Minority Status next?

I came across a great opinion piece by David Brody on the CBN News website worth passing along. And it echos my thoughts almost exactly!

The issue being discussed is the level of public acceptance of Christians dropping to below that of homosexuals. If true, it is the first time since the first century that Christians would be thought of so lowly.

The tables have been turned. Evangelicals are now the ugly stepchild. In our American culture today, you can easily make the argument that it is harder to stand for biblical truth than it is to be a supporter of gay marriage in today's society. CBN News Blog

The decline of prestige suffered by the Christians isn't the only reason for this reversal of approval ratings, there has been a significant rise in the social acceptance of the homosexual identity over the same time period.

Affirm what?

Rob Bell is at it again! The former Pastor of a Mars Hill Bible Church was in hot water last time for writing a book in which he questioned the existence of hell, a very real place according to The Bible.

Now he's in hot water again for saying:

I am for marriage. I am for fidelity. I am for love, whether it’s a man and woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man. I think the ship has sailed and I think the church needs — I think this is the world we are living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are. -Rob Bell
via Christian Research Network

I've read this kind of statement before so it looked pretty harmless, until I started thinking about the word affirm.

af·firm
[uh-furm]
verb (used with object)
1. to state or assert positively; maintain as true: to affirm one's loyalty to one's country; He affirmed that all was well.
2. to confirm or ratify: The appellate court affirmed the judgment of the lower court.
3. to assert solemnly: He affirmed his innocence.
4. to express agreement with or commitment to; uphold; support: to affirm human rights.

I don't know why, but I think it's odd that these definitions all basically say that "to affirm" something - you are agreeing with the decision of others regarding it's merits. You are agreeing with the opinion someone else has stated. Since Rob Bell was in San Fransisco when this interview took place, he is saying he believes in the views of homosexuality that the citizens of San Fransisco have ... Isn't he supposed to be a Pastor?

In regards to homosexuality, gay marriage, and gay clergy: The Bible could not be more clear! God tells us that this type of behavior is what happens when a society turns away from him. And Pastors, no matter what denomination should be "affirming" Gods truth!