Kern critics warn against using faith as wedge
Kern critics warn against using faith as wedge
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By Devona Walker
Published: April 2, 2008
As hundreds gathered Wednesday to support Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, at the state Capitol, fewer than a dozen others gathered separately, warning of the dangers of divisiveness and sectarian politics.
Kern has said homosexuality was "the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam." Kern also cited her Christian faith as the basis for refusing to accept the gay lifestyle and attempts to expose the "gay agenda."
"Religion can be a positive force. It's intended to be a positive voice for folks who may not have a voice," said the Rev. Jeff Hamilton, head of the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma and a former state legislator. "The voice of religion should be speaking out against discrimination. ... my real worry is that in the legislative process, this sectarianism is used to institutionalize prejudice, institutionalize policies that affect negatively people on the margins of life. And that goes contrary to the Christian point of view and Jesus of Nazareth.
"You're entitled as a Christian to have your beliefs even though your factual basis is not sound, but you cannot cloak yourself in holiness and claim that everything you say is factually correct or biblically correct."
Tearing down the signs
Members of Parents and Friends of Gay and Lesbians, the Respect Diversity Foundation, the Cimarron Alliance and Oklahomans for Equality said they want to elevate the public debate waging between their camp and Kern's legislative office.
"My parents are alive today because of the actions of three Christians," said Michael Korenblit, president of the Respect Diversity Foundation.
Korenblit's parents narrowly survived the Holocaust, helped to safety by three Americans. At least one of his parents' saviors was killed by the Nazis for helping them escape. Years later, Korenblit asked children of the man who saved his parents why he risked his life for strangers.
"They told me he was a deeply religious man," Korenblit said, adding that his religious convictions led him to incontrovertible bravery and sacrifice.
Korenblit said his father was confused when he came to pre-civil rights movement Oklahoma, when segregated water fountains, restaurants and buses were commonplace.
"He couldn't understand. 'How could they come to Germany to save me, and then treat people within their own country this way?'
"But guess what, those colored water fountain signs came down, and this will too," he said.
Are attitudes changing?
Jeremy Howard, 30, a Norman businessman, said there is a generational element to Kern's words and the subsequent rhetoric that is neither relevant to younger generations nor will be tolerated in the future.
"Even as a good old boy from rural Oklahoma, who grew up in ignorance, I am now an indication that Oklahoma is on the upswing, and our attitudes reflect that change," Howard said. "As ugly as it was, this allows us to begin the dialogue about who we are as Oklahomans and what we believe in."
The small group of gay rights supporters spoke about how religious doctrine is interpreted differently and sometimes misinterpreted or used to wedge people apart.
They asked whether the Kern incident would have long-term consequences for a state trying to reinvent itself. In the end, they agreed past divisions would not play a part of the future.
"I think this Sally thing is a last gasp," Hamilton said.
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18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus had plenty to say about adultry and divorce as well...Matthew 5:27-28 31-32
Notice Jesus didn't say a darn thing about a man with his boyfriend or a woman with her "life partner". Hmmm...I wonder why that is?
The whole Bible in various places speaks against "lusts of the flesh"
Homosexuality is sin often caused by other sins and the Bible tells us that sin when it is finished brings forth death. But not only death of the body but death of the spirit as well. Jesus may not have specifically spoke out against homosexuality, but Jesus did say that sexual sins were sins against our own bodies. God gave us the gift of sex, for the enjoyment of one man, with one woman under the bond the binding contract of legal marriage. It is for procreation and the Bible tells of two flesh becoming one. When it talks about this it says nothing about two men's or two women's flesh.
Now, we live in a sin cursed world. This world will NEVER get better, because even Christian's are sinners. The only hope we have is in a savior and his name is Jesus Christ, who died about 2000 years ago to give all mankind the opportunity to escape a place called hell and live forever in a place called heaven. I know where I'm going...do you? Put aside your bickering and get out your Bible. The answers are there, if your heart is willing.
Jesus Christ shed his blood for all sinners, liars, those who commit adultry, those who steal, those who murder, just to name a few. While on this earth, he healed many and forgave many of their sins, telling them to "Go and sin no more".
While I was earning my doctorate in religion, I learned a great deal about the distortions of the Bible, especially in the King James versions. As an example, take the word "hell." In the original biblical writings, there was no such thing as "hell" as it is interpreted today. When the King James version was written, King James had mandated that the bible be written in words that a normal peasant person of the times could understand. During the period of the development of the King James version of the bible, everyone knew what a "hell" was: it was a deep, dark hole where everyone kept their potatos. That's all. There are numerous other such inaccuracies in the KJV.
This hatred and fear of homosexuals by modern "christians" has only arisen in recent history. Prior to that time, no one even knew what a homosexual was. The concept was as foreign to the Apostle Paul as would have been a helicopter. It is the duty of modern Christians to strive to be Christ-like. Christ never said one word about homosexuality, and he even cured the homosexual lover of a Roman centurion without uttering one word against such a lifestyle. Modern Christians should emulate Jesus and worry about things like divorce, a subject Jesus spoke of numerous times. If He were alive today, I betcha Jesus would be hanging with the homos, especially at events like the one to "support" Silly Sally or Krazy Kern, whichever you prefer.
As for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, reread what Jesus had to say about them. NOWHERE does it mention homosexuality as a cause of their destruction, but their selfishness and lack of charity WERE the reasons the cities were destroyed.
"LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL"**
"*Not available to all residents (especially homosexuals). Offer may vary in some areas. Other restrictions may apply. See Oklahoma Legislative Records, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. attorney general for details."