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| Discriminating Against Behavior Choices |
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24:19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve God; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression nor your sins. 24:20 If ye forsake God, and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after that He has done you good. 24:21 And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve God. 24:22 And Joshua said unto the people, You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen God, to serve Him. And they said, We are witnesses. 24:23 Now therefore put away, `said he', the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto God, the God of Israel.
Our society seems to have confused human behavior with skin color, ethnicity, and gender. Most people believe that human beings have a choice in their behaviors. They may be strongly influenced by peer pressure, heritage, inner cravings, heredity, personal compulsions, or other factors; yet they have the freedom to choose whether to act on those influences or to resist those influences. A person, however, did not choose his/her skin color, ethnic origin, or gender. Those were forced on him at birth. Our country has a cruel history of mistreating people because of their physical characteristics. The Civil Rights movement did much to help remedy that cruel discrimination (although we still have a long way to go). Nowadays many people, however, are trying to apply the civil rights philosophy to behavior choices. They claim that people who choose certain behaviors deserve the same rights as the people with physical characteristics like darker skin. They even want public approval of their chosen behavior. This seems to me to be very inconsistent. We all discriminate every day against people because of their behavior choices. The government puts those who choose to sell drugs in prison and yet no one acts out for "dealers rights" (not even drug dealers themselves). Employers hire and fire people based on their behavior choices -- is that not discrimination? We all discriminate in our choice of friends based on their behaviors and/or beliefs. We even discriminate against nudists wearing their favorite attire in public places. Now discriminating against a person's behavioral choices doesn't mean being mean or cruel to him/her (except for the government's approach to the drug dealers and others who engage in behavior defined as "criminal" -- and most people believe they earned their punishment). But behavioral discrimination does deny approval. So why should I be forced to approve (or at least act like I approve) of a person's behavior choices? If a person constantly uses profanity and repeatedly refers to sexual intercourse and feces in his/her conversation, don't I have a right to voice my disapproval of that behavior and to choose to avoid contact with that person? I don't have a right to hurt him but I do have the right to disapprove of his chosen vocabulary. Today the rights of those of us who believe in Biblical morality are being attacked. We are being called "unkind", "mean-spirited", "unloving", "homophobic", "narrow minded", and other negative words because we cannot approve of certain behavior choices. Is this fair? |
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| To add a comment to "Discriminating Against Behavior Choices" |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| Not fair at all my friend...but it don't hinder me (smile)....I cry loud and spare not....and let my voice...and the voice of GOD be heard. If they can curse...I can praise....If they flaunt their sexual preferences...I flaunt the Word of God....Oh I get darts thrown my way....but what the heck....It comes with the territory ;o)....If they did it to JESUS....they shall most certainly do the same to us! |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| Great attitude, Mar Jay. I wish more Christians felt that way. It is indeed time to agressively speak "the truth in love." Keep on flaunting God's Word!!! |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| I hear ya. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| Amen to that Steve. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| Nope, not fair! But then, there are two ways after all to stand against behavioral choices we disagree with. The negative, by proclaiming "it's wrong!" And the positive, by demonstrating the healthy and righteous alternative! I try to choose the latter whenever I can! |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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Good Post
You know we changed having some hollidays from Lincoln etc to "Presidents" day. I feel the same abut Martin Luther King having a holliday named after him. I think it is wrong and I am offended by that.
Civil Rights day would suffice. Many have given their lives for their civil freedom. MLK was no saint. he had many flaws. I applaud his peaceful marches but not his infidelity and physical abuse and illigit children. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| Now they call it a "Hate Crime" if a person preaches God's Word on certain sexual sins. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| GraceAlone: Thanks for posting your opinion. Discussion is good. Personally, I believe Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the greatest Americans of all time and very deserving of a holiday named after him. He is one of my heroes. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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And also, GraceAlone. I just reread your second paragraph. And yes, MLK did some things that I believe are immoral. Like most of us, he was a mix of behaviors. His courageous, inspirational, and positive behaviors were incredibale and inspired many to speak out and stand up for justice.
Most "great Americans" had some really bad behaviors. So many presidents and founding fathers forcibly held Americans in life long bondage, refused to let them read the Bible, abused them, made them work without pay, and had them whipped if they refused to work or if they disobeyed them. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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Thanks, Marilyn.
I agree, Mike. We need to focus on setting positive examples. However, Jesus, Himeslf, preached "repent" -- turn from your wicked ways. Silence is seen as support.
Michael: Everybody on earth disagrees with somebody's behavior. So, if pointing out the behaviors that God discriminates against by calling them evil is "hate," then criticizing any behavior whatsoever is also "hate."
Paul: That's the bottom line! God calls some behaviors evil, immoral, sinful, wicked. As for me and my house, we will do our best to live by God's opinion of behavior. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| I can't stop people from doing certain things but I don't have to allow it in my car (if I had one right now) or in my home. I am very vocal and confrontational and I do respect a person's choices except when it infiringes on my right to my own choices. I'm with MarJay. If a person can swear in public I can pray in public. If someone wants to shout profanities I can shout some praise. If someone wants to read pornography in public I can read my bible in public. I can do all thing through Christ which strengtheneth me! |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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Jay: Good points. Sin is not at all shy, but flaunts itself. So if people flaunt their sin, why should we hide our faith and love for Jesus and our love for right living under a bushel?
