A prominent pastor and radio personality has been dropped from a Christian radio network following his statements on if people of faith can attend LGBTQ+ weddings or not.
The pastor suggested Christians could “build bridges” with the LGBTQ+ community by attending non-traditional weddings, even if they disagree with them on religious grounds.
Now, following online backlash from critics in the faith community, he’s out of a job.
You Can’t Be Sirius
Pastor Alistair Begg of Parkside Church in Cleveland has been host of the nationally syndicated Christian radio program “Truth For Life” for the last 12 years. Until a week ago, the program was carried on nearly 1,800 radio stations nationwide.
In September, Pastor Begg discussed a Christian grandmother who asked him for guidance on attending her grandson’s wedding to a transgender person. Here is how he said the conversation went:
“I asked the grandmother, ‘Does your grandson understand your belief in Jesus?’
‘Yes.’
‘Does your grandson understand that your belief in Jesus makes it such that you can’t countenance in any affirming way the choices that he has made in life?’
‘Yes.’
I said, ‘Well then, okay. As long as he knows that, then I suggest that you do go to the ceremony. And I suggest that you buy them a gift.’”
Begg argued that refusing to attend would only reinforce stereotypes of Christians: That they are “judgmental, critical, unprepared to countenance anything.”
His employer, apparently, disagrees.
Not on the Same Wavelength
“Recently, it came to our attention that Pastor Begg made statements that were unbiblical,” wrote American Family Radio (AFA), which carries Pastor Begg’s show nationally. “We believe it to be an act of unfaithfulness to God to attend a ceremony that celebrates any union outside of the biblical model of marriage,” they wrote.
“We will no longer air Pastor Alistair Begg’s Truth for Life program.”
AFA head Tim Wildmon compared Pastor Begg urging Christian family members to attend an LGBTQ+ wedding to a father driving an alcoholic son to a bar. “I’m not driving you to the bar,” he postulated, “if you go to the bar and you're an adult, that's your decision, but I'm not going to be a part of that."
“You could be culpable in God’s eyes if those people go to Hell,” AFA leadership stated.
Though he argues he made the comments in a very specific context about a grandmother maintaining her relationship with her grandson, Pastor Begg is refusing to back down. “If people want me to recant and to repent … I repent daily because I say a lot of things that I shouldn't say,” he stated. “But the fact of the matter is, I'm not ready to repent over this. I don't have to.”
At the core of this disagreement is whether anti-LGBTQ+ Christians can attend a so-called "unbiblical" wedding through a “love the sinner, hate the sin” lens, or if simply showing up at all is a tacit endorsement of an "unchristian" union.
Pastor Begg would argue the former… and he paid the price for it.
What is your reaction?
97 comments
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Pastor Jody S.
When I see people bringing up "unbiblical" all I can think of is how badly the "sola scriptura" of the Protestant churches has ruined Christianity for so many people here in the USA. And driven so many away from a Savior who preached love instead of judgement and hate.
You do know that the Pope has OKed Priests blessing LBGTQ couples?
Not Marrying them, because for Roman and Orthodox Catholics the Sacrament of Marriage is different then Civil Marriages, although the sacramental has the same legal rights. But they are free and entitled to marry as that's the Law of the Land and enshrined by Congress. Not to be taken away.
Before Obergefell and the Federal law, LGBTQ couples had basically no rights as a couple, including inheritance. Too many had a partner die and then the family come in and take everything from the survivor.
And good chance they were "Good Christians" - at least in their eyes....
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Russel A. Kester
Pastor Jody, a wonderful post. I appreciated your thoughts on how the belief of "sola scriptura" impacts protestant thinking and, hence, practice. I'm currently reading a book on Catholic theology which expresses the belief in "et-et" which I loosely understand as both/and; giving primacy to one or the other respectively. Usually it means scripture as well as tradition. Both have a significant role in Catholic theology. Perhaps it is this flexibility of thinking which has allowed the Catholic Church to find compassion where fundamentalist protestant churches sill struggle.
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Roxanna Rowe
Pastor Jody, I agree with your post. We are here to embrace our physical journey and help others as we are guided into their presence. Jesus wants us to love each other, be happy together, work as one, and love another as we would ourselves. I have a son who chooses to have an alternative lifestyle and a brother as well. I still love them. I love and adore my son's husband; they are good people. I have always said that I am not here to judge; your judging will be when you meet your God, in whatever form that means to you.
Blessings, Roxy Rowe
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Todd Leslie Miller
People who claim to be Christians and claim that discrimination against the LGBTQ community is Biblical need to read John Chapter 8 in the Bible and see how Jesus handled the issue of stoning an adulterous woman. In my humble opinion, so called Christians use the Bible to make themselves superior beings compared to others.
