Animal Lovers

WorldNet Daily  quotes Boston's Weekly Dig in reporting that four state legislators in Massachusetts  have introduced a bill that would, somehow, make the crime of bestiality less outrageous. Sick enough--but of course, it wouldn't stop there. The bill would strike down several sections of the current penal code criminalizing adultery, fornication and the advertisement of abortion. Also on the "chopping block"--the prohibition of sodomy--most likely, the real intent of the legislation. The Dig report continues to say that the bill "...also repeals what appears to be a sodomy statute forbidding 'abominable and detestable crime against nature, either with mankind or with a beast.' While the proposed legislation would keep bestiality technically illegal, it gives the option of less severe penalties (sounds a litle like the new Denver marijuana law, doesn't it?). Previously, those convicted of "a sexual act on an animal" could receive up to 20 years in prison. But here's the kicker: the bill was taken up during a public hearing Nov. 1 in the Legislature's Joint Committee on the Judiciary, and reportedly, no one from the public testified against the measure.

There's your real headline. You know, I've entertained calls and emails to my Christian talk show for years from people who wonder why I'm constantly bringing this kind of story to light. "Why are you surprised at this, Mark," they say. "Jesus told us to expect this kind of thing from the world." True. But as I recall...when Jesus encountered the moneychangers in the temple, he didn't simply lament their presence, and move on. He acted--and with righteous anger! Jesus didn't simply acknowledge the evil deeds of the Pharisees, and set up an "alternate soul-winning strategy." He openly--and frequently--pronounced woe upon such "whitewashed sepulchers!"

Now, I'm certainly not setting myself up as Jesus' official spokesman, or as anyone's  judge--that's where a lot of evangelicals get into trouble. But I am honor-bound to be--quite often, it seems--one of the lone voices in the wilderness. Am I exaggerating? Perhaps...but then again...if others are talking about Boston's bestiality bill, where exactly is the outrage?

Now, I know that those who call themselves Christians are probably in my corner on this--right?  It may seem to some like I'm preaching to the choir. But then again…research indicates that Christians are fornicating, divorcing, consuming porn, and gambling at about the same rate as the rest of the world…so should I assume that most professing Christians necessarily have strong feelings against "romance with Rover?" Where do they draw the line?

So please forgive what may sound like sarcasm…but I refuse to sit back and view the collapse of our society as being somehow “inevitable”...and I wonder how so many Christians can. Are we so mired in our own secret sin, that we feel advocating for what we believe is somehow hypocritical? Here's a newsflash: there was only one sinless Truth-teller, and He's not coming back to suggest that we turn from our wicked ways!  Jesus is returning as righteous judge, not prophet...so the time to address our sick and dying culture is now.     

We have an absolute duty, believer, to make certain that our voice is heard. If we're not going to do it ourselves, we must move to support those who will speak for us…and do so with our time, money, prayer, even with our vote. You know, PA Senator Rick Santorum took an incredible chance, and no small amount of heat, when he stood up a few years back and declared that the repeal of sodomy laws in Texas was--in essence--opening a "Pandora's box" of deviancy. How right he was. Yet, many believe that his presidential—even senatorial—aspirations were compromised by that simple observation.

If that's true...then we must pray that his replacement would not be the kind of leader who would attempt to convince you that legislating immorality is somehow akin to "getting the government out of your bedroom." For it seems the voters of Massachusetts have saddled themselves with something even worse...senators that are eager to get the government...out of your barn.