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Gerald Herbert / AP file
Participants at the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans listen on Tuesday. A resolution adopted Wednesday differentiates gay rights from civil rights.
NEW ORLEANS -- A day after electing their first African-American president, Southern Baptists on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a resolution opposing the idea that gay rights are the same as civil rights.
The resolution adopted at the denomination's annual meeting in New Orleans affirms Southern Baptists' beliefs that marriage is "the exclusive union of one man and one woman" and that "all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful."
It acknowledges that gays and lesbians sometimes experience "unique struggles" but declares that they lack the "distinguishing features of classes entitled to special protections."
"We deny that the effort to legalize 'same-sex marriage' qualifies as a civil rights issue since homosexuality does not qualify as a class meriting special protections, like race and gender," the resolution says.
NBC Mark Potter reports.
David W. Key Sr., director of Baptist Studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, told The Associated Press that as gays and lesbians become accepted in the larger American society, the Southern Baptist Convention is trying to separate itself from some of the more hateful rhetoric while still staying true to its beliefs.
The resolution on same-sex marriage and civil rights includes a statement that the SBC stands against "any form or gay-bashing, whether disrespectful attitudes, hateful rhetoric, or hate-incited actions."
But even with those disclaimers, statements such as this one could hurt evangelism efforts because they are likely to be objectionable to many people who are "not necessarily affirming, but also not rejecting" of gay rights issues, Key said.
Key said the Southern Baptists have continued to be outspoken on issues regarding gays and lesbians where other denominations with similar beliefs have not made the same type of public statements or taken the same types of actions, such as a boycott of The Walt Disney Co. for its gay-friendly policies.
The civil rights resolution comes at the same time the 16 million-strong Nashville-based denomination is taking stands in other areas that will help it reach out to new members and distance itself from its image as a denomination of Southern white conservatives.
The election of the Rev. Fred Luter Jr. on Tuesday as the first African American president of the nation's largest Protestant denomination was hailed as historic by denomination leaders who see it as a sign that Southern Baptists have truly moved beyond a divisive racial past.
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In a news conference after the vote, Luter said his appointment is more than a symbolic gesture.
"If we stop appointing African Americans or Asians or Hispanics to leadership roles in this convention after my term is over, we failed. We absolutely failed," Luter said. Instead, he said, "This was a genuine, authentic move by this convention that says our doors are open, and the only way they can see that is not just putting up an African American president, but seeing other ethnic groups in other areas of this convention. Time will tell and I'll be a cheerleader promoting that."
Delegates to the annual meeting also voted to let churches use an alternative name less connected to the South and the group's past ties to slavery.
The proposal to allow affiliated churches to refer to themselves as "Great Commission Baptists" won approval from 53 percent of the 4,800 ballots cast.
"If it helps us with our mission, I think it will be great," said Brad Howard, pastor of Barton Baptist Church in Lucedale, Miss., Reuters reported. "I'm hoping it will benefit some of our congregations."
Attempts to change the name date back to 1903, and outgoing Southern Baptist Convention President Bryant Wright appointed a task force in September to study the question again. The convention's executive committee opted against a wholesale name change earlier this year, but favored giving churches the option of using the alternative moniker.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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Maybe they should all take up their crosses against the real clear and present danger that is the real threat to everyone's civil liberties.
There is a threat looming.
I'm sure they wouldn't know wether one person sitting next to the other in church was gay or not or would even admit they ever experienced any kind of heterosexual or homosexual tendency. Its just that the level of abuse and disregard for peoples civil rights in this society has become so excessive that it affects everyone gay or straight and it needs to stop, because those cops just have the Constitution as A S S BACKWARDS!
Why do the Baptists even care about other people's rights? And why do other people listen to them? They should confine themselves to hanging out in church, singing to the Lawdy Lawd, and keeping out of modern day politics. They were against civil rights for blacks back in the 60's and are equally wrong today.
Greg the world was, lets be fair it was'nt.You and I and many are not now Right?
Dry lake, WTF are you smoking?
Personally I dont agree with the southern baptists on this one, but at the same time who cares what they have to say. If you don't like what they advocate then don't join their group. Instead join a group or start one of your own that advocates a more humane, modern, and less fearful view of the world. this is the beauty of living in a modern democracy, the freedom of association.
I feel sorry for these ignorant religious fanatics. Imagine what it must be like having everyone with a kindergarten level education laughing at the stupid nonsense you believe. Imagine being laughed at by liberal atheist children every time you tell them that Adam & Eve rode a dinosaur to church every Sunday so they could pray to the baby Jesus. Sure it's fun to ridicule people ignorant enough to believe that planet Earth is only 6000 years old... But try looking at it from their point of view... Imagine being ignorant enough to actually be gullible enough to believe that evolution is a myth and knowing all you can do is close your eyes, cover your ears, and hum very loud 1000 times each day when presented with overwhelming evidence of just how ignorant what you believe really is.
