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Church Put out of Group for Baptizing Gay Men
Posted on Tue, Apr. 29, 2003
Concord church put out of Baptist group Cabarrus association objects to congregation that baptized gay men KEN GARFIELD AND JAIME LEVY Staff Writers A Concord church was kicked out of the Cabarrus Baptist Association Monday night for baptizing two gay men. Leaders of the group of 81 Southern Baptist churches agreed in a closed meeting to sever ties with McGill Baptist because it welcomed into the church -- and into a life devoted to Christ -- a gay couple who share a Kannapolis home. Of 268 messengers, 250 voted to withdraw McGill Baptist's membership. Eleven voted in favor of McGill. Seven abstained. The Rev. Randy Wadford, the association's missions director, read a statement after the vote in which he said "the homosexual lifestyle is contrary to God's will and plan for mankind.... To allow individuals into the membership of a local church without evidence or testimony of true repentance is to condone the old lifestyle." After the vote, the Rev. Steve Ayers of McGill Baptist said, "The kingdom of Christ is about love, about God's grace and mercy. When a church becomes so judgmental that it can't accept people into their fellowship, it is a sad, sad day." Ayers said being kicked out of the association doesn't have many practical implications. He said the 800-member church, which moved in November to Poplar Tent Road near Concord Mills Mall, contributed to the association's food and clothing ministry. He said they'll find a new way to help the needy. Spiritually, though, the Cabarrus controversy illustrates the gulf that continues to divide churches that seek to embrace gays and those that characterize homosexuality as a sin. Speaking to association leaders Monday on behalf of McGill Baptist, lifelong member Wanda Ritchie said it's "almost unthinkable" for the association to seek to control the membership policy of one of its churches. The church, she said, is for everyone. But Cabarrus County commissioner Coy Privette, representing North Kannapolis Baptist, said homosexuality is "an anti-Biblical standard of conduct," and that being baptized means repenting of such sins. Ayers said the two gay men, one in his 40s and the other in his 60s, have declined comment, preferring to stay out of the spotlight. As much as the men are upset over the furor, Ayers said they are glad to have found a church home. They both attended worship Sunday. When it came time for worshippers to sign the register and mark whether they are members of McGill Baptist, one of the men wrote, "Oh yes." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I heard about this on the radio this morning and while I do believe homosexuality is a sin, that does not mean HOMOSEXUALS should be kept out of the church and all of its ordinances. FORNICATORS are up in CHURCH every Sunday, baptized, singing, ushering, PREACHING:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: , etc. and no one says a word about THAT SIN!! Yet they are saying something about homosexuals. THIS is what keeps folks OUT OF CHURCH and IN CLOSETS!! |
Re: Church Put out of Group for Baptizing Gay Men
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Chal you aint EVVA EVVA lied (beating my tamberine)!;) |
Wow...and you wonder why people don't come to church...
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hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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Re: Church Put out of Group for Baptizing Gay Men
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That's crazy!
:mad: :mad: :mad: None of us are perfect, except God alone. Mark 10:18. |
Question to anyone who wants to respond...
Why do you believe homosexuality is a sin? Not agreeing or disagreeing, just trying to be educated on the topic. :) |
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http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/be.htm |
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Very well said, and just to add to that....abomination is not sin, abomination is wickedness. Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, not our wickedness. Now, you can ask for forgiveness and Christ will forgive. However, if you're going to continue that lifestyle... by the way, congratulations SisterSoror BirthaBlue4. Welcome to the land of Greekdom! |
Ok..to expand...
Since fornication is also a sin, wouldn't that make heterosexuality (at least before marraige) a sin as well? The only difference between heterosexuality and homosexuality is the actual act of fornication, right? |
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Nope. Fornication - sexual intercourse between unmarried persons. (be it same sex or opposite sex). heterosexuality is characterized by desire for members of the opposite sex, not the actual act of intercourse. |
HA! You were cut off!:p :o :eek:
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~put italics to clarify your words from Doggy, esp. on that last part** |
Well, I guess I'm in the minority on this one.
