Replies

“O’Reilly’s contention that same-sex marriage opponents often “thump the Bible” to make their point.}

This is silly, making the traditional mountain of division from a molehill of a poor choice of words.

I watched both broadcasts where O’Reilly talked about this. The point he was making was simple:

do not thump the bible [i.e., use arguements based on biblically based morality] to convice a secular audience against gay marriage;
or, stated positively;
You must use secular arguements to convince a secular audience.

He did not call anyone a “bible thumper”.

****do not thump the bible [i.e., use arguements based on biblically based morality] to convice a secular audience against gay marriage;
or, stated positively;
You must use secular arguements to convince a secular audience.****

Thus implying that Bill OReilly has no secular arguments of his own to make since he has a rather big microphone in front of him.

The whole idea of outreach to secular people is to present the whole gospel truth, not try to cower behind some bogus poll or “scientific study” or what have you that will be countered with another poll or “scientific study”. Things such as that have no authority because they are not grounded in Gods spoken truth. Secular people will only hear Gods spoken truths if Christians speak them.

I think you raise a valid point but also a sad implication. I once regarded the Bible as the rules I should follow to make God happy. It was only later in life I came to realize those were God given rules to make me happy and they do. Many Biblical truths can be reached by reason, but not all because we are not God.

I think the Biblical wisdom of marriage can be demonstrated and has, just as the Biblical wisdom against homosexual behavior and temporary unions facilitated by no-fault divorce can also be demonstrated and have. These are secular arguments validating Biblical wisdom. So I see your point but also see a certain sadness and hazard to it.

The hazard lies in the phony debates staged to omit the reasoning that substantiates Biblical wisdom. The media does this routinely and O’Reilly chose not to see the reasoned response but only the Biblical response. That was either sheer laziness or deceit on his part.

The sadness is that we lose a reliable standard of behavior that brought some degree of peace and prosperity to our society. We don't always have to personally know the reason behind the wisdom and can rely on some simple Biblical principles. Secularists can offer no stable and reliable standard of behavior. Each is his own god with his own standards.

“This is silly, making the traditional mountain of division from a molehill of a poor choice of words.”

Truth is I don’t listen to O’Reilly much anymore. Any reason why? Just listen to this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=COLjgln-70s&NR=1