Would Jesus have attended a pro-rights rally?

[Guest Butero]

I'm in a debate where someone argued that Jesus would attend pro-rights rallies (the person mentioned a list of the actual rights).

i thought about that.

Would He have?

What did Jesus say about rights?

Would Jesus have followed anyone?

I don't think Jesus would have been involved in anything outside of promoting God's Kingdom. At the same time, I do think the Apostle Paul may have been involved in something like that. He understood the value of taking advantage of his rights as a Roman citizen.

[Guest Butero]

We have the 'right' to die to self, pick up our cross, and follow Him. I do not believe Christ would be involved in a movement that requires a faulty foundational thinking (aka gay rights) or sinful / selfish desires for control (abortion).

While the person did list gay rights, she also mentioned women's rights and Civil Rights (race).

So I agree with your post, but what of these?

If the Apostle Paul was involved in defending people's rights, it would be for good, not evil. He would not have defended gay rights or the feminist agenda.

[Guest man]

You're getting away from the topic. It's not about us appearing to support sinful causes, it's about whether Jesus would attend a rally or not.

I disagree that her and my concern is getting off topic. The concern is related.

Ok, that's fine with me, it's your thread. Let's see where it goes.

If we are to follow Jesus' example, that means that if He would do such, then we could or should do such.

You bet it does. There is nothing in this world that prevents us from sharing the truth of the Gospel.

Jesus said, "Do not fear him who is able to kill the body but cannot kill the soul, but fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell."

So what would happen if Billy Graham or any other high profile pastor would attend a gay rally? Would they not be seen as supporting gay rights, even if they claimed they were not?

So what? Since when are we supposed to be concerned about what others think of us in relation to sharing the Gospel? Is our reputation so important that the souls of the lost take a back seat to our appearance in society?

In my heart, I don't believe Jesus would back down. I mean think about it. He carried the very cross He was nailed too. He willingly walked to His physical death, do you really believe He would be worried about what people thought of Him?

Would it have caused His followers to stumble, though?

On the night that Jesus was arrested, Peter stumbled 3 times. That's one documented individual. How many others do you think stumbled in the days that followed?

We should never be ashamed of who we are and who we represent and be willing to stand up and praise His name no matter what anyone else thinks. On the day we stand before God, we will be standing there alone. There will be no scoffers or finger pointers.

If He had a follower who "struggled with sexual identity", and this follower saw Jesus at the rally, do you not suppose this follower might feel justified in being pro-gay?

If he was a true follower, he would know his justification is false. Anyone who tries to justify sin is not a true follower, I don't care what they say.

Jesus has many followers, but only a fraction of those will actually make it into the Kingdom. The gate is narrow and there are few who find it.

[nebula]

So what would happen if Billy Graham or any other high profile pastor would attend a gay rally? Would they not be seen as supporting gay rights, even if they claimed they were not?

So what? Since when are we supposed to be concerned about what others think of us in relation to sharing the Gospel? Is our reputation so important that the souls of the lost take a back seat to our appearance in society?

Man, you when I asked if you supported gay rights, your response seemed to indicate you were offended I asked.

How would you take to, say, 100 people claiming you supported gay rights because they saw you at a gay rights rally?

In my heart, I don't believe Jesus would back down. I mean think about it. He carried the very cross He was nailed too. He willingly walked to His physical death, do you really believe He would be worried about what people thought of Him?

Would it have caused His followers to stumble, though?

On the night that Jesus was arrested, Peter stumbled 3 times. That's one documented individual. How many others do you think stumbled in the days that followed?

And how does this not conflict with what Paul said about eating meat sacrificed to idols?

If He had a follower who "struggled with sexual identity", and this follower saw Jesus at the rally, do you not suppose this follower might feel justified in being pro-gay?

If he was a true follower, he would know his justification is false. Anyone who tries to justify sin is not a true follower, I don't care what they say.

And if they don't believe it is a sin? (That's the argument I'm up against.)

[Guest man]

Man, you when I asked if you supported gay rights, your response seemed to indicate you were offended I asked.

I wasn't offended. I think I was surprized that you would ask such a thing. I've been here over 5 years and in that time I don't believe I've ever given the impression that I was pro-gay.

How would you take to, say, 100 people claiming you supported gay rights because they saw you at a gay rights rally?

People can think whatever they want. The only opinion that concerns me is the one that God has. There isn't anyone on this earth that can add or take away from the beats I have remaining on this heart of mine. I don't care what people think of me.

On the night that Jesus was arrested, Peter stumbled 3 times. That's one documented individual. How many others do you think stumbled in the days that followed?

And how does this not conflict with what Paul said about eating meat sacrificed to idols?

I don't know, tell me. Peter stumbled 3 times. It's in the Word, we can't dispute it. What's that got to do with Paul's writings?

If He had a follower who "struggled with sexual identity", and this follower saw Jesus at the rally, do you not suppose this follower might feel justified in being pro-gay?

If he was a true follower, he would know his justification is false. Anyone who tries to justify sin is not a true follower, I don't care what they say.

And if they don't believe it is a sin? (That's the argument I'm up against.)

If they don't believe it to be a sin, it's they're problem, not yours. If we give them the correct information from the Word of God and they reject it, there's nothing more we can do. The truth is in the Word and it is up to the individual to accept or reject it. We as individuals do not have the power to save anyone. One person plants, another waters, but it is "God" who gives the increase.

[~candice~]

Man, what do you think Jesus would be doing at this rally?

[Guest man]

Man, what do you think Jesus would be doing at this rally?

[~candice~]

Man, what do you think Jesus would be doing at this rally?

It was a serious question. I assume that attendance at a rally implies support of the ideal the rally is pushing. If you don't agree with that assumption, then it does not immediately follow for you that Jesus' attendance there is so He can support the ideal. So, what is He doing there, according to you? Marching? Preaching? Pretending to be oblivious to the sin being promoted while talking to the lost? I'm serious here man, what is it you think Jesus would do if He did "attend" a rally?

[Guest man]

Man, what do you think Jesus would be doing at this rally?

It was a serious question. I assume that attendance at a rally implies support of the ideal the rally is pushing. If you don't agree with that assumption, then it does not immediately follow for you that Jesus' attendance there is so He can support the ideal. So, what is He doing there, according to you? Marching? Preaching? Pretending to be oblivious to the sin being promoted while talking to the lost? I'm serious here man, what is it you think Jesus would do if He did "attend" a rally?

Go to the book of Matthew and read chapters 5,6, and 7.

[~candice~]

That doesn't answer my question, anything I glean from that, can't be applied to you without speculating. So what do you think Jesus would be doing at a rally, if He went?