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Thomas P. Davis
That same Jesus in the bible that preached love and not hate, that same Jesus in the bible that said He did not come into this world to condemn the world, also preached go and sin no more.
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Evone Payton Banks (Minister non denominational)
Based on the highlight of his words. Why wouldn't you attend a gay wedding.. it should be just wedding. If you love someone you show up
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John Thomas Porzondek
Elegant and simple human response. You don't want to be one of the No-Shows at the Wedding at Canna'.
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Christopher Lee Campbell
Odd that a religious broadcaster with "Family" in its name would prefer that the pastor instruct a grandmother to shun her own family. Perhaps the administrators who made the decision have attained perfection in their own lives and thus can conform to the dictum about who is entitled to throw stones. But I doubt it. I am always surprised by people who call themselves Christians but ignore the teachings of the person for whom their religion is named, a person who taught charity, compassion, and tolerance. The AFA version of religion is little more than a strange and obsessive cult.
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Joy
This is why I am glad I left the "Christian" Church decades ago. As a whole, they really do not understand what Jesus came here for. It has been perverted into a greater control mechanism than it was in the 300's. Sure, there are plenty of honest, loving, people who do love their faith and are not judgmental, and I admire greatly for their display of faith. But the loud voices of the "Church" are what is heard the most. I do believe in a higher power. Just not this one that would rather a grandmother not attend her gay grandchild's wedding. That is not love. That is not the message of Christ I was taught as a youngling.
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Catherine
1) So far it appears Pastor Begg was dropped by one station, leaving 1,799 stations still airing 'Truth For Life'. Why does this merit a fuss?
2) Painfully iffy, therefore highly questionable reasoning: “You could be culpable in God’s eyes if those people go to Hell”. (AFA leadership)
3) Pastor Begg sounds like a christian I wouldn't mind talking with.
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CJC
Catherine 1. Did you read the article? From the first sentence: "dropped from a Christian radio network " Reading Is Fundamental... Perhaps it was edited after you read it.
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ServantOfJudgement
Oh yes you would.
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Michael Benjamin Roberts
Matthew 7: 1-3
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Robert Hauck, MD, FAAP
What is vitally important here, the loving relationship between Grandmother and Grandson? or disagreement over the Grandson's choice? As someone earlier said, "love the sinner, hate the sin." And the Grandson's moral code must not consider his marriage a sin ---- maybe he doesn't even label behaviors as "sins." By shunning a family wedding Grandmother is at risk of jeopardizing her loving relationships with not only her Grandson but also other family members.
And here's where contemporary Christianity doesn't follow Christ's examples and gets it all wrong. In the eyes of Christianity who needs Christian love more than anyone else?? Clearly it's those that Christians consider sinners. Inclusion and forgiving should be the Christian mantra, not rejection and condemnation. That message is plainly spelled out in Christ's examples in the New Testament. Hint, hint: maybe we should stop reading the hateful, revengeful Old Testament???
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Thomas P. Davis
Maybe the some of the people in the Old Testament were hateful, but the same God of love was there too. He is not a respecter of persons, From Adam to this day He has treated all the same. Remember most of the New Testament is direct quotes from the old. The book of Revelation has like 404 verses and like 287 are quotes from the Old.
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Gerard Anthony Ritchie
Ah, the old 'unbiblical' excuse. Loved by so-called fundamental Christians, particularly those that identify as evangelical, as it provides maximum wriggle room to justify any position. We all know that you can rummage around in the bible and pluck a quote out, usually in isolation and out of context, to back-up whatever biased view you hold. And, of course, if it's a bible issue then it is apparently incontestable. After all the bible is 'the word of God', apparently. It's about control. Nothing else.
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Matthew Mastrogiovanni
When you work for a hate group, you need to expect this to happen. What would Jesus say?
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Kevin Oconnell
We all stand before our creator one day, there to confess our sins to him and him only. Who are we to judge, I go to place all throughout my city, there's straights and gays everywhere, I know this and sometimes not knowing this, I won't be shakened by others life style, I'm there representing the light of the world, if by chance my presence being there has help someone to Jesus than my journey has been awarded, if not ! I'll shake the dust off my clothes and move on to others. Oh ! You hypocrite judge thee the log in your eye first before you judge others
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Tanya Keller
This is an example of why I take issue with organized religion. When I was a child, I went to Sunday School and was taught "God is Love" & "Jesus loves everyone"...but most importantly "God is the one to judge". Then I get older and am told that there are now exceptions, "Jesus loves everyone, EXCEPT 'insert whatever the religions want here'. Why do organized religions feel they are better than their maker and judge people? In my opinion, let people live their lives as they see fit and love and support everyone. I can't imagine if you are a good person with a good heart and good intentions that God would turn you away because you went to a transgender or gay wedding. I think it is sad that the grandmother felt she even needed to ask this question.
