|
|
|
Year 2001 Bible Conference Cassette Tapes
News & Views, April 2002 - Edited By E. L. Bynum
X-Rated Priests & Preachers Shame Christianity - By E. L. Bynum
Liberal in SBC Seminary - By E. L. Bynum
Nothing is Intolerable Except Intolerance - By Bill Mosley
Jesus Christ Versus Religion- By Norman H. Wells
Unholy men who claim to be men of God are bringing shame to religion in America. The recent scandals reported among Roman Catholic priests will cause lost people to turn away from Christianity. As Baptists, we are far removed from the religion of Rome, but lost people do not always make the distinction. They lump all of professing Christendom in the same boat. While the publicity of late has been about Roman Catholic priests, there is also shame being brought by Baptist and Protestant preachers who are shaming the name of Christ by their immorality.
The scandal in the Catholic Church has been festering a long time. To a large extent, they have been able to cover it up for years. If they had been open and above board, the damage to the image of their Church and the destruction of multitudes of children could have been avoided. They should have heeded the Lord when He said in His word, " . . . be sure your sin will find you out" (Num. 32:23).
For many years the news media has handled the Roman Church with kid gloves. Now they smell blood in the water and they are on a feeding frenzy. The March 4 issue of NEWSWEEK devoted about 10 pages of text and pictures about the current scandal. Former priest John J. Geoghan may have sexually molested as many as 130 boys. This was known to Cardinal Benard Law, but they just kept switching Geoghan from Church to Church and kept him in the priesthood. It seems that the Catholic hierarchy had no concern for the innocent boys whose lives were being forever marred and ruined.
Cardinal Law of Boston is under pressure to resign according to reports. A recent poll showed that a majority of the Catholics in the Boston area thought he ought to resign, but he has steadfastly refused to do so.
The Archdiocese of Boston has secretly paid out $10 million dollars to settle 50 cases against Geoghan. In that one diocese as many as 80 priests have been charged with this sin in the last 40 years. They have already paid out many millions of dollars to settle cases of abuse, and there are many lawsuits pending. If it were not for the vast wealth of the Roman Catholic Church, they would have been bankrupt many years ago. Credible evidence has been presented which shows that 35 priests sexually abused children in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
Millions of dollars have been paid out by the Archdiocese of Tucson to settle lawsuits for the abuse of children by priests. The Chicago Archdiocese has checked the records for the last 40 years, and has found that most misconduct with priests was with 15 or 16-year-old boys. It has been stated that the Catholic Church has paid out more than $800 million to settle charges of sexual abuse by priests. Thomas Doyle, a canon lawyer, estimates that the Church will have to pay out $1 billion during the next ten years, in order to settle cases.
The priests are sometimes sent to Church treatment centers, but there is no cure for this kind of perversion. We know that the Lord could cure them, if they were converted to salvation, but that will not happen in their Church, for the gospel is not preached.
The Catholic Church is faced with a great shortage of priests. The number of Catholics is increasing, while the number of priests is decreasing at a rapid rate. The number studying to be priests is about 10% as many as there were 40 years ago. At this rate, it appears that the Catholic Church is going to run out of priests in the U.S.A.
Time Magazine of April 1, 2002 ran an eleven-page article entitled, "Can The Church Be Saved?" It is sickening to read the awful record of these terrible acts against innocent children. They report that there may be as many as 2,000 priests who have been accused of being pedophiles. For decades the Roman Church has kept allegations of sex abuse secret, and has not turned the names of these predators over to the police.
"A group of 39 plaintiffs have been battling the diocese of Providence, R.I. for as long as 10 years to get recompense for alleged abuse at the hands of 11 priests. Church lawyers attack the victims' credibility and besmirch their families." (Time).
In more than 20 pages of material in Newsweek and Time, there is almost a complete ignoring of the real cause of the sexual abuse in the Catholic priesthood. Only once in Time does the word homosexual appear. It is found in "The Confession of Father X" on page 34. He said, "I think I knew I was homosexual . . . " The Catholic Church and the news media need to reveal the awful truth that these predator priests are homosexuals. That is the reason they molest boys and not girls. It is the reason why most of them prefer boys who are 15 or 16 years of age. The priests who are not homosexual and are not faithful to their vows of celibacy, prey upon girls and grown women.
