Responding to Children Raised in Homosexual Homes

September 3, 2012 By

sad clown childby Nathan A. Cherry, 09/03/2012

There are certainly a lot of facets to the homosexual debate in our culture. There’s the same-sex “marriage” facet, the homosexual adoption facet, the civil union benefit facet, and the health and well-being of kids raised in homosexual homes facet. Ok, so maybe that last one is rarely talked about. And when it is discussed it is done in quietly respectful tones so as not to disturb the political correctness monitors.

Until just recently when researcher Mark Regnerus released the findings of his study on the effects being raised in a homosexual home had on children, no one was really even talking about the topic. It’s true that plenty of people were talking about the health and well-being of kids as it related to homosexual adoption. Plenty of studies, surveys, and conversations have been had surrounding these kids and how they w0uld turn out if placed in a foster home or adopted by a homosexual couple. But this is different than being raised by a biological parent and his/her partner.

With the ongoing saga of former lesbian-turned-Christian Lisa Miller and her daughter Isabella, I would think a more robust conversation on the effects of homosexual home-life on children is warranted. However, the disdain for such a conversation was obvious with the release of Regnerus’ study as the backlash against him by homosexuals was fierce; even to the point that the university where he is employed launched an investigation.

But for Robert Oscar Lopez, the study is affirmation of what he has known all his life; that he is different because of the different home he grew up in:

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About Nathan Cherry

Nathan Cherry is the chief editor and blogger for the Engage Family Minute blog, the official blog of the FPCWV. He serves also as the Regional Development Coordinator as a liaison to the pastor's of West Virginia. He is a pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-religious freedom conservative. He is also a husband, father, pastor, author, musician, and follower of Jesus Christ.

Filed Under: Marriage Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Albert Mohler and Joel Osteen Speak on Homosexuality

May 4, 2012 By

by Nathan A. Cherry, 05/04/2012

Joel OsteenI’ve been struck lately by the number of prominent pastors speaking up on critical issues facing our country. I’m thankful for that. Perhaps they have been empowered by local Christians willing to take a stand, and the pastors that lead the countless churches across America that continue to stand. Though most people will never hear of these churches and their pastors, their bold faith and proclamation of truth is vital to teaching what the Bible says on these issues.

Often criticized mega-church pastor Joel Osteen has been catching some flack lately for his comments in January on homosexuality. While he is usually accused of dancing around issues or not stating the Biblical position accurately and clearly, Osteen has been resolute in his belief that homosexuality is a sin. I’ll be the first to admit that I have not been Osteen’s biggest fan, but I can respect him for standing for this truth in the midst of criticism.

A recent article at TheBlaze.com quotes Osteen as saying that he does not believe in “gay marriage” though he supports equality in other areas. When asked if being gay is a sin Osteen answered:

“I believe the scripture says that being gay is a sin. But every time I say that I get people saying, ‘well you’re a gay hater, you’re a gay basher,’…Gays are some of the nicest, kindest, most loving people in the world, but my faith is based on what I believe the scripture says and that’s the way I read the scripture.”

Interestingly a majority of evangelical Christians read the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality in the very same way. In fact, I would say that it would take some textual trickery and manipulation to make the Bible’s plain text teaching on the subject conclude anything different.

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About Nathan Cherry

Nathan Cherry is the chief editor and blogger for the Engage Family Minute blog, the official blog of the FPCWV. He serves also as the Regional Development Coordinator as a liaison to the pastor's of West Virginia. He is a pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-religious freedom conservative. He is also a husband, father, pastor, author, musician, and follower of Jesus Christ.

Filed Under: Marriage Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Before Checkmate: How the Battle to Redefine Marriage is Changing

April 26, 2011 By

Yesterday, we highlighted the cowardly actions of the law firm of King and Spalding who, under the intimidation of the seemingly powerful same-sex lobby bailed on the U.S. House of Representatives defense of the Defense of Marriage Act.

Today, two more stories reveal both more details and salient warnings of things to come in the defense of marriage, as well as highlighting a major development in the legal defense of Proposition 8 in California.

First, Al Mohler in his characteristically wise way reports on more of the details involving King and Spalding’s refusing to take on an “unpopular” case and offers a warning:

Gay rights groups hailed the law firm’s decision. Activist groups such as the Human Rights Campaign had lobbied King & Spalding to drop the case. The Weekly Standard obtained copies of emails sent by the Human Rights Campaign to supporters that read, in part: “Later that day we announced the elements of our campaign to show King & Spalding’ hypocrisy for taking on Defense of DOMA while touting their pro-gay policies – including their 95% score on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. … In the meantime we also contacted many of the firm’s clients, LGBT student groups at top law schools and used social media to inform the public about K&S’s wrongheaded decision.”

