In light of a couple of shocking stories dealing with teens and drinking and the recent media frenzy over comments made from ‘Duck Dynasty’s’ patriarch, Phil Robertson, I wanted to give my two cents.   Quoting from IStandWithPhil.com, “Mr. Robertson’s comments in GQ Magazine are simply reflective of a Biblical view of sexuality, marriage, and family – a view that has stood the test of time for thousands of years and continues to be held by the majority of Americans and today’s world as a whole.” 

Of course, the homosexual community will disagree.  But for my Christian friends, is he right?  Regardless of how you feel about how A&E approached it and his approach being vulgar, in principle, is he right? 

On a related topic, as Phil quoted from the Bible about homosexuals, adulterers, and drunkards being unworthy of the Kingdom of God, last week a nineteen-year-old Alyssa Jo Lommel had 10 shots of tequila while playing a drinking game, and as a result nearly froze to death on her neighbor’s porch, possibly losing her hands and feet.  In Texas, the same week, sixteen-year-old Ethan Couch, who was drunk, ran over and killed four people. 

Americans today, who I presume still consist of mostly Christian believers, do not seem to stand for their beliefs, or for one reason or another are unable or unwilling to properly project their values in a positive way in this country.  Instead, on one hand, it seems there is sympathy and maybe even some kind of guilt from being a Christian towards gays insomuch that it is influencing churches to back down from Biblical teaching.  

On the other hand, how many people focused more on the punishment of the 16-year-old (rightly so) but failed to recognize the culture that encourages getting wasted?  You didn’t hear anyone quoting the Bible in regard to drunkenness in this matter.  Where was Phil to point us to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 during this event?  Now we can debate all day long about whether you can compare drunks to homosexuals, but the Bible clarifies that argument. 

If Christians aren’t going to be the example and instead make way for Budweiser and Jack Daniels to shape the world we live in, we should not be surprised when the LGBT community and political correctness become a dominant force in society.  All adults should have the freedom to live their lives as they wish as they are not hurting anyone or trying to impose their lifestyle on others.  My statements are not meant to be political, but rather a Christian challenge to ask us all to be the change we want to see.  Avoid the appearance of evil, don’t drink ever, and tell your gay and lesbian friends that Jesus loves them, and that his Father has rules for His Kingdom. 

To close and to not leave any loose ends, I want to say a few things about religion and politics.  Many people have the wrong idea about God and sin.  We all sin, but we are asked to recognize those and to work to get out of them, not to coddle and embrace them.  The grace of Christ is a transforming power, not an excuse to do what we want.  Grace then, is rather an invitation to change and to find happiness in doing so.  What blemishes or habits we choose not to clean up over the course of our life will become who we are.  Christ said, be ye therefore perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.  Of course, this is meant for us to be or become, over time, and not overnight.  We have all probably heard that when we die the only thing we take with us is our relationships, our persons, habits, and character.  More of this and salvation are discussed in ‘Day of Defense: Positive Talking Points for the Latter Days’.

In an ideal world, freedom would be extended to all adults regardless of their sexual orientation and government would not be in the business of licensing marriage, or “civil unions” would replace the word “marriage” on the government level.   

Scott Thormaehlen received his Master’s in History in 2016 and taught U.S. History in the Lone Star College system in Houston, Texas and for Alvin Community College. His writings have appeared in Accuracy in Academia, the Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies at Sam Houston State University, LDS Living, Meridian Magazine, and East Texas History – a project by Sam Houston State University.