The Federal Supreme Court’s two rulings in support of same-sex marriage received harsh criticisms from Chinese-American pastors such as Rev. Yuan Zhi-ming and Rev. Feng Wei. Many Southern Californian Chinese Churches is planning to hold joint fasting prayer events to ask for God’s mercy towards the rebellious America, and to encourage America to repent and return to God.
Pastor Yuan commented on his microblog on Weibo that same-sex partnering is one thing, and whether this partnering is regarded as marriage is something else. The Bible clearly states that the meaning of marriage is the unity between one man and one woman.
“Thus, the ruling on June 26, 2013 was not just the result of 5 people disagreeing with 4 people, but of America betraying the Biblical foundation which founded the country. Who then can still proclaim ‘God bless America’ with a clear conscience?” Yuan stated.
Commenting on individually confused sinners and sinners in general, Pastor Yuan clarified in a publication: “Sin is sin. People are people. Sins are not categorized by whether they are big or small, rich or poor; they all displease God. Everyone is a sinner, but God loves everyone. Such as a homosexual person, I love him/her very much. What we are talking about here is that the sacred meaning of “marriage” and the legal meaning of marriage are now being tampered with.”
Regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling that opposes the one-man-one-woman meaning of marriage, a mainland preacher Xu exclaimed: “This is an American tragedy, and the tragedy of a country of freedom abusing its freedom.”
Xu said while preaching that the Bible’s point of view was clear: “God loves every sinner, but hates every sin.” He gently quoted 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 in response: “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men (homosexuality) … will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Pastor Feng Wei from the New York Council on the Reign was outraged by the Supreme Court’s ruling. He expressed in his microblog that although the entire America or the entire world passed worldly laws to punish those who opposed homosexuality, he would still preach that homosexuality is sin. “God loves sinners, but God hates sins! Believe in Jesus Christ, win over sins, and enter life not death!”
Pastor Feng prayed for God’s mercy towards those bounded by the sin of homosexuality. “They are also people who are loved by God, and they are not our enemies. They are still being blinded by the evil one, tempted by lust. Satan is our real enemy. May more Christians share with homosexuals the love and truth of God, and show their care and mercy towards those who are bounded by this particular sin, so that through God’s wisdom and great power will they be able to overcome bondage, enter light from darkness, and receive eternal life from death.”
As a result of the Supreme Court’s overturn of Proposition 8 against same-sex marriage in California, the Californian Chinese Pastors are weighed down with heaviness.
Pastor Li Yan-guang from the Los Angeles Arc de Triomphe Christian Church said: “What we are feeling is beyond what bitterness, tears, sadness, fasting or prayers can encompass.”
“But we still have to proclaim that God has established a one-husband-one-wife policy. Homosexuality is not only not a right, but is a rebellious sin. We will not stop praying for America.” He said.
“If homosexuals can spend 50 years from the 70’s onwards to arrive at today’s “crookedness becomes law”, can we Christians and followers of God’s truth then not enforce our power of persistence to ‘right the wrong’? Furthermore, if God is for us, who can be against us?”
Finally, Pastor Li shouted out: “Prayers, evangelism, repentance, education, societal change, theory change, cultural change…or America will fail. Our God does not delay. Rise and trust only in God, and rely on God.”
The Southern Californian Chinese Churches are planning to hold prayer meetings in various regions in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, in hopes that brothers and sisters can participate in watching and praying for America.
[Editor's note: Carol Lee translated this article.]
