I feel that everyone should be treated equal and no one should be discriminated against for any reason, but there is no proof they have ever been discriminated against. Gays are not a class who have faced widespread discrimination and need special privileges to catch up like women and Blacks. First, Gays on average have more money and sit in more seats of power than the average heterosexual. Often the fathers in rich families are absent frequently on business or emotionally distant and children are boarded in boys and girls schools accounting for the high prevalence of homosexuality among the rich so there is no evidence of discrimination as a class. Second, unlike Blacks and women, Gays have no physical characteristic that identifies them. The average person who is Gay looks and acts no different then heterosexuals do in public. You would not know they are Gay unless they choose to publicly identify themselves as Gay or flaunt their sexual activities in public, so they would not face discrimination unless they publicly identify themselves. Thus, while they should not be discriminated against for being Gay, they invite discrimination by identifying themselves as being Gay. They control the way they act in public so their decisions determine whether they will face discrimination. With Blacks and women, it is hard to hide the fact that they are Black or a woman and they have often been discriminated against through no fault of their own. They are discriminated against for something beyond their control, not because of the choices they make. Homosexuals say they can not change, but many do. Blacks and women can not change the fact that they are a woman or are Black. In addition, since Gays have no physical characteristic that proves they are Gay, anyone can claim he is Gay and demand special treatment opening any law against discrimination to widespread abuse.
Gay Rights-IV-T
Liberal Democrats are pressuring President Biden to mandate what they call “Gay Rights” but which are in fact “Gay Privileges”. They say Gays are being discriminated against and need to have laws to protect their rights but the laws they are proposing, (Gay Bill of Special Rights) grant special employment status for homosexuals and transsexuals which go beyond asking for equality and in fact demand special privileges. Anti-discrimination laws were needed for Blacks and women to secure them equal treatment because they were being discriminated against and laws were needed to prevent continuing discrimination. However, such laws did not demand special privileges, all they required was equal treatment. Because whenever you grant one class special privileges, you automatically discriminate against other classes who don’t share those special privileges. Yet, even with those there was danger of abuse and we saw them abused by some Blacks and women who claimed they deserved special privileges, but they were the exception, not the rule. This new law is being drawn up with the intent to get special privileges.
Sermon-Seek Ye First-video
Many Americans today are seeking prosperity, hoping it will bring happiness, but God has a better plan.
Eleventh Sunday of Pentecost-Aug 6
Curbside attractions-People are attracted by activity. People are attracted by a fight or other disturbance simply because life is dull and it is a diversion. They are also attracted by someone telling a story or painting a picture. The Salvation Army used to wander through the slums playing instruments to attract a crowd. Then they would stop and start preaching to the crowd. A friend of mine in Chicago had an old VW bus with the side door. He fixed a board with a sheet of paper on it just inside the van and would pull up to the curb, put money in the meter, and open the side door. Then he would start drawing a picture. As a crowd gathered on the sidewalk, he began telling a Bible story related to the picture he was drawing. In trailer parks we have lived in, there was very little for the kids to do and they often hung around with nothing to do. I often went out on the corner and began drawing a picture on a board. When they saw me, they quickly gathered to hear Bible stories. After a couple times, the kids are eager to join a local children’s Bible club.