Is it any wonder these people hate everyone else along with the freedom and free will they represent?
seamus I get it . But to be so affirmative in your beliefs is like saying the earth is flat and you must believe this.Until these issues are no longer issues one has the right to side with ones own belief. I am good with that no side taken and please do not judge me you will be wrong on either side.
I have no problem judging a religious fanatic who protests our fallen soldier's funerals. And I know what you will say next... It's only some Southern Baptists that do that. But these same people that say it's only some of us are the exact same people who judge every Muslim by the actions of those who were behind 911. There is nothing wrong with judging some religious fanatic with the same wide brush they use to judge everyone else!
What SBC protest soldier's funerals? Westboro is NOT part of SBC.
http://erlc.com/faq/are-you-affiliated-with-westboro-baptist-church/
Oh yeah, well my resolution opposes the idea that anyone with a working brain would give a flying @!$%# what kind of asinine resolution the Baptists pass or what silly bull@!$%# they believe. So, go stick your @!$%#ing noses in that fairytale book of yours and pretend all you want that God isn't laughing his ass off at you morons.
Oh, didn't you know.... They have the ONLY true religion. Just ask one of 'em.
and you have the same in your answers fun to watch both that have no clue .
At least I'm not foolish enough to believe I belong to the only religion composed entirely of PERFECT PEOPLE!
but you sound so sure of your way to.I question both.Why are you right? PERFECT.
I don't try and force Southern Baptists to live the way I do. I don't try to pass laws forcing them to live the way I do. And I sure don't do so while saying My God says you have to live the way I do.
benji2
You go!
Couldn't have said it better myself!
ok so you belive in a choice.I also believe one must find their own truth to be true.If ones choice is not mine I do not judge I am not a judge of lifes choices.
Unlike the Southern Baptists who believe they have a duty to take away my free choice in the name of their god.
That my friend is only yours to own.Always my friend
Then why do these religious fanatics keep demanding that America enact laws that represent ONLY their interpretation of the ONLY religious book they accept. When they start accepting every other religion and point of view to be equal to their own, maybe then I will start thinking that their point of view is equal to mine.
fear and often greed . We all know this. The world is changing and we my friend are caught up in the middle and we are well expendable .Our actions that we leave behind may forge the new world. I believe in mankind so I push towards knowledge , all ideas count.
There are many battles fought today and if most would speak to each other and really listen many would see they fight the same questions. and would seek answers together.
Not a chance. These religious fanatics have made it clear they they intend to enact laws that match only their interpretation of the Bible while at the same time they try to outlaw any other interpretation of any other holy book... Like the holy book used by the religion of Islam. And as long as these insane religious are working to take away mine, and just about everyone else's freedom and free will... Good luck even getting me to pretend that they are real Americans. Real Americans work hard to advance everyone else's freedom and free will. Not eliminate it.
I understand I cannot do it to . Like I said both would not agree with my belief.I do belive in their right to belive in their own period freedom.
You don't think that the KKK doesn't go to church? Sure they do, and it is probably Southern Baptist churches they frequent!
perhaps some do does this make them the baptist. lets explore your life .lets not the point is a party or affilliation does not make an individual. we do have free wheeling brain . Some Outta control.
Did you ever notice that every time these Southern Baptist groups are trying to pass laws that mirror their narrow interpretation of their holy book and make anything that isn't condoned by their own narrow interpretation of the bible illegal, they do so in the name of religious freedom? And when you oppose them trying to make what you like to do illegal, they start crying how we are infringing on their right to religious freedom?
do you not see this in every group party country, Surely your eyes are not blind to real sides everywhere.Most grownups expect oppissition unless they control all of their existance , most do not.
I'm not trying to take away their religious freedom, or any other kind of freedom they enjoy. They are trying to force me to live life by their rules, and only their rules.
I agree with this statement on some issues of today . We must always work together to remain a special union of many people and cultures we call this america
. It truely is unique as we are many .This is what they are not, be special ,you are smiles my friend.
The USA is not a Christian nation.
The USA is not a Heterosexual nation and Marriage is NOT an exclusive club for heterosexuals.
Equality for one group and not another is not equality at all.
Equality must be enforced, defended and protected by the larger body of government.
It must not be a legal or personal choice that can be made by individual states, organizations or companies.
We are a government FOR the people and BY the people.
Only through equality can we truly stand united.
The USA is a melting pot of many nationalities, religions and preferences.
Any form of favoritism, discrimination, condemnation and exclusion creates supremacy, domination and the violation of rights and freedom.
We are human beings and therefore we should act human.
