Words of Wisdom
Filed under: Inspiration
Nicole Lamarche, Miss California 2003 and now an ordained minister at Cotuit Federated Church in Cotuit, Mass, is speaking out.
She says:
"As a pastor and a former Miss California, I am often asked to interpret what the Word of God has to say on a particular subject. I am quite confident that God prefers that we human beings stick to speaking for ourselves. And yet there are occasions when God’s Word is used as a weapon, and I feel compelled to speak.
In the past few days, much has been made of the words of Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean. She stated that marriage is between a man and a woman. I write not in response to her opinion, but rather about her comments that followed: that the Bible condones her words. She said, 'It's not about being politically correct, it's about being biblically correct.' While this sentiment is shared by many who seek to condemn gay people and gay marriage, citing pieces of the Bible to further one’s own prejudice fails to meet the Bible on its own terms.
Most people seeking to condemn gay people point to the Book of Leviticus, where we read that men lying with men is an abomination. However, we rarely hear of other verses found in the book of Leviticus that are equally challenging. For example, Leviticus also tells us that eating shrimp and lobster is an abomination. And that a person should not wear material woven of two kinds of material—an impossible mandate for a pageant contestant!
In Paul’s letter to the community in Corinth we read, ‘For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church….’ And yet these words have not prevented Christian denominations from ordaining women, such as myself. Sadly, the Bible has been used to further prejudice throughout history. We have used it to permit ourselves to enslave people; to conquer and kill; and to denigrate the earth.
The truth is that it is difficult to know for sure the intentions of the biblical authors, but we do know something about God. Those of us who know God through Jesus of Nazareth know that he went to great lengths to express God’s love to people who were labeled as outcasts. He spent time with children, prostitutes, and lepers, all of whom were labeled as outside of the grasp of the Holy. As we continue to seek God’s vision for us as a nation grounded in a love for justice, I pray that we might move closer to the cause of grace.”
So gays are the equivalent to lepers and prostitutes?
What a crock of shit this girl is. Just another brainwashed religious fucktard.
Amen! The fact is that a sin is a sin…and we are all sinners…one doesn't trump the other; the have no order of importance. If you are a believer and accepted Jesus, you have salvation. In the bible it also says that God hates divorce! And look at all of those who do it for invalid, selfish reasons. It also says regarding marriage that the spouse that committed adultry is not to re-marry…but people do it all of the time. I think that the only thing that trumps anything in the bible is God's love of people…and I am not the judge. I truly believe people are born gay. I mean, someone could not make me desire women. And, if you live a lie all of your life, then isn't that a sin??? And since when did we uphold hold the foundations of our country: All men are created equal?? I guess it didn't apply when we owned slaves. What about the pursuit of happiness? I love the Christians who cling to their guns and look down on people…because that is exactly what Jesus would do…hold onto that gun…I think he loved weapons!!!!
she herself concedes there are so many inconsistencies in the bible. all of which lend to supporting that it's all just a bunch of B.S.
its validity comes into question with so much contradiction..even the fact that god loves everyone and is all loving.
she says u cherry picking to advance ones prejudice is wrong. well..cherry picking that god loves all and is a loving god is cherry picking too! just look at his wrath and her "mercifulness" in the old testament!
ppl! grow up! the bible was written by ppl afraid to die. it's all a crock.
get with it. "see the light"
jesus fucking christ!
CC
The bottom line is what Hilton (YOU) did was wrong. And the proof is in the pudding. Let's look at how you would feel if this happend to a homosexual female.
If an openly gay female would have been asked the same thing for her FINAL Miss California question about gay marriage and she agreed with gay marriage, as one would expect she would, would it have been acceptable for a straight judge to give her bad scores? And then call her a bitch and photo shop a hairy poo c in front of her face.
Of course not.
That would be wrong? Right? WOULD YOU BE OUTRAGED?
Do you really think this is helping yourself? I could care less about any being or not being gay. Makes no difference to me. However, showing GAY PRIDE this way is revolting and has set your cause back quite a bit; despite the attention you have received (and need).