I agree that the employer probably had the right to fire the person for not performing their job as the employer wanted, but that is a different issue when professional behavior and spiritual beliefs collide. A topic for another day.
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Bridget Kielas-Fecyk
Honestly, it should be 100% illegal to fire someone over supporting a human right. If Men and Women can get married, then men and men can get married, women and women can get married, and, in all honesty, anyone over the age of 18 should be able to marry whomever they want that's over the age of 18. They're all consenting adults, there should be no limitations what so ever as long as they're all over the age of 18.
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Thomas P. Davis
Not agreeing or disagreeing with your statement, but that would upset our good neighbors next door. She was 15 when she married her 17-year-old husband and they had three children, one boy and two girls.
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
Alistair Begg was not fired for supporting a human right. He was fired for putting forth a position that went against the doctrine of the bible and the station's foundational belief based on that Bible. They had every right to release him from that time slot, just as Begg had every right to have a different - albeit, erroneous - interpretation of the situation. Being that they are both considered "called" to teach/educate, they will both be held to a higher accounting for it. I'm sure both feel they are right, but at the end of the day, we as "Christians" are supposed to read the bible and pray for the truth, not the facts of a secular worldview.
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Daniel Gray
He understood what his employer required of him and he chose to ignore it. So he has no one to blame but himself when his show is not longer allowed on that channel. Now if he believes strongly in this then he is more then welcome and free to take his channel to Sirus and start his own channel to put this show on.
I dont care who you are or where you work, you break the rules of your employer and you get fired, its a done deal. I have seen many a person in the military break the rules and get thrown out. And when they tried to appeal it the courts told them the same thing. I have seen many people at Union shops break the rules and get fired. For instance I personally know of a former worker who took in 3 bottles of Vodka a week into an auto shop (thank God he didnt have anything to do with the autos assembly) and he made the mistake of telling one of the foremen that he was ticked because a person came back and found his vodka in the maintenance office and drank it. He was terminated on the spot. He tried to get the Union to get his job back and they just laughed at him.
You play stupid games and break the rules you win an account less trip to the front door and are told dont come back.
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Alexander Arends
The pastor was courageous by giving the advise he did. Now he pays the price. Some people are just not ready yet to accept what not too long ago was considered deviate behavior. I once belonged to a church that condemned you for eating out or going to a football game on Sunday, or play with Catholic kids. Time will heal.
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Paul Andrew Breda
Pastor Begg's advice is a step in the right direction, but doesn't go far enough. If you believe homosexuality to be a sin, and understand that Jesus ate with and cured "sinners," you have no moral grounds for not attending a family member's wedding. Add to that Jesus' admonitions about passing judgment (what a relief to not be expected to judge!) and you're left with live-and-let-live.
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Morgan Lewis Williams
I totally agree with you
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Donald G Magel
Jesus Christ is just too woke for many of today’s christians. We are ALL made in God’s image and deserve our care and understanding. Do not fear those who are different from how you see yourself. In case you forgot, gayness is not contagious.
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Audra
The conversation should have gone like this:
"Do you love your grandson?"
"Yes."
"Then go to his wedding."
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Alun Lloyd Palmer
What happened to turning the other cheek?
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BS. Turning the other cheek gets you slapped on both cheeks. Jesus didn't say, "Be everyone's door mat."
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Rev. B
Not to mention "Judge not...".
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ServantOfJudgement
"Begg argued that refusing to attend would only reinforce stereotypes of Christians: That they are “judgmental, critical, unprepared to countenance anything.”
I'm surprised someone that's been at it so long hasn't realized stereotyping Christians is a foregone conclusion.
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RAYMOND BENITEZ
If you put 2 people of the same gender on a island all by themselves what would happen to their future. This is an example of what works and what does not with little to no words.
Secondly; one must follow the rules and regulation or find another place to live, work or play. Sad but true. My thoughts.
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Russel A. Kester
Raymond, if you put a man and a woman on an island by themselves it would force their children to be incestuous else the final end is the same, just one generation removed. There is some evidence that the third son born to a woman has a higher probability of being gay. I don't know how robust the evidence is to date. But there is some data to support natural ways of limiting population size.
"As resources are depleted, population growth rate slows and eventually stops."
https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/population-limiting-factors-17059572/#:~:text=As%20resources%20are%20depleted%2C%20population,that%20the%20environment%20can%20support.
So it does seem intuitive that nature has built in mechanisms to slow population growth. For primitive humans having gay members would not only help limit growth with limited resources but also help sustain the next generation with additional resources brought to the family.
