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  • Sweden edition

Church of Sweden says yes to gay marriage

Published: 22 Oct 09 11:10 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Updated: 22 Oct 09 15:46 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/22810/20091022/

The Synod of the Lutheran Church of Sweden has come down in favour of church weddings for homosexuals in a vote held on Thursday morning.

The decision, which is based on a proposal from the church’s governing board, means that the Church of Sweden will conduct wedding ceremonies for both heterosexual and homosexual couples.

The proposal was approved by 176 of 249 voting members.

The decision comes just three days after the 30th anniversary of the date when homosexuality stopped being classified as a disease in Sweden.

“The Synod’s decision takes a stance in favour of an inclusive view of people. Regardless of whether one is religious or not, this affects the entire social climate and the view of people’s equal value,” Åsa Regnér, head of the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU) - the country's largest gay rights group, said in a statement.

In June, the church board took the first step towards permitting same-sex marriages by submitting a petition to the Church of Sweden Synod – the church's highest decision-making body.

The board proposed the church continue to perform wedding ceremonies following new legislation which came into force on May 1st and grants same-sex couples in Sweden the same legal marriage status as heterosexuals.

Current church regulations will likely continue to apply in practice, with some alterations, such as replacing “man and wife” with “lawfully wedded spouses” when a homosexual couple is married.

Individual pastors would also still be able to refuse to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.

Since 2007, the Church of Sweden, which counts around 74 percent of Swedes as members, has offered gays a religious blessing of their union.

The ruling by the Synod, which has 251 delegates - two of which were absent from Thursday's vote, puts Sweden among the first countries in the world to allow gays to marry in a major church.

Representatives from the Catholic and Orthodox churches in Sweden, however, were disappointed by Thursday’s decision.

“It is with great sorry that we receive news that the Church of Sweden’s Synod has today decided to wed same-sex couples that it will be referred to as marriage. This is a step backwards, not only from Christian tradition, but also from all of the major world’s religions views of what marriage is,” write Vicar Fredrik Emanuelson of the Catholic Church and Father Misha Jaksic, coordinator of the family of Orthodox Churches at the Christian Council of Sweden (CCS), in a joint statement.

“We don’t wed same-sex couples in our churches and faith communities because doing so stands in clear opposition to the church’s tradition and to our entire view of creation.”

In moving ahead with the decision to perform same-sex marriages, the Church of Sweden also ignored concerns expressed earlier this year by the Church of England in a strongly worded letter to Swedish archbishop Anders Wejryd that the move could lead to “an impairment of the relationships between the churches”.

Church of England spokesperson Steve Jenkins confirmed that relations between the two churches may be headed for a turbulent phase in the wake of the decision.

“Those concerns remain,” he told The Local, referring to the letter from English bishops Christopher Hill and John Hind.

He added that he didn’t know of any plans by the English Church to issue a formal statement in response to the Church of Sweden’s decision.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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11:38 October 22, 2009 by Dr. Dillner
Well, yippy, skippy -- throw away what you do not like of what God teaches us, adopt the teachings of a social theology (rather than a Lutheran theology) and here they are. God forgive them.
12:03 October 22, 2009 by crofab
God forgive Dr. Dillner.
12:10 October 22, 2009 by Mike #1986
Lutheran Church of Sweden..

approved and who may they be??

Discrace to the Church.
12:12 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
What do you expect in a country, where the so-called Royals (myself excluded; as I am truly a Royal in every sense of the word), who are in some way to be governing, are pagans!!!
12:19 October 22, 2009 by gmaddalo
"We are the the fruit"! God would forgive them! I really don´t understand the Swedish Church is the mirror of the Swedish society: no identity at all! there is nothing against gay people but why do they have to play so intrusive and dictate their will in the church? If you are gay and you want to spend the rest of your life with some of the same gender, it´s fine! But don´t invade the space! The Swedish Church is a disaster...! The real freedom is the one that you give to someone who thinks in a different way from us, so we respect the gays, the gays must respect the Church! The Swedish Church has just shown its weakness!
12:22 October 22, 2009 by HejHej
''Church of Sweden says yes to gay marriage '' BUT Jesus never said yes. Waiting for next news ' Church of Sweden says yes to Human-animal marriage and brother-sister marriage.
12:36 October 22, 2009 by AnatoleEric
It gratifies me to see all these comments. I think it validates the decision of the Swedish Church that all the backwards and narrow-minded people disapprove of it.
12:40 October 22, 2009 by Texrusso
Well, I think if Jesus was born in the 21st century and living our time, he would have approved Gay marriage as Jesus is a nice guy. Also if St. peters and all of Jesus appostles were living in our time, they would have approved gay marriage. Jesus for example would have shaved his beard and had a clean hair cut. Jesus would have had a website for example www.jesus.com and he would have propably wore Suits for his presentations and probably own a laptop and use a wicked car for mobility. So cut the chase.... the bible was not written for our time and we have to move on and adopt it to the new age. Is it no wonder why the churches are loosing members to other new age entertainment like teartres, movies, operas, discos, mtv, concerts, internet and virtual entertainment. Because so far the Church has not done enough to find a creative way of competiting with these other Worldly entertainment factors by integrating and adapting them to the Church. Me think, its about time, the Church should be more funky and go Hiphop and popular culture and still keeping the message.
12:41 October 22, 2009 by Lisaann
Agree with gmaddalo. A complete disgrace and shame on this Country and Church. First of all most Swedes do not even believe in Jesus, and most certainly most of them do not even go to church. Yet the state pays millions of kronors to keep them going, how funny. If gays and lesbians want to get married, its their business, but for God's sake stay out of the the holy sanctuary! Go to a garden or hall to do it, because the Bible speaks adamantely about this, it is an abomination! Who are these people that voted for this, obviously they are having issues and perhaps are that way themselves, and that is fine, but keep the Church Holy, all those that voted for this should be barred from practicing. May God have mercy on them. It is also embarassing for this Country, as many already think that all Sweden is breeding our Gays and Lesbians, they are all over the place. Stop before its too late, stop the adoption especially of innocent children, who had no choice in being placed into a same sex home. How would you like to wake up as a child and find 2 women or men in bed, as your parents..think about the future consequences! It is not natural. God created Man and Women, Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. God help us!
12:53 October 22, 2009 by jazzper
The disgrace lies not with the church, it lies with God himself if it's true what most of you commenters says, God is unworthy any kind of praise or worship. And it's also a disgrace to read your comments of prejudice and lack of empathy and humanity. If you think that's what God wants you to be like, then I am glad not being a part of your deceiving, lying and narrow-minded community.

Wake up, use your head and stop being so ignorant.
13:06 October 22, 2009 by pyruvicacid
For those who prefer progressing through life with their heads in their ass, please submit your comments to www.godhatessweden.com and the Westboro Church. I'm sure they'll welcome you with open arms into Topeka, Kansas... and you won't have to deal with this blasphemy or Swedish weather...
13:22 October 22, 2009 by Beynch
The Swedish Church is wrong! While I definitely do not oppose same gender "civil unions"(with everything that goes with this), "marriage" should remain between a man and woman. This is the selective process created by God.The next step in this misguided fiasco is to for Sweden to allow polygamy, in order to accomodate deviating, and my my opinion abhorrent, cultures. Can't you see where this is going?
13:42 October 22, 2009 by Gwrhyr
Wonderful news! It's great to live in a country where the church is true to the loving spirit that God and Jesus are supposed to represent.
14:28 October 22, 2009 by Random Guy
look people - don't make this personal or say what you think God or Jesus thinks. Here is what the Bible says:

http://bible.cc/1_timothy/1-10.htm

or

http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/6-9.htm

you can do what you want, or you follow what the Bible teaches.
14:41 October 22, 2009 by Thompsuleme
Texrusso and Beynch, I see you are both almost always of the same view, the former a bit too extreme :) sorry Tex.

I think I am more aligned with Beynch´s.I have nothing against same sex unions,or Homosexuals,but letting them change vows in "THE CHURCH" is just off line. Its an abormination. The definition of marrige as a union between man and woman is clear Biblically. Is this "Wrong",I cant trully say as most definitions are clearly redefined in this age and time. Good luck to the Gays then cos I´ve never been to church in sweden anyways.
14:58 October 22, 2009 by sherkovic
Thank you church!! (as if anyone listens to you in sweden)
15:00 October 22, 2009 by HejHej
Though the nature doesn't stop but never proportionate homosexuality with the logic. Defying nature means always at 'LOSS'. In an ideal homesexual environment, it takes 40-50 years to see human as 'Extinction'.. and top of that many consider opposition to gay-marriages as 'Narrow minded'.. lol
15:03 October 22, 2009 by nevon
This is an outrage. Gays shouldn't be able to get married, and certainly not in Church! This is an abomination against God!

