When the flood struck northern Aroostook County in May of last year, I immediately traveled to Fort Kent, and did what I could to help out. Few things I have ever done have been as rewarding. Christians must always be prepared to help those in need. I am travelling with my wife to Tanzania later this year to offer food for both body and soul to the needy people who live there. Learn more by clicking here.
As the current economic crisis deepens, lines at soup kitchens and food banks are sure to grow longer; and there will be many opportunities for Christians to help their neighbors. I was astonished to read the story of the former mayor of Lewiston, who lost her job and her apartment, and was forced to spend the frigid winter nights without a home, living in her car. According to the story in the Lewiston Sun Journal, she spent nights sleeping in her car when the temperature was five below. When she was unable to sleep because of the cold - the most miserable feeling in the world - she drove to Wal-Mart to get warm. One night, she opened her car door, fell on the ice, and lay on the sidewalk, crying and unable to move.
There are many more such stories about how our neighbors are struggling to survive, but most of them will remain unheard.
But not everyone is hurting. Some people are doing quite well. Among those with no worries about food or shelter are the leaders of the gay rights movement. As a group, they certainly belong to what we would call 'the elite.' With admission to the inner circle of power brokers and opinion makers, comes a certain set of values and approved opinions.
One such approved opinion is gay marriage. Another approved opinion is "freedom of choice" -- the supposed right to choose abortion. No one jeopardizes their job by speaking out in favor of the right of men to marry men, or for women to dispose of the unwanted and unborn. No one will go hungry or lose their home pushing the issue of gay marriage or gender neutrality. Gay rights activists would have the public believe that they are leaders of an oppressed class. But with admission to the circle of elites come certain privileges. Here are the figures on what gay rights leaders are paid.
Joe Solmonese was paid $338,400 last year. He heads the largest gay rights organization, the Human Rights Campaign.
Chuck Wolf earned $220,000 in 2008. He heads the Victory Fund.
Geoff Kors earned $171,000 in 2008. He heads Equality California.
Neil Giuliano, head of GLAAD, earned over $270,000 in 2008.
On the other side of the issue, a pastor in Canada or Europe who says publicly that homosexuality is wrong, will probably go to jail - and America is headed the same way. If certain hate crime laws are passed, and if homosexual behavior is sanctioned by the government in the form of gay marriage, the next step will be to silence anyone who says homosexuality is wrong.
To sum up, it is not the rights of gay men and women which are being violated - it is ours.