USA TODAY, March 26, 2002, had extensive articles on this problem beginning on the front page. The main story was about the Sante Fe, N.M. Archdiocese. "Beginning in the 1960s, New Mexico's parishes served as a nation dumping for pedophile priests. After doing time in a rural rehab center geared toward alcoholics, they slipped into sunbaked Hispanic hamlets and set about their unholy work. By the `90s, 187 lawsuits were filed against dozens of priests. By 1995, an estimated $25 million in settlements was paid out by the archdiocese and its insurers. And a beloved young archbishop, Robert Sanchez, acknowledged having sex with women, resigned and disappeared from sight." USA TODAY
There have been some estimates that the money paid out for these sins in Sante Fe may have run as high as $50 million. Again, the above paper was careful not to lay the charge of homosexuality on these priests.
The Pope finally made a statement, but it was weak, and there seemed to be little or no remorse for the damage done in molesting children. The following was taken from Pope Speaks Out on Sex Abuse. Pope John Paul II has made his first public statement about the sex-abuse scandal that has erupted within the U.S. Roman Catholic Church, saying that guilty priests have brought grave scandal" to the church.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the pontiff limited his remarks about the controversy to one passage in his annual pre-Easter letter to clergy. The errant priests, he wrote, had succumbed "to the most grievous forms of the mysterium iniquitatis [mystery of evil] at work in the world."
The pope did not provide suggestions on ways to address the problem, reported the LA Times. He also avoided commenting directly on how bishops have handled the controversy and limited his message "to those of a chief pastor speaking to subordinate fellow priests."
"All of us, conscious of human weakness but trusting in the healing power of divine grace, are called to embrace the mysterium crucis [mystery of the cross] and to commit ourselves more fully to the search for holiness," he wrote. Religion Today
Some have suggested that the priest's problems would be solved if they were allowed to marry. This would not affect the homosexual priests, because they are not interested in women. They are attracted to males. Of course marriage would help some of the other priests who are under the awful bondage of celibacy. The doctrine of celibacy is a man-made doctrine, just like most of the other doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.
We believe that immorality among Baptist and Protestant ministers is far too wide spread. Sin is sin wherever it is found, and it should never be covered up. The following, concerning immoral charismatic preachers, was taken from Calvary Contender.
Charismatic Leaders Divorce, Remarry, Resume Ministries. Charisma editor Lee Grady writes (3/02): "A prominent pastor in Los Angeles caused a stir two years ago when he divorced his wife and seven days later married another woman. [And] in just a few month she was back on the conference circuit, no questions asked. Today Clarence McClendon enjoys the spotlight on Christian television, and he shares pulpits with top leaders in our [charismatic] movement." Grady says that when it comes to marital breakdowns or sexual sin, "we charismatics are way too eager to grant immediate pardons." He gives other examples, such as Larry Lea, who had "nonstop speaking engagements during the time he was divorcing"; and South African charismatic pioneer Ray McCauley who divorced and remarried in a matter of months. One of his defenders said: "Yeah, Ray's marriage didn't work out, but really, he is more anointed than ever!" Roberts Liardon may return to ministry after three months following his disclosure of a short-term homosexual relationship. The saddest irony is the planned marital breakup of Ray Mossholder, who has "saved 11,000 couples from divorce," as a popular conference speaker and author. Sin is at the root of the growing number of divorces in our day. And no movement, including the Fundamentalist one, is immune from such an eventuality. -CC
We have read reports that 20% of Southern Baptist ministers have been guilty of having an affair while in the ministry. I would sincerely hope that this is not true.
Among Independent and/or Fundamental Baptists there has been far too much coverup of sin. Why should other pastors cover up for adulterers, homosexuals, and child molesters in the ministry? We hear of some who have been caught in sin, and they simply are shuffled off to another part of the country, where they continue to carry on their sin in another Church. Such people should be cashiered out of the ministry, and if they are guilty of homosexual involvement with children they should be turned in to the proper legal authorities. The same goes for those that molest girls as well.
