Change in CF rules

[hedrick]

Please see the discussion at http://www.christianforums.com/thre...omosexuality-same-sex-marriage.7907181/page-2. It appears that it is now legitimate to say that Scripture does not condemn homosexuals. The policy manager seem to agree with me that since the Statement of Purpose for this group says that we accept homosexuality, no vote is required for this group.

Whether we actually want to have that discussion here is less clear. The danger of non-members of the group turning it into a mess is pretty high.

 

[Sojourner1]

Just jumping in here to make a comment. We will still have a poll for this forum, although we fully expect that the majority of members here will vote yes for open discussion. Non-members may not debate in your forum, they can only post in fellowship, so there shouldn't be too much of a mess in here. There may be liberal members who do debate in opposition, but if they are member of your forum that would be okay.

 

[Marius27]

Please see the discussion at http://www.christianforums.com/thre...omosexuality-same-sex-marriage.7907181/page-2. It appears that it is now legitimate to say that Scripture does not condemn homosexuals. The policy manager seem to agree with me that since the Statement of Purpose for this group says that we accept homosexuality, no vote is required for this group.

Whether we actually want to have that discussion here is less clear. The danger of non-members of the group turning it into a mess is pretty high.

I would like to have a discussion open here. We have conservatives jumping in bashing gays now as it is. I don't think we shouldn't be allowed to discuss up because they wish to cause trouble.

I do find this boards stance on the issue very sad and frustrating. This isn't a Fundamentalist only board, so I'm not sure why we're catering to them. I do strongly object to them allowing people to help others "overcome" their same-sex attractions in Struggles with Sexuality. The fact that conversion therapy is a failure and dangerous according to pretty much every medical and psychological organization should be enough to dissuade them from allowing it on this board. Wonder what the ramifications are for this board if somebody struggling with SSA is given horrible advice by the conservatives here and end up killing themselves over the damage.

 

[SnowyMacie]

I think staff should go see who voted to weed out people voting who are not members of the specific faith group. Whenever this does come to vote, I need to be re-added to the member list if that is the case.

 

[hedrick]

The latest announcement says that no vote is needed.

 

[Sojourner1]

The Statement of Purpose for this forum has been updated.

 

[Ada Lovelace]

I would like to have a discussion open here. We have conservatives jumping in bashing gays now as it is. I don't think we shouldn't be allowed to discuss up because they wish to cause trouble.

I do find this boards stance on the issue very sad and frustrating. This isn't a Fundamentalist only board, so I'm not sure why we're catering to them. I do strongly object to them allowing people to help others "overcome" their same-sex attractions in Struggles with Sexuality. The fact that conversion therapy is a failure and dangerous according to pretty much every medical and psychological organization should be enough to dissuade them from allowing it on this board. Wonder what the ramifications are for this board if somebody struggling with SSA is given horrible advice by the conservatives here and end up killing themselves over the damage.

I agree.

I feel like discussions here have been unbalanced and unfair because those who are fervently opposed to homosexuality are permitted to provide their scriptural reasons for their stance, and even to display a hostile, combative, derisive, and sometimes hateful attitudes, but those of us who accept homosexuality and believe there are Biblical justifications for it have our hands tied due to the rules. I've read many posts where people haughtily write that they believe in the Bible, and so therefore they reject gays as an abomination, with the implication being that those of us who feel differently don't hold the Bible as sacred and revere it as deeply as they do. I accept gay people because I believe Christ would. I took two classes last year to study the Bible more in depth - one at my church and another at my college - and feel like there's been a mistranslation and misunderstanding of scriptures pertaining to homosexuality. It's been frustrating that I've been limited in my ability to actually write out an explanation due to the fear that it will be construed as "promotion" of homosexuality. That rule is actually the one that I have the most problem with on CF.

This sweet teenage guy sent me a PM back in the spring about how he was gay and was leaving here because of the aggressively inhospitable, intolerant, and hurtful attitudes of Christians here. He was responding to a post I'd written about how I am accepting of gay people and how it had been meaningful to him. I think it's really sad that CF has driven away kids like him who are seeking out community with fellow Christians. They shouldn't be ostracized or demeaned. It would be nice if this section was at least a safe haven. I have never and will never post in the Fundamentalist section here, and I don't see why those who reject what Liberal Christians believe need to cause rancor and disrupt the peace in this section.

 

[SuziTiri]

I'm glad no vote is needed on this forum i hope this is all progress. It will be nice not having to walk on egg shells as much anymore.

 

[justhere1]

It's a step in the right direction at least. I just wish they would change the forums format back to the original (even the "near-original" format strains my eyes).

 

[DaisyDay]

There should be at least one safe forum for gay Christians here.

 

[XtianAgain]

Move in a positive direction. For a long time I've felt like LGBT Christians are marginalized here. Bothered me greatly. Wanted everyone to be able to participate in this great forum.

 

[Marius27]

Move in a positive direction. For a long time I've felt like LGBT Christians are marginalized here. Bothered me greatly. Wanted everyone to be able to participate in this great forum.

