Post #12 - Politics

Well, I guess I broke the seal on this one with the whole gay marriage topic, so what do you say we flesh this out a bit?

I shall open by saying this: Were somebody to put a gun to my head and say "Choose a political party right now or I'll shoot you," my response would be "Shoot." In the interest of full disclosure I thought it best to let you know that on the red-blue spectrum, I run about as purple as Barney's buttcheeks.

Earthly government is necessary, and as long as we are earthbound subjects we should heed our earthly governments in every way that does not enter territory that God clearly marked as his own. Jesus himself upheld that concept - he went through the Roman court system, was tried and found guilty by a Roman-sanctioned Jewish judge, and served the government-sanctioned punishment of crucifixion. If The One we are to emulate subjected Himself to an earthly death sentence for violating earthly law, then you do not have Leg One to stand on about your parking ticket. Pay it, shut up, move on.

Participation in government is also critical for Christians - voting, volunteering, even running for office are laudable political activities for Christians. But one thing we must always remember - subject your Christian principles to no one. Not to slick ads attempting to influence your vote. Not to poll services in order to get elected. Not to lobbyists if you get in office. Not to party politics in order to keep your job. Nobody.

God is first. Pray before you make any political decision, either as voter or office-holder. Always remember that Jesus was put to earthly death for speaking God's truth instead of what the political powers-that-be wanted to hear. Again, if Our Lord and Savior is willing to hang for days while nailed to wood until He suffocated under the weight of His own organs, abdicating your position in City Council when policy clearly contradicts God's direction is a no-brainer.

Post #11 - Gay Marriage

By my beliefs, I do not support gay marriage as it instiutionalizes a sinful lifestyle. However, I don't feel it should be expressly outlawed by secular governments unless that government can find a valid, secular reason to outlaw it. (SPOILER: They can't... so please stop trying.)

So long as a government is secular in structure and statute it has no business passing laws based on religious principle. Said government also has absolutely no right to force churches to sanctify marriages contrary to their beliefs based on the same "separation of church and state" concept.

Therefore, if a secular goverment finds no issue with marrying gay people to each other, let it knock itself out. There are secular heterosexual mariages, so secular homosexual marriages shouldn't be too much of a big deal.

However, if a gay couple should ask an officer of a church to perform a wedding ceremony and that officer refuses on religious principal, it ends there. No lawsuits, no picketing, no glitterbombs... just go to the flippin' Mayor's office. It's just as legal from the Mayor as it is from a priest or pastor, and legal is all you're going to get.

For a house of the Lord to sanctify a gay marriage would necessitate the sanctification of sin. That flat-out can't happen. No officer of the Lord can ratify what God Himself rebukes. You may as well tell B'nai Brith that they're on the hook to host a BLT-eating contest.

Earthly government is just that... and that's where its authority ends.