GORDON COLLEGE, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS PUNISHED BY MAYOR FOR REQUESTING GAY EXEMPTION

GORDON COLLEGE PRESIDENT

D. MICHAEL LINDSAY

Mass. Christian College Booted

By Town For Opposing Gay Agenda

SEE: http://culturecampaign.blogspot.com/2014/07/mass-christian-college-bootedopposes.html;

EXCERPT:

Gordon College in Salem, Massachusetts publicly stated that President Obama should respect its religious conscience and not force it to hire homosexuals, transgendered persons or anyone who opposes Gordon's deeply held religious beliefs.  As a result, Salem officials have terminated a contract with Gordon for the Old Town Hall, and the New England Association of School and College’s higher education commission is considering revoking its accreditation.

“[The Gordon College position] is a slap in the face of every gay and lesbian person, particularly every gay and lesbian Christian, that says you are somehow less of a human being, you do not belong in the embrace of God’s merciful arms.”
-- Michael Alexander, president of Lasell College in Newton, Mass.

SEE ALSO: 

Accreditation Board to Take Up Gordon College Backlash After President Signed Controversial Letter:

 http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2014/07/10/accreditation-board-reviewing-gordon-college-after.html?page=all;
SEE ALSO: 

Salem Ends Gordon College’s Use of Town Hall:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/09/salem-cut-ties-with-gordon-college-over-school-request-for-religious-exemption-antigay-discrimination-rules/goy5ep3SGqAD0yqHWp77oO/story.html

SEE ALSO: 

Accrediting Agency to Review Gordon College:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/11/agency-review-whether-gordon-college-antigay-stance-policies-violate-accrediting-standards/Cti63s3A4cEHLGMPRQ5NyJ/story.html

SEE ALSO:

Gordon College President Defends Call for Religious Exemption:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/08/gordon-college-president-defends-calls-for-religious-exemption-anti-discrimination-order/qLBxudxtNI07lXLFdkjbAN/story.html

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Questions Regarding the Letter to President Obama

SEE: GORDON COLLEGE www.gordon.edu, republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:

A Personal Message from President Michael Lindsay

Dear Gordon Community,

You may be aware that last week I, along with a number of other Christian leaders, signed a letterto President Obama, urging him to include a religious exemption in his forthcoming executive order concerning the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (also known as ENDA). This letter has been cited by media as part of a broader discussion of the advocacy efforts by faith-based organizations around the ENDA, including letters sent by hundreds of other Christian organizations and leaders in recent weeks.

Regrettably, there has been some confusion regarding the intent of the letter and why I agreed to be one of those who signed it. I feel badly that this has resulted in confusion, hurt feelings and disappointment among the Gordon community, which was not what I intended. I write to clarify key points and to reassure anyone who is concerned this action somehow represents a change in what Gordon College stands for.

Signing the letter was in keeping with our decades-old conviction that, as an explicitly Christian institution, Gordon should set the conduct expectations for members of our community. Nothing has changed in our position. The letter asks the president for the same religious exemption that was passed by a U.S. Senate bill (S.815) in 2013 with bipartisan support. Some have misunderstood this message as requesting something new or different. That’s not the case. President Bush signed an executive order in 2002 that offered the same sort of religious exemption that we are requesting of President Obama.

At root, Gordon is, and always has been, an educational institution grounded in our commitment to Christ. We also care deeply about the protection of religious liberty. Our longstanding positions on matters of Christian faith and community standards are conveyed in our statements of faith and of life and conduct. These form the foundation upon which the Gordon community has for many years articulated a common framework for our life together. Building on that shared commitment, Gordon has also been a place where constructive and respectful dialogue takes place. That remains so today.

Be assured that nothing has changed in our position regarding admission or employment. We have never barred categories of individuals from our campus and have no intention to do so now. We have always sought to be a place of grace and truth, and that remains the case. As a Christian college, we are all followers of Christ. As long as a student, a faculty member, or a staff member supports and lives by our community covenant documents, they are welcome to study or work at Gordon.

In general practice, Gordon tries to stay out of politically charged issues, and I sincerely regret that the intent of this letter has been misconstrued, and that Gordon has been put into the spotlight in this way. My sole intention in signing this letter was to affirm the College’s support of the underlying issue of religious liberty, including the right of faith-based institutions to set and adhere to standards which derive from our shared framework of faith, and which we all have chosen to embrace as members of the Gordon community. 

I hope this helps to provide greater understanding of the College’s position and my actions in this matter. I want to thank those who have written to express their love and concern for Gordon and for all that you have done to bless and support the ministry of Gordon College.

Faithfully yours,

D. Michael Lindsay
President and Professor of Sociology

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EXCERPT FROM GORDON COLLEGE'S BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS:

http://www.gordon.edu/page.cfm?iPageID=380&iCategoryID=31&About&Behavioral_Expectations

QUOTE:

"A. Practices Governed by Scripture—The following behavioral expectations are binding on all members of the Gordon community.

