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Religious Freedom Law and You as a Pastor?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by righteousdude2, Apr 3, 2015.

  1. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    I about fell out of my chair when the priest FOX News has on as a contributor answered Hannity's question about him conducting a gay marriage? He flat out told Sean he'd never officiate a same sex wedding.

    Now that surprised me because there have been some priests here in Southern Cali conducting such a unions.

    Here's what I would do if I still had a church. I would have no problem with gays attending my church, because these folks need to hear the TRUE GOSPEL, not some wishy-washy, mishy-mashy pablum message.

    There would of course be some things these folks, like any other member attending but not professing Christ as Savior, and living a life that reflects to "go and sin no more" would be excluded from. And one thing I would tell them in private, if they asked, that in good conscience, I could not conduct a wedding.

    I am interested in knowing what you would do regarding my statement above? Do you think I am wrong about weddings, especially since I allow them in services and at fellowship events?

    I see a difference in discrimination and exercising sound Bible discretion. What sayyou?
     
  2. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    Did it really surprise you that a contributor on Fox News said he would never officate a same sex wedding? I would be surprised if I heard that on CNN or MSNBC, but would expect the Fox News contributor to hold to the right side of the issue.

    First, no one should be a member of a church without professing Christ as Savior. No one in open, unrepentant sin should be a member of a church. You need to come back to conservative ways in your approach to church membership.

    Regarding officiating a gay wedding, I would hope you wouldn't and am glad you've stated you wouldn't. I dare to say anyone that would officiate a gay wedding is at minimum a poor representative of Jesus and very likely not a representative of Jesus at all.
     
  3. Jedi Knight

    Jedi Knight Well-Known Member
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    What about let the dead marry the dead?
     
  4. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    It is still discrimination - GOOD discrimination

    So an alcoholic gets saved and baptized - but still drinks a bit too much. Should we hold off on him joining the church - should we not have baptized him?
     
  5. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    If he is living in open unrepentant sin, then he shouldn't be allowed to be a church member. I would also seriously question the sincerity of his salvation.
     
  6. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    So a homosexual gets saved and baptized-but is still having gay sex. Should we hold off on him joining the church-should we not have baptized him?
     
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    slightly edited to conform to L.E.F.T.

    That is the question I am asking -
    in addition, do we treat the homosexual any different than the drunk?

    Starting a new thread on this - so I don't derail
     
  8. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    We welcome homosexuals to visit (or, at least, we would if we knew of any who expressed any interest in visiting). They just wouldn't be eligible for membership.

    I'm officiating my first wedding in two weeks. I would flat out refuse to marry two homosexuals. Fine, jail, what have you. I couldn't do it.
     
  9. Jedi Knight

    Jedi Knight Well-Known Member
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    I pray this will never happen to you.
     
  10. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    Please allow me to explain. This priest is often very liberal in his responses so that is why I was surprised.

    Thanks for the kudos on my stand to not officiate a gay wedding. I also refuse to marry a believer wanting to marry a non believer.
     
  11. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    In my view of the Word, that individual was like the parable of good seed falling on bad ground, meaning they were not truly repentant when they confessed their faith in Jesus. You can't be saved and continue to live that life. They were maybe repentant, but didn't grasp what salvation meant. I would think whoever led them to Jesus, forgot His words to the prostitute, "go and sin no more (which clearly meant no more fornication,, adultery for a fee or not for a fee)!"
     
  12. Robert William

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    Loving a homo all the way to Hell is not love, they also need their sins exposed as part of the gospel, we need to first use law to help them see their true desperate need of a Savior.

    I like the way Ray Comfort does it. :)

    http://www.livingwaters.com/
     
  13. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
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    Every church needs an Iron Clad set of by-laws to meet today's challenges.

    By-laws that aren't afraid to address the issue of drugs, same sex marriages, homosexuality in all it's forms to include the entire gamut of Biblical no-no's..., etc. These documents need to be crafted and designed by Christian Lawyers and come with all the bells and whistles.

    Only the above will protect not only your pastor but your church from legal actions from those simply looking to be offended. Most churches today still exist with the by-laws written by Grandpa Amos back in 1951 and if your church is one of them..., you're an issue just waiting to happen and make the front page.
     
  14. nodak

    nodak Active Member
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    Agree with HAMel.

    And for that matter, given what is going on in our town, you better have your rules in place as to public displays of affection during the church time.

    Would you allow, if you have a time of greeting, a gay couple to do an elaborate hug and lip lock? If not, better have it posted that NO ONE engage in public displays of affection. Or work with a lawyer and find out if you can restrict only gays.

    I'm a dinosaur Baptist, which means I never got on board with dry baptisms aka as baby dedication ceremonies at church. I do know many find them deeply meaningful. If you do them, better decide in advance if you do them for couples not in good standing in the church.

    Else you will find yourself being asked to do them for gay couples who have adopted or used a surrogate. Or like us a few weeks back at church, having a family dedicate their child with an obviously gay or tran young lady sponsoring the child, other sponsors promising to raise it Christian were both sides of the split up family of the newborn, sans in my understanding wedding certificate.
     
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