Posted on 07/12/2006 10:43:24 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 12, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Forget about traditional morality—Christianity should focus on eradicating poverty, protecting the environment and ending the war in Iraq, according to the general secretary of the National Council of Churches, Dr. Bob Edgar.
“Jesus never said one word about homosexuality, never said one word about civil marriage or abortion,” said Dr. Edgar to CBS News at a recent gathering of liberal Christian leaders in Washington.
The gathering was the latest effort by the “religious left” to gain back some of the political power the group enjoyed during the 60’s and early 70’s. 30 years ago liberal religious leaders used their political influence to lead demonstrations against social injustices such as civil rights abuses and the Vietnam War. Once those issues left the spotlight, liberal Christianity lost focus and faded to the background.
Now, liberal Christian leaders are attempting to stage a return to power, targeting young voters and concentrating on increasing childcare funding and raising the minimum wage. The group wants to build a strong voter base to counter what it calls the “ground game” of the Christian right—the powerful voting block of traditional Christians that has significant influence on the country’s politics.
Finding a unifying message that will allow the group to achieve political clout has been a struggle, observers have said. The New York Times reported in May on an earlier meeting by liberal Christian activists in Washington, a brainstorming session concentrating on identifying the group’s goals.
During a session on ethical sexual behavior, the meeting bypassed discussion of concrete issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. Instead, Rev. Ama Zenya of First Congregational Church in Oakland, California, directed the gathering to discuss their spiritual values and “to practice fully our authentic being,” reported the Times.
The results of the gathering were disappointing, said liberal Baptist minister Rev. Tony Campolo, who once acted as spiritual adviser to President Bill Clinton, and attended the conference.
“We didn’t get on the same page with everyone, and it is about getting on the same page. The thing about the left is that they want everybody to feel good.”
Dr. Edgar, who has been general secretary of the NCC since 2000, was applauded by homosexual activist organizations shortly after his election for withdrawing his signature from an ecumenical statement in defence of traditional marriage, “A Christian Declaration on Marriage.”
Dr. Edgar also apologized to members of the homosexual community for originally endorsing the document, which was co-signed by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the National Association of Evangelicals.
Simply breathtaking...
Never said one word about ending the war in Iraq, either, but that doesn't seem to be stopping you from speaking for His intentions.
Romans is pretty clear about homosexuality.
He didn't have to. It was already in The Law...........
The Bible doesn't record Him ever saying anything about kidnapping either, so I guess that is okay too.
These idiots need to learn that arguments from silence are invalid. They also need to figure out the concept of "the whole counsel of God."
He can save that for the judgement... I would love to see how that goes over with the almighty.
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
Avoid such people."
- Paul
Dr. Edgar needs to read the Bible again ... he seems a bit unclear on the concept.
Jesus said he did not come to judge people but that he did come to save them .... or to prepare them for their alternative, which is God's judgement.
And the Bible shows that God has said quite a bit about sodomy, and the sanctity of pre born life..
I think He said something about not having come to condemn the scriptures (Old Testament) but to fulfill them.
The Lord was QUITE clear about what He thought of sexual perversions, especially homosexuality in the Old Testament.
They brought up this argument when the Episcopalians were about to ordain Eugene Robinson as bishop. Problem is, no one ever noted that Jesus had indeed spoken very forcefully against divorce (3 times in Matthew alone)--and Robinson had divorced his wife to live with his new partner.
Matthew 19:4
4 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'[a] Gen. 1:27Ge 1:27; 5:2 5 and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'[b] Gen. 2:24 ?Ge 2:24; 1Co 6:16; Eph 5:31 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." 6 Ge 5:2; 1Co 6:16; Eph 5:31
Didn't have to.
His Dad wrote the definitive lesson on that subject.
Make that subject(s).
Commies of the cloth.
Two words.
Parallel. Universe.
Thank God I'm on the right one!
"Romans is pretty clear about homosexuality."
Romans:1
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
I guess Paul was talking for himself (about them!)
I'm not a Christian, but I do have a question. Which old laws not longer applied after Christ and which ones still do? Any resources on this? I've always been curious about this aspect of Christianity.
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