The success of the group’s efforts to intimidate King & Spalding serves as a warning of things to come. This is the kind of intimidation that will be used against any organization or institution — or law firm — that takes a controversial case and opposes the agenda of the gay rights movement. Watch and be warned.

via AlbertMohler.com – A Warning of Intimidations to Come.

That includes you and me.  While, at this point in my career, I’m quite used to have the sticks and stones lobbed my way in the defense of life, marriage, and religious freedom, you need to be prepared to be likewise bullied when you dare take such a gracious stand at the water cooler, at the local market, or even at church.  It’s fair, I think, to believe that these efforts of intimidation will only increase in the coming years.

Second, lawyers in California who are defending Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, have filed a motion to vacate Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision that overturned the amendment passed by over 7 million Californians in 2008. (In legalese, to “vacate” an order means “to make as if it never happened, invalidate, overturn.”)

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About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Marriage Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Albert Mohler Explains DADT Consequences

June 10, 2010 By

By Nathan A. Cherry, 06/10/2010

Martinsburg, WV – Everything from unit cohesion to religious liberty is at stake in the case of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy currently under review. Make no mistake, if reversed, our military will become pointedly weaker, divided, and even hostile.

Below is commentary by Dr. Albert Mohler with his thoughts on the consequences of repealing DADT. His commentary is logical, insightful, and all too real. Americans need to wake up and begin screaming – politely of course – in the ears of their elected officials to let them know how opposed we are to repealing DADT. If you are unconvinced so far that far-reaching and detrimental consequences exist with the repeal of DADT, continue reading and see if your mind doesn’t change by the end of this article.

President of the Southern Baptist Convention Albert Mohler
Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Convention

Commentary: Homosexuality and the Military — What’s Really at Stake?

Get ready. Big changes are coming to the United States military. Congress seems poised to pass legislation that would call for the elimination of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy put in place in 1993. With the support of the Obama administration, and with Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, it appears that the official normalization of homosexuality within the U.S. armed forces may take place sometime this summer, after the completion of a Pentagon review.

Last Thursday, the House of Representatives voted 234 to 194 to repeal the policy. That same day, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 16 to 12 to change the policy. A full Senate vote is expected this month.

Discharges from the U.S. armed forces for homosexual activity date back to the Revolutionary War, and until 1993 the services operated under a policy that identified homosexuality as “incompatible with military service.”

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a compromise policy put into place after newly elected President Bill Clinton failed to persuade Congress and the military command to lift all restrictions on the service of homosexuals in the armed forces. According to the policy, service personnel would not be asked about their sexual orientation, but if a homosexual orientation became a known issue, the individual could be discharged from the armed forces. From 1993 onward, homosexual activists have seen the removal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as a major policy objective. Now, they are very close to seeing that objective realized.

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About Nathan Cherry

Nathan Cherry is the chief editor and blogger for the Engage Family Minute blog, the official blog of the FPCWV. He serves also as the Regional Development Coordinator as a liaison to the pastor's of West Virginia. He is a pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-religious freedom conservative. He is also a husband, father, pastor, author, musician, and follower of Jesus Christ.

Filed Under: Religious Freedom Tagged With: , , , ,

Al Mohler: Can Christian Organizations Remain Christian in a “Tolerant” Age?

March 22, 2010 By

From AlbertMohler.com, comes serious questions that should be asked in light of the upcoming SCOTUS case, CLS v. Martinez.  The most poignant question is that posed by the title of his piece and this blog entry, but the rest are worthy of consideration and contemplation.  Here’s the critical section of Dr. Mohler’s latest:

The case pitting the Hastings College of Law against the Christian Legal Society presents the nation — and its highest court — with an inescapable question: Are Christian organizations to be allowed to remain Christian, or must they all morph into secularized associations?

Must the Christian Legal Society surrender its biblical convictions in order to remain a recognized campus organization? Does religious liberty now stop at the law school door?

Obviously, much is riding on this case. The same logic used against the Christian Legal Society in this case can be used to argue that any Christian organization, school, or institution no longer serves the community’s welfare if it holds such policies. How long before similar arguments are made against churches and Christian schools?

Can Christian organizations remain Christian in an age of ideological “tolerance?” All eyes will soon be on the U. S. Supreme Court as the Christian Legal Society’s appeal is heard. Far more than one CLS chapter in one law school is at stake here.

via www.AlbertMohler.com.

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Religious Freedom Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Why Are All the Boys Wearing Skirts?

