MORAL WATCH: INDICATORS Part III
35 INDICATORS of America’s Moral Condition
This work focuses on 35 Indicators to show that direction in which our Nation is heading. The follow meter rating is for the purpose of following trends. Scale is each Moral Indicator (MI) is based on .1 to .9 with higher numbers indicating a worst condition – all multiplied by 3.176
Homosexuality: .85
2017: According to the gaypridecalendar.com, for “2017 LGBT Pride Events and Festivals” listed for “June” there were more than 100 events in American cities and about 60 international events. The international events were from Canada to China and Scotland to Spain. The American events were in about half of the US states from California to New York and from Minnesota to Louisiana. April 22, 2017 the LGBT marched in over 600 cities, with over 1.2 million people in their ‘March for Science.’
In addition to the sign waving and occasional protests for more freedom of choice; many of the LGBT parades had a one mile Naked Run or Bike Ride. Now consider if these City Council approved and Corporate Sponsored parade events were for Christians and that their signs and sober shouts were “Only Jesus Christ offer Eternal Salvation,” how many Councils and Corporations would not only not support the event, but oppose it.
For more see: Gay Pride Month 2017 and the Naked Truth
According to Statista (2016), about “1 in 100 American women and 2 in 100 American men identify as homosexual, with another 4% of Americans identifying as bisexual.” They also report that 60% of Americans believe gay/lesbian relations are morally acceptable, and that homosexuals should be allowed to adopt.
According to the CDC in a 2013 ‘Sexual Orientation and Health Among U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey,’ only ‘1.6% identified as gay or lesbian, and .7% as bisexual.’ This shows that they are an extreme minor that has enormous power considering their position. This also shows that the numbers are most often falsely inflated. More over Alfred Kinsey’s claim that about 10% of adults are homosexual is false, and the public should know that his studies were biased and still used to change criminal laws and usher in same-sex marriage laws.
In 2002, Gallup organization asked the public what percentage of the population they taught was gay and estimates were about 21% of men and 22% of women. This shows that the Gays Rights (such as GLAAD) and political organization’s propaganda is working and that the public is informed and governing by misplaced emotions. Hollywood and Corporate media very often includes homosexuals in nearly every show series and ad program.
According to the Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, August 2016, LGBT Aging: A Review of Research Findings, Needs, and Policy Implications, “‘It is estimated that 2.4 million LGBT older adults over 50 live in the United States,’ Ilan H Meyer, Ph.D., Williams Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy, says. ‘That number is expected to double by 2030. The needs of older LGBT adults are quite different than those of the non-LGBT population’.” Why are there needs different? Mental and physical differences in health problems and diseases?
Leviticus 18:22: ” Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” 3. Leviticus 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” Certain Muslim nations and African nations still have the death penalty for homosexuality; some say in response to the AIDS problem. However, the United Nations is using the IMF and World Bank as leverage to have Nations change their laws.
Supreme Court Justice Scalia, “‘the law-profession culture’ is on record as subscribing to Kinsey’s sexual ideology. Consider that over a 16 year period, from 1982 to 1998, at least 1,000 major law school journal articles quoted Kinsey as their sex science authority. And the critically important American Association of Law Schools commands total submission to its homosexual ‘equity’ ethic?”
Dr. Judith Reisman, author of Kinsey: Crime and Consequences; showed that 86% of Kinsey’s male subjects were sexually, criminally or mentally abnormal.
Jonathan Hardy, author of Alfred C. Kinsey, Sex the Measure of All Things. A Biography (1998), write that ‘The American Law Institute’s Model Penal Code of 1955 is virtually a Kinsey document?’
In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Psychiatric Disorders and thus from its list of mental illnesses. About that time the American Law Institute updated its Model Penal Code, recommending to legislators ‘that private sexual behavior between consenting adults should be removed from the list of crimes and thereby legalized.’