Overall, LGBT are still very marginalized here if you look at most other forums voting on this. Lots of venom and condemnation being thrown out.

 

[Radicchio]

Unfortunately for many I don't think attitudes are going to change anytime soon. Hopefully, with at least what appears to be somewhat less restrictive rules LGBT members may be encouraged to post more frequently, knowing that at least there are some understanding forum members.

 

[Ada Lovelace]

I'm hopeful this section can become a haven where everyone is genuinely welcome.

Being on Christian Forums and encountering some of the haughty and hostile attitudes towards gay people (and many others who do not agree wholly with their particular dogma) has made me abundantly grateful to have grown up in a family and attending churches where we're taught to love everyone as Jesus does.

 

[Marius27]

Unfortunately for many I don't think attitudes are going to change anytime soon. Hopefully, with at least what appears to be somewhat less restrictive rules LGBT members may be encouraged to post more frequently, knowing that at least there are some understanding forum members.

I always wonder why God allows them to use the Bible to treat people with such hatred and disdain. Makes me question inspiration.

 

[AmericanChristian91]

Makes me question inspiration.

I think one needs to know that God inspiring the Bible does not mean the Bible is perfect and never has any kind of flaws. God does allow the time/culture/knowledge of the time, and the writers free will, to influence what is put into the bible. Makes since to some degree why the Bible isn't perfect because it was written by flawed human beings. Still even with all the issues the Bible has, I still believe God inspired it and uses it for good, even though there are dark parts within it and people have used the bible to justify evil. I see it similar to Christianity throughout time. Christians are flawed (duh), and history is full of examples of Christians treating other types of Christians horribly or simply people of other beliefs. Christians have also justified evil in the name of God's will. All that "dirt" however, doesn't mean God isn't using believers to do good around the world and spread the good news.

If I believe God can still use Christianity for doing his will, even though Christians have.....tortured/burned, enslaved, murdered, and promoted sexism, shown racism, throughout time, then I believe God can still use his imperfect children to do good, even with the horrible treatment some Christians show towards LGBT people.

 

[Marius27]

I think one needs to know that God inspiring the Bible does not mean the Bible is perfect and never has any kind of flaws.

Well, obviously that depends on who you're talking about. Those who use the Bible to hurt gays do in fact believe it's flawless.

God does allow the time/culture/knowledge of the time, and the writers free will, to influence what is put into the bible. Makes since to some degree why the Bible isn't perfect because it was written by flawed human beings. Still even with all the issues the Bible has, I still believe God inspired it and uses it for good, even though there are dark parts within it and people have used the bible to justify evil. I see it similar to Christianity throughout time. Christians are flawed (duh), and history is full of examples of Christians treating other types of Christians horribly or simply people of other beliefs. Christians have also justified evil in the name of God's will. All that "dirt" however, doesn't mean God isn't using believers to do good around the world and spread the good news.

What do you think his stance is on this issue? Does he support those verses being used against gays to show them how sinful and evil they are? Is he angry with all the conservatives treat gays with such disdain and causing them extreme suffering and death?

I guess this could just be another witch trial. People butchered the Bible to justify burning women for witchcraft, just like they're butchering the Bible to hurt gays.

 

[AceHero]

It's a step in the right direction at least. I just wish they would change the forums format back to the original (even the "near-original" format strains my eyes).

I kinda like the new "Original CF" look. It's certainly better than the alternative—I had been away for months and when I logged in my eyes were in for a huge surprise! I mostly just dislike the fact that not all of the "Old CF Smilies" were carried over to the new format.

Unfortunately for many I don't think attitudes are going to change anytime soon. Hopefully, with at least what appears to be somewhat less restrictive rules LGBT members may be encouraged to post more frequently, knowing that at least there are some understanding forum members.

I always wonder why God allows them to use the Bible to treat people with such hatred and disdain. Makes me question inspiration.

I've become more angry with that as of late, especially regarding the whole Kim Davis debacle. It incenses me how people use the name of Jesus to legitimize their own hatred. No doubt it's caused people to stray from Christianity and kept seekers from exploring the faith.

 

[AmericanChristian91]

What do you think his stance is on this issue?

I agree with the belief that the homosexuality orientation in of itself is not sinful. When it comes to the question of whether or not God is ok with loving same sex couples.....well im not sure these days. I was raised in a very conservative world. Since then some views of mine have changed, others have stayed the same. These days I have no concrete belief on whether or not God is ok with same sex relationships. I do realize though that the biblical writers lacked our modern view of various sexual orientations, and no word called homosexual existed in those days (I think the word first appeared in the 19th century). I don't think they knew that there were people that did not experience any attraction to the opposite sex. Perhaps they saw those in a same sex relationship, as going against their natural desires (that being the opposite sex).

 

[Marius27]

I was also curious on your view of how God views all those opposing gays and SSM. The conservative Christians calling gays abominations, evil, grave sinners, deviants, etc. They all act like they're following God's word. Makes you wonder if he agrees or if he's angry with them for the suffering they're causing.

Interestingly, recent study into Jesus' mention of Eunuchs in Matthew 19 makes me think he might have actually mentioned people like gays as being born that way.