There has been enough discrimination, exclusion, terrorism, persecution, intolerance, condemnation and bulling in the name of God and in the name of morality and honor.
There is no integrity, honor or virtue in the acts of hatred, discrimination, exclusion, terrorism, persecution intolerance, condemnation and bulling.
Being an America citizen means we all must respect each other’s rights to be free. It is time the human race used their independence to determine what words and actions they can say and do that will benefit society and the planet without usurping the freedom and rights of others.
The price of freedom is respect. Once you lose your respect for others freedom turns to chaos.
This is America.
It is time the American people woke up to a new dawn.
We are the new generation of mankind.
We will lead the way for other countries to follow.
We do not enslave our people.
We do not limit their personal choices
We do not limit their minds.
We do not limit their rights and we do not limit their freedom.
America is a country of liberty.
America welcomes and accepts all.
America excludes none.
BE AMERICAN!
ACT AMERICAN!
For freedom to be truly free, freedom must be free for all.
Grant to all life forms the same rights and freedom that you seek for yourself.
Yes, the Southern Baptist beliefs are correct, righteous, and the TRUTH. Most people in the world cannot stand the TRUTH, and that is why there are so few saints. It is everyone's obligation to try and love God enough to be a saint. Of course if you were a saint, you wouldn't think you were very special and probably would consider yourself a vile sinner, which would only make you a better person as you strive to overcome every thing you do that is displeasing to God.
And in America you have this ability to believe as all do. Keep this freedom close for it is your strengnth as a nation.It belongs to all faiths and all americans and the Indian nation of america.
I am not in any way OBLIGATED to try and love God.
Chris Rex,
Southern Baptist beliefs are not correct, righteous, or the TRUTH. The truth is seen by all. What is the TRUE definition of God’s demands and punishments if they do not lie in a dictionary? What exactly does righteous, good, holy and virtuous mean? The Webster’s and American Heritage dictionaries state:
Righteous: is characterized by uprightness or morality good, honest, virtuous and justifiable.
What about discrimination, exclusion, persecution and condemnation is righteous?
The truth stands alone bold and in defense of all those who speak it.
Proverbs 17:15: “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent--the LORD detests them both.”
As a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ I must call you out on your intentions.
Do you judge the homosexual on the innocence of their individual merit?
Do you judge the homosexual with the same equity, love and kindness that you would seek from your own judgment?
Are your judgments against the homosexual impartial to your own person feelings and beliefs?
Christ and God Taught us that: We must be impartial of all things and show love and equality in our judgments. “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”
Luke 16:15:
Jeremiah 7:5: KJ, (NIV) “For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly (change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly,) If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, (if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers forever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.”)
Zechariah 8:16: “Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.”
Romans 2:1: You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things”
Philippians 1:9: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.”
Proverbs 2:9: “Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.”
Psalm 98:9: “Let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.”
James 3:17: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
1 Peter 1:14, 22: “Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here, obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
James 2:13: “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
Make no mistake Christ and God only Judge the guilty while those that condemn, discriminate, exclude and persecute judge the innocent.
Matthew 7:1-29: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
Matthew 12:36: I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
1 Peter 1:14, 22: “Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here, obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
The only moral message that ALL human kind MUST adhere to is this.
Right speech is speech without harshness. Right speech is speech without loud tones and profanity. Right speech is speech without condemnation, persecution, exclusion and discrimination. The right action is any action that is helpful, compassionate, charitable, merciful and selfless. The right action is any action that is benevolent and teaches fairness, tolerance, love, compassion, kindness, equality, unity and goodwill. The right action is any action that promotes and instills positive influence and behavior. To achieve the right action one must surrender all harmful, negative impulses, thoughts, words and actions that might cause suffering and distress. True righteousness is a path that will lead you to peace of mind and unconditional love. Negative thought, action and speech are the catalysts for free will.
Southern Baptists say abortion is a sin and needs to be banned because only they have the right to decide what a pregnant woman does. Every woman in America MUST live according to their rules. Even if the pregnant woman's own religion says it's not a crime to have an abortion. Southern Baptists don't care what her religion says about anything, they demand that she obey their interpretation of the bible. And ONLY their interpretation of their bible.
Seamus the dog, put down the pot pipe and the bottle of jack and give your brain a chance to function like it was meant to. The Southern Baptists are not forcing their views down anyone's throat, they are merely proclaiming them to the world. As does the Apostles Creed in Roman Catholicism and so on. Right away if you object to someone's beliefs, because they don't exactly coincide with yours, that is bad and those people are to be ridiculed and bashed. Everyone is called to know, love and live a life pleasing to God. If you don't believe this, then it really doesn't matter what you do here on Earth. Unfortunately, this is the case with most of the people down here and when TRUTH and goodness is proclaimed, it is bashed
Not stoned. Not drunk. Not ignorant enough to be like you!