Everyone who agrees with, what you say we all get up leave this God-forsaken gay-loving country and go somewhere where our sacred values won't be trampled on? What are we even doing living in a country where human beings are allowed to get married regardless of their sexual orientation? How dare anyone suggest that we don't have a monopoly on the concept of marriage and our stupid prejudices can't decide who gets to be happy and who has to make do with a "civil union" because we think so?

This is unbearable. Come on guys, buy your tickets, we're moving away and never coming back to this damned atheist-ridden elk pen! Let's go! I'm right behind you! I really am. Just buy the damn tickets.
15:26 October 22, 2009 by Greg in Canada
What a bunch of pathetic homophobic nutballs some of you are. Canada legalized gay marriage several years ago and guess what - the heavens didn't come reigning down on us with fire and brimestone to send us all to hell. Life went on exactly as before. If a pair of gays or lesbians wish to call themselves married, then who really gives a damn. How does it affect your life in any way? Have you ever heard of live and let live.

What the church does isn't that significant since marrige is a civil union and not church law. Since we don't have a single mainstream dominant church in Canada our situation with church approval is different from Sweden. The more liberal church denominations over here have approved gay marriage while the more conservative ones have not approved. So pick your church as you wish.

The bottom line is in both Sweden and Canada gay marriage is legal, so if the churches don't approve it it really doesn't matter very much.
15:35 October 22, 2009 by Thompsuleme
I love sweden, but I think this is just a tard too far, is not liberal its religious sacriledge!!! Taboo !! I hope theyy rescind this decision and leave a normal partner reegisteration for gays so they can share all the rights of social liberalism, wellfare and values but not that religion takes a VERY different view to Homosexuality. Its sort of too much for sweden and I know that th end to this is still a long way off.

p.s

am I narrow minded?
15:41 October 22, 2009 by nevon
Yes you are. Religion doesn't belong to certain people, everyone has a right to it.
15:50 October 22, 2009 by hpunlimited
Please keep in mind that the church is protestant and lutheran. We are all sinners and nobody is perfect according to Luther. With that in mind we have to remember that the human value takes presidence over everything else. The bible talks about alot of things that we shouldn't do but do anyways. We eat bloodpudding(against the bible), we have abortions, divorces, now homosexuality. The most important message in the bible is to love your neighbor, your brother, your sister, not be judgemental(the one without sin cast the first stone)
15:53 October 22, 2009 by Thompsuleme
sorry nevon, but thanks, I guess you are entitled to say that. I dont what the limits are, Gay rights, Animal rights, I am all for, when will there be Alien/extraterestial rights?? I just wonder what itd be like in 40 years time.

point is everything is escalating, should there be a limit? I beleive there should cos the Bible states clearly the definition of marriage i.e in a church. so if a bible is in attendace then it should not be GAY. I have a gay friend so u know.

well as one put it live and let live, whats done is done!
16:06 October 22, 2009 by hpunlimited
Where in the bible does it talk about marriage is only between man and woman? All it talks about is that one shouldn't have adulterous gay sex.
16:25 October 22, 2009 by Rick Methven
Nevon

The true followers of Christ the Lord who are so outraged by this, should not need tickets. I am sure that they can walk on water
16:35 October 22, 2009 by Texrusso
Guys, take it easy, do you have any verse in the bible were same sex marriage is not allowed? Please quote that verse on this site. Otherwise remain silent for ever!
16:51 October 22, 2009 by Nemesis
If you don't like the fact that Sweden is a liberal society, why have you moved to Sweden?

Is it to give you something to complain about?

So what if two gays get married. Gay rights only affects gay people.

If you are so screwed up that you think someone should not have the same rights as you, move to Saudi Arabia, USA or Afghanistan, where you will be amongst people of the same mindset.

It should only concern you, if you are the gay getting married.

As for christian churches. Christianity was imposed in Sweden at the point of a sword. Christianity should be made to leave along with all other deranged cults hellbent on converting people to worship there social construct control mechanism.

According to the book written by various MEN, called the bible, you should be killed if you wear clothes that have mixed fibres, which means all you god fearing christians with opinions here, should either find a way to be killed or kill yourself as you are sinners.

In that book, a guy called Jesus spent a lot of time in a desert with a lot of men. I wonder what that was all about? Sounds like a very gay thing to me.

I have never understood why so many people are hung up on gay rights. I just plain do not get the problem. I don't give a damn what people do, as long as it is between two consenting adults.

To me gay people, just means they are outside the possibility of being a potential date for me. Although one gay guy I know is great to take shopping. Stereotypical I know, but so what. He has great clothing taste.

PS:

Something I have noticed over the years. People who are most intensely against gays, usually turn out to be guilt ridden gays. I have actually heard some of the comments some of you have made before when I worked in a bar. Strangely every single one who made type of comments would later be found out to be into men on the quiet.
16:52 October 22, 2009 by eZee.se
Its a protestant church, and if you look at their history you will see they broke away when the rules did not "suit" them... not that i have anything against them, just reminding you folk.

The head of the royals is the head of their church, that part does make me laugh - but for reasons too long to be expressed here.

The catholic church has never (and will never) acknowledge same sex marriages.

And as pointed out by others, most (me included) have no problems with civil unions or even "court marriages", but will never really accept a *church* marriage between a gay couple, as we will never accept a marriage between a human and an animal or inanimate object.

Cheers,

www.eZee.se
17:09 October 22, 2009 by Scornful_Luigi
A quick reminder for the children out there: Jesus is a myth and God does NOT exist. It's OK for children to have imaginary friends, but you adults should grow up. Get a grip. No, get a LIFE. Stop worrying about ghosts and live you life fully. When you all die (yes, you will die, even if you believe in Santa Claus), it's gonna be too late.

As Penn & Teller said, religion is bullshit. Best definition ever.
17:15 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Leviticus 20:13 (New International Version)

If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
17:17 October 22, 2009 by Nemesis
@Scornful_Luigi,

Well said.

I am also fed up with the worshipping of an imaginary social construct called god.

People in the past have told me I should find god. Where do I find the imaginary social construct called god, in the pub, a nightclub, resturant, etc?

Religious belief is an extremely serious, debilitating, mental disorder. The sooner religious belief is seen for what it is, the better. The sooner it can be cured and removed from society.
17:35 October 22, 2009 by Leprehcaun
Nice!

I thought I liked this proposal because it ended several centuries of discrimination against gays but omfg this is so much better! Look at all these fanatics go crazy! HAHA! This is better than I could have hoped! Yes! Hate Sweden! WE hate you! And much more importantly I hate you, and the more you suffer the more I smile! Hell let's just make religion illegal; that you spite you just enough.. I get this warm happy feeling from my chest area, like a rush of some sort ;).

Now move from this country and from this continent! If anyone needs a proof that the immigration policy of this country has failed miserably, then the fact that people like you have gotten in should be the only proof needed to put the Sweden democrats in majority.. scary thought.

Gay marriage is here to stay and hopefully you're not! Btw, there is no god!

Wow this was the best news this week, even beats the HIV progress thingie. Hate us like we hate you! And then leave!
17:47 October 22, 2009 by vladd777
We will reap what we sow. God has given us free will.

At the end time we will know whether we chose wisely or not.

What a confusion this all must be for the children.
17:54 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Daniel 12:1

At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise [a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.
18:03 October 22, 2009 by xavex
To love all people is not to see them walk to hell and not tell them they are on the wrong way.

It seems like people misunderstand what love is all about.

If we love a person we want them the best and sometimes must it be tough love when we tell them they have to stay away from the bad temptation.

For me is homosexuality sex and not a lifestyle...will we now see all kind of weddings in the church ?

Are we going to accept people with leather pants and latex walking in to the altar and with their whip in their hands get God's blessing over their marriage ?

or are this law only for homosexual weddings , why should homosexual people be better than those other sexuality people have ?

Congrats Lutheran churches in Sweden. I hope you will have a nice service with men kissing men and women kissing women in your church.

Thank you for give me more people to my church, I will pick up those confused people from your church and show them what a real church created from the Bible will look like.
18:09 October 22, 2009 by nevon
Xavex, here's a graph explaining why you and all the other gay-haters here sound like crazy people;

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7661/855c057a08f947b2c468ccb.jpg
18:13 October 22, 2009 by jag2009
I'm not religious, but I respect the church. Gay couples to marry is disrespectful to the church.
18:13 October 22, 2009 by izbz
Leave the Gays alone, at least they are true to themselves and they know how to spell the letter' LOVE'. I don't go around condemning them. Who the heck give you the bloody right to judge them? What if your own brother or sister is a gay? Kick them out of the house, disown them? Don't go *God say this, God say that* I think He said' No divorce'. No commiting adultery!!!! Are the straight following what MR so call GOD say. So leave them alone. Look at the mirror the only person you can see is yourself!!!!

