A Court of Queen’s Bench judge has ruled an anti-gay letter written by a former Alberta pastor in 2002 was not a hate crime and is allowed under freedom of speech.
Justice E.C. Wilson overturned a 2008 ruling by the Alberta Human Rights Commission that the letter by Stephen Boissoin that was published in the Red Deer Advocate broke provincial law.
At the time, the commission said it may even have played a role in the beating of a gay teenager two weeks after it was published.
The commission had ordered Boissoin to refrain from making disparaging remarks about homosexuals and to pay the complainant, former Red Deer high school teacher Darren Lund, $5,000 in damages.
Neither order can now be enforced, as Wilson declared them “unlawful or unconstitutional.”
Boissoin has been used as an example for US religious right groups against homosexuality, bu calling him a pastor and saying he’s been imprisoned etc. The US Alliance Defense Fund intervened in his hearing.  Boissoin responded to US support here. He solicited funds to pay for what he said would be a fight to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Thursday’s judgment by Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Earl Wilson overturned a December 2007 ruling by a human rights panel, chaired by Lethbridge lawyer Lori Andreachuk.
Wilson ruled Andreachuk made many errors in her ruling and that her order for Boissoin to pay Lund $5,000 and to refrain from making “disparaging remarks” about gays was illegal and unenforceable.
The development marks another step in a saga that has lasted more than seven years and included a lawsuit and death threats against Lund, who is married with two children
Boissoin said, for him, the matter is now resolved.
Boissoin now works in the housing industry.
John, you said,
“Any victory for freedom of speech is great and the gays are hateful people”
Freedom of speech works both ways. You want to see ugly? What do you suppose would happen if someone took the word “gay” in Stephen’s letter and replaced it with the word “Christian”?
I shutter to think of all the hate and death threats that would ensue from loving followers of Christ. Touch not the sacred cow of religion. Look at the fuss the atheist buses and billboards have caused. Look at the contempt for critics and skeptics who exercise free speech doubting the existence of any god. Look at the vitriol displayed by Christians in the “war on Christmas”. Yet somehow it’s okay for Christian leaders to paint all gay people with the same brush as the most vile despicable group that threatens to erode its very foundations and corrupt its children. It’s okay to keep shoving them back under the rocks they crawled out from. How hateful/fearful is that? How does it demonstrate Christ, which is what Christians were put here to do?
The Christian machine is constantly warring with everything that threatens (real or imagined) its evolving identity and very existence. But why? Natural instinct? Fear? Control freaks?… just as Peter was willing to fight to prevent them from taking his Jesus away in the garden, the master said to put down the sword. Sadly, the visible church has never learned.
Yes, hurray for the right to free speech. Just hope we ALL can take it as well as we can dish it out.
When something we don’t like is said to us, when a judgement we feel is wrong is made known unto us, when the word from out of our mouths is connected to the brain and not the heart, and when someone says I HATE YOU then what are we supposed to do, make enemies out of them or try to understand what makes them tick and why their actions offend us so. When we have a battle and take it to the law then the law may win for us the victory but at the end of the day we have probably, in the process of that victory, made an enemy and if we are totally honest with ourselves that victory is not satisfaction but a reaction and the ‘faction’ is all that won. Love pursues beyond all endurance to keep ‘the doors’ open in order to bring all elements, circumstances, peoples, and ‘their ways’ to a place that all may have a voice and be listen’d to and in the process receive respect, sadly though the human has little patience for such endurance ‘as the present wars show us’. Endurance = longs to keep going until all are happy that they have been heard, have been understood and have reached a place of mutual respect even if dislike surrounds that respect. Think how patient Jesus has been and for how long as we stumble and falter so often on our journey towards his heart.
Jesus doesn’t take sides, he stands in the middle and takes the blows then quietly weeps as our determination to win, means that he can’t.
LOVE NEVER FAILS either one or the other, he always gifts both with his loss not ours) Thank you Jesus may your way win as we lose ours.