Re: Yellow Peeps –
hi, yellow peeps (cool name!)-
i see your point fully. there are times i become so incensed and upset at injustice, especially when i read/hear about children who are kidnapped/murdered/mutilated etc. it kills me. your question is not an easy one to answer. see, God has given us free will. we are not robots. he wants us to choose Him on our own accord. and, there is evil in this world and sin. (how else can we explain the heinous things done to innocent children?). sometimes people abuse the free will God has given us by giving in to temptation, perversion, etc. Why doesn't he do something about it? He does, through us, those who have turned to Him. The day will come when he will intervene in a big way. Until then, we as his Children are to help each other. he first calls us to accept Jesus as the payment for our sins. when we become free through Christ, we become new creatures:
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
I hope this answers your question somewhat! best to you darlin'!
Finally, someone who represent s a church speaks something positive. The points she makes about the Bible are true. If homosexuality according to the Bible is wrong, then as she said, eating shrimp and lobster is too. People using something that is supposed to be a symbol of love and hope, as a reason to put judgment and prejudice on others is completely wrong.
This woman is intelligent and awesome. You can't who you love. And if who you love is the same sex as you, never let anyone make you think that love is wrong or fake. I know many homosexual couples that love each other more than some married couples I know. My opinion: love is the best thing in the world and everyone, no matter what their sexuality, is entitled to experience as much love as the next person. EVERYONE deserves love.
Re: Emmie859 – That is skewed logic lol!
I have reread Ms. Nicole Lamarche's "Words of Wisdom"; and some who saw it might think that she claimed that Ms Cali, Carrie Prejean, is prejudiced for using the bible to condemn gays and gay marriage. But I don't think Nicole meant to say that's what Carrie did at the Miss USA Pageant. Instead, I felt that she was speaking in general terms about how those who are anti-gay use the bible to support their own beliefs. It's amazing how people can look at the same thing, and get all kinds of different ideas about it. They will often jump to conclusions, take things out of context, read stuff into what was said that's not there, and blow it all out of proportion - like Perez Hilton and those like him did with what Carrie said. He first apologized for throwing the "B" bomb at her - then took it right back on Rick Sanchez at CNN. I think it was wrong for him to call her that in the first place - and then he compounded his stupidity by taking back the apology. Then maybe he wasn't so sincere with it to begin with. That's why I previously said that I like Ms. Lamarche better than him. Since when did freedom of speech become the sole right of the far left - or right, for that matter? This is why I despise the radicals on both sides. If you don't agree with them, then they will demonize you and get personable with it. This behavior is so typical of the lunatic fringe, and they do not speak for the majority of Americans.
Re: perezfat – When you call someone ignorant, at least use correct words. I think you meant "This womAn" not "This womEn." Dumbass.
Re: Carrie Prejean for President! – Actually there is more than one sex, as many as 1 in 10 people have symptoms of hermaphrodism. If God only created 2 sexes are these people outside of these sexes are outside of God's help.
The issue we have to focus is that while you may believe it to be a sin, gays and lesbians are still people. They are not outside of God, but outside of the church. I find it horryfying tha people who are gay may feel that religion does not provide them with the hope and guidance they need in other areas of their lives. Religion is and should be inclusive, we are not here to judge but to be judged. Gayness isn't a abomination it is not a deadly sin, telling people what they think god thinks and will is a sin, serving as a false prophet is a sin. It is a sin to idolise, associate partners of god and to force his will when we are not aware of what it is. We submit to God that doesn't mean we can speak for him/her. Gays should be included equally in all areas of society be it civil unions, marriage, family, schools and church. They are no better and no worse people than any of us. It is not our duty to judge.
I believe in GOD, JESUS CHRIST and the Bible…but unlike she says…Some verses in the Bible are taken for what was going on at the time…Tattooing for example…was a form of identification.
SEX is a huge issue in the Bible it speaks of ALL types of sex and Condemns them ALL if they are not done between a married man and a woman. DAVID that killed Goliath had his share of guilt when he became king and sought after a towns woman for her striking beauty.
Now there are MANY people that say “I am not GAY, not that there is anything wrong with it" EVEN though they may feel different because they don’t want to be ridiculed like MISS CALIFORNIA did by speaking out of politically correct terms.
