Matchbox said:
It's also terrifying that some people lump all of these beliefs under the Christian label, which in turn causes confusion. There are a lot of wackos who call themselves Christians, but that doesn't make it so. I think people really need to grasp that concept.
Exactly; even Scripture itself says "not everyone who names the name of Christ is a follower". Another problem, in my opinion, is the general expectation people have of Christians. Society expects us to be super-clean, self-righteous, holier-than-thou people with lots of chips on our shoulders. We're also expected to always be nice, courteous, passive, and non-confrontational, no matter what.
But there's one crucial detail many (even other Christians) have forgotten or ignored:
we're in a war. And as the Bible says, our enemy is not one of flesh and blood, but rather wicked spirits, powers of darkness, and all the temptations of hell. That's our enemy, and it's from those forces we seek to save people from. Unfortunately, the truth remains that "you can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved", and that's something even the most Godly soldiers sometimes forget.
However, in fighting this war, we are called by God Almighty to confront the enemy on every sacred level. But Satan doesn't want to lose, even though he knows his destiny's already been set. So, he's determined to bring as many to his side as possible, before the Final War, when even he will have to acknowledge Christ as Lord.
It's because of this ongoing conflict, that we stand against things the world system calls proper or acceptable. We're to be in the world, but not of it where the heart is concerned. That's why we stand against a godless society bent on removing Christ from schools, or granting equal marital rights for homosexuals. It's why we fight to have the Commandments reinstated on government property, and confront the entertainment industry over content and spiritual issues...each fight is one more step to our ultimate charge: serving as God's army, tasked with keeping Him at the forefront, no matter the opposition. But so many would rather stay away from the conflict through fear, or try to do everything on their own...which is why we have disillusioned extremists using Jesus as a shield for ungodly behavior.
Just recently my son Bobby came out to me. I had been worried for awhile. His teachers said most of his grades were slipping and he seemed depressed and withdrawn.
Bobby said he'd been hiding it for awhile because he was afraid I would reject him. I sat him down and told him that I loved him and that God loved him, but that his salvation was in danger if he did not resist his unnatural temptations. I told him how being gay would mean he would live a shorter life, and that if he couldn't change his orientation he could be celibate like most the ex-gays are. He started crying saying something along the lines of "I knew you wouldn't understand! You're just like everyone else!" before running to his room and slamming the door.
What did I do wrong? I don't want to lose my son, but I fear I already have. I talked it over with his therapist, who had the ludicrous idea that homosexuality was unchangeable and that trying to repress could lead to lots of psychological damage (I've dropped him and will try to be finding another therapist with more moral beliefs). I wouldn't be surprised if he's the one who's feeding my son all the homosexual propaganda about how its 'ok' to be gay. That, or how homosexuality has engulfed the media, making it seem 'cool' and 'hip' and how they were just another oppressed minority. You didn't have to worry about seeing two men making out on TV at my age! I dint want to sound like a fanatic, but I'm worried what other effects will come out of this increasingly secular, immoral society obsessed with filth.
Am I too late, or is it possible to save my son? (Note: the boy eventually took his own life.)
The bolded section was the big problem right there. That father was likely well-intentioned, but severely misguided, and that led to a terrible tragedy.
Homosexuality is 100% wrong, but it alone will not send a person to hell. Only rejection of Jesus Christ will do that. Telling the boy, in essence, "You'll go to hell unless you're straight" is likely what upset his son the most. Also, what source did this guy cite, saying gays always live shorter lives? It's true that many STDs are spread through homosexual contact, but that's no reason to claim "you'll die early if you're gay".
Finally, the comment about celibacy and ex-gays wasn't good, either. The kid's shrink had probably been fueling his confusion with the whole "okay to be gay" crap, so his father was right to seek other input...but when the kid becomes convinced of it as well, being blunt sounds more like a personal attack, than sincere help. The only way a person can be freed of homosexuality is if he or she truly desires to be freed, and is willing to fight hard for that freedom. Like any other sin, Satan won't let go easily. He'll tempt them at every turn, trying to get them back on his side. And that's when they need the love of Christ the most. They won't go to a side that automatically condemns them as a person, when the enemy has already claimed to "love" them. What they need is God's love for them as individuals. They do need to realize God doesn't approve of their choice, but He still loves them anyways...and He will guide them through every problem they face, if they'll simply trust in Him.
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