Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Persecution over homosexuality looms for Brazilian Christians

Persecution over homosexuality looms for Brazilian Christians

D. L. Foster

The world’s system is moving quickly to protect and sanctify with legal measures the abomination that parodies the nature of God.

Via Last Days Watchman, we learn a new proposal in Brazil could punish pastors who preach against homosexuality with up to five years in prison. The bill is sweeping in its scope against anyone in the public or private sector who opposes homosexuality.

Under the guise of stopping discrimination, the measure also specifies that if anyone attempts to prevent acts of “homosexual affection” in public, they could also be subject to the penalty.

In June the President of Brazil convened a government sanctioned conference for homosexuals and decreed that opposition to their rights are ” perhaps the most perverse disease impregnated in the human mind.” President Lula vowed to rid Brazil of “homophobia”.

How long before we see such measures pick up mainstream support in America? If you are a pastor will you capitulate to what the legal system deems right or will you cry out against wickedness and risk imprisonment?

Some Christians believe that once a law is passed we are bound to obey it against the will of God and our holy faith. But is that the witness of the saints before us?

In Daniel chapter six, a law simular to the one being proposed in Brazil was passed. But take note of Daniel’s response to the law.

Then these men said to themselves, “We shall find no grounds for accusation against this Daniel unless by way of the law of his God.” So these supervisors and satraps went thronging to the king and said to him, “King Darius, live forever! All the supervisors of the kingdom, the prefects, satraps, nobles, and governors are agreed that the following prohibition ought to be put in force by royal decree: no one is to address any petition to god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king; otherwise he shall be cast into a den of lions. Now, O king, issue the prohibition over your signature, immutable and irrevocable under Mede and Persian law.” So King Darius signed the prohibition and made it law. Even after Daniel heard that this law had been signed, he continued his custom of going home to kneel in prayer and give thanks to his God in the upper chamber three times a day, with the windows open toward Jerusalem. So these men rushed in and found Daniel praying and pleading before his God. Then they went to remind the king about the prohibition: “Did you not decree, O king, that no one is to address a petition to god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king; otherwise he shall be cast into a den of lions?” The king answered them, “The decree is absolute, irrevocable under the Mede and Persian law.” To this they replied, “Daniel, the Jewish exile, has paid no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you issued; three times a day he offers his prayer.” Daniel 6:6-13 NAB

Not only he refuse to discontinue doing what the law specifically forbade under penalty of death, he did not alter in any way what he did doing prayer which was to open his windows. Yes, he was convicted and sentenced to death, but it set the stage for one of the greatest acts of divine intervention recorded in scripture.

Source: Gay Christian Movement Watch

Divulgation: http://www.lastdayswatchman.blogspot.com

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