A preacher with prominent connections with the easy-believism, no real repentance movement among fundamental Baptists, continues to circulate among prominent churches. Not long ago, a young married man called me long distance, revealing that this preacher had seduced his wife, while she was an unmarried girl. When confronting the pastor who was using this man in his Church, he was told that he believed in giving a person another chance. He has had chance after chance, but he keeps right on his nefarious ways. He was caught more than once in the pastorate, and now he travels around helping (?) other churches. Why are preachers so tolerant concerning sin? Child molesters and adulterers rarely ever change. Very, very few pedophiles are ever changed. They just keep on defiling more children and wrecking lives.
The qualifications for a preacher are set forth in I Tim. 3:1-7. Adulterers, fornicators, homosexuals, and pedophiles can never meet those qualifications. Let me show you why.
"A bishop then must be blameless . . . " (I Tim. 3:2). There is no way that an adulterer, fornicator, homosexual, or pedophile can meet this qualification. They cannot be blameless.
He must also be "the husband of one wife . . . " (I Tim. 3:2). Immoral people are not faithful husbands and cannot qualify for the ministry.
A preacher must be "vigilant." (I Tim. 3:2). There is no way that an adulterer, fornicator, homosexual, or pedophile can meet this qualification.
A bishop, pastor or preacher must be "sober." (I Tim. 3:2). This refers to curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, and temperate. How can an immoral preacher meet this qualification?
A preacher must be "of good behaviour." (I Tim. 3:2). Immoral people are not of good behaviour.
He must also be "given to hospitality." (I Tim. 3:2). How can such a person be trusted to be hospitable to innocent people? Any hospitality that he showed could prove to be very dangerous to the guests.
He must also be "apt to teach." (I Tim. 3:2). How could an adulterer, homosexual, or a pedophile be fit to teach what the bible teaches about their sin?
A minister is to be "not greedy of filthy lucre." (I Tim.3: 3). Immorality leads to a desire for money, to be able to pursue that sin. These people will violate this qualification.
God says that a preacher is to be "not covetous." (I Tim.3: 3). How can a man qualify if he is coveting someone's daughter, son, or wife?
He must be "one that ruleth well his own house." (I Tim.3: 4). How can he rule well his own house, if he cannot rule his own body? How can he rule his own house, if by his immoral life he is tearing down his own house?
"Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (I Tim.3:7). No adulterer, homosexual or pedophile can have a good report before those outside the Church. This is a necessity "lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (I Tim.3:7).
Of course there are other qualifications as well, and they are very important. We have only dealt with some of them that have to do with fleshly immorality. The following passage should apply to all Christians, but especially to ministers of the gospel.
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how abstain from fornication to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." (I Thess. 4:3-7).
This is commanded to Christians. How could an immoral minister teach people to "abstain from fornication?" How could he teach a man "to possess his vessel (body) in sanctification," if he does not possess his own body in sanctification? How can he teach others against the "lust of concupiscence" (sexual sin), if he is caught in the throes of that sin himself? How can he teach that a Christian is not to "defraud his brother," if he is himself defrauding someone of their daughter, son, or wife? How can he teach that "God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness," if he is living a sexually impure and unclean life? The obvious answer is, he cannot teach the high moral standard of the Bible, if he is stained by sin himself.
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God . . . " (I Peter 4:17) It is time that churches quit ordaining men who are not qualified for the ministry. It is time that preachers stop covering up for immoral preachers. It is time that the adulterers, homosexuals and pedophiles be exposed and gotten out of the ministry. It is time for churches to revoke the ordination papers of immoral preachers.
Conservative leadership in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) started more than 20 years ago to remove the liberal teachers from their seminaries. They have made remarkable progress in this, but the job is not yet complete. The following quote was taken from the Illinois and Indiana Missionary Baptist, February 2002.
Dr. R L. Hymers of Los Angeles, California states that as of August 14, 2001, "Dr. Clayton Harrop is still teaching full time at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, SBC. Dr. Harrop is the head of the Th.M. program and also teaches courses on a regular basis to the Master of Divinity students. Dr. Harrop was one of the professors whom I studied under at the seminary.
