I don’t want to be relativist, but you’re right about Europe. And look at China! Censorship, child slavery, countless executions/abortions every day, intellectual property stolen, and subjugation of women. We need to remember that nobody is as perfect as God and that you can’t let a few bad apples ruin the orchard.
I’m thankful that the American government acknowledges my right to worship God, to speak out against her policies that I see as immoral, and to not be afraid of the government censoring me. I don’t deny that we have immorality in our culture, but we have the right to express our disapproval without being shot.
And look at history of old testamant times, and of new testament times. Just within the western world, there have been many evils that went on for centuries that we couldn’t comprehend in our society. Sexual impurity not for lust, but as sacrafice to “gods”, The Church and governments have killed people or movements contrary to “their” best interest or teachings for many years. Periods of brutality, and peace. Wars, Wars, Wars. Clergy concubines for centruries. During the reformation, people were burned alive with women and children in churches because (both sides) they belived slightly different. Governments killed saints, and the CHURCH killed some saints, not to mention scientists who turned out to be correct. Really study history when we long for the good old days, and don’t fall into the trap that everything is getting worse. Sure, some things are rapidly declining, while others are improving. I’m sure there are many african americans (and even European ethnic minorities) that are very happy for the “progress” we have made in some areas. Remember, just two hundred years ago, some prominent politicians thought the best way to resolve a dispute was to duel to the death.
I’m not making light of any sin, and it certainly appears the Bible does not approve of homosexuality, however if how did Ezekiel define the sin of sodom?
Ezekiel defines it as “pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy”
This crucifies me much more than the fact that a president dedicated a month to a group of people that are caught in sin. Hate the world, meaning evil in the world, so that you can improve upon it. Pray, and most importantly live a non-judgemental encouraging life. Provide an example of heathy relationships to your family and all those you meet. I’m not saying we can’t comment on sin, but I’d prefer we tried to awaken a sleeping giant of Catholic FAITH, Good works, charity, community, because we really need to do that to help change sinners with compassion the way Jesus did.
There has to be a message for us that sinner looking for mercy went away with more grace than the pious who was thankful he didn’t sin like the rest. There has to be a message in the fact Jesus spent much more time dealing with the hypocracy of religous and spending time with perceived sinners.
Let’s all pray for discernment to help in all ways by example with compassion and love.
off soapbox.