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I'm sure there were committed, monogamous same-sex relationships....there probably always have been. But the lives of gay people have been largely hidden from history because of social repression against gay people, especially in societies that were strongly patriarchal. Also, the societies of Biblical times did not use the scientific approaches that we use now to understand phenomena like sexual orientation.I rationalized it only in the way that modern slavery and ancient slavery are very different things. That does not condone either.
If they didn't understand sexual orientation then you must claim that there were no committed monogamous same sex relationships during that time, correct?
I don't think we are here to suffer for God. I think that conception of God makes God mean-spirited. I disagree with this argument of yours that we are meant to suffer for our faith.This comment reminds me of the various prophets and apostles of God who had great suffering in their lives. Why did they suffer? Because they proclaimed and lived His Word.
I never once asked someone to stop committing homosexual acts because I think they are sinful. If you would not have told me about your sexual orientation previously I would not have immediately assumed you were homosexual. This issue is not about happiness. If someone was about to get hit by a car, and I pushed them out of the way, do you think they'd be unhappy that they were pushed? I agree that we are all sinners therefore we should treat each other the same. My intention is not to ruffle feathers, but rather to emphasize my belief on the scripture, as well as explain why I feel the way I do.
How is it? I can't do whatever I want either.
I don't expect any gay person to do without anything, all I'm saying is same-sex sex is a sin.
well, with the power of procreation they could, without any other outside contributing factors. Creating a family, I mean. It doesn't get more natural than that. About acceptance by others, lets not generalize. I am as accepting of a gay couple as i am of a straight one. But that doesn't mean that I am going to walk on eggshells around them when it comes to topics like this.
Once again, if you believe that God is just a big pleasure giver then I can understand your point. God allows suffering, look at Job. One of God's faithful, tested in some awful ways. It's scripturally shown that he allows great suffering in His most faithful, look at the pain His Son suffered. Jesus says to deny ourselves and take up our cross.
Easier said than done, right?
Well, joy seems fleeting also; to me, happiness seems deeper and more profound. But we don't need to fall into semantic quibbling.nah, happiness is momentary also. Perhaps you are referring to joy.
Well, joy seems fleeting also; to me, happiness seems deeper and more profound. But we don't need to fall into semantic quibbling.
I don't believe the Bible is God's word, remember? So I don't use the Bible to justify anything.Agreed.
I am using biblical reference in my belief that homosexuality is a sin, and then again in that God allows great suffering to come to His servants. Do you have a biblical basis on why you don't believe God allows our suffering?
you are correct, thanks for pointing that out. and yes anti-biblical Christian is an oxymoron, as without the bible we would perhaps know of God but know nothing about Him. Without the bible we would not know the teachings of Jesus, and most importantly His sacrifice to mankind.
That is, unless you can find them in some other book.
You don't need a book to know God, my friend. God's creation is all around us. Don't get me wrong, I love books. But I love many books, not just one, and I do not believe that one book contains the "truth" or God's word. They are just the words of human beings, collected and compiled by human beings. I do not believe the words in the Bible were inspired by God.
Even Paul says that you don't need the Bible to know God
[bible]Romans 1:19-20[/bible]
His Word comes in many forms. The Bible is only a small piece of it. Maybe somebody can refresh my memory on the Greek or was it Hebrew words for the various forms of God's Word? Oikos, I think was one of them.I feel like you are taking that out of context. I didn't say people couldn't know God without the bible, but only that they would not know His commandments, Will, and character just to name a few. But most importantly without the bible we would not know the Christ, which is the center of most of our belief.
So yes, its possible to know God just by looking at His creation, but without His word how would we know what He requires of us?
His Word comes in many forms. The Bible is only a small piece of it. Maybe somebody can refresh my memory on the Greek or was it Hebrew words for the various forms of God's Word? Oikos, I think was one of them.
ok.So if the bible is only a small piece of His word, then surely you can point me to another place where I can learn about Christ ?
No you wont. .Go to your nearest homeless centre. You'll see Christ in every face you meet
Go to your nearest homeless centre. You'll see Christ in every face you meet.
It is Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that has lead me to homeless centres to help homeless people, but many are lost when it comes to God and I have been able to witness Christ to them
Not at all. If you can't see the Spirit of God in the people you meet every day, then you won't find it in the Bible either. If you approach the Bible looking for rules and regulations, you'll certainly find them; but you won't find the Spirit.
Then you're helping them to rediscover the Christ within them. Fantastic!
The light of God may burn very low in some people, but it never completely goes out.
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