"He is an unbelieving liberal who teaches Redaktiongeschichte (an extreme form of liberal German criticism of the Bible). Dr. Harrop shreds the New Testament on a regular basis. He teaches that 2 Timothy, 2 Peter, Jude, and other books of the New Testament are forgeries, not written by the Apostles. He teaches that the Book of Revelation is a tissue of lies. He teaches that Paul was psychologically imbalanced. He teaches that there are uncounted hundreds of errors in the four Gospels. Dr. Harrop does not believe in the Second Coming of Christ. I can footnote and prove it if you are interested in that information. This man is currently teaching every student that goes through Golden Gate Seminary, and is in charge of the Th.M. program as well!"
We have no doubt but what this is true. If there are those that doubt this, I am sure that Hymers will prove that his charges are correct. We are sure that liberalism is still being taught in a lot of the Southern Baptist Colleges and Universities.
Many if not most of the conservative leaders in the SBC fail to take the historic Baptist position on the church. The Universal Invisible Church, a Protestant view, is largely if not universally accepted among them. Open Communion, alien immersion and other non-Baptist views are taught. Where are the Southern Baptists that hold to the doctrines of the church, taught by B. H. Carroll, J. B. Gambrell, and a host of the old Southern Baptists? They may well exist, but I do not know where they are. If they exist, I would welcome the knowledge of where they are and proof of their position.
"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" It was shots like this that Jesus fired as he began attacking the entrenched position of the organized, established religion of his day. The religious atmosphere began to crackle with the intensity of the charges he leveled. These were not powder-puff taps but sledgehammer blows. When Jesus engaged the religionists in combat it was not just a routine, minor skirmish between competing religious scholars over some minor theological question but was a declaration of all out war . . . a fight to the finish. There was no mistaking his language nor to whom it was directed. It was not aimed at the drunk in the gutter nor the harlot on the corner but to the respected, refined religionists quarreling over the uppermost rooms in their ornate houses of worship. This was not language that was refined with subtleties and niceties until it lost any force. This was a punch in the nose and there was no mistaking the intent because it rocked the religionists right down to their broad phylacteries.
It became immediately obvious that Christ saw no hope in reclamation or revitalization of the existing religious establishment. He looked upon it as a failure and a hindrance and set about to plow it under in order to plant a new crop. Slugging it out in head to head conflict with the religionists is a part of the ministry of Christ that receives little attention yet the blow by blow account of this struggle runs through all four Gospels. Jesus Christ versus religion!
The battle-lines were drawn and Jesus quickly identified the enemy. The religionists would march up to Jesus in all their regal splendor, and he would shoot them down by declaring, "Ye are of your father the devil." (John 8:44.) They reeled back in utter disarray as he charged that theirs was "the greater damnation." (Matt. 23:14.) The population listened in amazement and in the heart of some there began to grow the thrill of recognizing that here was one, openly and bravely, voicing that which they had, timidly and secretly, long felt to be true. The furor increased and there was no room left for compromise as Jesus cried out that the religionists were the children of hell who were not going to enter the kingdom of heaven! He said they opposed God and persecuted His spokesmen. This was a showdown and in this conflict there would have to emerge a victor and a loser . . . there would be no in-between, no compromise.
The long robes of the religious leaders must have trembled as they shook in rage before the onslaught of Christ as he charged, "Ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men." (Matt. 23:13.) This was a body blow. Not only, Christ declared, were these religious leaders not entering into the kingdom of heaven but also they were keeping others from entering. Not only did Jesus describe them as children of hell but said they were guilty of enticing those they were leading into the same condition. To be accused of cutthroat murder would have been mild in comparison to this charge.
In all probability, the righteousness of the religious establishment had never been questioned. No one would dare! Their piety and holiness were known and spoken of far and wide. A great part of their activities dealt with virtue and cleanliness. Christ acknowledged this well-known trait when he said, "Ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men," but shot it down when he added, "but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." (Matt. 23:28.) Hypocrisy! How this charge must have cut. Christ said they were only concerned about cleaning the outside of the cup while within were extortion and excess (Matt. 23:25.)
