I respect their decisions and honor their choices, but I cannot
participate in, endorse or profit from their lifestyle. I cannot do so because
of my own beliefs. For me to do so would be the epitome of hypocrisy. I could
no more do this than knowingly participate, endorse or profit in someone’s
blatant lie. A lie deigned to cause harm, bring profit or even just
a little white lie; it is still a lie, an untruth.
Scripture is crystal clear on what God deems as sin. Two of God’s
first commandments could be applied to the telling of a lie, especially one
that is concocted to gain profit-
8th Commandment-You shall not steal.
9th Commandment-You shall not bear false
witness against your neighbor.
Because of my beliefs I honor these commandments of God.
So what does scripture say about homosexuality?
In the 7th chapter of Mark’s Gospel Jesus lumped
sexual immorality with murder, greed, deceit and even arrogance. He
called them “evil” and warned that these evils will defile us.
Does His statement answer the question of whether homosexuality is sexually immoral?
The Apostle Paul more directly addresses the subject in the first
chapter of Romans-
Romans 1:24-27;"Wherefore
God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to
dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth
of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than
the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up
unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that
which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of
the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that
which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error
which was deserved.”
This clearly states that homosexuality is
against nature, a sin. Not separated, elevated above or isolated from any other
sin…it is just simply a sin.
I believe that Scripture is the Word of God…the
Truth. If I am to claim my faith then I must also claim the truth.
Now the day may come when one of my friends or
family that has this alternate life style may commit to marriage. Because of my
beliefs I would not participate in the ceremony. I would wish them the best…but
from afar. Attending the ceremony would constitute endorsement of or acceptance
of something that I do not believe is right.
I am aware that my decision could come at a
great cost. Relationships will be damaged or even severed. Wounds will be slow
to heal, some may never heal or leave scar that cannot be hidden. The cost will
be tremendous.
Yet when I consider the cost that Jesus Christ
paid so that I may live, the cost I will likely pay for standing strong on my
own commitment pales.
Let us now consider the laws of man that are
currently causing great debates.
If you are a business owner I would like to
point out something to you. Your business is made up of assets and paperwork,
profits and losses. Your business may have a Mission Statement, but your
business or corporation does not have a moral compass. It is not a living
thing. It cannot form beliefs or ethics.
If you make a conscious choice to apply your
own beliefs to your business, which you certainly could, then you must accept
the consequences of decisions you, not the business, has made.
Last week the company I work for sent out a
letter to over 35,000 customers announcing a price increase in the services we
offer. The letter that went out explained the reason for this increase. An
attempt at transparency was detailed in this letter. The price increase was
warranted, it had been more than three years since the last increase. The cost
of doing business today has increased substantially. The company has absorbed
many of the increased costs during the past few years. We felt the timing was
appropriate and that resistance from our customers would be minimal.
Boy, were we wrong.
It wasn't the small increase (less than $4 a
month in most cases) that caused such uproar. It was the attempt to justify and
be transparent that rocked the boat. The letter placed direct blame on Obama-care.
Austin, Texas (our largest market) is boiling
over with liberals who staunchly support anything that comes from the current
administration; including the Affordable Care Act.
I am the Director of Quality Assurance for this
company. My last three days have been filled responding in a true mea
culpa fashion to these very vocal customers. But the damage has been
done; we cannot unsend the letter. The losses could surpass
the small increase in revenues that would have been generated by the price
increase.
In the words of Scooby Doo-“ruh roh!”
I do want to acknowledge that a political view
exposed is not the same as a religious view exposed. It will not carry the pain
and heartbreak that religious views can bring. Yet it is still very
powerful…and should not be part of any business or corporation. But if a
business decides to use its political views as part of daily business routine,
it must be prepared to pay the consequences of this decision.
If you are a business owner who stands by his
or her faith are you prepared to pay the consequences of whatever decision you
make? If you choose not to provide products or services to someone who has a
belief that is counter to yours are you prepared for the possible uproar and
loss of future revenue that your stance could likely cause? If you answered “yes”,
I applaud you.
If you are a business owner that makes the
decision to separate your own beliefs from the business you run and provide
services to everyone, regardless of their own beliefs or lifestyles, are you
also prepared to face the consequences of this stance?
What consequences, you ask.
They are harder to describe-but you will know
them… you will feel them, every time you make a bank deposit. Or every time you
look in the mirror and see a Child of God.
I was reminded today the Jesus Christ dined
with thieves and prostitutes. I was also reminded that He died for all…unconditionally. But
I also know that Jesus told these thieves and prostitutes to “go and sin no
more”, and He loved them.
I believe there is a more important lesson from
the Teacher-He never wavered from the Truth.
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