Here we go... 1. "The Bible says this" "The bible says that". (More than one person has used this quote so I'm not going to direct quote anyone.) Sorry, I can't base my beliefs on a book that was written by MAN and his personal opinion. (not an objective opinion either) It's Mans INTEREPTATION of Gods word. 2. "God says..." Really? Did God come down and SAY SO? Remember, MAN wrote the book, not GOD 3. Church/Religion--Man's rules suited to fit his needs. Sorry, dont buy that one either. These are my PERSONAL opinions as I have gathered over the years. Yes, i did go to church, Methodist and Catholic. I also took the time to learn about other world religions. While I respect the need for humankind to have a belief in something greater than them/us (diety or higer being, etc..), I cannot respect ANY institution that tries to dictate how a person is supposed to live and tell them WHAT to believe. Sorry, I don't listen to hypocrytes. (sp?) From the above mentioned website: "Drug taking, previously confined largely to ghettos, became part of middle-class life." Oh, so only people in ghettos (all types) are SUPPOSED to use drugs, etc..?:rolleyes:Please. As far as people being GAY, SO WHAT? Trying to make a person feel like they are the heathen of the world because of a sexual preference? B.S. WE ALL KNOW being gay does not make them less of a HUMAN. What makes a person less than human is when they kill an innocent child or a woman carrying an unborn child, beat on an elderly person, steal, and do things to intentionally HURT people, emotional or physical. No, I'm not gay. I just RESPECT the right of others to do as they please as long as it is CONSENTUAL. (adults) What they do in PRIVACY has absolutly NOTHING to do with me or my life. Whew..what a load to take off my shoulders. Venting is a good thing. Adding: So, I say good for that church. I think that is TRUE BROTHERHOOD. Accepting people for who they are and not trying to make them change to suit the needs of someone else. |
Ditto on NinjaPoodle....:D
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Doggystyle, you come off as VERY self-righteous in your post. You accuse people of minimizing the "sin" of homosexuality, yet, who is to determine what sin is worse? That was my point about heterosexual pre-marital sex vs. homosexuality. Believe that the ONLY difference between the two is the gender of your sexual partner. DESIRE to have sex with someone does not make you hetero- or homosexual. The fact is that I findarguments concerning religion will always end up unresolved, because the Bible/Koran/whatever is really about interpretation. Why do you think there are radicals out there killing people in the name of religion? I mean, the KKK is reading the same Bible that we are, y'all. |
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Too often, Christians are quick to condemn others for sins based on their assumed sins. Who is to say that a person may have a desire to sin, but gotten on their knees and prayed to God for the strength to resist temptation? We commend alcoholics, thieves, and gamblers for not giving in to their sinful desires but condemn a gay person to hell for even looking at a member of the same sex. The scripture that I have read that condemns homosexuality is Leviticus 18:22. This verse condemns the act of homosexuality and not the desire. This entire chapter details many sexual relationship that are forbidden. Interestingly enough, no mention of sex between two women is mentioned. Would this organization of churches have taken the same stance if it had been a lesbian couple to be baptized |
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You claim me to be "self-righteous" which is far from what my posts state. The TRUTH of what I state is that I am a sinner just like a homosexual, not better or worse. Don't even say that I am a better person. That would be self righteous. What I don't do is ignore the TRUTH nor let my politics nor sentiments nor liberal feelings rebel against the TRUTH. I am a sinner who is saved by GRACE of my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST because I believe HIS WORD to be the ULTIMATE TRUTH. Not mine, not my political beliefs, not the whimsy of the local populace or not by meeting some really great and upstanding people who happen to be