The secular world that we live often promotes acceptance and tolerance of other cultures and ways. While there is nothing wrong with acceptance of others, we must be careful about the overall outcome of this quickly growing phenomenon among secular progressives. Of course as a Christian, the Bible does teach acceptance and love toward others in general and Jesus often told people to love each other and forgive each other.

However, this teaching may remain, but the basis behind the teaching is being attacked on a full scale mode of operation by almost every culture in the civilized world. While everyone, or most everyone will agree that Jesus was right in teaching people to have love for one another, Jesus himself as well as other Biblical references and important scriptures are under siege.

I knew that one day when the world got bad enough, someone would recommend changing the Bible to their point of view instead of reading it for what it is - God's infallible Holy inspired word. If you haven't already heard, famous pop star Sir Elton John recently made the negative comments regarding not just Christianity, but all religion in general. Elton John stated that religion in general, whether it be Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, or whatever, "encourages hate" and he also stated that "From my point of view I would ban all religion completely".

Mr. Elton John was, of course, referring to most religions talking negatively about homosexuality. Christianity and Islam both see homosexuality as an abomination, but only one of those religions actually puts people to death for it. Of course it does say in Leviticus that homosexuals should be put to death. Muslims take this seriously to this day even though their religion is different.

Many do not understand why this particular verse in Leviticus says to put homosexuals to death. Remember that the Bible is the inspired word of God. In this verse it reads:

'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.(Leviticus 20:13 - NIV)Now many do not understand that this was what God was telling Moses. While we may not actually punish people like this anymore, we still use this verse as a prime example of how serious sin is to God and God will not tolerate sin. God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His attitude and tolerance towards any sin never changes. It remains steadfast for eternity. This not only includes homosexuality, it generally includes all sin. There are other verses where homosexuality is singled out as well as 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 : "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (NIV)

Remember that Romans 6:23 says "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord". That means all will die for their sins. There is not a single person on earth who has not sinned and will face death because of it, but God does give the opportunity of forgiveness through His son Jesus Christ for all who may ask of it.

However, given the opportunity, these verses may change. Recently some German scholars have created a "politically correct" version of the Bible in order to appeal to feminists and homosexuals. Now, I have a heard of the controversial "gender - neutral" Bible that apparently went nowhere because the Bible is not gender neutral. This new controversial Bible is worse that the gender neutral one in that it never refers to God the father in Heaven. It refers to God as father and mother. Now, reading through the scriptures, how many times do you remember Jesus praying or giving thanks to His mother in Heaven? No, it was His FATHER"S will, his FATHER's kingdom. Of course Jesus had a earthly mother (Mary), but He never referred to Heavenly Mother. As a matter of fact there is not one verse in the entire Bible, cover to cover, that even mentions a female authority. Every mentioning of God in the Bible is strictly described in one way or another as being male.

Now, political correctness has even taken hold of the Word of God. This new Bible even depicts Jesus feeding the multitude with hamburgers instead of with loaves and fish. I sure hope this new Bible never makes it. I feel confident that the Southern Baptist Convention will vote to keep out of Baptist churches and away from children. I never thought that I would see the day when I would ask someone not to read a Bible. That just goes to show you how corrupt, and how sinful this world really is.

The whole point of the Bible speaking negatively of sin is to encourage repentance and forgiveness, and the experience of eternal salvation, but these scholars have thwarted the original plan and they may pay a price for it. It is not my place to judge these scholars, but when I read about this scheme, I am reminded of a verse in Revelation 22:18-19 (NIV) that talks about taking away and adding to scriptures: I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

The whole world today is embracing same sex marriage as if God were dead or not watching anymore. So far we have been lucky to have enough Christians in America to take a stand for marriage and for God. Otherwise, America might have been another Sodom and Gomorrah long ago. As a matter of fact some Christians are nervous right now because of a so called "hate crimes legislation" introduced by newly elected Democrat Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey. Casey and other Democrats are planning to work with Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to ensure that homosexuality is protected under law. This might be enough edge that some gay groups could use to silence religious leaders in the pulpit. I would not be surprised by anything some of these politicians would do to silence conservative Christians and ensure that their agenda is met properly.

Not only do some politicians embrace this lifestyle, but some corporations do also. Wal-Mart just to praised for re-instating "Merry Christmas" this year, but it might not be enough to save them from an all out Christmas boycott by numerous organizations called for just that. It turns out that Wal-Mart is donating up to five percent of online sales revenue to pro-homosexual groups and that does not sit well with conservative Christian customers who will take their Christmas shopping somewhere else if Wal-Mart refuses to change this.

Apparently some churches are buying into the whole "gay is not a sin" thing as well. Recently the Episcopal Church USA Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori made the comments that God makes people gay and that Jesus was not the only way to Heaven. Now keep in mind that these are the people who are going to be teaching your kids about the Bible. It sounds like to me that these Bishops need to take a refresher course in Bible school and learn what it really says. We are seeing more and more of people making the Bible say what they want it to say rather than listening to what is already there. How can a proposed leader like this make such a statement?

While there have been people criticize churches for speaking out against abortion and homosexuality and not believe in what the Bible teaches simply because of leaders that set bad examples. The Rev. Ted haggard, for example recently stepped down after preaching against the very actions that he was involved in. This is enough to discourage Christians and non-Christians alike from coming to church, but we have to remember that we are all human and make mistakes. Rev. Haggard may be a Christian, but I believe that he got mixed up in the wrong things of the world and made some mistakes. Remember that King David was loved by God very much and he loved God very much, but his lust for another man's wife led him to adultery and murder. This is tragic, but if you read on, King David did repent and was forgiven.

Anyone can follow that path, even a Christian. Christians are not perfect. We are still sinners, but we are saved sinners and once saved, no force in existence, not even Satan himself can take that away from us. Anyone can get sidetracked and get away from God, but as we saw in King David's case, forgiveness is an option for all who ask. Is what Ted Haggard done wrong? Absolutely, but I believe that if he genuinely ask for forgiveness, he will receive it. All of us will, if we sincerely ask for it.

While homosexual acceptance is on the rise, war is raging all over, sickness and disease run rampant, and other woes befall us, there is one - God, who is still on that same throne that He was on when He created the universe. He has never changed and still seeks to forgive humanity if humanity ask for it.

REFERENCES:

ECUSA's Incoming Leader: Homosexuality Not a Choice, Jesus Not the Only Way

Gay agenda targets free speech - By Phyllis Schlafly

The new Politically Correct Bible : Jesus is not “son” of God