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Recent actions are making it clear that there are those in government who believe that Christians can be "rehabilitated," but homosexuals cannot.
New Jersey Governor, Republican Chris Christie signed a bill Monday banning "reparative therapy" for people with same sex attractions.
He said he believes people are born that way and that homosexual sin is not sin.
He also noted that he was relying on "the advice of experts."
However, the "experts" he is referring to are not saying what he says they are saying.
Another government official is saying Christians who oppose homosexual behavior on the grounds of their Christian and biblical faith should be "rehabilitated."
Christie's bill is almost identical to a couple of bills in California.
The Christie matter is of particular importance in that he will likely run for president in the next election and the Republican Party, should he be nominated, will tell Christians that although we do not agree with him on everything, he is "better than the alternative," whomever that may be---probably Hillary Clinton.
That's what they said about Dole, McCain and Romney. They'll say it again. Christie is also pro-abortion.
But these actions touch on an even more important issue. Religious freedom. These actions hit at the very heart of Christianity itself, which is a message of redemption.
The American Psychological Association Task Force report, to which Christie refers, actually says, "There is no evidence of benefit of change therapy and there's no research at all with regards to minors."
Pacific Justice Institute has filed suit against similar laws in California.
Brad Dacus, with PJI, says this is both a religious issue and a free speech issue.
I agree.
He says, "The question here isn't if sexuality comes from birth or not; the question is 'Should we allow the government to restrict religious and constitutional freedoms because a forceful LGBT lobby says we should?' The answer is a resounding 'No'."
There is another part of this action taken by Christie and others.
Pastor Robert Jefferess, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, TX., raised earlier this week.
In regards to Chris Christie signing this bill into law, Pastor Jefferess said, "Think about the hypocrisy of this. Chris Christie signs a bill banning gay-conversion therapy. So he is saying it is illegal and wrong to try to change the orientation of a person from gay to straight---But [in Oregon] you have people who are trying to change and convert people from heterosexual to the homosexual agenda. Apparently that kind of 'rehabilitation' is okay."
The "people" in Oregon whom he mentions is the state government.
Remember "Sweet Cakes by Melissa" in Gresham Oregon? A lesbian couple wanted them to cater their "wedding". The owners, Aaron and Melissa Klein, are biblical Christians. They declined the lesbian business on the grounds of their biblical belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. A deeply held religious belief---a matter of conscience.
The lesbians filed a formal complaint against the Kleins.
The Oregon Bureau of Labor is investigating the issue.
The Oregonian quotes the Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian as saying, "The goal is never to shut down a business. The goal is to rehabilitate."
He hopes he doesn't have to shut down their business because they acted on their religious beliefs. He would rather "rehabilitate" them.
Rehabilitate biblical Christians.
Abvakian said, "We want them to learn from that experience."
One of the attacks we consistently hear toward biblical Christians is that we are "intolerant" because we believe in absolute biblical Truth. We believe in unchanging Truth and principles as taught in the Bible, as opposed to "evolving progressive truths."
We are becoming accustomed to being labeled as "extreme" and "bigoted" for these beliefs.
This, however, takes these attacks to the next level.
The word "rehabilitation" suggests a sickness or ailment. "Rehabilitation" is what the government programs attempt for drug addicts and hardened criminals.
What will happen to Aaron and Melissa if they refuse "rehab" or are not successfully "rehabilitated" and fail to change their beliefs?
The idea of "rehabilitating" Christians because they accept biblical teaching on homosexual behavior strikes at the very heart of the Christian message---the gospel.
The message of Christianity is redemption and Amazing Grace---"I once was lost, but now I'm found; was blind, but now I see."
This is not the America Noah Webster and the other Founders knew and envisioned.
Noah Webster said, "No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people."
Secular progressives are brick by brick, stone by stone, dismantling the greatest nation in the history of the world.
They are incrementally undermining the foundations of our liberty as they continue to erode our religious freedom.
People of faith must awaken.
This is why I write this column every day. It is why I am on the radio every day.
Thank you for standing with me.
Be Vigilant. Be Informed. Be Active. Be Bold. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
