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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.”
Agree… 100%… people are so quick to jump to the bible, yet these are the very same people that are the first to go against the scriptures… I say YES to marriage… gay or straight!!!!!
Re: gdss95 – It's people like you who make the possibility of change so difficult… Keep holding us back dude… oh and don't eat shrimp cause the bible to us so… NEXT!
Re: Emmie859 – comment # 304
Great news! Unless something drastic happens the next generations will have a hell of a struggle. With a current population of 6.6 billion people and a projected population of over 9 billion by 2050 the world doesn't have enough resources to sustain the population. An issue you can thank the Catholic church for contributing to with their philosophy on birth control, particularly in the nations least able to cope with their explosive population growths.
smart woman!!!
Re: j_jurado –
Study the scriptures and it's context. Jesus said not to judge but he was referring to the type of judgment made by a hypocrite guilty of more sin. (Matthew chapter 7) Also, notice in verse 5 of Matthew 7 that he says that once the speck is removed (from the hypocrite's eye), only then can he help the person he's judged. This judgement is a certain type of judgement made by a hypocrite. Yes, we all have sinned BUT since I am not guilty of homosexuality, I'm free to teach that it IS a sin.
Also, we all judge (if you're still taking the verse at face value). If you liked the new outfit I'm wearing today, you judged me, either for wearing it or buying it. Judgement is not all bad so Jesus defined this certain Judgement for us. If he meant Judgement in general, he wouldn't have explained himself. THAT is correct interpretation of scritpure, believe me.
Re: hollabackyo –
"step out from behind the Bible and interpret it to fit the changing world"
Society, Customs, Values and Traditions change. God does not.
well said! what an incredible quote…
Re: rush86 –
No. Not so smart.
Re: gdss95 –
Interesting choice of an avatar for someone with such superior moral authority.
Re: AlliTheGreat –
Um….this is HIS blog…he can post whatever the fuck he wants, but go ahead a keep on freaking out… but you're probably just wasting your time….
Re: Xandria –
it's called a sense of humor.
Re: Sweet_Dee –
the more things change, the more they stay the same!
ain't life grand?
:-)
What is a "Federated" church? She uses the language "…to condemn gay people" two or three times - by using (WHO uses?) the Bible "as a weapon". Christians want sinners, ALL SINNERS (which we ALL are), to GET SAVED! God's word is CLEAR, and the reason this country is one flush away from oblivion is NOT because of the lost. It's because of gutless, compromising "Christians" slobbering crap like this.
Re: TexasBadBoy –
actually, the book of revelation doesn't say ANYTHING clearly, most of that bible book has to be interpreted
she is really well spoken and very eloquent, ahmen!
Thank you Perez for keeping up with these posts!
Living in Vancouver Canada where same sex marriage IS LEGAL, I CAN NOT believe such injustice and discrimination that is occurring so close to home. I am a straight female and a huge ally of the LGBT community, some of my best friends are gay and I LOVE them to bits!
Keep up the good work! And way to use your power and celebrity to bring attention to this issue!
Re: IKnowBetter –
I love how you speak of the bible as fact. A true Christian (as far as I understand) understands that it cannot be proven and that is why there is such an emphasis on faith. You have faith that what you are repeating from the bible is truly inspired by God.
However, for someone that does NOT have faith in the bible (like myself) your comments mean nothing, saying you know better and
"THAT is correct interpretation of scritpure, believe me."
Why would I believe you? You are NOT speaking fact.
Re: gdss95 –
Ahhh, yes it's hilarious….how could I have missed it. Actually it really just hints of the obvious, that most zealots are hypocrites. Beavis and Butthead are viewed by most as vulgar and gauche…not funny and certainly not the beacons of morality
Amen sister!! =)
sadly Nicole Lamarche also misinterprets the bible. The "women speaking in church" statement refers to women who were not following protocol and being disrespectful to the speaking procedures of the time. Miss California 2009 was NOT condemning Gay PEOPLE, but gay marriage. The bible does tell us to treat everyone with respect, but it does not say we have to accept everyones views. Jesus would talk and show love to the sinners, but he would also tell them to sin no more. So while people may feel Carrie incited prejudice, those who feel gay marriage is fine is equally being prejudice against those who believe gay marriage is wrong. Yes, the Bible has been misinterpreted often to incite violence and hatred, but this is not a hatred issue. If a Christian hates a gay person, then that Christian is wrong. But if a Christian hates gay marriage, or gay sex, he or she is just hating sin. Nothing wrong with that in God's eyes, and for us Christians, thats who we are here to please, not Talent Show Judges
I am so glad that gay marriage is now LEGAL in four states and is about to legal in TEN MORE! The protesting is paying off against bigotry!