Hypocrisy! Over and over this charge was hurled. As the religious leaders piously stood in the streets making long prayers Jesus said it was all a pretense and he warned that the religionists "say and do not." (Matt. 23:3.) To demonstrate their love for the Scriptures the religionists would strap portions of the Scriptures around their head and arm. Christ looked at this practice and declared the only reason they had for doing this was, "to be seen of men." (Matt. 23:5.) Pride! Making a show of their religion! Christ exposed this pride when he said they "love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues." (Matt. 23:6.) He added that they loved to hear themselves addressed by fancy religious titles. Their chief concern in their religion was to impress other men.
Jesus recognized that all reality in religion had been buried under the multiplied minute precepts and distinctions of the pompous religionists. The inner experience had been sacrificed to the outward appearance. The spirit had been smothered by hundreds of interpretations of the letter and this had finally led to an acceptance of error in preference to the truth. Jesus said the religionists had "taken away the key of knowledge" (Luke 11:52) and were "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matt. 15:9.) They were blind leaders of the blind (Matt. 15:14.)
After recovering from the first stunning impact of this onslaught, the religionists counterattacked with vigor. "He hath a devil," (John 10:20) they cried. They accused him of blasphemy and held councils how they might entangle him in his talk and discredit him before the people. They made repeated attempts to destroy him and finally succeeded as they delivered him up to be executed.
One cannot read the Gospels without being aware of this conflict between Christ and religion. He deliberately exposed the sham, deceit, hypocrisy, pride, error, and failure of the established religion and warned against its deadly, smothering effect. He knew it had to be swept away before the reality of the truth that he brought could be felt.
In our generation the worship and service of the God of the Bible again finds itself encrusted with the same kind of accumulation and the desperate need is to again allow the words of Christ to expose this condition and destroy it that the truth and reality of religion might again shine forth. Religion today bears the same characteristics that Jesus so vigorously condemned. The four or five sects that represented the worship of the living God in the time of Christ have been replaced by the dozens of different denominations and cults of today, but the same deadly disease still plagues them: deceit, sham, hypocrisy, pride, error, and failure. One does not have to be an authority on religion or make an in-depth study of each of these denominations to arrive at these conclusions. All one has to do is look at the product of these denominations, that is, Christianity, as it is in America today.
Religion in the United States today is a failure in the same manner as religion during the time of Christ's earthly ministry. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, as worthless as a religion that does not work. To be weighted down with a worthless religion is a constant frustration. One of the truly amazing things is why a people who will not tolerate failure anywhere else will so meekly accept it in religion. Practically every place where religion is supposed to exert an influence it is being defeated. It is failing to meet the spiritual needs of the individual. Instead of the love, joy, and peace that religion is to impart we have a continual increase in tension, anxiety, and fear. Real religion is a deterrent to crime, yet we find ourselves caught up in a constant increase in crime and lawlessness. Disregard for law and order has become an accepted way of life, and today's religion is having little or no effect. The moral strength of this country is in a steady decline. Everywhere materialistic values are being substituted for the spiritual ones. Religion is failing while immorality is flourishing and juvenile delinquency is on the rise. The moral standards that religion has set are flouted and ridiculed. Pornography and smut are accepted and preferred in our literature, movies, and stage shows, and religion seems to make no impact. Drunkenness continues to be one of our greatest problems and increases year after year. Again, religion has failed. A nation founded upon deep religious convictions is now systematically purging itself of this identity. In every aspect of life where religion is a factor it is failing.
Is it possible for anyone today to even briefly entertain the thought that if Christ walked our streets on any Sunday morning, looked at the hundreds of fine church buildings, heard the organs and singing, listened to the sermons, and observed the people that he would again cry out, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" In all probability no one would give this kind of thinking much, if any, consideration. It is too easy to prove that religion is a "success." Religion has more money, more people, more prestige, more buildings, more schools, more hospitals, more missionaries ... just about more of everything than at any time in all history. Why, just about everyone belongs to some church ... the government leaders, the bankers, the doctors, the lawyers, the movie stars, the leading sports figures, etc. How much more religious can you get? It is almost impossible for today's religionist to even for a moment think that the language of Christ could apply to today's religion as well as when the words were first spoken. It was surely our generation that Jesus had in mind when he said, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" (Rev. 3:17.) Any honest appraisal of religion today would reveal that spiritually it is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, but religion will not look ... it is too busy impressing everyone with facts and figures that prove success. Why is it so difficult to be honest about religion?
