coemgen said:
I wish the Christian community would reach out to the homosexual community, in a nonpolitical way (in true Christianity, not Right Wing "Christianity,") and love these people for being PEOPLE. Christ was known for hanging out with "sinners" (we all are) and I believe he'd hang out with them as well. However, this is one of those tough subjects to talk about.
I strongly believe that this is one of the truest things I have read. It is also the belief of the person the article is writing about. It is one of the central themes of his book, and I think it is a VERY valid point.
My problem is, there is an underlying goal set by him, and that is we love them so we can get closer to them and then convince them they can become un-gay. And that flies in the face of psychology and the damage that is done through this process.
The Bible is clear about homosexuality being a sin, but it's clear about hatred and judgement being sins too. We all have temptations in our lives or battles we have to fight. (I personally battle lust and judgement like the next person.) The Bible doesn't say homosexual feelings or thoughts are sins, it talks about homosexual activity — the lifestyle, not being right.
This is debatable as well. I would argue that the Bible is not clear on homosexuality, but that would be for another thread. What I agree with you on is that there are MANY things listed as sins in the bible. It is EASIER to target a homosexual as a sinner and publically use it to make yourself seem righteous.
I would say that I could quote Jesus' speaking about adultry to say that homosexual thoughts are indeed sin, since looking at a woman in lust is the equivalent of adultery according to Jesus.
Still, we aren't walking around raving about adultery. Talk about a sin that completely affects others in a family.
[Q](I know homosexuals who haven't come out of the "closet" who ended up marrying are excluded from this.) Granted, I only know a few homosexuals, but I've never heard one say, "Well, my mom is gay." You know? I'm not trying to be flippant here either. I do know that a lot of homosexuals come from abusive childhoods and maybe that alters which sex they're attracted to. [/Q]
My Aunt and her wife have been together longer than my parents 8 marriages. I have said in this forum, that having absolutely NO parental role models for how a marriage is supposed to work. I have my Aunt and my Aunt.
Their son, my cousin, was just married three years ago and is expecting his first child with his wife. Amazing that he did not turn out gay isn't it. Amazing that using my aunt as my role model I have now been married longer than 7 of my parents marriages.
If that IS the case, then the last thing they need is to feel judged even more. They need love, people! Yes, I may disagree with the homosexual lifestyle, but I'm NOT going to let my stance on that issue overshadow my love for them as a human. That's just me though. [/B]
And I think this is very wise. Great post.