministry, a department specialising in homosexual counseling.
In the email, Mr Tay called for “all responsible females to sign up for membership with AWARE immediately, and also to attend this all-important EGM so as to vote against changing the Constitution.”
As for Ms Seah, who is a zone pastor, she sent Senior Pastor Derek Hong an email on 16th April stating that “the number of members registered on Tuesday night is 13 out of 40 who turned up.” As of the time of this piece’s publication, the church has not been able to clarify what this means.
Both email messages were sent only after news of Aware’s takeover broke on The Straits Times.
It is also unclear if the rest of the leaked email are authentic.While admitting that their pastors were involved in garnering support for the new Executive Committee, the church spokesman denied allegations that they instigated the takeover of AWARE.
This is in line with an earlier claim made by the new Executive Committee at a press conference held at Raffles Town Club. They asserted that the church was not involved in the takeover.
“There is no church connection. The church is not at all involved in secular affairs,” they said.
The spokesman maintained that it was the church members’ prerogative to join AWARE, rather than a decision by the church staff’s.
Pastor Hong, who preached during the service, could not be approached directly by TOC for comment.
Pastor voices support for new Aware Exco
While COOS has denied involvement in the AWARE takeover, they are actively supportive of their church members getting involved in the EOGM to support the new Executive Committee.
Pastor Hong devoted most of his sermon on the issue of homosexuality, voicing support for the endeavours of the new Aware team. The service was attended by about 800 people.
Calling for solidarity, he implored the women in the church to “unite with the sisters and support them.” He also said that the new team’s actions are not “a crusade against the people,” but instead a move to ensure that the nation does not cross the line drawn by God.
He also spoke against the “neutral” portrayal of homosexuality taught by AWARE to schoolgirls. The Christian’s belief system, he argued, prevents them from accepting homosexuality as “neutral.” The Bible clearly teaches that it is wrong, and that is the position the church have to take.
“Christians have the responsibility to protect the young, the vulnerable, and the innocent, even though its not popular or politically correct, even though people may not understand or they may get angry with us,” he said.
The pastor, however, sees a silver lining in the controversies. Contrasting Singapore against countries that are heading towards liberalisation, he is glad the Aware team stood up for what the Bible deemed was right. He said: “We need to thank God that because section 377A still stands, we will not move in that direction.”
During the service, new Aware president Josie Lau and her husband Alan Chin were called on stage. While Mr Chin did speak to the congregation, it was not on the Aware controversy, but rather his claim that God has healed his sister of brain stem damage.
After his sharing, Pastor Hong then prayed for the couple, and beckoned the church to join him.
COOS against gay-bashing
Within his sermon, the pastor reiterated the church’s position on homosexuality, which can be found on the COOS website. Basing his position purely based on the Holy Bible, he said that it is not a matter of personal opinion as homosexuality is clearly a sin against God.
“It’s black-and-white,” he said, “It’s not because I don’t like somebody, but because the Bible says so.”
He then stated that there are other religions that are against homosexuality as well, including Islam and even Judaism. However, he finds it strange that “the homosexual community never attacks the Islamic people for having that stand.”
Wearing a bright green shirt with a patterned tie, the pastor gave no indication of being worn down by the controversy. In fact, he spoke passionately at certain points in the sermon, his voice booming through the speakers.
“God does not grade sins,” he said with conviction.
While homosexuality is clearly wrong, it is not the worst sin either, he said. People who are involved in homosexuality are no worse than people who lie. However, there is a tendency for the church to condemn homosexuality more than other wrongdoings.
Pastor Hong also vehemently denounced gay-bashing, noting that homosexuals are as deserving of equal rights to jobs, housing, education, health, and welfare as straight people are. Objecting to the use of homophobic expressions, he noted that many languages and dialects have derogatory terms for more effeminate men. He called such verbal abuse “evil.”
The preacher emphasised that Christians should not feel too smug about themselves either, because God loves homosexuals as well. Christians are not better than homosexuals in any way, he said, but are saved only by the grace of God.
COOS, he added, frequently gives financial aid to HIV patients, some of whom are homosexuals. So far, the church has given food supplements to 100 patients.
