Comments for Marriage and the Traditional Family: A World Turned Upside Down at http://www.ldsfreemen.com , comment 1 to 2 out of 2 comments http://www.ldsfreemen.com Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:30:06 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.ldsfreemen.com/steven-montgomery/marriage-and-the-traditional-family-a-world-turned-upside-down.html#comment-87 ed42 asked: [quote]Do you (Steven M) believe we have God's authority to punish (take some portion of life, liberty, property from) those that practice unnatural sex acts?[/quote] To be perfectly honest, I have struggled for years with this question. On the one hand I'm a pretty much "live and let live" guy as long as it doesn't infringe upon my (or others) life, liberty, or property. But, on the other hand, I see the need for communities to regulate behavior for the common weal. ed42 also asked: [quote]Does this authority allow preemptive punitive actions to prevent these acts? [/quote] No, never. There should be no laws against a man's beliefs or thoughts. ed42 asked: [quote]Or are we limited to "teach, preach, expound, exhort" (and freedom of non-association) against these 'sinners'? [/quote]That would certainly be the ideal. Unless "these sinners" start to affect the public peace or become a public "nuisance." ed42 asked: [quote]Do we have God's authority to prevent others from associating (doing business with, providing services to, etc.) with those the act 'unnatural'?[/quote] No. Freedom of association is a fundamental right. Besides, I guess we'd have to condemn Jesus Christ for associating with winebibbers, gluttons, and common "sinners." Finally ed42 asked: [quote]Finally, it's obvious that a married couple can perform unnatural sexual acts. Does society have a right to invade/monitor the bedroom to prevent such?[/quote] No. I don't believe in bedroom police. - Steven Montgomery Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:13:39 +0100 http://www.ldsfreemen.com/steven-montgomery/marriage-and-the-traditional-family-a-world-turned-upside-down.html#comment-85 Do you (Steven M) believe we have God's authority to punish (take some portion of life, liberty, property from) those that practice unnatural sex acts? Does this authority allow preemptive punitive actions to prevent these acts? Or are we limited to "teach, preach, expound, exhort" (and freedom of non-association) against these 'sinners'? Do we have God's authority to prevent others from associating (doing business with, providing services to, etc.) with those the act 'unnatural'? Finally, it's obvious that a married couple can perform unnatural sexual acts. Does society have a right to invade/monitor the bedroom to prevent such? - ed42 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:44:23 +0100