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Rev Ned
Tattoos are just as bad as being LGBTQ+. Let’s kick all them tattooed anti-Christ supporters out too.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
That gets a pass. It’s become extremely popular. That’s all it takes to eliminate the ‘sin status’.
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Thomas P. Davis
I am not sure what you are trying to say here, but I think of what i have heard doctors say and people that have come out of that lifestyle have said. It is a red flag that they were molested as children. In their own words they said there cannot be a God, because if there was a God of love, He would never have permitted these things to happen.
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Russel A. Kester
Thomas, I fear you have been terribly misinformed about the causes of a person being either gay or lesbian. There are other resources which are much more robust in their data or scientific in their research.
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Thomas P. Davis
Me or you who knows whose data is accurate. It can't be that we are both correct, it could be that we are both wrong, or it could be that there is a little truth in both of them. The bottom line is that in this world we will never know. Now we have AI in the picture the problem will most likely get worse. To argue over it, only the devil comes up the winner. I was just trying to convey some empathy to a situation where some throw so much hate.
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Joy
OK, I did laugh at this. I have lots of tattoos!! Love you for this post!!
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ServantOfJudgement
I'm not sure where people get tattoos are against God's word though I know they say it. The old testament says no to tattoos of the dead but I believe that's Israelite specific. Also, the vast majority of old testament laws were made obsolete once Jesus demonstrated Man couldn't follow them.
5 bucks says Jesus wouldn't even raise an eyebrow over your tattoos Joy, if it matters to you. Ink up!
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Thomas P. Davis
Praise God that you were not affected that way, but it still doesn't change the fact from the medical community or those that were affected that way. Not sure why you added that God is against them, the Old Testament does refer to the cutting of the flesh. Most of the laws of the Old Testament were made by man. But God's moral law does not change, and Jesus demonstrated at the cross that they could be kept by man. He was fully man while on this earth, He continually said He could do nothing if it was not His father doing it in Him. Read 1 and 2 John at the references that state from His mouth, that man cannot sin if Jesus reigns in our heart. It is a lie that Satan has perpetrated for eons that no one can keep God's law. What earthly parent would tell his child to do something they knew they could not. When the God of the NT met these people and FORGAVE them, He also told them go and sin no more.
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
"Also, the vast majority of old testament laws were made obsolete once Jesus demonstrated Man couldn't follow them." Not correct. Jesus states in the NT, "I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it." Then, every law he points out, he expands on it, showing the law to be more than something written on rock, but on the heart. (Matt. 5:10-20)
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Thomas P. Davis
Jesus did show that man could follow them. He was fully human and demonstrated that they could be followed. He tells that in many verses in the NT. The devil would love people to believe that the power that he has to tempt is stronger than the power that God has to save. If so, Jesus would have lost at the cross.
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
Thomas, you've confused the context of the message. Jesus did not come to show that man could follow the law. He came to show that the law was impossible without HIM. Jesus made it clear that man's righteousness would have to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees in order for them to see the Father's Kingdom. Matt.5:20 For 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 That is why he expanded on the law, letting them - and us - know that it was the changing of the heart that was required, which fulfilled the law. Otherwise, a man would assume that he could "think" of murdering someone, but as long as he didn't actually do it, he was covered -he followed the law. Jesus makes it clear that this is not the case.
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Thomas P. Davis
Yes, I confused the meaning of the message, you are totally correct. Amen
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Well, well, well. The pastor gave some good advice and gets fired for it. Don’t know whether to love it or hate it.
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Nicholas J Page
I have said this on more than one occasion no one should be expressing their views on a couple s relationship whether gay or straight or whatever it's not an open topic.There are too people out there who for what ever reasons can't keep their opinions to them selves and to poke their noses into other peoples business
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David Arthur Lewis
Who Would Jesus Hate?
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Whom did his daddy kill? 10,000 first born male kids?
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ServantOfJudgement
Not sure if your numbers are right Anthony but I'll trust them.
When America freed her 4 million slaves she paid a price of 620,000 dead men. When God freed Egypts 1 million slaves she paid the 10,000 you claim. If I run the numbers through my free calculator app it comes back with America freeing 6.45 slaves per dead man. When God did it Egypt paid the life of one future slave master for every 100 freed slaves.
If we want to be upset with God for freeing slaves we should be upset with ourselves first and more. Somehow I doubt our black brethren would feel we made a mistake and I fully agree with them.