Now after saying that…think of this ANGLE…What if a FATHER wanted to marry his DAUGHTER someone will cringe or cry out immoral…when IT IS! WHAT IF A MOTHER wants to marry her SON, or A FATHER MARRY HIS SON, OR SON MARRY HIS FATHER or UNCLE, due to years of child abuse without getting the right attention…Now he thinks he is gay. The BIBLICAL guidelines are set for a reason whether you like them or not. A woman Married a Dolphin, and people laughed, but it’s the direction WE ARE HEADED if we don’t take control and realize that BEING GAY is not a form nationality…its an abnormality caused by a hormonal imbalance, in some cases a choice, or a product of Child abuse. A Black person is black a white person is white, a mixed person is mixed…they can not change that unless they get Jewish person is Jewish unless otherwise converts. Hermaphrodites are another form of medical admiralty. Are they allowed to marry themselves? Or are they allowed to vote as a man and a woman. ITS not a joke…
That is how I feel about HOMOSEXUALITY, DRUGS, STEALING, KILLING, LYING…JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE THE URGE TO DO IT, DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH IT.
I've been pointing out these contradictions for years, but it sounds way more convincing coming from an ordained minister (who is also really gorgeous)!
Nicole, Carrie was correct in her assertion that the Bible is against the homosexual lifestyle.. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of this.. and in the New Testament Paul states that men lying with men received a judgment against them. It bothers me that a decent, compassionate person like Carrie was subjected to Perez's filthy comments for doing nothing more than speaking from her heart and her convictions. Is the message that if you disagree with the PC crowd you're fair game for intimidation and bullying????
I highly respect Carrie for her position on the definition of marriage and her courage in saying so.
I love this because no adult I know Christian or not can say they've never eaten shrimp or lobster, worn clothes made of two different fabrics, or heard a woman speak in church ever..
And yet they all want to condemn homosexuals just because it's easy and there are less homosexuals than heterosexuals. It's disgusting.
Re: absolut822 – If you are correct, then: if we are born with two legs, does that not mean we are supposed to walk on two legs? So, if a baby is born with leg deformaties or no legs at all and is unable to walk, does that not mean the rest of us aren't supposed to walk on two legs?
Perez, I can't believe what a butthead you are. You deserve no respect. Why is it that you feel it is ok to call Miss California a dumb bi*** when she basically has the same opinion as President Obama? When you call him a dumb bi***, you'll have my respect. Since you won't, just remember that this was a beauty pageant, and she is entitled to her opinion. Stop being a hypocrite, as most of the Democrats you support also share her opinion.
AMEN to that!!
and any of you who disagree with this is ever more indicative of how prejudice you are!
and if you dont believe in the bible, then it should not be used as an argument against gay marriage in the first place!!
EXACTLY! I'm not religious, but….AMEN!
Wow, that was very well said and I couldn't agree more with it.
I'm just so tired of people hiding behind the bible for their own personal hate.
you still dont get it do you, shit for brains, that was miss cal's opinion why do you keep smearing her over and over like kicking a dead horse and this paster woman who gives a f_ _ _ about her .Perez you should just lay off your a nasty MOFO
She said it brilliantly!
this is excellently written; well thought out, precise, and so refreshing to hear. i dont think this subject is getting 'old' at ALL- this is a topic that is debated, i'm sure, on a daily basis across north america.
condemning one another, who they are, the choices they make- that is no part of christianity. God represents Love- yet this remains as something the church is lacking- especially when it comes to the issue of homosexuality. all i have to say is… you point a finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at you. props to miss cali '03- this is the way the question should have been answered!!!
Re: absolut822 "SCIENTIFICALLY, the fact that a woman and a woman, or a man and a man, CANNOT have a baby - isn't that nature's way of telling us that same sex relationships should not be happening?" –
Wow, you're an idiot. So how about a man and a woman who can't have children? Ya know, not all women, not all men are fertile. Should they not get married b/c of that?
Or how about the ones who just don't want kids. Should we tell them they can't get married or even be together?
