Editors Note: The editorial has been approved with a majority vote of 7-3-0 with quorum being met. Those that have sent feedback without just answering with a 'Yes' or 'No', their responses are presented below. Pittsburgh Standard is not responsible for ad content from Google ads which we do not always agree with.

We are angered to hear that homosexual activists have once again meddled on the issue of whether marriage should only be between a man and a woman. Today, they have won a landmark decision in the liberal state of California when the California Supreme Ct decided to legalize gay marriage 4-3 on this day of Thurs, May 15, 2008 around 1:15 p.m.

Homosexuality is seen as an abomination and aberration in Islam and the Koran so their people have their reasons to think about America as they do even though we do not believe what many Islamic states believe about America. But rulings like this do not help our image in the world when it comes to morality.

Not only is the Koran against homosexuality but the Torah and the Bible speaks against it time after time. America was not founded on Islamic principles because many of them are against the Torah and the Bible but when it comes to the sinfulness of homosexuality, we can agree with Islam.

America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and the practice of homosexuality had no place in America’s founding including the law books of the nation. What makes California Supreme Ct think they are right than the justices that preceded them. Those four justices who agreed upon the majority opinion to legalize gay marriage should be ashamed of themselves and will have to answer to God for this abomination and aberrant ruling.

What makes any human being think they know better than God. Throughout history and throughout religions, homosexuality is spoken against whether it be the Koran, Torah, the Bible, etc. How dare this court think they know better and legalize gay marriage which is unthinkable. Having civil unions is one thing but corrupting the sanctity of marriage which should be between a man and a woman and giving that right to same-sex couples so they can be married in the same way is a travesty to this nation.

This is the 21st century but God’s Word in the Bible has not changed. God did not decide that homosexuality is right now after all these years neither has God decided that a marriage can be between people of the same sex. Man has decided that and what will the consequences of that be!

No nation that has legalized gay marriage as a nation has prospered but immorality has run rampant. Let us hope and pray that the other 48 states do not make the mistake of what California and Massachusetts has done.

Opposing gay marriage in no way means we hate homosexuals. On the contrary, Jesus said, it is the sick that need the doctor and not the healthy. Homosexuality is a lifestyle ordained by Satan and Satan would not love anything better than going against Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Jesus spoke about love and yes we need to love everyone including those who practice homosexuality but we need to hate the sin of homosexuality. Loving the person and hating the sin or loving a person and hating their actions is not bigotry.

We believe God is against homosexuality not because He hates human beings to be happy but because He created them and knows what is best for them. He knows the dangers of homosexuality whether it is emotionally, physically, or spiritually and does not want humans to go through that. It is not just homosexuality God is against but any sexual sin and other sins.

When Jesus went to the cross, Jesus went to the cross to save everyone including those who practice homosexuality and other sexual sins, when they turn to Him and ask Him to transform them and change them. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed that changed and transformed people even those who used to be homosexuals.

We do not hate homosexuals because if we did we will be going against the Word of God and His love. We want to love homosexuals too with the love of Jesus Christ caring for them, praying for them, and sharing our lives with them but we cannot approve of the sin that could bring danger to their own life.

The absolute standard is in the Word of God, the Bible that we believe and because the Bible is the absolute standard for us, we cannot and do not want to ever support a homosexual lifestyle especially a lifestyle where two people of the same sex can get married and corrupt what marriage is supposed to stand for.

God created Adam and Eve so they can be in a relationship with each other and Jesus said, ‘A man needs to be united to his wife and they shall become one’.

If we support homosexuality and gay marriages, we need to ask ourselves, whether we support the right of men and women to do whatever they like or do we support the teachings and Word of God which speaks against homosexuality and gay marriages.

We ask all followers of Christ and those who adhere to the Word of God as infallible and indestructible to speak out against this evil that has pervaded the land, the evil of same-sex marriage. Speaking out against immorality is not hate speech neither is it bigotry.

In good conscience there is no way we can support any decision that goes against the Word of God and the God we love. The California Supreme Ct has acted to say that their law is above God’s law which is heart-reckoning. God’s law will stand the test of time and we who say we love God need to obey it’s law.