The Freedom of religion is the single most important freedom we enjoy as Americans. Far too important to sit back and let the Southern Baptists pass legislation that forces me (or anyone else) to live in accordance to what they call morality, while they pass legislation that protects them from living in a country that accepts as legal and not criminal what someone else might call moral and none of the Southern Baptist's business what they do in the privacy of their own home.
I see you its ok.
Think of what is good. Perfect good! You don't need a Bible or anyone to tell you what is good. Good is imbedded in every human's heart and is intuitive. When a gay is shoving his penis up his partner's @!$%#, how is that good? When a woman murders the unborn child in her womb, how is that good? You need to ask yourself .What is good? What would a child think is good? That is what you should think is good and be willing to die for that, for the love of God.
So you are willing to die to prevent two gays from being together? I take it that you are willing to kill to prevent them from being together too.
no I would not but I would die for them to save theirs and your life to be free. This many patriots have and will give to you.
If the Southern Baptist weren't working so hard to take away freedom in America through legislation, maybe I would be willing to believe that they would die to protect my freedom.
Chris Rex,
Good: means morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious.
Condemnation: means to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; indicate strong disapproval of; censure. to pronounce to be guilty; sentence to punishment: To condemn is to place accusation, blame, damnation, denouncement, denunciation, disapproval and judgment on others who you personally declare to be unfit for use or service weather you have sound reason or not.
Persecution: means to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently. To annoy or trouble persistently. To maltreatment, mistreatment, oppression, pestering, provoking, teasing, torment, torture.
Discrimination: means to make a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing on the basis of the group, class, or category to which the person or thing belongs rather than according to actual merit; to show partiality, bias, bigotry, favoritism, hatred, inequity, injustice, intolerance, partiality, prejudice, unfairness, wrong.
What about discrimination, exclusion, insults, persecution and discrimination is good?
To understand what is good and accepted by God and what is not, you must look to Mathew 19:16.
In Mathew 19:16 it says a man came up to Jesus and asked; “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired.
Jesus replied: “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:22-6:5: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
If there is no law against love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control then there is no law against ANY human being that acts in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Some will say they get joy from condemnation and violence but joy alone is not God’s law. Joy must come from love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
If one gets joy from evil and sin then they are not following the truth of God.
Why do you think God gave you the authority to Condemn and persecute others?
Never in the Bible has God or Christ sent any mortal man out to Condemn and persecute others.
In 1 John 3:17 it is said: “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?”
Our brothers are homosexuals ANYONE that persecutes and discriminates against a homosexual is placing them in need by condemning them.
Proverbs 17:15: “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent--the LORD detests them both.”
Proverbs 20:1: “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.”.
Men shove their penis into women's vaginas, mouths and rectums is that good?
Is the Penis and vagina biologically and naturally meant for oral sex? No. Is the Penis and vagina biologically and naturally meant to be fondled and played with and caressed? No. Is the Penis biologically and naturally meant for sex without procreation? The answer is still no, yet people no longer have sex for the sole purpose of procreation that is why there is rape, abortion and unwanted life among the heterosexual communities
The penis and vagina were biologically and naturally created to eliminate waste. (Urine) and the penis was biologically and naturally meant to inject semen in the creation of a new life while the vagina was biologically and naturally meant to accept and use that semen to form another life. People no longer have sex for the sole purpose of marriage, procreation that is why there is rape, prostitution, abortion and unwanted life among the heterosexual communities. This is why all sex is equal and all sex is normal.
The act of sex whether homosexual or heterosexual cannot be virtuous or moral.
The word virtue means to have a high moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. To have high morality means the ability to remain, innocent, pure, modest, clean, platonic, retrained, inexperienced, incorrupt, wholesome, and spiritual.
The body parts used for sex are the ones that eliminate poisonous waste and blood from their bowels, kidneys and ovaries.
This is why all sex is equal and all sex is normal.
The act of sex whether homosexual or heterosexual cannot be virtuous or moral.
The word virtue means to have a high moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. To have high morality means the ability to remain, innocent, pure, modest, clean, platonic, retrained, inexperienced, incorrupt, wholesome, and spiritual.
The body parts used for sex are the ones that eliminate poisonous waste and blood from their bowels, kidneys and ovaries.
What body parts do you use for sex? Your parts are no cleaner or more moral then a homosexuals. Sex is sex. Condoms break. Contraceptives fail.
There is very little that can be said to defend heterosexuality over homosexuality, Shared love between two consenting adults is blessed by God no matter if those adults are heterosexual or homosexual. The heterosexual is not more special or more valuable than the homosexual. The heterosexual is equal to the homosexual for both homosexuality and heterosexuality are free will preferences and choices.