Pretty Girl, damned shame she doesn't know what the fuck she's talking about. Hey Mario: gay = unacceptable.
Re: jtaylor – Without agreement on the authority of the Bible, there is no discussion. Apparently, you're a 12-year-old wannabe moderator who keeps sticking your nose in - but why? Looking for something to fill the vacuum of your unbelief? Or just trying to KILL this thread?
Very well written!!!
Re: Xandria –
omg, get a sense of humor! you're totally grasping to straws, desparately trying to find fault with those whose beliefs do not match yours. get a life, loser.
Cherry picking per the usual. Women are not supposed to be "ordained ministers". Sure they can work in the field as missionaries and they can serve in the church as Sunday School teachers and the like but they aren't supposed to be the head of a church. Of course, thanks to the apostasy i.e. "the falling away" the church has become increasingly corrupted. Political correctness has infiltrated christianity clearly. Oh well, we were warned these things would happen. Radical feminism is just another form of leftism and political correctness.
she must be an episcopalian!
Re: keepin it cool –
I know, right?
P.S. you are aces, in my book.
Re: jtaylor –
you totally contradicted yourself. by virtue of being a christian, their faith establishes their belief that the Bible is the living Word of God, thereby being infallible. to a true christian, the bible is fact. so they WILL speak of it as fact. if they don't (like this pretend pastor) then they are NOT christian.
gay marriage is legal in MANY countries all over the world and has there been a HUGE GAY UPRISING THERE? NOPE! Stop holding us back America! It won't work. Change is on the way!
God's word is CLEAR, and the reason this country is one flush away from oblivion is NOT because of the lost. It's because of gutless, compromising "Christians" slobbering crap like this.
Re: HoldTheProfanityFool –
Revelation 3:16-17 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.
Also
Revelation 3:19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
No offense but most of the Christians I know are hateful and bitter people.
She's a smart cookie.
Re: HoldTheProfanityFool –
Calm down, it will be okay… why so quick to anger? I'm not telling you that you CAN'T say that stuff…I'm just saying that you're wasting your time with the non-religious because you can quote the bible all you want and it won't mean anything to us.
By all means though, keep quoting your book. I'd prefer to think for myself though…in fact I would rather burn in hell (or whatever) than have to live by that book. I don't love people because someone told me to, I love because I feel that it's right. But that's just my opinion… and I'm probably wasting my time too.
She is both ugly and mentally deficient. My cat burries stuff that looks like her in his poopbox.
In two weeks everyone will forget about Ms. CA she will now never amount to anything as nobody in Hollywood will ever want to hire her with her controversial views.
Oh, and bitch needs to tuck in her nasty gums.
hellelujah, an intelligent beauty finally! way to go!
Re: shomakhang –
Something being infallible according to one's OWN beliefs do not make it a fact!!
Fact: a concept whose truth can be PROVEN
Re: sticky_and_sweet –
I agree 100%
ROFLMAO - This shit is hilarious. Doesn't ANYONE question the legitimacy of the Bible in the first place? It is a book, written by people, passed on by people, altered by people, edited by people, published by people, and sold by people.
DRONES
80,000,000 to fight about whether two dudes or two gals should get married. That money could have been better spent, say…on feeding the homeless? helping out those with HIV/AIDS? helping children? EDUCATION? ANYTHING besides eliminating the rights of a minority group. Ridiculous.
When will people wake up and realize that education is the key to our evolution?
Us homosexuals will eventually win our fight anyway. That is the beauty of all this. Then we can shake our fingers at the haters and say, "Imagine that your money could have done had you just agreed to work with us, instead of against us?"
