Pastors Edge

For those Rip Van Winkles who just woke up and wonder if there has been indeed a massive, earthquake size culture shift in our country in just the last 10 years just think Proposition 8 and e-Harmony.com.  

Who would have dreamed just a decade ago that a state would have to put up for a vote that marriage should be limited to a man and a woman? Who would have thought just a decade ago that an online dating service would have to agree with a court to become a matchmaker for homosexual and lesbians?

I will be the first to admit that my heart has not always been loving and compassionate toward homosexuals. I will be the first to admit that my attitude was indeed pharisaical and harsh toward those who have chosen this sexual lifestyle.  God broke me when several years ago I deliberately visited two lesbians who had visited a former church and saw firsthand how these are human beings who are loved by God and need His grace just like I do.  I not only became friends with them but led them eventually to Christ and saw them forsake their lifestyle.

That said, I am angry and somewhat astounded at the lack of toleration of those who scream the loudest for tolerance.  It is bordering on both the insane and the infinitely arrogant.

Proposition 8, which went before the people of California, was a totally legitimate effort following the democratic process of allowing an amendment to the state constitution. Not one person said there was anything unconstitutional about amending the constitution!! But then the completely unexpected happened-the proposition passed by a strong 52-47%...and what happened-the one who worship the idol of tolerance rioted, marched, screamed  and filed suit to have the people's will overturned!

In New Jersey, although there are hundreds of internet sites where homosexuals and lesbians can hook up, e-Harmony was intimidated by the courts into opening up their website to homosexuals as well as straights.  Apart from whether or not e-Harmony caved (I think they did) this is just another case where the poster children for tolerance are completely intolerant of others who in every way possible tolerate them!

Let me be brief and to the point: toleration works both ways and those of us who indeed practice it must stop at the line where we are forced to tolerate the intolerable. Not every hill is worth a Christian dying on-but this one certainly is. Let us act toward everyone with grace, love and compassion. But when the people have spoken in one instance and when law abiding are forced to make choices that violates both one's conscience and values, it is time to stand up and stand against those on the other side. Not to do so is to tolerate the intolerable.