Pro-Family Leaders Urge U.S. Christians to Fight Homosexual Groundswell

by Allie Martin and Rusty Pugh

(AgapePress) An official with the Alliance Defense Fund (alliancedefensefund.org) says Christians in America need to become engaged in the culture war if there's any hope of stopping the advances of homosexual activists.

Earlier this year, Canadian government officials approved same-sex marriage. Craig Osten of the ADF says the United States is headed down the same path as Canada unless Christians become the salt and light needed to challenge the culture.

"The homosexual activists are probably the closest they've ever been to getting total acceptance of their behavior in society and silencing the Church. I think the next year or two is going to be critical in how the Church reacts," Osten says.

In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Texas law banning homosexual sex, and a number of lawsuits around the nation are challenging similar statutes, including the ban on homosexuals openly serving in the military, defense of marriage laws, and policies regarding extension of employee benefits to the same-sex partners of workers.

Osten says even he gets tired of dealing with the topic of homosexuality. But although he, like many other American Christians, might like to ignore the onslaught of attacks and advances by homosexual activists, he says it is important for the Church to address what is happening.

"It's not a pleasant issue to talk about. But as Christians we are called to be salt and light in our culture -- and if we are truly going to be that, we have to confront these issues," he says.

The pro-family advocate points out that Christians' right to express biblical views is under attack. Osten believes homosexual activists want to make it illegal for anyone to speak out against homosexuality. He says unless Christians exercise their rights to stand up against the homosexual agenda, all religious liberties will be stripped from Bible-believing Christians.

For example, the California state legislature has passed several bills that pro-family forces say are contrary to the values of most residents. Among these are a bill the state sent to Governor Gray Davis that forces foster parents to encourage homosexuality, and another that punishes anyone who expresses an objection to homosexuals and transsexuals.

Randy Thomasson, director of Campaign for California Families (savecalifornia.com). says the only way to stem the tide of pro-homosexual legislation is for believers -- not only Christian voters, but Christian lawmakers -- to stand up.

"It is not enough to simply vote right. Pro-family legislators must speak and fight and strategize," Thomasson says.

CCF's director says the recall of Governor Davis would be a good start for California, but in the state and throughout the nation, Christians must go further. Thomasson emphasizes the importance of showing fight in the face of evil, adding that if Christians fail to take a stand for biblical truth, the evil continues and grows stronger.

"We must be salt and light, and any Christian legislators or pro-family legislators who claim to care must open the mouths God gave them in order to say what is true in the midst of a whole truckload of lies," Thomasson says.

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