Then in 1974, the great majority of the American Bar Association approved the Model Penal Code, including decriminalizing homosexual acts. Then by 1981, the UN’s World Health Organization also removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. In July 1994, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) released a Statement on Homosexuality (picking up a copy and reading), and I quote:
‘The research on homosexuality is very clear. Homosexuality is neither mental illness nor moral depravity. It is simply the way a minority of our population expresses human love and sexuality. Study after study documents the mental health of gay men and lesbians. Studies of judgment, stability, reliability, and social and vocational adaptiveness, all show that gay men and lesbians function every bit as well as heterosexuals. Nor is homosexuality a matter of individual choice. Research suggests that the homosexual orientation is in place very early in the life cycle, possibly even before birth. It is found in about ten percent of the population, a figure which is surprisingly constant across cultures, irrespective of the different moral values and standards of a particular culture. Contrary to what some imply, the incidence of homosexuality in a population does not appear to change with new moral codes or social mores. Research findings suggest that efforts to repair homosexuals are nothing more than social prejudice garbed in psychological accouterments.’
In 1997, the APA published the following statement concerning ‘reparative therapy:’ It ‘raises ethical concerns about attempts to change sexual orientation, reaffirms psychology’s opposition to homophobia and client’s right to unbiased treatment.’ And in 2009, the Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation, which was appointed by the APA, released this statement (reading):
“Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation,’ said Judith Glassgold, PsyD, chair of the Task Force. ‘Scientifically rigorous older studies in this area found that sexual orientation was unlikely to change due to efforts designed for this purpose. …recent research studies do not provide evidence of sexual orientation change as the research methods are inadequate to determine the effectiveness of these interventions. At most, certain studies suggested that some individuals learned how to ignore or not act on their homosexual attractions. Yet, these studies did not indicate for whom this was possible, how long it lasted, or its long-term mental health effects…
The Task Force recommended that mental health professionals avoid misrepresenting the efficacy of sexual orientation change efforts when providing assistance to people distressed about their own or others’ sexual orientation. They examined peer-reviewed journal articles …from 1960 to 2007, which included 83 studies. …They also reviewed recent literature on the psychology of sexual orientation. Unfortunately, much of the research in the area of sexual orientation change contains serious design flaws. Few studies could be considered methodologically sound and none systematically evaluated potential harm. …Practitioners can assist clients through therapies that do not attempt to change sexual orientation, but rather involve acceptance, support, and identity exploration,’ Glassgold said. …The Task Force recommended that licensed mental health care providers treating such clients help them ‘explore possible life paths that address the reality of their sexual orientation, reduce the stigma associated with homosexuality, respect the client’s religious beliefs, and consider possibilities for a religiously and spiritually meaningful and rewarding life’.”
In 1994, the American Medical Association called for ‘nonjudgmental recognition of sexual orientation by physicians.’ And the Academy of Pediatrics and Council on Child and Adolescent Health have supported these views. Moreover, about 1999, Just the Facts Coalition was formed by the American Psychological Association, and 12 other professional associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Counseling Association, American Association of School Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, Interfaith Alliance Foundation, National Association of School Psychologists, and the National Association of Social Workers.
The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), a professional organization of psychiatrists, psychologists and other people in the field, stands against the APA’s recent stance. And more over, Robert Perloff, former president of the American Psychological Association, is a supporter of NARTH.
Religion Adherent’s Opinion
In a survey released 2014, nearly one-third of Millennials who left the faith they grow up with told Public Religion Research Institute that it was “negative teachings” or “negative treatment” related to gays and lesbians that played an significant role in them leaving organized religion.
Specifically, 17 percent of Millennials, or adults between 18 and 33-years-old, said negativity around LGBT issues in religion was “somewhat important” to their departure, while 14 percent said it was a “very important” factor.
A majority of Americans, 58 percent, also said that religious groups are “alienating young adults by being too judgmental on gay and lesbian issues.” Among Millennials, that percentage jumped to 70.
