Ballot Measure 36....A Moral Fence

By Terry Cowan

If Oregon Ballot Measure 36 fails, even fig leaves won’t cover humanity’s nakedness. This is Terry Cowan with a KNLR Commentary. This commentary contains material which some parents may find unsuitable for young listeners.

Opponents of same-sex marriage have often been ridiculed by those in favor of same-sex marriage for predicting what would happen if same-sex marriage is condoned by society. Speculation is no longer necessary since the State of Massachusetts approved same-sex marriage this past May.

On All Things Considered, NPR, National Public Radio, featured a story on sex-education in Massachusetts. NPR said sex-education as long been a controversial subject, but this year there is a new element to the debate since the Supreme Court of Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage. Some same-sex advocates say teachers have an obligation to talk more about gay and lesbian relationships. Seventeen year-old high school senior Sam Zeegus said that before same-sex marriage was approved it made it a lot harder for him to accept himself as gay and come out of the closet. It all changed when same-sex marriage became legal. Zeegus said legalization sends a message from the government of Massachusetts saying homosexuality is now part of the social norm."

Massachusetts teachers in favor of same-sex marriage are re-vamping the curriculum to position homosexuality as normal. According to the NPR report, Deb Allen teaches 8th grade sex-ed and has pictures of her lesbian partner and their kids on her desk and gay equality signs on the wall. She has taught a "gay-friendly" curriculum for years, but with same sex-marriage now legal feels bolder. She said that "Kids are asking, what is gay sex?" As part of her curriculum, she asks them, "Can a woman and a woman kiss and hug?" The kids answer yes. Allen then asks, "Can a woman and a woman have intercourse". The kids answer "no". But then Allen says: "Hold it. Of course they can" and goes on to explain how and discuss it. Now the kids answer yes. Sex-ed taught in the moral vacuum of the Deb Allens of this world knows no boundaries. Anything possible is permissible.

Ballot Measure 36 won’t abolish homosexuality or prohibit same-sex couples from living together. But it withholds the government’s endorsement of same-sex relationships, something desperately desired by the homosexual community. The lack of a legal endorsement by government acts a boundary, a fence if you will, that will keep some of society from the precipice of gross immorality.

Because God has forbidden sexual relationships outside of marriage between one man and one woman, we have a moral mandate to vote Yes on Oregon Ballot Measure 36.

 

YES ON 36

By Terry Cowan

This is Terry Cowan urging you to continue to battle for marriage in Oregon. Both Christians and non-Christians have an interest in affirming marriage to be the union of one man and one woman.

First and foremost as Christians we recognize the authority of our creator God to govern His creation and to require certain behaviors and to prohibit certain behaviors. We also recognize that God’s authority extends over every human being, not just Christians.

In the very act of creation God created two very similar but different human beings: man and woman. Man and woman are the very foundation of the family; incomplete in themselves but together achieving the ability to create and nurture a family.

Society benefits from good marriages and good homes. The consequences of sexual sin are apparent: broken marriages, divided families, sexual addictions, poverty-stricken single mothers and sexually transmitted diseases all which increases the burden of civil government and public and private social agencies.

For these reasons, both Christians and non-Christians have an interest in affirming marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Those opposed to measure 36 claim it discriminates against persons. Clever, but not true. Measure 36 applies to all people in Oregon. Measure 36 means that if you are marrying in Oregon, you can only marry someone from the opposite sex, which after all, is what marriage is all about.

Oregon law already defines marriage to be between a man and woman. Ballot Measure 36 would write that definition into the Oregon Constitution something the writers of the Oregon Constitution never dreamed necessary.

For free lawn signs and bumper stickers to show your support for Measure 36 or a DVD to explain Measure 36 to family and friends, come by our studios, Monday through Friday during business hours or order on-line at knlr.com. Remember, Vote Yes on 36. Keep Marriage in Oregon One Man One Woman. Anything else is just not marriage.

O'Hara Catholic School

A lesbian couple in Eugene have filed a lawsuit against O’Hara Catholic school after school officials declined to admit one partner’s daughter. This is Terry Cowan with a KNLR Commentary.

Lee Inkmann, along with her partner, Trish Wilson, claim the denial came because they are gay. They are seeking up to $550,000 in damages on behalf of the girl. The couple's attorney, Martha Walters, said she thinks the private school meets the definition of a place of public accommodation. According to Walters, that makes it subject to Eugene's city code, which forbids discrimination based on sex, marital status, domestic partnership status or sexual orientation.

Whether Walters is correct or not, O’Hara Catholic school is being dragged into court on an issue with irreconcilable differences. Never mind that O’Hara is a Catholic school. And Catholic teaching, following Biblical teaching condemns homosexuality as sin. Inkmann and Wilson should know that children who attend O’Hara will be taught that homosexuality is morally wrong which it goes without saying opposes their lifestyle. Which raises the question, why did they attempt to enroll the child in the first place? Suppose O'Hara had accepted the child as a student. Suppose the child was taught that a family is a mother and father not a mother and a mother. Suppose the child was taught that homosexuality is sin. Now what would Inkmann and Wilson do? Sue the school for teaching hate?