Gays can become straight
“Change is possible,” said the pastor, once again underlining a Biblical perspective. However, he also cited real-life examples and scientific research as further proof that homosexuals can turn straight. Some are found in his church, he claimed.
Nevertheless, he stopped short of proclaiming total transformation in these individuals. In fact, these people still struggle with homosexual thoughts, just that they no longer have sex with other men.
“…they have become more straight, if you like, just like all of us, we’re still a work in progress, we may not commit adultery but it doesn’t mean we don’t struggle with those thoughts,” he said.
Pastor Hong also refuted the idea that homosexuals are born the way they are, and he denied the existence of a “homosexual gene.” He draws on studies from NARTH, which he says is a secular, non-religious organisation that does scientific research on homosexuality.
Calling the nature argument “propaganda”, he maintained that developmental factors feature more in the development of homosexuality.
Caution towards militant gay activist groups
The pastor spent significant time speaking against what he calls “discrimination against people with pro-family values.”
Christians have often also been misunderstood in the media. They are labeled as anti-homosexuals when in fact they are simply against the practice. He called this labeling a “trap” by the “propaganda of the gay activist people.”
An example he cited of such discrimination was the recent Miss USA pageant. Pastor Hong showed a news clip on Fox News where front-runner Miss California spoke out against gay marriage when asked a question by judge Perez Hilton, a celebrity blogger who is openly gay.
Many believed her answer cost her the crown.
The clip concluded with Mr Hilton in another footage making insulting remarks about Miss California and shouting vulgarities. Pastor Hong called this “just the tip of the iceberg.”
Calling for a resistance against the agenda of certain gay activists, he cautioned that traditional values and lifestyles can be undermined.
He said: “They want to change the values and principles to what we deem to be normal to their own pattern of life. If you even dare to speak against it, you get disqualified, you get penalised, you get discriminated against.”
Church members voice support
COOS members which TOC spoke to after the service are supportive of the new AWARE team.
Mr Wong, a church member in his forties who does not attends cell group, said that the new Executive Committee should be given a chance to prove themselves. After all, they took over Aware legally.
Some church members have even joined Aware this year. Speaking anonymously, they insisted it was their own personal decision, and that no coercion was involved.
While their decision to join Aware was based on their convictions as a Christian, they pointed out that Christians are not the only ones resisting homosexuality.
“I mean if you’re a parent, and you learn about what they teach in school, won’t you be concerned?” said a lady.
Latest figures for Aware membership stands at more than 880. It is unclear how many church members have joined the organisation.
Monday, 27 April 2009, 1:43 am | 3,353 views
Breaking News: Ng Teck Siong, chairman of the Reform Party, has resigned from the party. Speaking to TOC, Mr Ng said he has “resigned completely” from the party. He confirmed he is not even an ordinary member of the Reform Party
But church denies instigating Aware takeover
By Terence Lee and Deborah Choo
26 APRIL, 2009 –A CHURCH of our Saviour (COOS) staff sent out an email calling church members to vote at AWARE’s upcoming EOGM, the church spokesman confirmed yesterday.
For a while, it had been unclear whether the leaked email messages, readable in various forums, were authentic.
Speaking on the sidelines after Sunday’s 10.30am service, the church spokesman verified that only Shawn Tay and Linda Seah’s email messages are genuine. Both are staff of the church.
Mr Tay sent out an email on 17th April calling for church members to join AWARE and support the new Executive Committee members. He is from Choices Ministry, a department specialising in homosexual counseling.
In the email, Mr Tay called for “all responsible females to sign up for membership with AWARE immediately, and also to attend this all-important EGM so as to vote against changing the Constitution.”
As for Ms Seah, who is a zone pastor, she sent Senior Pastor Derek Hong an email on 16th April stating that “the number of members registered on Tuesday night is 13 out of 40 who turned up.” As of the time of this piece’s publication, the church has not been able to clarify what this means.
Both email messages were sent only after news of Aware’s takeover broke on The Straits Times.
It is also unclear if the rest of the leaked email are authentic.While admitting that their pastors were involved in garnering support for the new Executive Committee, the church spokesman denied allegations that they instigated the takeover of AWARE.
This is in line with an earlier claim made by the new Executive Committee at a press conference held at Raffles Town Club. They asserted that the church was not involved in the takeover.
