The recent headline with the Catholic Pope uttering that same sex, sex, is a sin but not not a crime, is just his opinion and is NOT scriptural. When was the last time the pope read 1 Timothy 1:8-10 ? As a refresher, here come those verses:
“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Knowing this, that the law is not made for the righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be anything that is contrary to sound doctrine.”
The pope, admitting that ‘it is a sin, but not a crime’, makes one wonder if spiritual Alzheimer is the result of his erroneous and confusing utterances. Yes, the Good Lord said that we must love the sinner, but not their sinful ways, in a way that would help them turn away from their abnormal sexual behavior and desires, showing them from the scriptures that same sex relations are abominable and sinful !!! Sin is crime against a Righteous God.
The way it is coming across from the pope, is that gay couples can come and worship in his church without reproach, …utter nonsense! When one sins against God’s commands, that is a crime against God. Some countries have same sex laws as a crime, like here in SVG, those laws should remain as they do not contravene the laws of the Almighty. Remember, law is ONLY for the law breakers.
The Good Book reminds us that you cannot serve two masters at the same time, it is a big contradiction to want to do the right thing by worshiping a Righteous God, and as soon as the service is finished, you are once again entering at an exit. That is an abomination (disgrace) to anyone with good values, morals and ethics, plus the Bible in several places speaks out against and shows what happens to persons who engage in and practice that sinful lifestyle.
‘The Great Controversy’ published by Seventh Day Adventists exposes the wicked history of the Vatican … imagine the catholic church mass murdering true Christians who refused to follow church rules, instead of commands and teachings from the Bible. Yes, the Catholic church, burnt true Christians at the stake ! This is not a fairy tale ! No wonder Rastas see the pope as the devil incarnate (in person). This may appear coincidental, but the day Bob Marley died, the pope of the day was shot, but not fatally. The catholic and anglican churches have the highest percentage of bishops who are gay, and it looks like we now have a ‘gay-leaning’ pope.
In closing let me share an experience in Jamaica in 1985 when I was interviewing Bob Marley’s lawyer, Yvonne Griffiths, for a radio documentary I was producing on the life of musical prophet, Bob Marley. Among the things, she spoke about Bob’s discipline, “when it came to rehearsals, Bob was always on time” and when it came to his death, she said “the day Bob Marley dead, the pope get shoot,” she went on to say, ”ratid ! … ah Bob Marley dat !” … this might appear amusing, but shows the disdain true Rastas have for the papacy.
Same sex relations should NEVER be encouraged, it is sinful, nasty and despicable ! It is against nature ! Yes, some persons may have been exposed to such vices as boys or girls even before they are 10 years old, an impressionable period of their life. It may appear difficult to get out of that rut, but here is where the true believer and mentor can show by example that there is a better way. Show them that our destiny is based on the choices we make … good choice – good destiny, bad choice – bad destiny. But we have to guide and teach them how to make good choices. Simple as that.
Contributed by: Donald De Riggs
January 29, 2023.