Think before you type next time please.
uhhh.. I think Miss California 2003 has bent the meaning of the extracted biblical text. One needs to read the "entire Book" of Leviticus to get the real meaning and context of the forementioned extracted textual passages. Tyring to explain a "verse" by extracting it out of context is typical of the … ahemmm… liberal MSM so that "things" are bent … ahemmm…. "their" way. I suppose the unforgivable sin of Suicide is also acceptable by Miss California 2003. Ahemm.
Re: Yellow Peeps – If God gave us free will, then I don't think that he has control over anything that goes on this earth. But he does answer prayers, because he has answered some (but not all) of mine.
dude… GET OVER IT!!! seriously, get a life!! no one cares…. everyone has their own opinion and everyone interprets the Bible differently!!
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you seriously need a psyche evaluation! GET A LIFE! GET OVER IT! this is OLD news. you posting people with the same opinion as you does not make everyone believe that is what's right. YOU HAVE ISSUES. i cannot stress this enough - GET THE FUCK OVER IT. you think marriage should be for anyone, miss cali doesnt, BIG FUCKING WHOOP! DON'T YOU SERIOUSLY HAVE BIGGER FISH TO FRY?
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YOU ARE A MEAN, CRUEL, NASTY, UNHAPPY PERSON AND YOU CAN LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE LOONEY BIN AT THIS - BUT YOU ARE! 100% - BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT. IF YOU WERE HAPPY - YOU WOULD LAUGH THIS OFF AND LET IT GO. INSTEAD YOU INSULT THE WOMAN EVERY CHANCE YOU GET AND SPEND EVERY WAKING MOMENT TRYING TO SHOW SHE IS WRONG. WELL DING DING DING, SHE AINT WRONG - YOU KNOW WHY??? BECAUSE IT IS AN OPINION - NOT A FACT!!!!
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GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AND LEAVE THE LORD OUT OF IT!
Re: alexie silver – REALLY…. THE FIRST TIME… FIRST TIME EVER? I FIND THE HARD TO…. IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE ACTUALLY.
Wow! That's amazing - she's so right!
It's so sad how so many Christians use the Bible to hide there hatred for others they think are different then them. At the end of the day we are ALL THE SAME. Why can't we all just get along?
Re: AlliTheGreat – The Lord loves him, as he does you. Perez is hurting, and needs to find some proof he is loved.
What she is saying is TRUE but it does not even matter since not everyone believes in the Bible or Christianity. Unbeknownst to many Christians there are other faith outside of Christianity. Stop tyring to shove your Bible and beliefs down my throat!
Re: eldienne –
hi-
i just read statement about prayer, how true!
also, God answers ALL prayer…"yes", "no", and "wait." many times it seems like He didn't answer my prayers, but He did…He just didn't answer them the way I wanted!!!
:-)
If we're going to extract text "out of context" from the bible, then I guess stealing and murder are acceptable as well. I mean.. if you like to steal and murder because it "pleases you", then I guess that is okay too by the logic used by Miss California 2003. Ahemmm.
Re: AlliTheGreat – What a stupid woman you are. If someone tried to tell YOU you couldn't get married to the person you love you would be upset as well. Seriously have you ever picked up a book besides the Bible? LMAO!
Re: Yellow Peeps –
We don't go to heaven
Psalm 115:16:The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man.
I have nothing against gays. This woman is preaching the Bible totally wrong. She's a minister she should at least know what she is talking about. Shrimp and Lobster? hahahahhahaha
This law applied to Jews who were in Judaism not to later Christians. It was a requirement of the Mosaic Law which is no longer in force.
Homosexuals will burn in hell. The world would be a better place without them.
beautifully said
omg , i love her for that
because its very true i eat shrimp i guess im going to hell.
all i kno is god loves each and everyone of us and its not up to you or I to judge or tell someone they are going to hell
miss cali isnt a true christian , someone who shows compassion and understanding and loves all regardless of your color , race or sexual orientation is a true christian. God asks that we love everyone no matter what , it is not up to us to judge anyone
Well played, darling, well played! A beauty contestant's views do not a majority make, nor should it. Those who truly feel the love of God in their hearts know that love prevails over hatred.