“Do you only have sex for procreation purposes?”
Once again, People no longer have sex for procreation, this is why there is rape, abortion and unwanted life.
People that want children should adopt the orphans that are already here on the Earth. This is real morality.
The human race needs to stand up for the real moral issues.
Romans 2:1: You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things”
Reproducing is not virtuous nor is it right. Reproducing is selfish.
Our children did not give their consent to be born into this life, yet they must suffer for our selfish act of procreation.
This is not moral.
When you have sex for the purpose of procreation you could be subjecting your unborn child to birth defects while also putting them at risk to have aids, disease, mental retardation, mental illness, deformities and a number of other health issues that are genetically transferred through blood including: bad vision, poor tooth structure and decay of teeth, poor bone structure and bone development, cancer, asthma and so much more. All birth defects are the result of heterosexual sex. If a heterosexual smokes, drinks alcohol, or takes drugs they run the risk of passing on those chemical poisons through their blood to their children.
Children depend on solid loving relationships, they care not what sex their parents are.
All children have the right to a good loving home no matter what sex the parents are.
When a person discriminates, persecutes, excludes and condemns they are spreading hatred to their children because they are experiencing the senseless non productive feelings of human hate.
Human hatred is an inferior quality that you really should abstain from.
Human hatred is neither persuading or convincing anyone that your values or worth is better than the worth of any other living being.
The bad habit of thinking something is right when it is actually wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of actually being right.
All acts of intolerance, harassment, hatred and cruelty that have been carried out for years, have now become accepted forms of human behavior and therefore many humans will now cry out in their defense.
When a human being begins to defend an injustice, they relinquish all of their sanity and sensibilities for reasoning.
It is easier to convert a dozen human minds into believing an injustice is right, then to awaken just one human mind into believing that all acts of intolerance, harassment, hatred and cruelty are wrong.
Yep, Southern Baptists are willing to kill to prevent a pregnant woman from getting an abortion, or to keep two gays apart. Because it says in the bible "Thou shalt not be gay, and thou shalt not have an abortion". Southern Baptists take what the bible says as literal and this justifies murder. It's a good thing it don't say "Thou shalt Not Kill" anywhere in the bible or they would have to take that as literal too. Or they could just choose to ignore they parts of the bible they don't like. Just so long as it's illegal for anyone else to ignore any part of the bible the Southern Baptist support.
seamus I am so far from being baptist you are a fish see me.You are argueing just to argue the world does this are we lost?I merely said they exist and have this right to exist as I think you do and I.
I take that back, Dry lake.
Mushrooms perhaps?
You go Southern Baptists, Jesus and Dr Martin Luther King would be proud of you. lol
NOT
they do push things like all factions do . To bad we can not have new parties.
Very interesting comment: "All sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful." This says that both heterosexuals and homosexuals are equally sinners.
It is quite heart warning that the Southern Baptists acknowledge that gays and lesbians sometimes experience "unique struggles" but declares that they lack the "distinguishing features of classes entitled to special protections."
So then who IS entitled to special protections? I certainly hope they put a direct line into God to find out. For oppression is indeed a sin.
Luke 4:18: Jesus told the people: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
To oppress is to burden with cruel or unjust impositions or restraints to oppress is to subject others to a burdensome or harsh exercise of authority or power.
Condemnation, exclusion, discrimination and persecution are all forms of oppression.
Proverbs 20:1: “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.”.
Jeremiah 7:5: KJ, (NIV) “For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly (change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly,) If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, (if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers forever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.”)
It is refreshing to know that heterosexual Baptists do not engage in sex outside of marriage. They are a truly unique breed of human being. The truth is that very few human beings wait for marriage to have sex.
98% 0f the population are indeed fornicating and masturbating including Southern Baptists so this idea of sex in marriage only is unrealistic and invalid. The truth is
What do heterosexual and homosexual humans have in common?
I will tell you, they both have the same sexual organs.
Is the Penis and vagina biologically and naturally meant for oral sex? No. Is the Penis and vagina biologically and naturally meant to be fondled and played with and caressed? No. Is the Penis biologically and naturally meant for sex without procreation? The answer is still no, yet people no longer have sex for the sole purpose of procreation that is why there is rape, abortion and unwanted life among the heterosexual communities
The penis and vagina were biologically and naturally created to eliminate waste. (Urine) and the penis was biologically and naturally meant to inject semen in the creation of a new life while the vagina was biologically and naturally meant to accept and use that semen to form another life. People no longer have sex for the sole purpose of marriage, procreation that is why there is rape, prostitution, abortion and unwanted life among the heterosexual communities. This is why all sex is equal and all sex is normal.
