How should we then live concerning gays?

[Gareb]

As a Christian and coming from a conservative fundamentalist streak I still wrestle with the question. If my neighbor is gay I am still going to be polite and respectful to him or her. I may be even rather friendly. I would not like it if his insurance cost and hospital visitation was different than mine. That said, I would have a hard time considering any relationship he might have as a marriage. Some persons mention some verses from the Law mentioning what on the face of it is about same sex sexual behavior. My concern is that there are a number of verses that speak about capital punishment. Some of those things would not be acceptable to even many conservative fundamentalist. Thinking about what Paul wrote I have concerns. It seems to me that many guys are not so terribly evil that God gave them over to homosexual feelings. Certainly not more so than many heterosexual persons.

So this leads me to the question. Just how should I, living in America in 2012 behave toward a gay person. How would you? If a gay person was being harassed, would you step in to stop it. I hope I would. Should gay persons be restricted to where they live and what jobs they can do? I think not. What do you say?

 

[Theofane]

How should we then live concerning gays?

As Jesus taught. Not necessarily as the Church teaches.

 

[Zaac]

As a Christian and coming from a conservative fundamentalist streak I still wrestle with the question. If my neighbor is gay I am still going to be polite and respectful to him or her. I may be even rather friendly. I would not like it if his insurance cost and hospital visitation was different than mine. That said, I would have a hard time considering any relationship he might have as a marriage. Some persons mention some verses from the Law mentioning what on the face of it is about same sex sexual behavior. My concern is that there are a number of verses that speak about capital punishment. Some of those things would not be acceptable to even many conservative fundamentalist. Thinking about what Paul wrote I have concerns. It seems to me that many guys are not so terribly evil that God gave them over to homosexual feelings. Certainly not more so than many heterosexual persons.

So this leads me to the question. Just how should I, living in America in 2012 behave toward a gay person. How would you? If a gay person was being harassed, would you step in to stop it. I hope I would. Should gay persons be restricted to where they live and what jobs they can do? I think not. What do you say?

We treat them with the love and respect that all are due. We however do not endorse or condone behavior that God says is sinful from the heterosexual or homosexual.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Treat them as you would treat all sinners, as you yourself would also want to be treated.

 

[Lovely Lane]

I wonder how would you expect 'them' to treat you? People think they are better than others, why so? Does being a Christian place one higher on the rung of social status of life?
Jerusalem was worst off in God's eyes than Sodom. And it wasn't homosexual behavior that caused Sodom's demise. And I couldn't find the word 'homosexual' in the bible, all I see is the word 'sodomite' used as pejorative several times. They use to use the word Corinthian as a pejorative in describing someone.

Sins of Sodom by Inge Anderson

 

[Zaac]

I wonder how would you expect 'them' to treat you? People think they are better than others, why so? Does being a Christian place one higher on the rung of social status of life?
Jerusalem was worst off in God's eyes than Sodom. And it wasn't homosexual behavior that caused Sodom's demise. And I couldn't find the word 'homosexual' in the bible, all I see is the word 'sodomite' used as pejorative several times. They use to use the word Corinthian as a pejorative in describing someone.

Sins of Sodom by Inge Anderson

The homosexual behavior was in there right along with everything else so folks need to stop trying to rewrite Biblical history and acting like homosexuality and the acts that accompany it didn't play a factor in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

 

[Yarddog]

So this leads me to the question. Just how should I, living in America in 2012 behave toward a gay person. How would you?

That's easy since I know quite a few gay women and a few gay men. I treat just as I treat everyone else.

If a gay person was being harassed, would you step in to stop it.

In a heart beat.

I hope I would. Should gay persons be restricted to where they live and what jobs they can do? I think not.

I agree with you, though I do think that there should be some occasions where a person could legally not hire a gay person.
IOW, a Church which had strict rules concerning gays should not be forced to hire them if it is their doctrine. Also, companies which deal with public sales may be able to exclude certain gays depending on their outward personalities. This may harm a companies ability to make money. In this case, a company can refuse to hire a heterosexual for this reason now.

 

[LantanaAnna]

I am not in a position to judge others, only to love and forgive during my time in mortality.

You will be forgiven as you forgave.

