Author: Nathan Cherry
Idaho: City Demands Pastor Perform Same-Sex Ceremony or Go to Jail!
Posted on October 21, 2014 in Marriage, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
The most recent example of course is the subpoena of pastor’s sermons in the city of Houston. Now called “The Houston 5,” a group of pastors that openly opposed the city’s transgender bathroom bill have been asked by the city to turn over all sermons, speeches, and communications relating to the bill and Mayor Annise Parker.
That statement should be terrifying to anyone that believes in the First Amendment and both free speech and religious freedom. To think that any government agency would consider – let alone follow through – asking pastors to turn over sermons is egregious at best. Sen. Ted Cruz reminded the city of Houston that “Caesar has no jurisdiction over the pulpit” in his comments at a press conference with pastors and religious freedom advocates:
“Caesar has no jurisdiction over the pulpit. And when you subpoena one pastor, you subpoena every pastor.”
Apparently a city in Idaho is taking this sentiment literally by demanding that a pastor perform same-sex weddings or face fines and jail time. An article at The Daily Caller explains:
Can The Church Simply Change Teaching on Sexuality and Marriage?
Posted on October 20, 2014 in Marriage, Sexuality, Theology by Nathan Cherry
Some say Christians, and the church, are out of touch and “behind the times” regarding sexuality and marriage. They want us to “get with the program” and accept homosexual behavior and marriage redefinition.
While some have acquiesced to the demands of those seeking to redefine marriage by voicing their acceptance for homosexual behavior and marriage redefinition, that is no longer good enough. The demand now is that Christians and churches support, affirm, and cheerfully endorse such behavior. The idea of tolerance, once a pillar of the LGBT movement, has been demolished, replaced by verbal affirmation and celebration.
These demands are being made by people who believe it’s no big deal for the church to simply change centuries of doctrinal convictions. Furthermore, they would have us reject the plain text teaching of the Bible in favor of their culturally imposed position. Is such change even possible?
Pastor Appreciation Month! Do We Really Need It?
Posted on October 17, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
You may not have known that October is “Pastor Appreciation Month,” but that’s only because it wasn’t in the church bulletin or on the website. Even if it was announced from the pulpit last week in the service I am guessing you forgot by the time you walked out the door. Hey, no biggie.
All joking aside, this month is an opportunity to show your pastor that you truly appreciate him, his ministry, and his family. We have days to show our appreciation to teachers, public workers, and administrative professionals so I heartily endorse a month to show our spiritual shepherds that we appreciate their life of ministry.
You might be wondering why we need such a day.
SHOCK! Government Demands Copy of Pastors Sermons!
Posted on October 16, 2014 in Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
For some time people like myself has been warning that the government was becoming increasingly intrusive on the religious freedoms of churches. Stories from the last few years alone are enough to make any sane persons head spin. From zoning law restrictions to taxes, the government has been seeking to get more than a foot in the door of America’s churches.
I have warned on more than one occasion that before long the government would try to silence America’s pastors – either through regulation, IRS intimidation, or both. It seemed a no brainer to me that the end game was to pretend to value freedom of religion while seeking to monitor and regulate exactly what speech is used.
It seems that day has come far sooner than anyone expected.
The city of Houston has issued subpoenas to a group of pastors for their sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity, or any mention of Mayor Annise Parker; who happens to be a lesbian.
In Light of the Supreme Court Decision Let’s Celebrate Endangering Health and Harming Kids
Posted on October 15, 2014 in Public Policy, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
In light of the Supreme Court’s decision to reject appeals from five states concerning the issue of marriage, thereby effectively legalizing same-sex “marriage” in those five states, I found a couple of other articles interesting.
Shouting just below the clamor of those rejoicing at the Supreme Court’s decision, and the advancement of same-sex “marriage” in general, is the common sense warning signs of the dangers of this lifestyle. First are the physical/health dangers inherent within homosexuality.
According to a recent “Morbidity and Mortality” report by the Centers for Disease Control, while gay men make up just 2% of America’s population, they account for nearly two-thirds of all HIV cases. A recent article states:
Christian Swingers Say God Would Be Okay With Their Lifestyle
Posted on October 14, 2014 in Marriage, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
ISpreading the word: Cristy and Dean Parave, pictured with daughter Britney (right), are fans of swinging don’t even know where to begin with this one. Sometimes you come across something so profoundly…stupid, that it’s hard to even get a grasp on it. Such is the case with the story of Dean and Christy, self-titled “Christian swingers.”
