By Terry Loving
As a former member of Hillcrest Church of Christ, I was saddened by the passing of my Brother in Christ – Donald “Don” Perry. When I saw his picture on Yahoo news, I remembered his hearty laughter, his warm handshakes, and his infectious smile. His deep hearty voice stayed with me over the years. I remember when it was announced that his son Jason was going to college, and how super proud this made Brother Perry and his family. I was happy for them, even from a distance.
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It really breaks my heart to read the hurtful comments, and the hate filled venom written in cyberspace concerning his death. S. Truett Cathy Founder and Chairman, of Chick-fil-A makes a statement concerning his spiritual beliefs, and opposer’s are wishing hell fire and suffering on Brother Perry. I really do not get it. Is this still America? Are we still in the land of the free to express our opinions? Have we not the right to choose to serve God, or not believe if we desire? I have yet to read anywhere that Mr. Cathy or Brother Perry was forcing their spiritual beliefs on anyone.
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As a fellow American and a Christian, I do not support gay marriage, and I do not hate gays. I have a lesbian cousin whom I love dearly. I have had gay male friends, and we all respected our different views without hate. My gay friend “Buzzy” died of a heart attack at the age of 40. I shared with him what the Bible says about homosexuals, and he shared with me how he felt about his lifestyle. Did we fall out and stop loving each other? No! My other gay friend who is probably dead from AIDS by now – same thing with him. We talked about it, but agreed to live our free will – gay and straight.
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My point is this – in the end – God will set the record straight. There is no need for hate.
I admit that some Christians make it hard for other Christians to live in this world. Religious fanatics will always be a part of our culture, and I personally wish it wasn’t so. But please understand this, true Christians are commanded to speak the Word of God, and do so with love – but not in a timid fashion. Does this mean that we are allowed to hurt feelings and step on toes when dealing with those who do not share our beliefs? – Not at all. It happens, but it doesn’t make it right. Mr. Cathy’s statement opposing same sex marriage did not – in my opinion – “discriminate” against gays.
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If Christians take a stand against domestic abusers, does this mean that we are discriminating against them? How about alcoholism – are we discriminating against those who drink when we speak as God speaks concerning this evil? I have witnessed from childhood what alcoholism does to a family. It dies a horrible slow death. Should we not warn those who live the opposite of what the Bible teaches? We as Christians are commanded to do so, or be held accountable:
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”
Ezekiel 3:18 “When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.”
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Does this mean that we are perfect? No, for me it means, “I was blind but now I see.”
The Bible is called “Good News” for God made provisions through the Blood of Christ to save our miserable souls. The “Good News” is we do not have to spend eternity in the devils hell. We can have life eternal with God and our Lord Jesus. It is our right to choose, God gave us this right to live or die spiritually.
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There are ignorant people saying that Don Perry died as a result of God’s judgment for his opinions. How stupid is that. Especially when this heated debate did not originate with Don in the first place. Humans are so quick to jump on bandwagons in ignorance when it comes to the things of God. But hey – no one is protesting the slavery and mistreatment of those who gather and process coco beans so Americans can enjoy their chocolate. This country enjoys much on the backs of underpaid, not paid, enslaved workers who provide much labor to produce our goods that we take for granted. But do we balk? Never! Only when the things of God are on the table do people get up in arms. Why? – Because America is on a moral decline, and the slope is getting more slippery day by day.
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The Bible warns that in the Last Days it will be like this. Light and darkness have always been in opposition. Darkness is trying to take over, for the light is dim and uninterested in shining for the Lord. In other words, many Christians love the world too much to stand up for God and His Word.
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And let me say this; of all the gay people I have known and loved, none of them bullied their way in our society to have the spotlight shine on them. They worked, wrote plays, were doctors, mothers and lived quiet lives. We were able to love one another because we did not try to impose our beliefs and our wills on each other. I guess it is just the way I see things. I will not miss an opportunity to speak the Word of God, but I will not hate anyone who is living a lifestyle not according to His Word. At the same time, I will not allow anyone who is gay to try to persuade me that what they are doing is right. I stand with God on this issue. And certainly no abuser can convince me that God gave him the right to chastise his wife. When you learn to agree to disagree, there is no cause for hate.
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Don and Marilyn Perry
To the Perry family, I offer my heartfelt condolences. To those who question Don’s standing with God, you have no right. I was there when he worshiped. I saw his heart, and you are wrong to condemn a man for something that did not originate with him. His death isn’t about “the chickens coming home to roost.” His death isn’t about “karma.” You make jokes about his death while his family mourns. You people are so sad. You know nothing about this man personally, and yet you condemn him to hell. Sad.
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Lastly, everyone seems to have an agenda that they are trying to get others to accept.
“Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, which supports same-sex marriage, told the AP Thursday that Chick-fil-A “has finally come clean.”
Now who lit the match?
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“The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect — regardless of belief, creed and sexual orientation,” spokesman Don Perry said.
“We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena,” he added. http://www.examiner.com/article/liberals-media-attack-chick-fil-a-for-opposing-gay-marriage?CID=obinsite
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http://hillcrestcoc.net/donperry.pdf
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King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
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Hosea 14:9 “Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”
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New American Standard Bible (©1995)
“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
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