gay. Those of you like NinjaPoodle who have no use for religion or the others of you that question the validity of the Bible, your opinions are fine and I have no problem with them, however, you can't have it both ways. The CHURCH that professes JESUS should adhere to HIS WORD. HIS WORD is the BIBLE. Not what you think, nor what I think. We can't discard verses and doctrines when they don't benefit our sensibilities. There are a lot of things that I would like to feel less guilty about. But you know what, I freely accepted JESUS and vowed to accept his precepts and commandments. Are they hard to live with sometimes, yeah. Do I find myself being inconsistent sometimes, yeah...Can I be a weak and carnal Christian at times, yeah. But the essence of FAITH is believing in something greater than yourself and having a model and blueprint for RIGHTEOUS living. A CHURCH cannot BAPTIZE an ABOMINATION. BAPTISM is the ceremonial cleansing of sins from a past life for the BORN AGAIN BELIEVER to live in Christ. If you are going to keep celebrating and living a homosexual life (or other sinful life) it is obvious that no rebirth has taken place. Yes, murderers, theives, adulterers, liars, are all in the church, the key being that they have been born again and renounced that lifestyle in order to be Baptized (of course people backslide). Yet, if they fall or fail, that doesn't excuse anyone else's sin. If man is greater than God, have it your way. If God is greater than man, then those of us who profess him have to abide by HIS words. To denounce the inspired word of God as simply being "written by men" is our attempt to be our own God. It is the pride of man and lack of humility that brings us out of harmony with HIM. There won't be any Amens to my posts but thats okay. |
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You say thing like "yeah, I fornicate, but I am a sinner saved by grace." How is that any different from someone "struggling" with homosexuality? You also say, "If you are going to keep celebrating and living a homosexual life (or other sinful life) it is obvious that no rebirth has taken place. " Couldn't someone say the same thing about someone who is unmarried and "celebrating and living" and actively heterosexual life (i.e. fornicating?) Are you celebrating sin when you come on here and post things about the "OWT" things that you and your bruhs do? Does that mean that you are not truly born again? Third point I'm gong to bring up, you say "A CHURCH cannot BAPTIZE an ABOMINATION. BAPTISM is the ceremonial cleansing of sins from a past life for the BORN AGAIN BELIEVER to live in Christ." First of all, I don't believe that people are abominations. The things we do, yes, are, but not the person. Jesus never asked us to get ourselves right before he would save us. He just asked that we admit that we are sinners and that only His blood can wash us clean. Repentace, a profession of faith and belief are needed for salvation. If we, as Christians, get in the business of saying that folks can't give their life to Christ because of their sin, we are in a heap o' trouble! Does this mean that the homeless alcoholic who had a drink last night can get baptized? Does this mean that the gang banger who was out doing what ever on Saturday, smelling like reefer (do they still call it that or am I showing my age?) on Sunday morning can't get baptized? Now, all of that being said, I am inclined to believe that this church was expelled from the Southern Baptist, not because they baptized these men, but because they do not treat their homosexuality as something that needs to be repented about. There is a church in the Atlanta area (I know you are from here...it's in Virginia Highlands as a point of reference) that was kicked out of this fellowship recently because they had commitment ceremonies for gay couples and allowed openly gay folks to be ordained as deacons and hold other leadership positions. That is just as wrong as having a single woman who is living with a man (or a single man for that matter living with a woman or openly 'tipping') in any of these positions. True repentance happens in the heart, it is not my place to judge if true repentance has happened, only to 'speak the truth in love' and allow that person to work out their own soul salvation. |
Here we go!!!!!!