Amen, hopeome, that nicely sums up what I’m taking away from this discussion, finally after all my pontificating, blah, blah, blah. ;o) I’ve been thinking “let God be true and every man a liar” all day (in other words, we are all wrong and only He is right). Lo and behold I just noticed someone used that as their moniker above, as well as your comment. Think maybe Someone is trying to tell me something?
It’s not easy coming to that place where we can truly trust God enough to leave all judgments and outcomes in His hands, but when we do it’s very freeing, it was never a load we were meant to carry, and we are freer to just love without conditions and restraints.
I have been trying to sort out some of the information that I have been reading from Stephen B., and I would like honest answers from him.
You say you left your former denomination because you disagreed over their doctrine, and yet you practice these doctrines still. What doctrine did you disagreed with?
Second, you want people to think that your position over gays is commendable, and yet the denomination you were once with held you accountable in word and deed and yet you were not in good standing with them. Do you have proof that you were in good standing?
Does integrity mean anything today to those who want to see the church cleaned up over people like him, who go from church to church, and yet no body checks out references from either the denomination they were once with, or the church they once served.
I am wondering if it is time the church, as a whole, wakes up and see that the church of Jesus Christ is being hurt because of what… Money, more members! Is this what it is all about today? I know the things are not great today but where is the integrity in our churches or our denominations?
It seems that certain organizations are running like mills and yet people like Stephen comes along, offers some money, tells them that they are the good guy, and it is believed with any proof, and bang they are ministers!!
I am just looking for honest answers from those who are not afraid to state the truth about themselves……
Its not easy you are right, and the battles along the way, generally with ourselves, are the testing grounds for him to show us who we are and who in the answers he is. When we come under fire it hurts, we just have to know where in action to put that hurt and how. Mine usually ends up ‘digging the garden’ or furiously hoovering ! either way is should be constructive not destrutive.
Stephen Boissoin
I took another look at your letter. There are number of things I find particularly disturbing.
1) You aren’t sticking up for biblical truth. If you had stuck to saying what Paul says in the New Testament no one would have filed any complaints against you. This letter goes well beyond that.
You describe an insidious movement full of people as morally depraved as pedophiles with a sub-element that wants to normalize sex with children. You paint the entire movement with the same brush. Such rhetoric does polarize people and it does plant the seeds of hatred.
Any movement will have its fringe elements, in evangelicalism we have Christians that want to take over the world and impose theocratic rule until Jesus returns. I wouldn’t want to be painted with that brush.
It is my impression that the gay rights movement in Canada is full of people who have known nothing but same-sex attraction in their life and they don’t want to be fired, bullied, or mistreated because of it. They want this because they are discriminated against, they are bullied, abused, beat up and rejected. What most of them want is fair and right.
What was the sin of sodom and gommorah?
Eze 16:49 ” ‘See here — this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters had majesty, abundance of food, and enjoyed carefree ease, but they did not help the poor and needy.
Eze 16:50 They were haughty and practiced abominable deeds before me. Therefore when I saw it I removed them.
The culture war is a war after the flesh. In it the weapons are carnal. As soon as we start wielding these carnal weapons, those weapons begin to wield us.
There are more important things to care about.
Alright, time to jump in.
I have written the EEC and David Lavigne to see if the comment above (49) is legitimate.
If this comment does come from David Lavigne, commenting on a blog is an extraordinary step for the head of a credentialing organization/denomination to take.
The Evangelical Christian Church is an recognized charity in Canada, and a member in good standing with The Evangelical Association of Canada.
I would not at all doubt that it is him Bene.
I did contact David via email to ask if he was speaking negatively about me due to the comments of one poster above. He would not give me an answer.
Clarification: At NO TIME over the last 7.5 years did I say that my letter, my comments, my personal opinion were the opinions of David Lavingne’s organization. We in fact, have never had a conversation about this topic or my letter and I was never contacted about the letter by him or ‘the leadership.’ The letter was my opinion and in no way represents the ECCC which used to be the CECC.
Like I stated about, the reason I resigned was due to a disagreement over the amount of money I was giving…which admittedlty was very little. Had they had an issue over my letter, they NEVER notified me of such until this blog which appears odd for a Christian organization, to me anyways.