The act of sex whether homosexual or heterosexual cannot be virtuous or moral.
The word virtue means to have a high moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. To have high morality means the ability to remain, innocent, pure, modest, clean, platonic, retrained, inexperienced, incorrupt, wholesome, and spiritual.
The body parts used for sex are the ones that eliminate poisonous waste and blood from their bowels, kidneys and ovaries.
What body parts do you use for sex? Your parts are no cleaner or more moral then a homosexuals. Sex is sex. Condoms break. Contraceptives fail.
There is very little that can be said to defend heterosexuality over homosexuality, Shared love between two consenting adults is blessed by God no matter if those adults are heterosexual or homosexual. The heterosexual is not more special or more valuable than the homosexual. The heterosexual is equal to the homosexual for both homosexuality and heterosexuality are free will preferences and choices.
anatomy lesson so factual. lol but long cute tu fun
You are entitled to live your life your way. You are not entitled to tell me how to live mine, and certainly not entitled to deny me any rights you have.
It is good that the SBC took a stand. Homosexuality in not normal. IT has been taboo over the ages. Gays are not called queers for nothing. Queers make up a very small percent of human population. Only libs are bumb enough to think Queers are normal.
All sex is normal for sex is common and normal means common. The principal of sex is to join body parts in the act of physical contact. This is normal.
The urge to have sex is natural and normal it not restricted to gender. This is why there are homosexuals, bisexuals, heterosexuals, masturbation. The list goes on and on.
Even though the act of sex is normal, a human being is abnormal in the mind to want to sexually defile, persecute, rape and corrupt a child, animal or adult.
All though sex is a normal everyday enjoyment, sex without procreation is unnatural.
Procreation is a natural act that comes from the act of having sex.
The natural world exists without the interference of human beings or civilization. The natural world is the material world, surrounding humankind and existing independently of human activities.
Sex is a human activity. You cannot change this.
The oxford dictionary states that: Natural means: existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind. In Webster dictionary 10a and 11 it states: growing without human care; not cultivated existing in or produced by nature: not artificial living in or as if in a state of nature untouched by the influences of civilization and society. The American Heritage dictionary states that natural is existing in or formed by nature. Genuine, authentic. Not affected by man or civilization; uncultivated; wild, organic, unrefined and unprocessed.
What do heterosexual and homosexual humans have in common?
I will tell you, they both have the same sexual organs. Human sexual organs are natural. If a woman chooses to have sex with a man it is natural that their bodies may create a new life. The urge for sex is the only natural condition of sex.
To determine what is natural we must ask ourselves:
Is the Penis and vagina biologically and naturally meant for oral sex? No. Is the Penis and vagina biologically and naturally meant to be fondled and played with and caressed? No. Is the Penis biologically and naturally meant for sex without procreation? The answer is still no, yet people no longer have sex for the sole purpose of procreation that is why there is rape, abortion and unwanted life among the heterosexual communities.
The penis and vagina were biologically and naturally created to eliminate waste. (Urine) and the penis was biologically and naturally meant to inject semen in the creation of a new life while the vagina was biologically and naturally meant to accept and use that semen to form another life. This is why all sex is equal and all sex is normal but NOT all sex is natural.
The penis can cause tears in both the anus and vagina and it also can cause UTI's while tainted blood can cause disease in both the heterosexual and the homosexual.
Shared love between two consenting adults is blessed by God no matter if those adults are heterosexual or homosexual. The heterosexual is not more special or more valuable than the homosexual. The heterosexual is equal to the homosexual for both homosexuality and heterosexuality are free will preferences and choices.
"Do you only have sex for procreation purposes?"
As long as there is love, all acts of love are excepted in the eyes of the lord. Homosexuality is: sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one's own sex.
Homosexuality is not a crime or immoral Homosexuality is normal.
Immorality is bestiality, incest, divorce, annulment, adulteress, cheaters, pedophiles, pornographer's prostitutes, polygamy, these things are immoral because: Bestiality promotes sex with non human animals, Promiscuity is: having sexual relations with a number of partners on a casual basis. Adultery is: voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse. Pornography: obscene writings, drawings, photographs, or the like, especially those having little or no artistic merit. Sex before Marriage is self explanatory. Polygamy is the practice or condition of having more than one spouse, especially wife, at one time. Prostitution performing sex for money or using ones abilities for unworthy purposes. Pedophile: a person who is sexually attracted to children. Incest: sexual intercourse between closely related persons. These things are crimes.
So what are you trying to say?
Hey big Jim, it's spelled "dumb" not "bumb". Thanks for your "intelligent" comment!
Rweber-1968632,
Shared love between two consenting adults is blessed by God no matter if those adults are heterosexual or homosexual. The heterosexual is not more special or more valuable than the homosexual. The heterosexual is equal to the homosexual for both homosexuality and heterosexuality are free will preferences and choices.