Interesting views, But I tend to agree with Doggeystyle on this one. Here's why,
While I do not agree with the bannishment of the church from the baptist denomination, we too have to understand what it means to submit. Christ's core message was love, both God the father and man (check John chapters 15, 16, &17). Part of this love was to live a righteous life, meaning you ascribed to a higher moral law than selfish desire. This moral law would be most effectively lived out if you abided in Him (Christ) and His word (ideas, logic, higher moral law) abided in you. After Christ's ascension, He promised a Holy Spirit that would "Lead and guide all disciples into all truth". Stating that a Holy Spirit would ever be present , searing the conscience of the believer and reminding him/her of the true righteousness "apart from the law". This true righteousness, though, would not violate the law, but fulfill the law (i.e. give us a better understanding of the law). With that being said, Christ himself never teaches on homosexuality, but this doesn't logically correlate to a condonement of the lifestyle. At best we can assume that Christ viewed homosexuality as the rest of the law viewed it. Now here's where it gets stickey, because there are many ways to see the Bible's stance on this issue. Abomination-highest wickedness (Levitical law as well as Pauline) The very act of and desire for ("as a man thinks in his heart, so is he") homosexuality is the utmost of sin, because God sees this as an ultimate perversion of the divine unity of matrimonial; procreative sexual intimacy (Gen 2:24), which strikes at our core as beings "created in the image of God". To assert that same sex couples can unite in that "image" of maleness and femaleness comming together in love with the ultimate "2 becomming 1 flesh" union with the possibility of creating new life ulitimately insults the very image of God, who created human kind, in the very likeness of God, both Male and female (Gen. 1:26) Liberal view- that the prohibitions of homosexuality in the Old Testament were prescribed for nation building. The Children of Israel were new in the land and needed offspring to carry on the nation and make it strong. Homosexual relationships can yeild no children to carry on the name and birthright of the Jews. The prohibition is not doctrinal , but practical for the Jews at the time (similar arguments are made about the Levitical calls for dietary restraints and interaction with women on their menstruation cycles, which Christians today for the most part, see as only temporal prohibitions). In the New testament, the word for the lust of men lying with men and such in Romans 1 is orexis, the lust that could be good or bad, depending on context. This lying with same sex peoples is called unnatural because, some suggest, people were doing it out of idolatrous lust and temple prostitution, which was common in the Roman occupied territories at that time. These people were heterosexuals performing homosexual acts:confused: . Therefore, homosexuality as we know it today, with the questions about whether sexuality is innate or a choice, is not understood by Paul in those days, in which heterosexual people (if you accept that sexuality is innate) were performing homosexual acts out of idolatry (worshiping wanton sexuality). At any rate, regardless of which side of the fence you fall on this issue, the question has to be the mission of the church. I tend to believe that homsexuality is a choice, just as heterosexuality is a choice. To have the desire is one thing, but to affirm the desire and the act as righteous I believe is profane and is similar to what Romans 1 is saying about idolatry. With that being said, everyone who believes, is welcomed in the Kingdom. I trust that the conscience of the true believer will be seared by the same Truth that caused the faith profession of salvation for the believer in this issue. The true believer should not, with a clear conscience, claim homosexuality as righteousness, due to the truth about sexuality in our and God's sacred identity. Can a person have homosexual desires and perform homosexual acts and be a believer, of course. Can that same person, with a clear conscience, say that homosexuality is righteousness, I think not, but hey, I could be wrong. The church should welcome all who believe, but as disciples, we must submit our will to God's will. A question to all who do not see anything wrong with homosexuality, can you give a higher moral claim to this assertion, other than society's own acceptance of this act or "lifestyle"? Blackwatch!!!!!! |
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Re: Here we go!!!!!!
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Re: Here we go!!!!!!
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I just don't find it productive to subscribe to doctrine (any type) that says to show humility before a deity and be a brother to all but shun others who don't subscribe to its beliefs. It's called being a HYPOCRYTE in my eyes. I believe in being a brother to all and not just a select few. |
Since I am a Christian, my answer will be biased, but I will admit that
Interesting discussion....
