A Response to a Presidential Proclamation

On June 1, 2009 President Barack Obama signed a proclamation declaring the month of June “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT).” How are we as Christians to respond to this?

As children of God we have a responsibility to “be in subjection to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1), and follow the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Romans 13:9). However, we are also to “abhor what is evil” (Romans 12:9). God has left no gray area concerning the evils of LGBT practice. In the Old Testament God declared homosexuality “an abomination,” (Leviticus 18:22) and “detestable” (Leviticus 20:13). He prescribed the death penalty as punishment (Leviticus 20:13). In the New Testament God declared through the Apostle Paul that as a consequence of exchanging the truth of God for a lie, and worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever, He has given people over to degrading passions like lesbianism and homosexuality (Romans 1:25-27). In the mind of God these activities are sinful, and are a demonstration of His hand of chastisement on our nation. Therefore, we must not give our consent to the President’s praise and celebration of the LGBT.

I encourage Christian adults to read the President’s proclamation and think critically and Biblically about it. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-LGBT-Pride-Month/

In the article President Obama stated that “LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society.” But do these great and lasting contributions outweigh the over half a million cases of AIDS in the US caused directly by male-to-male sexual contact? Do these great and lasting contributions compensate for the deaths of over 300,000 American men who have died as a direct result of male-to-male sexual contact? I understand that this disease can be spread in other ways, but the statistics above relate only to those who incurred the disease or died from it as a result of male-to-male sexual contact. (http://www.cdc.gov)

Later on in the article the President said, “I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants…” With these words our President set up LGBT individuals as role models! But do these people really “embody the best qualities?” Are these the type of individuals you want your kids to look up to? Are these the type of individuals that businessmen should be looking for when it comes time to hire?

The president often uses language that sounds good—statements like “As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected.” I pray he may one day have those same feelings for the equality of unborn Americans.

In the next sentence he states, “If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our nation was founded, every American will benefit.” I agree, but I doubt we have the same “principles” in mind. I believe we must return to principles upon which our nation was founded—principles like the gospel. Patrick Henry said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

This is where our hope as individuals and as a nation lies! God is gracious and merciful, and is ready and willing to forgive all who repent of their sin, receive His Son as Savior and Lord, and place their faith in Christ alone. Let’s love our neighbor by sharing the gospel of grace with them. Let’s pray that God would turn the hearts of Americans back to Him—so that they will receive the truth of God, and worship and serve the Creator who is blessed forever. Amen.

Andrew Poh <><

June 11, 2009