Same-sex Marriage: .87
The path to Same-sex marriage: By 1948, the majority of the U.S. public did not protest when the Supreme Court in McCollum v. Board of Education, put up ‘the impenetrable wall between church and state.’ Less than a generation later, in 1962, the Supreme Court received Engel v. Vitale. The case involved a student’s right to publicly pray ‘Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon thee, and we beg Thy blessing upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.’ For 170 years since the ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, no Court had ever stood against prayer. Most of the early justices learned from godly texts such as the New England Primer. But the slim majority of this modern court said, ‘It is no part of the business of government to compose official prayers… the prayer is inconsistent …with the Establishment Clause…’
Then, with Abington v. Schempp (1963), the Court said reading from the Bible over a school intercom was unconstitutional. They forget that God said, ‘Obey My commandments… teach them to your children… (Deut. 11:13-18).’ Then five years later, in 1968, with Epperson v. Arkansas, the Court said, regardless of the first and tenth amendments, the state had no right to ban the teaching of evolution; but later they also had no right to teach creationism. Then, in 1973, with Roe v. Wade, the Court said, ‘the 14th Amendment …protects …the right to privacy, including… a woman’s qualified right to terminate her pregnancy.’ And so it is legal for a mother to kill a 24 week old baby, which as we know today has a significant chance of survival. Understand there is forgiveness and healing for you who have yielded to hard pressure and difficult choices, but also understand the more we chose our rights over God’s holy and righteous ways, than the more He turns our nation over to death and destruction. And that is what came, the death of millions of unborn children, and the destruction of morals and souls.
By 1980, with Stone v. Graham, the majority of the judges stated that the Ten Commandments could not be posted in schools, though they could hang in the very U.S. Supreme Court building. And by 1985, with Wallace v. Ishmael Jaffree, the Court found, ‘meditation and voluntary prayer’ was unconstitutional in public schools. They did not care for God, or the dissenting Rehnquist’s wisdom: “the greatest injury of the ‘wall’ notion is its mischievous diversion of judges from the actual intentions of the drafters of the Bill of Rights… The ‘wall of separation between church and State’ is a metaphor based on bad history, a metaphor which has proven useless as a guide to judging. It should be explicitly abandoned…”
But it was too late, the Courts and Congress had abandon the laws of Moses and the God of all. So America was turned over to the ‘god of this present darkness;’ and many sinners ‘God gave them up unto their vile passions (Rom. 1:26).’ It is only by the grace and mercy of God, and the prayers of the saints that America has been preserved this long; yet its judgment is still to come.
Therefore, with these events, and with the walls down between church and state, and between ‘protestants’ and ‘protesting’ against sinful acts, the way was opened for homosexual ‘rights’ in America. The fight was again on two fronts; first, against the very word of God, and second, for the ‘rights’ of these citizens. Yet, America still discriminates, it just picks which classes. Congress and courts have placed Christians with murders, rapist and thieves, and says of these we restrict their actions, but for the immoral ‘all things are lawful (1Cor.10:23).’
Paul told Timothy, ‘Know this, in the last days perilous times shall come. Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous… proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection… lovers of pleasures more than of God; having a form of godliness, but denying…’ Christ (2 Tim. 3:1-5).
Now, on the first front, Jesuit Priest, John McNeill, came out in June of 1977, and said, ‘There is no clear condemnation of homosexual activity to be found anywhere in the Bible.’ And not a generation later the World Council of Churches (WCC) was not only allowing, but studying such allegations. The WCC supported the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy. And in 2009, when Uganda’s laws tried to reduce their AIDS ‘pandemic’ by saying that homosexuals with AIDS caught in the act of sexual intercourse with a man could be put to death or sentence to jail, General Secretary Samuel Kobia of the WCC wrote the president of Uganda saying, ‘we are saddened and distressed to receive the news from Uganda regarding a proposed law against homosexual individuals… which purposes the death penalty… Lord Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments… Love God… and love your neighbor as yourself… the discussions, time, efforts… used on the issue of homosexuality distracts us from …the majority’s problems: broken families, unfaithfulness, abuse… too early sexual debut, culture practices facilitating the transmission of HIV, unwanted pregnancies, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections…’ Did Kobia forget the foremost cause of ‘HIV?’
And the WCC, with 340+ Christian ‘churches and denominations,’ was the same group that at their Australia conference in 1991 and at other ‘ecumenical councils’ had Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other non-Christians come and perform. They had ‘delegates pass through the smoke of burning leaves …a pagan cleansing rite.’ Then the next day Chung Hyun invoked spirits of the dead for its 4,000 member audience. And in October of 2007, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, UN Sec. General Ban Ki-moon expressed ‘deep appreciation for the work of the WCC,’ and with WCC General Sec. Kobia, they ‘reaffirmed commitment to strong and close collaboration.’ They would together support all human ‘rights;’ Kobia said, ‘the WCC is committed to the principles and purposes of the UN.’