PEACE - A crazy, yet attainable concept.
Also, I find it hilarious that all these bible thumping fucktards even visit this site…since it is really all about judging others.
What better way to make ourselves feel superior?
Re: shomakhang –
I don't have to 'grasp at straws' to find fault at any of your colleagues comments…the 'faults' are pretty obvious to me and any intelligent person reading them. Your ignorance is crystal clear which makes it simple to dispute your comments, but rather mundane. More difficult yet more gratifying having a discussion with intelligent people.
My life is in fact very pleasurable, with vast experiences and a secular assortment of intelligent individuals as companions and friends…so I do indeed have 'a life'. I am pretty confident that it is far more fulfilling than your narrow minded, morally sheltered existence.
It's amusing to me that when people with low intellect such as yourself cannot come up with a reasonable argument, they resort to name calling. Quite indicative of your intelligence quotient.
The proper response should have been: "No I don't think every state should follow suit because if everyone in every state did follow suit THE HUMAN RACE WOULD CEASE TO EXIST!
For Nicole Lamarche: Anyone with a serious knowledge of scripture can tell you she is taking things out of context to say what people want to hear(herself included).
I could not agree with her more emphatically! Over the centuries people have often cited passages in the Bible to give themselves permission to behave however they please. You don't need the Bible to tell you right from wrong, however. It's something that everyone knows in their heart if they are doing something that is wrong. Prejudice is always wrong. When you're hurting other people on purpose. that is aways wrong. Everyone has common sense. Few people use it.
though i really dont like christianity and those who follow it and prech it are usually loud mouthed angry people this really moved me. I think what she said was very true and well thought out, she did a wonderful job representing some of the christian population and really made me think there might be hope out there.
Re: Xandria –
ya, that's why you're on this website in the wee hours of the morning searching for the "intellectually deficient" to put them in their place, right? it's hilarious that you find it necessary to explain yourself to a total stranger. if you have so many enlightened friends, go annoy them, not the rest of us.
nightie night!
who wrote the bible?
Um the preacher there doesn't know the difference between spiritual laws (Laws against homosexuality, laws that Jesus never came to replace) and the diet and garmet laws that were no longer valid after Jesus's death. I am not a big proponent of organized religion, but she has it wrong.
AKA Jesus was the final sacrifice, pig meat no longer makes you "unclean" you no longer have to make animal sacrifices because Jesus was the final sacrifice. However, the spiritual laws still exist. So comparing laying with a man, to not eating shrimp is dishonest.
What REALLY stumps me is, if you don't believe in teh Bible, why do you care what it says anyhow?
BTW according to the Bible as well, not everyone that claims to be a minister of the Church is. And not everyone that goes to church is saved. Take it with a grain of salt.
There was a reason Sodom and Gam was destroyed. And it wasn't cause they ate shrimp.
What a well thought-out and dignified opinion!
Unlike most of the people here, I do feel that the recent Ms. California has treated unfairly for her opinion, no matter how much I completely disagree with her.
Ms. Lamarche basically sums up everything I have to say about the subject, and I applaud her for speaking out about the closed-minded teachings of anti-gay activists.
Re: gravytoot –
I disagree with your opinions, but absolutely LOVE your avatar. The picture is precious!
Re: Debaucherina Excellent scholarship! Incidentally, there is NOTHING in the Old Testament mentioning women "lying" with women. So I guess it's OK, right? – Who told you that?
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
If you want the words of Jesus only (because you do not regard Paul as a prophet of God as such), then the only other place that I can refer you to is Mathew chapter 19, verses 1-12.
The scribes were asking Jesus a question about no-fault divorce, and Jesus goes off on a tangent and discusses why god made sex in the first place. Jesus expressly stated that sex was intended to be between a male and a female, who were married to each other, only. Anyone who could not handle that should remain celibate (literally, a eunuch).
Re: IKnowBetter – Right on.
Re: sticky_and_sweet who wrote the bible? – According to the Bible? The holy spirit.
I am also AMAZED and EMBARRASSED for my feloh forum members in here that claim to be tolerant and none bigoted. Yet they call those that do not think like them names like "fucktard"
Do you not know that you are the very person you hate? You are doing the same things you hate others for doing.