I say Hurray to the Lutheran church
18:15 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Luke 5: 31-31

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
18:25 October 22, 2009 by peropaco
I dont understand why the head of Swedish Democrat had to quit over his remarks about muslims yet the pseudo journalist from aftonbladet is still there. Why did this guy had to quit? Is it because swedes are affraid of reprisals?
18:27 October 22, 2009 by Random Guy
@ Texarusso:

said it before and here it is again:

http://bible.cc/1_timothy/1-10.htm

or

http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/6-9.htm

there are more if you want.

God does not hate gays - he DOES hate homosexuality. You can be an alcoholic and yet choose not to drink. Same thing. You can choose not to live a gay life. You can do what ever you want - but the Bible tells us not to live a gay life.
18:40 October 22, 2009 by CLiv
Finally!!! Go Church of Sweden. By the way the Bibel is nothing but a law book, no God or Jesus wrote it just some regular Joe. But you all keep on beleiving and treat people un-humane, for it is you that are in for a surprise at the end.
18:51 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Romans 1: 8-25

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
19:48 October 22, 2009 by zircon
Leprechaun, you should be considering writing a book.
19:52 October 22, 2009 by spy
1. Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control are not natural.

2. Heterosexual marriages are valid because they produce children. Infertile couples and old people cannot get legally married because the world needs more children.

3. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children because straight parents only raise straight children.

4. Straight marriage will be less meaningful, since Britney Spears's 55-hour just-for-fun marriage was meaningful.

5. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and it hasn't changed at all: women are property, Blacks can't marry Whites, and divorce is illegal.

6. Gay marriage should be decided by the people, not the courts, because the majority-elected legislatures, not courts, have historically protected the rights of minorities.

7. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are always imposed on the entire country. That's why we only have one religion in America.

8. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people makes you tall.

9. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage license.

10. Children can never succeed without both male and female role models at home. That's why single parents are forbidden to raise children.

11. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and we could never adapt to new social norms because we haven't adapted to cars or longer lifespans.

12. Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better, because a "separate but equal" institution is always constitutional. Separate schools for African-Americans worked just as well as separate marriages will for gays & lesbians.
20:10 October 22, 2009 by izbz
HALLO Ah!!! JC also said 'let the one who is without sinj cast the first stone' or does that only applys if it suits you. I think they just want to declare their rights to love and be marry just like any one of us. Or do you prefer a shotgun marriage for yourselves, to save money and time? If you prefer a bing bang boom marriage, I still will not condemn you
20:22 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
1 Peter 2:1-17

1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says:

"See, I lay a stone in Zion,

a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trusts in him

will never be put to shame."[a] 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

"The stone the builders rejected

has become the capstone,[b]"[c] 8and,

"A stone that causes men to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall."[d] They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Submission to Rulers and Masters

13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
20:37 October 22, 2009 by nevon
@Spy - Thank you. Awesome (even if slightly plagarized :P)

@all the other bible-thumpers who are quoting scripture: No one cares, it's fiction. Don't make me start quoting Jedi scripture. It's the same thing.
20:45 October 22, 2009 by ScottinNY
God is SAIF....socially acceptable imaginary friend. Unfortunately there are way to many of these bible-humpers here in the States, acting out as the professional shamers of the world. It's unfortunate that half the people...on a website about Sweden...are actually posting all this hate-rhetoric.
20:57 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Matthew 10: 11-28

11And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

12And when ye come into an house, salute it.

13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

21And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

23But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

24The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

26Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
21:00 October 22, 2009 by Texrusso
This decission by the Swedish Church is a victory for Mankind! It is a Victory for the World and a Victory for the Universe. Long live the Kingdom of Sweden! Long live democracy, equality and the universal declaration human rights. Scr-ew all you gay hatters. Most of u don't even go to church, Most of you don't even read the bible or gives a s-h-it, so what are you screaming about. Equal right must and be applied at all levels of society. There is no double standard. Equal right for Gays, Swedes, Blacks, whites, red, yellow, green, refugees, immigrants, lesbians, handicaps and all. Quit whining you hypocrites.
21:15 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
2 Timothy 3

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
21:44 October 22, 2009 by Beavis
Stick your silly book up your ass.
21:59 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Jude 1:4-21

4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

10But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

12These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

13Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

14And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22:37 October 22, 2009 by unseen
hi,

Leprehcaun, i came to stay, in god we trust...
22:49 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Psalms 52

1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?

The goodness of God endureth continually.

2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs;

like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

3 Thou lovest evil more than good;

and lying rather than to speak righteousness.

Selah.

4 Thou lovest all devouring words,

O thou deceitful tongue.

5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever,

he shall take thee away,

and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place,

and root thee out of the land of the living.

Selah.

6 The righteous also shall see, and fear,

and shall laugh at him:

7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength;

but trusted in the abundance of his riches,

and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God:

I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

9 I will praise thee for ever,

because thou hast done it:

and I will wait on thy name;

for it is good before thy saints.
22:51 October 22, 2009 by unseen
Are we immigrants bothering you Leprehcaun, you don't like us? Do u? you know what? I have considered the Sweden Democrats article and their way of thinking against us as immigrants…you guys are totally right, yes, we should leave your country, we should go back home…I am not interested to stay in this country anymore, I might prefer to get killed back home rather than staying unwelcomed here, and you guys might be right regarding Sweden Democrats'' claim about the recent increase in rape rate, but I am quite sure that after we leave some other rate will go up which is committing suicide.

Don't u ever think we came to Sweden for some other reason than seeking security…ever.

Thanks for your hospitality…
23:19 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
1 Peter 5

1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
23:27 October 22, 2009 by totyis
Love this country! God is dead. Enjoy your life, if you have one and let others to enjoy their lives. Take your Koran, Torah and Bible and wipe your @$$es with all of them blended. It's 2009!!!

@Spy awesome comment
23:37 October 22, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Ezekiel 22:23-31 (King James Version)

23And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

24Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.

25There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.

26Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

27Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

28And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

29The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

31Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.
00:14 October 23, 2009 by madale9
May God forgive the sweden church, hur can???????????????????????`
00:44 October 23, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Acts 2:38-41

38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
01:29 October 23, 2009 by waxxy
Next church of sweden will give blessing to animals wedding !!!!!!! ....
01:41 October 23, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Colossians 3:4-23

4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
03:01 October 23, 2009 by CLiv
Not sure how this turned into an immigration issue. Have no problem with immigrants, until they come to my country and start demanding us not to sing our songs at graduation etc. Yep, then it is time for you to go home. Accept the culture or get out.
03:22 October 23, 2009 by pilgrim & stranger
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (AIDS?)

28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,

30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;

31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1: 24 - 32)
04:09 October 23, 2009 by Missundaztood
All religions are elitist and fascist. I don't know why anyone would want to be assiciated with them, let alone be married by them. There is no Santa Claus, there is no Easter Bunny, no Tooth Fairy, no Little Baby Jesus, and most definitely no God. All religions are manmade, designed to control the masses and to control the world. Members of all religions hide behind their excuses of a god to be homophobic. Why aren't all religious people homophobic? Because they aren't, only the homophobic members are. Their religion gives them the freedom to be that way, and to be blameless in the process. Pathetic. Any government that allows exemptions for various religions and media services from equality laws, should be removed from power. Good luck to anyone who breaks down these barbaric, murderous and abusive sects, and creates a more equal future for society.
04:28 October 23, 2009 by Colonial Swede
If you don't believe the Biblical teaching on true sexuality then look at what nature teaches us: Two penises don't work together, two vaginas don't produce anything and a penis and anus causes sickness and disease. Homosexuals: Heal your mind then your body will follow. And you will be truely happy. Why do you have a difficult time understanding this?
05:13 October 23, 2009 by Gwrhyr
It's so sad to read so many hateful and bigoted comments from people who are supposedly religious. You prove the point that religion is often harnessed by the darker side of human nature to destroy the peace of others' lives. You say you believe in God and Jesus, but you don't represent their spirit at all. Your comments here are purely Satanic. Sadly there doesn't seem to be any way to reach out to dark hearts like yourselves, to show you how your rhetoric helps to tear souls apart.
06:14 October 23, 2009 by Mr.Sweden
LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVEGender Neutral Marriage in Church is a VICTORY for EQUALITY!!

To all of you pathetic, imbecille, sad ones thinking this is wrong:

Why do you spend your time and energy hating and excluding people? Get a life! If you don't like the Swedish lgbtq friendly laws, you can move to Antarctica and start your own little homophobic society there! We don't want you here!

Gender Neutral Marriage in Church is a VICTORY for EQUALITY!!

LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE•LOVE
08:53 October 23, 2009 by spy
Leprehcaun

I respond to your latest rant whare you told us 'immigrants' that you hate us and that we should get out.

I am not here to stay but I do have freedom to live anywhere in Europe. And whilst a Swedish company continues to pay me an inordinate amount of money to work here and whilst I am still enjoying it then I will live where I want.