Re: UWishh –
Leviticus wrote that part of the Bible, NOT JESUS. Actually, was there ANY part of the Bible that Jesus actually wrote himself?
1. Not every person in America is Christian, therefore our forefathers wrote in the Constitution "Separation between Church and State".
2. If you cannot pick and choose from the Bible, how can you (you, as in the general Christian public), read Leviticus 20:13 "When a man has sexual intercourse with another man as with a woman, both men are doing something disgusting and must be put to death. They deserve to die" and agree that that is wrong….
Then read on to
1 John 4:21 "And this is the commandment that we have from him: the person who loves God must also love his brother," and continue to deny homosexuals rights that we all (straight people) "BELIEVE" only we should have?
And by the way…. NO WHERE IN THE BIBLE does it say it is an abomination for homosexuals to GET MARRIED. It ONLY says it is an abomination for them to have sex.
Apparently she has never read Romans 1:26a-27. "Even the women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion"
Ms. Hilton, you're such a fucking hypocrite! You want the world to accept the gay and lesbian population for what they are. You want them to have the opportunity to be themselves and not what "society" thinks they should be. The young woman that you have - in my opinion - intentionally put in such a controversial position was doing exactly what you fight for! She was standing up for WHO SHE IS instead of bowing to society! She doesn't have to agree with your lifestyle, your choices or your opinions. The question you asked received an honest and open answer. KUDOS TO HER!!!!! You're pathetic for abusing her honesty!!!! I have several gay friends…a few of them I wish could and would marry…but I understand that everyone doesn't feel that way. Each person has his or her own beliefs and we shouldn't try to FORCE our individual beliefs on someone else.
STOP USING THE GAY FOR FAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be gay and be happy.
Re: sticky_and_sweet – I am a CHristian and I don't know ONE Christian who has hidden their hatred behind the Bible. I don't know what "Christians" you associate yourself with, but that is NOT normal. Personally I think you're stuck in some close-minded bubble like Perez where YOU hide behind the stereotypes you've built in your head and refuse to see anything else.
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Being a Christian means you need the Lord and his grace because we ALL sin and ALL need our SAvior. My sister is a lesbian and whether or NOT I think being gay is a sin - my belief is that even if it is (which I don't know that) we ALL sin so what is the difference between my sins and hers? IF it is a sin, we are ALLLL sinning somehow so it's all equal!
Re: AlliTheGreat – people like you have issues
i dont understand if you hate perez so much why do you take the time to create an account && take the time to log on and actually comment why dont you get over perez and log on to another blog site if your so fucking annoyed
please you go to bed dreaming of perez .
Re: gays_will_burn_in_hell – Just because you (clearly) live an unfulfilled life, doesn't mean others shouldn't be happy being … well, GAY (ALSO MEANS HAPPY).
Re: gays_will_burn_in_hell – they will not burn in hell!! The Lord is the ONLY judge and you do not know that! If they burn in hell if it is a sin then we ALL burn in hell for sinning!
Re: AlliTheGreat – Ok so I am sinning. Why shove that belief down my throat and make me suffer for YOUR beliefs? If I adopted a child with my boyfriend I wouldnt get the same RIGHTS and PROTECTIONS under the law as YOU. Is that honestly what you want?
Well, I had a well written explanation to Ms. Lamarche's poor interpretation of Leviticus and her use of comparing civil, ceremonial and moral law all written out to point out that she's totally lost in her education of Hermeneutics, but unfortunately this website only allows for short and simple responses - which is why simple brains don't get educated. Anyhow… She may be well spoken, but she's certainly not educated in Theology.
Re: parakara – Back in biblical times those were the punishments for people who sinned and went against authority. Today people go to jail and in some states have the death penalty I think I'll stick with punishments of my time instead of traveling back in time.
Re: clagg – Do some research. Obama believes in full and equal rights for gay couples.
Re: Elliebug2 –
#1 its miss USA, not miss america…the two are totally different and #2 it IS his website and he can do as he wishes with it…if you dont like the direction its going, then dont read it…its called freedom of speech and you are chosing to read sometihng that you are getting annoyed with, without thinking that its important to others. get a hobby and get off perez if you dnot like what hes posting.