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Rolando Couce
Either you believe in your God and his rules or not stop making God more angry at us he is totally pissed off at us
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Thomas P. Davis
Speaking and thinking as a human He would be pissed off at us. Unfortunately, He says otherwise in scripture. He repeatedly says He is not willing that any should perish. He said that Hell was prepared for the evil angels, not us. Which one of use would offer their child to be tormented, persecuted, spit on, laughed at and nailed to the cross just so WE who love to sin, could obtain eternal life in heaven that only He deserves. He could have lost at the cross and been confined to this earth and never go back to where He came from. That is why the Devil tried so hard to get Him to sin. He had a lot to lose.
We need to realize that we all want basically the same thing in our lives, we just go about it differently. We need to remember our war is not with flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high places. Until we learn this, we will continue to help the devil in his agenda. Division, a divided house cannot stand.
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Good.
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Canadian Yankee
This has nothing to do with God. The man was hired to sell a point of view and failed to do that. Like any employee if you don't do the job you were hired to do you get the can.
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
I don't usually comment on these things, but this needs to be clarified. The Pastor did not and does not approve of such weddings. His advice to the grandmother was in order to make it easier for her to attend because of their relationship. The Pastor believed it to be an opportunity to show that even though the act of transgender marriage was wrong, she still loved him (Love the sinner, not the sin). He made it clear that had the situation been different, he wouldn't have given that advice. Here's the problem: Regardless of his feelings for or against transgender marriage, he had no business giving advice like that online. He based his advice on the few questions he asked about her spiritual faith walk, whether she believed the grandchild was wrong, whether the grandchild knew of her feelings, and then said, "In that case, go to the wedding and take a gift."
How could he have known of her faith walk based on those few questions, and what did her grandchild understand about her faith? The thing he should have done was listen to her question, empathize with her concerns, and then directed her to HER PASTOR, the person who would have had a better idea of not only the situation, but the level of the grandmother's faith. Him - or anyone online - giving serious advice like that, is equal to the YouTube doctor prescribing to someone he's never met in his office. IT'S JUST NOT DONE. Also, it's important to note that the original interview took place in September 2023, and the radio station had just learned of it(Clearly they need to have better listeners). Pastor Begg is a good man, but he was wrong in how and where he gave advice. Unfortunately, everyone on YouTube is focusing on the subject and paying little to no attention to ethics of such an error.
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Salmons Lee David
Why would you listen to anything the low life scum that run the church has to say. You are listening to one of the most evil and corrupt pos in the world. All that comes out of this scum mouth is lies. Avoid this worthless POS and never attend their evil church or give the worthless scum money. They always have their hands out wanting money or anything else the worthless pos can get by lying and screwing people.
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
Your anger does nothing to assist anyone in understanding your position.
Your statement provides no proof or evidence about who or what the Pastor or the radio station are, much less what they do for a living, and whether they do it with honest intention or deliberate deception.
I have no idea what your faith or belief system entails, but from what you've posted, I'd have a difficult time taking your word on this or any subject having to do with faith, the bible or God.
If you want to have a real discussion, I'm open for it, but what you've posted here, I'm just not interested in.
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Salmons Lee David
Not at all surprised. I grew up around these evil demented people. Church people are the most evil people in the world. They think they are better than others and if you don't agree with their bs you are throw out and treated like **** by the entire religious community. I hope all those evil pos burn in their so called hell forever evil pos. I hate Church people. They are the most worthless pos in the entire world. Total and complete evil.
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Ari Joseph Bertine
Their loss, I think. No other stations have had a problem with his very successful show, but if this one would prefer more fire and brimstone in their lineup, that's their prerogative. I doubt this affects the pastor all that much, it just makes the station look extremist. Some will enjoy that, others can ignore it. That's what the tuning dials/buttons are for.
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Paul C Moore
Such it is in the Christian world. Bashing Gays, Transgenders, and others. WWJD? I believe Jesus would welcome all people with open arms. Do I understand homosexuality, or Transgenderism? No, I do not. Some doctors say that a child being born Gay or Transgender has to do with a deficiency in the brain. See Dr. Joel Wallach on YouTube. He talks about Caitlyn Jenner and what made her transgender. Do I condone anal intercourse, no I do not. God the Father calls such behavior an abomination. But if you're a gay man, as Mrs Brown (who is a man dressed as a woman) says, you play sword fights with your willies. And I might add, enjoy oral sex, I don't see where God condemns that. He says a man shall not lay with a man as with a woman. If a man marries a transgender and that person has an operation, and there is no anal intercourse. I don't see where God has a problem with it. What God has a problem with is narrow minded people condemning others for things they do not understand. I'll finish with this: according to statistics, I read that 50% of Christian pastors and Christian men struggle with pornography. I struggled for many years with porn. I can tell you honestly, I believe pastors have viewed transgenders having sex, women having sex, men having sex. Back in the not too long ago day, I viewed some of that material as well. So, I don't see how a pastor can condemn someone else when they're doing the porn thing themselves? Kind of hypocritical don't you think? I thought Jesus didn't like hypocrites? Maybe instead of judging others we should adapt what is said in the Book of Proverbs. A fool is considered perceptive if he keeps his mouth shut.