Some pathetic little stalker like you is not going to change that so why don't you go an chat to some people your own age?
09:03 October 23, 2009 by Da Goat
This is a real shame that the church has been sodomized by Homosexuality

I don't mind them getting married but not in church it is disrespectful to God (forget about religion etc) the church is the house of God and he makes it clear that he loves the people but hates the activity! (sin It is quite clear what is stated)

this is nothing short of rape (and homo rape too)

this is like a bunch of gay people forcing you to host their party at your house when you are allergic to them! (you get my drift)

Gay people can get married elsewhere, everyone else does these days anyhow!

I feel it is very arrogant and disgusting that this has been pushed through!

I don't mind them shafting each out up the back door but to do this is criminal!

The church of sweden has been shafted up the arse by the poofters, well done the gay bobs! 10 points!

and because the synod voted for this makes me sick they can be bullied by a small minority (browbeaten).

then again it proves beyond doubt that the church of Sweden is not a real Christian church it is simply a political pawn!

I will not attend there again!

my personal gripe with Homosexuals is

well I have nothing against them personally except their push to get everyone on board the gravy train, it is the thin edge of the wedge!

If it is ok for their sexual perversion then it will shortly be ok for pedophiles (pedorists) to enjoy the same freedoms as there is but a thin line between homosexual and pedosexual really one has been forced OK on us the other we are still resisting strongly! (and I hope it stays that way)

I am sick of the homosexual bullshit that is foisted onto the rest of us!

sure if you are that way inclined then Ok but me I don't like gay sex so leave me alone and stop shafting everyone else's life.

we don't all need to be glad and dance in the street for gay people they should stop home and keep quiet just in case the >95% of people decide to not be so hospitable and exercise their democratic rights to silence them.

then again I fear that it maybe a conspiracy to get to stage two so the old perverts can come out of the closets too!

yeah enjoy your own sexuality,.... I think it is called rape if you force it on others especially those who are unwilling!
09:28 October 23, 2009 by Da Goat
One does not see the church of Sweden forcing there thing on the gay people. going to their house and demanding they surrender to The Lord Jesus! just goes to show the political clout of C of S and gay rights! next can we expect the other churchs being forced to follow suite ! bend over this will not hurt too much! One thing they have forgotten for every right there is a counter right, I just wonder what it could be??? equality is good but this is ridiculous every service provider has the right to refuse ! it is their right! The church has the right to say fcuk off before equality gets a look in! does equality mean that I have equal rights with your spouse to your body (I am with italian in the sex online pageof today I will come round and root ya if you need some sex) does equlity mean I get equal rights to screw you as anybody else????? think about it!!
11:00 October 23, 2009 by Rebel
Wonder what the Swedish Church has to say about the Biblical injunction to "Multiply and replenish the earth"? Swedes are hell bent on extinction and this is merely taking the people closer to that goal. Maybe when a population rejects God He causes their numbers to dwindle. That seems to be the message in Romans, Chapter 1. So if Swedes have chosen to let themselves die out then they should not gripe when more traditional peoples move here and replace them, their laws and their culture.
13:15 October 23, 2009 by PrinceKnight
1 Corinthians 7:1-16

1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

6But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

7For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.

9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
13:55 October 23, 2009 by Twiceshy
Considering Jesus was a pedophile, I do not understand why so many of you are so unpleasant towards the gays. I think we can all agree that Christians, Museums, and Jews all believe in evil ways and not one of them will be asked to go to heaven when they die.
15:06 October 23, 2009 by tridy
The country is THE atheistic country.

Second, being in the top list of the most free countries in the world, gay marriages is a must have, come on! [sarcasm here]
15:18 October 23, 2009 by unseen
Well, after thinking about the Swedish Church decision, I congratulate anyone benefit this decision no matter weather was it right or wrong. I am from a Muslim family and don't really care if Islam or Christianity say yes or no to such way of behavior. My religion is respect people the way they respect me. i only say no to gay issues when it comes to my children until they get 18 and then sure they can chose whether the want to be gays or whatever. But inside me real deep there is something doesn't hope that they will terun up gays, and I do not know why.
15:28 October 23, 2009 by vladd777
Having read all these 'interesting' comments I can but add my final 2 öres worth on this subject.

A true Christian ( follower of Jesus Christ ) is a person who has read and decided to accept the words of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, as his/ her guide through life's perilous journey.

Many people throw out the Old Testament but Jesus Himself quoted from it.

In His time there was no New Testament.

As pointed out already the Old Testament says this..

" Leviticus 20:13 (New International Version)

If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."

These are very strong words and, as followers of Christ, we would be very unwise not to heed them, I would think.

I myself think that the church has taken the politically correct way out and, by doing this, is negating the words of the Book it supposedly lives by.

Sad..but as I said, we have the right to choose or reject no matter how hard it is.

As Christians we all have certain 'crosses' to carry but with intense prayer and focus on the final outcome we are able to overcome any obstacle.
17:06 October 23, 2009 by Gwrhyr
Vladd777, anyone who tries to tell others what it means to be a "true Christian" is not a true Christian.

Do you get haircuts?

"Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." (Leviticus 19:27).

Do you wear modern clothing?

"...do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear material woven of two kinds of material." (Leviticus 19:19)

Eat pork?

"...and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you." (Leviticus 11:7)"

Eat shellfish?

"Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales; that shall be an abomination to you." (Leviticus 11:12)

Do you own slaves?

"Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property." (Leviticus 25:44-45)

"Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel. " (1 Peter 2:18)

The message of Jesus Christ is love. The only thing that makes a person Christian is that they invite Jesus Christ into their heart as their savior and ask forgiveness for their sins.

"Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)

Vladd777, you can continue to justify your personal prejudices through selectively interpreting the Bible, but it is not you who decides what is right or wrong in the eyes of the Lord.His commandment for you and all Christians is to love him and love your family and neighbors. Leave the rest of the judging to Him.

it is ridiculous to claim that the church has given up its principles by accommodating gay rights. The church is actually applying Christian principles to modern society, realizing that there is no Christian reason to discriminate against loving, modern gay couples. Anyone who thinks the Church is an eternally unchanging organization ought to fight for their Biblical right to keep slaves. There are much more ancient forms of Christianity than Luthernism and Catholicism. Try Eastern Orthodoxy. Even that relies on its own historical developments and changes in Biblical interpretation. The Church Synod voted overwhelmingly in favor. How do you know that this development wasn't sanctioned and set into motion by God? Do you put yourself on a higher pedestal than God?
18:25 October 23, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Gwrhyr, you make a strong argument, and some very good points; however, the entirety of your arguments and its conclusion lack insightfulness, and are an ill-conceived failure.

Albeit true: one cannot nor should not pervert the teachings of the bible, by selectively noting scriptural elements; in order to justify actions, which are contrary to the broader teachings of the bible: this is precisely what the Church of Sweden has done, by allowing gay marriage. Christianity is not a matter of majority vote; and is not like the King's motto, "Sweden with the Times": there is no "Christianity with the Times"; if this entails comprising some of the very most sacred principles of Christianity.

Gwrhyr, another very notable failure in your perspective of Christianity is this: it is not enough to ask forgiveness; one must also (and this is a very important element to receiving Christ's forgiveness) be repentant of their sins! We may not sin and sin again: thinking, "Well, I have sinned, so now I will ask forgiveness." The bible teaches us, we must come seeking the forgiveness of the Lord with a "contriteness of Spirit": we must detest our sins, and have heartfelt sorrow for having committed these sins.

Homosexuality is sinful in the eyes of the Lord. We must pray for these lost sheep; that they may repent from their sins, and sorrowfully ask the Lord's forgiveness: this is true Christian doctrine.

But, to give homosexual relations any hint or suggestion of legitimacy in the Church; we have failed in following the teachings of the Lord God almighty and His son, Jesus Christ.
18:35 October 23, 2009 by thvcks
spy and Gwrhyr:

Good posts. There are always going to be gay people in our communities whether inside the church or outside the church. So what do you say to two gay Christians who want to marry. I think we should bless their relationship and support it so that they are happy and productive members of the church and our society.

"Love one another as I have loved you" Jesus said. Many people think homosexuality is a sin. Sin is missing the mark or,in other words, a mistake. I think it is a mistake to allow people's sexual orientation to get in the way of our good intentions for them. If we have to give up an obsession with other peoples sexuality, that is a small sacrifice to make. Jesus sacrificed hmself on the altar of his contemporaries need for power. His radical acceptance of the outcast threatened people. He taught his disciples to love one another, no matter who we are and what we have done. Remember, none of us is without sin that we refuse to give up, so we are all guilty of sin. So pointing out sin in someone else only judges ourselves. Better we love one another and give each other the benefit of the doubt, than condemn each other and condemn ourselves.
18:47 October 23, 2009 by nevon
@Princeknight,

You are one of the creepiest fundamentalist Christians I've seen. Thank god 99% of Christians in Sweden are nothing like you, and you are alone in your delusional little world.

