How believing in the Bible can get you canned in today's America

[bonnie]

How believing in the Bible can get you canned in today's America

By David and Jason Benham

Published February 10, 2015

If you want to get fired, sued or lose your business in today's America, stand with Biblical convictions.

In Oregon, our friends Aaron and Melissa Klein were found guilty of discrimination by the state just this week, and could face up to $150,000 in fines for not baking a cake for a same-sex wedding.

In Wisconsin, a 15-year-old boy was reprimanded and reportedly punished by his school for backing traditional family in adoption cases.

In New Jersey, a high school teacher was suspended for stating her Biblical beliefs about homosexuality on her personal Facebook page (while at home, off the clock).When we were fired by HGTV for standing by our Biblical beliefs about marriage and life, countless men and women in the LGBTQ community reached out to us in support.  We had, and continue to have, healthy conversations, even though we disagree.  And isn’t that the point? 

In Illinois, a university professor was fired for saying that homosexual acts are “morally wrong.”

The list goes on, yet we can’t forget the grandmotherly florist in Washington Statebeing sued by the Attorney General of Washington for refusing to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding (to a man, who by the way, she had faithfully served and befriended for over a decade).

Grandma (70-year-old Baronelle Stutzman) summed it all up when she said,"Little by little, they are stripping us of any thought we might have, or any difference of opinion. This is our religious freedom at stake."

You know what—Grandma is right.  Our religious freedoms are at stake here. The “tyranny of tolerance” claims that the sexual rights of some are more important than the religious rights of others.

First of all, we must draw a distinction between those that identify as LGBTQ and militant gay activists.  When we were fired by HGTV for standing by our Biblical beliefs about marriage and life, countless men and women in the LGBTQ community reached out to us in support.  We had, and continue to have, healthy conversations, even though we disagree.  And isn’t that the point?  We’re Americans—we can disagree and still get along. We don’t steal the rights of dissenters. That’s when all intellectual, spiritual, and civil progress stops.

Yet this remnant of militant activists refuses to tolerate dissenters to their lifestyle choices.  And unfortunately, they have the United States Government in their back pockets (not to mention the media and Hollywood).

At first, homosexual activists wanted acceptance.  Then they wanted appreciation.  Now they demand celebration. It's not enough to live and let live, these activists are now forcing their lifestyle choices on everyone, even if it means bullying a 70-year-old florist.  We’ve shifted from religious freedom to forced acceptance in America.

The idea of forced acceptance infringes on our constitutional rights as Americans.  As Alliance Defending Freedom succinctly states, the First Amendment guarantees that the government cannot tell its citizens what they can and can’t say or force them to express a positive message about something they believe is morally wrong.

My brother and I are perfectly okay with a gay owned t-shirt company refusing to make t-shirts that say, “Homosexuality is sin.”  And we’re fine with a Jewish baker refusing to cater an event on the Sabbath.  And we’d certainly agree with the gun range owner refusing to let self-identifying ISIS members practice shooting at his facility.  These are their Constitutional rights as Americans.  Thank God!

But what activists are asking is to flip the coin and make Christian companies that are asked to do something against their convictions, like support same-sex marriage or abortion, comply with whole-hearted enthusiasm. 

Isn’t there a double standard here?

The question is not should we as Americans be involved in the battle for freedom, the question is: are you willing to stand with courage at any cost if and when the battle comes knocking on your door?

So before it comes to you, here are a few simple things you can do to prepare:

1. Make up your mind.  Decide that whatever the cost you will stand for freedom.

2. Prepare yourself.  Get informed—don’t be ignorant of the issues and your rights.

3. Join the conversation.  Speak up.  Don’t be silent.

4. Separate ideas from individuals.  You can disagree with someone’s idea and not dislike them as a person.

5. Be kind.  Love triumphs over evil; don’t demonize others.

6. Stand strong.  Don’t back down.  Our children are depending on us!

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God?”

Our liberties are God-given.  And, as such, we must be willing to defend these freedoms no matter the cost.  Now is the time for all Americans – regardless of our differences – to join hands in the greatest battle for liberty in our generation!  It’s time to take a stand.

 

David and Jason Benham are twin brothers, nationally acclaimed real estate entrepreneurs, and the authors of the forthcoming book, "Whatever the Cost: Facing Your Fears, Dying to Your Dreams, and Living Powerfully" (Thomas Nelson, February 2015).

