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Chick-Fil-A Controversy

August 3, 2012 by Jason

This has been one busy week for me, and as such you probably will have noticed an absence of posts.  I was not able to write an article today, but as a peace offering I have chosen to put together some helpful links related to the ongoing Chick-Fil-A controversy.  I am guessing most of you are aware of the controversy I am referring to.  However, for my Canadian friends, and any American ones who might be living under a rock, I will try and give a brief overview of the issue at hand.

Chick-Fil-A, a privately held American business, has over the last several years, donated millions of its dollars to organizations gay-rights supports feel promote the traditional definition of marriage (see end of post for a list of the organizations in question).  With the same-sex marriage debate running hot and heavy in the United States, it was only a matter of time before the media questioned Chick-Fil-A on its philanthropic ways.  When Chick-Fil-A’s President and COO Dan Cathy gave an unapologetic and unrepentant response, it was like chumming the sharks.

The outpouring of negative press has encouraged everyone, and his dog, to weigh in on this controversy.  Private citizens who disagreed with Cathy’s alleged position have organized boycotts of Chick-Fil-A.  In response to the boycotts, citizens sympathetic with his statements have organized Chick-Fil-A Appreciation days.  Not to be outdone, a number of over exuberant local politicians have thrown their hats into the ring by publicly stating that Chick-Fil-A’s stance could cost the company if it was to apply for building permits or restaurant licenses.  Some might say that last response is booth dirty pool, and a violation of certain liberties granted in the U.S. Constitution.

That is the Chick-Fil-A controversy in an oversimplified nutshell.  So instead of weighting in and giving my opinion I thought I would provide four links to articles which I found helpful in sorting my thoughts on the issue.   As always I can not vouch for everything associated with the linked pages, so use them at your own discretion.  The links are as follows:

Religious Liberty Under Threat

Lies in the Press

Chick-Fil-A Day

Government Power Regulating Business Based on Political Spending

 

For those of you interested in the actual numbers, here are the organizations Chick-Fil-A supported (including dollar amounts) in 2010. The total comes to $1,974,380.

  • Marriage & Family Foundation: $1,188,380
  • Fellowship Of Christian Athletes: $480,000
  • National Christian Foundation: $247,500
  • New Mexico Christian Foundation: $54,000
  • Exodus International: $1,000
  • Family Research Council: $1,000
  • Georgia Family Council: $2,500

 

 

 

Filed Under: Current Issues, Politics, Uncategorized

Fifty From The Pulpit

July 13, 2012 by Jason

Why Christians Need to Address Fifty Shades

 

The last time I was scheduled to preach I did something which might be considered a little unusual. No, I didn’t wear mismatched socks, nor did I don a bow tie.  Both might be considered a little out of the ordinary for my character, but not necessarily the variety of unusual I am talking about.  The surprising event I am referring to is the fact I took ten minutes away from my allotted time to preach, and used that time to talk about a book.  What makes this even more unusual is the aforementioned book had absolutely nothing to do with God, the Gospel, or the Bible.

You’re probably wondering what secular book would warrant stealing some precious preaching time in order to discuss.  Unless you live in the back woods, where television and internet connectivity are nonexistent, you probably have a pretty good idea what book I am talking about.  The E. L. James Fifty Shades trilogy has become a cultural phenomenon of monstrous proportions.  The trilogy has occupied the top three spots on the New York Times bestseller list for months, and has become the fastest-selling series of all time.  We are talking some big numbers here folks.  To put things into perspective, it is bigger than J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.  However, unlike the Harry Potter series, Fifty Shades was definitely not written for children or tweens.  It has been marketed as “erotic fiction”, and is famous (or infamous) for its graphic depiction of BDSM (bondage – domination – sadism – masochism).  In other words – it’s porn.

Deciding to take time out of our Sunday service to talk about a book, which is essentially porn, was an easy decision to make.  Please do not mistake my last comment to mean we didn’t first count the cost of our decision.  We most assuredly did.  Human nature and curiosity being what they are you always run the risk of opening a door of temptation for those who want to “confirm” what you are saying is true. However, we felt the benefit of helping spare just one person the hurt caused by porn, far outweighed the potential risk.

Another reason for addressing the Fifty Shades series from the pulpit, is that this issue will likely not be going away anytime soon.  Oh, I am sure in the not too distant future E. L. James’ books will be but a footnote, if that, in our literary history.  However, mark my words, her books are just the beginning of what is to come.  In the same way Harry Potter and Twilight Saga marked the insurgence of supernatural and vampire themed books marketed to tweens, so too will the Fifty Shades series mark the influx of “acceptable” and “Chic” porn marketed to women.  One cashier at a national book chain I frequent, confided in me that they could not stock the shelves fast enough.  Don’t tell me the publishers are not sitting up and taking notice.