Politics-AB-AD
Democrats seem to think that if we trade with our enemies, they will like us. Both Presidents Obama and Biden have restricted American oil production and increased reliance on Arab oil. While they state it is due to environmental concerns, it also aids the Arabs by pouring millions of American dollars into the Arab economy. That money is not going to aid the Arab people. The Arab States remain fairly poor. That money is being funneled into the pockets of the leaders and into the terrorist organizations that have stated that they intend to wipe out Israel and the United States. In that way, we are supporting the terrorists in their campaign to destroy us. It also makes us vulnerable to blackmail as the Arab States threaten to cut off our oil supply if we don’t stop attacking the terrorists. As a result, America has vastly reduced its attacks on terrorists and in fact turns a blind eye to the genocide being carried out against Christians in Arab countries. While it means less attacks against the United States, 9-11 showed us that it only lasts as long as we keep supporting them. If we withdraw our support of their terrorist activities by switching to more American oil, they attack us again. It is a false security that doesn’t last. Like any blackmail, it only lasts as long as you give in to the blackmailer’s demands. In addition, they opened our doors and gave China favored trade status. As a result, China undercut American manufacturers and now we are dependent on China for many of our products. We saw that when Covid shut down imports. Many of our medici
Politics-AB-AC
Democrats state they believe in diplomacy instead of military intervention. They have a very narrow view of the situation. The Arabs have stated that they intend to wipe out Israel and have been involved in the attacks on the United States, who have supported Israel, including 9-11. They openly proclaim that they will wipe out the infidels, which includes the United States. They are determined to make everyone Moslem, if someone doesn’t convert, they kill them. That is very similar to what Hitler did when he said he would rule the world. He attacked country after country while western nations continued to try to negotiate a peace. Every time they offered a concession, he came back and demanded more. It didn’t work with Hitler and it hasn’t worked with the Arab terrorists. You can’t negotiate with someone who wants an entire pie. Offering them part of the pie won’t work. Every time you give them part of it, they come back for more of your share. They aren’t interested in dividing the pie, they want it all. You can’t negotiate with someone who wants you dead. You can’t offer to let them rough you up a little instead, they won’t be happy until you convert to Islam or are dead. Diplomacy may work when two countries have a dispute but doesn’t work with dictators and radicals who want to rule the world.
Ohio Constitution Amendment
People in Ohio are concerned how easy it has been for outside interests to insert their pet projects in our Constitution and saddle Ohioans with them. It currently requires only half of the counties to submit petitions and only a simple majority to pass. People in Ohio are moving to amend the Constitution to bring it in line with other States, many require a 60% approval. The federal government requires 2/3rds of Congress and 3/4ths of the States to pass an amendment. Here is a brief video on the issue.
Rev Robert Barr
Neighborhood Ministries of NW Ohio
Tenth Sunday of Pentecost-July 30
Special Events in the park like Church picnics give the church an enjoyable time of fellowship but can also serve as a valuable way to reach those who don’t attend church. Large community events like fireworks displays that draw crowds also provide excellent opportunities. Games and activities for adults and kids can attract those outside the church if the church is open to inviting and including them. A table with snacks or a picnic meal also may attract kids playing nearby and church kids can be encouraged to invite kids playing nearby. Church families can also invite their neighbors to come with them and members of neighborhood Bible Clubs will get a chance to meet the larger church. Pavilions often have electric outlets and the church can set up a screen and show children’s videos. If electric is not available, someone can do a chalk drawing or paint a picture while telling the story that goes with it. Be sure to have literature on hand telling about your church. As the people get to know church members, they may be willing to join in other activities the church has.
Sanctity of Life-F-E
Abortion supporters claim a woman has a right to control her own body and that is true. She can decide whether or not to have sex. If she decides to have sex, she must accept responsibility for any children that result. Once she is pregnant, it effects someone else besides her. The baby is also affected and that is not her body. It has a distinct DNA and often a different blood type. With rights come responsibility. As a product of her decision, she is responsible to protect the child from the moment of conception to the age of 18 when it becomes an adult and able to decide for itself. The child cannot protect itself. If the mother does not protect it, society has a responsibility to step in and protect it. If the mother claims that it has her DNA and so she can decide for it, then the husband should have just as much of a say as the mother because the child has as much of his DNA as it does of the mother’s. Abortion supporters say that it is different with cases of rape and incest because the mother does not consent. However all laws against abortion before Roe vs Wade allowed exceptions for rape and incest so it is no excuse for allowing abortion on demand up to and including birth, which is what abortion providers seek.