November 24, 2009 By

A brief discussion on the culture of gender identity with specific regard to public schools.

By Nathan A. Cherry

Martinsburg, W.V. – Where does it all end? Where do the lines of morality and gender bending find their logical end in a society that seeks to accommodate the freedoms and civil rights of (most) every person and group? If no absolute lines of morality exist then it seems problematic to decide exactly who’s right and who’s wrong or, more improbable, what’s right and what’s wrong.

Albert Mohler recently wrote an article on a specific area of interest within this very muddled, volatile topic. The article centers on public school dress codes and the difficulty facing administrations and school boards when students sprint across policy lines and demand acceptance of their expression of individuality and the exercise of their “civil rights.”

The article states “In recent years, a growing number of teenagers have been dressing to articulate – or confound – gender identity and sexual orientation. Certainly they have been confounding school officials, whose responses have ranged from indifference to applause to bans.”

What has also occurred is an underlying environment of hostility on the part of both sides of these sensitive issues. Conservative students, not necessarily religious, although they would be included, feel that their heritage, morals, and values are being stripped away in favor of cultural trends among their peers, while students experimenting with gender bending trends feel suppressed in the expression of their individuality due to societal “norms.”

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About Nathan Cherry

Nathan Cherry is the chief editor and blogger for the Engage Family Minute blog, the official blog of the FPCWV. He serves also as the Regional Development Coordinator as a liaison to the pastor's of West Virginia. He is a pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-religious freedom conservative. He is also a husband, father, pastor, author, musician, and follower of Jesus Christ.

Filed Under: Religious Freedom Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage: Part 2

December 17, 2008 By

Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was recently on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation” with Lisa Miller, author of Newsweek recently controversial cover story, A Religious Case for Gay Marriage. 

From his blog, Dr. Mohler had the following to say about his time on the broadcast:

I appreciate Lisa Miller’s candid acknowledgment of the fact that the November 4 passage of Proposition 8 in California had just about everything to do with the timing of the story.  Beyond that, I appreciated her explanation of her argument for same-sex marriage.  In essence, her dichotomy between those who see the Bible as a document with a “living” interpretation and those who see it as a binding document gets to the heart of the issue.  As much as no evangelical I know would ever accept the dichotomy framed this way, she does explain her own perspective well.  She believes the Bible contains “universal themes” that should be preserved, but no binding rules that are to be obeyed.

That does clarify the issue. Her understanding of biblical authority (if you can even call it that) allows her to deny the truth status of passages she prefers to disregard (The audio of the interview can be heard here).

It is important for a person to understand the foundation that one, such as Lisa Miller, is working from in conducting linguistic gymnastics in having the Bible say something that was not meant to be said (this goes for any historical document for that matter). 

Just like any other letter, book, or e-mail, when the Bible was written, there was an intent by the author of the individual book that is grounded in history, unchanging.  Since this is the case, we are to begin by observing what was said by the author and to whom it was written.  Once we understand the historical intent of the text, then we are capable of interpreting and applying it to our life today. 

The Bible – or any other historical document – is not to be considered a “living document” in the sense that the original intent takes on a new meaning today or tomorrow. 

As before in Part 1, I encourage you to take 28 minutes and watch the following video by Robert Gagnon, Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  This video lays the basic groundwork for a Biblical response to homosexuality and same-sex marriage. 

Sit back, get your pen and paper ready, and watch and learn.  

[vimeo=http://www.vimeo.com/2126309]

Further Food for Thought:

Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage: Part 1 and 3

From Tolerance to Intolerance: How the Normalization of Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage Will Lead to the Suppression of Freedom

Settling the Issue: Same-Sex Marriage IS NOT a Civil Right

The Long Count by Austin Nimock’s

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Filed Under: Marriage Tagged With: , , , , ,

Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?

December 8, 2008 By

On a recent cover from Newsweek magazine, we read the following caption: “The Religious Case for Gay Marriage.”  To boot, the cover image itself is of a Bible with a rainbow colored book mark stemming from its pages.  In a general gist, the entirety of the story, as written by Newsweek Religious Editor Lisa Miller, is based upon these two premises:

To which there are two obvious responses: First, while the Bible and Jesus say many important things about love and family, neither explicitly defines marriage as between one man and one woman. And second, as the examples above illustrate, no sensible modern person wants marriage—theirs or anyone else’s —to look in its particulars anything like what the Bible describes (Our Mutual Joy: Opponents of gay marriage often cite Scripture. But what the Bible teaches about love argues for the other side)

I imagine it would be safe to say that Newsweek magazine is staunchly promoting a pro-Same-Sex Marriage position.  This is not only evident within the contents of the cover story, but is also observed in the words in the editorial note provided by Jon Meacham.  Although this is the case, Meacham does provide a good point in his concluding remarks that Christian Leaders should prayerfully consider:

History and demographics are on the side of those who favor inclusion over exclusion. (As it has been with reform in America from the Founding forward.) The NEWSWEEK Poll confirms what other surveys have also found: that there is a decided generational difference on the issue, with younger people supporting gay marriage at a higher rate than older Americans. One era’s accepted reality often becomes the next era’s clear wrong. So it was with segregation, and so it will be, I suspect, with the sacrament of marriage.

