MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

Pastors: Act now or Prepare for Jail

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Wed, April 25, 2007
Viewed 163
(9) comments so far

Here’s the article. Read it and tell me which you plan on doing (according to the article title): Will you act now, or prepare for jail? And are those really your only two options?

OK... I'm sure that got your attention. It did mine. So, read this and tell me whether this is something you think everyone should be concerned about, or just another scare tactic. I think sometimes the two can be a fine line: "If H. R. 1592 is passed, it is going to put pastors in prison. Pointing to Title 18 of the US Criminal Code: Whoever commits an offense against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal. Pastor? Have you ever counseled from a biblical perspective or read from Roman 1? I Corinthians 6? Genesis 19? Leviticus 18 or 20? Then, if H.R. 1592 becomes law and someone who has attended your church, read your materials or heard your broadcast commits a crime – such as pushing away a cross-dresser's unwelcome advances – you are "punishable as a principal," as someone who "counsels" and "induces" the now-illegal belief that homosexual behavior is a sin..."

Comments

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Tommy on Wed, April 25, 2007

Why would anyone be surprised? It is already this way in Canada and I have no doubt we will eventually see this suppression of free speech in the USA. Yes, you should be concerned - not scared. And yes, you should act now by getting involved in letting your Congressmen know how you feel.
Daniel on Wed, April 25, 2007

Fear is a very potent motivator. I doubt that this is true. There are far too many conservative pastors in the U.S. for this to ever become a reality. Please, don’t anybody freak out.

But yes, at some point in time, the U.S. will fall, like every nation, and it may become difficult to be a Christian. I think that would actually be good for Western Christianity.

My two cents.

-Daniel-
bishopdave on Wed, April 25, 2007

As long as we’re persecuted for “His name’s sake,” we must embrace it. If we’re persecuted for being dimwits (ala Fred Phelps picketing soldier funerals with “God hates f*gs” signs), that’s not for the sake of His name.
Peter Hamm on Wed, April 25, 2007

Like it is in Canada now!
Bart on Wed, April 25, 2007

Isn’t fear great! Please sent me your tax deductable gift to help me fight this. Now if I could just figure out a way to make this a multi-level marketing plan.
fishon on Wed, April 25, 2007

Fear can be a great motivator.

Proverbs 1:7—The “fear” of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge….”

fishon
Al on Wed, April 25, 2007

Here’s the dealeo!

The Supreme Court would never condone it, even the liberal members. The Law would be considered unconsitutional. 1st Amendment!
Art on Fri, April 27, 2007

Not trying to be argumentitive Al, but I think you have too much faith in our Judicial system. We kill unborn babies every day. The Supreme Court doesn’t seem to think that is unconstitutional. Free speech is a joke - just ask Don Imus (and I am NOT condoning what he said!).
DanielR (a different Daniel) on Fri, April 27, 2007

Art, you’re intelligent enough to know that the Don Imus thing had nothing to do with constitutional free speech. He was fired, not charged with a crime, and he was fired for business reasons, he lost his sponsors/advertisers.

While it can be argued that attempts to limit hate speech have infringed on free speech, I don’t think free speech is under attack. As long as Fred Phelps is free to spew forth his filth, I don’t think you can really argue that we don’t have free speech in this area. Or do you condone Fred Phelp’s version of “free speech”?