“There is no church connection. The church is not at all involved in secular affairs,” they said.
The spokesman maintained that it was the church members’ prerogative to join AWARE, rather than a decision by the church staff’s.
Pastor Hong, who preached during the service, could not be approached directly by TOC for comment.
Pastor voices support for new Aware Exco
While COOS has denied involvement in the AWARE takeover, they are actively supportive of their church members getting involved in the EOGM to support the new Executive Committee.
Pastor Hong devoted most of his sermon on the issue of homosexuality, voicing support for the endeavours of the new Aware team. The service was attended by about 800 people.
Calling for solidarity, he implored the women in the church to “unite with the sisters and support them.” He also said that the new team’s actions are not “a crusade against the people,” but instead a move to ensure that the nation does not cross the line drawn by God.
He also spoke against the “neutral” portrayal of homosexuality taught by AWARE to schoolgirls. The Christian’s belief system, he argued, prevents them from accepting homosexuality as “neutral.” The Bible clearly teaches that it is wrong, and that is the position the church have to take.
“Christians have the responsibility to protect the young, the vulnerable, and the innocent, even though its not popular or politically correct, even though people may not understand or they may get angry with us,” he said.
The pastor, however, sees a silver lining in the controversies. Contrasting Singapore against countries that are heading towards liberalisation, he is glad the Aware team stood up for what the Bible deemed was right. He said: “We need to thank God that because section 377A still stands, we will not move in that direction.”
During the service, new Aware president Josie Lau and her husband Alan Chin were called on stage. While Mr Chin did speak to the congregation, it was not on the Aware controversy, but rather his claim that God has healed his sister of brain stem damage.
After his sharing, Pastor Hong then prayed for the couple, and beckoned the church to join him.
COOS against gay-bashing
Within his sermon, the pastor reiterated the church’s position on homosexuality, which can be found on the COOS website. Basing his position purely based on the Holy Bible, he said that it is not a matter of personal opinion as homosexuality is clearly a sin against God.
“It’s black-and-white,” he said, “It’s not because I don’t like somebody, but because the Bible says so.”
He then stated that there are other religions that are against homosexuality as well, including Islam and even Judaism. However, he finds it strange that “the homosexual community never attacks the Islamic people for having that stand.”
Wearing a bright green shirt with a patterned tie, the pastor gave no indication of being worn down by the controversy. In fact, he spoke passionately at certain points in the sermon, his voice booming through the speakers.
“God does not grade sins,” he said with conviction.
While homosexuality is clearly wrong, it is not the worst sin either, he said. People who are involved in homosexuality are no worse than people who lie. However, there is a tendency for the church to condemn homosexuality more than other wrongdoings.
Pastor Hong also vehemently denounced gay-bashing, noting that homosexuals are as deserving of equal rights to jobs, housing, education, health, and welfare as straight people are. Objecting to the use of homophobic expressions, he noted that many languages and dialects have derogatory terms for more effeminate men. He called such verbal abuse “evil.”
The preacher emphasised that Christians should not feel too smug about themselves either, because God loves homosexuals as well. Christians are not better than homosexuals in any way, he said, but are saved only by the grace of God.
COOS, he added, frequently gives financial aid to HIV patients, some of whom are homosexuals. So far, the church has given food supplements to 100 patients.
Gays can become straight
“Change is possible,” said the pastor, once again underlining a Biblical perspective. However, he also cited real-life examples and scientific research as further proof that homosexuals can turn straight. Some are found in his church, he claimed.
Nevertheless, he stopped short of proclaiming total transformation in these individuals. In fact, these people still struggle with homosexual thoughts, just that they no longer have sex with other men.
“…they have become more straight, if you like, just like all of us, we’re still a work in progress, we may not commit adultery but it doesn’t mean we don’t struggle with those thoughts,” he said.
Pastor Hong also refuted the idea that homosexuals are born the way they are, and he denied the existence of a “homosexual gene.” He draws on studies from NARTH, which he says is a secular, non-religious organisation that does scientific research on homosexuality.
Calling the nature argument “propaganda”, he maintained that developmental factors feature more in the development of homosexuality.
