In one of Reverend Donald Sensing’s posts regarding CBS and NBC, the two networks have refused to run ads by the United Church of Christ which purports to make homosexuals feel welcome in their churches.
The broadcasting corporations’ rationale for the refusals is confusing, but, conversely, revealing; betraying a common misconception of what it means to be a Christian.
In a written statement to the church, CBS, a unit of Viacom, said the fact that the Bush administration had proposed a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman made the advertisement "unacceptable for broadcast."Somehow, the Bush Administration’s support of the FMA proposal—and general disapproval of same sex marriage--has become synonymous with Christians allegedly wishing to bar homosexuals from attending church services. (No doubt, President Bush's public Christianity is somehow mixed into this stew of odd reasoning.) How did that happen?
NBC said the ad violated a long-standing policy of the network not to allow commercials that dealt with issues of public controversy. NBC is part of NBC Universal, which is 80 percent owned by General Electric Co. ., with the rest owned by Vivendi Universal.
My pastor says that we don't have to change to come to his church. (Heck, I even saw two guys kiss other in greeting there. No tongue action or anything, but it was in a manner that I would reserve for my close friends of the opposite sex.) My pastor preaches that we don’t have to prove our righteousness to men in order to “present ourselves before the altar,” hungry for the word of God; that righteousness comes solely through faith. When you sit down for Christian services, are you sitting next to someone who is engaging in or has engaged in homosexual acts? Maybe. Likely, the following week, you’ll sit next to someone who has committed adultery. Or fornication. Or some larceny. Or someone who has lied that week. And on and on and on.
Many critics (and adherents) of Christianity seem to be under the impression that in order to be a *good* Christian, one must never sin again or even think about it; that total absence of sin is what is required to wear the appellation “Christian.”
I submit that the Owner’s Manual needs to be reviewed a little more thoroughly.
For we maintain that a man is justified [made righteous] by faith apart from observing the law. (Romans 3:28; NIV)I, too, have been guilty of misunderstanding the criteria of what makes a good Christian by citing James’ (2:20) assertion that “that faith without deeds is useless.” (Many commentators claim that James didn’t get it either.) And that’s where the misunderstand lies. Too many churches require that a prospective parishioner show formal proof of his/her acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal savior; not just once, with baptism, or communion or even an “altar call,” but day in and day out. “Show us your works,” many of them say, as if Christians automatically stop doing wrong things and having bad thoughts as soon as the faith in Jesus Christ kicks in. Conversely, if a so-called Christian is outed: fornicating, lying or even having a little too much wine, it’s proof that he/she “isn’t really a Christian.” Again, the Specs need to be reviewed. The only thing required to be a Christian is faith.
How does one get this illusive faith? That’s a pretty simple proposition, as well.
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17; NIV)Or reading it. Not once, but over and over again.
As far as I’ve ever been able to tell, homosexuals don’t have to stop being homosexuals in order to attend church, accept Jesus Christ as savior, or read a Bible. However, it seem to me that what some homosexuals want is to have their desires sanctioned from the pulpit and have the verses in the Bible twisted so that such desires are no longer deemed as sin. Certainly, all other types of sinners (read: everyone else) would like this special dispensation for their own individual brands of biblically-proscribed activity, as well. But what does a given Christian denomination become if it gives this? Not Christian.
However, as any real Christian church will not ask you to prove that you’re not still lying, or swindling, or dishonoring your parents, it certainly wouldn’t ask you to prove that you’re not having homosexual sex. Or thinking about it. And if one does, you should get yourself away from that charlatan-led operation as soon as possible.
It seems to me that, for those who are hungry for the biblical Word, the only job is to read it, study it and listen to those who are more learned regarding its language, history and theology. After that, it’s up to the individual to accept it, and let the hearing of the Word change you.
Or to reject it and go on about one's business.
(All Bible quotes come from The Bible Gateway)