In every aspect of human life where religion is a factor it is failing. This failure is obvious but the amazing thing is that no one seems to be willing to acknowledge it is happening. Most religion goes right on making the colossal pretense that all is well and that religion is marching victoriously onward and upward. This refusal to admit failure and the insistence upon keeping up the pretense of success has produced a religion that is a deliberate deception. Too often religion has chosen to deny its obvious failure and to give itself to a promotion of a pretense of success.
Not only is today's religion failing but it is also looked upon as a fake. It no longer is fulfilling its purpose for existence but continues to pretend that it does. Deliberate deception with the design of securing unfair advantage or allegiance is fraud. Most of religion today would come under this indictment. It operates under false pretenses. It promises but does not deliver. It blatantly demands respect for its deceits and solicits support for its fraudulent designs. This is a racket ... a religion racket!
The amazing thing is that so many recognize that most of today's religion is a fraud and yet approvingly accept it as such. Our inherited respect and reverence forbids us to unmask this religion racket. In honesty we cannot accept it and our spiritual need won't let us reject it. To be at least half safe we give it token toleration. To a great number the deliberate deceptions and fraudulent claims of much of today's religion have become so obvious that they look upon it as a ridiculous farce. And it is!
The tragedy is that real religion is buried under the maze of contradicting claims, tired traditions, and deliberate deceits of this racket in religion. It has cloaked itself in superficial sanctity and hides from honest appraisal. It is time to bring today's religion out into the light of a full investigation of its reality . . . not its pretense.
Reliable religion has to do with man's relationship to his God and to his fellow man. It will saturate his entire being and bring about a conformity of his heart and life to his religious beliefs. The effect of a man's religion will reveal itself in every aspect of his life. It will express itself in dedicated worship, sacrificial service, and holy, honorable living. It determines our morals and eternal destiny. Religion has to do with the spiritual, the supernatural, and the eternal. Religion, by its very nature, must be accepted as of supreme importance or be utterly rejected. Here, above all else, we should be true and genuine. There should be a profound sacredness that would penetrate and influence our entire existence.
Sacred and spiritual things should demand solemn, serious, penetrating
consideration. Our worship should express a reverence, bathed in respect
and esteem. Our purpose is to exalt and to magnify in humble adoration.
In religion man is to find the fulfillment of his purpose for existence.
Its fruitage is the realization of the peace, joy, and love that man must
have.
Contrast real religion with the current crop of counterfeits and we will
find nothing more than shallow substitutes. Are we ready for this? Are we
willing to refuse the substitute and to demand the real thing? Are we ready
to discard our sacred shams and pompous pretenses? Are we ready to be honest
about religion?
If all this sounds vaguely familiar to you it might because it has all been said before. One of the prophets wrote, "This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me." Christ described the religionists of his day as hypocrites that, "say and do not." He also said, "All their works they do to be seen of men" and that "for a pretense make long prayers." Christ denounced the pretense in his day in no uncertain terms. He said, "Ye also appear righteous unto men, but within ye care full of hypocrisy and iniquity." When he looked at their worship service he said, "In vain do they worship me." It was said of church-goers, "They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him."
This condition had to be exposed and destroyed before Christianity could
be born. It will again have to be exposed and destroyed if Christianity
is to be reborn in our generation.
Reprinted from The Religion Racket, by the late Norman H. Wells.
In America, just about anything is acceptable and tolerated except conviction that stands unmovably intolerant of error. Descriptive terms such as "prejudice, bigotry, narrow-minded, bias, fanatical, discriminatory," and many others are applied to any one who staunchly guards truth. This is especially true when it come to religion. Following closely behind religion is politics, culture, heritage, and national tradition. There has not been a period in history, since the time of Nimrod, when ecumenism has been served by society as the special of the day on the platter of political correctness. The modern news media are skilled at manipulating public attitude in the direction they desire. Liberalism is praised while conservatism is belittled and denounced for its intolerance.
