Article by Cameron Spink

 

The blowtorch has turned on Frankston's MP Geoff Shaw when he equated homosexuality to excessively speeding or child molesting. His point was that there are some things that are not permissible to us because of the extreme dangers of participating in them.

 

Now, of course, the young man who he wrote this letter to was offended by his response. No doubt MP Shaw will be labelled "hateful" or "bigoted" etc... However, these people are missing the plot entirely.

 

I seriously believe Geoff Shaw is actually attempting to make a difference to this young man. No doubt his advice will be rejected but one can't help but try. After all, his advice is quite sound if you think about it. Homosexuality leads to a lower life expectancy, it leads to a more likely chance of abuse and worst of all a homosexual lifestyle leads to sin and a departure from God.

 

Now this is why many homosexuals want to have nothing to do with God. They see Him as condemning their lifestyle and their "free" choices. However, this is not a freedom that should be sought after. Sin is slavery, whether it is in the form of homosexuality, or greed, or pornography, or ambition.

 

Now, of course, Mr Shaw's language has been labelled "hateful" and "oppressive" by groups like Way Out. These groups do not understand the damage they are doing with the message they are portraying to young people who are struggling with homosexuality. Their intentions may be good but a lot of evil things are done with good intentions.

 

If you say something out of love and biblical integrity you should not be discouraged by the response you get. Whether it is by people labelling you hateful or un-Christian. The truth has its detractors but it can stand against the strongest gale.

 

The main argument against "homophobes" like Shaw and is that he causes youth with homosexual tendencies to contemplate committing suicide. This is a poor and deceiving argument. Bill Muehlenberg debunks it this way:

 

It is quite common for homosexual activists to blame suicide in their ranks on 'homophobia'. 'If we would just be more tolerant and accepting of homosexuals, these rates would drop' they claim. But are these claims in fact true? The evidence seems to suggest that they are not.

A simple way to test this is to look at places where homosexuality is very much accepted, such as in nations like Holland, or cities like San Francisco. One would expect less suicide and other mental health problems amongst homosexuals in these places. But that is not the case. There is as much if not more suicide and related problems in these localities. So homophobia cannot be to blame....

Homosexuality is a very risky and unhealthy lifestyle. Instead of using our schools to force-feed kids pro-homosexual propaganda, we should use them to tell young people the truth about this harmful lifestyle. Such people need help and they need truth. They do not need more encouragement to further move into this dangerous lifestyle.

Just What is Behind These Suicides? - Bill Muehlenberg

You cannot take how a person will take the message of the gospel. Some will relish the chance to realise that they are not imprisoned by their sin anymore. Unfortunately, others will reject this message. Many others.

 

This message of redemption is not one that should cause people to despair. It is a message of hope, love and life beyond our circumstances. There is nothing hateful about the implications of Jesus' sacrifice.

 

My sins are as numerous as any homosexual or child molester, yet, I am saved and my identity is not found in my sin. This is not through my actions, it is not through my complete knowledge of the Bible. It is through my faith and my humility to a God who saves.

 

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mp-outrages-gay-constituent-with-child-molester-analogy-20110507-1edg0.html

 

http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2010/10/21/just-what-is-behind-these-suicides/