Opposing Homosexuality Has a Price

Did you follow the news about the fourteen-year old student in Forth Worth (Western Hills High School) who was suspended because he said that he was a Christian and believed homosexuality was wrong?

According to FoxNews (Sept. 22), Dakota Ary’s teacher overheard the statement, which was only made to a friend behind him and not to the whole class, and said that because of the statement he would receive an “infraction.” School officials, on the assumption that “he may have offended someone,” gave Dakota, an honors student who also played football, a two-day suspension.

Ary’s statement was made in a German class. The teacher was discussing how homosexuality was accepted in Germany and should be accepted as a part of our culture.

After Dakota’s mother interceded, the two-day suspension was reduced to one day.

His mother contacted an attorney, and after the attorney spoke with school officials, everything was eventually dropped.

From reports, the teacher routinely brings up homosexuality in class, and is attempting to indoctrinate students to accept it as a part of culture. Opposition to his stance is not “tolerated,” as seen in his actions.

“Tolerance” for homosexuals does not mean allowing but disagreeing and saying so; to the politically correct, it means you cannot voice any objection whatsoever! In fact, you must believe that homosexuality and other kinds of perverted immoral practices are on an equal basis with a heterosexual marriage. If you do not accept it, you are branded as a “homophobe,” “intolerant,” “mindless bigot,” “religious right-wing extremist,” and other kind terms. “Tolerance” is king, except if a Christian is offended. His beliefs and practices can be stomped on with impunity, and the Christian can be punished for even voicing disagreement!

We had better wake up. We are farther along on the road to persecution for being Christians than many Christians are aware of or care to admit.

What can we do?

First, we can appreciate and support Bible warnings and teaching on these matters. We do not live in a vacuum. We are affected by our culture. Just as Paul did not preach on love and family relationships at Athens, but given their problems with idolatry and disbelief, he hammered away on those subjects (Acts 17) as he did at Corinth and other places (see letters to the Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, et al.). While we need overall Bible teaching and a balanced spiritual diet, we must have preaching and teaching on these (im)moral matters that are diametrically opposed to God, belief in His word, and which dominate our news. If we don’t, young people in particular will become not only desensitized to its true character, but also be “turned off” by teaching on it. Homosexuality is one sin characteristic of a spiritually bankrupt society that God “gave up” (see Romans 1:26-27). We must hate these sins as God does, and uphold gospel teaching and preaching against it.

Second, teach those you know the truth on the subject. We must first know it ourselves. Conversations abound on this subject in work places, schools, athletic teams, and in homes. Don’t ignore it. Use these opportunities to speak the truth on this matter. Obviously, this can and should lead to what homosexuals, as well as all sinners, should do to be freed from sin – they need to know and obey the gospel (Mk. 16:15-16). Any sin separates us from God, whether it be homosexuality or any other violation of God’s will (James 2:10). Know specific passages and their contexts which discuss this subject (such as Gen. 19; Lev. 18:22-23; 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; I Cor. 6:9-11; and any passage mentioning “fornication”). The word, “fornication,” describes any kind of sexual immorality. Contrary to President Obama’s statement a while back that Jesus never condemned homosexuality, every time Jesus condemned “fornication” He condemned homosexuality!!

Third, emphasize that teaching repentance shows love, not hate. Our politically correct society would have people believe that any voiced opposition to homosexual practices is “hate speech,” which incites “hate crimes” against homosexuals. The gospel and genuine Christians are not responsible for “hate crimes.” Further, telling anyone what God said on this subject or any other is not “hate speech” but Bible love! Two reasons why this is true follow:

• First, physical violence is completely opposite to the teaching of Jesus and His gospel. He told Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world, or else His servants would fight (John 18:36). Further, Jesus said “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). Physical violence is therefore outlawed by Christ.
• Second, God through the gospel appeals to us (and we should to others) by reasoning – what is in our best interest spiritually and eternally – not by coercion or violence. The devil appeals to us on the basis of gratifying whatever physical desire we have now. God wants what is best for us here, and heaven in the hereafter. Therefore, the battle is over ideas – God’s versus the devil’s. Paul said, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Fourth, don’t get involved in it yourself! Everyone has weaknesses. Some may have a weakness for and have been around alcohol when young. That becomes an obstacle to overcome. Studies show some common denominators that have influenced some to turn to homosexuality. These include a strong, overbearing mother and/or unhealthy relationship with one’s mother, an either weak or non-existent father figure, sexual abuse, female rejection, pornography that leads to more and “different” experiences, a feeling of non-acceptance from other males, and “recruitment” on the part of older homosexuals. These do not “make” one become a homosexual, but can influence one to experiment, then lead him to believe this is truly what he was “born” to be.

If the power of the gospel could change homosexuals who believed it (Rom. 1:16) in the ancient and immoral city of Corinth (see Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), homosexuals can change today. – p.a.o.