Linear, there is no law to stop people from practising a homosexual lifestyle. God has condemned it yes, but there is no society law against it. Christians (true Christians) cannot stop anybody from practising homosexuality (fornication/adultery included), as there is no "law" against it, people practise these sins "freely" unfortunately, even though they are a great offense to God Himself.
Does the "unfortunately" in your statement mean you believe there should be laws against homosexuality, fornication, adultery, erotic literature and the like?
Now it's gone further and it's come to the institute of "marriage". Homosexuals seek to "legitimise" their relationship in a manner that offends the very foundation and institute of marriage, because it's an affront to God. It could never legitimise their lifestyle/relationship anyway in God's eyes (we know that from scripture). And any such law should be (by true Christians at least) voted against.
Actually, the laws in the US (I don't know about NZ) didn't really say that it had to be between one man and one woman. It had to be changed in many states to read that way after gays asked to be married and filed lawsuits when refused. Some states actually were going to issue certificates of marriage to same sex couples. So, the Defense of Marriage Act was passed by Congress, the sole purpose of which was to make it so states didn't have to recognize marriages of same-sex couples from other states.
You also cannot stop anybody from practising their own personal faith either.
Not in the US. However, no Christian group is even trying to, nor expressing concern that we should place limits on non-Christian religions.
On the other side of the coin, there have been many (still are) of Christians persecuted and killed for practising their faith. Anybody in certain countries that converts to Christ can be in danger of their lives.
Not in the US or NZ for that matter.
Christians do not threaten others with the same if they practise a faith that differs from our own.
Not lately, but there are many religions that are all but extinct since being persecuted by Christians. Mormons, although they consider themselves Christians, were persecuted into moving out west after Joseph Smith was arrested and killed by his captors.
Of course, if a law is to be instituted that goes against the teachings of Christ, we must continue to vote against it regardless. Even if we lose, at least we stood up for what we believed in. But no, there is no law that prevents a person practising their own personal religion, as there is no society law against fornication/adultery/homosexuality.
You say you must stand against a law that goes against the teachings of Christ, but you don't actually do that. Didn't Christ say that no one can come to the Father except through Him? Yet you don't stand or vote to remove those laws that allow teaching that Christ is not the Way or the Word. By "you" in the previous sentences I meant the Christian church that lobbys for laws against erotic literature and homosexuality.
It's a battle between what the WORLD thinks is right and wrong, and what God has told us!
God says to worship only Him. Maybe that is not important.
