[Critique Group 1] Missing Cleora's submission

[sitting.duck at springmail.com]

I noticed that the copy I sent to the list had the quotes replaced with ASCII code and the carriage returns had been removed.
I'm resending it hopeing it will come out formatted this time.
Sorry about this everyone, I wish I knew why it does this.

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 see if we can settle this matter out ofcourt.”

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

“Meet with them,”

***

Jeff stepped out of the elevator and walked down the hall tothe attorney's office. He saw that the gay couple and their lawyer were alreadysitting 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 onthe wrack by the door, he proceeded into the lawyer's office, closed the doorbehind him, and sat down in one of the empty chairs across from the malecouple.

“Your lawyer didn't come with you?" said theirattorney, nodding at the remaining chair.

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

“Well, I'm not interested in hearing a lot of preaching.You're wrong to refuse to bake the cake for us, and if you don't, we'll makesure you go into bankruptcy. There's no place in this country for bigots,”asserted Paul, the dominant gay.

“Hold on,” said the lawyer. “Let's hear what Mr. Steward hasto say.”

Paul folded his arms over his chest and glared at theLawyer, and then at Jeff. “Okay,” he said grudgingly, "but I'm notchanging my mind.”

Jamie, Paul's gay partner, reached over and grasp Paul'sshoulder giving it an affectionate squeeze. “It's ok, Paul,” he said. “it won'thurt anything to listen. After all, that's part of understanding and acceptingeach other.” “

Paul," said Jeff, “If you met another young man and heexpressed interest in you, would you start a relationship with him?”

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

Jeff smiled, “Jamie, if someone came up to you and told youhe was going to rob a bank, and asked you to drive the getaway car, would youdo it?”

Jamie's mouth dropped open. He glanced at the lawyer, andthen back to Jeff. “No, of course not, that would be against the law.”

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

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

“So, you would feel that if you participated in the crime bydriving the getaway car, you would be just as guilty as if you had gone in andhelped with the robbery?”

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

“Under the Old Testament law, the Israelites were commandedto stone homosexuals caught in the act. In the New Testament, homosexuals arelisted with fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals,thieves, the covetous, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers as among those thatwill not inherit the kingdom of God. 1st Corinthians also mentions that some ofthe Christians Paul is writing to had been some of these things in the past,but they repented and stopped doing them. If they were thieves, they repentedand stopped stealing. If they were adulterers, they repented and stopped thepractice of adultery, or any of the things listed that they had formerly beenguilty of engaging in. Those that were homosexuals, stopped practicinghomosexuality. Okay, you asked, what does that have to do with me refusing tomake you a wedding cake? Just as you, Paul, would refuse to become involvedwith another man because that would violate your commitment to Jamie, and justlike you, Jamie, would refuse to drive the getaway car, because that would makeyou a partner in the crime, I must refuse to make a wedding cake for youbecause I made a commitment to my Lord some 50 plus years ago that I would befaithful, and uphold His statutes, and try my best to help others learn aboutGod's plan of salvation. For me to bake your cake, would be saying that Iaccept and agree with your lifestyle. I cannot in good conscience do that.Earlier, you threatened to force me out of business, if I don't give in. Maybeyou will. I don't know. Persecution of those that stand up for God's law is notnew. We have been fortunate in this country up until the last few years to befree to practice our faith without oppression. In fact, most of our laws arebased on Bible principles. Over the last several years, however, I've watchedas our freedom from having to do things against our religious beliefs beingtaken away by those who don't want to recognize that there is a God. I can tellyou, that if this goes to court, regardless of what the ruling is, I will notmake you a cake even if it means going to prison. I will consider myselffortunate to be counted 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 hassome temptation they struggle with. One person may be tempted to shop lift.Another may be an alcoholic, still another may struggle with the temptation tobe unfaithful 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 Paul straight in the eye without blinking. “Iwas gay. Many years ago I met a man that sat down with me and explained, andnow I have a wife and two wonderful kids. He would be happy to talk with eitheror both of you.” Paul snorted, “This is stupid! I'm going to see that you rotin jail and your family is reduced to poverty. Jamie and I are going to bemarried and there is nothing you can do about it. Isn't that right, Jamie?”

Jamie was looking at his hands. Finally, he looked straightat Jeff. “Is it true? Your friend would talk to me?”

Jeff smiled back. “Absolutely," he said. Jeff reachedin his pocket and took out two cards, and placed one in front of Paul and theother in front of Jamie. “Here is his name and number. Please, call him, I knowhe would be happy to talk with either or both of you, And if you want, I wouldbe happy to go with you.”

Paul picked up the card and tore it into pieces, but Jamiepicked up his and said, “Thank you, I will. I've been concerned about my way oflife for a long time. Paul, I love you but I don't want either of us to be losteternally. I wish you would go with me to talk to Jeff's friend. It's just thatall people have ever said before is that this life style is wrong. No one elsehas ever mentioned that there may be another way.”

Paul appeared stunned. His mouth fell open, then closed.Looking first at Jamie, and then back at Jeff, he said softly. “I'm sorry, Irealize now I've been expecting everyone else to be tolerant of how I feel, butI've been unwilling to be understanding and tolerant of the views of others.”His gaze moved to Jamie. "Yes, Jamie, I'll go with you. I don't promise tochange my mind, but I'll listen to what he has to say.”
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-----Original Message-----
From: <sanford.rosenthal at comcast.net>
Sent: Nov 27, 2022 8:30 PM
To: C. S. Boyd <sitting.duck at springmail.com>
Cc: Critique Group 1 <group1 at bluegrasspals.com>
Subject: [Critique Group 1] Missing Cleora's submission

Could someone please send me Cleora's submission?

Thanks,

Sally


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