Pray for our fragile freedom.

Please join me in praying for our country.

There is a U. S. Supreme Court decision pending that will have enormous implications for religious freedom in the United States. As I understand the awaiting decision, the Supreme Court of the United States of America is deciding whether law to recognize homosexual marriage will require states, which do not recognize homosexual marriage to do so. Thus, recognizing homosexual marriage will become a nationally legislated mandate. No one knows how this law, if it passes will specifically be enforced in every circumstance, and to what degree it will adversely effect religious freedom in the United States.
Religious leaders and institutions are lining up to promise civil disobedience if the new law passes. There are editorials being written lambasting religious leaders for going too far in promising civil disobedience. These editorials accuse dissenting religious leaders of being dangerous and unholy.
Businesses (wedding cake makers and pizza shop owners) who refuse to service gay weddings are learning the consequences of taking a stand against homosexual marriage (fines and penalties, anonymous death threats, and being forced to close and go into hiding). Cr
Clearly, there is a new confusing ethic emerging in our country. The present definition of marriage (between 1 man and 1 woman), which many hold to be foundational for a stable society, is being changed. And in ways still to be determined, the new definition of marriage will be enforced. Religious liberties will be challenged, threatened, and eventually lost. Religious leaders will be told what they can and cannot say. The Bible will be legislated as irrelevant or hateful.
Where do we turn to for direction?
I have assembled several resources below that I find helpful:

• Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Seminary has written dozens of articles that address the shifting sands of homosexual marriage. He may be the most precise voice among evangelicals in this matter.
• Liberty Institute - A 501c(3) nonprofit organization committed to defending and restoring religious liberty across America. They have written and submitted a brief to the Supreme Court.
• The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood - The mission of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is to set forth the teachings of the Bible about the complementary differences between men and women, created equally in the image of God, because these teachings are essential for obedience to Scripture and for the health of the family and the church.
• The Bible – There are theological views that condemn and embrace the LBGT agenda. This is conservative theological view.

I don’t choose to make my opposition to homosexual marriage my main focus. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is my main focus. The Gospel alone provides access to God and freedom from all sin and death. However, when legislation threatens religious freedom, redefines a historic biblical definition of marriage and threatens to penalize those who hold to this traditional biblical definition of marriage, then one must take a stand. May we learn how to love people with a gospel powered love without compromising, redefining, and changing the overwhelming, captivating the truth of the Gospel.

Dr. Phil Sallee, Pastor
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