[Gregory Matthews]

^{A business owner may generally decide what services to provide.  A photographer is not going to be forced to provide wedding photography.  A baker is not going to be forced to bake Apple pies and Angel Food Cakes.   But, once a business owner had decided to provide a service, that business owner may be required to provide that service to all.  A baker who sells apple pies to the public cannot refuse to sell that pie to an African-American who visits the owner's shop.  The same goes for a lesbian couple who visits the shop.   The fundamental choice as to what services to provide, remains with the owner.}

[Gregory Matthews]

_{For more on the Klein case, read the following:}

 

_{http://media.oregonlive.com/business_impact/other/BOLI-sweetcakes.pdf}

 

_{You will note that this case is more complicated than is stated above.  One part of the charges was that the Kleins advertised that they would refuse to provide certain services on the basis of sexual orientation.  That is much more than simply  refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding.}

 

_{In any case, read the document.  It is much more informative than is the above post.  Read it to se if all parts of the ruling were against the Kliens, or if some parts of the ruling was in favor of the Kliens.}

[bonnie]

^{A business owner may generally decide what services to provide.  A photographer is not going to be forced to provide wedding photography.  A baker is not going to be forced to bake Apple pies and Angel Food Cakes.   But, once a business owner had decided to provide a service, that business owner may be required to provide that service to all.  A baker who sells apple pies to the public cannot refuse to sell that pie to an African-American who visits the owner's shop.  The same goes for a lesbian couple who visits the shop.   The fundamental choice as to what services to provide, remains with the owner.}

A lesbian couple visiting a shop to purchase bakery goods is different to those involved than being asked to participate in a wedding celebration It is obviously the law at this point. But it doesn't stop there. More to the point is the push to silence any objection to abortion,gay  or transgender right  Recently pro-abortion groups could likely have been successful in having the 19 Kids and counting program taken off the air because of public comments speaking against abortion if there hadn't been a very large counter protest by supporters. 

Other christians speaking out have been threatened with job loss or have lost their jobs. 

[bonnie]

This is more the point,

 

Should the Benham brothers have lost their HGTV show over their remarks?

By Mariano Castillo, CNN

 

Updated 10:50 AM ET, Fri May 9, 2014

Benham: 'It's not HG vs. us' 02:07

Story highlights

• Jason and David Benham say they are not upset at HGTV
• Their complaint is with what they call a gay "agenda"
• Cancellation of "Flip It Forward" fuels debate about effects of airing personal beliefs

The twin brothers who lost their HGTV show after a recording surfaced of one's anti-homosexuality views are surprisingly not upset at the network that fired them.

Their beef is not with HGTV, but with the gay "agenda" that "bullied" the network, Jason and David Benham told CNN's "New Day" on Friday.

"I feel they got bullied," David Benham said. "There's an agenda that's out in America right now that demands silence, especially from men and women who profess Jesus Christ and hold to his standards."

Their dismissal from the show they were scheduled to host added fuel to the debate over people losing their jobs for what they say about their personal lives.

It's not a free speech issue, as both sides mostly agree that people have the right to say what they want, but a question of how severe the consequences for unpopular positions should be.

 

 

 

 

HGTV was within its rights to let the Benham brothers go, but maybe it shouldn't have, Ellis Henican, a Newsday columnist, told "New Day."

"Do they have a legal right? Yes. Should we be cheering it? No, we should not. We ought to be big enough people that we can see people we don't agree with, let them fix their houses, help the nice people. What are we scared of?" Henican said.

The brothers ran afoul of the network after the site Right Wing Watch published a post about the pair, labeling David Benham as an "anti-gay, anti-choice extremist" for reportedly leading a prayer rally in 2012 outside of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The site posted a recording of Benham talking to a talk show host about "homosexuality and its agenda that is attacking the nation" and "demonic ideologies" taking hold in colleges and public schools.

Benham also discusses the fight for North Carolina's Amendment One, which involved a ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state constitution.

The Benham brothers were the planned stars of the HGTV show "Flip It Forward," set to premiere in October, in which they would have helped families purchase homes they otherwise could not afford.

"When the firestorm came in, we had an opportunity to speak with HG and the folks over there and explain to them who we were as people," Jason Benham said. "We sell to all people of all kinds, and that we would be glad to take a homosexual couple onto our show."

Peter Shankman, a branding and social media consultant, told "New Day" that the decision probably boiled down to money.

"This is HGTV scared because they saw what happened with Paula Deen, they saw what happened with "Duck Dynasty," and this is a ... move to make sure that this doesn't come back to bite them," he said, referring to the controversies for offensive comments made by the stars on their respective shows.

"This is about money," he said. "And if you are going to come out and say something that is against a big section of the population, love it or hate it, you're going to not have that right to give that talk, to get that show, to do whatever."

The show's producers knew about the brothers' views and went ahead with them as hosts until the controversy went public, the Benhams said.

"We don't feel wronged at all. This isn't HG versus us, or us against the gay community. This is an agenda, and we're getting to witness it right now," Jason Benham said.

Their comments have never been aimed at gays, but at an agenda that says you can't stand by your beliefs, Jason Benham said.

"It's only going to get worse because there is an agenda that wants to silence the beliefs that we have," he said.

