FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
“WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PRIDE MONTH?”
Here is a longer blog answer to an often asked question!
Pride Month in America is a commemoration of The Stonewall uprising. Here’s a brief summary from Google:
The Stonewall uprising, also known as the Stonewall riots, was a series of spontaneous protests and demonstrations that began in the early morning of June 28, 1969, in response to a routine police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York City. Instead of the expected compliance, patrons and onlookers fought back against the police, sparking a wave of resistance that lasted for five days. The event is widely considered a pivotal moment in the history of the gay rights movement, marking a turning point from passive resistance to open activism.
How should we Christian men think about and respond to this yearly celebration of Pride Month? Here is a starting point, I’m sure you have more thoughts to offer.
Pride Month…
- Should make us think historically and recognize how far our country has come to normalizing homosexual behavior since the founding of our country. We are a country that was never 100% Christian of course but was founded on Biblical truth, morality and a clear belief in a transcendent and Holy God. For most of our history the USA saw homosexuality as immoral and counterproductive to culture, and it was therefore outlawed. So, this event in 1969 and the institution of June as gay pride month should remind us of how recent an innovation widespread acceptance of homosexuality is in our country and should make us ask questions like: Why was homosexuality not only not celebrated earlier in our history but in fact was outlawed for much of our history? Is homosexuality good for those who are same sex attracted? Is homosexuality a good thing for our culture or any culture to be proud of? Why would our politicians ever make homosexuality a month-long celebration? Why would homosexuality ever be seen as a positive societal value? Does homosexuality help a culture to grow and develop and expand in quality and quantity as a nation?
Facts from the web: Homosexuality was removed from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) in 1973 by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). While the initial decision was made in 1973, the term “sexual orientation disturbance” was used in the DSM-II (1974), and then “ego-dystonic homosexuality” was used in DSM-III (1980). It wasn’t until the DSM-III-R in 1987 that homosexuality was completely removed without any related diagnosis.
Pride Month…
- Should make us think Biblically and push us back to Biblical Teaching about homosexuality to see what the Bible says about it.
Leviticus 18:22
22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Leviticus 20:13
13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
Romans 1:26-27
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteouswill not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Timothy 1:9-10
9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,
Since the Bible is our ultimate authority from God, we must take this position on homosexuality no matter what we might feel about this subject or particular individuals (even family members) we know who are homosexuals. There is no way this practice can never be justified or find Biblical sanction. Some Christian parents who find that their children have same sex attraction need to be careful that they hold to God’s truth on this subject and think about how they can still love their children without supporting their sinful behavior.
(Parents and family members see footnote at end of this blog.)
Pride Month…
- Should make us think about it logically and rationally as Bible believers and should even provoke unbelievers to think rationally about it. Rationally, homosexuality is not and never could be seen as a practice or institution that could advance any culture. If it were practiced by a large portion of the population the result would be such a low birth rate that a nation would cease to exist. In addition, if one’s starting point is atheistic evolution as the origin of all things including human beings, even atheistic evolution provides no support for the practice of homosexuality. Evolution thrives on the (unproven but assumed) principle of the natural replication of life. Homosexuality is not in any way a practice that even evolution would produce because it would not lead to the reproduction of the human species. Essentially, even from a secular standpoint, homosexuality is an irrational behavior which does not promote human flourishing. Why, therefore, would we in America or any country be proud about this practice?
Pride Month…
- Should prepare us ahead of time to think about how we should interact with homosexuals who might ask us if we are celebrating Pride Month, and what we would say to homosexuals when/if asked what our position is on it. We should interact with homosexuals as we would with any other sinner outside of Christ, in a kind and carrying way, but always ready to speak of God’s best ways for us to flourish as human beings, which is being in line with His laws and morals.
We should seek to present Christ to people identifying in this way and seek to love them while not condoning their behavior and praying for them because of how they are rebelling against God and harming themselves with this behavior.
1 Peter 3:13-15 esv
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Pride Month…
- Should make us remember to never confuse so called “Same Sex Marriage” as Biblical Marriage. Though our country has approved of SS Marriage, Christians could never actually approve of it as being in line with the Bible. Our legislators could have called same sex unions a “civil union” with legal implications, but to call same sex unions as “marriage” is something that Christians simply cannot do. Marriage as God defines it is the union of one man and one woman for life.
