‘False Equality’
by Matt | September 12th, 2008 |
Looks as though this year’s Soulforce Equality Ride is going to face a little opposition. As I wrote back on August 9 and as I reported for Q-Notes on September 9, the 2008 Equality Ride will make a stop at the Columbia, S.C.-based Columbia International University on Oct. 6.
Coming up in the Sept. 20 issue of Q-Notes, you’ll get an answer to why there aren’t all that many native Southerners on this year’s Ride — which is focusing solely on Christian colleges and universities in the South.
This opposition group, SAFE, or Students Against False Equality, claims it will “respond to the false messages of equality being promoted on Christian college campuses by the Soulforce activist group Equality Riders.”
They plan on setting up “SAFE Learning Centers” in the libraries of those institutions visited by the Ride.
In short, SAFE’s main purpose is to provide more blind hubris to the already faltering anti-gay and anti-Christ doctrines of radical Christianists. That’s basically it.
10 Responses to “‘False Equality’”
You know Matt, this is just like the anti-gay ‘day of truth’ that the ADF promotes and I doubt it will be anymore effective. I believe that conservatives are more and more coming to a realization that the ‘culture war’ has already been lost. These groups formed are just acts of desperation. Just like when racists had the police turn fire hoses on marchers when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and co. marched from Selma to Montgomery Alabama. These people turned to these tactics when they realize they are losing.
By adam kautz on Sep 13, 2008
It’s not about being anti-gay. It’s about standing up for principles. You have your principles and that’s what you’re writing about. I know nothing about this group “SAFE,” but I will say that as a Christian, I do not believe that the homosexual lifestyle is Biblical as the Equality Ride is seeking to promote. It’s not anti-Christ to be “anti-gay.” I have had many gay friends over the years. Not one of them has spouted the kind of hate that I have seen come of out gays in recent years. I have always tried to share with them how they can come to Christ and forsake their lifestyle. May that be true with you as well.
To Adam,
This has nothing to do with racism and is nothing like the movement in the ’60s. Once again, it’s about standing up for the truth in God’s Word, which you all have decided to turn against us.
By Chris on Sep 13, 2008
Chris truth is relative, you may believe that the bible is the literal word of god, but I don’t I believe the bible was inspired of god but written by fallible biased men. Your ‘truth’ is no more no less true than what I believe to be true. To many wars been fought and bloodshed happen because people like yourself think you have all the answers and the only people in this world who are right. I would have much more respect for people like yourself if you just could admit you don’t have all the answers and you just might be wrong on this issue. I may know a lot of things but I never claim that my way is the only way or that I am right. I question my faith all the time. Its what keeps me on the right path.
By adam kautz on Sep 13, 2008
“It’s not anti-Christ to be “anti-gay.””
Yes, Chris. It is anti-Christ to exclude other people.
And… my sexual orientation is not a “lifestyle.” It is a part of who I am.
Further… anti-gay prejudice is just like racism. As church leaders used religion to justify slavery and segregation, they now use religion to justify denying legal (CIVIL) rights to LGBT people, same-sex couples and protecting LGBT kids in schools.
By Matt on Sep 13, 2008
Truth is not relative. The law of gravity is true, and no matter what you want o believe, it won’t help you if you hold a rock over your head and drop it!
The truth of the bible is just as hard and fast as the law of grvity.
By Matt (not Comer) on Sep 15, 2008
Adam: If truth is relative, then you just contradict yourself. That statement itself would not be true. I don’t claim to have all the answers and can never claim that. I’m not even claiming that my way is right. I’m claiming that what the Bible says is right. Jesus said that He is the only way. The apostle Paul lumps those of the homosexual lifestyle in with murderers and adulterers as going to Hell. That’s pretty clear. By not claiming the Bible to be true, you can justify any sin, and that is the problem.
Matt: Who’s denying civil rights to anyone. You claim it’s just like racism. If you’re referring to marriage rights, it’s always been and institution of a man/woman relationship. It should not even be politicized as it has been. If gay partners have a problem with being allowed health benefits for each other, they need to take it up with their companies, not with the United States Constitution. It’s private organizations that are denying the rights, not the U.S. Government. To be a Christian, one must follow Christ’s commands to forsake sin and follow him. The last time I checked, homosexuality was still listed as a sin. Perhaps a Christian may struggle with that sin, but he/she should be seeking help and praying for God to help him/her overcome that sin. I’m sorry if that’s the answer you do not want to hear.
This Equality Ride is nothing more than a ruse to try to force Christian Colleges and Universitys to allow homosexual “Christians” into their schools. Or to try to bring out those who struggle with homosexuality by telling them it’s okay. The problem, as I see it, is that the LGBT movement is trying to force culture onto Christianity. If LGBT people do not want Christianity forced on them, then they need to stop trying to force their ideals on Christianity. Again, I have no problem with LGBT people. I do have problems with being told that I’m intolerant and bigoted because I believe in something that’s counter-cultural.