PS: I bet you're not even from Sweden.
18:49 October 23, 2009 by jonathanjames61
Its Sad,but we must understand,that in the last days,The Devil will take over,even the holy one will fall,God created them male and female in the begining,The unatural demonic ways of sexual gods have finnaly taken over Church of sweden,Homosexual is a demonic way of live in contradiction of True doctrine of Christianity,Its avile thing,We should all brace ourself for God Judgement,there is no way mankind will escape this.The Vikas or demons calling them self Vikas shopuld be ashamed of themself ever votting on such issue.IT NOT BIBLICAL.let the homosexual forms there own church and wed there.very soon I beleive Murderss will soon be very legal,as we cant see evil ,then let evil rule them to the tribulation of there flesh.ABOMINATION,Infact i dont have words to discribe it,this one don pass me,Oyibo don kolo final.
19:14 October 23, 2009 by PrinceKnight
The Church of Sweden today:

Parable of sorts: many and most of the influential, truly prudent and righteous religious leaders of the world have passed away; the devil has infiltrated into the hearts of the masses, and even into those, who have come to lead some of the churches of the world (such as the Church of Sweden); an ignorant and unreligious generation has inherited the Earth.

The Church of Sweden today is like the small island, where children lay castaway and stranded, such as in "The Lord of the Flies". In the absence of proper adult supervision: the children fall prey to giving in to devilish, wanton and evil ways.
19:37 October 23, 2009 by izbz
I'll be damn! so many pastor wannabe, don't tell me all you who quote the Bible left, right and centre and some even backwards, hasn't tried premarital sex or haven't look at the opposite sex with some kind of bad thoughts, haven't masturbate. Like I say before look yourselves in the bloody mirror. Please come out from the holy of holies! I too was a born again and because of hypocrites like you people, I became gone again. I say a big AMEN to that and I am happy even if I bloody go to hell when I kick the bucket, Now I am in heaven on earth HA!HA!
19:43 October 23, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Yes, izbz, and your heaven is called "Hades"!
19:58 October 23, 2009 by izbz
Join me , Prince Knight, let's make merry HA! Let's hope your so call bretren will not start preaching to you YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF GOD.....mayb you are one of those people

who walk around with feet above the ground. The higher you float ,the harder you fall (By izbz) See you in Hades or hate or whatever!
20:16 October 23, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Matthew 5:1-20

1 1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
20:26 October 23, 2009 by nevon
Fields being overrun by crickets = Unfortunate.

Rivers turning into blood = Warrants caution.

Rains of brimstone and fire = Alarming.

The seven seals are broken and the four horsemen of the apocalypse riding their fiery mounts bring pestilence, war, famine, and death to the world, effectively ending mankind = Oh dear Lord, what have we done to deserve this?? Nooooo!

Two guys kissing = NOT A BIG DEAL.
20:29 October 23, 2009 by spy
PrinceKnight

Are you one of those religious nutter who thinks that the world is only 6000 years old and that "evolution is a bag of commie bullshit"?

Or have you just discovered how to cut and paste?
20:31 October 23, 2009 by nevon
Princeknight, God just called, he says that SPAMMING scripture everywhere does not make you right, does not make the scripture right, and actually makes you very annoying. But I guess that's a virtue if you're a fundamentalist Christian; most people are inclined to ignore you otherwise.
20:38 October 23, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Matthew 5:25-44

25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
20:47 October 23, 2009 by Rebel
So what about bisexuals? I know several bi women who feel that after they marry a man they still want to have sex wirh women. Why not allow these people the right to marry a man and a woman? All in the name of fairness -- and besides, it would help increase the pathetic Swedish birth rate as well.
20:59 October 23, 2009 by PrinceKnight
**CORRECTED**

Gwrhyr, you make a strong argument, and some very good points; however, the entirety of your arguments and its conclusion lack insightfulness, and are an ill-conceived failure.

Albeit true: one cannot nor should one pervert the teachings of the bible, by selectively noting scriptural elements; in order to justify actions, which are contrary to the broader teachings of the bible: this is precisely what the Church of Sweden has done, by allowing gay marriage. Christianity is not a matter of majority vote; and is not like the King's motto, "Sweden with the Times": there is no "Christianity with the Times"; if this entails compromising some of the very most sacred principles of Christianity.

Gwrhyr, another very notable failure in your perspective of Christianity is this: it is not enough to ask forgiveness; one must also (and this is a very important element to receiving Christ's forgiveness) be repentant of their sins! We may not sin and sin again: thinking, "Well, I have sinned, so now I will ask forgiveness." The bible teaches us, we must come seeking the forgiveness of the Lord with a "contriteness of Spirit": we must detest our sins, and have heartfelt sorrow for having committed these sins.

Homosexuality is sinful in the eyes of the Lord. We must pray for these lost sheep; that they may repent from their sins, and sorrowfully ask the Lord's forgiveness: this is true Christian doctrine.

But, to give homosexual relations any hint or suggestion of legitimacy in the Church; we have failed in following the teachings of the Lord God almighty and His son, Jesus Christ.
21:55 October 23, 2009 by vladd777
Comment: Hmm..well seeing as i was addressed i will need to add 2 more öre, i guess.

Marriage between a male and a female is actually the forerunner of a union between Jesus Christ and His church.

The church is the Bride ( female ) Rev 19:7-8 Jesus refers to Himself as the Bridegroom. Mark2:19-20

When He is asked about punishment for adultery the supposed perpetrator is female. John 8:1-11

Question: "What does it mean that the church is the bride of Christ?"

http://www.gotquestions.org/bride-of-Christ.html#

So at the end of the day it appears that Marriage in the true sense is far above being just a physical union. It is a Holy/Sacred union.

As PrinceKnight says.. "But, to give homosexual relations any hint or suggestion of legitimacy in the Church; we have failed in following the teachings of the Lord God almighty and His son, Jesus Christ."

And actually I tend to avoid eating pork and shellfish and I used to have servants when i lived in South Africa.

Just like everyone else im a sinner and not a saint.
22:05 October 23, 2009 by nevon
Chapter One

1: The True Believers, the midgits/midgets, the Pirates, and the Pastafarians, gathered in the shadow of The Mountain, and nearby were Some Trees.

2: They looked upon one another in the vast multitudes gathered there, and finally one spoke for she was wise among them.

3: "There are many of us here."

4: "Yes!" cried the thousands upon thousands of voices, in a deafening shout of agreement.

5: "One at a time!" she said,

6: "or I shall have the First Holy Hissy Fit!

7: And none of this crying junk, either.

8: Normal talking will do just fine."

9: "Alright, we're sorry," they said, in a less deafening rumble.

10: "That's a little better, but not much,: said the wise one. 11: "Let me introduce myself. I am the First of the Dee Dees, 12and the generations of the Pastafarians shall come to know me well. 13Throughout the generations, the Pirates shall know me, and the Midgit/Midgets, and all the Brothers and Sisters:¦14 for wherever they wander I will be there to assure fairness and wisdom. 15My descendents will spend many late nights wandering the Forums of the Internet, making comments and settling disagreements, and occasionally smacking around the idiotic."16 A distant hand arose in the crowd. 17: "You there," said Dee Dee the First, pointing her out, : "Did you have a question?"

18: "Um, yes, begging your pardon, ma'am, but what is the Internet?" asked a woman nearly lost in the crowd.

19: "Good question," answered Dee Dee the First, 20: "and I wish I could answer, but I do not yet know. 21All I can tell you is this; Our Great Noodly Lord Touched Me with His Appendage in the night:¦" 22The crowd made a low eeewwww sound, for some interpreted this with jealousy, others interpreted it as naughtiness, and others as icky. 23: "Behave Yourselves!" said Dee Dee the First with a stomp of her foot. 24: "This is just what The Flying Spaghetti Monster warned me about. 25He Touched me and told me that for generations, people of all sorts would be unruly, and for some reason I and my descendents would have to keep them in line." 26She sighed a sigh audible far and wide among the True Believers. 27: "On that note, He also told me that among the True Believers there is great wisdom, and that it should be gathered together, and that some poor sap would volunteer to write it all down."

28: "I have a bunch of stone tablets and a chisel," came a distant and smarty-pants voice from the back of the crowd.

29: "You then. I guess you're the one," said Dee Dee the First. 30A great and painfully deafening cheer sounded forth from the gathered True Believers. 31Among the cheer, both Dee Dee the First and the scribe could swear they were able to discern people saying 32: "Sucker!"33 and : "Chump!" 34and : "Better you than me!"

35: "Would you ALL stop shouting!," yelled Dee Dee the First. 36: "You do NOT want to see me get angry!"
01:15 October 24, 2009 by spy
PrinceKnight

I suppose fossils were put on earth by God to test our faith??
02:16 October 24, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Proverbs 8:5-21

5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
02:57 October 24, 2009 by nevon
ProvHerbs;

1. Our Pasta which art in marinara, delicious be thy name. Thy plate has come. Thy will be eaten in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily serving. And forgive us our occasional overcooking, as we forgive them that take seconds before us. And lead us not into cleaning. But deliver us from weasles. RAmen.

