There is a planet in our universe where right is quickly becoming wrong, and wrong is hurriedly transforming to right. The planet believes that shape-shifting morals is the perfect system for life. This same planet also is a proponent of Inter-Galactic "Free-Choice," where everyone is free to live as they please, act as they like (within legal barriers of course), and think as they want.But they aren't allowed to say "No."
Within this planet, there are specific issues to which it's citizens (and subsequent galactic travelers from other worlds, once they are discovered) simply must comply. If they do not comply, the populace shouts them down as bigots, backwards, and marshmallow heads. They are overruled in the courts.
A few days ago in Britain, an elderly couple who owns a Bed and Breakfast in the English countryside lost their court case to another couple whom they had refused hospitality at the hotel. The presiding judge ruled that the refusal amounted to unlawful, direct discrimination. Discrimination against whom?
The couple who was trying to stay at the Bed and Breakfast was homosexual.
Out of their beliefs the elderly host couple refused the two men a room because they believed that solely civil union (as well homosexual union) did not constitute a marriage. The host couple is considering appealing the ruling, especially because they believed that it was in their right as private business owners to allow or disallow people to stay at their inn. In addition, they believed that it was their prerogative to act according to their religious convictions: that homosexuality is wrong.
But the British court forbid them to say "No."
The reasoning behind the decision was that as a commercial enterprise, the B&B was subject to community standards, rather than the owners' private standards.
Is this what religious freedom looks like?
I realize that the homosexual couple may have been looking forward to a nice weekend at a B&B in the English countryside, but never, never, never should vacation plans supersede religious belief.
This issue is now growing in America. I foresee many instances like this one where Christians refuse Homosexuals because the lifestyle is one of sin. Homosexuality is unnatural, unhealthy, and detrimental to the entire family, which is the foundation of our civilization. Christians naturally will refuse to extend the hand of welcome to this unnatural lifestyle. They love the sinner, but the sin is something Christians cannot support.
The question is, whose beliefs will be overruled?
This is pretty good. one thing though.
ReplyDeleteI think it's not that you are "Forbidden to say "no" I think it's more of: "You must tolerate people who are different than you."
The impact of that...... is that Christianity isn't overarching government of course. :)
In my opinion, it is quite a shame that this couple was not allowed to turn others away from their bed and breakfast. It is, honestly, their bed and breakfast and they should be allowed to turn away whomever they wish to.
ReplyDeleteThat said, i personally think it was the wrong decision for them to turn the guy couple away. I don't know what they hoped to accomplish with that action. I agree with the saying 'hate the sin, love the sinner,' And i personally think the act of turning them away from the bed and breakfast was showing more hate for them then for the sin. Besides, turning them away wont stop anything. They'll just go sleep somewhere else.
If they had allowed them to stay at the bed and breakfast, they could have used that opportunity to minister and witness to the men. It's God's job to judge, not theirs.
Again, however, it is entirely their right to turn away whomever they wish.
(And i know the point of your blog post is that they are forbidden to say no, which is debatable, but i just wanted to say that if i were faced with the situation that the couple was, i would choose differently)
I totally respect everything you have said--both Katie and Joel. You are right Katie, that the instance could have been used to minister, however, like you noted, the main point of my post was merely the fact that the couple could not choose to turn away the gay couple.
ReplyDeleteJoel, we actually as Christians are called to tolerance. So, I do believe that the couple may have acted wrongly. However, in a religiously free society, people must have the ability to say no, else the entire system disallows the freedom it purports. You're right,Christianity isn't the overarching government (and while I may wish it to be, that is not its purpose).