The other thread with this title went nowhere. It wasn't exactly de-railed, but too many people missed the point of TheFathersDaughter's question. Because she phrased it as an "Imagine that..." question and too many people here cannot imagine a world without the Bible.
So, with TheFathersDaughter's permission, I'd like to change the question a little to eliminate that "Imagine that..." aspect.
We know that you believe that the Bible tells you that homosexuality is evil. But why is it evil? Does the Bible explain what is wrong with it? Can you explain the harm it does to society?
Some things to consider:
"God says so, and He does not have to give us a reason," may be a valid answer for your personal life, but it is not valid in this thread for two reasons. 1) that answer is not helpful in convincing sceptics in this thread and 2) although God does not have to give us reasons, He usually does because He wants us to become His sons and daughters, not mindless slaves.
A few people answering the previous thread understood the question in the spirit in which it was meant. They gave thoughtful responses, which mostly fell short of being convincing. Please read that thread and if someone already advanced the point you want to make, look at the rebuttal made to that point and take it into consideration when presenting your viewpoint.
For example, in the previous thread, MercyBurst responded "The physical and mental issues are greater. Life spans are typically shorter." I rebutted "People who live a single "lifestyle" have shorter life exectancies than people in loving, committed relationships, gay or straight. If you are trying to give a reason why gays must become celibate (and therefore single) this is not it." And in several posts this week, MrPirate has tracked down the source of the "statistic" MercyBurst referenced and showe that it is not only unreliable, but quite probably a diliberate falsehood -- a lie, a slander (actually a libel since it is written), "false witness." If you want to advance a "lifespan" statisticplease respond to the these countercharges.
So, with TheFathersDaughter's permission, I'd like to change the question a little to eliminate that "Imagine that..." aspect.
We know that you believe that the Bible tells you that homosexuality is evil. But why is it evil? Does the Bible explain what is wrong with it? Can you explain the harm it does to society?
Some things to consider:
"God says so, and He does not have to give us a reason," may be a valid answer for your personal life, but it is not valid in this thread for two reasons. 1) that answer is not helpful in convincing sceptics in this thread and 2) although God does not have to give us reasons, He usually does because He wants us to become His sons and daughters, not mindless slaves.
A few people answering the previous thread understood the question in the spirit in which it was meant. They gave thoughtful responses, which mostly fell short of being convincing. Please read that thread and if someone already advanced the point you want to make, look at the rebuttal made to that point and take it into consideration when presenting your viewpoint.
For example, in the previous thread, MercyBurst responded "The physical and mental issues are greater. Life spans are typically shorter." I rebutted "People who live a single "lifestyle" have shorter life exectancies than people in loving, committed relationships, gay or straight. If you are trying to give a reason why gays must become celibate (and therefore single) this is not it." And in several posts this week, MrPirate has tracked down the source of the "statistic" MercyBurst referenced and showe that it is not only unreliable, but quite probably a diliberate falsehood -- a lie, a slander (actually a libel since it is written), "false witness." If you want to advance a "lifespan" statisticplease respond to the these countercharges.