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Jimmy Moon
The woman should not attend the wedding. She should state the reason why. It is sin. The Bible calls it that and GOD is never wrong.
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
I agree. What's baffling to me are the number of people who stand against something that Jesus himself not only said was wrong, but explained why.
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James Brown
If we can only associate with "like minded people" and not the world, how are we to spread God's love? At some point we go down the slippery slope of dealing only with those who are "worthy", well........ SPOILER ALERT..... none of us are!!
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Paul C Moore
Well said!
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
Interesting. The bible doesn't say we're to associate with only "like minded people." It says clearly to go out and share the gospel message. From the moment Jesus went back into the clouds, this conversation of how we are to spread God's love has been in the forefront.
Paul, in his letters told us how we are to treat each other, both inside and outside the church walls. But, MAN manipulated and restructured that truth the same way he does everything else in the world, to fit his own agenda. That's why Jesus pointed out the hypocritical lives of the Pharisees, and challenged the rich man to give up all he owned before following him. Because MAN STINKS. PERIOD. LOL
Fortunately, for every generation that's introduced to the truth, there will be those who will recognize that everyone gets to choose either life or death, and act accordingly. But that decision requires taking ones eyes off the way the world interprets, and looking to the way God wants us to see it.
People keep saying, "WWJD?" when the real saying should be, "What Would Jesus HAVE US Do?"
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Thomas J Alderson
After 28 years in the military and being a Christian, I learned that you need to meet people where they are in life and not try to only influence them with demand and rhetoric alone. I'm not saying not to be firm, but influence them to the direction you want them to go. Some want to know why all the time, explain and teach.
Jesus met people were they were, a tax collector, a fisherman, and other people along his way. We should do the same. Meet them where they are and try to influence them to where we know they will be in a better place. Maybe they never get to where we want them to be, but they can be in a better place.
Finally build bridges not burn them down.
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
Okay, meet people where they are, and not demand, coerce or use rhetoric alone. I'm totally with you on that. Influence is great, but sometimes that influence requires taking a stand. The problem is, so many people feel like taking a stand requires them to become obnoxious, mean and unbending, and I've seen enough of that kind of corrupted Christian love to make me sick of the whole thing.
Yeah, Christians need to learn how to love their fellow man better, and to do it with respect, without compromising their own values or beliefs. That's why I think Begg was wrong to tell the grandmother to attend. It compromised her faith, and Begg has to deal with that.
Sometimes bridges get burned. It's the Christian's responsibility to make sure he's not the one carrying the matches.
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Geoffrey C. Olive
Stupid xtian nonsense!👎💩
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Steven Ferrell
You can love someone without supporting a sinful lifestyle. Jesus cared for the sinner as is proof in the woman who was going to be stoned. But let us remember what he did after the accusers left. He told the woman to go and SIN NO MORE.
I have a grandchild who says they are transgender. I love my grandchild, but do not support it. Out of respect I don’t use the birth name, but also do not use the name they want used. I use a nickname the kid is commonly called.
I don’t use birth pronouns, but by same token don’t use the opposite pronouns.
For a couple years the child wouldn’t talk to me, but as the child reached 20 years old and had been away at school and learning more of the real world, got a very touching email saying they know not everyone will accept or agree with it because of age, background or beliefs and saying how I had always been their biggest supporter of the field they are studying.
For the last two years now we have been very close and text often as they live near LA and I close to Detroit, so don’t get to see each other very often.
Do you can show love without supporting sin.-
Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
That's an amazing story, and I experienced something similar in my life. I was torn by the decision that I would either bend to my child's will (he was into drugs), or stand firm, let him know I loved him, but would not cater to or affirm his decision to continue destroying his life. We didn't talk for 10 years. It took me eight of those years to not feel sad during the holidays when he wouldn't call, write or even send a card.
I finally had to recognize that God was right. The day would come that family member would stand against family member. Daughter against mother; son against father, etc., He didn't say what would separate or break the bond. He said it would happen. That was the day I just gave his life to God, and resolved to not get in the way of whatever was being done in his life.
That was fifteen years ago. He's off drugs, married and has a child. He doesn't go to church, but he calls, asks for advice and from time to time prayer. I don't know what God has in store for him. I only know he's on the right path, and that's a good thing.
