Insight-Commentary on Today’s News

Same-Sex Marriage Just Another Step Down the Road?

Homosexuals have a right to marriage under the constitution of California.  This ruling from the California Supreme Court is not unexpected.  With the exception of domestic surveilance in a post 9/11 world, individual rights have mushroomed.  It is cruel to forbid a committed homosexual partner to have access to medical information of his or her partner.  It is as unfair to discriminate in employment and housing based on sexual orientation as well to discriminate based on race or religion.

The question is, can these individual rights be afforded to homosexual couples by other means, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships.  The Supreme Court of California said no.  Marriage it must be.  The state has vested interest in nurturing and protecting long-term committment in relationships.  (They tend not to clog family courts with messy divorces and unending custody rulings, they don’t fill criminal court dockets wtih cases of domestic abuse).

To the Christian, this will not change anything.  For them and their children, the Bible defines marriage among God’s people and gives government the freedom to make its own definitions.  Jesus didn’t agitate against people of dubious sexual orientation and Paul had bigger fish to fry than Nero’s fetishes.  The question that will arise in a Christian’s mind, however, is, “Will the State of California follow through to a logical conclusion and discourage live-in relationships that fall short of marriage, or will this just be another step down the road to legitimizing any individual actions?”

–Don Pieper

To read more, go to www.gvelc.com

Interpreting God’s Judgments

Recently I heard Terri Garr of “Fresh Air” ask Al Gore about a comment Rev. John Haggee made–that Hurricane Katrina hitting New Orleans was “God’s retribution for a planned gay pride parade.”  With a chortle, he responded, “That’s just silly.”

It is silly–for both.  God does send judgments, but he does not telegraph his intent.  In the Bible we can tell why such and such happened because the writers, moved by the Holy Spirit, gave God’s interpretation to the events.  Israel goes into Exile because of their apostasy.  Herod Antipas is struck down because of pride.  Sodom and Gomorrah are overthrown because of the outcry over their sins.  We know that because the Bible tells us.

The age of the apostles and prophets is over.  No man can discern the hidden will of God regarding specific events–not even Jesus while he walked on this earth–”or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?”

To say God brings destruction on people we don’t care for turns him into a personal bully.  To pooh-pooh the idea that God brings judgment to bear today makes him a boogey-man.  Neither course is wise or Christian.

What does the Lord require?  That we walk humbly before him, put out a hand to help those who suffer and keep a close watch over our own heart.

– Don Pieper

To read more, go to www.gvelc.com 

Excuses for YFZ Action an Embarrassment

The ongoing struggle between Texas and the polygamous Yearning For Zion enclave reveals the emptiness of the American soul.

A report of child abuse, called in to authorities, was first given as the reason for the raid and removal of underage children.  The caller was never found and it seems now to have been a hoax.  Medical authorities indicated many children showed a history of broken bones–the result of child abuse?  That story did not have legs.  Many of the mothers were underage, it was reported.  The story was corrected.  Only a few were underage mothers.  Now daily footage of mothers begging to be reunited with their children confront the American public, as authorities repeat the mantra that Texas law must be obeyed.  Other polygamous groups (when they talk to outsiders) profess how happy they are in their circumstances.

The real reason YFZ and all other polygamous groups must be disbanded is that one woman deserves the undivided love, affection, attention and intimacy of one husband.  She deserves someone who is devoted to her, listens to her, is there for her to share her trials and tribulations, her hopes and fears.  One man deserves no less from his one wife.

Do we prefer to hide behind pretexts of child abuse (sexual or physical) as the rationale for our actions, simply because we are embarrased to look at the essence of an ideal marital relationship, realizing how far the American marriage has fallen from it?

–Don Pieper

To read more, go to www.gvelc.com