Do you believe in freedom of speech? Freedom of belief?
Or only when it's a speech or belief you share?
Baptists have their view of truth. You may have another, or no view at all. But that's how it works in the U.S.
When you call for Baptists to be muzzled, expelled, or punished in some way because they believe being homosexual is wrong, then what about the beliefs of all the other religious and even non-religious groups out there?
What about your freedoms? How about the freedom of speech you have on this comment board to be illogical, inflammatory and rude?
live free in love and allow others to live free in love.
When your rights take another life forms rights and freedoms away they are no longer rights, for the act of exclusion and persecuting is wrong. To have rights means you must respect and not violate the rights of any other life.
It is because we share the same need to have sex and be loved that we should respect everyone’s right to have sex and be loved by the partner of their own choice.
In Galatians 5:22-6:5 we are told that: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
If there is no law against love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control then there is no law against ANY human being that acts in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Some will say they get joy from condemnation and violence but joy alone is not God’s law. Joy must come from love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
God taught us NOT to show favoritism and to count others more significant than ourselves while maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
James 2:1: “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”
Romans 2:9: “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: For God does not show favoritism.”
James 2:9: “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
The USA is not a Christian nation.
The USA is not a Heterosexual nation and Marriage is NOT an exclusive club for heterosexuals.
Equality for one group and not another is not equality at all.
Equality must be enforced, defended and protected by the larger body of government.
It must not be a legal or personal choice that can be made by individual states, organizations or companies.
We are a government FOR the people and BY the people.
Only through equality can we truly stand united.
The USA is a melting pot of many nationalities, religions and preferences.
Any form of favoritism, discrimination, condemnation and exclusion creates supremacy, domination and the violation of rights and freedom.
We are human beings and therefore we should act human.
There has been enough discrimination, exclusion, terrorism, persecution, intolerance, condemnation and bulling in the name of God and in the name of morality and honor.
There is no integrity, honor or virtue in the acts of hatred, discrimination, exclusion, terrorism, persecution intolerance, condemnation and bulling.
Being an America citizen means we all must respect each other’s rights to be free. It is time the human race used their independence to determine what words and actions they can say and do that will benefit society and the planet without usurping the freedom and rights of others.
The price of freedom is respect. Once you lose your respect for others freedom turns to chaos.
This is America.
It is time the American people woke up to a new dawn.
We are the new generation of mankind.
We will lead the way for other countries to follow.
We do not enslave our people.
We do not limit their personal choices
We do not limit their minds.
We do not limit their rights and we do not limit their freedom.
America is a country of liberty.
America welcomes and accepts all.
America excludes none.
BE AMERICAN!
ACT AMERICAN!
For freedom to be truly free, freedom must be free for all.
Grant to all life forms the same rights and freedom that you seek for yourself.
Baptist, the most F***ing bigoted group of people living today. They worship hate and not God.
You seem a bit miffed.
Don't like their church?, don't go there. Don't like gay marriage?, don't get one.
If you don't like condemnation, discrimination, exclusion and persecution. Speak out against them.
Always stand up for what is virtuous, even if you are standing alone.
There's only two kinds of people who are hung up on gay rights: Homophobs and Gay Rights Activists. No one else cares. Get over yourselves.
I want to know why this is news. It's not as if it's a big secret that a religious group such as the Baptists are against gay marriage, or even against gay rights.
But of course, whenever one of them gets caught hanging out in the men's room seeking a good time, they'll immediately break down and cry and beg God for forgiveness, because the laws of men and God don't apply to them.
Any civil rights issue is big news, for if you allow one person's rights to go unnoticed, then your rights at some point may go unnoticed as well. This is why hate groups are allowed to operate and why Hitler and so many other dictators were allowed to take reign. Not enough people bothered to stand up and say they were wrong.
You are so right and it will always be wrong to be a Queer.
What will always be wrong is the act of condemnation, discrimination, persecution and exclusion.
Homosexuals are not faggots, queers, butch, dikes or pansies. Homosexuals are normal human beings.
Labels and name calling are the weapons human beings use to protect themselves from what they do not understand and cannot tolerate.
Some people that resort to name calling even have hidden desires that they are too fearful to act upon.
The right to free speech and action is the instigator of all hate crimes against women, color, nationalities, races, homosexuals, witches and other religious beliefs and personal preferences.
Words and actions that do not promote, emulate and reflect, Goodwill, kindness, compassion, wisdom and morality do not encourage positive response.
Any human being can speak and act in vexations and anger but few human beings can formulate words of higher awareness and conscience.
Only when a human being strives for higher knowledge and understanding
will they achieve higher conscience.
