Of Hate Crimes, Baby Fetishes, and Absolute Truth

Capturing the headlines and touching the heart-strings of many Americans was the massacre at the Pulse Night Club in Orlando early Sunday morning.  One lone gunman entered and began firing.  Forty-nine people were murdered and another fifty were wounded; at last report, six of those were in critical condition.  The gunman died in a shootout with the police.  The gunman was an Afghani whose father at one time had run for president of that country.  And, we also know that the gunman had pledged allegiance to ISIS before the attacks began. 

Immediately there were calls that this was a "hate crime" and not an act of terror.  Our President, when he addressed this massacre, used those terms "hate crime."  And, to a certain extent it was a horrific terrorist "hate crime."  Radical Islamists hate homosexuality.  In recent weeks I have seen a video of homosexuals with their hands tied behind their backs being thrown from roofs of buildings in Syria.  I have seen videos of homosexuals being burned alive.  And there have been reports of homosexuals being crucified by ISIS leaders.  So, a gay bar was not an unlikely target for this radicalized Islamist, but really a natural target. 

Yet, as terrible as was that terrorist act in Orlando, equally troubling, or at least it should be, is the continued slaughter that occurs every weekend in Chicago.  This past weekend, forty-four people were shot in Chicago with seven of those being fatalities.  Since January 1, the number of people who have been shot in Chicago number more than 1,650, with 282 of those victims dying.  That averages to more than ten people a day being shot in the city of Chicago.  Yet we hear little outcry over this continued slaughter on those streets.  Why is it that Americans get all up in arms when a gunman kills forty-nine people in a gay-bar, but those same Americans seem almost apathetic to the violence that is a daily occurrence within our nation's cities?  One is labeled an "act of terror" while the other is simply labeled, "gang violence."  Yet, are not both acts of terror?  Should not our President act with the same anger at the reports that come from his city Chicago as much as he did for those victims in Orlando? 

Friends, I am convinced that we will see a continuing escalation of violence in the coming days and weeks.  Our nation has become so divided that I am fearful of what might happen.  The media continually reminds us that there is a growing chasm between the "haves" and the "have-nots" and between the races.  Exacerbating this divide is the increasing tension exhibited by the "transgender" community over bathrooms and sports teams.  It would not take much of a spark to set off an explosion that would rock our nation.  I am so glad I am anchored in Jesus.  

And, just when you thought you had heard all that could possible be defined as "ridiculous," I read the following article posted at www.cbsnews.com/news/locals-up-in-arms-over-new-fetish-store-in-illinois-town.  This article was posted on June 9.  "A new business, a baby store for adults, is sparking outrage in suburban Mt. Prospect, Illinois, CBS Chicago reported.  Dozens of residents showed up at village hall Tuesday night, calling for the business to be shut down or moved.  However, officials said they had no legal basis to bar the business, Tykables, which includes features such as a seven-foot crib, an over-sized high chair and adult-sized playpen.  'Things for people to come and play, take pictures with.  Not everybody has access to a nursery,' the owner says in a YouTube video.  The owner of the store on Northwest Highway said the primary focus of the business is selling adult diapers for medical needs and for 'ABDL' or 'Adult Baby Diaper Lovers,' some with baby or sexual fetishes.  Residents, however, said what's going on inside the store has no place near schools and homes.  'It's hard for us to swallow in this community,' one concerned resident said at the village hall.  'He's getting his party go in there, and we're supposed to sit back and watch,' another resident complained.  The doors are locked at the store and customers can only enter by appointment.  White panels cover the windows, for privacy.  'They're not have sex with their diapers on, they're having people feed them and act like a baby,' explained one resident at the meeting.  'It's a business that many people find at best distasteful, but that is legal,' said a village official at the meeting.  The village is investigating whether the store owner lied on the business application.  However, the village attorney said civil rights laws may protect against any action against the business." 

I read this and could hardly believe it.  At first I want to laugh.  Then the laughter stopped and bewilderment set in.  Why would adults want to act like babies?  Why would a grown man want to play in a playpen?  Why would a grown woman want to sit in a high chair?  One wonders how far this will go?  Will McDonalds soon have to supply an "adult" playground?  Will the perversion never stop?  The answer is "absolutely not" because there is no absolute truth that will stop it.  When truth is denied, then perversion has no brakes.  It becomes more important for those of us who know The Truth that is rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ and a knowledge of His Word, to stand strongly for that Truth.  If we fail, then truly there is little hope.  We cannot fail!  We simply cannot!