What do you expect from a Kalifornyan who goes to a "Federated" church - whatever the hell that is…dumb Bible answers from those who don't study the Bible.
Re: PUAinNYC – I have never read any where in the bible children being stoned by their parents.
Re: sticky_and_sweet – pretty sure YOU are the stupid one. i have a college degree and have read MANY MANY books being as i was a poli sci major. and yes - i would be mad but that is BESIDES the point you freaking IDIOT!! it is about respecting the fact the she has a damn opinion, as you clearly do, you FREAK! get a life you close minded fool. maybe you should wake up and realize that everyone is different.
Re: AlliTheGreat – I only have one word for you: EVOLVE.
"In Paul’s letter to the community in Corinth we read, ‘For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church….’ And yet these words have not prevented Christian denominations from ordaining women, such as myself."
She assumes that her ordination is valid because her church allows it - which does not mean that it is allowed under Biblical guidelines. From her own quote of 1 Corinthians 14:33 it's clear that she should not be ordained.
I really appreciate this post. It show people that they shouldn't twist the word in the Bible. God loves everyone.
Re: pinxxxxxx123 – God speaks through the Bible and we are just quoting the Bible…there is no sin in that
Well said…
I dumb argument from a dumb woman. The shrimp/lobster/gay argument…
Like God would create man to explore his preverse pleasure and bone his brother in the poop chute, God's smiling down on that, that's why we're here, it's all about us and our desires. A REAL minister would know that sure Jesus preached love the prostitutes, but you think he meant that they stay prostitutes?
He said turn away from sin. Jesus preached more about HELL they anyone else in the Bible and the last Prophesy in the Bible, Revelation clearly says the HOMOS will be part of the outsiders thrown in the lake of fire, dress lite. What do you say about that preacher woman?
Re: Lady Irvine – "Jesus hung out with the outcasts - yes. But NOT to partake in what they were doing or to condone it. He was there to give them his message… a message that was incredibly DIVISIVE."
Excellent point. It is frustrating when a pastor is telling people that all Jesus had in mind was peace and love. That's funny because as a pastor I am sure you would know that Jesus did turn a few tables in the temples and did rattle a few cages when they needed to be rattled. Jesus was not some "passive dude" who only wanted us to all hold hands and sing kumbaya. He came to convict and to save. So to the pastor that wrote this article, I would suggest really rethinking your "hippie Jesus" opinion because it is a little bit off skew.
Re: LisaL79 – I don't think that a man and a man has anything to do with one of them being infertile. The point is if both of them were capable of having children they couldn't Not together. And really that is the point of marriage.
Whoops! At the end of my last post (no. 218), I said that I despised the radicals on both the left and right, and added that if you don't agree with them, then they will demonize you and get "personable" with it. But I meant to say that they get
"personal" with it instead. And boy do they. Such people can be so reactionary and extreme in attacking those who don't agree with them. They'll act just like you burned their house right down to the ground.
She writes: "God’s love to people who were labeled as outcasts. He spent time with children, prostitutes, and lepers, all of whom were labeled as outside of the grasp of the Holy."
First - "Children" were not outcasts. Prostitutes were not outcasts. Lepers were outcasts due to the concern of spreading the disease to the uninfected.
Second - "outside of the grasp of Holy". We are ALL outside the grasp of Holiness - (1 Samuel 2:2).
She writes: "…the Bible has been used to further prejudice throughout history. We have used it to permit ourselves to enslave people; to conquer and kill; and to denigrate the earth."
Pretty derogatory words for a woman who claims to preach and live by the very words written in it.
Re: sticky_and_sweet – umm are you completely retarded? well… that was rhetorical - i know the answer to that question.
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Who EVER said you had to suffer for my beliefs? Last time I checked - I am not the one running government implementing the rules.