 

[Lovely Lane]

The homosexual behavior was in there right along with everything else so folks need to stop trying to rewrite Biblical history and acting like homosexuality and the acts that accompany it didn't play a factor in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

yeah right, it is always a re-write with you when faced with fact and use of brain and not prone to error of tradition from the pulpit. Sodom was destroyed because 10 righteous people were not to be found, as the story goes.
Do you know what a Sodom bed is?

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/8370#.T9VqXZiqbd4

 

[Grannie Annie]

One of my brothers is.... HOMOSEXUAL ....see, I've written the word in big letters and I'm not afraid to say it.... I... LOVE ... my brother very much...he's kind and gentle and loving. He's hadn't been in a "relationship" for over 20 yrs. But ALL of us have faults and sins...and that makes him no different from me.

 

[Zaac]

yeah right, it is always a re-write with you when faced with fact and use of brain and not prone to error of tradition from the pulpit.

What fact? The link you gave was nothing but a bunch of "I feels". Is that what passes for liberal fact?

Sodom was destroyed because 10 righteous people were not to be found, as the story goes.

And part of that unrighteousness was homosexuality just like all sorts of other sins were taking place.

Do you know what a Sodom bed is?

Is it mentioned in Scripture?

 

[Respecthelect]

If I commit adultery, I'm ashamed. I don't run around claiming some sort of "right" to commit adultery. I don't insist I'm equal to everyone else and "deserve" to continue my evil ways. I don't claim that because we are both consenting adults, we should be free to do anything we want.

I am ashamed. I shut my mouth. I try to hide it. I don't want others to participate in that lifestyle. I am literally happy God (or anyone else) hasn't struck me down, because I know it's wrong. I know it's wrong and act appropriately.

This is what I expect from gays. They are wrong. They should be ashamed, not out claiming rights and recruiting others.

.

 

[Lovely Lane]

If I commit adultery, I'm ashamed. I don't run around claiming some sort of "right" to commit adultery. I don't insist I'm equal to everyone else and "deserve" to continue my evil ways. I don't claim that because we are both consenting adults, we should be free to do anything we want.

I am ashamed. I shut my mouth. I try to hide it. I don't want others to participate in that lifestyle. I am literally happy God (or anyone else) hasn't struck me down, because I know it's wrong. I know it's wrong and act appropriately.

This is what I expect from gays. They are wrong. They should be ashamed, not out claiming rights and recruiting others.

.

I'm glad you are not king or dictator of a small tropical island, but here in the USA we have a old paper we call Constitution. Read it sometime, people have died to protect it, even gay's.

 

[Lovely Lane]

What fact? The link you gave was nothing but a bunch of "I feels". Is that what passes for liberal fact?



And part of that unrighteousness was homosexuality just like all sorts of other sins were taking place.



Is it mentioned in Scripture?

Just wanted to prove you haven't absolute truth.

 

[Zaac]

Just wanted to prove you haven't absolute truth.

Well like in most things on this board, you failed miserably. As I said, you and your liberal brethren may not have absolute truth, but I do.


Absolute truth comes from God so you ain't proven nada.

 

[Lovely Lane]

Well like in most things on this board, you failed miserably. As I said, you and your liberal brethren may not have absolute truth, but I do.

right, and it worries you so much.

Absolute truth comes from God so you ain't proven nada

That what they say, and you haven't received it. Nice try.

 

[Zaac]

right, and it worries you so much.

Doesn't worry me. I just correct it with God's truth and press on wheres you and the fellow liberals start linking to a bunch of "I feel" articles.

That what they say, and you haven't received it. Nice try.

Nice try but God doesn't need help in saying what He says. So you cn keep what THEY say. I'll stand on God's word.

 

[Respecthelect]

What does shame have to do with the constitution? Did I say "lock them up?" Did I say to use government in any way shape or form? No. I said they should feel moral shame and we should support them in their shame by agreeing gay behavior is shameful. In this way, we would be supporting their path back to healthiness, cleanliness and Godliness.

We'd also be helping ourselves by not getting caught in Sodom when God decides to drop the hammer. There's nothing the Sodomites feared more than moral judgement. They didn't fear government or the law, they feared judgement on the faces of the angels. We can be with the angels or with the demons. We can try to justify gay behavior or we can stand with the angels and say it's wrong.

