Billy

Sunday, November 14, 2004

Interesting. Looks like new research is showing that divorce rates are higher in red states than in blue ones. In 2003, Kentucky had 10.8 divorces per 1,000 people. Liberal, gay-marrying Massachusetts had 5.7 divorces per 1,000 people. According to one resarcher, “The higher the educational level, higher the occupational level, higher the income, the less likely you are to divorce.”

Brian Noel

Monday, November 15, 2004

I just saw that story too. It was in this morning edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Also, divorce rates among evangelicals are just as high as the national average. A few on the right, including Cal Thomas just this week, have argued that so-called pro-family conservatives should start worrying about their own families before waging a war to stop gay marriage. Christ most certainly spoke out more against divorce than gay marriage. My parents church, a perfect example of the red state evangelical congregation, turns a blind eye to the high divorce rates among its members. The weakening of heterosexual marriage through no-fault easy divorce is what made the “struggle” for same-sex marriage possible. I still agree w/ the constitutional marriage to ban gay marriage. later. b alien workshop is doing a demo right near my house on Wed. Should I take Jude?

Brian Noel

Monday, November 15, 2004

That alien workshop comment was supposed to be a PS: I havent skated in 5 or 6 years. But there’s an indoor skatepark (Ollie’s) that I pass every morning onthe way to work. I just saw where Alien Workshop is having a demo there this week. They do have a vert ramp inside and Danny Way rides for them now–i think. Should I stop by?

Billy

Monday, November 15, 2004

“I still agree w/ the constitutional marriage to ban gay marriage.”

Would you support a constitutional amendment to ban divorce? If not, how come?

“Christ most certainly spoke out more against divorce than gay marriage”

Can you point me to any biblical passages where Jesus spoke out against homosexuality?

Brian Noel

Monday, November 15, 2004

Yes, but not a federal constitutional amendment. I would like to see state laws amended to make divorce more difficult. I most certainly feel that divorce is way too common in today?s society. A great majority of divorces taking place today are a result of unrealistic expectations, unwillingness to try harder, boredom, selfishness, instant gratification, etc? Heterosexual couples have already brought marriage to brink of meaningless through divorce. (FYI: I do believe the Bible permits divorce in cases of abuse or infidelity) Most of our social problems, crime, poverty, education are the results of broken homes and/or single parent families. I?m not suggesting that every state should amend their constitutions to only allow divorce in cases of abuse or infidelity. Yet, I do wish a divorce wasn?t so easy. I do believe the Gay marriage issue could not be solved on a state-by-state level due to the Courts previously displayed willingness to legislate from the bench. No time right now to really answer

Brian Noel

Monday, November 15, 2004

Although Christ never spoke of homosexuality directly he also never mentioned specifically rape, pedophilia, or bestiality by name either. Please understand that I?m not trying to suggest that consensual gay sex is comparable to rape or molestation. However, Christ is very clear about what he considers marriage to be:
When the Pharisees questioned Him about divorce, notice what Matthew 19:4-6 says, ?4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause (that they are male and female) shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together (a man and a wife), let not man put asunder.?

The Old Testament is very clear and open about it?s condemnation of homosexuality. Christ claimed that he did not come to destroy one word of the Law but to fulfill it. Look at how he expanded the Ten Commandments. The 10 Commandments say that you should not kill. But Christ takes that law much further. He said that if you hate your brother in your heart you have killed him. This goes along w/ what I was saying above. Christ never mentioned masturbation directly by name. Yet, he says that if you entertain lustful thoughts in your mind, you have committed adulterer. (Adultery meaning any pre-martial or extramarital sexual relations) So we?ve just seen what Christ considers marriage in the verses above. So, in my view, from strictly scriptural bases, Christ would consider any sex outside of marriage to be a sin. Also, if you believe the scriptures should be taken literally, one would also be committing a sin if involved in a divorce that was not the result of infidelity or abuse.

Please let me add: In no way am I trying to suggest that all homosexuals are doomed to hell. I?m also not trying to suggest that homosexuals cannot be true Christians. I tend to believe Andrew Sullivan when he says that he is a sincere Christian. According to Mr. Sullivan, he believes Christ is the messiah and he died for our sins. Plenty of ?true Christians? entertain lustful thoughts, have had premarital sex, masturbate, etc? gotta run