Paul: Jesus preached "repent and believe the Gospel." Turning away from wrongful behavior choices (sin) is part of making Jesus LORD and SAVIOR.. "Lord" means "absolute master." Therefore, "No, Lord" is an oxymoron. It is a contradiction. If we say "Jesus is my Lord" yet we also say no to what He tells us about sin and behavior, then He isn't our "Lord -- aboslute master." |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| Amen, Paul. We can't live right without His supernatural help. And we cannot be put in a right relationship with God without Jesus blood. He paid it all! Now, out of our awesome gratitude to Him, we should follow and obey Him moment by moment. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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Steve, In my own personal opinion I do not put any man on a pedestal. After the Civil war, the south was not even allowed to vote for 17 years. Think about that one. As much probable good the Abraham Lincoln did, he also went against the very constitution that says if a state does not agree with the federal, it has the right to remove itself.
Its interesting how history presents people. JFK is one example. If he isnt assainated, what is his real legacy? He was at the very most an average President. The bay of pigs was a disgrace. He did lower taxes and he stood up to the Cubam Missles crisis. But other than that he had many bad issues.
Ronald Reagan is viewed as a great President, probably one of the top three. His trickle down economics is famout, but most people do not realize he did not know how it would really work. He ended up proving Milton Friedmans life long look on the economy was right on. Reagan also had a low approval rating just like George Bush
20 years from now, Historians are already saying GWB will be remembered as an all time great President. Personally I already know that. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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There were many SEXUAL BEHAVIORS that I was attracted to as a Single Evangelist of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. I know I was born with these CRAVINGS. I wanted MANY FEMALE SEXUAL PARTNERS...But, Although, Yes, Even Though, etc., etc, etc., I DID NOT ACT ON THESE CRAVINGS! I do Believe that Some Human Beings have certain Genetic Traits that may Predispose them to Certain Cravings/Attractions...But, Although, Yes, Even Though, etc., etc., etc., These Folks Do Not Have to Act On These Cravings. It's Called 'Self-Disipline' and Sanctification and CHOOSING to NOT DO |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| One also chooses ones faith. Should that be a protected class under the law? |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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No it's not fair...I say if we don't stand for something; we will fall for anything....
As for as MLK day....It's not the man that we celebrate...(For we ALL have sinned and fallen short) but we celebrate the legacy and what he stood for. It's the message of peace, love and non violence and not the human man.
I don't put my trust in ANY man....especially that President of ours...because they will lie and definitely fall short (as humans do) My total trust is in the LORD.
Outstanding post. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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I look forward to reading you next post, Lara.
Ken: Yes, indeed. We all have a predisposition to sin that we are born with. But no one has to obey his/her whims, cravings, tendencies, compulsions,etc. We are free to obey evil desires or to disobey them.
Malleus. Faith is also a choice, and many people discriminate against those people who choose to live by faith in Jesus Christ. We have been persecuted for 20 centuries. Today it is pollitically incorrect to speak againstt sinful behaviors, but acceptable to speak against Christian behavior. So what's up with that?
Carolyn: Good comment. Thank you. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| I will read my bible, pray, praise His mighty name, shout for joy and they can lock me up if they like ...but they aint gonna stop me! Publicly or in private!!! PRAISE JESUS. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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Steve, from the time of Constantine up until the 20th century Christians were not persecuted.
Being "politically incorrect" and persecuted are not the same thing. I am not "correct" on this site for my stance on this issue as well as my faith choice (Catholicism). Often times my posts are deleted and I am banned from threads. That hardly means that I am being persecuted, the same with thie issue. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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Thanks for the comment, Stuart.
Malleus: The antibaptists were killed by the thousands during the reformation period. The Inquisition persecuted and killed many believers. Just two examples. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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Perhaps I should have nuanced my statement a bit. However, I assumed your statement was setting up an either/or paradigm. Your use of the term we I took as being indicative of Christians vs. non-Christians. Both examples you used are Christians persecuting other Christians. |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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| We as christians that read the bible and belive in Jesus Christ have been told that we all are Gods children and all are created equally . Scripture says to love oneanother GOD BLESS |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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Whenever there are negative words spoken about Christians we know exactly where it's coming from. It's an attack from the enemy. God already told us that whatsoever is pure, honest and of good report to think on those thing. I give no place to the enemy. Everything negative said about christian has been changed to the fruit of the spirit.
Now satan get thee behind in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are just up to your old tricks again, but we all know that you are a defeated foe. You have been rendered powerless. Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| July 30, 2008 |
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Malleus: Good point. Often Christians persecute Christians. Now that is sad.
Amen, Brian. And love speaks out a caring warning when someone is self-destructing.
Keep on praying and proclaiming, blessedmary! |
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| July 31, 2008 |
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Ist John 3:10 "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."
Romans 9:8 "That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. |
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| July 31, 2008 |
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| Ken: The Bible calls a spade a spade. |
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| July 31, 2008 |
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Praise God; Man of God Don't everyone love their assignment!
I like to encourage everyone to work the Word and
it will truly work for you.
Thanks for opening up the hearts of God's
people to share their personal feeling without
being judged. You never know who is going to
come across someone "Behavior Choices" and they will remember
all these comments on it. "Iron sharpens Iron."
Everyone was a help for me Thanks! |
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| July 31, 2008 |
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| It is the body of Christ in action. Thanks for the encouragement to us all, J.JC. |
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