Second, homosexual rights were fought for in the media, courts, churches, and legislators. TV shows in the 60s such N.Y.P.D. and Police Woman, put the issue of homosexuality in the public view. By the 1970’s, gays and lesbians appeared as characters; such as Billy Crystal in SOAP (1977). The 1980’s added more gay characters in episodes of programs like Married with Children, Roseanne, and even The Golden Girls. By the 1990’s, actors and actresses like ‘Ellen’ showed ‘coming out’ was common place. By 2015, even the most popular shows, such as Walking Dead, had their gay couples.
So through compromising leaders, slanted and pressured media, and false information, public opinion changed, even though only about 3% of the public was actually homosexual. By 1980, Golden Gate Association has about a dozen homosexual ministers, including William Johnson, the first ordained homosexual (1972; following a 62 to 34 vote by the United Church of Christ). In 1984, the United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council, after a debate from about 1,000 elders and delegates, overturned its ban against ‘practicing homosexual ministers.’ By 1998, the Presbyterians in America were being opposed by Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concern, led by Laurene Lafontaine; and churches in Canada were debating over whether or not homosexuality is ‘a gift from God.’
The Episcopal Church was debating the issue as well. In 1991, the Episcopal Diocesan Committee on Homophile Ministry and the Presbyterian Task Force on Homophobia met at Gates Presbyterian Church with 16 gay and lesbians which were by profession of faith: American Baptist, Episcopal, Metropolitan Community, Mormon, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Brethren, United Methodist, and Unitarian. After the meeting, the group organized as Interfaith Task Force for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Justice. They affiliated with the Presbytery of Genesee Valley, N.Y.
In November of 1991, that Presbytery by an overwhelming majority approved lesbian ‘pastor’ Jane Spahr to be appointed to one of their churches. In 1992, Interfaith Task Force became Interfaith Advocates for LGBT People. In 1993, the Presbyterian Church (USA) reversed its position on gay ministers which was held since 1861 – the origin of Presbyterian churches in America. Considering their decisions to disregard the Word and Spirit of God – no wonder their membership declined. In 1993, the first homosexual marriage was performed in an approved Presbyterian Church of USA; yet, 72% of their churches voted to ban such acts. Nevertheless, more LGBT Presbyterian churches arose, and by 2011, the majority of the General Assembly’s 173 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church of USA approved a ‘new Form of Government’ changing ‘the way we do church.’ The ‘new Form of Gov.’ also changed the Book of Order.
The 2010 General Assembly stated that there is ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all (Eph. 4:5-6),’ but they twisted the scriptures by misquoting Paul, who said, ‘one Lord… Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in you all.’ Paul was speaking to Christians; thus John said, ‘If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, we will come unto him, and make our abode with him (John14:23).’
But because the Presbyter knows God is love, and that ‘the Church is one,’ lest their beloved sinners be excluded, they also say, ‘To be thus joined with one another is to become priests for one another, praying for the world and for one another and sharing the various gifts God has given to each Christian for the benefit of the whole community. Division into different denominations obscures but does not destroy unity in Christ. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), affirming its historical continuity with the whole Church of Jesus Christ, is committed to the reduction of that obscurity, and is willing to seek and to deepen communion with all other churches within the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church…’.
But when they say these words, they mean ‘all other churches’ who confess Christ, whether are not they follow His commands. And when they say ‘priests,’ they do not disqualify the unholy or homosexual. So after decades of saying, ‘Those who are called to ordered ministry in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, ruling elders, or teaching elders (W-4.9001; and 1997 Book of Order: Sec. G),’ they no longer mean ‘marriage is between a man and a woman’ nor that a homosexual priest must repent or remain chaste. In May 2011, the Presbyterian General Assembly passed a resolution rewording Sec. G of the Book of Order and affirmed that homosexual priests are free to marry their civil partner in ‘a covenanted relationship between two persons,’ and that neither must repent.