"FSM answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every pasta that comes from the mouth of me"

"A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but pasta answereth all things"

2. Blessed are the pasta-makers, they shall inherit 10 gold dubloons.

3. I think, therefore I am a pirate.

4. As you treat the least of the midgets, so you treat Him.

5. Please prepare your plates, let us eat. Bobby, pass the Parmesian.

6. The Flying Spaghetti Monster looks with favor upon the saucy, but shall withhold his blessed beer volcano from the dry.

7. His Noodlyness blesses not the deniers of Global warming, but shall make pirates plentiful to those who have been touched.

8. Arrrrrr, it is revealed and to be held holy that two meatballs exist, but three meatballs shall garner the wrath of His Appendage.

9. When a problem comes along, you must wip it. *wupish!* Wip it good!

10. When you get pulled over by a cop, do NOT ask if he has a curly pink tail.

11. Elvis isn't dead.

12. UFOs are really FSMs giant Frisbees!

13. When in a fight, try to get combos. They give you bonus points!

14. If someone is different then you in some way, he or she should be feared and hated.
04:09 October 24, 2009 by lancer
In the opening chapters of Revelation, Christ address's the seven churches. The Church of Sweden, whose name doesn't seem to indicate any realation to Christ, should examine itself and determine which of those churches it is. And heed the advice given. And the church includes all associated with it not simply the clergy.

Lancer
06:00 October 24, 2009 by pilgrim & stranger
The decision by 176 voting members of the Church of Sweden to sanction the marriage of homosexuals leads me to question if these individuals have ever read the Bible or have any sense of what it communicates regarding the holiness of God, the sin of man and in this case, what it communicates about sexual sins, especially the practice of homosexuality. How did they obtain such a position in the church?

Holy Scripture makes it very clear from Genesis to Revelation that it is a fearful thing to be under the judgment of God as an unrepentant sinner, but to have a leadership role, hence, greater influence, in the church that professes allegiance to Christ while perverting its teaching and mission is immeasurably worse.

That a ratio of seven of every ten church leaders in this ecclesiastical body would arrive at such a decision that runs counter to all of Scripture is astounding.

As has been noted earlier this is most likely a "politically correct" decision that is expected by a common consensus generated by the opinion molding media, disparate parts of society that are supplanting the Judeo-Christian code of ethics upon which our civilization has been founded. This phenomenon is not peculiar to Sweden; it is on the march around the world.

Jesus has made it very clear, as does all of Scripture, He is the same yesterday, today and forever; His teaching and God's standard is unchangeable. All this talk about it being the twenty-first century, a modern era of greatly enlightened human race, is simply illusion; it is both a timely and timeless self-deception of the human race.
10:27 October 24, 2009 by Rick Methven
Lets get beyond the mumbo-jumbo

The Torah, Bible, Koran, Book of Mormon and every other religious tract where written by MEN not god. These tracts are the views or opinions of MEN who wanted to push a particular idea. To make it more persuasive they said that it was the word of a deity. What is attributed to the prophets of the various religious beliefs, was written hundreds and sometimes thousands of years after the event. Have you ever played the whisper game and seen how a statement can be changed when passed around a group.

The point is that all these homophobic quotes being bandied about here where written by MEN with an agenda of their own. We do not know if 'God' is against homosexuals or not. Maybe he is maybe he isn't . We will have to wait and see.

If there is a God and he is against the Swedish (or any other) church marrying same sex couples, then 'surely he shall smite them down'

I shall wait for the thunderbolt that will hit every church in Sweden.

If it happens on New Years Eve it will save some money on fireworks!
12:50 October 24, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Deuteronomy 29:20-29

20The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

21And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:

22So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it;

23And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

24Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

25Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:

26For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:

27And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:

28And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

29The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
16:02 October 24, 2009 by Leprehcaun
I have almost lost all hope that the people who wrote to me will ever see this response.. for crying out loud you nutters; just please stop with the citations from the damn bible. About 80 comments with almost the same content! Omg! Stop it; I beg you! Leave some room for a debate!

The bible was written by people, men to be specific, thousands of years ago and the texts have probably been changed a number of times to fit their needs. How can you believe there is a god? Look at Rwanda and the holocaust, how can you think that an all powerful being possibly could just let those things happen? The suffering of so many innocent people.. You make me frustrated; if there theoretically was a god, how could it bring itself to do nothing? Assuming it has emotions and thinks like a human of course.. otherwise the answer is obvious.

@ unseen

My best friend is South American and after that I have friends from all over; my two half brothers are half Turks. I am bothered by some immigrants, not all.. IF YOU DON'T READ MY F-ING COMMENT CAREFULLY DON'T BOTHER TO ANSWER ME!

1. I NEVER used the word immigrants; I was talking about and to religious fanatics. Gör om, gör rätt!

2. I am.. sigh.. not a Sweden Democrat.. I am a.. sigh.. a social democrat.

3. I am not sure what to say actually.. first of all the police is responsible for crime statistics; that's where those statistics come from. If it matters 68% of the rapes in Denmark are committed by immigrants but I have no idea why that's relevant; I am talking about these religious gay haters (which the Sweden Democrats are too btw); NOT about immigrants..

4. True; suicide rates would go up; with about 0.0001% (uneducated guess); you don't make that much of an impact actually; you're a minority. A rate that would change dramatically would be the rape rate

"Don't u ever think we came to Sweden for some other reason than seeking security…ever."

Please do tell what those other reasons are; I am guessing economic reasons and possibly the blonds. Neither of which you want to tell me the other reasons are btw.

@ spy

It is with the deepest sigh I've taken in weeks that I write..

First and absolutely most importantly of all. Notice the details when I write; I have never and will never talk about all immigrants.

Secondly some of the favorite people I know are immigrants so either stop calling me a racist or go to hell.

I am not and I never have stalked anyone; maybe you were drunk when you wrote or something? In fact i think this is the second @ I have written to you since I joined TL.

Get reasonable!
16:16 October 24, 2009 by spy
Leprehcaun

I would like to draw your attention to one of your earlier posts (#32)where you clearly mention immigration.

'Now move from this country and from this continent! If anyone needs a proof that the immigration policy of this country has failed miserably, then the fact that people like you have gotten in should be the only proof needed to put the Sweden democrats in majority..'

So it seems you are either talking rubbish or you forgot what you wrote.
16:33 October 24, 2009 by Rebel
Now it is time for the Swedish Church to accept polygamy -- after all, at least polygamy is acceptable to God in the Bible.
16:37 October 24, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Matthew 15:1-11 (King James Version)

Matthew 15

1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

10And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
16:48 October 24, 2009 by spy
PrinceKnight

Put some effort in any fool can cut and paste.
16:59 October 24, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Job 21:1-14 (King James Version)

Job 21

1But Job answered and said,

2Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

3Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

4As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

6Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

7Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

8Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

9Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

10Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

12They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

14Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
18:46 October 24, 2009 by Leprehcaun
@ spy

.. you just reread and quoted me and you still claim I hate immigrants? Yeah I'm going to give up soon.

Again and again I remind myself that I can't prove my point by quoting myself because you have already done that.. I am quite speechless..

Parent to child: 2+2= 4; what is 2+2?

Child to parent: I don't know.

There is no point to try to explain what my comment means, I know that much about the human psyche so here it goes; that part of my comment was reserved for the religious fanatics who write here. It was reserved for the fanatics who happen to be immigrants. The comment means that.. I mean seriously is that why you're religious? Are you THAT incapable of understanding? Just kill me.. spare me from this.. The comment means that some of the religious fanatics are immigrants and their opinions are terrible; their discrimination and their reasons for their hate and discrimination are just not ok and immigration policies are made to restrict certain people from getting in and these people have gotten in anyway. But there is nothing I can write to make you understand what it the comment means.. unless you get one of those aha moments you'll always misunderstand it.

I don't even know what it is you have misinterpreted.

Actually it's not important fo you to understand, I will stop trying. This is how things are. I want certain people out of this country; some of them are immigrants, and some of the people I want to get the hell out have written comments here. I have nothing against immigrants because they are immigrants, I have huge problems with a-holes because they are a-holes no matter where they come from.

The reason I get extra fired up when an a-hole is also an immigrant is because I take that personally; it's even worse if a refugee is an a-hole; maybe you understand what I mean.

I am in NO way saying that all immigrants should get out; I haven't written that (although I realize that you can't see that), but I am saying that people like nevin/nevon or whatever should (look at comment #18).

I have seen such people on the daily show and that's upsetting even though that's in the US but I will not accept that kind of hate speech and propaganda in my own damn country. To me it's a don't be an a-hole if you come here or leave kind of a situation. I don't accept certain things from immigrants.