Many Christian organizations did not support my letter but thousands across the US and Canada did.
As I have told David, I hope the best for him and his organization. I have nothing negative to say about him or his group.
Wow, this is exciting stuff for your blog eh Bene?
I am sooooo glad that I am removed the ‘institution’ of Christianity and free to be simply Steve. Love’n it!!
Mr Bossoin
When you use that word opinion it just about says it all. We have more opinions on this earth than we have people to express them. An opinion is an interpretation of the status quo. The gift is to know where that opinion came from and whether it was gifted in spite, grief, hope, or hell. We can usually tell from the consequences. Are the consequences you are receiving those with which you set out from or are you learning from the consequences as I hope we all are. The ideal of course is to not need conequences but to take them in order to make others less. To stir up is to make sure that you know not only the consequences but the long term effects of them and to know that our Father who watches over us knows sees and weeps at mans inability to see them.
‘In my opinion’ IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF WHAT WE HAVE IN THE WORLD TODAY I hope that when we next ‘have an opinion we will share it with 1. Those we can trust with it 2. An understanding that when we gift an opinion we make ourselves known as a result of it and 3. That opinions are, for the most part, a PAIN IN THE NECK unless we know how to receive them as well as give them out. Opinions cause wars on every level, that hat is rubbish, that dinner was crap, and so on, its what drives someone to give it and in what manner that counts and to recognise the many hidden agendas that come with them as well as swallowing the hurt we receive from then untill we get chance and a safe place to ‘dump it’
Americas church is full of opinions and empty of the unconditional love that it needs to overthrow them so I can understand why they received you in ‘all their glory’ and not the Fathers. However that said, in my opinion! I DO HOPE THAT THE BARBED PERSONAL COMMENTS ARE KEPT TO A MINIMUM SO THAT WE HAVE THE FREEDOM AND SPACE AND PLACE TO BE ABLE TO LEARN HOW TO EXPRESS THEM AND HOW TO RECEIVE THEM WITH A GLAD HEART THAT REQUIRES NURTURE NOT THE TORTURE THAT SO OFTEN COMES WITH OPINION. In my opnion the price of tomatoes seems to have rocketed recently and I am most annoyed especially as I love passata. CAN WE PLEASE HAVE A NICE DAY YOU’ALL. Thank you Bene for allowing us the time and the place for our ‘say’
I think hopeome is saying that we should “Lean not on our opinion, er, understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge God.” : o )
Fear is of the flesh, God has not given it to us – when we react out of fear, it is a fleshly response, not spiritual. We can trust God, acknowledging His sovereignty on this earth no matter what the circumstances, and trust (acknowledge) that He is working and not asleep.
Hopeome,
I agree that we should not simply have an uneducated opinion……but…the fact is…even your post is representative of the ‘your opinion.’ Your opinion is rooted in things that have influenced you and that you believe to be true. Every post in this blog is somewhat subjective and the reader must decide, through research, reflection, prayer etc etc how they will receive it. Don’t miscontrue my use of the word opinion and turn it into something that I never intended it to be.
I would agree that there are for too many uneducated and/or self motivated opinions out there but when religion and morality, very controversial subjects, are at play, the freedom to voice hearfelt opinion matters.
My ‘opinion’ is rooted in what I believe to be the proper understanding of the Word of God. I believe that homosexual behaviour and the propagation of that behaviour (which was the focal point of my 2002 letter) is immoral and deplorable. Unfortunately, as time passes and certain behaviours become the norm, we tend to extend more grace towards these behaviours. Doing so weakens not only the voice of the church but as well the ability for the Christian to have a culture, even in the church, to support him/her. A weak Christian culture causes much confusion, stumbling and consequence. We have a weak Christian culture, that is fat and lazy, full of compromise and often presents a distorted message of grace. We (me included) need a strong Christian culture, especially among leaders, so we can feel a sense of true moral support and expectation that enhances our intent and ability to do that which is right.