Like those things unequally yoked, the Presbyterians split again. At the time that the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, Presbyterians were the second largest denomination in America with 19% of all professing Christians. By 1850, due to the rise of Methodists, the Presbyterians were about 12% of all U.S. Christians. In 2001, the Presbyterian Church (USA) had about 3.6 million members; yet after allowing sin in their pulpits, by 2014 they had lost about 2 million members, and were at about 1.8 million members (pcusa.com). By 2015, they represented only about 1% of all U.S. Christians.
The same spirit was in the Episcopal Church; such that in 1976, Resolution A-71 was passed. It stated, ‘This General Convention expresses its conviction that homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens, and calls upon our society to see that such protection is provided…’ But those who proposed that resolution really meant ‘equal rights.’ In 1979 the Convention stood divided with the word and tradition passing Resolution A-053 stating, ‘This General Convention recommends to Bishops, Pastors… and Standing Committees… There should be no barrier to the ordination of qualified persons of either heterosexual or homosexual orientation whose behavior the Church considers wholesome….. We believe it is not appropriate for this Church to ordain a practicing homosexual, or any person who is engaged in heterosexual relations outside of marriage.’
The slippery slope continued, in 1982, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church (USA) ‘reaffirmed the actions taken by the General Conventions of 1976 and 1979 affirming that homosexual persons are children of God and entitled to full civil rights…’ The Conventions continued to ‘dispel myths and prejudices… regarding human sexuality…’ and called for ‘continued dialogue. So, in 1989, Bishop John Spong of Newark ordained a non-celibate homosexual; and in 1990 Bishop Righter ordained a non-celibate homosexual deacon; and in 1991 Bishop Haines ordained a non-celibate homosexual priest – all without rebuke of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
At the next Convention in 1994, they passed Resolution C-042, which states, ‘House of Deputies… 71st General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission… to study, develop, and evaluate forms of blessing of committed relationships of same-sex couples…’.
The debates continued, in 1998, at the Lambeth Conference, Episcopalians of Europe called for greater unity among their different divisions; and more importantly they lifted up the Scriptures and said, ‘Holy Matrimony is, by intention and divine purpose, to be a life-long, monogamous and unconditional commitment between a woman and a man. The Lambeth Conference 1978 and 1998 both affirmed ‘marriage to be sacred, instituted by God and blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ.’
In 2003, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, stated, ‘At a time of tension, we have struggled at great cost with the issues before us… we feel the profound pain and uncertainty shared by others about our Christian discipleship in the light of controversial decisions by the Diocese of New Westminster to authorize a Public Rite of Blessing for those in committed same sex relationships, and by the 74th General Convention of the ECUSA to confirm the election of a priest in a committed same sex relationship to the office of Bishop. These actions threaten the unity of our own Communion as well as our relationships with other parts of Christ’s Church…’. The General Convention’s 2003 confirmation of Gene Robinson as the first openly homosexual bishop stood, and millions calling themselves Episcopalians were forced to choose their directions, and choose whom they would serve under.
In response the Anglican bishops of Europe called for a special meeting and said, ‘If his consecration proceeds, we recognize that we have reached a crucial and critical point in the life of the Anglican Communion and …the future of the Communion itself (is) in jeopardy. …This will tear the fabric of our Communion… and may lead to further division… with the ECUSA.’
In 2004 the bishops came together again to resolve the un-resolvable cancer. Yet, at that ‘critical’ time Bishop Charles in California married his homosexual partner and Bishop Chane of Washington, D.C. performed a same-sex union for a priest.
In wise response to these events, bishops of the Global South in Egypt met with the Archbishop and stated:
“…the ‘connection between faith in Jesus and obedience to His commandments appears repeatedly: ‘…By this we may be sure that we know Him, if we keep His commandments (1 John 2:3).’ …holiness must be defended in controversy against false teachers… John 15 warns of the pruning or cutting away of dead branches that have failed to bear fruit because of not abiding in His and His word. The stark contrast …of light/darkness… life/death shows clearly that there is the realization that disobedience will lead to division and exclusion. …We find another challenge to the unity of the body of Christ posed by unrepented sexual immorality, an offence so flagrant that Paul insisted that the sinner be expelled from the fellowship, and one of a type of sin which he said would cut the offender off from the kingdom of heaven (1Cor.6)… We regret that you did not either use it as an illustration of activities that is capable of breaking unity or explain why moral teaching and behavior is different from other Church-dividing essentials… (In) Bible Studies on 1 and 2 Peter we could not miss the solemn warning about the danger of false prophets among us… We were reminded, sadly that there will be ‘ignorant and unstable’ people who, finding Paul’s sayings ‘hard’ because of the call to holiness and godliness, will ‘twist (them) to their own destruction (2 Pet. 3:17).’