1. Those words and actions which are expressly forbidden in Scripture, including but not limited to blasphemy, profanity, dishonesty, theft, drunkenness, sexual relations outside marriage, and homosexual practice, will not be tolerated in the lives of Gordon community members, either on or off campus."

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Congressman John Tierney and Salem Postmaster Mark Howell unveil the Harvey Milk Forever Stamp alongside Mayor Kim Driscoll (far right), State Senator Joan Lovely, the Queen of Salem Gigi Gill, and other LGBT activists and supporters on June 1, 2014.

MAYOR KIM DRISCOLL ON THE LEFT

Mayor Driscoll Signs Non-Discrimination Ordinance

SEE: http://www.gooutloud.com/salem-non-discrimination/;

EXCERPT:

On Monday, March 5th, Salem Mayor Driscoll signed the Non-Discrimination Ordinance as passed unanimously by the city council with support from local community members and businesses making Salem the fifth community in Massachusetts and the first on the North Shore to extend protections against discrimination for the transgender community in the matter of public accommodations.

FROM: http://photos.masslive.com/republican/2013/09/worcester-pride-parade1zip_6.html:

Dubbed "Official Queen of Salem" by Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, 

Marquessa Gigi Gill waves to the crowd.

LETTER TO GORDON COLLEGE 

BY KIMBERLY DRISCOLL, 

MAYOR OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR MAKES USE OF "HUSBAND" & "WIFE" ILLEGAL

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN

California Governor Signs 

Homosexual Bill Eliminating Terms 

‘Husband’ and ‘Wife’

SEE: http://christiannews.net/2014/07/10/california-governor-signs-homosexual-bill-eliminating-terms-husband-and-wife/;

EXCERPT:

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The governor of California has signed a bill into law that redefines marriage and replaces the terms ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ with the generic term ‘spouse.’

Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 1306 on Monday, which will take effect on January 1, 2015.

“Under existing law, a reference to ‘husband’ and ‘wife,’ ‘spouses,’ or ‘married persons,’ or a comparable term, includes persons who are lawfully married to each other and persons who were previously lawfully married to each other, as is appropriate under the circumstances of the particular case,” it reads. “The bill would delete references to ‘husband’ or ‘wife’ in the Family Code and would instead refer to a ‘spouse,’ and would make other related changes.”"

COMMON CORE SMACKED BY DIANE RAVITCH WHO FORESEES ITS DEMISE

Diane Ravitch on Problems with Common Core Standards

Published on May 22, 2014

KET's Bill Goodman speaks with Diane Ravitch, a historian of education and a research professor at New York University, about challenges with the Common Core curriculum standards being implemented in K-12 school systems around the country. Ravitch won this year's University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Education. 

Diane Ravitch on Expense of Common Core:

Common Core is Tool to Produce a Commie Corps:

SEE: http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/common-core-is-tool-to-produce-a-commie-corps/;

EXCERPT:

"Common Core seeks to create a common-ness among people, what the Communists refer to as “the masses.” America’s students are being groomed today to be future members of the “Commie Corps,” advocates and robots of a trans-individual system."

NATIONAL CENTER FOR LIFE & LIBERTY~SIX CENTERS PROTECT CHRISTIANS

ATTORNEY DAVID GIBBS III

Overview of the National Center for Life and Liberty

SEE: http://www.ncll.org/

Available to Minister to Your Church:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cgncjjdrY4

NCLL Liberty Centers: 

http://www.ncll.org/liberty-centers

Center for Life Defense

Center for Church Liberty

Center For Christian Education

Center for Homeschool Liberty

Center for American Policy

Center for International Liberty

FUNDRAISING OBAMA MEETS WITH DIRECTOR ROBERT RODRIGUEZ OF LA RAZA BUT WON'T VISIT BORDER~CREATES ENORMOUS TRAFFIC JAMS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS AFTER HE LEAVES

AUSTIN LOCKDOWN: OBAMA VISIT 

SHUTS DOWN MAJOR HIGHWAYS

Car-mageddon as president travels from fundraiser to fundraiser

SEE: http://www.infowars.com/austin-lockdown-obama-visit-shuts-down-major-highways/;

EXCERPT:

"As a result of President Obama visiting Central Texas to take part in numerous speeches and fundraisers, Austin residents were forced to endure crippling gridlock on major roads and interstate 35."

"According to Alex Jones who commuted to and from work during the delays, police had the roads blocked for hours, even after the Obama motorcade had passed. After leaving the Infowars studio at around 3PM, roads were still shut down as the emperor stopped for barbecue."

