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Ford skips Gay Pride today
Written by Peter Youngren on June 29, 2011This article was published in the St.Catharines Standard.
Mayor Rob Ford is breaking with a 13-year tradition of Toronto mayors marching in the Gay Pride parade. He announced he was going to the cottage for the weekend, and neither Ford, nor his staff, have explained why he doesn’t plan to attend any of the Gay Week activities.
In contrast, Premier Dalton McGuinty, a frequent Gay Pride Day marcher, writes in his letter of welcome to Pride Week: “On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am delighted to extend warm greetings to everyone celebrating Pride Week 2011, hosted by Pride Toronto. As Ontarians, we take every opportunity to celebrate our differences and to embrace our tremendous diversity… Pride Week is a dynamic reflection of the rich, vibrant and inclusive society that we have built together.”
I am not a gay-basher. In fact I have taken some heat from fellow Christians, for being very accepting of gay people who attend the church I pastor. Yet, there is something hypocritical in all the attacks on Toronto’s mayor.
Gay rights are an established fact in society. Gratefully we live in a country where you can not be disqualified from your place of living or work because of sexual preference. But, let’s stop pretending that Gay Pride day is a solemn and politically necessary event. And while we stop the pretending, let’s also stop talking about the huge financial impact with estimates based on phantom numbers.
Politicians should have better things to do than to attend events that feature total nudity on the downtown streets of Toronto. Now, don’t think I am a prude. Some readers will know I grew up in Sweden in the late 60’s, where nudity was in vogue long before it gained any acceptance in Canada. I am not shocked. There are places in the world where nudity is culturally acceptable and I have held Gospel Campaigns in such places. No big deal.
However, in Canada, total nudity in public places is against the law, and one of the hypocrisies I am referring to is that the police just let it happen. Gay Pride Day is a big racy party, and I suppose no one is suggesting that wild parties should be outlawed. I just fail to see the need for elected officials to attend. They will better serve their constituents by taking the weekend off in order to be well rested and ready to tackle the real issues on Monday morning.
There is the argument of the financial impact from a supposed attendance by 1.2 million people, the number given by the organizers, while newspapers often use the 1 million figure. Expect it in Monday’s newspaper. No one is counting, but any non-intoxicated person realizes the actual number is only a fraction of what newspapers blindly report, unless of course we count every single person living downtown Toronto.
Imagine, if other groups in society would demand attention based on similar arguments. Think of the financial impact of church life in Toronto or any community; buildings are constructed, a myriad of community events that lift people out of drug addiction, criminality, poverty and gives them hope. Should it be mandatory that MPPs and city councilors attend church Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving to show society’s gratitude?
One prominent activist wrote regarding Ford’s non-attendance: “I say force him. Force him to do his job and represent for the city.” I say let Ford enjoy his Muskoka retreat and hopefully McGuinty and other politicians will learn from Ford, and find something more important to do today.
Finally, a word about Christianity.
Am I suggesting that Mayor Ford is a better Christian than Premier McGuinty? Not at all. The Christian message is that everyone is invited to come to God through Jesus Christ without pre-conditions. God loves gays and straights the same. Jesus “put away the sins of the world” and is “the Savior of the world”, and that obviously includes everyone. As far as being the “better” Christian, the only good one is Jesus Christ Himself. Therein lies the genius of the Gospel; Jesus Christ comes to live with His spirit inside of people, and that’s the only hope for Ford, McGuinty and the rest of us.
Josh
~ Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Well spoken Pastor Peter. May God continue to bless you in your word and in your ministry.
Bob
~ Huntsville, Arkansas, USA
Pray for Pastor Peter, because he could receive a lot of hits merely for speaking out wisely on this issue.
The Enemy refuses people who are neutral. You gotta be 100% for them, or they don’t want you.
Billy Graham and Peter go to places where most of the churches agree to work and pray together to bring hundreds of thousands of people together to hear the Good News.
I personally have seen 500 churches in India knocking themselves out trying to outdo each other in providing food and lodging in New Delhi for tens of thousands of poor folks flooding in from all over.
Yet some churches will condemn them for allowing so-and-so heretical church to shoulder their share of all the follow-up work.
God bless the ministry of those who will go through every door God opens to rescue every sinner the Lamb has paid for with such a great price ...
... even to the extent of being known as “a drunkard and a winebiber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners” ... even including well-known prostitutes!
So keep praying for Pastor Peter as He takes his hits defending the “turf” God has assigned to him!
Mark
~ Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
“Gay rights are an established fact in society.” Wrong; homosexuality is a perverted lifestyle that has been FORCED upon Canadians, in spite of huge public outcry to the contrary. Decent, hardworking, moral, tax-paying citizens told Ottowa “No Same Sex Marriage”, and we got railroaded….those same citizens look for preachers to show backbone, and all we get are eloquent truth dodgers, who seek to appease all sides while loyal to none….and Peter Youngren, you disappoint me, because I thought you would be different. Our level of morality in Canada has never been lower, and men of God are supposed to keep the standard raised, not seek to balance popularity votes….......
Frank
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada
What makes us who we are, are all a matter of choice - what serves the minority is not to be seen as statements to indulge in a lifestyle that fall short on Gods choice of multiplication - humanity through creation - is where a Woman can be seen to take her place as the carrier of life the burden and the suffering seen through the acts of divine intervention in deliberating the cry of a childs birth, is it possible that we will come to see a man evolve to become the bearer of life, if so what would become of the Woman.