In the matter of the Civil Partnerships Act (England), we appreciate the dilemma faced by bishops as members of the House of Lords of the English Government. The willingness of the Government to override clear Christian teaching in an area of life where the church has a unique role raises a serious question whether the church-state relationship is obsolete and a hindrance to the Gospel. According to your explanation, the Roman Catholic Church was able to seek a conscientious exception to the Act for the very reason that it was not part of the Establishment. Surely the Church of England should have sought a similar exception. Not doing so gives the appearance of evil with regard to its “partnered” clergy even if meaningful discipline is exercised and you failed to mention the implication of this new act with regard to the laity that will force all parish clergy to accept openly gay partners to the altar rail on penalty of church discipline.”
Nevertheless, because the ‘Christians’ of Great Britain did not rise up against the government when it came against the word of God, the Church suffered greatly. The Civil Partnership Act of 2004 was passed by Parliament allowing homosexual partners the same ‘rights and responsibilities’ as married couples. In December 2005, throughout every country of Great Britain, over 1,200 ‘ceremonies’ took place within the first three days that the Act became law.
Because the English crown and not Catholic or other rule is considered the head of the Church of England, certain Anglican priests and bishops became calling for ‘equal married rights’ for homosexual partners. In America, by the General Convention of the ECUSA in July 2009, the bishops compromised by allowing individual bishops to choose whether or not to allow the blessing of same-sex unions. That year in England, the Episcopal House of Deputies adopted Resolution D-025, stating the ordination process was opened to ‘all individuals,’ including homosexuals or bisexuals.
In 2010, Parliament passed The Equality Act 2010 providing a new ‘legislative framework to protect rights of individuals… for all’ including ‘protection against direct and indirect discrimination… in services and public functions… and extending protection from 3rd party harassment… and extending protection in private clubs to sex, religion… and gender reassignment…’ and to allow ‘civil partnerships on religious premises.’ However, Section 202 of the Act stated, ‘…nothing in this Acts places an obligation on religious organizations to host civil partnerships.’
Nevertheless, the Act also removed the ban on civil partnership registrations on religious premises; and in February 2011 the Government announced that religious buildings were to be allowed to host civil partnership registrations, which is homosexual marriage. Six years after the 2004 Act, over 40,000 civil partnerships had been formed throughout England and Wales.
Since 2006, multiple congregations left the Episcopal Church. In 2011, the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church spoke out loudly, stating that the Church would allow gay priests and bishops, as well as perform marriage ceremonies for homosexuals. In 2009, with a vote of 326 to 267, the Church of Scotland followed, allowing for gay and lesbian ministers for the first time since its 16th century origin. The Church of Canada followed, as Canada’s government acted likewise. Also in 2009, Quakers and Evangelical Lutherans had also authorized same-sex marriages. The ECUSA followed as America compromised. By 2012, ten states had legalized civil unions or homosexual marriages, and more recognized them if performed in other states.