Men and women of good character and higher awareness have a deep penchant to emulate those who are in good moral standing. The desire to be quarrelsome, intolerant, insulting and profane is considered a mark against their intellect and appearance. To set a good example for others, one must be worthy of imitation and never allow their virtues and integrity to be compromised.
Always remember, the manor and conduct in which a human being acts and speaks reflects the pride of their good character. When a human being maligns others with insults and profanities they are also maligning themselves.
Every time a human being displays a lack of pride in their actions, appearance, and conduct, they also display a lack of knowledge and validity in their words.
When you cannot act and speak without the use of anger, it is time to reflect on the humaneness of your actions and words.
Never speak in a manner that soils the purity of one’s soul. A voice can be a brass, harsh weapon, or a polished, refined chime.
Homosexuality seems to be the main focus of this debate but in the word of God there is no debate. Sin is SIN and one day every knee will bow and every that Jesus is Lord of ALL. On that day eyes will be opened and it will be everlastingly too late for many who never accepted CHrsit.
You can bash those who beleive but what you cannot deny is the constitutional right to our beliefs and yours.
The consitution says government cannot make any laws restricting the free practice of religion.
Everyone wants to rewrite the bible and the consitution. Too bad the President does not want to defend it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think there is an "all men are created equal" part in there too.
Just as an FYI if the constitution hadn't been amended women would not be able to vote and blacks would be forced to sit in the back of the bus.
So your faulty argument that change is bad carries no logical water.
Moreover it was the Baptists themselves that brought up the "civil rights" argument, which is clearly a secular issue.
Sure there is: prove there's a god!
That's nice. prove it!
That's not in question. But you cannot push your beliefs onto others or into the government or law!
Technically true. Although religious practice cannot be used to violate the law.
The bible's already been rewritten many times. Some of us want to defend Constitutional integrity. But the bible and constitution have nothing to do with each other.
John Lawrence-3816969,
You are 100% correct, sin is sin and that is why we must stop sinning through our incessant condemnation of Homosexuals.
When your rights take another life forms rights and freedoms away they are no longer rights, for the act of exclusion and persecuting is wrong. To have rights means you must respect and not violate the rights of any other life.
It is because we share the same need to have sex and be loved that we should respect everyone’s right to have sex and be loved by the partner of their own choice.
Since you cannot debate God, why do you try?
In Galatians 5:22-6:5 we are told that: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
If there is no law against love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control then there is no law against ANY human being that acts in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Some will say they get joy from condemnation and violence but joy alone is not God’s law. Joy must come from love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
God taught us NOT to show favoritism and to count others more significant than ourselves while maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
James 2:1: “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”
Romans 2:9: “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: For God does not show favoritism.”
James 2:9: “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
The USA is not a Christian nation.
The USA is not a Heterosexual nation and Marriage is NOT an exclusive club for heterosexuals.
Equality for one group and not another is not equality at all.
Equality must be enforced, defended and protected by the larger body of government.
It must not be a legal or personal choice that can be made by individual states, organizations or companies.
We are a government FOR the people and BY the people.
Only through equality can we truly stand united.
The USA is a melting pot of many nationalities, religions and preferences.
Any form of favoritism, discrimination, condemnation and exclusion creates supremacy, domination and the violation of rights and freedom.
Proverbs 17:15: “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent--the LORD detests them both.”
As a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ I must call you out on your intentions.
Do you judge the homosexual on the innocence of their individual merit?
Do you judge the homosexual with the same equity, love and kindness that you would seek from your own judgment?
Are your judgments against the homosexual impartial to your own person feelings and beliefs?
Christ and God Taught us that: We must be impartial of all things and show love and equality in our judgments. “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”
Luke 16:15:
Jeremiah 7:5: KJ, (NIV) “For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly (change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly,) If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, (if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers forever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.”)
Zechariah 8:16: “Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.”
Romans 2:1: You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things”
Philippians 1:9: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.”
Proverbs 2:9: “Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.”
Psalm 98:9: “Let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.”
James 3:17: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
1 Peter 1:14, 22: “Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here, obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
James 2:13: “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
Make no mistake Christ and God only Judge the guilty while those that condemn, discriminate, exclude and persecute judge the innocent.
Matthew 7:1-29: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
Matthew 12:36: I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
1 Peter 1:14, 22: “Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here, obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
Please, stop defending your hatred of a minority that already has civil rights in spite of supposed Christian groups like this. You think sticking a token black man out in front of your silly white convention allows you to deny the rights of gays and lesbians? He may be that foolish not to see how he's being used but the rest of America can smell the Southern Baptists a mile away.
PFFFT! I think you misunderstood the meaning of love one an another. Nasty
ABD -----Now!!!!
(Anything but Dentistry)