[whbae]

Our federal government and many local governments bend backward to accommodate Muslims such as providing Muslim teachings in the public schools and force kids to study, provide prayer time and place in the city.  And prohibit any word against Muslims.

Yet, they do not hesitate to discriminate against Christians.

I wonder people are afraid of Muslims.

[Gregory Matthews]

Well, there is a time and a place for one to claim the religious freedoms granted by the Federal Constitution.  In the litigation that involved the Kliens, they claimed certain freedoms based upon the Federal Constitution.   But, they did that in the wrong place.  So, in effect, their claim of those freedoms was never decided.  As a matter of fact, the ruling correctly stated that it had no authority to decide those aspects of the case.  IF the Kleins wish to have those claims decided, they will have to go into the appropriate Court and litigate there.  Financially that would likely be beyond their means.  But, if their church, or some other party decided to finance such litigation, they could do it.  As to whether or not they would win would be a different matter.

[Aliensanctuary]

As so many have unfortunately found out in northern Africa and the Middle East, belief in the Bible may result in getting your head cut off by bigoted, intolerant Muslims. Not to mention losing your jobs, becoming refugees in other countries, and having your churches and homes being burned.

 

I don't think that day is too far off for Americans who claim to be Christians and who put their faith in the Scriptures. Demons of Darkness cannot tolerate the Light of the World, and so they must do whatever it takes to create more Darkness.

 

YHVH is Light. Allah is Death.

 

Am I ready to lose my job, be shot, blown up, or beheaded for my deep faith in YHVH? Yes, I believe so. I know it will end well for the selfless servants of YHVH, not so well for the murderous servants of Satan.

[bonnie]

Well, there is a time and a place for one to claim the religious freedoms granted by the Federal Constitution.  In the litigation that involved the Kliens, they claimed certain freedoms based upon the Federal Constitution.   But, they did that in the wrong place.  So, in effect, their claim of those freedoms was never decided.  As a matter of fact, the ruling correctly stated that it had no authority to decide those aspects of the case.  IF the Kleins wish to have those claims decided, they will have to go into the appropriate Court and litigate there.  Financially that would likely be beyond their means.  But, if their church, or some other party decided to finance such litigation, they could do it.  As to whether or not they would win would be a different matter.

The intent and content of the article is far more than the Klein case.

 

 

The fifteen year old that was reprimanded and punished for his opinion in an editorial.  "His opinion was one part of an editorial page that presented student viewpoints both for and against the issue".  Opinions against don't appear to be well tolerated. Why not just say,only positive opinions please? Any dissent is ignorant.

 

 

Activists trying to have the 19 Kids and Counting show cancelled because they could not tolerate them speaking out against abortion. It would have been free speech had it been pro-choice comments. Same for the twins that were denied a show because of their beliefs. 

[JoeMo]

whbae asks:

"I wonder [if] people are afraid of Muslims[?]"

 

Answer:

Yes they are; and with good reason.  That being said; our Savior says, "Fear not! I have overcome the world."

 

People would be wise to consider the feasibility of Islam as the beast/antichrist power.  I'm not saying that the historical human villain of SDA eschotology should be thrown out the window - Catholicism has made some pretty "loving" overtures to Islam in recent years.  But looking at current world conditions, Islam fits the antichrist bill much better than the Papacy.  Those of you with an open mind to this may want to read "The Dragon and the Beast" by Faith Jones (a psuedo-name) - available through Barnes and Noble.

[Aliensanctuary]

I think that the mild "persecution" some are experiencing in the workplace for their biblical worldview are just warning shots. Soon enough, those who embrace biblical teachings will be removed from their employment because of their beliefs, especially related to human sexuality. When Christians and Christ's teachings are removed from society and churches banned or burned, the cover of the cesspool is opened and waves upon waves of unspeakable atrocities will engulf the nation and the world.

 

 Will we have the courage to claim that we serve YHVH, our First Lawmaker, when we stand accused of "hate" crimes against the state by speaking out against transgressions of the Laws of YHVH? Would we risk starvation and homelessness, torture and death in order to testify that we believe in a better way to live and a better world-to-come?

 

When the murderous, massive, destructo-Fourth Beast arises to destroy human civilization, we will all face the same life-or-death test. Will we acknowledge YHVH as our Master and suffer serious persecution and death (then later be resurrected back to life), or acknowledge Satan as our Master and live (but only for a short time until final annihilation)?

 

Unless the Popes arm all Catholics with knives and guns and bombs in order to destroy everyone not a member of their denomination, we should look elsewhere for the identity of the Fourth Beast. Although professing "purity", Radical Nazi Muslims are the worst of the worst, leaving a trail of persecution, blood, tears, fear, and death in their murderous wake. ISIS is just the beginning, a shadow of what lies ahead. Is it a only just a coincidence that ISIS has arisen from ancestral Babylon, which is Iraq?