In 1776, Episcopalians represented about 16% of Christians in America. One hundred years later they fell to about 4%. In 1960 their U.S. membership was about 3.3 million; by 2011, their membership fell to about 1.9 million; for the sake of a small sinful minority the Church lost one third of its membership. Due to ‘Christian’ compromises the number of non-religious in Great Britain and the United States more than doubled from 1990 to 2010 – over a third of the UK’s population, and over 17% of America population. Moreover, by 2012, the average number of members at an American Episcopal Sunday worship service was less than 75; and that also applied to many other denominations, as the word and power was quenched in ‘Worship’ services. By 2012, Catholic, Southern Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Episcopal Church membership rolls were on the decline. Moreover, FASICLD reported ‘every year more than 4,000 churches close their doors…’
And, concerning ‘homosexual rights,’ ‘civil unions,’ and ‘same-sex marriages,’ Denmark recognized civil unions in June of 1989, then the Netherlands authorized same-sex marriage in 2001; though 90% of their nation claimed to be Christians, by 2008, about 70% said they ‘saw no wrong at all with homosexuals;’ no wonder their non-religious in 2010 were growing at a rate of 7 times faster than their dying churches. And every western EU nation followed in the same fashion; except Italy, though even in their ‘celibacy’ it is estimated that as many as a fifth of the priests ‘might be labeled homophile;’ and numerous have settled lawsuits involving pedophilia.
And the pressure to bend into a position of acceptance was also felt by American Baptist Church, who saw certain pro-gay members split and form the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists in 1991. AWAB’s goal is to ‘…encourage church leadership to welcome and affirm lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people into full participation in faith community…’ In 2005 elders from over 300 churches in the ABC separated from the denomination. Pastor Glenn Layne of California stated, it ‘…is not a gay-bashing issue. This is an authority-of-scripture issue…’. By 2011, Welcoming and Affirming Churches were in over half of the 50 states. Moreover, in 2011, for the first time in its history the Southern Baptist Convention met with AWAB and other pro-gay organization leaders.
The United Methodist Church did not condone homosexuality, but its 2008 Book of Discipline said, ‘…certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons… regardless of sexual orientation.’ Human rights were not the real issue, for it there 2004 General Conference they only held off giving ‘funds to any gay caucus… to promote the acceptance of homosexuality’ by a vote of 497 to 418. By 2010, they could not hold off certain clergy from ‘blessing a same-sex union.’ And after disciplining those clergy, ‘more than 200 United Methodist clergy’ pledged to perform marriage ceremonies for homosexual couples.
And in 2006, the elders of the National Evangelical Association, which represents 45,000+ local churches and 40 different denominations with millions of members, did not discern its leader was gay until Ted Haggard, its president, admitted ‘I am guilty of sexual immorality,’ of continuous homosexual acts. In 2008, Richard Cizik, a VP and lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals resigned after saying, ‘I’m shifting, I have to admit… I would willingly say that I believe in civil unions…’ And in 2013, the Catholic Church’s unbiblical celibate requirement for priests, could not keep Cardinal O’Brien from homosexual acts.
Under the direction of certain principalities, groups such as Baptist Peace Fellowship, GLADD, GLSEN, HRC, PFLAG, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force pressured and moved denominations and nations to adopt their goals of total ‘equal rights’ in both the civil and ecclesiastical realms. Giant corporations such as AARP, Aetna, Alcoa, Allstate, American Airlines, American Express, Anheuser-Busch, Apple, AT&T, Bank of America, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Borders, BP, Capital One, Cardinal Health, Chase, Chevron, Chrysler, Citigroup, Coca-Cola, Dell, Delta, Disney, Ford, Gap, General Mills, General Motors, Google, Home Depot, IBM, ING, Johnson & Johnson, Macy, Mass. Mutual, McDonalds, Microsoft, Nationwide, New York Life, New York Times, Nike, Olay, Pepsi, Progressive, Sears, Shell, Starbucks, Target, and Visa, recognized ‘equal rights for all,’ and ‘gay and lesbian’ civil union partners with no opposition.
By 2010, 21 of the 51 countries in Europe recognized same-sex unions; and most were once ‘Christian’ nations. All the nations of the entire western hemisphere accepted same-sex unions, except Guyana. Yet, the Muslim nations stood firmly against homosexuality. Many Africa nations opposed the danger of homosexuality and mades it illegal. But ‘Christian’ nations of the Americas and Europe were ‘ashamed of the gospel;’ they ‘love and serve the creature more than the Creator,’ thus ‘God gave them up to uncleanness (Rom.1:24-25).’
At the time of WWII, nearly all of these nations were solidly against exposing their children to such a sin; but by 2012, the majority of their grandchildren saw no sin in gay marriages. That year Denmark became the 8th European nation to legalize gay marriage.
