I disagree. And I see that you and I will not see eye to eye. Therefore, I suggest that you and I agree to disagree.
I am not a Christian. I am Jewish. Roman Emperor Constantine or Emperor Theodosius were unable to command us to accept their concept of religion. Now I know that this will raise the hair on your neck. I suggest that you not just read your bible, but research history and in particular religious history. I can suggest an excellent book: A History of Christian Thought, Vol. 1: From the Beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon. It will help you understand.
As for love my neighbor. A large part of Jewish law is about treating people with kindness. The same body of Jewish law that commands us to eat only kosher food and not to turn on lights on Shabbat, also commands us to love both Jews and strangers, to give tzedakah (charity) to the poor and needy, and not to wrong anyone in speech or in business. In fact, acts of kindness are so much a part of Jewish law that the word "mitzvah" (literally, "commandment") is informally used to mean any good deed.
Pirkei Avot, a book of the Mishnah, teaches that the universe depends on three things: on Torah (law), on avodah (service to G-d), and on g'milut chasadim (usually translated as "acts of loving kindness") (Avot 1:2), perhaps drawing from Psalm 89:3, "the universe is built on kindness" (more commonly translated as "forever is mercy built"). In fact, this quote has become a popular song in synagogues: Al Shlosha D'varim (On Three Things). The Mishnah also describes g'milut chasadim as one of the few mitzvot (commandments) for which there is no minimum amount sufficient to satisfy your obligation. (Pe'ah 1:1; reiterated in Talmud Chagigah 7a). That verse also describes g'milut chasadim as one of the few things that one derive benefit from in this world and yet still be rewarded for in the world to come. The Talmud says that g'milut chasadim is greater than tzedakah (charity), because unlike tzedakah, g'milut chasadim can be done for both poor and rich, both the living and the dead, and can be done with money or with acts. (Talmud Sukkah 49b).
At no place does it say that we are obligated to behave as others, adopt their habits, or conform to laws that would cause us to breech our covenant with God. Homosexual orientation is not a sin in Judaism, but homosexual acts are and forbidden by the Torah.
Having educated you, I have just one more point. You are known by the company you keep. In that, if you are always in the company of sin, it often becomes common for you and can become accepted. My attitude is to always be kind in word and action, to give feely without regret and not to judge others.
I support those people who do not want to associate with those that make them uncomfortable for any reason. I think that denial of service is rare, but should someone elect to not serve because it offends their religious convictions, then they should have that right.
Viral wrote:
The amendment clearly states Citizens rights shall not be abridged by a law of a State. Arizona is a State making a law that abridges the rights of Citizens by allowing them to be discriminated against. It also violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Unless you're discriminating against homosexuality which isn't specifically mentioned in that law, but once the Constitutionality of this travesty is challenged (if it even gets signed into law) the SCOTUS will likely find that discrimination based on sexual orientation is equally reprehensible.
You do all these wonderfully Christian things, though you left out loving thy neighbor as thyself. Just because you don't agree with someone doesn't make them less of a person worthy of State sanctioned discrimination.
And how exactly is State sanctioned discrimination a good thing for all Citizens? We can already see in the microcosm of this board that hate and intolerance get us nowhere.
The amendment clearly states Citizens rights shall... (
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