Chick-Fil-A
Obviously the Chick-Fil-A story has generated a lot of controversy lately, but based on the amount of Facebook traffic I've seen on the issue, I'm afraid the most outrages aspect is being overshadowed. The president of Chick-Fil-A came out in support of traditional marriage, which is his right to believe. That generated a backlash from the pro gay marriage supporters who then have vowed to boycott Chick-Fil-A, which is also their right. Both sides of this issue have been very outspoken which in my mind brings out the beauty of the American system.
The part that upsets me when political figures in Boston and Chicago have publicly vowed to do everything possible to block Chick-Fil-A from doing business in their cities. How is it that when the people responsible for defending our freedoms make blatant, public, promises to engage in unconstitutional behavior that both sides of any issue don't speak up?
I would hope there would be a strong outcry from the entire country if it were discovered a politician blocked a business that was run by a gay rights supporter. The role of government is to remain neutral on issues like this and allow the people to decide things for themselves. The problem that has developed in America is that we are losing the ability to recognize how important it is for us to defend the rights of those with whom we disagree. We fail to see that when they lose their rights, we lose ours too.
Instead, government has become a tool to try to take freedoms from people we disagree with rather than defend them. When we begin to ask for Constitutional Amendments to define certain behaviors we are setting a dangerous precedent that could someday backfire. We somehow have taken the stance that getting the government to legislate morality, what ever that morality might be, will make us a more moral country. I'm not sure I want the government in the business of legislating anyone's morality because someday, I might be the one who's morality is being legislated against.
There will always be times where we disagree with people of other perspectives, but please America, let us PLEASE unite when it comes to defending each other's rights to have those perspectives! We cannot ignore our leaders using their powers to restrict others because of their beliefs, even if it is in our favor.
The part that upsets me when political figures in Boston and Chicago have publicly vowed to do everything possible to block Chick-Fil-A from doing business in their cities. How is it that when the people responsible for defending our freedoms make blatant, public, promises to engage in unconstitutional behavior that both sides of any issue don't speak up?
I would hope there would be a strong outcry from the entire country if it were discovered a politician blocked a business that was run by a gay rights supporter. The role of government is to remain neutral on issues like this and allow the people to decide things for themselves. The problem that has developed in America is that we are losing the ability to recognize how important it is for us to defend the rights of those with whom we disagree. We fail to see that when they lose their rights, we lose ours too.
Instead, government has become a tool to try to take freedoms from people we disagree with rather than defend them. When we begin to ask for Constitutional Amendments to define certain behaviors we are setting a dangerous precedent that could someday backfire. We somehow have taken the stance that getting the government to legislate morality, what ever that morality might be, will make us a more moral country. I'm not sure I want the government in the business of legislating anyone's morality because someday, I might be the one who's morality is being legislated against.
There will always be times where we disagree with people of other perspectives, but please America, let us PLEASE unite when it comes to defending each other's rights to have those perspectives! We cannot ignore our leaders using their powers to restrict others because of their beliefs, even if it is in our favor.
God's whole purpose for governments was to punish law breakers, His laws.
ReplyDelete"Romans 13 (NIV1984)
Submission to the Authorities
13 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."
We legislate morality all the time when we say people can't steal, rape, or murder. Yes, there may be a time that this country has gone so far away from God that you, as a Christian, will be morally legislated against, but that will not be your sin, that will be the government's and they will be held accountable for it. But legislating against immorality is the whole purpose of government. Government is not meant to give handouts and help people--that is the job of the church. One that we have failed miserably at. And, yes, the further we have gone from Christianity, the further we have gone from true tolerance. it used to be that we tolerated anyone's viewpoint, meaning they could believe what they wanted and we would not hurt them for it or get mad at them. Now, if we believe differently from someone or say that someone else is wrong, we are intolerant. Tolerance now means more than agree with me, but accept whatever I do as right for me. No. I cannot call sin acceptable. This country has gotten so far away from God that we are calling evil good and good evil. Isaiah 5:20