Loose Talk

Recently I posted a piece on ‘Loose Living’ and in the days after this, I have had cause to pull myself up on loose talk. Not coarse or bad language, but talking and responding in such a way that does not show the right ‘Christ-like’ spirit. If you use any of the social media platforms, the chances are that you will find yourself printing something you would never say to anyone face to face. We all know the verse, “When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need—whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you.” Ephesians 4:29

In Scotland we live in a society and culture where a form of sarcasm is considered normal banter, even between Christians, but as others look on, is it the best way to behave? Mark 9:42 says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”

The thing that pulled me up short was the fact that on some social mediums, although a bit of light(?) sarcasm can pass between friends, there are other young in the faith folks who look on, and that way of talking can be a bad example and a stumbling block. Is that what we really want? The words of Jesus are a very strong warning against loose talk in any of its forms, and I don’t want to be remembered for that characteristic. Let good, wholesome, clean fun begin!

Free Speech? What Free Speech??

Tory election candidate Philip Lardner has been suspended for describing gay people on his website as "not normal", the party has confirmed. His suspension was provoked by comments in the "What I believe in" section of his website, under the sub-heading: "Homosexuality is not 'normal behaviour'." The former Territorial Army soldier wrote of his support for the controversial "clause 28", which was introduced by the Conservatives under Margaret Thatcher and banned public bodies from promoting homosexuality.

Last year, David Cameron apologised for Tory efforts to stop the measure being repealed by Labour and his party have since indicated they would consider allowing same-sex marriages, if elected. But Mr Lardner wrote: "As your MP I will support the rights of parents and teachers to refuse to have their children taught that homosexuality is 'normal' behaviour or an equal lifestyle choice to traditional marriage. "I will always support the rights of homosexuals to be treated within concepts of (common sense) equality and respect, and defend their rights to choose to live the way they want in private, but I will not accept that their behaviour is 'normal' or encourage children to indulge in it. "Toleration and understanding is one thing, but the state promotion of homosexuality is quite another."

The comments have since been removed.

Labour's Europe minister Chris Bryant, who is gay, said: "These comments are completely unacceptable and betray the nasty, judgmental truth behind the Tory campaign."

Where else can we start but with the dictionary definition of the word 'Normal'

nor·mal (nôr′məl)

adjective

1. conforming with or constituting an accepted standard, model, or pattern; esp., corresponding to the median or average of a large group in type, appearance, achievement, function, development, etc.; natural; usual; standard; regular.

There is no way that the gay community can be described as normal using this definition. This does not imply that they have no rights, neither does it say that they should be discounted, but they are NOT NORMAL by definition!

What happened to free speech? Does it not apply to prospective MPs? Is the Conservative Party embarrassed by this statement? Maybe they are offended, but the man does have a right to say it. It is not illegal. It seems that the only people who have a right to freedom of expression are the minorities, and they can take the form of gays, and other minority (non Christian) religions especially, as we have seen recently.

There seems to be a contradiction here. The Tory Party will recognise the importance of 'normal' family life by giving married couples a tax break, but in the same breath, they do not allow one of their candidates to say the obvious. Gays do not constitute the majority of our population according to the definition which says.

1. the median or average of a large group in type, appearance, achievement, function, development, etc.; natural; usual; standard; regular.

Ok, get it now? No offence. No confusion. No contradiction. Not normal. Now what? Will we see the minorities change the dictionary, as they have the (obvious and clear) teaching of the Bible? Now that would be unlikely.... but don't rule it out altogether. And on top of that the same party would sanction same sex marriage! Choosing a candidate in this election is giving me a bigger headache than in past years. To borrow and change a phrase coined by another political party, "we are dancing to the minority's jig!" Oh that is scary!

It appears that there will be one less possible MP in parliament who would have a moral compass. If this is how we hire and fire our MPs, we are indeed .." A' DOOMED LADDIE".

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