Caution towards militant gay activist groups
The pastor spent significant time speaking against what he calls “discrimination against people with pro-family values.”
Christians have often also been misunderstood in the media. They are labeled as anti-homosexuals when in fact they are simply against the practice. He called this labeling a “trap” by the “propaganda of the gay activist people.”
An example he cited of such discrimination was the recent Miss USA pageant. Pastor Hong showed a news clip on Fox News where front-runner Miss California spoke out against gay marriage when asked a question by judge Perez Hilton, a celebrity blogger who is openly gay.
Many believed her answer cost her the crown.
The clip concluded with Mr Hilton in another footage making insulting remarks about Miss California and shouting vulgarities. Pastor Hong called this “just the tip of the iceberg.”
Calling for a resistance against the agenda of certain gay activists, he cautioned that traditional values and lifestyles can be undermined.
He said: “They want to change the values and principles to what we deem to be normal to their own pattern of life. If you even dare to speak against it, you get disqualified, you get penalised, you get discriminated against.”
Church members voice support
COOS members which TOC spoke to after the service are supportive of the new AWARE team.
Mr Wong, a church member in his forties who does not attends cell group, said that the new Executive Committee should be given a chance to prove themselves. After all, they took over Aware legally.
Some church members have even joined Aware this year. Speaking anonymously, they insisted it was their own personal decision, and that no coercion was involved.
While their decision to join Aware was based on their convictions as a Christian, they pointed out that Christians are not the only ones resisting homosexuality.
“I mean if you’re a parent, and you learn about what they teach in school, won’t you be concerned?” said a lady.
Latest figures for Aware membership stands at more than 880. It is unclear how many church members have joined the organisation.
28) Joel on TOC April 27th, 2009 7.45 am I think the biggest problem still is that a lot of people are getting incomplete information about the situation, which, granted, is not anyone’s fault but the media’s.
This is not an issue of one group versus another group, and to label it a squabble just takes away the importance of what this means.
This is about the fact that one group (with religious affiliations within and between) taking over an established organisation to impose their views upon women (I would call this borderline proselytism), using the kind of clout that the organisation has.
The previous exco, and the women who have been working at AWARE have repeatedly mentioned that they do not have a ‘liberal’ agenda. Instead, what they stand for, and what they’ve worked towards, is providing a safe, non-judgemental environment for ALL women. I don’t see that as liberal at all. I see that as being inclusive and, really, the whole point of AWARE to begin with.
There is no liberal-conservative debate here. It’s simply another weapon that the fundamentalist christians are using because it’s one they’re so familiar with.
I originally gave them the benefit of the doubt myself. But in the month that they’ve been in the exco, what have they done exactly? How have they made a positive difference for women? Do they even have concrete plans? Removing the ‘homosexualism’ from current activities, I would barely consider as positive.
To one point in the article, about why other religions are not targeted for their homophobic views. Er. because they don’t go around shoving it down people’s throats? They don’t go around setting up gay-conversion centres and programmes (Ok, I don’t have statistics here, but they’re definitely not as vocal and prominent). And they definitely don’t go around taking over organisations to promote their homophobic agendas.
And just one more piece of info that’s not included in the article. NARTH, while secular, is highly affiliated with many religious organisations, says Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NARTH (I know, not an authority, but hardly lies either).
This is not an issue of one group versus another group, and to label it a squabble just takes away the importance of what this means.
This is about the fact that one group (with religious affiliations within and between) taking over an established organisation to impose their views upon women (I would call this borderline proselytism), using the kind of clout that the organisation has.
The previous exco, and the women who have been working at AWARE have repeatedly mentioned that they do not have a ‘liberal’ agenda. Instead, what they stand for, and what they’ve worked towards, is providing a safe, non-judgemental environment for ALL women. I don’t see that as liberal at all. I see that as being inclusive and, really, the whole point of AWARE to begin with.
There is no liberal-conservative debate here. It’s simply another weapon that the fundamentalist christians are using because it’s one they’re so familiar with.
I originally gave them the benefit of the doubt myself. But in the month that they’ve been in the exco, what have they done exactly? How have they made a positive difference for women? Do they even have concrete plans? Removing the ‘homosexualism’ from current activities, I would barely consider as positive.
