When I was a child, I learned about seven "deadly" sins: pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth. I had a schoolyard bully who tried tagging me with the nickname "sloth" because I could often be found hanging upside down on the "monkey bars" or "jungle gym" as the playground equipment used to be called. The nickname didn't stick, and it was an early lesson on how to ignore minor offenses.
These days people are easily offended, especially the LGBTqrsetc crowd. If I were to dare reiterate in public my childhood lessons about the deadly sins, I would be quickly condemned, cancelled, fired, "doxed", and become a social outcast. In some places it is a crime to share Biblical teachings. Take Finland for example where they apparently do not have a double jeopardy rule,
From The Christian Institute,
A Christian politician in Finland who faces a second trial for alleged “hate speech” after sharing the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality has likened her experience to a “modern-day inquisition”.
Last year, Helsinki District Court dismissed all charges against former Government minister Dr Päivi Räsänen, stating that it could find no justification to censor her exercise of free speech. But following an appeal, she has been summoned to attend a new trial next month.
Dr Räsänen was charged with three so-called hate crimes for expressing her biblically based views on sexual ethics: in a 2019 tweet, during a 2019 radio debate, and via a 2004 pamphlet.
The politician stated: “I have been subjected to a legal process that has already lasted for more than four years for the alleged ‘crime’ of sharing my Christian beliefs in public.”
She branded it “a modern-day inquisition and a theological examination of my beliefs”, which churches have taught “for two thousand years”.
“Sexual relations outside marriage are against God’s will, as are same-sex relationships. I will not back off from this viewpoint. At the same time, I have emphasised that every one of us is sinful in front of God. The solution to sin is not denying its reality but accepting God’s grace through Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice.”
Dr Räsänen warned that, if required, she will take her case to the Supreme Court of Finland and the European Court of Human Rights.
In 2019, the politician shared a picture of her Bible open at Romans 1:24-27 in response to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland’s decision to sponsor a local LGBT pride event.
She wrote: “How can the church’s doctrinal foundation, the Bible, be compatible with the lifting up of shame and sin as a subject of pride?”
Dr Räsänen was placed under investigation for the comments the same year, but a formal prosecution was not made until April 2021.
In a statement, Finland’s Prosecutor General claimed her actions were derogatory and discriminatory, and suggested her comments violated the dignity of gay people.
Meanwhile in England (Premier Christian News),
A Christian Conservative councillor has been dropped by six companies after tweeting that Pride is a sin.
Cllr King Lawal, who has been a councillor at Northamptonshire Unitary Council for two years, claims he was banned from holding surgeries at the local library.
He was suspended for 21 days, pending an investigation. He also claims he was forced to resign from his own company, which he had built and grown.
When did Pride become a thing to celebrate. Because of Pride Satan fell as an arch Angel. Pride is not a virtue but a Sin. Those who have Pride should Repent of their sins and return to Jesus Christ. He can save you. #PrideMonth #Pride23 #PrideParade.”
The post included an image with a verse from Isaiah 3 verse 9 which said: ‘Whatever God calls “Sin” is nothing to be Proud of.’
Cllr Lawal later provided further clarification in a more detailed statement:
“When I referred to Pride as a sin in my previous post, it may have been misinterpreted as hateful. Let me explain why it is not.
“When Christians refer to ‘sin’ or ‘sinners’ we are speaking of ourselves. We are not singling out specific people or groups of people as sinners.
“Sin according to the Bible includes lying, stealing, gossip and hatred - not just things like homosexuality, adultery and sex outside of marriage.
“Jesus said that even to have unholy thoughts that we never act on is sinful. Therefore every single one of us is sinful by this standard, including myself.”
Speaking to Premier Christian News, he said: “I would do it again. First, I am a Christian, and a believer in Jesus Christ and a soldier of his army, so I am a councillor second.
Actually, my political life works better with me being a Christian because I believe in truth, being honest and loving people. They don't work against each other.
I should be able to share my beliefs. Legally I can hold and share my religious beliefs without being persecuted for it.”
I fear that these forms of persecution will only get worse as Christians become a smaller and smaller minority in western "civilization".
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I don't know anything about the origin of the "Pride" events, but it wouldn't surprise me to learn that the word was chosen for specifically anti-Christian reasons.
ReplyDeletePossibly so. The founders are probably long gone by now so no way to know for sure.
DeleteThe Episcopal church has become prideful.
ReplyDelete