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Peggy Tallent
If you are saved, Jesus spirit lives inside you. The grandmother should listen to what the Holy spirit is telling her, He is after all her helper. Jesus told the disciples before he ascended to His father, that he was leaving us a helper, the Holy Spirit leads and guides us. What would it serve if the grandmother did not go? I don' t know her age, but then she may never see her grandson again. If she is trying to stand on her beliefs, then do so, if they line up with the word of God, she could leave a memory with her grandson that may lead him to receive Jesus and follow him. You get more accomplished with speaking the truth to her grandson, out of love. This is not the time to pull her love away.
The word of God is truth and no one likes the truth. I know if you read in the word of God, he explains a reprobate mind, You can go to a point where God will not strive with man always and then turn you over to a reprobate mind. You are done. So any demonstration of standing up for what God says, they are going to do, what they are going to do. If God can't help them what makes you so sure you can. I am saying stand on God's word and what He says.
I don't know exactly why they fired that pastor, evidently they were going to and needed a reason, I would not want to be on a legalistic based talk show, that i could not talk and teach the word of God.
As for the jobless pastor, you are trying to be a man-pleaser, i write this because what he said," this kind of thinking is what is ruining the Christians and making them look bad". Listen we should not care what other people think for teaching the word of God and following His word. Second of all not all Christians are who they are, they need to turn around and line their minds up with their spirit, with the word of God, not legalism.
We all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. Jesus is the one who suffered and died, He is the focus here, not people. He is the one who paid for all sin. The cross is where we are always looking to. If it had not been for Jesus, our future would be devastating. We have never been worthy to receive salvation, and never would have, if it had not been for Jesus Christ , the son of God giving us this gift. He has died for all mankind, salvation is available for the couple that is getting married, it has been paid for and they can take their salvation. it will cost them some lifestyle changes. But one thing is for sure, He is coming back, read the last chapter to see how the book ends, but not our eternity with God, our father, Jesus Christ the son, the Holy Spirit, our help.
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
I have to be honest and say I didn't want to post on this topic because of the different views about God and Christ. But I'm so happy to see you and some of the others that recognize "Why we're here, and to whom we belong." :)
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Jodi
I’m no theologian but even a person with basic knowledge of Jesus would know even he would’ve attended that wedding. Jesus welcomed and broke bread with some of the worst sinners. How can loving someone and being kind be unbiblical? Are we not all sinners? Who are we to judge who is unworthy? I’m really saddened by the negative responses.
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(Father) Dave
“You could be culpable in God’s eyes if those people go to Hell,” AFA leadership stated.
I had to deal with a similar thing back in 2018. I was served with an ICN (infernal culpability notice) in May and was tied up in litigation purgatory until December before it was rescinded.
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Doc Michael Pepper
My step-sister married a man. He was a “regular” man who had always been a man. That’s good, right? Nope! He was a pagan, and it was a pagan wedding. Yet another Christian issue (a big one). Still, my mother attended the wedding. We’re family. That’s got to account for something too. (Although I think passages in the Bible put family at least second). My mother was concerned about the wedding, but she did her best. She called me before the wedding (I’m the more knowledgeable one about these things) and asked “Am I allowed to wear shoes?”
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Divine Laura White
As a mother of a LGBTQ+ daughter, there is no greater love I can give than acceptance of her choice. I would scream and curse something fierce in solidarity if necessary. What Jesus did for me? Well that is the tv show I lived for 56 years before my soul was ripped apart. Now I do see demons and they move negatively from mind to mind in these self righteous men who intend to populate the planet. I do know only this: I serve the God of love where there is only love. I live to love my life as we connected to the Source of all. Grand rising my beautiful tribe!
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Timothy C Stone
Nothing comes before my family, nothing.
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Farajallah Michael Yazbek
As a pastor, minister or lay person, we are bound by a certain set of teachings from Christ through the Apostles and subsequent church fathers. The Book Of Romans describes what we are to do when we encounter such behavior from those who would do the unnatural. We are to walk away and leave them to their ways. This does not say to not love them or teach them to follow Christ. It says to "leave them to their reprobate ways." So the host was wrong in his Christian teaching and advice. But he did it out of concern for the grandmother's love for her grandson. I would have told her to tell him that she respectfully cannot go against God's teachings, and therefore would not be attending, but that she still loves him and wishes him well. Even before I was ordained I have had the requests to attend same-sex and trans weddings. I always inform them that I cannot attend but to live in peace. I leave it at that, and when pressed for an answer, I simply tell them I have already made other commitments. Explaining at length is a waste of time because all I would be doing would be causing hate and animosity. I stand firm in non-committal answers and simply say I have other people depending on my attendance that day, and leave it at that.
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Farajallah Michael Yazbek
Oh, and I make it clear that every choice has consequences. I explain that we all have the choice to do what we will, but we are NEVER free from the consequences of our actions.
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Johanna Blanding-Koskinen
Comment removed by user.