To me, a homosexual lifestyle is just as sinful as an unmarried heterosexual lifestyle, or a murderous lifestyle (serial killers) so therefore it should be treated as such. There is no such thing as a little sin or big sin, or my favorite, because it is popular or cool now, its no longer a sin. :rolleyes: The church SHOULD be a place open to anyone (sinners, saints, and all ) who wants to come and learn what it is be a member of Christ's family (which would include giving up things of the flesh that are sinful in act and nature). I would think that the church should be encouraging those that don't know Christ, to come and learn about Him and what is required of you as a born again Christian, which includes giving up sinful things that you may have once found pleasure in. So IMHO, they should not have kicked out the church that baptized gay men. People who have pre-marital sex get baptized every Sunday so I don't understand that the uproar is all about. |
Re: Since I am a Christian, my answer will be biased, but I will admit that
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As far as I'm concerned, until it is physically proven that God actually came down and picked up a Cross pen, and wrote every single word and phrase of the Bible, Koran (Quoran) etc.., to me it is a book written by man. AND I never said I had no use for religion. I'm simply opposed to the practices of some of the major organized sects. Quote:
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Well this B'klyn star takes her children to church. And don't get it twisted, I love and am greatful for all of the blessings I receive daily but homosexuality doesn't bother me.
Look, I'm not judging anyone. Nah, ah. That's not what's up! What good is throwing stones @ others when almost all of us would end up in hell if judgement day were today. I read all of your very passionate opinions but they're just that. An opinion won't make you, break you or SAVE you. Whether your gay, straight, santified and holy, or athiest, we have all called on the lord at one time or another. I say we all take a break and repent for all the crap we done did last night :rolleyes: Bottom Line: If you GAY, that don't mean you can't PRAY. |
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*going back to the lurker's bench* |
Hmmm...Interesting....
We discussed this topic in class a few weeks ago This article helped us gain a black lesbian women's perspective (scroll down and start at "Revelations" - in bold print) http://www.femmenoir.net/Archive/lesbianl4121.htm As a Christian, I believe every word of the bible. I'm convinced that as a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST it is my responsibility to show others compassion and Christian love. Who am I to turn my nose up at ANYONE? Why should we closed the doors of the church and deny homosexuals? God didn't deny me. We have all fallen short of His glory. Last time I checked, Jesus died on the cross and rose on the 3rd day for ALL MANKIND. He died for ALL OF OUR SINS - EVEN HOMOSEXUALS...EVEN THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE. Someone mentioned the validity of the bible to modern society. In the New Testament it says that women should not speak during church service, and that they should have a man speak on their behalf. Now come on ya'll... :rolleyes: I think Christians should spend more time researching the history as well as the message, to better understand the entire theme... And that's all I have to say about that :cool: |
as the residential and only openly greek homosexual on GC, i think :rolleyes: ... i have read the articles and the posts on this subject.
what's an abomination is the fact that the church denied these prospectives members. i won't get into the whole discussion of whether or not homosexuality is a sin and in my opinion i think no sin is really greater than the other. until then there is only one being that can determine that and that is the lord above when it is our time to go. |
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Fornicating Homosexuality Lust Lying Adultery Gossip :eek: -- I am in trouble Backbiting Idolatry etc. etc. etc. Bottom line, not one of us has room in our life to judge us. Look at it this way, when JESUS died on the cross, he was next to a thief. Did he say, HEY GET THAT THIEF AWAY FROM ME!?!?!? Nope. For all we know that thief could have been homosexual. Bottom line #2, ALL OF US NEED to be saved. Those homosexual men, the fornicators, etc. etc. None of us as heterosexuals are kept out of the baptismal pool. Murderers and rapists and child molesters get baptized and some of them keep right on sinning as murderers, rapists, and child molesters. But JESUS' blood still covers them and saves them. Welcome back MamaB, I've missed you and I love you. :) Let me carry my sinning self to church and get preached to.:cool: |
No, there is no difference as BIG sin and little sin...but, we can't be PROUD in our sin-that's what God hates the most-those who are proud in their sin. So if these homosexual men that were baptized in the church were expecting the church to except them for who they are, yeah, they are in the wrong.