To one point in the article, about why other religions are not targeted for their homophobic views. Er. because they don’t go around shoving it down people’s throats? They don’t go around setting up gay-conversion centres and programmes (Ok, I don’t have statistics here, but they’re definitely not as vocal and prominent). And they definitely don’t go around taking over organisations to promote their homophobic agendas.
And just one more piece of info that’s not included in the article. NARTH, while secular, is highly affiliated with many religious organisations, says Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NARTH (I know, not an authority, but hardly lies either).
38) Bring Back the Original AWARE on TOC April 27th, 2009 9.29 am #14 ilibeinuk
Not that Christians cannot be in office if they can make a positive difference. But rather, in this case, almost the whole new ExCo is Christian except for two from the pervious ExCo (not sure if they are Christians themselves).
And the new ExCo has demonstrated that they CAN, and WILL leave non-Christian ExCO members out of the running of the organisation (re their press conference at Raffles Town Club).
Firstly, there is simply not enough diversity of views and opinions in the current ExCo. Secondly, they are acting to qwell even the smallest alternative voice within their management team.
If they can do this now, one cannot imagine the way they will treat or exclude their members based on religion or their values in future.
The ST reported today that Vivian Balakrishnan has come forward to say that ” … a rainbow coalition is vital for any group here to make meaningful change.” I take that to mean that he (and the government) believes that diversity is key in this matter.
I think Josie and her gang need also to listen carefully what else he had to say : the government will not take action on this matter “at this point in time” because they will “‘Let them settle this democratically, according to their own rules, abiding with their constitution.”.
This can mean that they might consider taking action against them in future if their Church pushes this beyond what is morally and legally acceptable in this country.
So Josie… Feminist Mentor (…)… and COOS leaders, please listen very carefully to what everyone including the government is telling you…
41) Julio on TOC April 27th, 2009 9.42 am the pastor mentioned that other religions are against homosexuality, like islam, but gay activists do not rally against them as vehemently or strongly.
well the reason behind this is because these other religions for the most parts leave them alone. they do not create associations or ministries or whatever to try to convert them. and please NARTH is affiliated with Focus on the Family for god’s sake (haha), that’s hardly secular. Read up on George Alan Rekers.
On the other hand many professional and medical bodies in the US have rejected this entire notion of conversion therapy. they even go so far as to call it unethical. so srsly this COOS, is just picking at details. sigh.
42) Julio on TOC April 27th, 2009 9.46 am and regarding the miss california controversy, here’s what a former miss california turned pastor had to say.
“As a pastor and a former Miss California, I am often asked to interpret what the Word of God has to say on a particular subject. I am quite confident that God prefers that we human beings stick to speaking for ourselves. And yet there are occasions when God’s Word is used as a weapon, and I feel compelled to speak.
In the past few days, much has been made of the words of Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean. She stated that marriage is between a man and a woman. I write not in response to her opinion, but rather about her comments that followed: that the Bible condones her words. She said, ‘It’s not about being politically correct, it’s about being biblically correct.’ While this sentiment is shared by many who seek to condemn gay people and gay marriage, citing pieces of the Bible to further one’s own prejudice fails to meet the Bible on its own terms.
Most people seeking to condemn gay people point to the Book of Leviticus, where we read that men lying with men is an abomination. However, we rarely hear of other verses found in the book of Leviticus that are equally challenging. For example, Leviticus also tells us that eating shrimp and lobster is an abomination. And that a person should not wear material woven of two kinds of material—an impossible mandate for a pageant contestant!
In Paul’s letter to the community in Corinth we read, ‘For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church….’ And yet these words have not prevented Christian denominations from ordaining women, such as myself. Sadly, the Bible has been used to further prejudice throughout history. We have used it to permit ourselves to enslave people; to conquer and kill; and to denigrate the earth.
The truth is that it is difficult to know for sure the intentions of the biblical authors, but we do know something about God. Those of us who know God through Jesus of Nazareth know that he went to great lengths to express God’s love to people who were labeled as outcasts. He spent time with children, prostitutes, and lepers, all of whom were labeled as outside of the grasp of the Holy. As we continue to seek God’s vision for us as a nation grounded in a love for justice, I pray that we might move closer to the cause of grace.”