Indrani
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I agree with you 500% Pastor Peter.
I am really console when Pastor write the view on this matter.
In fact I was 5 yrs ago one of the congregation in suburb of Toronto ( United chruch) educate the people why we accept the gay people mean time why it is not scriptural to encourage this type of activities .
I was able to line up the people in this small church ( about 1000) not to say gay marriage in this congregation.
I am so glad that congregation was won with 50 votes more than gay supporters .
Keep on writing pastor .
You will get unxpalinable rewards in the days to come
Lorraine
~ Hanover, Ontario, Canada
Finally we might have a politician who is not afraid to be himself and do what he wants to do. I hope he has had a great weekend at his cottage. Stange that in the midst of all the perversion in our society heterosexuals do not feel the need to parade around in the nude, in order to confirm or display their sexuality. The gay parade is a display of sexual perversion rather than sexual identity and should be stopped. Any normal thinking person would have to ask what are they trying so hard to prove?
Keep calling it for what it is Peter we need to have truth in our land.
PTR
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I agree with Peter Youngren. Big deal if Ford doesn’t attend.
We Christians don’t demand that anyone join us at Easter or Christmas.
Straight or gay they are welcome but it’s not mandatory.
PTR
Marilyn
~ Victoria Harbour, Ontario, Canada
I commend Ford for heading to the cottage and spending time with his family. Christ 1st, family 2nd. Where do you put your priorities? What would people rather have him do, march in parades or run/organize the city. If you don’t take a stand on something, you will definately fall for everything. Good for you Mr. Ford for loving your family and spending time with them. In this ever changing world the family unit is at risk for becoming neglected and as a result children are being left to carry on alone. Examples of this are on the news each day.
Tony
~ Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Peter the Bible clearly states if any man lay with another man as he does a woman it is an Abomination unto God. PERIOD.
Pretty clear word.Yes everyone can repent of there sins and come to Jesus.
Patricia
~ Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Gay communities have been accepted somewhat in our society, and they are asking for the right to be who they want. That’s fine. I’m not their judge God is. I know what my Bible tells me and the word of God is the authority.However, how about my rights? The right to live according to the precious values of God Almighty. I do not enjoy seeing naked bodies parrading down the streets promoting itself as a free for all. Why do they have special permission. Oh I forgot, they can vote. I’m straight so what must I do to prove that? Take off my close and dance in the street?
My point is in this civilized society, Respect For Others was once upon a time a way of life. Marilyn was right on the Mark when she wrote” If you don’t take a stand on something, you will definately fall for everything.
Andrew
~ Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
God for sure loves everyone, but not always the life style. The same sex life style is not a Godly way to live as all Christians know. I truly believe that it is our duty to say so, and than leave it between God and them.
Salvation is a choice as well as, repentance.
Rev.Shakeel
~ Karachi, Pakistan
Actually, there is need of a strong prayer movements against Gay-ism, we have to preach against this cause. and we have to reach specially youth these days. One day this gay-activist will got down.
Adam
~ Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Typical comments from typical conservatives ... accept and embrace ... Ford did not embrace nor even accept. That is the point.
Diana
~ Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Pastor Peter, I liked how you exposed the hypocracy of the government. True, nakedness is against the law; yet on pride day it is allowed? I can guarantee you if the cops see someone walking in their ‘saturday gay uniform’ today, they will be placed in a jail cell.
Government and people alike just don’t know what to do about gay parading on the streets of Toronto; so they ceremonialize it. That’s how even some aspects of the church behave today. As soon as we stumble upon interpretations in the word that we don’t understand, we ceremonialize the interpretation - Jubilee, azuza street, sabbath, etc.
Carolyn
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I agree with you Peter
Linda
~ Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Well done good and faithful servant.
Thanks for not remaining silent.
Kit
~ Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Wow - Rev. Peter - well put- you were able to put into words what I’ve been feeling but couldn’t find the words to express.
Judy
~ Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada
I sincerely don’t agree with Peter on the topic of letting gay people in his church or accepting their behavior.
The bible clearly states what we do to have to live a righteous life because jesus is righteous and holy! I am an agreement with Ford’s actions though, good job for standing up for the Lord Jesus Christ! We need more people like like you.
Rosalind
~ Saint Michael, Barbados
Pastor Peter, I agree with you 100%.
While you are not bashing them, but showering them with God’s love, you still got to be truthful and let them know/show them what the word of God says as their only hope of salvation.
Elizabeth
~ Kingston, Ontario, Canada
I totally agree with Pastor Peter Youngren. Excellent comment and very well said !
You spoke for all of us .
Thank you!
Simpson
~ Kampala, Uganda, Africa
Dear Pastor Peter, you even if you lowered the Christian standard to have everyone accept Christ, you will not be able to bring everyone on board. Salvation is a narrow way and those who find it are few. Remember that loving sinners does not translate into allowing them to continue in their sinful ways. This is pure leaven that could permeate the whole dough.
1 Cor. 6:9-10, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Deacon
~ Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
Stay with this guys, you’re helping a lot of peolpe.
Gatsy
~ Haina, Germany
That’s a great post!
Thank you Peter
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Comments:
Eric
~ Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I agree with you, Pastor Peter.
I have also taken some hits from fellow ‘Christians’ for saying that everyone has a right to come to Jesus Christ and be saved, just as they are, and that includes those who are gay as well as those who are straight.
On the other hand, we need to separate people from politics, which causes us to lose sight of the individual for whom Jesus Christ died, and with whom God desires a personal relationship.