Headline Act: Lord And Savior Obama:

Published on Jul 11, 2014

Infowars reporter Lee Ann McAdoo interviews people waiting in line to see Obama perform at the Paramount Theater in Austin, TX.

Obama Skips Border Visit to Party With the Rich:

OBAMA: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS NO LAUGHING MATTER~PICTURES SHOW HE THINKS IT IS!

Rick Perry On Meeting With Obama:

Obama Laughs, Plays and Cashes In As Kids Die:

BILL GATES FUNDS ABORTIFACIENT IMPLANTABLE REMOTE CONTROL CONTRACEPTIVE "CHIP"

MELINDA & BILL GATES

VIDEO: 'Remote control' contraceptive CHIP available 'by 2018':

Bill Gates "Conceives" Remote Birth Control:

SEE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10953696/Remote-control-contraceptive-implant-developed-backed-by-Bill-Gates.html

SEE: http://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/bill-gates-backs-remote-controlled-contraceptive-microchip-that-lasts-16-years/

SEE: http://www.geekwire.com/2014/bill-gates-remote-control-contraceptive/

Bill Gates Funds Implantable Remote Control Contraceptive

SEE: http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/health-care/item/18663-bill-gates-funds-implantable-remote-control-contraceptive;

EXCERPT:

"Not content to control the education of children, the billionaire founder of Microsoft is funding the manufacture of a microchip that will control the conception of children, as well."

"An MIT offshoot known as Microchips is the beneficiary of an endowment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation earmarked for the research and development of the contraceptive chip that will be implanted under the skin and will prevent impregnation for up to 16 years."

"Women who are implanted with the device will daily receive 30mg of levonorgestrel, the primary hormone present in the so-called morning after pill. The “morning after pill” is not strictly speaking only a contraceptive. Several studies have shown that while the hormone present in the pill, and in Bill Gates's new microchip, could serve as a contraceptive, it could also serve as an abortifacient."

New Contraceptive Computer Chip 

Allows Remote-Controlled Birth Control:

APOSTATE MORAVIANS APPROVE GAY & LESBIAN ORDINATIONS AT BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD

ECUMENICAL MORAVIANS 
SET ASIDE THE WORD OF GOD

FOR GAY ORDINATION NOW

& MARRIAGES SOON;

REJECT DOCTRINE & SEPARATION
BASED ON "GOOD FEELINGS"

THE DESCENT INTO DEEPER SIN & APOSTASY

LEAVING AN EMPTY SHELL 

DEVOID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

SEE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravians_(religion);

EXCERPTS:

Infants are baptized most commonly, but all forms of baptism are accepted (infant or adult; pouring, sprinkling or immersion).

Without defining the mode or method (i.e. the "how"), Moravians believe that they receive the true Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion (see "Catholic real presence" and the Lutheran notion of sacramental union ). This is most clearly seen in Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg's Idea Fidei Fratrum, and in the Easter Morning Litany. Individual believers may believe in Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation, or a "spiritual presence" (as Catholics)

Simplicity is a focus on the essentials of faith and a lack of interest in the niceties of doctrinal definition. 

Unintrusiveness is based on the Moravian belief that God positively wills the existence of a variety of churches to cater for different spiritual needs. There is no need to win converts from other churches. 

Fellowship is based on this heart-relationship. Shawe says: The Moravian ideal has been to gather together kindred hearts.... Where there are 'Christian hearts in love united', there fellowship is possible in spite of differences of intellect and intelligence, of thought, opinion, taste and outlook.  Fellowship [in Zinzendorf's time] meant not only a bridging of theological differences but also of social differences

Moravian Church Northern Province Synod 

approves ordination of gay and lesbian pastors

SEE: http://www.moravian.org/northern-province-synod-2014/moravian-church-northern-province-synod-approves-ordination-of-gay-and-lesbian-pastors/#; republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:

BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA (June 22, 2014) – The 2014 Synod of the Moravian Church, Northern Province has approved a proposal to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian individuals, whether single, married or in covenanted relationships.

By a vote of 181-62, synod delegates approved the proposal, which also includes provisions to revise the Book of Order of the Moravian Church Northern Province to reflect this change, and a call to create a rite for solemnizing covenanted relationships for use in the Northern Province.

The Synod is the highest judicatory of the Moravian Church Northern Province.

As delegates waited to learn the outcome of the vote, they sang hymns and spontaneously stood hand in hand in a circle around the assembly hall.  They continued singing in harmony after the results were announced.

“Moravians understand that God’s call to us is to welcome all people, because God’s embrace is far larger than our capacity to imagine,” said the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth D. Miller, president of the Provincial Elders’ Conference of the Moravian Church Northern Province.  “The 2014 Synod responded to God’s leading to receive the gifts of gay and lesbian individuals who wish to serve as ordained servants in the Moravian Church Northern Province.”