So how are you any better? You aren't.
Re: AreYouFuckingSerious Us homosexuals will eventually win our fight anyway. –
Indeed. Even the Bible says you will.
4 STATES NOW LEGALIZED GAY MARRIAGE AND TEN MORE R IN THE PROCESS!!! WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN!!! IT'S TIME FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN EQUAL RIGHTS TO STAND UP AND FIGHT!!!
Re: KevinK – Where is the Holy Spirit? Did the Spirit physically sit down and write it word for word? Just curious. Or did the Bible float down from heaven on a cloud? LMAO
Re: KevinK – Did Jesus ever say anything about homosexuality?
Shut Up
Re: KevinK – Doesn't the Bible say that we all are sinners? So eventually you will also pay the consequences
Re: KevinK – Take your meaningless outdated superstitions elsewhere. Believe it or not not EVERYONE is a Christian. In fact Islam is the worlds most popular religion.
wish she had been my priest at school - mine was a grumpy hateful old git - she is very kind and cool!
Re: shomakhang –
Keep proving my point, thanks!
Re: sticky_and_sweet –
Hiya, I completely agree with your comments. I have to point out though that Christianity has the highest worldwide numbers at 2.1 billion, next is Islam with 1.5 billion, third and fastest growing (as more of the world becomes educated) is secular/agnostic/atheist/non-religious at 1.1 billion. Good luck trying to argue with these people….most lack sense and common courtesy and resort to name calling. So very civilized…
Bravo Pastor Nicole Lamarche!
That is Exactly how I feel but never would be able to express those sentiments with such grace.
Thank you!
I truly pray "some" people would Stop cherry picking the Bible and using it to divide us.
well i definetly agree with her all the way good 4 her to come out and state her opinion.
I completely agree with what she said, except for one part at the end.
" He spent time with children, prostitutes, and lepers, all of whom were labeled as outside of the grasp of the Holy. "
The term 'leper' is and extremely offensive word for those who have leprosy, a skin disease that still to this day has stigma. Nicole should use her position to educate on this issue, as the word is as hurtful as the 'n-word.'
Re: MR PAPI – are u stupiddd? or just pretending?!
oMg! AMEN sister! Perez: I LOVE U and don't u EVER stop fighting for EQUAL civil rights… u have the power, u are a public person and u speak for a lot of us who don't get listen to.
Amen to this. Hey Perez…you know you're in the list of most searched on AOL?
Re: UWishh – Do you eat SHRIMP and LOBSTER, and wear cotton with wool? HYPOCRITE. Bible is OUTDATED, written by power mongers of the day.
if u r gay u have a birth defect
Jesus died for our sins and YES homosexuality is a sin HOWEVER it is no different than any other sin that we commit EVERYDAY. This is why Jesus sacrificed himself. If God was so repulsed then God would have added this big no no in the TEN COMMANDMENTS! And don't mutter off this nonsense that the ten commandments were only meant for the Jews.
Do we remember the SABATH and Keep it holy? No! A bunch of us go out on SATURDAYS and DRINK our Asses off and have NON MARITAL SEX! A lot of us DIVORCE, STEAL, COVET and these are the COMMANDMENTS! GOD'S LAWS THAT HE TOOK THE TIME TO write! Lastly, since God is infallible I doubt it "slipped" his mind to outlaw it. In the begining Christians did not eat swine b/c JC cast the demons into a herd of pigs in the new testament the beast was cleansed. God is meant to be a mystery STOP pretendng to KNOW HIS AGENDA! AS HUMANS WE ARE BORN INTO SIN AND WE ALL DO IT EVERYDAY! Go read the Good Samaritan! If he was so repulsed AND so infallible he would not have created gays.
Jesus died for our sins and YES homosexuality is a sin HOWEVER it is no different than any other sin that we commit EVERYDAY. This is why Jesus sacrificed himself. If God was so repulsed then God would have added this big no no in the TEN COMMANDMENTS! And don't mutter off this nonsense that the ten commandments were only meant for the Jews.