When Jesus said don't judge, he meant don't commit violence by throwing stones. He didn't mean, "any sort of evil is permissible." We make judgements about right and wrong every day. We teach our children right from wrong. Each lesson is a lesson in judgement.

Gay behavior is wrong and I think Christian's are hiding behind Jesus' "don't judge" provision to create an evil environment. It's perfectly acceptable to call evil, "evil." I hear plenty of gay supporters on this forum, supporters of evil. But, not many willing to say gay behavior is evil? Can I get good Christian's to weigh in? Not to persecute, not to use the power of government, but just to agree God doesn't like gay behavior and we shouldn't either?

Because I don't think we can fix the issue until there's agreement that it's wrong. Look, our country is fat and getting fatter. Some think it's a public health crisis. Many think it may be due to antibiotics in farm animals. Others think it's due to corn syrup. Whatever the cause, scientists are investigating, we are seeking a cure. It may be the same with gayness? What if antibiotics are increasing the gayness in our children? It's OK to search for a solution to fatness, but not a solution to gayness?

The start is to agree gay behavior is wrong, the same as gluttony is wrong. Only then can we have an open mind to clean it up. To look for environmental or food supply issues. If we don't agree it's wrong, we can't agree to even look for solutions?

.

 

[DesertScroll]

What does shame have to do with the constitution? Did I say "lock them up?" Did I say to use government in any way shape or form? No. I said they should feel moral shame and we should support them in their shame by agreeing gay behavior is shameful. In this way, we would be supporting their path back to healthiness, cleanliness and Godliness.

We'd also be helping ourselves by not getting caught in Sodom when God decides to drop the hammer. There's nothing the Sodomites feared more than moral judgement. They didn't fear government or the law, they feared judgement on the faces of the angels. We can be with the angels or with the demons. We can try to justify gay behavior or we can stand with the angels and say it's wrong.

When Jesus said don't judge, he meant don't commit violence by throwing stones. He didn't mean, "any sort of evil is permissible." We make judgements about right and wrong every day. We teach our children right from wrong. Each lesson is a lesson in judgement.

Gay behavior is wrong and I think Christian's are hiding behind Jesus' "don't judge" provision to create an evil environment. It's perfectly acceptable to call evil, "evil." I hear plenty of gay supporters on this forum, supporters of evil. But, not many willing to say gay behavior is evil? Can I get good Christian's to weigh in? Not to persecute, not to use the power of government, but just to agree God doesn't like gay behavior and we shouldn't either?

Because I don't think we can fix the issue until there's agreement that it's wrong. Look, our country is fat and getting fatter. Some think it's a public health crisis. Many think it may be due to antibiotics in farm animals. Others think it's due to corn syrup. Whatever the cause, scientists are investigating, we are seeking a cure. It may be the same with gayness? What if antibiotics are increasing the gayness in our children? It's OK to search for a solution to fatness, but not a solution to gayness?

The start is to agree gay behavior is wrong, the same as gluttony is wrong. Only then can we have an open mind to clean it up. To look for environmental or food supply issues. If we don't agree it's wrong, we can't agree to even look for solutions?

.

Good post.

Jesus didn't come to judge the world, but to save it (John 12:47).

Not following Jesus' words means you are judged already (John 3:18-21).

Being saved means Christ has judged in your favor:
"And Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." John 9:39.

Judgment has not happened yet, but what is happening now will be what one is judged upon. Not speaking towards what one will be judged upon is not preaching the Christian message.
----

I'm glad you are not king or dictator of a small tropical island, but here in the USA we have a old paper we call Constitution. Read it sometime, people have died to protect it, even gay's.

Christains are supposed to point to the scriptures, not a Gentile government (2 Tim 3:16). That's like pointing to Caesar for what is good and evil.

"If Caesar says it is ok, then it must be!"

If the scriptures are truth and you point away from them... your not pointing at truth. Quit pointing to that which is not truth.

 

[Theofane]

I am not in a position to judge others, only to love and forgive during my time in mortality.

You will be forgiven as you forgave.

What a great response!