Stand for Freedom

Stand for Freedom
As I wright this the worst mass murder in United States history has just taken place. At this writing at least 49 are dead and many, many more injured. All at the hands of a lunatic claiming ties to terrorist groups. Someone who hated Gays
I as a heterosexual Christian I recoil in horror at such an act.
I believe it is time for Christians to stand up against those who would not only try to restrict the rights of homosexuals but the rights of all others who are not hurting others.
Christians particularly in the United States need to realize that the government is a secular democracy. That within a secular democracy the government does its best to ensure the rights and freedoms of all people.
No matter what Christians feel about Gay rights, same sex marriage or any other group we have no right to judge them. The apostle Paul states,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
The way I see it Paul is telling Christians to refrain from judging anyone who is not Christian and getting rid of anyone who claims to be Christian and is not following the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus who said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
This means if you want to live in freedom with the right to practice your faith. Then don’t speak out against any group that is living in peace and not hurting anyone. Let them enjoy the same rights and freedoms you enjoy.
Jesus and the apostles lived in the Roman Empire a place that allowed almost any kind of practice. I’m sure the apostle Paul and the other disciples saw many things they would not have liked. Yet they didn’t speak out against them. Instead they presented the Love of Jesus and the Salvation only He could bring to the world.
Today especially, Christian leaders should be sending their condolences to the families of the dead and injured at that night club.
They should be standing up against bigotry, prejudice and violence in any form against any group. They should be extending the hand of friendship and love to all.
We must remember that to restrict the rights of even one person could ultimately lead to the restriction of our rights one day.
Martin Niemoller during the reign of the Nazis in Germany wrote,

“When they came for the Communists, 

I did not stand up, 

because I was not a Communist. 

When they came for the Jews, 

I did not stand up, 

because I was not Jewish. 

When they came for the Catholics, 

I did not stand up, 

because I was not a Catholic. 

When they came for me, 

there was no one left to stand up.”

As Christians who if statistics are correct, are the most persecuted group on earth at the moment we need to stand up for the oppressed.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”Tony Campolo
He is right. We need to stand up for the rights of all people irrespective of whether we agree with them or not.
God in creating man gave man a freewill to do as he wished. We as Christians in a democracy should be upholding peoples freedom and right to live as they wish as long as they are not hurting or restricting the rights of others.
I as a Christian for one offer my condolences to the families of those who died.
It is my sincere hope that those who were injured will make a full recovery in body, mind and spirit.
May God bless and keep you, and your families, strong in what has to be one of the worst times in your life.
            Neal W.