The public generally accept official positions as being the authority of truth. From the days of Walter Cronkite's "and that's the way it is," to today's commentator saying, "This is reliable investigative reporting," public sentiment is often controlled. Commonly it is the attitude of far too many that embracing error is far less bothersome than searching for truth. Yet we must acknowledge from history that error has always ended in captivity. Battles have been lost due to a seemingly insignificant error. Nations have fallen because its citizens swallowed false ideology. Churches have lost their power as a result of incorporating worldly worship and accepting false doctrine. Yet the Bible teaches that truth will set you free. (John 8:32,36) Note some areas where tolerance toward error is expected while intolerance of improprieties is strongly criticized. Also when those who will not stand by quietly and swallow deceitful claims are regarded as disloyal, intolerant, uncharitable, prejudiced trouble makers.
Abortion has reached an all time high in the U.S. Few other countries have passed this nation in the percentage of pregnancies ending in abortion. Familiarity with this murder of the unborn is more than an abomination, it reveals the loathsome lust of any nation to flee responsibility. A nation that provides protection for those who murder the unborn have forgotten, if they ever knew, that sin is a reproach to any nation. (Prov. 14:34) They also ignore the warning that "...when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:15) Yet Bible believing Christians who are unwilling to tolerate such conduct are considered uncaring.
Listen to the attitude of two of the high ranking educators of today concerning even the newborn. It was reported in Christianity Today that a Princeton University Professor and an American University Professor claimed that newborn infants do not qualify as "persons" with constitutional protection. One of the two claimed that newborns do not "possess in their own right a property that makes it wrong to kill them." And the general public are expected to be tolerant of such lunatics.
A Colorado State Senate chaplain stirred up the outrage of some senators when he prayed for national forgiveness for the killing and murder of innocent babies. He prayed for the reversal of the Roe vs Wade law that legalizes abortion. Four of Colorado's senators walk out before his prayer was finished. Because of the chaplain opposing the murderous actions of abortionist, he very likely be required to never pray in that manner again, or more likely will never be invited to lead the opening prayer. He will be asked to be more tolerant for freedom of choice. Total corrupt depravity has once again revealed it's ugly temperament.
The American Civil Liberties Union with their supporters have further exposed their wicked disposition in declaring Sunday, March 10th as "Appreciation Day for Abortionist." This organization believe a certificate of appreciation would be in order for abortion establishments and their services. They have encouraged those who believe as they do to place ads in local papers expressing their appreciation. It is suggested also that supporters volunteer as an escort for those who need the services of such centers. Wouldn't you know that most supporters of this action are primarily feminist groups. To be intolerant of such abominable conduct earns a person the title of a fundamental fanatic.
The Islamic religion has received more free publicity since 9/11 than even the victims of the attack on the World Trade Center. Muslims in general are placed on the pedestal of acceptable spirituality. Allah, their god, is presented by many, especially the news media, as equal with God, the creator of the universe. Their prophet Mohammed is given as much or more credibility by the promoter of ecumenicity than the Lord Jesus Christ. Islam has been declared a peaceful religion from the White House to the news room, with little or no acceptance of intolerance to that view. Those who would staunchly contend that the fundamental Islamic belief is that all unbelievers should be put to death or murdered are considered `intolerant of a peaceful religion.' Yet true Islam murdered thousands in New York City who their religion considers unbelievers. Their Koran directs the true Muslim to convert unbelievers or convict them to death.
Shortly after the WTC bombing there was an ecumenical gathering of worshipers to pray for peace and comfort. A unity in religion was called for. The thrust of this gathering was primarily to lift the blame off the Islamic religion. The entire service reeked with the `all serving the same God' syndrome. Baptist with Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, Orthodox Jews, etc. proclaiming their dependence on a common God. To say the god of this world was more prominent there than the Creator God raises the outrage of those who cry for tolerance. Yet Paul wrote by inspiration "...the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Cor. 4:4) Intolerance of such universal religionist must be crushed if we are to have peace, is the common inclination of the majority.
To say that the Catholic religion is radical definitely brings criticism. Yet the Mother of Harlots has slain thousands of true believers in ages past. It is a religion, like it's offsprings, that believes in a works salvation. Yet its leaders have failed in performing the works it demands of its parishioners. Adulterers, homosexuals, and child molesters are found in the ranks of their priesthood. Equally as contemptible are those in higher positions who have overlooked for decades known incidents of such behavior. Yet devotees to the Catholic religion as well as non- supporters are asked to be more tolerant.
