[Critique Group 1] Leonard's comments on Cleora's sub

[Leonard Tuchyner]

Sly sub for Nov 22

 

 

I have no problem withthe  writing  here. 

But I do have problemswith the logic and premises. 

Some of those things yousaid the  Corinthiums say used to be  illegal,and punishable  by death, 

are no longer so. 

Did Gd change his mindabout them? 

Maybe he’ll decide it isokay to kill people over property. 

Maybe he’s already  changed his mind about homo  sexuality. 

Do you cooperate withpolititian’s lies. 

I agree that the men whowere going to get married to each other didn’t have to go to the bounds ofdestroying another person’s livelihood.  

But would that be thesame than forcing a man to bake a cake.

That would be up to thebaker,  wouldn’t it?

1398 words

For Better or Worse

by C. S. Boyd

 

“What's that Dear?”asked Martha.

 

Jeff looked up at her.“It's from that gay couples lawyer,” he explained. “They want to meet and seeif we can settle this matter out of court.”

 

“Oh,” said Marthasimply. “That. What are you going to do?”

 

“Meet with them,” 

 

***

 

Jeff stepped out of theelevator and walked down the hall to the attorney's office. He saw that the gaycouple and their lawyer were already sitting around the table in the office.

 

“Good morning, Mr.Steward,” said the prim secretary coolly. “You can go right in.”

 

“Thank you,” said Jeff.After hanging his hat and coat on the wrack by the door, he proceeded into thelawyer's office, closed the door behind him, and sat down in one of the emptychairs across from the male couple.

“Your lawyer didn't comewith you?" said their attorney, nodding at the remaining chair.

 

“No,” said Jeff. “Ihadn't really thought about one. I'd like to explain my position, if that's ok,and we can go from there.”

 

“Well, I'm notinterested in hearing a lot of preaching. You're wrong to refuse to bake thecake for us, and if you don't, we'll make sure you go into bankruptcy. There'sno place in this country for bigots,” asserted Paul, the dominant gay.

 

“Hold on,” said thelawyer. “Let's hear what Mr. Steward has to say.”

 

Paul folded his armsover his chest and glared at the Lawyer, and then at Jeff. “Okay,” he saidgrudgingly, "but I'm not changing my mind.”

 

Jamie, Paul's gaypartner, reached over and grasp Paul's shoulder giving it an affectionatesqueeze. “It's ok, Paul,” he said. “it won't hurt anything to listen. Afterall, that's part of understanding and accepting each other.”

 

“Paul," said Jeff,“If you met another young man and he expressed interest in you, would you starta relationship with him?”

 

“No!” shouted Paul.,turning his head to look at Jamie. “Of course not. I'm committed to Jamie now.”

 

Jeff smiled, “Jamie, ifsomeone came up to you and told you he was going to rob a bank, and asked youto drive the getaway car, would you do it?”

 

Jamie's mouth droppedopen. He glanced at the lawyer, and then back to Jeff. “No, of course not, thatwould be against the law.”

 

“But, you wouldn't berobbing the bank. The other guy would be doing that. Maybe he would give youpart of the take for driving the car.”

 

“That's ridiculous,”insisted Jamie. “It's still illegal. Isn't that called accessory after the factor something?”

 

“So, you would feel thatif you participated in the crime by driving the getaway car, you would be justas guilty as if you had gone in and helped with the robbery?”

 

“Of course,” said Jamie,“but, what does that have to do with you refusing to bake our wedding cake?”

 

“Under the Old Testamentlaw, the Israelites were commanded to stone homosexuals caught in the act. Inthe New Testament, homosexuals are listed with fornicators, idolaters,adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, the covetous, drunkards,revilers, and swindlers as among those that will not inherit the kingdom ofGod.

1st Corinthians alsomentions that some of the Christians Paul is writing to had been some of thesethings in the past, but they repented and stopped doing them. If they werethieves, they repented and stopped stealing. If they were adulterers, theyrepented and stopped the practice of adultery, or any of the things listed thatthey had formerly been guilty of engaging in. Those that were homosexuals,stopped practicing homosexuality

Okay, you ask

 

Okay you asked.  It should be he asked 

 

ed, what does that haveto do with me refusing to make you a wedding cake? Just as you, Paul, wouldrefuse to become involved with another man because that would violate yourcommitment to Jamie, and just like you, Jamie, would refuse to drive thegetaway car, because that would make you a partner in the crime, I must refuseto make a wedding cake for you because I made a commitment to my Lord some 50plus years ago that I would be faithful, and uphold His statutes, and try mybest to help others learn about God's plan of salvation. For me to bake yourcake, would be saying that I accept and agree with your lifestyle. I cannot ingood conscience do that.

Earlier, you threatenedto force me out of business, if I don't give in. Maybe you will. I don't know.Persecution of those that stand up for God's law is not new. We have beenfortunate in this country up until the last few years to be free to practiceour faith without oppression. In fact, most of our laws are based on Bibleprinciples. Over the last several years, however, I've watched as our freedomfrom having to do things against our religious beliefs being taken away bythose who don't want to recognize that there is a God.

I can tell you, that ifthis goes to court, regardless of what the ruling is, I will not make you acake even if it means going to prison. I will consider myself fortunate to becounted worthy to suffer for the Lord. 

I know, as I'm sure youdo, that mine is not the only bakery in town. I'm sure you will be able to findsomeone who will make your cake. You can probably even buy one ready-made andput the two male figures on it to represent your commitment.

Every person has sometemptation they struggle with. One person may be tempted to shop lift. Anothermay be an alcoholic, still another may struggle with the temptation to beunfaithful to his or her spouse. First Corinthians tells us we can win thatstruggle and receive grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. It is myprayer, that you will take the passages in 1st Corinthians and 1st Timothyserious and turn away from this practice and become Christians. God loves youand I and my friend would be happy to study with you and help you find your wayto God. The decision is yours, of course.”

 

“You're so full of it.What is you're so called struggle? Making cakes?” 

 

Jeff looked Paulstraight in the eye without blinking. “I was gay. Many years ago I met a manthat sat down with me and explained, and now I have a wife and two wonderfulkids. He would be happy to talk with either or both of you.”

 

Paul snorted, “This is stupid!I'm going to see that you rot in jail and your family is reduced to poverty.Jamie and I are going to be married and there is nothing you can do about it.Isn't that right, Jamie?”

 

Jamie was looking at hishands. Finally, he looked straight at Jeff. “Is it true? Your friend would talkto me?”

 

Jeff smiled back.“Absolutely," he said. Jeff reached in his pocket and took out two cards,and placed one in front of Paul and the other in front of Jamie. “Here is hisname and number. Please, call him, I know he would be happy to talk with eitheror both of you, And if you want, I would be happy to go with you.”

 

Paul picked up the cardand tore it into pieces, but Jamie picked up his and said, “Thank you, I will.I've been concerned about my way of life for a long time. Paul, I love you butI don't want either of us to be lost eternally. I wish you would go with me totalk to Jeff's friend. It's just that all people have ever said before is thatthis life style is wrong. No one else has ever mentioned that there may beanother way.”

 

Paul appeared stunned.His mouth fell open, then closed. Looking first at Jamie, and then back atJeff, he said softly. “I'm sorry, I realize now I've been expecting everyoneelse to be tolerant of how I feel, but I've been unwilling to be understandingand tolerant of the views of others.” His gaze moved to Jamie. "Yes,Jamie, I'll go with you. I don't promise to chan

 




 
 
Leonard I. Tuchyner, Author
 
https://www.dldbooks.com/tuchyner/

 
  
 
 

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