1. That they treat people here like sh!t because they don't accept cultural differences.

2. That they vote for the Sweden Democrats.

3. That they spread false propaganda.

4. That they try to make other people share their hideous (you will probably misunderstand this so put focus on "their hideous" and not just on "hideous" (say it in you head). If you get it right you DON'T get the impression that I say that immigrant's opinions are hideous)

5. That they express certain hideous opinions.

6. That they have certain hideous opinions.

There's more but I can't think of anything else.
19:03 October 24, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Mormon 8:28-35

28 Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be adenied, and bchurches become defiled and be clifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of them who belong to their churches.

29 Yea, it shall come in a day when athere shall be heard of fires, and tempests, and bvapors of smoke in foreign lands;

30 And there shall also be heard of awars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places.

31 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great apollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be bmurders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it cmattereth not, for the Lord will duphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the egall of bitterness and in the fbonds of iniquity.

32 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be achurches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.

33 O ye wicked and perverse and astiffnecked people, why have ye built up churches unto yourselves to get bgain? Why have ye ctransfigured the holy word of God, that ye might bring ddamnation upon your souls? Behold, look ye unto the erevelations of God; for behold, the time cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled.

34 Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.

35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
20:01 October 24, 2009 by spy
Leprehcaun

So you are saying that you reserve the right to be racist if you think the person you are adressing could be an asseho£e?

Interesting.. But that still makes you a racist pric£.
20:31 October 24, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Luke 4:1-8

1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

3And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

4And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

5And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

7If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

8And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
21:17 October 24, 2009 by Leprehcaun
@ spy

Are you religious or something? I am I speaking in a lingo language? Are you just stupid? This is the last time I'm gonna try this; I hate anyone, white or not, who is a nationalist, racist, Nazi, Sweden Democrat/republican/BNP (Britain's version) or who is discriminating, stupid or very ethnocentric (and the list goes on and on). Some of those people have other skin colors than white but that does not make me racist.

As I have already said one of my best friends is South American and then I have friends of all skin colors. I can NOT be a racist. Do you even understand the meaning of the word? RACist. It means that you hate or like someone based of their race/skin color. I hate or like people based on their personality and opinions. There is a not-so-slight difference.

FYI. You can hate Mugabe without being racist.

To make things clearer for you, since that embarrassingly enough is necessary, you are a racist if you hate someone BECAUSE they have another skin color than you BUT hating someone who has another skin color does NOT necessarily mean that you're racist; it is very possible to hate e.g. an African for the same reasons you a Swede.

Comprende?!! AH!
21:31 October 24, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Malachi 4

1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

4Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
21:42 October 24, 2009 by spy
Leprehcaun

I remind you of what you said in an earlier post:

'Now move from this country and from this continent! If anyone needs a proof that the immigration policy of this country has failed miserably, then the fact that people like you have gotten in should be the only proof needed to put the Sweden democrats in majority..'

And on that note I go back to the bar, but before I do I must say that I am very happy you are not in charge of Sweden's immigration policy. Toolde-pip.
22:01 October 24, 2009 by Engineer_IT
I read words like abomination, disgrace, shame...people referring to God, the Bible, churches etc Honestly, I expected more comments about how homosexuality is NOT normal and against nature and God.

Really people?Nowadays?Where it is hard to even find a purpose to go on?Much less a special someone to spend your life with?And who are YOU to quote man's words that presumably depict God's will?Religion exists to ease the pain and not inflict any more, it is not there to impose rules...you should act based on who you are,not based on what 2000y.o. scripts indicate or insinuate.

I am not religious, straight or gay I would never get married in a church but also I would never imagine to refuse someone the right to get married wherever one wishes because of the person's sexual orientation. I would not expect Swedes to do so either, thus I am really proud to be living in this country...I was not born in it, I choose it!

We have so many serious problems to solve as mankind...are you so self-absorbed that you can not see we need to unite and take serious measures to save ourselves and our children's future?
22:41 October 24, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Ezekiel 25

A Prophecy Against Ammon

1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them. 3 Say to them, 'Hear the word of the Sovereign LORD. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you said "Aha!" over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile, 4 therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk. 5 I will turn Rabbah into a pasture for camels and Ammon into a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 6 For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet, rejoicing with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel, 7 therefore I will stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the nations and exterminate you from the countries. I will destroy you, and you will know that I am the LORD.' "

A Prophecy Against Moab

8 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'Because Moab and Seir said, "Look, the house of Judah has become like all the other nations," 9 therefore I will expose the flank of Moab, beginning at its frontier towns—Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon and Kiriathaim—the glory of that land. 10 I will give Moab along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, so that the Ammonites will not be remembered among the nations; 11 and I will inflict punishment on Moab. Then they will know that I am the LORD.' "

A Prophecy Against Edom

12 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'Because Edom took revenge on the house of Judah and became very guilty by doing so, 13 therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will stretch out my hand against Edom and kill its men and their animals. I will lay it waste, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. 14 I will take vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will deal with Edom in accordance with my anger and my wrath; they will know my vengeance, declares the Sovereign LORD.' "

A Prophecy Against Philistia

15 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah, 16 therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Kerethites and destroy those remaining along the coast. 17 I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I take vengeance on them.' "
03:26 October 25, 2009 by ghostwriter
Guys stop talking about nature.

There are plenty of things that are unnatural that you love to do.

To the rest of the churches in the world: There's nothing wrong with homosexuality, re-interpret your Bibles so that they fit your moral standards.
04:13 October 25, 2009 by PrinceKnight
Perhaps you would like to commission J.K.Rowling or Crown Princess Victoria to re-write or write a bible for you, ghostwriter? Shall she include murder, and thievery as acceptable also?
06:44 October 25, 2009 by sebwojo
its sad that the church in sweden decided to do such a thing God forbid who ever was party to that meeting and those who voted againest it please dont lose hope

but the fellow swedish note the following that when sodom and gomora adopted homsexuelity God destried it many will say that is history but how is god going to destroy sweden

do you know that sweds have a negative growth that every marriege of two produces one kid so if they marry a man 2 man it will be zero after 100 years we shall be telling people that at one time there was a race of the sweds when by that time its eaten up by aother races

do you know that all the non sweds produce more than four kid one day time will tell but let us pray for our beloved country
11:37 October 25, 2009 by AnthonyR
It can be really shocking sometimes how intense the homophobia is, especially in communities that consider themselves tolerant of differences. You reserve the right to adopt a moral code, or a religion, but definitely not one that actively trespasses on the human rights of others. Fact of the matter is, not everyone chooses to be a Christian, so quoting the bible isn't really a convincing argument against homosexuality. I understand why people raised in fear and disgust of homosexuality would be offended, but I don't think it's ethically justifiable. If I understood the article correctly, there was vote held that lead to this decision (in which I am objectively impressed with) so obviously there are people who belong to your faith who have convincing arguments and reasons for making this decision, it might be worthwhile to pursue those reasons, and if you reject them, then do so on reasonable grounds, not ones that pre-requisite a belief in the bible that a good deal of society (me included) do not hold.
13:18 October 25, 2009 by spy
AnthonyR

Well said!
19:52 October 25, 2009 by izbz
One thing quoting the book, doesn't make you holy or give you the right to judge others , Prince Knight(sound like a gay man's name to me) , it just make you a bigger hypocrite. If you are the only holy soul in this godamn world who can follow all that is written without having any sin, I eat the whole book page by page. I would definately respect your faith if you can respect other people's right. When you point a finger at others, 4 fingers are pointing at yourself!!!!! For sure alot of gays and straights are giving you the finger also
21:21 October 25, 2009 by Uncle
AnthonyR. The best argument is that dogmas of the church are based on the unbelievable piece of old literature. The institution in working on basis of certain philosophical views. Changing these views undermine the reasoning for existence of this institution.

If some managers in this institution prefer kissing the behinds of the majority of population in left-wing-liberal-atheist Sweden, it does not mean that the few conservative believers have to think of other arguments than the book they believe in. Where should THEY go with their beliefs and prejudices and whatever you and many here think is closed-minded and plain wrong?

Next thing will be a full denial of God and removing the crosses from churches, because it offends the non-believers. With that - the arguments from the Bible will not be accepted by you because you do not believe in it (being so open-minded and all).

What I think is ridiculous is that the majority of gays are extremely liberal in all questions relating to abortion, taxes, immigration and such. All of a sudden the churches holy matrimony is the ONE thing they cannot live without. The ancient tradition of declaring the belonging of the woman to a specific man is the one thing that the homosexuals feel amazingly conservative about. It is clearly a matter of a principal and the conflict avert swedish church just bends over.

Lack of holding to the principals makes this church a joke and it is not surprising that Sweden has the most atheistic society in the world.