If you are observant, you may have already noticed that there has been a definite trajectory in our culture to the issue of porn.  Books that could only be found in sketchy “specialty stores” slowly began to find their way onto nondescript shelves in secluded dark corners of mainstream bookstores.  Now, these same books are being promoted and prominently displayed by the cash registers for quick and easy purchase.  Material once though shameful to possess is now being openly celebrated and endorsed by neighbors, friends, and family.  Porn has since lost its stigma and has become acceptable, trendy, and chic.  You had better believe this way of thinking will invade our local assemblies.  I would argue it already has.  The most telling statement I have heard to date was spoken by a friend who said, “I didn’t know that it was porn when I bought it.  I just can’t seem to put it down.”  Hook, line and sinker.

So when it came to that fateful Sunday, although I did address the book series in question, my goal was to target the mistaken idea of porn’s acceptability.  No one would argue that the Bible doesn’t clearly show that sexual immorality, in all its varied forms, is sin.  What people tend to forget is that the Bible also shows that sexual sin isn’t simply the physical act, but includes the actions, thoughts, and intents leading up to the actual sin (Matt 5:27-28).  Jesus singlehandedly destroyed the dividing line between thoughts and actions.  In other words making plans for, entertaining the thoughts of, or simply fantasizing about sexuality in a sinful way is a sin.

This touches the heart of what pornography is and does.  It is a fantasy world populated with images that depict sexuality in deviant, perverted, and sinful ways.  Individuals who indulge in pornography may not be “physically” participating in the sexual act being depicted, but they are just as much participants mentally, which is a sin (Matt 5:27-28).  The really sad thing is these pornographic images continue to exist in the memory of those who are sinning, to be relived long after the “show” is over and the last sentence has been read.  As Believers, the thing we can never forget is the Word tells us to be selective in what we allow into our lives (what we see, hear, and think) to ensure that they are pure and holy and ultimately pleasing to God (Psalm 101:3, Luke 11:34-36, Phil 4:8).

In closing I would like to embolden everyone, especially you leaders, to have the courage to address this issue head on.  It was both encouraging and surprising how many people thanked us afterward for being bold enough to give a word of correction and to tell them the truth.  Let me assure you it is better to address the issue and take the heat now instead of staying silent and waiting for the inevitable masses yet to come who will suffer in silence as they try to escape the iron grip of porn.

 

 

Note:  I have taken the liberty of adding a few links that may help arm you in your discussions.

Girls Gone Wise, Dr. Drew Interview, Jenny Armstron’s blog, MSMBC,

Please be warned they are not all Christian sites and I wouldn’t want to vouch for everything on their sites or all of their opinions.  Use these links for informative purposes only.

 

Filed Under: Books, Church Issues, Current Issues Tagged With: Fifty Shades of Grey, Porn

O Canada What Have We Done?

June 19, 2012 by Jason

– Warning: I am about to get a little political –

As a Canadian I love to see when we are considered a world leader in a particular discipline or field. However, I am not particularly proud to be a world leader when it comes to punishing critical examination or dissenting opinion/editorial. You are probably wondering what I am talking about. Well it is official, the government of Quebec is funding a “registry of homophobic acts”. You can read more about the registry here and here. Apparently it is the first of its kind in the world.

One of the first things you will observe, and likely call me out on, is nowhere is criticism mentioned as one of the violations deemed worthy of reporting. This is true. However, there are a few vague enough statements which are a cause for concern. The two reportable “violations” that lead me to my conclusion about punishing criticism are “any negative word” and “inappropriate media coverage”. This is just vague enough that someone could potentially find themselves on the registry if they held a conviction which was critical of, or dissenting to, any view espoused by the homosexual community. You don’t think that would happen? If this registry is open to everyone for reporting just give it time. All someone has to do is deem the communication of your conviction as “negative” and you will find yourself reported. Let’s not forget about the media. How in the world are journalists, reporters and editors going to judge what constitutes “inappropriate coverage” verses fair criticism? The truth is they will not be able to. More to the point, to avoid the potential bad optics all criticism, valid or otherwise, will likely be suppressed. I am sure this is not the intent of the registry, but it is the logical outcome.

The other question that comes to mind is what are they going to do with this list? You have a list of individuals and organizations that have committed a “reportable violation”, so what do you do with it? What becomes of those individuals and organizations on the list? If it was a private organization compiling this list it would be one thing, but this is a government funded program. I get a little nervous when the government starts making a list of who is naughty and who is nice.

I am the type of person that likes to believe the best in things and in people. I truly believe the authors of this registry desired to combat real abuse. The kind of abuse that as Christians we too should contend against with all due diligence. However, that is not what this registry will accomplish. Instead it will exacerbate existing and perceived barriers by labeling all criticism, including our Christian convictions, as homophobia. This is the last thing Canada, or the world needs.

 

P.s. Please excuse grammar and spelling mistakes. It was very late (or early depending on your point of view) when I wrote this. Feel free to point out any errors in the comments. Please do so in brotherly and sisterly lover. 🙂

 

 

Filed Under: Current Issues, Politics Tagged With: Canada, homophobic, Registry

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