Radical Homosexual Activists Attack Free Speech, Religious Liberty in Arizona

Radical homosexual activists are demonizing a Christian pastor in Phoenix for a statement he issued last spring after President Obama endorsed same-sex "marriage." Warren Stewart, pastor of First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix, disagreed with Obama in the May 12, 2012 statement.And now, with Stewart under consideration for appointment to the Phoenix City Council, Equality Arizona is dredging up his statement in a blatant attack on religious freedom and free speech.Equality Arizona President Rebecca Wininger said:  “It is disturbing to me to have an individual who has fought long and hard for the civil rights of the African-American community to be so quickly dismissive of an LGBTQ community who is now fighting for that very same recognition of basic rights.”Here's an excerpt from Pastor Stewart's statement:

It is quite obvious that President Obama ―has been going through an evolution on this issue,‖ to use his own words in that interview. His statement in support of same-sex marriage is well thought out on his part. And he, just like every one of us, is entitled to his opinion and beliefs on same-sex marriage.God’s Word as recorded in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation supports intimate sexual relationships within the context of a marriage of a man and a woman as the only Godly context for loving sexual relationships. Fornication, adultery, homosexuality and bestiality are identified in the Old and New Testaments as sin. As Bible-believing Christians, the Holy Scriptures are our Source of authority for matters of marriage, family, morality and ethics. Romans 12:2 (NRSV) directs us with these words, ―Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.‖In John 8:1-11 (NRSV), which records the incident of a woman caught in adultery, after her accusers could not face in honesty Jesus Christ‘s words, ―Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her,‖ they left where they were about to stone the woman in front of Jesus Christ one by one. John 8:10-11 (NRSV) reads, ―. . . ‗Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?‘ She said, ‗No one, sir.‘ And Jesus said, ‗Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.‘‖ Although Jesus Christ, motivated by love, didnot condemn the woman who had committed adultery, he did not condone her sinful action or compromise God‘s Law on adultery.In conclusion, personally, I was very disappointed in the president’s statement in support of same-sex “marriage.” I believe his support of same-sex “marriage” goes against God’s Word and the laws of nature. I believe his support of same-sex “marriage” as the publically-avowed Christian leader of the free world will mislead and/or confuse tens of millions of people, especially younger generations who know little if anything about God’s Word as a guide to our daily lives. I believe that supporters of same-sex marriage are contributing to the widespread dysfunction of marriage and family just as supporters of heterosexual marriage who have not followed God’s Word on marriage and family are contributing to the widespread dysfunction of marriage and family. I believe that the legalization of same-sex marriage will eventually lead to the legalization of polygamy. I believe we must pray for President Obama and his administration like never before. I believe we must pray for guidance in all decisions we make in support of or in opposition to governmental officials and political candidates. I believe that the question, "What Would Jesus Do?" based on His teachings fulfilling the Law and the Prophets of Old as recorded in the New Testament should be our standard for every important decision we make in life in order to be His obedient disciples.

Homosexual activists have the right to free association and to propagandize all they want. Their agenda of personal destruction is evident for all to see. They do not have the right to shut down the free speech of those with views contrary to their own. Nor do they have a right to outlaw biblical text. Pastor Stewart is not attacking anyone's civil rights.