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and you are clearly not able to read since all along i have never even said what I believe but what I have said is it's about respecting everyone's opinions and not going out there and calling people names for their beliefs. so your little "is that really what you want comment?" is completely null and void. all i said i WANTED was for everyone to understand that not everyone is a damn liberal robot seeing black and white watching the stupid liberal media and not seeing ANY other points of view or the fact that we aren't all carbon copies. flaming ass liberals clearly didn't get that memo though.
THIS WAS WRITTEN BEAUTIFULLY. AMEN!
Re: rockthecroc – #217 No, honey. It's only because you don't have the mind power to understand it.
Absolutely spot on! If more Christians were as open, logical, and caring as Nicole Lamarche, there wouldn't be a steady decline in organized religion. Religion can do wonderful things, but people have corrupted it's underlying message. I am agnostic and very against organized religion…but if more people were like Ms. Lamarche I could see myself following something. The bible is not literal in any sense. There were no talking snakes, no giants, and no bleeding moons. The bible is a book written by man to lend values and a way of life to live as good and moral people. However, over time and when it was written some people sought power and soiled the true message. Also, remember this book was written a long time ago and obviously everything cannot be applied to today's world. I thank you Nicole for representing the "true" Christians of the world. Those who are caring individuals spreading a real message.
Re: UWishh – Why do people pick and choose from the Bible…I mean if it says slavery is ok shouldnt we own slaves as well? It only makes sense if you can justify your hatred and bigotry for gay people.
"jesus hung out with the outcasts - yes. But NOT to partake in what they were doing or to condone it. He was there to give them his message… a message that was incredibly DIVISIVE."
Excellent point. It is really frustrating when pastors take the "Jesus was a hippie that preached about peace and love" approach. I am sure you are very aware that Jesus turned a few tables in the temple and rattled a few cages when they needed to be rattled. He had compassion, but he was also stern in his beliefs. He did not compromise because he would offend people, but he did not offend people just for the sake of offending. If I were the pastor that wrote this blog, I would rethink about my "hippie Jesus" opinion and start to form an opinion much more biblically sound.
LOLALOVE
1. The whole entire Bible is inspired by God there fore it is God giving his words to man to write.
2. If you wanted me to post the whole BIble it would take a while thus I had to post only the verses that proved my point. I am not picking and choosing only to follow those verses of the Bible.
3. Your third point is ridiculous, There is nothing wrong with gay marriage just gay sex. Are you telling there are gay couples out there who just want to be married and not be intimate. I challange any one to find a verse in the Bible that says being gay is okay.
Reading all these posts, INCLUDING the one by this so-called "pastor," I can see why MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW WILL BE CHOSEN. 'nuf said.
Amen to that! The more talk there is about it, the more likely something will be done to have real equality in our world.
Re: Zazizou – Jacob have I loved Esau have I hated…..where is the love in that??
Re: Perez is Fag – You have the nerve to qoute the Bible when you are so hateful that you use the word "fag" in your title! Go fuck yourself! Seriously!
Re: perezito_is_an_asshole – YES! Love the person hate the sin…God LOVES everyone, but he does not love the sin.
Re: Lady Irvine – Well said!
Re: Elliebug2 – actually, its his website/blog, its his to do whatever he wants with it so shut the fuck up
Re: StacyMacyPacy – Well for every sin that YOU commit let's ban that!
Re: StacyMacyPacy – Just curious…Did Jesus Christ ever utter one word about homosexuality?
Re: UWishh – If God hates gay people than why did he create us?
I wish there was a remote control for this website so that I could change the channel. What else is on?
I'd laugh if it wasn't so depressingly ignorant. So many negative comments made by self confessed "Christians" to Ms. Lamarches opinions. Shockingly, you back-seat preachers (always the same people, on similar posts) presume to know more about the bible than she, yet she is the one ordained with the United/Methodist church and has fully studied the doctrines of the bible. Some of you cretins even have the gall to call HER ignorant….you really are a sad, ignorant, uneducated bunch…clearly not intellectuals. Get down from your self righteous pulpits and realise that this is a very diverse world of people who have differing morals and beliefs….many of which (GASP!) do not even believe in any God and yet manage to live their lives with principals and dignity. Your beliefs are no more valid than anyone else's, so stop trying to impose them on others and condemn those who don't share yours. If you are truly confident in your opinions you wouldn't feel the need to put down others and force your own morality.
