UN battles over sex and rights

Much has been made of the Declaration on Human Rights and Sexual Orientation, which was tabled on December 18, 2008 at the United Nations. This declaration, which was sponsored by France, had the support of approximately 65 countries, including western and eastern European states, Latin America, the Central African Republic and Cuba.
Essentially, the declaration, a non-binding document, sought to expand the existing human rights concept to include 'sexual orientation'. What is less known is that a counter-declaration sponsored by Egypt and Uganda and supported by approximately 60 countries was presented to the United Nations at the same time. Support came from the Islamic countries, many African countries and St Lucia.

Serious concern
This declaration expressed serious concern at the "attempt to introduce to the United Nations, notions that have no legal foundation in any international human rights instrument".
Reference was made in the counter-declaration to Article 29 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms the right of member states to enact laws that meet "the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society".
Concern was also expressed over "the attempts to create 'new rights' or 'new standards' by misinterpreting the Universal Declaration and international treaties to include such notions that were never articulated nor agreed by the general membership".
Along with these 60 or so countries, Russia, Belarus and the Holy See also made statements critical to the French-led declaration.

PREMATURE CELEBRATIONS
To the best of the writer's knowledge, neither Jamaica, Singapore nor China signed either declaration, but one would expect in the event of a vote that they, too, would oppose the French declaration. What is clear is that there is currently no consensus within the United Nations on the matter of including 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' as 'human rights'. Celebrations are therefore somewhat premature.
The matter is a very contentious one which, if pursued, may very well harm the discourse and the implementation of those aspects of the human rights agenda which are universally accepted.
Sly manner
What is also of note is the very sly manner in which the French-led declaration uses the terms 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' interchangeably. In commenting on this interchange of terms, Dr Susan Yoshihara, of Catholic
Family and Human Rights Institute (New York) in her unpublished briefing paper, 'Nine problems with the EU's UN Declaration on Sexual Orientation', commented as follows:
" … the deliberate confusion in the declaration of the terms 'sexual orientation' and 'gender' would have implications for UN funding and reform, since plans are now well-advanced for a new "gender architecture."

Plans for gender office
According to Dr Yoshihara, plans are afoot to create a powerful gender office at the UN. This would be achieved by merging existing mechanisms to "form building blocks for the establishment of a Centre for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality". Dr Nafis Sadik, special advisor to the UN Secretary-General, has said that this office will act as 'a system watchdog' with the authority to set standards, enforce accountability, and intervene at all levels of decision-making from country to international.

Obviously, the power brokers at the United Nations are hell-bent on imposing a new version of human rights on the rest of the unwilling world. It is an attempt to assert the moral equivalence of all forms of sexual preferences and to harm moral and sound discernment, all in the name of 'human rights'. It is similar to baptising 'pork' as 'Arnold'.
As we commence 2009 with the intense struggle for survival that it promises to be, we must be vigilant and conscious of this aggressive threat to those good, tested and true values which we still cherish.

Shirley Richards is an attorney-at-law.

She uses every opportunity she gets to oppose anything that resembles LGBT rights and sexual orientation issues

Aren't christians supposed to be tolerant in their nature and walk with god??

My bisexual friend

Read this Tell Me Pastor letter and his response and decide for yourself if this man should be leading a church or even a herd of goats for that matter:

Dec 30, 2008 - The Star

Dear Pastor,

I am having some problems. I have been a Christian from a tender age and now that I am in my early 20s, I am still walking with the Lord. Some things have happened to me that I know in my heart are wrong.
A close friend who I grew up with and trust has changed. She has become bisexual. I am furious at her choice. I have encouraged her to stop because I know it is immoral in the sight of God. She told me that she has feelings for me. I was not shocked by her comments as I was told the same thing by a teacher when I was younger.

I prayed and fasted hoping that she would change her ways. She claims nothing is wrong. I had a conversation with my pastor about the situation and he advised me not to take her as a friend. He said it doesn't matter how many times I pray for her, if she is not ready to change, there is nothing I can do. I didn't want to give up on her as I believed she can change, having known her for so long.

I am not the type

I told her on several occasions that I would not be part of her lifestyle. She has often told me she would like to see my breasts and kiss me. I thought she would get the message that I am not the type of person she is.

One day, however, while hanging out at her place, we started to play around. I began to protest when I noticed that she was trying to hold me down. She held me to the point where I could not move. She began to squeeze my breasts really hard then fondle me. I began to do the same to her. We did not kiss or go any further.
Deep down I feel bad inside and this has begun to affect the way I think and function. I now stare into space and have become edgy. I dislike having female friends around me and don't like them touching me. My head hurts a lot and I think of committing suicide. I don't know what to do.

My fault

If I had listened to my heart, I would never go through what I am going through now. I blame myself. I don't have any feelings whatsoever for her or any female. I have decided not to be her friend anymore. It makes no sense at all to have persons around who can't respect me or my beliefs.

This is driving me crazy. Please give me your fatherly advice. I pray and fast that God will not close his door in my face and shut me out of His life. I need a closer and better relationship with my Creator.
J.B., Westmoreland, Jamaica

Dear J.B.,
The Bible says that one should shun the very appearance of evil. The Bible also says that one should walk circumspectly, not as fools, redeeming the time because the days are evil. When this girl told you that she is bisexual, you should have been on your guard and not be close to her anymore. Her behaviour and lifestyle displease the Lord. She is evil and you have to be careful not to associate yourself with her, because if you do, people would believe that you are just like her.

No one can help her

A Christian has to always bear in mind that his/her testimony is important. And so, if the world accuses him/her of doing something wrong and he/she is not guilty, he/she can still walk with his/her head high.

Your pastor was right. Unless this girl has a desire to change her lifestyle, no one can help her. That does not mean that you should not pray for her. But you should not put yourself in a situation where she can encourage you to do what is displeasing to the Lord.

I believe you are genuinely sorry for what you allowed to happen. You should not have gone to her home. Now you know you should not go back there. God knows your heart and He will forgive you for your indiscretion. Continue to pray until you feel totally delivered.
Pastor