Once someone becomes a Christian, you develop a RELATIONSHIP with Christ. Which means that you'll read the Bible, come to church, pay your tithes, pray, etc. When you establish that relationship and learn the dos and don'ts, you're an unconditional Christian. Which means that you will NOT say, Lord, I'm homosexual, and you have to execpt me this way...or Lord, I'm an adultress, and you have to except me this way, because there's no big sin and little sin. That's not how it works in Christianity. God is love, but God is a God of judgement as well. Homosexuality is an abominiation to Christ. God will not condone that behavior if you have "this is just the way I am" mentality. This is not my theory...this is scripture, therefore, I'm not passing judgement. You can do as you please, but the scripture states in Leviticus, that DEATH WILL BE UPON YOU if you live that lifestyle. YOU MUST BE WILLING TO MAKE CHANGE! This includes everything that we, as Christians, fall short on. We all must be willing to make change! This is my THIRD time editing this post. It's really bothering me that CHRISTIANS are so relaxed on this topic. If homosexuality is NOT an abomination (WICKEDNESS, God died on the cross for our sins, not our WICKEDNESS), why did God destroy the city of Sodom and Gomorrha? Jude 1:7: Even as Sodom and Gomorrha and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after STRANGE FLESH, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. What does that scripture mean? In the city of Sodom and Gomorrha, people were living proudly in their wickedness. God does not like when we live proudly in our wickedness. This is not my opinion, this is not Delph998 passing judgement, this is a scripture that was read of the Bible, therefore, we need to abide by the guidelines. |
Not knowing anything about this particular churches baptism process its kind of hard to really form an opinion. My old church had a four week process in place before a person was officially baptized so that a person would know what is required and what is expected of them as a new beliver. I wonder did this church have something like this in place? And furthermore, how do we know that during this process, the men did not do this? According to the article, I guess you can assume that they still live together, but so far, each man has decided not to comment.
And why don't we get up in arms and screen out those people (whether saved or unsaved) that engage in pre-maritial sex who are wanting to join and come to church. HIV/AIDS is killing our community. Again, there is no sin above another, so we as believers need to be just as adament about educating those folks as well. :) I'm not saying that homosexuality is not a sin, but only GOD will be the one to judge whether or not at the point in which those men made a committment to Him, if it was it real and done according to His will. As guess what.......my heterosexual self faces that same judgement. |
WOW....after reading all of this I say:
1 Corinthians 10:23, all things are legitimate (permissible - and we are free to do anything we please), but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive (to character) and edifying (to spiritual life). This scripture, out of the all the scriptures that could have been chosen, is so important to meditate on. We, as Christians, and humans in general, are FREE MORAL agents, meaning we have free will and the choice to live out we want to live. However, Deuteronomy 30:19 states that "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." One fails to realize that the lives that we choose to live has a large impact on the generations to follow. It is important to choose the lifestyle that God says to live, and that's a life of blessing. Walk according to his Word. Walk by the SPIRIT and not by the flesh that is so easily tempted. We fail to realize that we live in preverse times and that the nation in which we live was built and founded upon the very CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES that many of you ignore and choose not to live by. I know this may be off subject but it is important to realize that GOD sent his only begotten son to die for us. However, once he took on the form of humanity, he had a decision to make like all of us. It was an easier decision to make but yet he still agonized to the point that he shed drops of sweat. Why reject someone that took the pressures, the cares, the sins, the burdens, and the yokes for you? How can you harden your heart to the truth and the very veracity of God's word? Homosexuality is a sin, which God hates, but his word mentions that there are other sins that he hates (read Proverbs "can't remember exact chapter & verse" but its the 7 things that are an abomination to God). Yes God loves the sinner and hates the sin, so therefore, if you claim to be in Christ, it is your (our) responsibility to point them to the truth and continuously lift them up in prayer. Once we do that, their blood will no longer be on our hands, because we have done our part. |
Answer this: Have YOU Doggystyle repented from fornicating and CEASED all fornicating?
If not, then how are you, a baptized believer, any different from the homosexuals in the aforementioned article BESIDES THE OBVIOUS sexual preference? |
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did we ever establish if you are .... :confused: ...Or you are just using pink in your username? :confused: |
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