Just wondering...

[Jedi christian]

I don't want to start a big argument here, but I was just wondering what you people have to say about this scripture (wether you think homosexuality is a sin or not):

Romans 1:26-27 "...Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27: In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and recieved in themselves due penalty for their perversion."

If you think this scripture states that gayness is wrong (which is my personal opinion) then I would like it if you would post and show your support.

If you don't think this scripture states that, please post and explain your reasoning. Please not hot debates or arguments! only your own reasoning.

 

[praying]

"I don't want to start a big argument here"

 

[zoe_uu]

I don't want to start a big argument here, but I was just wondering what you people have to say about this scripture (wether you think homosexuality is a sin or not):

Romans 1:26-27 "...Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27: In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and recieved in themselves due penalty for their perversion."

If you think this scripture states that gayness is wrong (which is my personal opinion) then I would like it if you would post and show your support.

If you don't think this scripture states that, please post and explain your reasoning. Please not hot debates or arguments! only your own reasoning.

I believe those verses to be referring to idolatrous religious practices that were common in the time of Paul, not homosexuality in general. Not that my opinion matters, I'm not Christian.

 

[Phred]

No. I think homosexuality is not a sin.

Let's first define "sin". A Christian might define it as: "Sin is anything that is contrary to the law or will of God." This of course leaves us open to defining the will and law of God.

How do we know what God considers right and wrong? Oh yes... scripture. While scripture does condemn homosexuality, this is open to interpretation. Not to mention that scripture also tells us to stone wayward boys at the city gates.

So I guess I just have to assume that a "sin" is something one person does to another that's harmful to the other person. Without justification. An example would be that it's wrong to kill another human being. But is that always true? Or shall we more closely define "kill" as "murder". So it's wrong to "murder" another human being. That would be a sin.

So why is it wrong to love another human being?

Oh I know... it's the actions! One man loving another isn't bad, it's the physical ACT OF HOMOSEXUALITY! Is that the "sin"? How can it be? Who does it harm?

I'll tell you what... you are completely able to make up your own minds. And, you are within your rights to decide that a homosexual has no place worshipping at your church. You may withhold the sacraments from anyone you wish, it's YOUR church. Gay marriage, not happening at YOUR church.

What you may not do is, based upon your particular beliefs, withhold rights from other citizens. Because this, without debate, IS a "sin". You are harming others.

 

[seebs]

I believe you must read the whole passage to understand it. In context, this is clearly discussing the behavior of one-time converts to Christianity who have reverted to pagan practices. There's idols in this same passage, and the entire passage is in the context of people who are specifically turning from God. No generalization is possible without more information than we have. I do not believe it can be said to explicitly condemn anything. There is some implicit condemnation ("look! People who turn from God do X, Y, and Z, which are bad, right?") but even that depends on how we understand the passage.

I believe it refers to the cult practices of the temple of Aphrodite in Rome, and will not generalize past that, because I have no reason to.

 

[seebs]

FWIW, by the way, I think you can make a reasonable case that homosexual sex is a sin. Homosexuality is at most an inclination to a sin, and inclinations are non-volitional, and cannot be sinful or holy or anything else; they're just part of life.

 

[Lifesaver]

Yes, homosexual practices are sinful, and no, no-one wakes up one day and decides to be gay.

Now can we please move on?