I'm tired of being refered to as an outcast, or outsider. I'm a gay 30 year old white man, with a job, a social circle, a dog, and a boyfriend. This was an excellently worded statement until the end. Yes, I'm gay and I guess its a minority, and a *yawn* identity. But I feel I'm pretty far from exile from the social world. But mostly like anybody else I'm just trying to balance all the responsibilities in my life, and have some fun along the way. I applaud you Mario for you efforts in this moment, and on your website, to champion the cause of gay marriage, but I also contiune to encourage you to further the dialogue to its logical extremes. Homosexuality is pretty darn normal when it comes down to it, so let's talk about it as such.
Those were the most beautiful words I have ever read…as I am planning my wedding, it breaks my heart that TWO of the people in my wedding are currently unable to get married!
Re: Emmie859 –
Your condescending use of the word 'honey' to every poster you disagree with is terribly annoying and archaic.
finally, a christian with logic
Re: Lady Irvine –
Do you agree with the bible or not?
If so, explain the usefulness of these fantastic quotes:
-For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death.-Exodus 35:2
-If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property. -Exodus 21:20-21
– Deuteronomy 22:23-26 God's law: a virgin raped in the city is to be given no pity
See, you can be Christian and support gay marriage. Good for her. She represents conservatives like myself who have no problem with gay marriage. How is it a threat to me??
Re: hellojessi –
but that's what she's saying…she interpreted it one way and you interpreted it another way and i'm sure other people INTERPRET many verses in many different ways. That's why people have a hard time accepting the bible because so much of it is based on interpretation and some of it is contradictory.
4 STATES NOW HAVE GAY MARRIAGE AND 10 MORE ARE SOON GOING TO LEGALIZE IT!!!
Re: Xandria – #297 What you think of me is none of my business.
Pretty soon the New Word Order will be reducing the world population by 2/3, as is their stated goal. Hope everyone's ready for hell on earth, and/or to meet your maker. Good luck.
This is brilliantly and eloquently spoken. Even people with different beliefs have to see the logic in this explanation. It's refreshing to see someone so religious step out from behind the Bible and interpret it to fit the changing world. Bravo!
The bible was meant to be the answer to men's opinions and selfish desires FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE in it. The Bible doesn't condone female pastors so what is Nicole doing trying to be one teaching on homosexuality?
I guess she doesn't know what Jesus said in Matthew's letter (chapter 7)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
"On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
"And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
To all of you who do believe in Jesus, how do you know whether Nicole is a worker of lawlessness or not? How do you know she's telling you the truth? Because it matches with what you desire in this life? Yes, Jesus loves all but even He (as in this scripture) indicates that not everyone who professes Him will go to Heaven. Why not? You have to study that for the answer and the only way you'll find out is by the scriptures. THAT'S WHY we Christians "throw" the scriptures at you because it's the only answer. Otherwise, all you are believing is men's opinions and personal experiences until it's either proven or broken by scripture.
I will add that Nicole, though she brought up from the letters of Corinthians that women are not to speak, she didn't mention the verses where Paul names homosexuality as a sin. Interesting. Talk about truth. Nicole may not know the intentions of the biblical authors but I do. She's watering it down so that she can accept (and teach) the willing sin of any person who simply believes that Jesus existed. Jesus spent time with prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers so that he could teach them the truth; not so that he could simply accept them for what they were but as a call for change in their lives for a chance of eternity. Jesus supplies the grace, we do not. Nicole lives in the all-too-common world of man-created Christianity where all is accepted with their sins vs. obeying Jesus's Gospel call for change for a chance of eternal salvation.
Re: IKnowBetter –
agreed.
I completely agree with wha this woman says. You can't pick and choose to suit your own needs.
I just read the mission statement of this pastor's school. It's not a Christian organization, it's more of a echumenical, new age-y type organization. so, if we are to refer to her as a pastor, then let's put it in it's proper context: she's a New Age pastor…NOT a Christian pastor (besides, according to the Bible, women are not to hold positions of authority, e.g., pastor, reverend, or any clergy).