The reality that Christianity is doing an abysmal job in equipping their young people with a well informed Christian worldview has been observed in the research conducted by Christian Smith, in Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers and by The Barna Group.  How else can one explain younger self-identified Christians acceptance of same-sex marriage apart from the failure of their parents and Church Leaders to instill within them a well informed Christian worldview? 

In getting back to the Newsweek cover story, Albert Mohler made the following observation at the end of his review:

The national news media are collectively embarrassed by the passage of Proposition 8 in California.  Gay rights activists are publicly calling on the mainstream media to offer support for gay marriage, arguing that the media let them down in November.  It appears that Newsweek intends to do its part to press for same-sex marriage.  Many observers believe that the main obstacle to this agenda is a resolute opposition grounded in Christian conviction.  Newsweek clearly intends to reduce that opposition.

Newsweekcould have offered its readers a careful and balanced review of the crucial issues related to this question.  It chose another path — and published this cover story.  The magazine’s readers and this controversial issue deserved better (for a detailed response to this cover story, read the entirety of Albert Mohler’s response here).

In the end, I would encourage you to make 28 minutes to watch the following video by Robert Gagnon, Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  This video lays the basic groundwork for a Biblical response to homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

[vimeo=http://www.vimeo.com/2126309]

Food for Further Thought:

Does the Bible Support Marriage: Part 2 and 3

Settling the Issue: Same-Sex Marriage IS NOT a Civil Right

From Tolerance to Intolerance: How the Normalization of Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage Will Lead to the Suppression of Freedom

Marriage: Its Foundational Importance

Enjoy this post?  Get more like them by subscribing to the Family Voice, the official blog of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia.

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So, What's Really at Stake in the Gay Marriage Debate?

October 20, 2008 By

This past week on Dr. Albert Mohler’s blog, he began a new series entitled, “So, What’s Really at Stake in the Gay Marriage Debate?”  From one of the weekly e-mails that I (Jesse Wisnewski) recieve via subscription, we read the following introductory remarks:

Human society is a complex reality, but certain constants have framed that reality for human beings. One of those constants has been the institution of marriage. The respected status of the heterosexual pairing, set apart for exclusive rights and respected for its functions for the society, is among the most important of those constants. Even where deviations from this pattern occur, they are of interest merely for the fact that they are deviations from this norm.

 

The legalization and normalization of same-sex marriage undermine that constant. What had been a clear picture now becomes confusing. Marriage had been universally understood to be heterosexual.  Now, it is something else. The picture is further confused by alienating the heterosexual breeding and parenting function from marriage.

 

In his latest blog, Dr. Albert Mohler says not only does marriage appear now to be what it never was before, the essential functions of marriage are up for grabs.

If you wouldl like to read the remainder of his first installment of the series then click here. For my own personal comments on the importance of the institution of marriage see Marriage: Its Foundational Importance.

 

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Marriage Tagged With: , , , ,

Has Church Separated from State?

August 28, 2008 By

This past weekend, Speaker Nancy Pelosi took a giant leap over the ACLU’s glass wall of separation of church and state.  Speaking with the moderator on Meet the Press, Ms. Pelosi made the spurious claim:

[A]s an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time.  And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. 

It must have been above their pay grade too.  

Sensing the misunderstanding of Catholic theology, Tom Brokaw meets Ms. Pelosi where she has “studied for a long time,” saying, “The Catholic Church at the moment feels very strongly that [life] begins at the moment of conception.”  Naturally, this clarifies much for Ms. Pelosi, who answers:

I understand.  And this is like maybe 50 years or something like that.  So again, over the history of the church, this is an issue of controversy.  But it is, it is also true that God has given us, each of us, a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions.  And we want abortions to be safe, rare, and reduce the number of abortions.

There you have it.  From the mouth of the Speaker of the House, abortions should be “safe, rare, and reduce[d].”  Has Ms. Pelosi become a pro-lifer?  

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About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Life, Religious Freedom Tagged With: , , , , , ,