Now, I am not saying that we are not to have significant grace for the repentant sinner because I certainly believe that we are to extend much. How could I not think such when God has extended His own amazing grace to me more times than I can recall? I was not a Christian (far from it) during my teenage and young adult years.
Now, I expect that this response will be picked apart, over analyzed and subject to rebut that is full of speculation BUT I have learned to expect that in the arena of opinion whether in the church or outside of it.
I love Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and am grateful for His love, grace, forgiveness and never ending mercy. I see Him at work in my life, building a better Steve in the process. We have a great Saviour!!!!
Simply Steve
Screw the opinions. I’ll state the facts. Stephen, you’re a bigot and you have yet to provide anything conclusive for me, nor have you broken down my post as you said you would.
It’s funny how you play the typical game… You make the statement that I cannot be convinced, insinuating that I am the stubborn hard-headed one here and therefore you can just disregard me. On the contrary, Stephen, I am the one who is asking to be convinced, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Maybe you can do it and maybe you can’t, but don’t label me as the one who is unteachable because if I had no interest, I wouldn’t be asking questions. Provide indisputable truth and you’ve won me over.
This could be a tough challenge for you though, considering many in the same camp as you (other professing Christians) also disagree with your approach. Maybe you can convince them while you convince me. The ball’s in your court.
Tim, please understand that there a are lot of comments that I am trying to respond to please constant phone calls from all four corners of the globe. I will try to respond further to your questions/accusations but I am unsure if you will ever be satisfied with any answer I give.
The poster using the name ‘Let God Be True And Every Man A Liar’ – Following is a response in point form to some of your questions.
- As I have stated previously, the CECC had nothing to do with my letter. Absolutely, NOTHING. At no time did they provide me with their opinion on it and at NO TIME did we even discuss it. They have only been brought into the conversation because Bene asked me specific questions which I did my best to answer. They should be dropped from the convo and allowed to carry on. After this post, I will only comment about them again if forced to.
- All the proof I can offer is that they accepted me and all my references which consisted of real men and real organizations…many whom I am still friends with today. I would caution you not to try to villainize me or the situation. Simply, take it for what it is. They are a smaller but credible Christian organization and I do not represent them or their opinion. I was legally licensed through them for a brief period of time. I was obviously in good standing at one point and was licensed to solemnize marriages which I did perform, including my own brothers wedding. Eventually, I resigned due to doctrinal differences. That is the story and there is nothing more to it friend. If you are looking for a scapegoat consider, there are men with bullet proof credentials who fall into controversial circumstances without everyone agreeing with them. IF you are trying to discredit me you are only appeasing yourself and those who may be equally as naive (IF this is the case).
- If you feel it necessary to gain an accurate opinion of me or my previous capacity as a, primarily para-church minister, contact the President of the Red Deer Ministerial Association who has known me personally in a capacity as my mentor and as a minister for approximately ten years. You are also free to contact my Christian attorney Gerry Chipeur who has known me since 2002. OR…simply ask and I will answer honestly. Literally, ask anything you wish. I am not here because I feel that I must answer all questions. I am simply here to partake in the convo and be as honest as possible considering that my 2002 letter has caused a great deal of fuss.
- In 15 years of both part and fulltime ministry I have worked in three churches in two different cities. I still have young adults and parents who contact me to thank me for my involvement in the formative part of thier life. This is true for any youth minsiter.
- I speak as an individual here. I am no longer a minister and am not affiliated with any organization. I agree with the CECC’s (now ECCC) core doctrines, Christ and Him crucified. I believe in Jesus as God incarnate, crucified, died, buried, resurrected and ascended into heaven etc etc. He reigns as King forever and salvation is found only in Him!!! I disagree with some of what I believe are their/our non-salvific doctrines, yet still important ones.