Do we remember the SABATH and Keep it holy? No! A bunch of us go out on SATURDAYS and DRINK our Asses off and have NON MARITAL SEX! A lot of us DIVORCE, STEAL, COVET and these are the COMMANDMENTS! GOD'S LAWS THAT HE TOOK THE TIME TO write! Lastly, since God is infallible I doubt it "slipped" his mind to outlaw it. In the begining Christians did not eat swine b/c JC cast the demons into a herd of pigs in the new testament the beast was cleansed. God is meant to be a mystery STOP pretendng to KNOW HIS AGENDA! AS HUMANS WE ARE BORN INTO SIN AND WE ALL DO IT EVERYDAY! Go read the Good Samaritan! If he was so repulsed AND so infallible he would not have created gays…
Re: mofolena –
So what's your excuse then?
Well so much for our own opinions. Many people have read and translated the bible, yet this girl was blasted for saying her understanding of it. Legally marriage is between a man and a woman, why can't it be just that. Perez your opinion on this would be the equivalent to me asking to be gay yet only sleep w/ladies (I am a guy). If it does not fit the mold then it does not fit the mold. A union would be a more appropriate name for it and I am behind that 100%. Equal rights for all just not equal names for ones classifications.
WELL SAID. what the hell can you say to contradict those statements and still be against gay marriage. I wonder if Carrie Prejean eats lobster. and for being such a bible thumper, why the hell is she on stage half naked with her fake ass tits trying to be a pageant queen. If she wants to ”preach the word” and be ”biblically correct” go to the fucking cloister. most of those christians are HYPOCRITES.
Amazing. Very, very well said.
Let's all go and fuck eachother in the ass now!
Miss California never said she was against the act of being gay, many of you have misinterpreted this. She said to all their own. She was only against marriage. IT is her belief just as it is some gay's belief that marriage is fine. She got a zero from the queen for stating her beliefs. She answered the question very well and look what it got her. Where are her equal rights, why can't she have an opinion?
it just makes me think all the others hated miss california which also shows that she wasnt a nice person sounds like she got what she deserved in the end
Re: solkerfi –
Don't ever recall the bible stating that there was a clothing requirement.
What a wonderful response.
Well said by the minister however it is incorrect to imply that Miss California was condemning gays. She simply did not do that, she was only addressing marriage.
With gay marriage it's not a question of if it's a question of when…TEN more states are in the process of legalizing it as I speak
Eating shellfish is an abomination! Let's BAN it! C'mon Christians let's BAN everything you see as a sin! That way the world will be PERFECT! In fact since you are a Christian you probably believe anyone who is non-Christian will burn in hell! So let's start another Holocaust!
Wait who is Carrie Prejean again? I would personally like to THANK HER now I want to fight even more to get EQUAL RIGHTS!!!
Then how do you explain Sodom and Gomorrah. God killed a whole city because of homosexuality among other things. God is not a God to be mocked and that is just what homosexuality does. It mocks God.
CAN I GET AN "AMEN"!!!!
Spot on sister, spot on!
I mean what are they gonna ban next?
Very eloquently said. We need more people speaking out like that.
Re: sticky_and_sweet –
LOLOLOL!!! It's scary how right you are!
Re: Mrs.Love – evolve
amen..SHE IS RIGHT! LOVES THIS! but please perez STOP talking about Miss California already, she is laughing @ this because you are giving her celebrity status when she is no way a celebrity. Stop naming her in everything and let it go!
For those that believe that when you become a christian the Holy Spirit helps interpret God's word for the believer… this woman is out on a limb someplace… Why is being indiferent a blessing? I would say she is lost as lost can be. I mean, I hope not.. but I get that feeling.
Amen.
How did the guy who posts "Will Ferrell Drinks His Own Urine!" ever become a judge in a beauty contest ?
Re: Nickysue – Who is the Holy Spirit? Can I have his number please?
Let's ban everything that is a sin or an abomination in the Bible! Shellfish are next on the list! No more sea food for ANYONE…or you're going to hell!
Nevermind WHAT Miss California said, listen to HOW she said it. Can no one under 30 speak in full sentences? WTF is wrong with our schools?!
that is the most well thought out and intelligent thing I have ever read on this subject. Thank you for sharing it with your readers!