Studies by organizations such as the Pew Research Center, Hartford Institute, or Williams Institute showed how homosexual actions were seen and accepted as ‘not wrong at all’ over the decades. The Democratic Party continued to be – as their Democratic National Committee states – ‘the party of diversity and inclusion…’ who ‘…stand with LGBT community.’ Their presidents, such as Clinton, appointed homosexual ambassadors, and such as Obama, proclaimed LGBT Pride months, but no Christian Pride months. And according to the DNC, Obama also ‘…directed the Department of Justice to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court and declared Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional… and led a successful international effort to gain recognition of LGBT organizations at the United Nations; and reversed an inexcusable U.S. position by signing the United Nations Declaration on Gay Rights, which condemns violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide.’ At that time about 70 nations had laws against homosexuality; the UN declaration held most of them in violation. Also, democratic controlled states continued to propose legislation that welcomed same-sex marriages.
In 2004, then Governor Mitt Romney remained silent and did not use Massachusetts constitution’s Part 2 (chap.3; art.5: ‘all causes of marriage… and appeals from the Judges …shall be heard and determined by the Governor… until the Legislature shall, by law, make other provision.’) to stop his state from becoming the first U.S. state to legalize same sex marriage. Romney told Justices of the Peace that ‘they must perform same-sex marriages’ or ‘face personal liability.’ By 2012, many states enacted Civil Union Acts which corporations followed willingly.
May 2012, Obama supported same-sex marriage; ten days later the NAACP voted in favored gay marriage. At that time GLAAD released their Comprehensive Analysis of Television’s LGBT Images, stating, ‘GLAAD has seen time and again how images of multi-dimensional gay and transgender people on television have the power to change public perceptions.’ The report showed that possibly 1 in 5 adults have become ‘more favorable over the past 5 years …towards gay and lesbian people.’
The study displayed that about 1 in 4 program hours on ABC or Fox contained some LGBT content; 1 in 5 for NBC; and 1 in 12 for CBS. Showtime had 46% ‘LGBT-inclusive hours of original programing;’ and TNT and HBO had about 33%. They stated, ‘Disney-owned ABC has a long and distinguished history of including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) stories into its programming… began with Soap back in 1977.’ Of ABC’s ‘1101 total hours of primetime programming, 302 (27%) were LGBT-Inclusive hours.’ This result was almost double from the ‘15% LGBT-inclusive hours of 2006-2007.’
April 2013, New Zealand legalized gay marriage. In May: Rhode Island, Delaware, and Minnesota became the 11th – 13th states to allow same-sex marriage; the Boy Scouts voted to accept gays; President Francois Hollande of France signed a law authorizing marriage and adoptions for same-sex couples; Brazil’s Justice National Council legalized same-same marriage; and Britain’s House of Commons passed a Gay Marriage bill. In June, the Supreme Court struck down section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, companies such as AIG, Intel & Facebook were pro same-sex marriage. By December, New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico and Utah passed same-sex marriage bills.
In July of 2013, Pope Francis said, ‘If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?’ Well, Apostle Paul judge righteously on the topic; and that December the Pope judged to replace US cardinal – Archbishop Raymond Burke who was outspoken against same-sex marriage and abortions.
In February 2014, a U. S. District judge in Texas ruled the state ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, making it the twentieth state. A year later, in 2015, 37 U.S. states allowed same-sex marriages, civil unions, or respected out-of-state marriages. Due to these laws, states began banning Gay Conversion Therapy. Moreover, in 2014 Family Medical Leave, Veterans Affairs and Social Security laws extended to same-sex couples. However, only 3 states accepted gay marriage by popular vote and 8 by state legislature; yet, 26 of 37 states issued their laws based solely on court decisions. Moving with the wave, in 2015, Ireland legalized Gay marriage. More importantly, June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage.
Research and Polls
In Pew Research Center polling in 2001, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a margin of 57% to 35%.
Since then, support for same-sex marriage has steadily grown. Based on polling in 2016, a majority of Americans (55%) support same-sex marriage, compared with 37% who oppose it. http://www.pewforum.org/2016/05/12/changing-attitudes-on-gay-marriage/
(above as of 2015)
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