Challenging Religious Leaders to Debate
In my three-part essay titled Christianity, Incorporated I review the scriptural and historical record to demonstrate that there is no basis for any Christian church to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Quite the contrary. I challenge the leaders who’ve signed their reprehensible statement against gay marriage to a debate. Name the place and date, bring your bibles, and let’s cite chapter and verse from the ministry of Christ to expose the public to the merits of our positions.
June 7th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
This would be a debate like none other. Please, LDS leaders, take Prof. Firmage up on his offer. What could you possibly have to fear, other than fear itself.
June 7th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
It comes down to fear, they are afraid, wheter it is of themselves or the unkown.
June 7th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Why would Church officials want to debate? You either believe they are men of God and speak for the Lord Jesus Christ or you don’t believe it. There is no reason to debate. I for one believe they are men of God and are speaking His will; therefore I will be obedient to the lord and not Ed Firmage.
June 8th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
Let’s see here, you would like to debate the leadership of the L.D.S. Church? Did you send them a letter, or contact them in any other way besides posting the challenge to your blog?
I doubt they read blogs.
June 8th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
Run a natural gas line into an artifical bush, set it fire, have a loud speaker boom, “I command you to debate this issue”, maybe they will bite.
June 9th, 2006 at 12:42 am
Ken. What the?
I am shaking my head in utter disbelief. G. Bush declares himself a so-called man of God. Should we therefore dispense with debate on topics that he decides?
You know better, my friend, to make such statements.
June 9th, 2006 at 9:58 am
I just listened to Prof. Frimage on KCPW and couldn’t pull up this site fast enough. The discussion and the challenge are both answers to my prayers. The “Brethren” are not infallible. As with the matter of those with African descent holding the priesthood, this also is a matter of policy vs. doctrine. I do not see this bigotry in the doctrine of the LDS church, so it must be policy. Church policy is often flawed and imperfect. It is decided upon by mere mortals; men whose preconceived biases may influence the policy.
It’s hard these days to be an “active” Mormon and feel as strongly as I do that we are heading in the wrong, wrong direction with this issue. Thank you, Prof. Firmage, for you always articulate my own personal feelings and beliefs so well.
June 12th, 2006 at 10:42 am
The question posted in comment above asks: “Why would [LDS] Church leaders want to debate?” I think the more appropriate question would ask: Why would Church leaders not want to debate? The answer is, of course, that Firmage would uncover the reality that Church leaders are business persons who care for little else than control and money.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 am
I’ve always liked your style…
Bob
St. George