Nicole Lamarche, Miss California 2003 and now an ordained minister at Cotuit Federated Church. COOS should take a leaf from her book.
Not that Christians cannot be in office if they can make a positive difference. But rather, in this case, almost the whole new ExCo is Christian except for two from the pervious ExCo (not sure if they are Christians themselves).
And the new ExCo has demonstrated that they CAN, and WILL leave non-Christian ExCO members out of the running of the organisation (re their press conference at Raffles Town Club).
Firstly, there is simply not enough diversity of views and opinions in the current ExCo. Secondly, they are acting to qwell even the smallest alternative voice within their management team.
If they can do this now, one cannot imagine the way they will treat or exclude their members based on religion or their values in future.
The ST reported today that Vivian Balakrishnan has come forward to say that ” … a rainbow coalition is vital for any group here to make meaningful change.” I take that to mean that he (and the government) believes that diversity is key in this matter.
I think Josie and her gang need also to listen carefully what else he had to say : the government will not take action on this matter “at this point in time” because they will “‘Let them settle this democratically, according to their own rules, abiding with their constitution.”.
This can mean that they might consider taking action against them in future if their Church pushes this beyond what is morally and legally acceptable in this country.
So Josie… Feminist Mentor (…)… and COOS leaders, please listen very carefully to what everyone including the government is telling you…
41) Julio on TOC April 27th, 2009 9.42 am the pastor mentioned that other religions are against homosexuality, like islam, but gay activists do not rally against them as vehemently or strongly.
well the reason behind this is because these other religions for the most parts leave them alone. they do not create associations or ministries or whatever to try to convert them. and please NARTH is affiliated with Focus on the Family for god’s sake (haha), that’s hardly secular. Read up on George Alan Rekers.
On the other hand many professional and medical bodies in the US have rejected this entire notion of conversion therapy. they even go so far as to call it unethical. so srsly this COOS, is just picking at details. sigh.
42) Julio on TOC April 27th, 2009 9.46 am and regarding the miss california controversy, here’s what a former miss california turned pastor had to say.
“As a pastor and a former Miss California, I am often asked to interpret what the Word of God has to say on a particular subject. I am quite confident that God prefers that we human beings stick to speaking for ourselves. And yet there are occasions when God’s Word is used as a weapon, and I feel compelled to speak.
In the past few days, much has been made of the words of Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean. She stated that marriage is between a man and a woman. I write not in response to her opinion, but rather about her comments that followed: that the Bible condones her words. She said, ‘It’s not about being politically correct, it’s about being biblically correct.’ While this sentiment is shared by many who seek to condemn gay people and gay marriage, citing pieces of the Bible to further one’s own prejudice fails to meet the Bible on its own terms.
Most people seeking to condemn gay people point to the Book of Leviticus, where we read that men lying with men is an abomination. However, we rarely hear of other verses found in the book of Leviticus that are equally challenging. For example, Leviticus also tells us that eating shrimp and lobster is an abomination. And that a person should not wear material woven of two kinds of material—an impossible mandate for a pageant contestant!
In Paul’s letter to the community in Corinth we read, ‘For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church….’ And yet these words have not prevented Christian denominations from ordaining women, such as myself. Sadly, the Bible has been used to further prejudice throughout history. We have used it to permit ourselves to enslave people; to conquer and kill; and to denigrate the earth.
The truth is that it is difficult to know for sure the intentions of the biblical authors, but we do know something about God. Those of us who know God through Jesus of Nazareth know that he went to great lengths to express God’s love to people who were labeled as outcasts. He spent time with children, prostitutes, and lepers, all of whom were labeled as outside of the grasp of the Holy. As we continue to seek God’s vision for us as a nation grounded in a love for justice, I pray that we might move closer to the cause of grace.”
Nicole Lamarche, Miss California 2003 and now an ordained minister at Cotuit Federated Church. COOS should take a leaf from her book.
I wonder...Dr Thio is no fool...she has played this gay/lesbian card quite cleverly...Singapore is still a conservative society regardless of creed or race or gender...I have met quite afew 'moderate' parents who are concerned at the alleged gay/lesbian slant taken by the old guard regardless of the facts.
:pSimilar threads
