maycocksean
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
AEON said:People are not "homophobic" because they believe that God teaches that homsexual activity is a sin.
This is true. I held your own beliefs for a long time (in fact, despite all I've said, I'm not sure I still don't. As I said I'm in flux but it appears moving away from the position you hold). I didn't consider myself a homophobe then, and it's quite clear that you do not feel yourself as having "hatred" towards homosexuals. I've made all the same arguements you've presented. And I think it's important for other posters to understand how sincere you are when you say that you genuinely are not a homophobe.
But I wonder if you realize how casually those of us who are heterosexual conservative Christians treat this issue. We act as if, "hey, I struggle with sin too. I've got my sins." But I've come to realize that we have NO IDEA what a gay person is going through--especially one who wants to be a Christian and follow the Bible. As I already explained in my earlier post, you and I have a God-ordained outlet for the "natural desires" that we have. While we know we are sinners, born into sin, and all the rest, we can meet our basic, human needs in God-approved ways. Gays, according to you, can not. That is a huge statement. Huge. Not at all in the same category with you and I trying to not "lust in our hearts."
Irvine put it very well, I thought. We want to make homosexuality all about the sex act, but it's not. It's much, much more than that.
AEON said:I suggest that if you are really interested, do the research and come to your own conclusion...prayerfully. As I said before, without the Holy Spirit's guidance, it will be impossible to come to the conclusion that God intends.
You do realize that you're implying that if we research this issue prayerfully we will come to the same conclusion you have. Actually, I guess you're not implying it, you're saying it outright. The thing is I have been praying throughout this discussion. And I have been reading the Scriptures that have been mentioned. And so far. . .I'm not convinced.
AEON said:I did not join this debate with any illusion of winning.
Perhaps you should have tried to win. You might have taken a different, perhaps less smug-sounding approach. Right is on your side so who cares if people are hurt or offended, right? I do think it's possible to have a calm,objective discussion. But how it's approached determines whether the discussion stays calm and objective.
Again I respect your taking a stand for what you believe scripture teaches. If you are a Christian, what Scripture says cannot just be dismissed out of hand. It has to be considered. I just think you are either unaware or don't care about the impact of how that "standing up" is done.
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