Being an atheist, I always respected the religion for its amazing power to unite people, for being the solid grounds for many who live very unstable life, for the architectural genius and for the ability to remember history's lessons for long time. Whenever the buildings turn into offices, the rules change every 5 years, the holidays become Tomten and Kalle Anka - religious institutions have no point and therefore they reject people instead of attracting them...
00:27 October 26, 2009 by tybofborg
That's it, I'm SO moving to Sweden. Not because I want to marry in a church, but because this and mostly every other news report I get from Sweden (and also the recollections of people I know who visited Sweden) prove that this is the nation of the most intelligent, open-minded and nicest people in the world.

I just hope I won't go crazy during the winters.
04:03 October 26, 2009 by pilgrim & stranger
AnthonyR

After reading your post you obviously reject the Bible as having any authority over society or your personal life. But, historically, the teachings and moral principles of the Bible supply the basic tenets upon which western civilization has been built. Our civil laws protecting life, liberty and property reflect the teachings of that ancient book. Every nation must have some basis for the laws defining the boundaries of its citizens' behaviors and the government's authority. Where there is no moral code, anarchy reigns, but it is always short lived because society will, sooner or later, establish some kind of order, even if it is extremely brutal and oppressive.

While you reject the Bible and its condemnation of homosexuality as a sin, it is important to remember that God still extends His love to you as he does to every sinner, regardless of the sin. (Homosexuality is not the only sin cited in Scripture, it is but one of a multitude of offenses, but it seems to be getting a lot of ink these days because of the aggressive nature of its supporters and the willing compromise of church leaders who have abdicated their duty to faithfully represent God's Word.) You seem indignant toward Christians who cite Bible verses, but the treatment of homosexuals is far better in a society imbued with Christian teachings than those living under communism or Islam where extreme persecution and often death is the norm.

Why would you reject the following passages from God's Word condemning these behaviors?

II Timothy 3: 1 - 5

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.

Colossians 3: 5 - 10

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Why would you not embrace the following behaviors for yourself and society at large?

Galatians 5: 22, 23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
09:05 October 26, 2009 by spy
The book is not a letter from God!!

Its worth remembering that the bible is not a 'letter from God', in fact it was penned by people (many of whom clearly have different perspectives) these writings have also been edited by the church over the years. So to quote it as the sole argument is pretty futile as there is usually a contradictory quote availible to neutralize it.
21:12 October 26, 2009 by Uncle
spy First - your comment is as meaningless as the statement that the Bible IS the word of God. You cannot argue with a simple argument that God was talking through the people that wrote the Bible, since you cannot prove the opposite. Contradictory quotes can be always turned into supporting quotes and any inconsistency can be referred as lack of understanding.

The current laws of the atheists are complicated and often contradictory as the Bible and yet, you do not call to disobey the law (btw, this is the best argument of the anarchists in favor of anarchy).

The fact that YOU do not believe in the dogmas of church does not mean that the church HAS to adapt to the latest fashion of modern society. It does not have to and should not, as long as it does not harm others. Not agreeing to marry gays should be as insulting for the gays, as the refusal of the Bolshoi Ballet to let me dance on the scene, given that I never danced ballet, is insulting for me. There are certain prerequisites to belong to the club of the Church, like there are prerequisites of height for kids on a fast roller coaster. The kids cannot do anything about it and so the gays shall not be able to, if the LAW gives them all the rights that the heterosexuals have, of course!
08:43 October 27, 2009 by manikongo
shame on you satan church! your next scandal (rotten fruit) human-animal marriage. you are exposed! to the people of God, "get out of babylon the greatest siner!"
19:55 October 27, 2009 by izbz
Who needs the damn Bible when you are reading all these dumn so call preacher, self rightous pain in the ass' comments in these column. GET off your high horses!!!!!! Come down to earth from your high heaven!
04:06 October 29, 2009 by pilgrim & stranger
I am fascinated by many of the comments on this Church of Sweden news article as they originate not from individuals who are just unbelievers, they are scorners of the Bible. They refuse to acknowledge God with their lips and in their lives, indeed, they would rather use his name in vain and curse others than offer up thanks to Him for His goodness to them. Yet, in reality, these blasphemers still acknowledge Him whenever they write a date, since the world dating system is based on the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

God has not forgotten those who vilify Him. In fact, He refers to them in Ecclesiastes 8:11, "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."

At the Last Judgment, a subject of much ridicule for the scorner, the Bible says in Psalm 2: 4, 5 " He (God) who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure.

Beware scorners, the Lord may reveal His power in you in a way you could never imagine. I write this based on divine intervention in the lives of two great heroes of the Christian faith, John Newton and John Bunyan. Before their conversion the behavior of these two men in both word and deed was characterized by the most extreme evil they could imagine. (Google John Newton and John Bunyan)

After a confrontation with his Creator Newton, a slave trader, penned some of the most moving and well known hymns in the English language. Bunyan was imprisoned for his faith and while in prison wrote "Pilgrim's Progress", the most published book ever except for the Bible.

However, I believe that those who scorn God and His Word will fair better in the Final Judgment than the 176 apostate clergy of Church of Sweden who voted approval of homosexual marriage. These perishing souls will have an eternity to consider their decision, while in this life they have a free meal ticket and enjoy a life of ease as respectable members of the clergy. By mocking the Bible the scoffers are much more honest about their relationship to God; the apostates are nothing more than spiritual hirelings who make their living off a religion that is as dead to them as the blasphemer.

Men often say that the Bible is outdated, being ignorant of the timely and timeless truths it contains. How so? The divine nature of God is unchangeable, as is the sin nature of men regardless how much time passes.
00:25 November 2, 2009 by Gwrhyr
Pilgrim & Stranger, you'll find one of my posts up there was not scornful of the Bible, but actually showed how the Bible says what you are saying right here is wrong. If you engage in Biblical study, it becomes very clear that the Bible does not give any mortal the right to say what God has in store for anyone. Indeed, you ought to count yourself amongst the worst of the blasphemers, if I step into your logic for a moment. Please return to the Bible and find it's message of love. If you don't find the message of love, then you have no place near the Bible, for that means you are the worst of the pious, the pious who use their faith to judge others, to feel better about themselves at the expense of others, to wreak havoc in the world all the while thinking you are doing the will of God.
00:55 November 3, 2009 by pilgrim & stranger
Gwrhyr, thank you for your post to my comment. I must disagree with you on two points.

First, you write, "it becomes very clear that the Bible does not give any mortal the right to say what God has in store for anyone." Truly, warnings to men of what God has in store for them as unconverted sinners fill the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Men whose hearts have been changed by the work of the Holy Spirit's applying God's Word are commissioned to bring this message to those who are spiritually lost. Noah preached to men for 120 years while building the ark; he knew what God had in store for these men as unrepentant sinners.

All the prophets of the Old Testament preached to men repentance from sin to avoid judgment. The apostles preached to men to make them aware of God's commandments and the consequence of unconfessed sin.

Telling people what God has in store for them is precisely what drives Christians to become missionaries, and often martyrs, in some of the most dangerous and inhospitable places on earth. In fact, for many converts to Christ, it is the awareness of their eternal condemnation that awakens their consciences to the love of God as demonstrated by the life and death of Jesus.

I believe, John Newton's conversion is a case in point. Christians who do not confront men about their sin are not obedient Christians. However, it must be done in humility and with the love Paul speaks of in I Corinthians chapter 13. Usually, this is not the case.

Second, you write, "If you don't find the message of love, then you have no place near the Bible". In your earlier post at #80 you wrote, "it is ridiculous to claim that the church has given up its principles by accommodating gay rights. The church is actually applying Christian principles to modern society, realizing that there is no Christian reason to discriminate against loving, modern gay couples."

In light of this statement how do you interpret the passage from Romans 1: 24 - 28? Does this passage not picture in detail the world of mind-numbing wickedness in which we live?

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

In fact, it is love for others that constrains me to send these comments to this news site.
20:40 November 3, 2009 by norling
The most unnatural thing in this world is for people who were never meant to breed breed!! When it comes time for a person to step up to the lunch counter of life they should be able to pick the meal they want not what society dictates. If a young woman wants the fish taco she should be able to order it, if a young male wants the bratwurst he should be able to enjoy it. You religous freaks should heed these words because you all reside in the closet of the lord. Now if you will excuse me I intend to go enjoy my wifes fish taco.
16:32 November 4, 2009 by thevasin
Jesus ... please forgive Swedish Church becasue they don't know what they are doing.
15:37 November 24, 2009 by xxDarkDeceptionxx
If this Church approves in Gay marrage.

Then that is the church's choice.

There is nothing you can say to make them change thier minds.

So just leave it alone.
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finklädd

adjective

Paret var finklädda på festen.

The couple were well-dressed at the party.

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Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

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Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Mindfulness & Somatic (body) Therapy
Address your mental and physical health! Manage stress, pain, & obstacles with a therapeutic approach of counseling, mindfulness or body work.
Find out more here!
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se