Homosexuality and Biblical teaching are on a head-on collision course. People must recognize homosexuality for the immorality and perverseness it is and reject it or there will be a continuing battle to muzzle the church and persecute its leaders by a very small but very vocal group of people. There is no middle ground. Already a pastor in England and one in Sweden have been arrested for preaching that homosexuality is sin. If the present trend is not reversed, it is only a matter of time until pastors in America will be threatened and then imprisoned for teaching that homosexuality is sin.

But the church has no choice. It must declare the whole counsel of God…not just the portions with which people agree. And love demands that the church speaks the truth. And the truth is that persons who engage in homosexual activity must, like every one of us, repent and be cleansed of our sin if we will enter the kingdom of God.

If Bend’s Equal Rights Ordinance is not repealed one can expect that St. Francis School or Trinity Lutheran School or High Desert Christian College will sooner or later face the same challenge.

Another campaign to place the ordinance on the ballot so it can be repealed is in order. As well as replacing the four city councilors who are up for re-election with councilors who know right from wrong and are not afraid to stand up for what is right.

 

Civil Rights or Denial of Rights

    Civil rights or denial of rights? This is Terry Cowan with a KNLR Commentary. If you have not yet examined the City of Bend’s proposed "civil rights" ordinance I urge you to do so and then voice opposition to such an immoral ordinance which would deprive residents and businesses owners the freedom to make business decisions based on morality. This ill-conceived ordinance by the pro-gay Human Dignity Coalition and City Councilor John Hummel would make it unlawful for a person to decline to rent to couples who are living in sexual immorality, be it a man and woman shacking up, or homosexual or bisexual couples. It would be unlawful for an employer to refuse to hire a person based upon their sexual behavior. One can only imagine the liability such an ordinance will create. The potential for lawsuits is staggering. If a person believes he or she is denied a job or declined housing because of his or her sexual lifestyle expect a lawsuit. And expect to go bankrupt defending yourself against it.
    This kind of ordinance goes beyond civil rights and protected classes. Civil rights and anti-discrimination laws are based upon several factors. A documented history of widespread discrimination, such as Afro-Americans experienced. A documented history of economic disadvantage. And most importantly, discernable unchangeable features such as gender or color of skin. Behavior is no basis for civil rights and anti-discrimination laws.
    The proposed Bend Ordinance fails every one of the classic tests. First, there is no documented history of discrimination against gays and lesbians in Bend. Proponents of the ordinance cite the punching of a gay man dancing with another man at a nightclub last summer as evidence of intimidation. But current law already deals with assault. Second, homosexuals as a class have not documented that they are economically disadvantaged. In fact some studies show homosexuals enjoy above average incomes. Third, homosexuality is a behavior and not an unchangeable feature or attribute.
    The proposed ordinance is an assault on First Amendment Rights: the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of speech. People who oppose homosexual behavior do so for moral reasons which flow from sincerely held religious convictions based upon God's commandments and 4000 years of Judeo-Christian tradition. To take away these rights and give them to a group of people who violate God's commandments and the fundamental structure of society is unwarranted, unreasonable and untenable and will lead to chaos in society and ultimately judgment by a Holy God. For these reasons the Bend City Councilors should abandon any notion of enacting such an ordinance.

Bend Gay-Rights 

Bend residents and business owners may be required to accept homosexual, bisexual and transsexual behavior. This is Terry Cowan with a KNLR Commentary. The Bend City Council is considering an ordinance which if passed would make it illegal to deny a job, a room or even a meal to someone in Bend because of sexual orientation or preference.

While an exemption for renting building space is made for churches and religious organizations there is no exemption for hiring thus prohibiting a church or religious school from rejecting applicants based upon sexual behavior. Presumably this means that youth workers, children's workers and teachers could be homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals or transvestites and there wouldn't be anything you could do about it.

The proposed ordinance has another particularly onerous provision....the inability to deny service to or trade with someone based upon the source of his or her income. This means that a contractor who is opposed to abortion would break the law if he refused to build a house for a doctor because he or she performs abortions.

The provisions of this ordinance dealing with sexual preference is based on a person's chosen behavior or beliefs; not upon any discernable physical difference or color of skin. Although deviant sexual behavior is sometimes claimed to be genetic there is no scientific basis for such a claim. If discrimination is based upon behavior then why not protect a robber or murderer or pedophile? Fortunately these behaviors are not protected. And they are not protected because they are morally wrong just as deviant sexual behavior is wrong.