The Watchman Fellowship Update gives this information of radical religions concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses say Jesus' body was disintegrated in the tomb and he was raised a spirit being, Michael the Archangel. Mormons say Jesus was raised not as God but as a descendant of God, the Father. They say he did not ascend to heaven but went to the Americas where he preached the Mormon gospel to Jewish tribes that had relocated there some six centuries earlier. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church says Jesus failed in his mission, being murdered on the cross. He now lives as a spirit man in the spirit world and must one day return again to complete his mission. Christian Science says the "human" Jesus is not eternal while the Christ is the divine ideal. At the ascension Jesus disappeared while Christ continues to exist. The resurrection is therefore nothing more than spiritualization of thought.
How could anyone be tolerant of such religious absurdity? If God was not in Christ reconciling the world to Himself there is no hope for anyone. And we who believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ are of all men most miserable. (2 Cor. 5:19; 1 Cor. 15:19) Yet we who believe that Jesus Christ is God are charged to be more tolerant of other religions.
Homosexuality is rapidly becoming more widely tolerated than anyone could believe as near as 50 years ago or maybe even later than that. Reading the account of Sodom and Gomorrah could only be believed by faith a few generations ago. To think that men would surround the house of a righteous man and demand the release of two visitors that they "might know them" seemed unbelievable. However, today it would make only a lost article on the back page of the main newspapers.
School children, at the expense of taxpaying Americans, are being taught that homosexuality is as normal as heterosexuality. This is a required curriculum in schools from Cincinnati to Dallas to San Francisco. Why school children have to be taught about any sexual matters at the public school is beyond me. Mothers should teach their daughter and fathers should teach their sons concerning this matter. Rather than leaving this most serious matter up to educated(?) nuts, teach your children at home.
Rosie O'Donnell has risen through the ranks of entertainers with her vulgar profanity blaring. She is a lesbian promoter of gay adoption and marriage. NewsMax, 3/25/02 reported her diabolic sentiment concerning homosexuals adopting children. "Every homosexual who has a child really wants that child . . ." She says homosexuals make the best parents based on the fact there are so many children in foster care. She is wrong on many accounts but one glaring account is the Bible demands that children honor their father and mother, not their two moms or their two dads. (Exo. 20:12; Deut. 5:16) One of the transgressions of the Pharisees was they did not do this. (Matt. 15:3,4) The horrible thought here is that such homosexual adopted children are not recipients of the promise of God that goes with honoring father and mother.
The Bible gives the remedy for avoiding moral incontinence. (1 Cor 7:9) "But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." This would terminate child abuse by Catholic priests to a great extent. Live-in couples who change partners as regularly as they change their socks would all but eliminate their vulnerability to contracting the AIDS virus. Those who claim to know all the answers face this problem with so-called preventatives rather than total abstinence outside of marriage. Yet to stand on the platform of moral ethics rather than to depend on the designs of the devil is considered unbelievably intolerant by many.
In Great Britain teenagers have available to them at the local grocers an after-the-fact pill for their protection against pregnancy. The plan is to reduce the growing number of teen pregnancies per year in that country. This arrangement is tolerated by the public because it seems the most politically correct thing to do. Why not simply teach the Bible concept of moral purity? Or is that being too intolerant of the depraved nature of humanity?
Hollywood has once again set the example for the general public to follow. Scenes of moral corruption are as common as flies in the summer. Like bees after nectar, lusting eyes imagine personal involvement in the same activity. It is no wonder the Bible is clear where the devil's battlefield is located. It is in the mind of those who are enemies of the cross. Those "...whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Phil. 3:19)
This is not a conclusion of my convictions on these or other matters of moral correctness. These are only a few of such matters that are of great concern to me. I realize that my intolerance toward false religion, abortion, promiscuity, and homosexuality will be challenged. But here is where I stand. I am not ashamed of serving the one true God of the universe. He is the Judge of all the earth. No other god is worthy of consideration. Only the consummation of all things will expose the error of radical religionist who place all religions on the same level. My sincere prayer is that true fundamental, missionary-minded Baptist will rise to the command of our Lord to preach the gospel to all nations. It will not be popular, but it will be profitable. (Matt. 16:26) "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"