- Understand, there are many ministers who do not necessarily agree with all of the doctrines that their denomination espouses yet they still sign annual statements of faith and keep their questioning on the down low because they have a family and need their job. I did not want to be one of these people. I needed to be honest with myself and my own journey. I also believe that NO man should be prevented from having the freedom to THINK freely. NO man should be subject to unconstructive criticism for thinking freely and taking time to state his beliefs with confidence. This is often NOT the case. Theological institutions are pumping out clones that can only espouse a specific position. I did not want to be one of these bookend Christians. I also DO NOT believe that any man should have the title ‘Reverend.’
- Doctrinal Differences that caused me to resign as a minister: I post these to answer your questions. If you wish to debate or discuss them further, please email me at sboissoin@gmail.com.
1. My understanding at this time is that references to Hell in the NT when understood in the original language and context are NOT referring to a place of eternal torment.
2. There is no mandatory tithe in the NT but instead the magnification of free will offerings.
3. There is no future and literal end of the world via God’s judgement.
4. There is no future second coming of Christ.
5. In hold to a Preterist (past fulfilled) interpretation of scripture. Both the end of the ‘AGE’ and second coming (Parousia) are correlating events that were expected to occur in context to the NT church in the first century.
As time passed, I realised that I could not longer sign the CECC statement of faith or other related documents. I needed to be honest with myself. I choose to resign and simply be Steve under God. Since, I have still been invited to consult for youth organization, to preach from the pulpit, at youth and other Christian events.
Where I think your train of thinking could be applied is here. There are many denominations (thousands actually) that start-up thinking that they have the whole counsel of God when really they have not even studied opposing views. As an individual this was a foundational reason as to why I stepped out of fulltime ministry. I wanted to journey and be introduced to the many opposing view within Christendom hoping to learn more truth as I did so. Thus far, this has been my experience.
Blessing to all,
Stephen Boissoin
Therese
I just wrote this in a blog but was not sure if it got posted or not so if it does then I apologise for repeating myself.
In Jesus opinion we are all worth saving; in mans many are not.
Our ways are many and varied and to acknowledge anothers way is not to join him/her on it but just to say hi. Its the very least we can do for each other as we find our pathways toward him and his hope of things to come.
ps…an important point to understand. I was in a pastoral position (youth pastorate) and responsible to a Christian board of elderslong BEFORE ever acquiring licensing in Canada. By stating that I “resigned” means from all facets of fulltime ministry. I literally left ministry and sought secular employment. Thus Bene’s frustration that some still refer to me as Reverend or Pastor.
Cheers!!!
TIM….here is an example of your distortion of facts.
“This could be a tough challenge for you though, considering many in the same camp as you (other professing Christians) also disagree with your approach. Maybe you can convince them while you convince me. The ball’s in your court.”
You state that like all of Christendom disagree’s with me…well friend that is far from the case….very far actually.
There are thousands upon thousands of Christians who supported me and have vocalized why. Some for purely freedom of speech reasons and others who agree with both my opinion and my right to voice it.
I am also aware that some do not agree with my opinion or my right to have it both within Christendom and outside of the church. This is not a new dynamic by any means and I encourage the debate within the church.
I hope to touch on some of your other questions/accustations as I can.
Bless you Tim,
Stephen Boissoin
I have heard back from the ECCC.
David Lavigne’s comment (#49) is legitimate and I don’t want to minimize the distress he and his staff have experienced.
Here is what Lavigne had to say.
1) Stephen Boissoin was ordained with the ECCC in 2001, but he was not in good standing.
He is no longer a reverend, no longer credentialed or affiliated with the ECCC, as he has stated here at BDBO and elsewhere.
2) The ECCC did not and do not support the letter to The Red Deer Advocate.
3) Doctrine is not the only issue surrounding the withdrawal of Stephen Boissoin’ ministerial credentials. The ECCC is not going to break confidentiality, and that mandate will be respected.
4) They want no further involvement with Stephen.
I want to thank Mr. Lavigne and the ECCC for their time.
Mr. Lavigne will then have to explain himself to my attorney because his comments are misleading and bordering on slander.
One small point to consider: If I wasn’t in good standing, how did I have a license to solemnize marriages, perform the marriages and fumerals that I did and even have my license parameters expanded by Mr. Lavigne so I could perform my brothers marriage in another Province.
Before God, there has never been a time where Lavinge or his crew has discussed any matter beyond money with me, even when I resinged. They did not withdraw my credentials until that point and I performed marriages up until the year before I resigned.
Only word that comes to mine is and it starts with bull.
What childishness,
Stephen Boissoin
From Dr. Lavinge’s site:
The Evangelical Chriatian Churches Canada
3. Homosexuality is a sinful and unacceptable lifestyle and behavior before God, and the church of Jesus Christ. The ECC will never bless same-sex unions of any kind. We believe that homosexual behavior is “inconsistent with New Testament Christianity.” We believe that God can fully deliver a person from the practice and the inclination of homosexuality.
http://www.cecconline.com/node/5
The homosexual Act is what christians find an abomination. Same sex. If we focus only on the sexual content of someones life then believe me you would not want to be a part of society. We have in action at this time beastiality, bondage, prostitutions ways, and if I am not mistaken a varied society that enjoys its fruits. Many and varied are the ways of man and his desires and its for the most part down to desires. When we see what goes on from the flesh for and by the flesh we are hurt at its deviations, its no good to stop there we must all ask ourselves who planted desire, and we all have them, be it in a large or small portion and then ask that the desire be brought under the covering of the Father while we delve into our hearts to find out what motivated us. Desire is linked in with temptation and theres so much to be tempted by which is how the enemy keeps us ‘off balance’ when on the road to redemptions hope. We are in a battle and should all be there for each other when the battle gets too much and we want’to give up’ or ‘give in’. Never should we load the burden of our battle on someone else’s, that usually brings a breaking point, with its many and varied consequences. We should love the peoples but not necessarily their ways if they offend us. We have all fallen in some way, his grace hangs on to all of us while both he and we get to grips with that which is determind to ‘ drag us down’ and ‘keep us down.’ LOVE NEVER FAILS only we feel like we do sometmes. There is no condemnation in Christ someone once said to me ONLY A HUGE CAPACITY TO LOVE US IN ALL OUR WAYS AND GUIDE US TO A PLACE OF PEACE first with ourselves and then with each others.
The Father always gifts as he redeems us from our ‘hells’ he has too we would die of shame otherwise.
When I say that christians find it an abomination, I am saying that they are the ones who’s vocalisation within a church seting is loudest and the ones we are addressing on this subject at the moment.
Does anyone sense a funky tension in this blog, or is it me. Did not Stephen just contradicted himself AGAIN! He said in the opening email
with Bene B., when why did he signed, and he said”doctrinal issues, mainly eschatological.” Now he said it is over “money.” I take the side of this ECC in Canada – there is more here that what this Stephen B. says.
You know we are the church, so unless we clean ourselves up of judements, heresy, hatred, ‘sickness’, and the like and keep always on that pathway then the church will sit, for its lifetime, in the stagnant water of mankind and his delusions. Going to a church is only a part, its joining in with those of a like mind for fellowship and communion. The real meeting of minds is when we take on his, when we never ‘hate’ someone just because they are ‘different’, when we leave behind us the sweet perfume of Jesus and not the stench of man and his wills and ways. He wants us to be in the world but not of it. Thats our journey. Shed that which keeps you in the hands of an enemy that so loves to see us in turmoil and strife and take up his will and life and begin to see through his eyes how the enemy has blinded us all to the real message of Jesus.
When I return how will I find you
In a greater need than ever Lord for your hope of things to come and not the hatred of mankind that so loves to EGO his way through your life and ours. The church is turning him into a ‘show piece’ , an entertainment’ a fast buck’. False witness can do that to a person you know, distort them, only when we have every aspect of his passions and love can we be in a position to gift him to others. The pharisees fell short (on their way to fame and fortune and leaderships) and thats why he was angry What do you think you are doing ! making a mockery our of me! HOW DARE YOU was what he was saying in the temple that day. AND SO ‘CLEAN UP YOUR ACT was what he was asking us to do.
When he gifts its always in a place of understanding of, he joins us for a while to show us ‘an act’ that needs cleaning up’ and then
leaves us a little closer to him until we are ready for the next step of the cleansing process. The church would be a lot cleaner if we were. All of us.
In the meantime he quitely and lovingly lifts the veils that hide truth to reveal just how the enemy deceives us and why we are his best interests’ when it comes to gifting to the world a counterfiet Lord. I LOVE HIM BECAUSE IN LOVE HE SHOW’S ME WHO I AM, WHY I AM, AND WHAT I AM. Thankfully theres always room for improvement. His mercy is far greater than mine but I’m getting there and thats the beauty of the journey from hell to hope we take with him, he will allow only that which we are ready for, only that which will bless us, and only that which comes with his authority not ours. I never get bored, and neither does he waiting for me to catch up with him thats why I love him BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED ME. Its all there if we want it, he honours our choices and patiently waits.
Nothing inconsistent friend.
Issue did revolve around docrine. Nothing different has been stated…although additional details have been added. I think I have been very open and honest conisdering I have little benefit in being so with complete strangers. I can’t understand how you are missing the facts that I have been clearly very consistent with.
Looking for a wolf in sheeps clothing? Typical.
When a person struggles to defend his honor (whatever honor he may has left), he is avoiding telling the truth. You struggle to see the truth here. You say one lie and then you try to find another lie to explain what you meant in the first place.
Why don’t you acknowledge that you are running our of things to say. People on this blog knows that you once belonged to a reputable organization that gave you credentials. You have dishonored their reputation – how you make ask…. not submitting to a higher authority which was placed by God to keep you in check. Did you ask this denomination what there opinion was before you decided to send this horrible letter to this editor of the newspaper?
This denomination and people are saying that you did not. They take a stand on certain positions found on their Position Statement. What you sent to the editor, my opinion, was not their position because they treat people with great respect. Yes homosexualality is a sin, but what you did was wrong according to the Christian community. It is wrong to say things without checking with people to see what their opinions have been in this situation. You have no stand. Who have no honor. What you have are words that say nothing but blah, blah, blah.
May I suggest that you stop looking for excuses to explain why you did what you did, and think of the many people who hurt along the way. If you would have submitted to those people around you, you would not be where you are today. You might be hailed as a Savior for now, but this is only the tip of the iceburg. Your tongue is dangerous, and if you do not head this warning in your life, the future, my friend, does not look good for you!!!
I know you will have a come back on these thoughts, but you will not explain the problems that will soon come upon you as the days get darker in your life. Can you read between the lines or are you you too selfish to admit that you are blinded by the truth – that some how, you are looking for someone to believe in you; to give you a pat on the back and say, you are a wonderful man to confron these people with your truth?
Homosexuals are people too. Why don’t you do what Jesus did when he confronted someone who was found in sin. He never used the truth to hurt them, but he helped them see the truth in a loving manner. You are inncapable of doing that because you are too busy
defending your own honor – hurting those real Christians who are using the Word of God to speak to the heart and minds of many people who are found in sin with the love of God….. They are the true children of God!!!!
“Let God Be True, And Every Man A Liar” – The contradiction is that those who claim to be Christians seek to stir up mischief against a brother in Christ based on the busy bodying and gossip of certain others on this site, one of whom owes Stephen Boissoin a public apology and he knows who he is. Does the prophet hear his conscience?
:
As Christians, we do not tolerate those who claim to be a disciple of Christ, and go out of their way and hurt other people. The Bible calls this false apostles. Stephen B. claims he did the right thing – for himself I ask? If he would have done the right thing, he would have a multitude of counselors around him to make sure that the right checks and balances are in place. Those who think that this man is honest should wake up and smell the coffee!!! I am sorry to see this man get hit with all kinds of opinions, but I can’t seem to get out of mind that the real Christians today are suffering from insults because of men like Stephen who give Christianity a bad name.
Those who know him have already made their comments on this blog. I think when a Bishop makes a remark on this board, I think that this is very serious. I will tell you this much, he won’t have any trouble finding another organization out there who will give this man credentials…,and when he decides again to get credentials, there will be many out there in Alberta who don’t check from the place he once was ordained They want his money……, and now he is a Alberta saviour……They organizations are called mills. Let’s wait to see what “mill” ordains him in the near future!!!
It is the concern of many people who feel this way.
Stephen, I’m still waiting…
I trust things have slowed down with your media frenzy, so perhaps you could now take a moment and respond to me as promised.
I believe the reason why Stephen is silent is due to the fact that he is running out of excuses and it is hard to cover up his lies. He hasn’t said one thing on this blog that makes sense. Matter of fact, he has no proof that he really believes what he says is his faith. All this man is looking for is attention, he he certainly got it!!
I am not saying this to be mean but the I am stating the facts.
Here’s another fact… he has completely avoided answering me, even though he promised he would. I’m still waiting!
Where are you Stephen? I bet I know, you’re probably quite busy organizing a cheer leading squad in support of Pat Robertson’s comments about Haiti. It’s apparent the two of you share the fruit off the same tree.
Has it ever occurred to you guys that Stephen may not regularly read this blog. His email address is in his website and if you sincerely want to chat with him you can contact him. That is of course if your motives are sincere. I am not aware of a single lie that he has told.
Rose, based on the number of posts Stephen has contributed, I can honestly say the thought about him not reading this blog was the furthest thing from my mind. As well, I initiated contact with him through this blog and he promised to reply on this blog. He has yet to do this. Regarding contacting him through other methods, I’m not going to hunt him down just so HE can honor HIS word. He chose this forum and the ball is in his court.
Concerning my sincerity, you bet my motives are sincere and so is my expectation of an answer. I have no interest in a “chat”, I’m simply looking for concise, substantiated answers.
As far as lies go, if he doesn’t respond to me as promised, I guess you could chalk that up as the first one he’s told that you would be aware of.
Sorry if I sound so callous but I’m really sick and tired of men who claim they are the strong moral voice of God/Jesus concerning homosexuality and when they are challenged in their stance, they prove themselves to be nothing more than emasculated homophobes who know nothing about the Bible or the God in it.
Tim you make a sound point. Stephen is running out of excuses and has no reason to find more. He won’t answer you because he is running out of lies. He will argue until his face is blue, but for the most of us, he is not an honest man. He emails people to convince them that he is a righteous man. I am tired too of people who THINK they are moral and have a strong voice on major moral subjects and yet thier life does not line up. I agree that Homosexuallity is a sin, but Stephen does not have the moral right to throw the first stone at anyone!!!!!!
I see no difference between your tone and rhetoric and Boisson’s letter, Tim. His was probably a visceral response to fear for his children’t sake, and it makes me think you have some fears of your own. I pray you will find courage to take an honest look at that some time with the grace and help of the Lord.
Therese:
I admire you very much, I’d like you to know that. You have a heart for people that moves me and I’m glad you are part of the BDBO community.
I think there is a great deal of difference in the tone Tim is using and what Steven Boissoin set out to do years ago. It’s all public record now.
Keep your compassion and grace, we need it. While I appreciate you don’t like Tim challenging Steven, they are adults, give them room to work it out.
Steven Boissoin can’t unring the bell, and I don’t think he cares to.
Bene: “emasculated homophobes”?? I hear the same shrill scream coming from Tim that I heard in Boissoin’s letter. I hope & pray they each will work it out between themselves and God – and sometimes that might begin with a little word to the wise.
I’m tired of battles and arguments, my own and others, tired of not knowing when to come out swinging or keep my mouth shut – I’m tired of not knowing a lot of things, who’s right, who’s wrong – come Lord Jesus and make everything “right” so we can….have peace, with ourselves, with each other and with You!
Stephen, I’m still patiently waiting…
It’s funny how silence actually speaks volumes at times.
As I wait patiently… It’s been almost 3 months… Hello Stephen… Cat got your tongue?
Hey Stephen, looks like you made it into Marci McDonald’s book too…
BTW, I’m still waiting for your response. Ahh, the patience of Job, you gotta love it.