Genesis 2:24 esv
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Pride Month…
- Should make us think about pride and how human pride is one of the greatest stumbling blocks in life and completely dishonoring to God. To be proud about what the Bible calls an abomination, a horrible sin, is to be foolishly twice wrong.
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Pride Month…
- Should cause us as fathers to prepare to tell our children that this practice is Biblically wrong, an affront to God and at the same time damaging to people themselves who practice it. To consciously engage in sin in rebellion against God is to invite God’s discipline (for Christians) and judgment (for unbelievers) upon themselves. Every father will in fact have to tell their children that this practice is sinful, an abomination to God, and horribly damaging to those who practice it. Dads, save this blog for later reference and don’t hesitate to tell your children that the way to live a great life, a God honoring and fulfilling life, is to follow His good commandments! The way is narrow, but it is the way of life! We can love and be kind to the sinner while not justifying and accepting the sin.
1 Peter 2:9-12
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
That we might fulfill our high calling in Christ,
Pete Alwinson
**
Message to Parents and Family members about how to relate to their children who are moving or who have moved into a same sex attracted lifestyle. I have often been asked many questions about how to relate to their children or family members in various circumstances. Here are some short responses I have given to many people that summarize long conversations with them over this very painful situation. If you are going through this situation right now, know that I do sense how incredibly difficult this is, having walked through this with many families.
- I am so sorry that your child/family member has gone in this direction in life and I know it is a major trial for you and your family. We do live in a broken world and even children raised in good Christian homes are drawn into sin and compromise with the world. I will be praying for you!
- As a Christian parent of course you love your children, but you cannot send the message that you can or will condone their new lifestyle choice. You must tell them that based on Scripture this lifestyle is not the answer to their inner needs or longings, but only a deeper relationship with God will meet their needs and help them to grow in a healthy manner and flourish as a person. You must tell them that you will always love them, but that you will not be able to accept their lifestyle as acceptable before God or good for them. They do need to repent and turn back to God, who will forgive them and renew and strengthen them.
- If they say, “But I feel this is God’s will for me”, you can only respond that God would never say something in the Bible that He would contradict in a direct personal message to them. What they are hearing is not a message from God. In addition, we cannot live a good and godly life from our feelings and emotions, which often change many times during the day. We must live our life based on the truth of the Bible and seek the Holy Spirit’s power to follow God’s narrow path for us. Of course, we need good Christian friends to help us stay on the straight and narrow!
- When it comes to family gatherings, no, you do not have to include the same sex partner of your child into those gatherings, like birthday parties, Thanksgiving and Christmas etc. And I submit, you should not. In fact, because extended Christian families usually have many grandchildren of heterosexual couples following Christ, you do not want to confuse your grandchildren by accepting a same-sex couple into family gatherings as if this is normal. Same sex couples may be normal to our broken and fallen society, but it is not normal for Christian homes.
- When your same sex coupled child comes to town you should allow your child to come into your home? Yes! Your children are always your children. Do you have to have the same sex partner come into your home? No. Do you have to allow a same sex couple sleep in your house in the same bedroom. No. You have every right to not allow what God calls an abomination into your house. In fact, I counsel you not to.
- Dads, if asked to walk your child down the isle in a same sex marriage, the answer should be “I love you but no I cannot do that.” How can a Christian man support by this act a relationship that God condemns and will be harmful for his child? You cannot. Do you even need to go to the service of a same sex union? My conviction, as painful as it is, is that I could not do that. I could go to a reception afterward perhaps.
- No, you do not need to go to the wedding service of your relative that is going to be married in a same sex marriage. As I have said, a same sex union is not marriage in the Biblical sense. You might of course, lose approval from family members for not going to the same sex ceremony, but you do not have to go, and it makes a huge statement that you do not go. You can call them or send them a card telling your family member that you’re praying for them and always available to help if need be.
- Pray for your family members involved in same sex relationships and never, never give up. Repentance can come! God is great! Remember:
James 5:16-20
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
