Christians: What are the differences between the following statements (see details)?

Question

What is the difference between:
"I will not have an abortion because my Christian faith prohibits it."
AND
"You may not have an abortion because my Christian faith prohibits it."

What is the difference between:
"Gay marriage will not be permitted in my church because my Christian faith prohibits it."
AND
"Gay marriage will not be permitted anywhere because my Christian faith prohibits it."

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Answer 1

personal beliefs and the right within those beliefs

Answer 2

You're questions boil down to legislating values/morality, which I will address in greater detail. However, they are very different issues.

The first, regarding abortion, deals with the critical question of life and death. Whether from a Christian or philosophical perspective we have no way of determining when life begins and therefore we must err on the side of caution; i.e., maybe we are NOT committing infanticide, but maybe we ARE committing infanticide. Imagine being on the wrong side of that question!

Regarding gay marriage, all societies develop standards of conduct that are considered acceptable. As a straight man I am compelled by my biological nature to spread my seed to as many women as possible, but my wife and society would not find that acceptable (especially my wife:). While we do not have laws making infidelity illegal, we do not have laws making it legal. With homosexuality we recognize that it is not natural (in the biological sense, that it would not promulgate the species). I do not believe homosexuality should be criminalized, nor do I believe it should be legalized.

Finally, in terms of legislating values/morality, all societies legislate morality - the laws are simply a reflection of popular belief. In America we now have "hate crimes" - I've never heard of a "love crime." European and American laws are based upon Judeo-Christian principles and I believe it to be the best system possible. To deny someone an abortion or ban gay marriage causes no harm, but the opposite cannot be definitively stated.

I hope your query was genuine and not just "Christian-baiting." Discussion is critical, but too often an agenda interferes with honest discourse. Feel free to e-mail me at [e-mail].

Best regards,

Mark

Answer 3

The difference is one allows a personal choice and the other does not. Christians have to follow their beliefs but that doesn't mean everyone does. It also means that a Christian will vote in accordance with their beliefs just like everyone else does. If there was no law against murder, most people would still choose not to kill. But the fact remains that there is a law because it is right and the majority want it that way. That's how America works, We the People decide.

Answer 4

I would say that in both questions, the first phrase seems to be someone's impression of the mindset of a Christian who is not willing to have an abortion themselves, based on what they believe to be the truth.

The second phrases both seem to be someone's impression of the mindset of a Christian who wants to take their beliefs and impact society with them.

Being a Christian, these two hot-topic debates are certainly something I personally keep an eye on. And I'd also like to throw in there that I have intimate knowledge/experience on both issues from both sides. But you can be certain that I believe abortion to be infanticide, and homosexuality to be immoral. However, I DO NOT hate anyone who believes differently. My heart is open to them all.

I think that what you're wanting to address is the ongoing impression that Christians are trying to control everyone's personal lives. I would admit that is certainly the impression these days.

But just to be fair, we are not approaching the situation any differently than people who are on the other side (I really hate using that term, by the way, but I don't know how else to say it). While some would say that Christians are trying to force their values down people's throats, I would say that as a Christian (and a Husband and Father, by the way) that I feel VERY threatened by the culture wars and that the opposite is (and has) been forced down my throat already by laws and policies within our American society. I never want my children to be forced by society to believe in things that are contrary to their relationship with Jesus. But the public school system is all too willing to indoctrinate them without my consent. How do you excuse that?

I think it would be most beneficial to everyone if we could have open discourse and explain our differences to one another, even if that means the other person may never see it my way or your way. Cramming something down someone's throat doesn't work.

Of course, we all get to vote too! :)

I hope that my answer has come across as sincere and open as it was intended.

Answer 5

Well I understand what you are trying to get at. I ask you this question in return. If you saw someone you did not know walk up to their 5 year old child, crack their head open and remove their brain what would you think? Do you call this murder? They were convinced that it was right and that they should do it. They felt that they had a means and right to. So do you have a problem with that?

That is how I see abortion. Annihilation of a life. Now you may say that you don't know when life begins. So what if I am right and life begins at conception or implantation then abortion is murder and you have chosen the side of death. So what I am wrong and until that maybe takes its first breath on its own it is not a life and we outlaw abortion. Then maybe the millions of peolpe that want to adopt newborns can. If unsure, why not side with life?

Answer 6

It the difference of having an accepted set of standards that apply to the membership of my church (personal), but why I cannot force my next door neighbor to comply with those standards. I am responsible for myself only, not others.

Unfortunately in the US, it is becoming more prevalent where the government is stepping and forcing churches to abandon standards. For example I know of a church forced to accept a gay pianist when the gay lifestyle was contrary to their beliefs. (something to do with equal opportunity and hiring a pianist).

Is it right to force a church into this situation when we all know that the chuches beliefs could never be enforced on the local community.

Answer 7

I'm not a Christian...but:

The first statements for both sections (abortion and gay marriage) is what I RESPECT in a Christian. It's the right to believe what you want and make your OWN choices.

The second statements is what disgusts me about Christianity, and causes most of the problems with our society (politically speaking) and most of the arguments on this page.

Pushing your religion on others, especially those that are completely opposite in your beliefs (like myself) is exactly what our country was created for!!! Our founding fathers created the Constitution with the understanding that NO ONE would force ANYONE'S personal beliefs on another through our government.

On top of that, pushing those belief's and making them laws would make us no longer a free country when it comes to religion. It would make us no better than any other country that makes EVERYONE believe the SAME WAY (aka...the middle east...do we really want to go there!?!).

But that's all I have to say about that. I'm stepping off my soapbox.

Oh, but I can tell you one more thing...the day the second statements become laws...I'm moving to a free country.

Answer 8

We are all given the freedom of choice, that is the way that God made it to be. In my church we do not down grade people because of their choices but we do try to lead and direct them in the best way possible. yes, it is your choice weather or not you want to be homosexual or have an abortion but in the word it does say that,"I knew you before you were born while you were still in your mothers womb, meaning that you are a human being at conception and on the topic of homosexuality it does say that no homosexual will enter the kingdom of heaven. so either way it is your choice and if you do accept christ and ask for forgiveness he will freely give it. but in the end you choose your own destiny.
God has a plan for your life as well as everyone elses here, weather you follow that plan or not is up to you!

With much love and for His fame,
-HD

Answer 9

If we adopt the second statements we cease to be a democratic country and become a theocracy. You know, one the things we dislike about most Middle Eastern countries. We would also be violating civil rights (we already do, of course.)

We are free to believe anything we wish. We are not free to impose those beleifs on any else. Not even our children.

Answer 10

Christians would do well to look at some of the answers here to understand why some people regard them poorly, and why some want to remove Christian imagery and practices from public sector.

This country belongs to all of us, not just reactionaries and extremeists. Do what you like on your own - fine - but stop trying to shove your ways down the throats of the rest of us.

Answer 11

The difference is self will and God's will. We were given free will, free to choose and accept the responsibilities and consequences. God does not force us to live to His commandments, the choice is ours.

There are laws for the greater good of community, and there are those that force upon citizens what God did not force upon each of us.

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