Accepting a difference of opinion
Dictating morality. It has been the same claim against Christianity since the time of John the Baptist. You can rarely get through an entire newspaper without reading about the moral Gestapo present in America. Now, as the state legislature considers a bill much-denounced by homosexual rights advocates, the fire only rages on. It causes one to wonder what it is about having a standard that scares so many people.
You may have been engrossed in studies lately, so let me back up. Recently, House bill 2524 was put to the floor in the state legislature and pushed forward by a 3 to 2 vote. It is a normal enough event, generally only causing a small political scuffle. The difference here is that this particular bill would ban any government entity from providing benefits to unmarried couples, including homosexual couples.
This was all it took to fire up huge debate on the house floor, where name-calling and petty, childish behavior seem to be the norm. Cohabiting, homosexual or otherwise, is against state law, so it is rather obvious why taxes should not fund such activities. But public reaction, as well as those of other legislators, is really the most fascinating aspect of the whole situation.
Rep. Steve May, R-Phoenix, has been the most outspoken legislator against the bill. Not surprising, since he is one of the few openly gay Republican representatives. Having gone on the record to call Rep. Karen Johnson, R-Mesa, a liar, an adulteress, ignorant, a thief, and an assailant of the family, he continues on to accuse her of wanting to impose a myopic and medieval agenda on the state. Local journalists have joined the act, calling the bill inspired by hate and a result of homophobia.
To Christians like myself, the fury is puzzling. Having the belief that homosexuality is a sin is not in any way dictating morality for someone else, nor is it a sign of deep-rooted homophobia. I accept the standards that I believe, in my faith, the good Lord put here for us to follow. The founding principle of this country was freedom, religious or otherwise. By choosing my way of life I affect only myself. Hasn't that been the argument used by homosexuals? Or are they suddenly reversing their position?
True moral dictatorship is when someone is not allowed to have the right to a disagreeing opinion. Johnson thinks homosexuality is wrong. Why does that frighten so many people? The same right that you have to think it is an acceptable lifestyle allows her to disagree with you. If the fact that someone has a different opinion bothers you, then examine yourself for that could be a true phobia, or maybe even a sign of instability in the beliefs you ascribe to. The only reason a belief in an absolute standard bothers people is because it convicts them in their hearts.
My parents raised me to understand and appreciate the standard, and refused to compromise in relation to it. The standard is what showed me what I was really capable of, and revealed my need for a personal relationship with the Lord, I have accepted that and am at peace. If you want to avoid this revelation, then good luck, because you will be forced to deal with it for the rest of your life.
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