By Chris on Sep 15, 2008
Chris I highly doubt you have any real gay friends, in the truest sense of the word. Do you ever hang out with them. Ask them questions about the lives. Or are they just people you are friendly to but would never invite them over for dinner. In that case they are only aquantenses not friends. And as far as truth goes, their are only two types truth based on facts, and truth based on beliefs. Your ‘truth’ is based on beliefs not fact.
As far as doctrine goes Jesus is the final authority not the Bible. Unless the bible is your only source of truth. Then you just broke the first commandment. “You will not have any other gods before me” Go home and repent of your bibliolatry.
By adam kautz on Sep 15, 2008
Chris you delude yourself to think your any better than me just because you happen to be heterosexual. You are just like the pharisees of old. You lay burdens down on people like us that you yourself won’t carry. I will stop being gay when you divorce your wife and live celibately for the rest of your natural existence. Stop being a damn hypocrite.
By adam kautz on Sep 15, 2008
Adam, do you want to have a conversation, or do you just want call names?
You’re right. Jesus is the final authority, and His words are in the Bible. That would mean that I would go to the Bible to see what He says.
I don’t think I’m better than you. But to call me a hypocrite for living in what God has ordained? You’re stooping low, don’t you think.
I’m attempting a chance at a decent conversation, but you apparently want to argue and call names. And, at this moment, no, I do not have any gay friends. I have in the past, but not at the moment.
Heterosexuality is what God created in the Bible. If you can prove otherwise, then do so, but don’t go calling names and getting all huffy, because it doesn’t fit what you believe. Either we can have a decent conversation, or it can end with the name-calling. Can you prove that God allows homosexual Christianity from the source of truth that He has given us, the Bible? Did Jesus say it was okay to be a homosexual and a Christian? Can you prove that? Either of you, Matt or Adam? Without playing the blame game or name calling?
By Chris on Sep 16, 2008
Chris,
I think it would be mindful to remind yourself that when these issues come up there will be plenty of gay Christians and others who are sensitive to it. Many people raised in situations like mine (being taught that being gay was worthy of death… literal death) will have strong reactions. Unfortunately the church has at many times in its past and present been guilty of many sins, including hate, bigotry and prejudice. That has to be recognized in this conversation before we can even proceed.
Why be surprised when a gay Christian has a strong reaction to a person telling them that who they are, who they identify themselves as, is completely wrong, when it is that gay person who might have been taught, like me, that we “Should put all the queers on a ship, pluck a hole into the side of it and send it out to sea.”
I didn’t write back because I didn’t want to say anything out of anger when I had horrible reactions to your following statements:
Chris said: “I have had many gay friends over the years. Not one of them has spouted the kind of hate that I have seen come of out gays in recent years. I have always tried to share with them how they can come to Christ and forsake their lifestyle.”
I don’t know what “hate” you are talking about. I sure haven’t spouted much hate here at my blog. In fact, at InterstateQ I try very hard to keep any hate from occurring, either by me or any commenters. If you think saying the truth (”SAFE’s main purpose is to provide more blind hubris to the already faltering anti-gay and anti-Christ doctrines of radical Christianists.”) is hate, then I can’t help you. Further, my life is not a “lifestyle.” Who I am is a part of me, but not my “lifestyle.” My “lifestyle” is pretty much like that of any other 22-year-old working for a living, paying rent and paying off student loans.
Chris said: “Who’s denying civil rights to anyone…If you’re referring to marriage rights, it’s always been and institution of a man/woman relationship. It should not even be politicized as it has been. If gay partners have a problem with being allowed health benefits for each other, they need to take it up with their companies, not with the United States Constitution. It’s private organizations that are denying the rights, not the U.S. Government.”
Civil rights are being denied to a lot of gay people Chris. Again, if you can’t see that, I can’t help you. In America, gay people can be and are fired from their jobs simply for who they are. Gay people are discriminated against in public schools, the military and even by the U.S. Government itself (Bush’s administration stopped enforcing the executive order banning discrimination based on sexual orientation, signed by Bill Clinton).
Marriage, whether we like it or not, is politicized simply because it has become a civil institution. Gay couples are discriminated against when they are told they can’t see each other in the hospital, are left out of funeral arrangements or other situations after one partner dies. Further, gay couples should be treated no differently than straight couples when it comes to CIVIL legal and financial rights, privileges and obligations.
Notice: I didn’t talk about God here… these are all CIVIL matters.
I think Adam called you a hypocrite for a reason. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but maybe I might. His reason for calling you a hypocrite: “You lay burdens down on people like us that you yourself won’t carry.”
He’s got a point.
By Matt on Sep 16, 2008