Round 1

It's disappointing, but not surprising that the 27% of Gainesville voters who went to the polls Tuesday defeated Amendment One and upheld the Gender Identity ordinance. Gainesville has already cemented its position as the most liberal city in Florida. The Yes 2 Marriage Amendment last fall would have failed if the rest of the state voted like Gainesville did. This election was swayed by an influx of money from gay advocacy groups around the country, and a surge of political interest from UF students - mobilized by the LGBT student union - who turned out in bus loads during early voting.

The fact that 27% is considered a good turnout for a city election is a shame in itself. I still believe that if a majority of the registered voters in Gainesville had voted, the outcome would have been different. The anti-One side succeeded in convincing some people that gay, lesbian and transgender individuals would be subject to Jim Crow-like discrimination if the amendment was passed - without any evidence that such discrimination existed before the ordinance was enacted! 

Once again I must emphasize that we did not oppose the Gender Identity ordinance out of hatred for homosexuals or transgendered people. Our concern is that a poorly drawn law designed to protect a small group that has virtually no demonstrated history of being discriminated against, has literally opened the door to allow sexual predators into our public restrooms - and that has been demonstrated. 

Most local political observers think it is only a matter of time until Alachua county commissioners decide they want to be seen as "progressive" and pass a similar law. Then it will be time for county residents to decide where they stand. Round 1 of this culture clash is over, but Round 2 may not be far away.

My hope is that we will be able to look back and say this was the beginning of a movement by God's people to work together to bring back a society based on eternal truth and not the "cause of the month". My prayer is that it doesn't take a tragedy to wake us up.

I'll close with a little personal vignette:  last week, while driving my kids to school, we heard one of the frequently-repeated radio ads for the anti-One side. One of my boys asked me why I was against the Gender Identity ordinance. While I was trying to think of a scholarly and scripturally accurate answer, my 10 year old daughter said ..."because if God says its wrong, we can't say it's right".     That sums up a Christian worldview better than any book I've read to date.

Finally, I'll end with this verse, which popped into my head while reading the results of the election Wednesday morning.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."  Prov. 14:12

Time to Vote!

Time to Vote! - Yes on 1

Every spring in Gainesville we talk about March Madness. This year its not about basketball, but the city election on March 24. The madness is the city ordinance, passed last year,  that allows someone - based on an "inner sense" of his/her gender - to decide which restroom facility they will use.  Those who think this is a harmless accommodation to the homosexual community need to read this article from the Gainesville Sun on March 5th  - http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090305/ARTICLES/903051023

Citizens for Good Public Policy - www.citizensforgoodpublicpolicy.org -has been leading the charge to repeal this ordinance and change the city charter permanently, so that the city commission won't replace common sense with "inner sense"  again.

If you are a registered voter in Gainesville its is critical that you vote YES ON Amendment 1.  If you know someone who is a Gainesville voter, call them and urge them to vote. Our opponents are vocal and well-financed. The Chamber of Commerce, the Gainesville Sun and other secular organizations have registered their opposition. It's time for the Christian community to stand and make its voice heard. 

The Community Issues committee wants to help you join the fight for Amendment One.   We will have information tables staffed after each service this Sunday, March 15, to give you opportunities to show your support, by taking a sign for your yard or volunteering to hold a sign at busy intersections in town next week. We also encourage you to financially support the CGPP, if you can, by making an online donation at their website.

Early voting starts Monday March 16, at the Supervisor of Elections office in downtown Gainesville.  Help us end the madness and restore common sense to our government.

Vote Yes on Amendment 1

CIC Blog 1

Hello and welcome to the first edition of the Community Issues blog of Westside Baptist Church.  I'm Frank Ahern, chairman of the committee, and I'm delighted that you have taken the time to check it out and I hope you'll come back often for future updates.

 

Since this is the beginning point, I'd like to take a minute to explain our purpose and mission. The committee was formed last fall to help focus the church's response to a couple of issues – the Gainesville Gender Identity Ordinance petition drive and the Yes to Marriage Amendment to the Florida constitution.

Both were successful,  but Pastor Gary and the committee realize that the assaults on family, sanctity of life and other core Christian values will continue from a culture that is hostile to God's biblically revealed truth.

 

Our purpose now is to provide a place where you can be informed and encouraged as you try to stand up for what you believe, at a time when our nation is drifting farther and farther away from its Christian heritage.

 

The top thing on our agenda right now is the vote on the Gainesville Gender Identity Ordinance. The amendment to the city charter that will repeal the ordinance, and prevent any similar laws in the future, will be on the ballot in Gainesville on March 24.  

 

If you are a resident of Gainesville, it is critical that you vote.

If there is any reason to think you won't be available that day, please get an absentee ballot. The request forms are available at the website of the Citizens for Good Public Policy: http://www.citizensforgoodpublicpolicy.org/ and at the church office. Read the Frequently Asked Questions section of the CGPP website for a good summary of the issues from a public safety perspective. 

 

When Christians oppose the "gay rights" agenda they are often accused of hating homosexuals. What we are really doing is believing the Bible and being obedient to the command of Jesus:

 

Matt 5: 13-15   "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."

 

Here's a quote from Christian counselor Joe Dallas:

 

"The Church's role in society as Salt and Light requires that we both love and resist the homosexual activist community. We're called to love them by showing respect to them even as we disagree; by refusing to resort to name calling or aspersions when we refer to them; by co-existing with them peacefully whenever possible; and by sharing the gospel with them at every opportunity. But our call to love them does not negate our responsibility to oppose their goal of legitimizing homosexuality, and their tendency to silence all voices of those who disagree. Herein we have the challenge to exhibit grace and truth—the challenge to be truly Christ-like in our response to gay militancy."

 

And another from Mike Goeke, of Exodus International - http://www.exodus.to , a ministry focused on helping people leave the homosexual lifestyle.

 

"If we, as Christians, truly believe that Jesus Christ can change a life, then the ultimate form of love we can show is to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone in need of salvation, healing, or change. Hate speech is speech designed to hurt. God's Word is truth designed to heal. There is nothing hateful about that!"

 

Westside is one of several local churches that have partnered with Forgiven and Free Ministries - http://forgivenandfreeministries.com - which reaches out to those struggling with same-sex attraction by offering counseling and local support groups.  Share this with anyone you know that is dealing with this issue.

 

At the state level, the Florida Family Assocation - http://www.floridafamily.org/ - is an organization that fights pornography and those who support it by advertising.  They also advocate for Christian candidates for office. Right now they are seeking your help in petitioning Governor Crist to appoint  C. Ted Lawson to the Florida Supreme Court.

Click on the Active Issues link on their website to find out how to send your petition to the Governor.

 

On the national scene, a good overview of the issues can be obtained from Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptist's Ethics and Religious Liberty commission, found at: http://erlc.com   As you have undoubtedly seen, things are changing quickly in Washington, and many of the changes are not in line with Christian values. Dr. Land has been a government watchdog for the past 20 years and provides a valuable service.

 

These are, of course, just a few of the organizations and ministries that are out there on the front lines, defending Christian values. Let me know of others you have found that are worthy of our support and I'll try to pass them on in future posts on this site.

 

Thanks for your time and attention.

 

Proverbs 14:34  "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."