It is time that we fight once again for the Federal Marriage Amendment for marriage to be between a man and a woman. The time is now to act to call your legislatures, congressman/congresswoman, and senators to voice your opinion for the Federal Marriage Amendment.

It is time we choose politicians and our elected officials who will be for the Federal Marriage Amendment because when we are for the Federal Marriage Amendment, we say we are for what God stands for when it comes to marriage.

We however in no way want anyone 'who is a practicing homosexual or want to marry their partner' to think they should be hated! On the contrary, everyone needs to be loved for our Lord is not about hate but about love. But love does not mean we give into immorality for the Word of the Lord says, ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy’.

This means we need to speak out against immorality and we have done that but we need to also present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying world. Homosexuality is not the only immoral thing the Bible talks about but this issue is relevant because of the courts ruling. It is important to remember that this is a lifestyle and people can come out of it based on Exodus International and other groups. Especially, there is evidence in the Bible to come out of homosexuality

“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin..... practice homosexuality,..... none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NLT)

“For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy...... the law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, .....or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted.... by our blessed God.” (1 Timothy 1:9-11, NLT)

“We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:9-11, NLT)

Express Your View

FEEDBACK I:

"No, but re-written, this could be a lot better.”

“First, I don't know why it is significant that the Koran is against homosexuality because it is not the inspired Word of God.”

“The second part of the article is good, and I think it can be expounded upon. Something that might be interesting would be to explore what "loving homosexuals" looks like because "when we were still sinners, Christ died for us".

“I think this topic would be less trite and more interesting and relevant. I recently heard a man speak who wrote a book entitled "Loving Homosexuals as Jesus Would". He argues that sometimes Christians' love toward homosexuals is conditional on whether or not the person will "change".

“Christ calls us on the other hand to unconditional love. I think this topic is more interesting and could be expanded upon. Good luck!"

A Dissenting Board Member

FEEDBACK II: "Absolutely not.... Much of the arguments presented lack factual support and are merely rooted in subjective thinking."

A Dissenting Board Member

FEEDBACK III: "Yes, it is a little shaky but I'll vote yes."

A Concurring Board Member

FEEDBACK IV: "Yes, well written!. Good to see all sides of the issue. Definitely publish it."

A Concurring Board Member

FEEDBACK V:

Article lacks factual support. Merely an opinion. First off, no reason to stretch over Koran's teaching. Also, it seems to say that Koran's teaching are directly contradictory to Bible's and Torah's. This is totally untrue. What Muslims though do believe in is that Bible and Torah have been altered (as many Christian leaders do believe too), and that the Scripture has lost its meaning or intentionally misrepresented. If a true Bible or Torah would become available (which is impossible), then according o Koran Muslims must abide it and respect it. The article also makes a point that every nation that has legalized gay marriages has not prospered. This claim is also untrue. The only states that have ever legalized such marriages are : Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Massachusetts, Canada and now California. Six of these seven of these are fairly prosperous and regarded to be developed nations. No offense, but your claims are based upon mere thoughts. No practical basis or facts.

Talha Khan, Published on Saturday, May 17, 2008 @ 12:16 p.m.

Mr. Khan, as a Muslim it is understandable for you to speak on behalf of Muslims and what their view of the Bible and Torah is. This is in no way is surprising.

But to say that many Christian leaders do believe too that the Bible and Torah have been altered is like saying “many people do believe too that Muslims are the main terrorists in this world”

Your response maybe that they are not true Muslims because Islam is a religion of peace. How convenient! My response is that those Christian leaders are not true followers of Christ. They are like wolves in sheep’s clothing. No true follower of Christ will believe that the Bible and Torah have been altered!

Your accusations can be easily rebutted based on the evidence in the book ‘Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross’ which is an apologetic book addressing your accusations by Norman L Geisler & Abdul Saleeb

Ramesh C. Reddy, Published on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 8:20 p.m.

.Click picture to read my dad's memoriam:

Nov 01, 1941 - Dec 17, 2007

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