Thursday, July 17, 2008

New Brazilian Law: Christians Face 5-year Prison Sentences

Speaking of the Biblical teaching on homosexuality "in public places or private places open to the public" will land you in jail.

-- From "Brazilian law would prohibit Christian teaching on homosexuality" posted at Catholic News Agency 7/15/08

The Brazilian Senate is considering a bill approved unanimously and without debate by the country’s House of Representatives that aims to promote homosexuality and prohibit Christian teaching on the issue, under the guise of combating discrimination.

According to the Association of the Defense of Life, the bill would make it [a] crime punishable by five years in prison to impede expressions of “homosexual affection” in public places or private places open to the public.

It would also punish those who deny employment [of] openly homosexual teachers in schools with up to three years imprisonment, making it impossible for Catholic or Christian schools to prevent homosexuals from joining their faculties.

The bill would also impose prison sentences on any kind of moral, ethical, philosophical or psychological expression that questions homosexual practices. In this way, “a priest, a pastor, a teacher or even an average citizen who says in a sermon, a classroom or public conversation that homosexual acts are sinful, disordered or an illness could be denounced and detained,” the association said.

Questions to Christians: So, who's going to step up to the plate and act boldly in the name of Christ to preserve religious liberty in this fallen world? Is not the Great Commission given to every Christian? The loss of religious liberty obviously translates to a loss of effectiveness in spreading the Gospel. Therefore, Christians must exercise their power as citizens (in the world's free countries) to maintain freedom of religion. To sit idly by and lament is not modeling Christ! Pray to God for His wisdom and guidance -- pray unceasingly, while going out into the world. God doesn't call His people to pray while cowering inside the walls of the local church, never to boldly go out and proclaim His Name.

Take the first step; we'll help you, just ask: feedback@culturecampaign.com