Foisting such an ordinance upon members of society who are opposed homosexuality will discriminate against them, deny them of First Amendment Rights and clog our courts with good people whose only crime is opposing evil.

There is still time to act. Make sure your friends and neighbors know about this ordinance. Write, email or call the Bend City Councilors and let them know that your are absolutely opposed to the ordinance. And pray. This is a spiritual battle.

For a copy of the proposed ordinance or email addresses of Bend City Councilors visit our website, knlr.com

 

"Super Bowl Sin"  by Terry Cowan

The antics of Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake during the Super Bowl half-time program may be shocking but not surprising.  When singer Justin Timberlake reached across Janet Jackson's leather gladiator outfit and pulled off clothing exposing her right breast it was just another taboo broken by unbridled sensuality. In a culture which by and large has rejected moral absolutes it was bound to happen.

Viewers with even the slightest notion of what is right and wrong were outraged by such behavior and rightly so. And while phone calls to CBS, the Federal Communications Commission and even the White House decrying such public behavior may be helpful we should not expect an immediate return to decency. In fact we may expect even more shocking behavior in the future. While many people may be upset with certain behaviors never-the-less they lack the moral fiber and moral basis to demand an end to indecency.

What is the basis for decency? If you reject the notion that Scripture is the final and absolute authority for belief and behavior you are left with only a "consensus" of morality and decency...and at this year's super bowl it was the immorality and indecency of Janet and Justin.

Christians must lead the way when it comes to morality. It is our duty as citizens of the kingdom of God. Furthermore, we are the only ones who both know God's righteous demands and possess the power of the Holy Spirit to obey them. The lack of strong Biblical morality among believers fosters immorality among unbelievers. How are Christian men who engage in pornography different from Justin Timberlake? How are Christian women whose clothes reveal almost everything different from Janet Jackson? Because of sin in the Church, the church shares responsibility for what happened at the Super Bowl.   Christians must recapture a sense of the holiness of God, repent of our sinfulness and ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse our hearts and change our behaviors. Only when the church reflects the holiness of God will it once again be salt and light in the culture.

 

"It is Written"  by  Terry Cowan

    Once called the "most dangerous man in the American Church" by one of his peers Reverend V. Gene Robinson has been confirmed as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Robinson was elected Bishop of New Hampshire on June 7th and was recently approved by the House of Deputies and House of Bishops causing a deep division in the church.

    Bishop Robinson said his opponents were right that the decision was contrary to the church's traditional teaching against homosexuality. But he also said "Just simply to say that it goes against tradition and the teaching of the church and Scripture does not necessarily make it wrong. We worship a living God and that living God leads us into truth."

    What? Does Bishop Robinson believe that God has changed His mind and revealed something new to him and the Episcopal Church?  Does Bishop Robinson believe that although Scripture forbids us to lie, steal or murder God has changed his mind about that too?

    It is astounding that almost 2 to 1, the House of Deputies approved the election of Bishop Robinson. Do they also agree that God has changed His mind or that He doesn’t really mean what is said in Scripture? This is the same lie Satan implied when he asked Eve in the Garden, "Did God really say?"

    The action by the United States branch of the Episcopal Church reminds us of what the Apostle Paul wrote: "Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." Romans 1:32

    The Bishop’s confirmation was held up for several days when a parishioner in Vermont alleged that Robinson had improperly touched him and that the Bishop was affiliated with a youth organization whose web site had an indirect link to pornography on the Internet. A committee investigation exonerated Robinson of any wrongdoing.

    Wrongdoing? No investigation was necessary. By Robinson's own reasoning there is no such thing as improper touching. Pornography is not necessarily wrong either.

    Robinson's peers launched their investigation because in their heart of hearts, they knew, just like Robinson and every other human being knows that some things are right and some things are wrong.

    During the last century Americans began toying with relativism, situational ethics and selective obedience. Professing Christians have rejected many Biblical directives as "legalism" preferring grace and freedom. Divorce and sex outside of marriage once considered wrong by non-Christians is openly practiced by some professing Christians often without being disciplined by the church they attend. In Isaiah 5:20 we read "Woe to them who call evil good and good evil."

    A church faithful to the scriptures would have defrocked a pastor when he divorced his wife and abandoned his family. Most surely he would have been defrocked when he began a sexual relationship with a man or a woman not his wife. Having failed to do so, the Episcopal Church lacked the moral currency to reject the confirmation of Reverend Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire.

    Perhaps Robinson's leadership in his church and his homosexual lifestyle shocks us not because Scripture condemns it but because we find it unnatural, disgusting and revolting. If we find it tolerable for an unmarried man and woman to live together in a sexual relationship but intolerable for two men to live together in a sexual relationship our beliefs are no better than Robinson’s and those who elected and approved him.  Right and wrong are not based upon likes and dislikes, but the unchanging Word of God. 

    The question "Did God really say?" can only be answered with the words of Jesus…"It is written."