Dean and Christy met online and hit it off. After being married for a little while they began swinging as a way to spread God’s Word. Now, if that sounds like an odd statement it’s because you have some moral footings and Biblical knowledge that help you realize sinning in order to spread God’s Word is a contradiction.
But according to Dean, being a sinner is the best way to tell other sinners about God. In the video, posted below, he says:
Attorney General Says Rape of Teen Girls Don’t Need to be Reported By Abortion Clinics
Posted on October 13, 2014 in Life, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
Hey mom and dad, let’s chat. Suppose for a moment your 15-year-old daughter was sexually abused, raped, and became pregnant. Without your knowledge her rapist took her to a Planned Parenthood clinic or other abortion facility to have an abortion. Your daughter wanted to keep the baby because she is pro-life, but her rapist doesn’t want to “deal with it,” and wants the baby killed. So this grown man threatens your daughter and makes her go to the clinic to have an abortion. The clinic asks your daughter about being pregnant and she reveals that she was raped by the man in the waiting room. The clinic shrugs their shoulders and performs the abortion without notifying you, or the police. Both walk out free.
Is that okay with you mom and dad?
I have a feeling that any loving parent would be furious at the above scenario and seek criminal charges against the abortion clinic for such negligent actions. After all, how can it not be a crime to not report a crime? Especially when that crime is against a minor.
Despite the common sense that makes it obvious that such potential crimes and actual crimes ought to be reported, the Virginia Attorney General has decided that such is not the case. He released an opinion stating:
Roundup: Supreme Court Takes One Step Closer to Legalizing Same-Sex “Marriage”
Posted on October 10, 2014 in Marriage by Nathan Cherry
The Supreme Court has rejected appeals form five states, Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin, regarding the issue of marriage. This, effectively, legalizes same-sex “marriage” in those states. Some believe the issue of marriage is destined for a ruling from the Supreme Court and this appeals rejection could signal how the court will rule. Up to this point the court has stopped short of legalizing same-sex “marriage” for all 50 states, but this appeals rejection opens up speculation on what the court will do in the future.
The following articles are a roundup of notable voices commenting on the appeals rejection by the Supreme Court.
The Blaze: Supreme Court Rejects Appeals From Five States Looking to Ban Gay Marriage
“The court’s order immediately ends delays on marriage in those states. Couples in six other states – Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming – should be able to get married in short order. Those states would be bound by the same appellate rulings that were put on hold pending the Supreme Court’s review. That would make same-sex marriage legal in 30 states and the District of Columbia.”
Am I The Only One Confused By “Atheist Churches”?
Posted on October 9, 2014 in Religious Freedom, Theology by Nathan Cherry
But what I wonder is just how inclusive and accepting the atheist church is. They claim to be a center for inclusivity, but would they accept me, an evangelical Christian? Would they be open to changing the way they conduct their services so as not to offend me? Would they adopt a “doctrinal statement” that acknowledged God to include me?
While many atheists attack Christians for their beliefs, calling them exclusive, bigoted, hateful, discriminatory, etc., the reality is that every group, including atheists has beliefs that are offensive to someone else. The fact that atheists deny the existence of God is offensive to me, should I sue? If they don’t let me join their church should I sue? If they require members to sign their support for their humanist tenets should I sue? Should I seek to have them removed from college campuses, high school events, and other public arenas?
What Happens When Sex is the Crown Jewel of a Society?
Posted on October 8, 2014 in Marriage, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
Let’s be clear (and honest) about one thing. The primary motivating factor for most of what happens in our society is sex.
You don’t have to agree with me; but good luck refuting that statement. Just consider how advertising would be different if sex wasn’t a factor. How would product marketing be different if sex wasn’t an issue? How would the music industry be different? How would fashion and movies be different?
If sex wasn’t an issue at all it’s very safe to say our society would be vastly different. But because sex is the primary motivating factor in much of what takes place sex is also the goal, or end result for much of what happens. This makes sex a very dangerous weapon in the hands of anyone seeking to recreate the social or political landscape in America.
A recent article at The Week discussed this issue and the implications of sex as the primary difference between traditionalist religious people from others. The question was asked, if sex is removed from the picture, “what are we talking about?” The answer was given: