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.
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I don’t even know where to start with commenting on this. As a respector of human rights and freedoms, I still believe there are limits and feel this decision is completely inappropriate.
Sometimes there is a fine line between freedom of religion/speech and statements that incite hatred towards individuals and groups.
I have read Boissoin’s letter and to me, he is one poorly sick man who probably shouldn’t be a professing Christian. Through his letter, he has admitted his god is incapable and weak. There is a quote from a friend of mine that comes to mind here. That is, “There has never been a law written that has changed the heart of a person”. You cannot legislate morality, nor can you force others to to see things in the same moral context as you do. I would never allow a man with his convictions and more-so, his fears, to represent my moral beliefs. Having been a Christian, worship leader and born again, spirit filled, speaking in tongues Pastor, it’s because of heretics like this guy that I began to question whether god even existed. How could a god, so loving and forgiving, allow such hatred from the lips of one of his own? Jesus never condemned the world or those in it, His intolerance was toward the “religious leaders” who claimed to be representatives of god, imposing their own ideas and legalisms of righteousness and morality, that continued to be involved in “religious activities” only to accomplish their own agenda based on their selfishness and narrow-minded misconceptions from “their” personal interpretation of the “Word of God”, twisting it to their own benefit.
Enough about that… the letter from Boissoin is here: http://canadianpastor.blogspot.com/
I encourage you to read Biossoin’s letter and then head on over to wikiquote to read similar statements from someone a little better known; “Parallel to the training of the body a struggle against the poisoning of the soul must begin. Our whole public life today is like a hothouse for sexual ideas and simulations. Just look at the bill of fare served up in our movies, vaudeville and theaters, and you will hardly be able to deny that this is not the right kind of food, particularly for the youth … Theater, art, literature, cinema, press, posters, and window displays must be cleansed of all manifestations of our rotting world and placed in the service of a moral, political, and cultural idea.” Adolph Hitler, Mein Kampf, 1925. http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mein_Kampf and for a good essay of Hitler’s religion, quite similar to the “religion” of today’s neo-cons, you can check out http://creationtheory.org/Essays/Hitler.xhtml
If it looks like a duck, acts like a duck, quacks like a duck, flies like a duck, well then it’s probably a duck!
Read Boissoin’s letter several times and then ask yourself, “does this man love as Jesus loved?”
For anyone who claims they support anyone who stands for morality in the name of god, I recommend reading the entire book of “Mein Kampf” as it will be quite an eye opener for you. For some other quotes from Hitler, many of which are used by today’s socially conservative religious right-wing(nuts), just google “hitler quotes” and another good place to start is http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/adolf_hitler.html
Sorry folks, but that kind of morality, I just don’t need and I think it’s quite a detriment for the Alberta Human Rights commission to have the ruling overturned by the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench.
Let’s see, how many things can we look at historically, where a ruling like this would have been detrimental… Blacks would still be sold as slaves in North America, Jews would be on the run for fear of extermination, non-Roman Catholics would be lighting our gardens and pathways, those practicing alternate forms of spirituality would be burned at the stake, Indian Residential Schools would still exist and flourish and the list goes on.
A progressive society has no place for bigots like Boissoin and if we’re ever to move forward as a culture, people have to start accepting reality for what it is.
A book I highly recommend which is becoming ever-harder to find is called “Politics or Christ” by Rick Johnston. I used to recommend and sell this book back in my “Christian” days. I never thought I would recommend it again but if you believe you’re a Christian and you insist on remaining one, then this book is a must-read for you, especially if you support the legislation of morality or any moral movement in the name of Christ, for that matter. Since I’m no longer a Christian, I no longer can agree whole-heartedly with the book but I can’t argue any of the foundations on which it’s based. If you can’t find the book and really wish to read it, I still have several copies which I would b e willing to part with at a very modest price. You can contact me through the link associated with my name.
Sorry to dump on your blog like this Bene, but it’s garbage like this that gets my blood boiling!
I’m glad you spoke up Tim, I’ve had my dialogue with Steven Boission. It can be found by following the link.
Thanks for the link to the letter, it’s quite one thing to debate the right to speak freely, quite another to read how this was picked up and used for financial gain in the US.
It’s really something to read his letter, it’s a disgusting piece of self aggranditizing scapegoating.
The Red Deer Advocate letter is in the post but people will have to back track and that’s not likely unless they are really interested.
We are so unwilling to call out bigots, especially because they make so much noise, and because they get attention bullying and silencing, but the damage they do to public perception of evangelicals cannot be minimized.
Thanks for your book offer, I’ll be taking you up on that.
A human right is given by God and ordained by his majestic and benevolent power through and upon the souls of men .The state has no place nor yet even any right to enforce pro homosexual propaganda in the schools and advanced senstivity training that essentially makes the antithetical claim that gays have human rights which are morally superior to straight heterosexual people,who alone possess the power to sexually reproduce other humans. The Gay agenda is very cunning indeed, seeing that they seek to assert the pernicious claim that humans are merely evolved beings and that laws are hence arbitrary being relative. But that is not the case,but the opposite We have been created by God through JesusChrist- we can procreate,something which gsys cannot ever hope to do. Therefore their very (gay)rights are called into question as they should be. Stand against the wiles of the devil ephesians 6.When you follow Jesus you can impact people for the gospel not some orwellian social policy and love people with all your heart -but despise the evil policy….
The state has the responsibility of upholding human rights Timothy.
In this case Steven Boission’s right to speak was upheld by a provincial judicial branch.
On the federal level C-38 is not going to be repealed because it doesn’t suit your personal belief.
marriage is a God given relationship one man and one woman which is discriminate by its very nature.That is the foundation of the family which cannot be changed. There is no such thing as gay marriage in any way……….
Of course I roll my eyes at a large portion of what I read here. the author of this site has attacked me every opportunity he gets.
So, in saying that, I ask that you ask me what I think, who I am, what I feel and then base your opinion, your judgements on what I have said to you directly.
If you choose to honour me this way, I ask that you ask a couple brief questions at a time and I will gladly respond from my heart knowing that God is in the midst of us.
Would Christ give me any less opportunity?
http://catholiclight.stblogs.org/archives/2008/06/stephen-boissoi.html
Also, FYI:
[b]The good news.[/b]
The decision of Justice Earl Wilson of the Court of Queen’s Bench in Boissoin v Lund will have a significant long term positive impact on religious freedom in Canada:
1. The decision established a very high threshold for the conclusion that a publication is in violation of the “hate” provisions of Alberta’s human rights laws. The prosecutor, Dr. Lund, told the Canadian Press that “If the language contained in the letter does not meet the threshold of hateful, I am not certain what possibly would.” If Dr. Lund is right, then there will be no further prosecutions. The decision of the Alberta Human Rights Commission to withdraw from the case suggests that the Commission learned from Dr. Lund’s mistake. There is no place for thought control in a free and democratic society.
2. Dr. Lund told the Calgary Herald that the decision of Justice Wilson “takes away the tools at our disposal”. He is correct. The tools of censorship should not be available to prohibit freedom of expression in Canada. There is no circumstance in a free society where limitations on political or religious debate can be justified.
3. While the decision did not strike down Alberta’s “hate speech” laws, it significantly limited the application of such laws. Justice Wilson properly pointed out that a province may not duplicate the federal Criminal Code rules outlawing hate crime. Furthermore, Justice Wilson interpreted the provision in question as only prohibiting hateful words that lead to discriminatory activity under the provincial human rights legislation. Justice Wilson found that Stephen Boissoin’s letter to the editor was not hateful and did not cause discriminatory behaviour. It is difficult to conceive of a political or religious debate that would meet the two part test established in the legislation. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that in the future no religious or political debate will be found to be in breach of the current text of Alberta’s human rights laws.
Gerald Chipeur, QC
ps….Lund ws asked to prove via affidavit that he received “death threats” or any threats that warranted concern. After the AHRC Panel Chair investigated his claim and his corresponding request to have the public banned from the hearing, she ruled that there was no basis for his claim or request. She even invited him to offer evidence in the future based on his own claim to have evidence. It was never provided. It was a lie. Lund attempted to use every means to win and twist the facts.
I, in fact, have had my life threatened but just laughed it off and moved on.
I cannot judge your intent, but this site twists facts in a similair fashion.
Any victory for freedom of speech is great and the gays are hateful people
One of your other posts claims that “Boissoin is a member of an independent charismastic word/faith full gospel church named Life Church.”
I have never heard of this organization nor could my doctrinal position be defined as charismatic/full Gospel in the denominational sense.
Many claims on this site which refer to me, are innacurate and pose a strong bias against me.
Stephen, thank you for offering the opportunity to ask brief questions. I only have one and it’s quite brief:
What did Jesus say about homosexuality?
I trust your answer will not only be from your own heart but as a professing Christian, I expect it would be substantiated with undisputed Biblical evidence.
Thanks again for this opportunity and I look forward to your concise and conclusive response.
Tim,
Although those who purport that question/statement as if it is something wise, it is in fact laughable to anyone who has a decent understanding of who Jesus was and what he believed and taught.
Jesus was a Jew (obviously) who made it clear that he supported the Old Testament Law. I will provide one proof text here.
Matthew 5:17-20 17″Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus was a teacher of the law and read from the OT scriptures on a regular basis. The OT scriptures condemned homosexuality and it is a given to any reputable biblical scholar that Jesus opposed this behaviour. His support for the OT is clear throughout scripture making your attempt at an argument without foundation to begin with.
In the above proof text, Jesus made it clear that the law (of His Father) was in full effect and that it (the Mosaic law with sacrificial and judicial applications) would remain so until the conclusion of the Old Covenant which in Hebrews 8:13 Paul explains (as does Jesus in other places) is soon to pass.
Jesus and the Apostles knew that the moral law was good and forever would be.
Blessings,
Stephen
Also, one could also make a strong case using reason and/or critical thinking simply by ascertaining that if Jesus thought that homosexuality was moral, he would have addressed the obvious injustices that the OT writ purported about it
The same could be said for the Apostles. Instead we see Paul maintain consistecy with the moral law in the OT in Romans and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Take note of verse 11. Obviously, homosexuals were repenting and receiving forgiveness through Christ.
The same is expected of them today as it is for all of us.
John, I too am grateful for certain victories regarding freedom of speech. It provides me with the opportunity to express the fact that your attitude towards homosexuality is that of one who is uncompassionate and ignorant and to categorically state that all people who are not necessarily of your particular sexual persuasion are hateful only confirms that ignorance.
I don’t see things the way you do John. Does this make me hateful as well?
I’ll be honest, I am hateful. I hate stupidity and narrow-mindedness because they not only hinder the quest for ultimate truth and understanding, they prevent it. Being stupid and narrow-minded is a choice and sadly, it’s the option so many people choose and what’s worse is that those who choose to be that way expect the rest of us to live within the confines and consequences of their choice.
Hi Stephen:
“Boissoin is a member of an independent charismastic word/faith full gospel church named Life Church.â€
Thank you for pointing this out.
http://tiny.cc/mSIg1
The post has been updated and amended with your correction.
That link from Life Church is no longer active, btw.
I have asked you about your ministerial credentials/ordination.
I’d like to try again.
Do you or did you ever hold a ministerial licence recognized by the province of Alberta?
Which denomination ordained you as a pastor/reverend?
“Many claims on this site which refer to me, are innacurate and pose a strong bias against me.”
If there are facts up at BDBO which need correction, please point them out and they will be promptly addressed.
Stephen, thank you for pointing out what Jesus didn’t say, but I asked what he DID say. I don’t care about what others, such as Paul had to say as it’s quite irrelevant and any astute biblical scholar will be able to point out the many inconsistencies and unreliability of Paul’s teachings. As a matter of fact, many scholars even question Paul’s sexual persuasion/preference.
You are a follower of Christ, so again, I ask, What DID Jesus specifically say about homosexuality?
In other words, show me the red letters please.
Why don’t people actually get the facts on this case. Read the legal brief submitted by Stephen Boissoin and the judges decision:
http://www.law.ualberta.ca/centres/ccs/uploads/Boissoin_QB.pdf
http://stephenboissoin.com/downloads/scan013_20091203_1804441.pdf
http://missmarprelate.blogspot.com/2009/12/boissoin-runling-quotes.html
Find out who Steve was and is. You will not find single bad word written about him by any one who actually knew him then or knows him now. And he was a well known youth worker at the time. He had given everything he had to helping troubled kids, including many gay kids. No one who knows him would accuse him of hurting a fly.
This case was based on the allegation that a gay teenager had been assulted because of the letter. There is no evidence this ever happened. No police report was ever filed. The alleged victim was never identified to the commission or the court. Someone??? took a teenager to the Red Deer Advocate to complain about the letter. Darren Lund, an anti-Christian activist, was a high school teacher in Red Deer at the time, who wanted to bring a United Church minister into the school to teach the kids that the Bible was wrong about homosexuality. Steve had every right to respond. He saw the evidence every day of the harm that promiscuity and lack of moral context regarding every kind of sexuality was having on kids. He had every moral and Charter right to respond to government policy in the public schools.
Steve’s letter may have been strongly worded and have offended some people, but Darren Lund could have responded by writing a letter himself, but instead, he went home crying and got Big Brother to come take the other kids lunch money. Probably in the range of $200,000 in expenses for Steve. And a ridiculous order from the “Human Rights” Tribunal that Steve pay $5000 to Lund, a non-victim for his whining and suffering and apologize to Lund publically for his deeply held religious beliefs. Even serial killers can not be ordered to do this (maybe in North Korea they can). Thankfully Judge Wilson did every thing but laugh out loud at this.
Darren Lund is a Hate Pimp. For this, many liberal organizations have richly rewarded him, including giving him an associate professorship at U of C.
Stephen Boissoin has been put through more than 7 years of hell for voicing very controversial opinions. Even if you hate Stephen’s words, how many of us have not done exactly that, even in writing. Read the letter now that it can actually be published freely. Every one of us should be grateful to Steve for not just giving in to this thug and PAYING HIM OFF like many who have been hauled before these evil Inquisitions have done, just to make it go away.
As for threats of violence against Lund; maybe someone in the media should ask what kind of threats Stephen got, like HIV loaded syringes. He just doesn’t whine about it and portray himself as a victim the way Lund does.
By the way, Stephen never compared people in consensual relationships to pedophiles. He was talking about radical activists in the public schools and NAMBLA.
Humans, whether individuals or governments, cross a dangerous line when they go beyond judging men’ evil deeds (we are called to judge right from wrong according to law), and start judging the motivations of a man’s heart (love or hate). That is God’s territory.
Tim,
It is apparent where you are heading. Are you ignorant enough to assume that you are introducing me to this for the first time? The thought of addressing it bores me as I am confident that you have no desire to heed the truth. You are simply being stubborn and avoiding the obvious. Jesus never mentioned beastiality, rape or incest either which are addressed in the Mosaic Law. Did he have no problem with these practices either? Have you ever studied the greek definition for Porneia? It is clear that homosexual was an abberant form of sexuality to Jesus and the Apostles but I am sure there is nothing that I could post here that would convince you.
As far as Christ’s word in red go, they are no more or less inspired than the ones in black.
Bene…this seems to be a very personal issue to you and I know that others have addressed it with you on sites where you have posted. How come it is such an important matter to you? I resigned as I have stated hundreds of times previously. Everyone simply remembers me as the Pastor/Reverend who I was at the time of the letter. Even the judge knew that I resigned.
Even though I know that your issue with this accomplishes nothing, I will still email you an actual scan of the license to solemnize marriages that I previously held. It has my government license # on it and you can even contact the government to verify that it was once in full effect, if you so desire. If it wasn’t, then there’s a few unregistered marriages out there…lol. You can’t get a license to solemnize marriages unless you are a marriage commissioner or a licensed clergy member….to be a clergy member you have to affiliate with a denomination that has been approved by the gov.
Blessings guys,
Stephen Boissoin
stephen what actually was the legal claim made against you, initially, that got you in trouble ? It seems to me that you were merely commenting on the socially engineered policies that we have legally established in our present day.The power of U.N. style political correctness being wHat it is has sought to turn society away from the truth of the holy sciptures ,slowly and incrementally in such a fashion (or fascism), that many do not recognize what absolute values even are.In addition, we are at the point where the majority of people who seem to get awarded human right judgements are the only people that cant seem to produce any -humans that is- hmm take care from ottawa TIMOTHY timothygill007(at)hotmail(dot)com EPHESIANS 5,6 marriage is a discriminate relationship one man and one woman in the LORD
Re: Lund claiming death threats via emails.
The following excerpt is taken from a ruling on the matter by then Panel Chair, Lori Andreachuk:
Issue 5
[46] There is no evidence that Dr. Lund has been harassed or that his family’s safety is in jeopardy. However, if Dr. Lund can submit such evidence to the Panel of a cogent nature, the Panel will do everything in its power to protect Dr. Lund and his family from any harassment or threats to their safety.
http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/LundDarren050406Pa.pdf
Lund provided no further evidence but still went on to make these claims to the media on numerous occasions. The only threat we saw in the so called evidence he provided, was a warning that he was going to go to hell. It was a ploy to manipulate the Panel before the hearing and a consistent ploy used to manipulate the public.
Timothy,
In a nutshell, Lund’s complaint stated – discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation contrary to Section 3 of the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act (“the Actâ€).
On Monday, June 17, 2002, the Red Deer Advocate Newspaper, published a letter to the editor entitled “Homosexual Agenda Wickedâ€, written by Mr. Stephen Boissoin, executive director, Concerned Christian Coalition Inc. (CCC). On July 22, 2002, Dr. Lund, a professor at the University of Calgary, filed a formal human rights complaint against Mr. Boissoin and the CCC. Dr. Lund complained that the letter contravened the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act (2000) Section 3 on the grounds of sexual orientation and the area of Publications and Notices.
http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/LundDarren113007Pa.pdf
Re: Comment Above
“He solicited funds to pay for what he said would be a fight to the Supreme Court of Canada.” Please provide source of my exact wording. How would I have any idea that we would go that far? Unless I submitted the quote in text, it was most likely a blunder by a reporter.
Who cares when this is in fact the truth. We are prepared to go this far if necessary and have been from the onset. Hopefully we won’t have to proceed any further.
Also, there was only one claim in 7.5 years that I had been imprisoned. It was corrected immediately.
Thanks
Hi Rose:
Are you being paid to cut and paste?
Your comment is up under Rose, rcmagpie etc., at sites permitting comments.
I agree people should read, background has been provided previously at BDBO.
Do you have a link the the 400 thousand dollar civil suit Stephen Boissoin filed against Darren Lund?
Stephen:
By all means, send a copy of your licence.
I keep asking because you seem to have trouble answering.
Justice Wilson did not address you as Reverend, former reverend or pastor in his ruling of course.
When I have raised the issue elsewhere online, you have chosen not to respond.
If you’ve stated it hundreds of times previously, why haven’t you corrected media, blogs and forums over the years calling you Reverend or Pastor Boissoin?
If I am understanding your previous comment correctly you were ordained by this denomination.
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/pub/rc/rel/eccc-ecec-eng.asp and would have met the following criteria for ordination: http://www.cecconline.com/node/6
What bible school did you attend?
When were you licenced as Reverend Boissoin?
When did Alberta recognize your credentials?
When did you resign?
Thanks for you time, I take it there are no other facts in dispute here at BDBO.
timothy: I edited your email – took out @ and replaced it with (at).
Spam bots.
Stephen:
Here is what you previously said:
http://tinyurl.com/yl2qqmx
Boissoin: (A) Yes, I resigned as a licensed minister and parted ways with my denomination due to doctrinal issues mainly eschatological.
(B) I interned and went to Bible College in Calgary in 1993 & 94, interned and studied in England in 97 and through the my denominations affiliate school received a degree in Christian Ministry and commenced my Masters which I may or may not complete. Without doubt I have a passion for Theology, Apologetics and Philosophy.
(C) As far as I know I was the first ordained minister to be taken before the Human Rights Commission for propagating their religious views.
“If you have given up your Alberta Evangelical Christian Church licence to perform marriages, who recognizes you as an ordained minister?”
(D) Ordination and licensing are two different issues. One can be an ordained minister and under the accountability of a body of elders and not be licensed. The provincial license is specific to solemnizing marriages. Presently, I am simply Steve the Christian guy and claim to be nothing more.
Hi Bene D,
I am always Rose. That is my first name. In my haste to respond to the venom on various sites, I did not see a place to give a user name so rcmagpie came up by default. As for copy and pasting, there are only so many ways to say the same thing to the same kinds of comments.
Hi Rose:
Pleased to meet you. I understand you didn’t read what was posted in your eagerness to get your information out.
The cut and pastes on sites make it look like someone is paying you.
(That happens all the time – companies make a lot of money and politicians and lobbyists get their message out.
Most people online figure out cut and pastes are a con, so if you mean well, don’t be afraid use your own voice if you haven’t been hired by ECP, the CCF etc:^)
Stephen, do you really have any idea where I am heading with this? Obviously you have no clue of my background in x-tianity. I apologize for raising an issue of discussion which would only bore you, but as I had assumed, you have been unable to provide any conclusive answer. Everything you have said is based on your personal convictions, interpretations and assumptions mingled with traditional teachings from the church.
I am not ignorant enough to believe that I am introducing this to you for the first time, nor am I ignorant enough to think I could ever change your stubborn mind or heart, a work that according to your belief, could only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit and trust me, I’m not him.
Now, that being said, I’d like to point out that in all my years of x-tianity and devoted studies, never did I find Jesus speaking of any agenda outside of the religious institution ordained by god. He spoke of many agendas, but they were all related to corrupt leadership within the church. If you can find me one place where Jesus publicly spoke of an agenda of either an individual or group of people outside the church (in the world), then maybe your letter would have some merit.
Stephen, you are not of this world so I have to ask, what the hell are you doing mingling in its affairs and what scriptural basis gives you this right? Either you’re all Christian or you’re not. I’ve walked that path and given up more than you or anyone will ever know. I am not speaking as someone who has never opened a bible, I used to eat the ink for breakfast, lunch and supper!
Your response is typical of most Christians who have gotten to a position of comfort in their beliefs and are afraid to go any further because they know they will find out more than they wish to know or admit.
There is one profound thing you said that I wholeheartedly agree with, “As far as Christ’s word in red go, they are no more or less inspired than the ones in black.” That’s exactly what I found out after decades of pursuing true Christianity and precisely the reason I walked away from it.
You see Stephen, it’s not so much your ignorant opinion of homosexuality I take issue with, it’s the fact that as a professing Christian, you are sowing hatred, division and strife by propagating the stereotypical Christian homophobic view of homosexuals while at the same time trying to convince or persuade others that all homosexuals have a common dark and devious agenda.
Personally, I perceive two agendas, yours and theirs. Yours is to rid the word of homosexuals at any cost, and theirs is to be accepted and treated equally, with respect and dignity. Now which agenda is more Christ-like?
You of all people should know that according to the bible, there is no sin greater than another, aside from blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. If any have a desire to try and rid themselves of their homosexuality by giving Jesus a try, then great, all the power to them, but for those who don’t have such a desire, I suggest you stop trying to play the role of the Holy Spirit, adhere to the words of Jesus and “Let the dead bury the dead”.
I also recommend that if you feel you must make a stand for moral issues in the world, make sure your house is clean first. If you claim to be from the house of god, then a good place to start is with the Ted Haggards of the church. Once you’ve got that area cleaned up, then you can address the other adulterers, divorcees, thieves and blasphemers.
The burden of proof does not lie with the non-believers to prove god doesn’t exist, it lies on people like yourself, professing Christians, to prove he does. Based on what the world sees, there’s little evidence and you’re not helping the case!
If there’s one thing I have learned over my lifetime, it’s that someday I may have to eat my words and when the time comes, I had better make sure they are palatable.
Tim: I appreciate you posting the links regarding Hitler and how his religious beliefs played into his twisted thinking which resulted in the atrocities we are all familiar with. That should be a very grave lesson and warning to us all. It really opened my eyes and explained a few things I was wondering about. I’m more convinced than ever that mixing politics and religion makes for a poisonous chalice. I don’t agree with Stephen Boissoin when he mentioned stubbornness, I believe the Lord showed me this morning that it’s because of fear many find it so hard to face the possibility of giving up what had been a necessary thing for psychological survival. I believe one reason the sexual attraction is so strong, is because it is connected to a very real pychological need and perceived existential threat, and the prospect of being anything different can raise a specter of such overwhelming fear that is impossible to cope with alone, and I pray the Lord to minister His love, comfort and courage to such ones.
The scriptures are a mystery, and it truly does take the Holy Spirit to reveal the word of God to us, which we can only really receive in fullness as more and more of our fallen flesh nature is out of the way (crucified). At least this is the understanding I have come to so far and born out by some experience. The Christian walk is progressive, a journey on the narrow path (cross) towards Jesus Christ, and as we go along we ditch more and more of our burdens (sin) and gain more and more of Him in exchange (fruit). The Lord helps us by disciplining us, chastising our fallen flesh nature, and it is a painful Way (though not without it’s joys and reward!), but it has the effect of loosening our hold onto whatever it is we are holding onto that falls short of His will and image – and in this we will come to know we are “accepted as sonsâ€.
He has very individual ways of helping different people in their own individual circumstances, but it is possible by the Spirit to even revisit and become conscious of the moment in our lives when we were forced by circumstances as it were to make a ‘subconscious’ decision to take a wrong direction, unknowingly right into the enemy’s snare where we became entrapped. I can testify of two such occasions when the Lord helped me this way in my own particular life dilemmas when I began to agree with Him against my own sin, not with self-condemnation but just in truth.
When we receive the word of God which is truth, by the Spirit, not the letter, it truly has power to transform our minds from the inside, because “as a man thinketh, so is he.” As our thinking on a deep level becomes transformed the things connected to it will begin to fall into place. This is how the truth sets us free, as I understand it.
There’s no question in my mind that homosexuality is not the will of God for any person, and I believe it can have different causes for different people. It’s not as though anyone wakes up one morning and consciously decides who to become sexually attracted to, of course it’s more complicated and deeper than that, and those struggling with same-gender attractions can take comfort in the fact that “where sin abounds, grace more abounds”.
I believe the words that Jesus spoke in Mathew 19:4-6 can give us insight into our Lord’s mind on this matter if we take the time in His presence to really meditate on it: “‘Haven’t you read’, he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female’, and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
I don’t believe the church was commissioned by Jesus to do anything but preach the gospel, proclaiming the kingdom of heaven. We are not called to ‘influence’ or to change our society, we are not called to take over the government, we are not called to be law-givers but to proclaim the good news that our sins are forgiven for any who wish in freedom to be partakers of His grace. “The power of sin is the law”, so believers, (myself very much included!), need to learn how to preach the gospel without giving power to sin. If we are His spiritual people, citizens of heaven, we will follow Jesus’ example and eschew earthly politics as a body and stop condemning the lost.
As Paul said, “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church…?” THIS is how we are to speak to the lost: “Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always FULL of grace, SEASONED with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” ‘Full’ speaks for itself, and by contrast ‘seasoned’ means just a sprinkling, not throwing in the whole box. Because it’s not with wise and persuasive words that we win souls, and certainly not through condemnation – it’s by the power of the Spirit.
Hi Bene D,
Nice to meet you too. Thank you for the advice. I had not thought of that. And no, nobody hired me. I have been interested in HRC abuses for some time, but became interested in Steve’s case only the last few months after I began reading some of the outrageous details of it.
Regardless of where on stands on political, social, or spiritual, issues; most of us who comment on these blogs (I have only ever written on my local newspaper’s blog until this weekend) have probably at one time or another written things that offended people just as much as Steve’s Letter did. I am only asking people to sit back and examine their hearts and heads and ask how they would like to be labeled nationally as a hate-monger and dragged through the mud for over 7 years. He has kids, family, work and has to live in the community. Can people just have some empathy. And at the very least, if people get the facts on this case, realize the abuse of the law by these HRCs.
Rose, Stephen made his own bed and now he has to “lie” in it (pardon the pun). As a self-purported wise Christian, I’m sure he counted the cost before ever opening his mouth. I have no sympathy for him.
As far as empathy goes, you are right, we need to have some empathy, but in my case, it’s not for Stephen, but rather for his poor family who has to put up with him. I can only imagine the needless suffering he brought upon them, all because of his flagrant self-righteousness.
Therese,
I would agree with you on many points. I am suspect and cautious of anything the smells of Dominion Theology in any of it’s many forms. But I do believe, in keeping with the example of Jesus, the Prophets, John the Baptist and the Apostles, that we are called to speak out publicly about public evil, never for personal gain, but for the sake of the Gospel and righteousness, even if we get our heads cut off for doing so. This includes teaching in the public schools and grotesque behavior in the street that would get any heterosexual arrested. It certainly should include voting, petitioning leaders, heck, even blogging!. And yes, it should be with humility and grace.
Regarding Hitler and Christianity:
It would be helpful to do some research on the occult origins of the Nazi Party. Yes, Hitler made references to Christianity; he was living in Europe which had a strong Christian history, and had to appeal to the citizens. “Christian” can be an ethnic term, just like Jew or Muslim can. It doesn’t tell you what a person actually believes. America is sometimes called a Christian country, but the actual percent of true believing Christians, I believe is quite small. Likely even smaller in Canada. I think more people dabble in Eastern religion than read their Bible. And many Churches were and are more ceremonial than spiritual.
Hitler actually wanted to rewrite the Bible, getting rid of any concept of Judeo-Christianity. What is repulsive and embarrassing to think that some of their Churches supported Hitler, but remember with gratitude those who did not and suffered the consequences. Just as sin always has consequences, speaking up publicly against evil, often does too.
Rose, I think mixing Christian beliefs with the occult is essentially what is going on with the ‘religious right’ and dominionists. How many of the “Christian” politicians in Washington are also Freemasons? I even think some big-name ministers may be Freemasons, according to some sources. Look also at Rick Joyner and the Knights of Malta (and his protegee Todd B.) Catholicism also is mixed with occult practices, which was the religion Hitler was raised on, and it hasn’t escaped me that we seem to be seeing an increasing move back towards Catholicism by much of the evangelical church.
I would argue that the OT prophets were rebuking God’s own people, not unbelieving gentiles – the same with John the Baptist and Jesus. When Jesus spoke to “outsiders” (non-Jews), eg, the Samaritan woman at the well, He spoke the truth very graciously, He didn’t rebuke her angrily. I stand to be corrected, but at present I don’t recall any instances of the apostles rebuking anyone but those who purported to be Christians.
This has all been difficult for me to grasp and articulate, but what I understand is that as individual believers, we do what we do where we live according to our best understanding – eg, we vote according to our conscience, we may write letters to newspaper editors, we hopefully speak our opinion to an unbelieving society in a way that is full of grace and only seasoned with salt, etc, and whatever our field of endeavour as individuals happens to be, whether politics or education, or media or whatever, we do our best work according to our best understanding at the time, but I hope humbly, knowing that ours is an unfolding revelation and that at best we only see as in a mirror darkly (preaching to myself) – but I don’t believe that we are do these kinds of things in the name of Jesus as the body of Christ. The only thing we are to do in His name is preach the gospel and heal the sick – that is all I can see that we are commissioned to do as the church, and I think that should be our focus, rather than trying to rescue a perishing world with fleshly methods, whether politics or letter-writing campaigns. Maybe I’m missing something, but that’s where I stand at present.
(And actually, I consider whether we will find ourselves talking less and less about “social issues†as we grow in the Lord, becoming like Paul who “resolved to know nothing but Christ and Him crucifiedâ€. And like Job, who after those all lengthy discourses with his ‘friends’, when He saw the Lord, even though he was considered righteous and was not in the wrong, it silenced him.)
I’m very sorry for what Stephen Boissoin has gone through, and even though I am dismayed at the tone of his letter, in my opinion I don’t believe his letter constitutes malicious hate literature. How the human rights tribunal decides such things is beyond me though, I don’t know what criteria they have drawn up – I rather think the line should be drawn at incitement to violence or something tangible like that. People can say all kinds of insulting things to one another in the heat of the moment in a free society and not expect to be hauled up before the law. Isn’t it possible though, that if people are genuinely feeling hated and rejected, there’s a good chance this is what is being projected, (giving the benefit of the doubt to the complainant that he wasn’t just using the system to be vindictive) and I don’t think that is what Christians should be manifesting.
What I believe I see on both sides of this debate is fear – fear on the one hand of a society deteriorating into pagan Godlessness, and fear on the other of becoming stigmatized, rejected and made into outcasts (or outlaws). I believe all these feelings are valid and understandable, however, speaking to believers, I don’t think we should be doing things for Jesus out of fear. If we speak rejecting and condemning words to those who are trapped in sin, which is wrong in itself, but how will they be able to come to Christ when we set up such a roadblock? Jesus didn’t come to condemn sinners, He came to offer grace and that is what we should always manifest. I think most Christians share the understanding that these are the last days, we know in a general sense what to expect, the harlot church riding the beast political/economic system, darkness is increasing – but why should we fear? Our mandate and reason for being on this earth does not change no matter what kind of culture we happen to be “passing through”. The early church spent its infancy in much worse circumstances than we presently have up to now – and how glorious it was in those early days, and how much more glorious it will be in the near future. When these things begin to happen, I believe we need to ’ look UP for our redemption draws nigh’, not ‘look around at the terrible state of things’.
I think that the Left often uses the term “Christian Right” as a pejorative for every Bible believing Christian who ever opens their mouth about anything. I think the best thing that Christians should do is become fully educated, first about Scripture and also about the affiliations of leaders in the church. Certainly if someone was a Freemason, I would not seek counsel from them. And I feel very uncomfortable when I see any spiritual leader smiling for the camera with politicians or any flavor.
Therese, I agree with your attitude. A little persecution, or a lot, never seemed to hurt the church. When the persecution starts you find out who will truly defend the Gospel and those who don’t, and those remaining are more affective than ever. I think whatever God sends our way we should consider it a blessing as hard as it may seem at the time.
Jesus always showed grace to the humble and the Law to those who exhibited pride and that is what the Apostles did too. The Apostle’ letters speak directly to the churches, but in the book of Acts, they speak to non believers too and the principle seems to be the same: grace to the humble, the Law to the proud. When I say the Law, I don’t mean loosing your temper but I do mean speaking the truth plainly. It will not make you popular with those who continue to be proud.
I believe when we see government abuses, we should speak out in a democratic society when we have the opportunity to. In that regard, it’s fine to criticize Stephen Boissoin’s speech, as if I had never ranted and raved about something. That’s was over 7 years ago. This is also about abuse by government officials that has happened to many in this country, usually targeted at people who cannot afford huge legal bills to set a precedent for convictions or settlements. It can happen to anyone that these HRCs don’t like. Or it they believe that an offence has been committed against a favored group. Thankfully Steve fought back and many began to speak out, including the judge in this case, so it hopefully won’t happen to anyone else soon, no matter what they want to speak or write about.
As you can imagine…I have been bombarded by the media. I participated in numerous interviews today, most this evening. I was hoping to respond to some the posts but after reading the great detail (length) that some of them include, I am far too tired tonight.
Bene. I will email you my old, outdated, no longer valid clergy license when I get to my office tomorrow. Hopefully that will put an end to who I was, am, is or should be. Hang it on your wall if you like. You are the only one that has ever wanted to see it.
Ps…In every interview I make it clear that I have resigned. Google my name. Do you think I have time to correct every article, column, blog etc where they still refer to my as Pastor or Reverend? If you review the recent media, they are starting to get it right.
pss. Tim, the best apologia that I can muster up tonight is “you are completely out to lunch.” (Hope you chuckled) I don’t think that there is a thing I could say to convince you. I will try to break down your post tomorrow. Though I ask myself, why do you want to hear from me further? Are you convincing yourself of the validity of your claims through my posts or do you sincerely want to know what I think? Please answer in brief if you can.
Talk soon and sincere blessings,
Stephen Boissoin
“I think that the Left often uses the term “Christian Right†as a pejorative for every Bible believing Christian who ever opens their mouth about anything.”
I’m a bible believing Christian, you didn’t see me calling Stephen Boissoin a hate pimp.
I suggest reading Justice Wilson’s ruling.
Section F #140
“…He admitted that with his letter he was hoping to ride on the coattails of the C.C.C. that is – that he would be associated with some of their political work.”
Jesus isn’t in the Red Deer letter, nor is the gospel.
Political co-belligerents in the US are saying, ‘oh, Boissoin didn’t get jailed, but it could happen here. Send money.’
I think your point about fear is well taken Therese.
Rose, I have no sympathy for Steven Boissoin.
Egale declined to join Dr. Lund in his complaint in 2005:
…“We want Pastor Boissoin’s assertions aired, debated and subjected to public scrutiny…â€
We believe that sunshine is the best disinfectant.â€
Here are some notable examples that they’re getting it right…yaayyyyyy!!!! Please note the word ‘former.’
The Canadian Press
Date: Friday Dec. 4, 2009 7:12 AM ET
EDMONTON — 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.
National Post Dec 4, 2009
The 2002 letter by Mr. Boissoin, then a pastor in Red Deer, was titled “Homosexual Agenda Wicked,” and published in the Red Deer Advocate.
National Post editorial board: From Alberta, a win for justice
Posted: December 07, 2009, 8:30 AM by NP Editor
Editorial, Canadian politics
Former Red Deer, Alberta youth pastor Stephen Boissoin…
Lorne Gunter
Edmonton Journal
Sunday, December 06, 2009
If you want to see all the things wrong with human rights commissions, they are on display in Mr. Justice Earl Wilson’s ruling Thursday in the case of Boissoin v Lund.
Stephen Boissoin is a former youth pastor from Red Deer who wrote a letter to the Red Deer Advocate in June 2002 expressing harsh, unpleasant, even contemptible views about the gay rights movement.
Even the gays get it wrong at times. Hmmmmm I wonder what their agenda is in doing so.
In 2002, the Red Deer Advocate published a letter by Rev Stephen Boissoin, titled “Homosexual Agenda Wicked.” It’s a nonsensical rant against gay rights…Dec 4, 2009 xtra.ca
From Stephen Boissoin’s letter:
“My banner has now been raised and war has been declared so as to defend the precious sanctity of our innocent children and youth, that you so eagerly toil, day and night, to consume. With me stand the greatest weapons that you have encountered to date – God and the “Moral Majority.” Know this, we will defeat you, then heal the damage that you have caused.”
“These activists are not morally upright citizens, concerned about the best interests of our society. They are perverse, self-centered and morally deprived individuals who are spreading their psychological disease into every area of our lives. Homosexual rights activists and those that defend them, are just as immoral as the pedophiles, drug dealers and pimps that plague our communities.”
Not even the Son of God spoke so belligerently to the Pharisees. The letter is simply bellicose and insulting . I just cannot imagine Jesus or the Apostles railing like this even against the hedonistic Greco-Roman culture of their day – I still cannot find any example of it in the scriptures, though I am still searching.
Stephen, I don’t doubt you feel you are doing God’s will, and I still believe people ought to be able to speak their honest mind without fear of legal repercussions, unless they are calling for illegal activity, BUT please consider that you are declaring war against living, breathing, feeling human beings when scripture tells us that we war not against flesh and blood, and that our weapons are not carnal, but spiritual. We are exhorted to keep our minds on things above (spiritual) not on the things of earth. Is the realm of politics and law earthly or spiritual?
Please stop and think, do you honestly imagine after such a diatribe you could now preach the good news of salvation and forgiveness to homosexuals and expect any one of them to be able to open their hearts to Jesus? Do you think any homosexual person would allow you to minister healing or to even pray for them after you declared yourself and God to be his or her enemy and accused him or her of being a “morally depraved human being who is spreading their psychological disease into every area of our lives “?? Is that truly how you think we should talk to people we are hoping to lead to the Lord? Is that how you want them to view Jesus who came not to condemn but to save? Has the Spirit of the Lord ever talked to you in such viscious terms, even though the same things could arguably be said for every one of us since sin resides in all our flesh alike? Your statement has a ring of crazed fanaticism and would not be out of place amongst Adolph Hitler’s writings unfortunately.
I’m not surprised at the following from Bene’s comment above, since you identify yourself with the “Moral Majorityâ€:
“…He admitted that with his letter he was hoping to ride on the coattails of the C.C.C. that is – that he would be associated with some of their political work.†”
Please remember that Jesus and the early church did not get involved in “political solutions” because there is only one solution to what ails mankind, only one way to overcome sin, and that is through the foolishness of the gospel. Jesus died for homosexuals every bit as much as he died for the self-righteous and self-congratulatory “moral majority”. I do not believe your letter reflects the spirit we want to be walking in as ministers of reconciliation. Please, brother, if you are still going in this direction, I beseech you to reconsider what you are doing, which is not the way of the Spirit but the way of religion and oppression.
“Either way, my personal opinion is that homosexuality is unnatural, unproductive, immoral, destructive and outright disgusting.”- Stephen Boissoin – June 2008
Stephen emailed me about his ordination and ministerial credentials.
I understand him saying he was licenced by the province of Alberta from 2001 to 2006.
As he has pointed out he is now Stephen Boissoin, not Reverend Stephen Boissoin.
Tenses matter.
Therese,
War was declared and I did just fight and win a seven year campaign. Did you miss my seven year battle?
I remember my friend Richard cautioning me, “if you write something against the homosexual lobby, you will end up in a war.” He was right. I was even threatened and told that I should watch my back because one day when I least expect it, I would be stabbed with an HIV infected syringe.
In the end, all that will be left is the moral majority. Those who were repentent in their heart and did their best to make Jesus Lord of their life.
Here is an idea if you are interested in two-way dialogue. Instead of writing me a lengthy lecture which I will not read or respond to, why not write a few short paragraphs at a time, tell me something and ask me a question or two. Then, let me respond and communicate ‘with you’. Otherwise, you’re talking to yourself cause I ain’t listening.
Lengthy rants on blogs denote a sense of entitlement and self-importance. You are judging me based on your interpretation of my letter. Possibly not your intent but really, do you think I am going to read a rant directed towards me on a blog from someone I don’t even know? Why not pick my brain while you have me here.
Peace,
ps…some of the most stinging rebukes in the NT were to the Pharisees. One place to start would be Matthew 23. I think the words are in red too.
There is nothing in my letter that is unbiblical or against flesh and blood. The letter is against the biased propagation of homosexuality to children and youth.
Steve B
Dear faithful Christians:
Don’t believe a word that this man says because I contacted the denominationa\he was ordained with and it appears that this man was on probation for not following through the very things he promised and signed to do as a part of his covenant with God.
He will give all kind of excuses, but the denomination believes in doing things the right way and this is not one of them. They feel that they would have helped him do the right thing if he would have asked for their wisdom in this matter.
Stephen, not even Jesus would allow anyone to call Him “good”, much less apply it to Himself. He said, “Why do you call me good? There is no one good but the Father.” He knew what was in His flesh. The only reason the “Moral Majority” congratulate themselves on being “moral” is because they don’t know themselves very well – you don’t know how prideful and self-righteous that moniker looks even to the perishing, how much more so to our heavenly Father who knows us much better than we know ourselves.
I see a fleshly response to fleshly fear in what you are doing, brother. You are so euphoric (fleshly emotions which seem to border on cultishness) you can’t even concentrate on a lengthy post – even though this issue is of such importance to you that you gave up 7 years of your life for it. But is this what Jesus called us for? To legislate people into ‘behaving’, which can’t save them, or to preach the good news which can? We can’t do both as I tried to demonstrate with my previous comment, and we can’t be both citizens of earth and heaven at the same time.
I hope when you have caught your breath and are in a calmer state of mind, you’ll be able to consider some of the points that have been put forward. But, honestly, based on your comments here (aside from the original letter), I don’t think I want to pick your brain – I’ve seen too much of it already and it scares me.
I fear I’m late to this party but I can’t but to respond to Timothy’s ridiculous comments at the beginning of the thread.
As someone actually trained in biblical interpretation I’d like to point out some serious problems.
1) The bible never mentions human rights, the concept is a modern one. The bible does say we are all created in His image which confers upon us value regardless of who we are and what we do.
2) There was a time when the people of Israel believed they were better than the surrounding gentiles. Both Jesus and Peter blew that concept out of the water. Paul made it clear that being in Christ erases all the distinctions created by our society.
3) Paul made it clear he believed that homosexual sex was a sin. He lists it along with drunkenness, greed, and being verbally abusive. If being gay means you have no human rights than spouting off abusive lies disguised as biblical truth would do the same thing.
4) According to the full counsel of scripture biblical marriage also includes having dozens of wives and concubines.
5) There is something even more cunning than the completely exaggerated “homosexual agenda.” The leaven of the pharisees.
Loyal Christian,
I have endeavoured to be honest here, so I will continue as I feel led. Scripture tells us to use honest scales, so I will offer my side of the story to bring balance. Also, I have already touched on the fact that I resigned to a doctrinal dispute..which is true.
If you did contact them, then what they told you was a partial truth. It shocks me that they would even openly dialogue about it but it once again confirms why I resigned. I left them, they did not ask me to leave at any time and were offended when I did. That offence obviously remains which is unfortunate because I have never spoken negatively about them. The ministry that I undertook has never been in question and is well known and spoken of.
Specifically, I was put on a probationary status after my refusal to give them my whole tithe. Had I just complied everything would have been rectified. Instead I disagreed with their request.
I had a problem with tithing to them on top of what I gave to the church I attended while in parachurch ministry. I informed them that I was tithing to my home church and into my community. They wanted my tithe, I would not give it to them. That was strike one for me. Strike two was their views on end times doctrine. They hold to a futurist view, I am a preterist (past fulfilled). I do not believe that the end of the age referred to in scripture refers to our future. I could have just sent them my tithe consistently and hid my beliefs and everything would have been fine. Instead, after much consideration, I chose to be honest and resigned. If you wish to judge me by this, feel free, my reputation in this sense matters not anymore.
Doctrinally, I do not believe that the tithe carried over into the New Covenant. The tithe was administered to support the Priesthood in a theocracy and there is no biblical account of money being given as a tithe.
When the Jerusalem Council met (Acts 15) tithing was not an admonition for the Gentiles that were turning to Christianity.
My belief is now that we in saved by grace, we are Christ’s. Our entire life, money, time, etc is to be given over to God’s leading. We are his servants. If one can give more and another less, that is between them and God.
Hope this helps,
Oh ya, did you say something Therese? lol…just playing…obviously you have your opinion of me and have made it clear that there is nothing I can say to convince you otherwise. So be it.
Stephen Boissoin
Therese,
I will respond to some of your comments here in brief.
Stephen, not even Jesus would allow anyone to call Him “goodâ€, much less apply it to Himself.
“I do believe that there is good in me but I also agree with what Paul said in Romans 7 about the struggle each of us face with our desire to do good and the temptation that goes along with it. I too depend on Christ and agree with him when he states “Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
The only reason the “Moral Majority†congratulate themselves on being “moral†is because they don’t know themselves very well…
“I am not interested in how things look. I am interterested in being active as a Christian and you seem to want to judge me based on your opinion of one letter. I congratulate God for helping me identify what is moral in his eyes and I also congratule Him for giving me the courage to state it publicly.”
To legislate people into ‘behaving’, which can’t save them, or to preach the good news which can?
“It was Lund who was trying to legislate my behaviour, not the opposite. I don’t understand your context here.”
I hope when you have caught your breath and are in a calmer state of mind, you’ll be able to consider some of the points that have been put forward. But, honestly, based on your comments here (aside from the original letter), I don’t think I want to pick your brain – I’ve seen too much of it already and it scares me.
“Now there’s a paragraph that is really as odds with itself”
Blessings sister Therese
Woops…I only intended to bold my responses. Sorry.
Stephen is under the delusion that every thing is man’s fault. He makes statements that we can’t prove. I’m interested in the man that said on these bolgs that the denomination he once was ordained with has proof as to why he left.Diffeent from Stephen’s sence he disagrees with all doctrines that are conservative. Poor Stephen, he is right and you are wrong. Is he hiding the truth from all of us – I say let God be true and man a liar. It will be revealed to us someday. Let it happen.
Stephen, when I used the word “looks” I was being kind. Anyhow, I’ll be kind again and not point out your inconsistencies. ;o)
I’m just trying to imagine how the conversation went at the dinner table when Jesus was eating with the tax collectors and prostitutes. Somehow I can’t seem to get that sense of Him telling His dinner guests, or hosts, that they were morally depraved human beings who were spreading their psychological disease into every area of our lives, and that their lives were outright disgusting, but hey, I’ll keep trying. (oy.)
Okay, this part is sincere: I truly hope you’ll stop and think about Jesus’ statement that “my kingdom is not of this world” one day soon….and blessings to you too.
I too have sat with many of the same, bought them the best steaks and allowed the to live in my home.
Again, read how Jesus treated the Pharisees in Matthew. Does God care less about a Pharisee than a tax collector or prostitute? No he does not. He is no respecter of persons.
Jesus had a very diverse personality. He even turned over the money lenders tables with whip in hand and on another occasion warned “if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
The words of the prophets, Jesus and the Apostles are consistent with the character of God and cannot be dismissed. You must have a real problem with the God of the OT.
Again, a gay minster was teaching a pro-homosexual interpretation of the Bible in my sons school. In addition, the Alberta Human Rights Commission was funding an initiative to teach that homosexuality was normal, necessary, acceptable and productive and has been for thousands of years. I strongly disagree!!!
My contempt was warranted. I understand that you feel diffferently.
Bless you!!
Hey Everyone
I am willing to believe this denomination then listen on and on about why he left. Did he say it was over doctrine -he is dreaming!!!
Good Day,
My name is Dr. David Lavigne, I am the Bishop of the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada. I have receiving unwanted emails from Mr. Boissoin which is causing our leadership great concern, and I wish to go on record regarding Mr. Boissoin.
I have read a great deal of what this gentleman has been saying and writing and I want to say on behalf of our organization, EVERYTHING that he has written and said is NOT the opinions and beliefs of the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada.
I hope this will clear up any doubts.
Thank you.
Rev. Dr. D. Lavigne
Bishop