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Rev. Donut
I tried to comment on the woman who had the decal on her car window. I do not have a China Tik Tok account.
The sticker is not illegal.
Nosey busybodies at the school should shut up. If they do not want to see what's on the channel, don't search for it and then open it.
I bet they did........more than once.
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Rev Ned
He just got fired for doing the Jesus Christian thing. Being a Muslim could’ve got him killed.
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Stephen Paul Cain
I thought Pastor Begg's response was pretty good, for a Christian...
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Rev Samantha Counihan
im not even christian and i think Beggs boss did wrong, judging others is wrong, its bigotry and hateful, LGBTQ has the same right to love
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Val Jester
AFA is not Allistair Begg’s employer. They carried a syndicated show of his. Pastor Bagg is an exceptional teacher and senior pastor for a rather large and prosperous church outside of Cleveland.
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Rev. Rory
Can the grandmother attend the wedding of a heterosexual grandchild if the wedding is civil and not religious? Can the grandmother attend the wedding of a grandchild if that grandchild is getting married to a person of a different religion? Can a grandmother decide for herself if she wishes to support her grandchild in their decisions about marriage - without asking a pastor if it's "okay"? Is a grandmother going to "go to hell" because she loves her grandchild, unconditionally? That said (or asked), a radio station can fire the pastor if they want to do so. I don't think it's illegal and it is consistent with the narrow scope of the religion itself. The radio pastor offered compassion and the religion itself is strict and unforgiving. So although I think that the radio station was within its rights to protect the "purity" of their beliefs, I question why those beliefs must result in cruelty towards those that don't share those beliefs.
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Jason Kennerly
It probably didn't help that his name was Alistair. Just saying.
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Stephen R Smith
My spouse who my belief is achan to Solomon simply said that in order to avoid some of the malcontent statements from people that would associate her with the couple should simply not go to the wedding but go to the reception and bring up gift there by promoting a halfway point without necessarily having to commit to a total approval
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Tracy Sue Farmer
When asked one time if I would allow “gays” in our church, I replied “ what makes you think we don’t already have gays in our church.?” Wouldn’t we rather have Everyone hear the Word and have the opportunity to know Jesus and His teachings? We as Christians are to lead by Christ’s examples.. so that include showing and giving that example to everyone, doesn’t it? Would you not preach to the atheist, would you not show compassion and counsel the addict? Everyone means everyone, doesn’t it
Pastor Begg offered sound, compassionate advice to the grandmother. Good for him and his humanity. His employer, American Family Radio, showed it's lack of wisdom as an employer. They had a pastor who'd been on the air for 12 years and clearly had a following. How are they reacting? What do they think? American Family Radio clearly doesn't understand what is really means to be a family; families don't excommunicate each other over personal choices and are there for them during important life rituals. People like those who operate the American Family Radio are just as wrong as woke progressive activists because both groups are fundamentalists in their respective religions and are intolerant, even vindictive and hateful, to those who believe or think differently. A+ for the pastor; F- for the employer.
Jesus Christ is just too woke for many of today’s christians. We are ALL made in God’s image and deserve our care and understanding. Do not fear those who are different from how you see yourself. In case you forgot, gayness is not contagious.
We are all children of God and God loves all of his children. I believe God does not care about our sex lives as long as we are consenting adults. The most important commandment, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34
I am sure that the bottom line for this decision had to do with what the radio station perceived as loss of income. As the bible says you cannot not serve God and mammon.
Yes, my thought was. 'it's about the money'.
Pastor Begg contradicts himself and that is where his "sound" advice falls apart.
" ‘Does your grandson understand that your belief in Jesus makes it such that you can’t countenance in any affirming way the choices that he has made in life?’
‘Yes.’
I said, ‘Well then, okay. As long as he knows that, then I suggest that you do go to the ceremony. And I suggest that you buy them a gift.’” "
If the grandson understands she "can't countenance in any affirming way" and she feels this way, then to go to the ceremony and especially to buy a gift are both affirming ways of supporting the union.
So it appears Begg is telling her to ignore what she believes and what both she and her grandson already know and understand. She should follow what she believes and not go and the grandson should follow what he believes and have the best day he can. No one imposes beliefs on the other.
Blessings to all,
White Owl
Well said.
Comparing a Christian radio station "values" to "woke progressive activists" ??? Apples and oranges. Being aware that that all people deserve privacy of their personal business and being able to love anyone without judgement is not "Fundamentalism". It's a basic human right. It has nothing to do with religion. AFC's comparison to helping an alcoholic kill themselves is also ridiculous. I hope you're never in the position to turn your back on a family member because of who they choose to love. That's an avenue to suicide for many GLBTQ adolescents and adults.