“This decision came following much prayer and consideration and many differing opinions were expressed during debate,” said Miller. “We know that there are Moravians who deeply love God, who honor the authority of Scripture and love the Moravian Church who do not agree with this resolution. It is my prayer that as Moravians, in relationship with one another, we can continue to walk together in love, even as we acknowledge our differences.”

This decision affects only those in the Northern Province and has no direct impact on the other provinces in the worldwide Moravian Unity.  The decision also came with a clear direction that no congregation will be forced to call a gay or lesbian pastor, as that decision lies with the congregations’ Boards of Elders and Trustees.

“This resolution is one more step in a long series of Northern Province Synod resolutions regarding the church’s view of homosexual persons in our culture and our church,” said Miller. The Moravian Church Northern Province has been in conversation about the life and service of lesbian and gay people for more than 40 years. As early as 1974, the Synod of the Northern Province declared that homosexual persons are under God’s care. At four Synods since then, delegates have addressed the topic of homosexuality.

The Synod of 2010 mandated that the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference sponsor congregational forums for collaborative dialogue and prayerful discernment of the Christian service of homosexual individuals, and to bring legislation on the topic for consideration by the 2014 Synod.

All proposals received prior to synod were considered by the Church and Society Committee.  The resulting proposal was reviewed and revised in that committee at the 2014 Synod and brought to the Synod floor for discussion and decision only after considerable deliberation.

During an earlier session of the 2014 Synod, delegates approved a resolution that affirmed the Northern Province’s commitment to be inclusive of differing views regarding the ordination and call of gay and lesbian clergy in covenanted relationships and that clergy and members are free to express their perspectives. Additionally, Synod encouraged the Provincial Elders’ Conference to offer follow-up gatherings for congregations following the conclusion of the 2014 Provincial Synod.

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CENTRAL MORAVIAN CHURCH, BETHLEHEM, PA

Moravian church approves the ordination of gay and lesbian individuals:

SEE: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/06/moravian_church_approves_the_o.html#incart_m-rpt-1

Moravian Bishops at 2014 Synod

SEE VIDEO: http://vimeo.com/98987102

Following the announcement of approval of a resolution allowing the ordination of gay and lesbian pastors, whether single, married or in covenanted relationships in the Moravian Church Northern Province, bishops of the Unitas Fratrum share prayers and insights.

A History of The Moravians:

Published on Jul 1, 2014

This is a video about the history of a religious group called the Moravians that came to settle in Pennsylvania.

Ecumenical Relations With Apostate Organizations & Churches

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravians_(religion)

The Moravian Church provinces are members individually of the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation. Most provinces are also members of their national councils of churches, such as the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD) in Germany and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the US, the all African Council of Churches, the Caribbean Council of Churches, the Jamaica Council of Churches. The American Southern Province was instrumental in the founding the North Carolina Council of Churches. The British Province is of the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (formerly the British Council of Churches) and has an interim Communion agreement with the Church of England. The two North American provinces are in full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The Northern Province of the Moravian Church voted June 18, 2010 to enter into full communion with the Episcopal Church. The Moravian Church's Southern Province also voted to enter into full communion with the Episcopal Church during its synod in September 2010. Each province can independently enter into full communion relationships.^[21] In the 1980s there were discussions in England by which an agreement was created that would have created full communion between the Moravians, Presbyterians, Methodists, and the Church of England. The Presbyterians and Methodists would have accepted the Historic Episcopate, but since the Moravians already had this, they would have changed nothing. This agreement fell through because the General Synod of the Church of England did not give approval.

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DAVID CLOUD'S WAY OF LIFE REPORT:

http://www.wayoflife.org/friday_church_news/15_28.php

MORAVIANS APPROVE ORDINATION OF HOMOSEXUALS (Friday Church News Notes, July 11, 2014, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The Northern Province of the Moravian Church of North America recently approved the ordination of homosexuals (Religious News Service, Jun. 24, 2014). The decision at its 2014 synod was approved by a vote of 181-62. The Moravians also determined to create a religious ceremony for “same-sex couples.” Elizabeth Miller, president of the Northern Province’s Elders’ Conference, says, “Moravians understand that God’s call to us is to welcome all people, because God’s embrace is far larger than our capacity to imagine.” Indeed, God invites all people to salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ, but only those who repent and trust Christ are received. The apostle Paul preached “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). The Moravian Church was founded by Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake in 1415 by the Roman Catholic Church, and has gone through various transformations. In the 17th and 18th centuries it displayed a vigorous, sacrificial missionary spirit, though remaining committed to theological errors such as infant baptism. It has long been liberalized and was one of the first members of the modernistic World Council of Churches. (See The World Council of Churches, which is available as a free eBook from www.wayoflife.org.) Worldwide, the Moravian Church claims more than 1 million members, with most in eastern Africa.