Christians Aren't Perfect and Thats Not What Chick Fil A Had In Mind, Anyway!

Most people that know me, know that I am a huge fan of Barbara Mandrell, one of the greatest Country and Western Singers of all time.  With that bit of knowledge, would it be a surprise to you to know that I also enjoy listening to Country Music?  I enjoy country and western and Southern decor for my home.  I enjoy country and western activities such as rodeo and bonfires.  None of that is a surprise, is it?  Even if you didn't know me and somebody we mututally knew spoke of me and added, "Lola is the biggest fan of Barbara Mandrell" you could surmise I also enjoyed some of the activities mentioned above, true?  Then somebody explain to me how a Christian business owner, a business that isn't even opened on Sundays got asked about his political stance on marriage and when he gave a Biblical answer, the media (liberal media) were surprised??  Some were even outraged!  There are so many facets to this ridiculousness, I felt I had to blog!

I will start with the political spectrum and I don't mean to point out the obvious but Mr.  Barak Obama himself, a liberal among liberals said in 2008 (after being elected) to MTV marriage is "between a man a woman" and that he is "not in favor of gay marriage."  What a difference an election year makes because now Obama has flip flopped and suddenly on ABC News, Mr.  Obama said he in fact believes "same sex couples should get married."  Now I started on the politics of all of this because it is front and center.  I will start off by saying, I don not know all the political answers.  In fact, the very argument of same sex marriage is actually hypocritical on both sides, Republican and Democrat.  Republicans claim to uphold the constitution and to be driven towards less governemt, yet are very adament to have government intervention in area's of something as personal as marriage.  However, Democrat's are just as bad.  They claim to be all accepting and encompassing, yet as soon as I say I am a Christian or believe our scriptures and the ways of our Lord, suddenly I am a hateful, racist bigot.  The Democrats seem determined to hush Christians and censor where I get my news, what I'm allowed to say or where I am allowed to say it!  To squash my First Amdenment right! So, the politics of Chick Fil A are flat out ridiculous and are only skewed to fit whichever network news program is reporting at the time. 
Now lets talk about the Bible.  I feel like the liberals drug me into this and "silence gives consent" so here's my two cents worth...and let me add, if you don't like it, quit reading.  If you don't like my stance, unfriend me.  I won't think you hate me.  I won't hate you.  That's where I stand.  If I don't like a tv show, I don't throw the whole tv out (although I would like too sometimes) I turn it off or change the channel.  If I don't like a magazine, I don't buy it.  I don't condem anyone who does.  I don't send out hatemail, I just don't look at it.  I'm tellin' ya, its real easy.  We don't have to agree to disagree or agree all the time; and besides, blogs are free, so get yer own! ;)
Beginning in Genesis, God made man and woman.  God described Adam's helper as "comparable" in Chapter 2 verse 18 and in v 23 Adam called her "Woman."  So a woman was comparable to Adam, a man.  God's words, not mine.  Now you say, well Lola, the Bible says lots of things, are we to take them literally? The Bible is very clear when the Lord is speaking in parables or "telling stories."  And the Lord is very clear in how we are to live Christian lives and spend our eternity in Heaven.  He gave us the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament.  Not the Ten Suggestions or Ten Purdy Good Idea's.  In fact in the very first commandment, God says his self that he is a very jealous God.  God, jealous?  Yeah, he says he is, therefor have no other Gods before him.  That "god" or "idol" could come in many different forms.  Maybe you worship money, sex, power, or any number of "things."  Is one worse than the other?  Is one sin any worse than the other?  No, the Lord is very clear, sin is sin.  But let me say this.  If you steal a car (stealing is commandment #8) on Saturday night and go to church on Sunday morning and ask for forgiveness, does our Lord grant it to you?  Absolutely, but do you get to keep the car? (from Brother Tim Norman, Airport Loop church of Christ)
The Bible is full of referneces on forgiveness.  Matt 6:15 says "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses."  Jesus invites forgivness.  Jesus loves.  This same Jesus that loves is also very clear what what you will face if you continue to sin and 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 "in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those that don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."  The Lord is very clear where we are to turn. 
The Lord is also clear on the issue of homosexuality as well as other sins.  Romans 1:26-27 describes homosexuality as a "vile passion" Paul's words, not mine.  27 "likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of women, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what was shameful..."  Shameful.  Natural.  That passage doesn't leave anything open to interpretation. It's pretty blunt.  In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, the Bible is very clear, but also lists and lumps other sins in the same group or classification as homosexuality, such as fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, drunkards, etc in the same group as those that will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Think about this for a dern minute!  Drunkards?  Thieves?  How many times have you said, "There is nothing I hate more than a thief!"  Woah!  There's some hate speech there!  Then how come we don't see a throng of liberal thieves proclaiming not to be Christians?  How come you don't ever see a bunch of thieves misquoting the Bible and trying to justify their actions?  How come thieves don't try to change or alter our Constitution or laws to futher their own agenda.  I no more hate homosexuals as I "hate" drunkards or drug addicts.  If I hated anyone of these, I would "hate" some of my own family, some dear friends.  Merriam Websters defines hate as "intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger or sense of injury." I can assure you I don't hate anyone.  I only fear my Lord and hold reverance, as Deuteronomy 10:20 says. 

Now on to the business side of Chick fil A.  Mr. Cathy merely made a statement he was set up for a few weeks ago.  He didn't say he was "against" gay marriage.  He said he believed in the Biblical definition as it being a covenant between a man and a woman.  He simply said he defines marriage as God also defined it.  If big cities like Chicago and Boston want to "make a stand" and not invite commerce from Chick Fil A, I say lets really think about that.  Our Nations unemployment rate is at almost 9%.  We are in a recession.  People need jobs.  Our economy needs stimulus.  Yet these cities say they will not "invite" the commerce a fast food resteraunt beings in, then I say, "What exactly do you all "stand" for?"  Unemployment?  Cheese lines?  Higher crime rates that this type of economy brings?  How can an elected official be so against growth and economy?  I don't advocate eating at a fast food resteraunt simply based on a poitical agenda for or against a personal decision.  I do however, advocate eating at a fast food resteraunt to exercise my own constitutional right.  My first amendment right.  Biblically speaking, that the book of Jude says I should "defend Biblical truths and not be passive. (1:3, thank you Brad Cunningham for the reminder.) As I said, I beleive silence gives consent. 
And do I hate homsexuals?  No!  Thats one more sin I don't need tacked onto my long, long list.  Yes, my sin is no different then your sin.  The thing is, I am working on mine.  Christians aren't perfect, we're just forgiven. 

Thanks for reading, hope y'all are having a great summer.  Peace, Love and all that! :)