(Seriously) Why does this matter?

[Candide]

So I'm well versed in all of the rhetoric, and I have my own opinions on the subject (and that's all they are, for anybody, on this subject), but I can't for the life of me figure this out.

Why is this important?

There's no real, unbiased, conclusive science either way about the subject, and the Bible verses can be interpreted a number of different ways (each way with as much validity as the next). And then I come on these forums, and the battle lines are rather obvious. Fundys against liberals (of which I am neither), or whatever you would like to call it. This is ridiculous. Really, I see no good coming from these debates at all. I mean, really.

So I ask you, why is this subject soooooooooo important?

Why aren't Christians everywhere devoting the same amount of resources to fighting poverty and injustice? Why is it so important if others are sinning, when we ourselves are sinning (take the plank out of your own eye)? I've never seen an intelligent debate between the two sides. It always degenerates into name calling, finger pointing, and ad hominem attacks. If that's the case, why is this so important?

Let me say it, so that these same mindless debates don't go on in here. Liberals, you're wrong. Fundies, you're wrong. Liberals, you're right. Fundies, you're right. Okay? Okay. Perhaps now we can have an intelligent debate.

 

[TheFathersDaughter]

That last sentence took me a couple seconds. I think I need sleep. Of course you are right Candide, but I've made these threads before. Everyone either ignores them or they find any way possible to argue it because that's apparently everyone's life source here. Is arguing.

I always thought I was the only one.

 

[ReformedChapin]

So I'm well versed in all of the rhetoric, and I have my own opinions on the subject (and that's all they are, for anybody, on this subject), but I can't for the life of me figure this out.

Why is this important?

There's no real, unbiased, conclusive science either way about the subject, and the Bible verses can be interpreted a number of different ways (each way with as much validity as the next). And then I come on these forums, and the battle lines are rather obvious. Fundys against liberals (of which I am neither), or whatever you would like to call it. This is ridiculous. Really, I see no good coming from these debates at all. I mean, really.

So I ask you, why is this subject soooooooooo important?

Why aren't Christians everywhere devoting the same amount of resources to fighting poverty and injustice? Why is it so important if others are sinning, when we ourselves are sinning (take the plank out of your own eye)? I've never seen an intelligent debate between the two sides. It always degenerates into name calling, finger pointing, and ad hominem attacks. If that's the case, why is this so important?

Let me say it, so that these same mindless debates don't go on in here. Liberals, you're wrong. Fundies, you're wrong. Liberals, you're right. Fundies, you're right. Okay? Okay. Perhaps now we can have an intelligent debate.

2000 years of Christian history disagree with you on the homosexuality issue. But since you don't want to listen fine.

And I told you already, the church is batteling the poverty issue already. Sorry that not everyone can be a missionary according to your standard.

 

[LookThroughDifferentEyes]

You're not the only one.
I agree with you, we should all focus more on what's really important instead of arguing about pointless that we can never really prove or agree on.

 

[Candide]

2000 years of Christian history disagree with you on the homosexuality issue. But since you don't want to listen fine.

Funny, I don't remember stating my stance on the issue.

As I stated, I'd like to avoid the normal rhetoric in this thread, as it is obviously doing nothing but wasting all of our time.

Let's instead try to talk about this subject in creative, new ways. Let's talk about different things.

Or, we can just focus on answering the questions I asked in the OP.

 

[ReformedChapin]

2000 years of Christian history disagree with you on the homosexuality issue. But since you don't want to listen fine.

Funny, I don't remember stating my stance on the issue.

As I stated, I'd like to avoid the normal rhetoric in this thread, as it is obviously doing nothing but wasting all of our time.

Let's instead try to talk about this subject in creative, new ways. Let's talk about different things.

Or, we can just focus on answering the questions I asked in the OP.

You should post this somewhere else since it has very little to do with homosexuality in the first place.

BTW what is your stance on homosexuality, I have a pretty good idea already but please let us know.

 

[TheFathersDaughter]

You should post this somewhere else since it has very little to do with homosexuality in the first place.

BTW what is your stance on homosexuality, I have a pretty good idea already but please let us know.

Why? So you can turn the post into something completely off topic? This is fine where it is. It is discussing the discussion of homosexuality. You don't like it because you know it's right.

 

[Candide]

TFD, let's be sure to keep this civil. But really, I think that this topic pertains very much to homosexuality. Why this subject is so important is a very important question for us to answer, especially if we are going to spend so much time and resources arguing over it.

My stance is that we don't know.

There are very good arguments on both sides of the issue (Biblically), but not very good scientific evidence on either side. I really think that there are more important things to worry about. Especially because there are so many great arguments on both sides of the issue. I don't think that this issue will get resolved with the current rhetoric and arguments, and really, I don't think that it's of any real consequence one way or the other (which is why I started this thread).

I know that Jesus commanded me to 1. Love my neighbor, and 2. take the plank out of my own eye before trying to remove the speck from the others.

Quite frankly, I don't know and I don't care. I think that there are many more important things to be worrying about, and I think that these little debates accomplish nothing other than keeping the Kingdom from advancing (again, why I started this thread. I want to hear your guys' opinions on why this is an important subject).

 

[RMDY]

The Song, "God of Justice", by Tim Hughes, comes to my mind.

 

[Der Alte]

. . .
[SIZE=-1]There's no real, unbiased, conclusive science either way about the subject, and the Bible verses can be interpreted a number of different ways (each way with as much validity as the next).[/SIZE] . . .

How do we know this is pure nonsense? When you wrote this post, did you have a specific meaning in mind or is everything you wrote open to interpretation and any interpretation is as valid as the next?

If what you wrote "can be interpreted a number of different ways (each way with as much validity as the next)" then I'm going to interpret what you posted as meaning you agree that God condemns homosexual activity and those who support and promote homosexuality are violating God's law. According to your theory, my interpretation is just as valid as yours and it doesn't matter what you actually meant..

 

[ReformedChapin]

Why? So you can turn the post into something completely off topic? This is fine where it is. It is discussing the discussion of homosexuality. You don't like it because you know it's right.

Ironic......

And no it's not considering this has very little to do with homosexuality.

 

[Candide]

But this has everything to do with homosexuality. I've asked repeatedly, why is homosexuality such an important issue in the church? Why does it matter so much?

That's something concerning homosexuality if you ask me.

How do we know this is pure nonsense? When you wrote this post, did you have a specific meaning in mind or is everything you wrote open to interpretation and any interpretation is as valid as the next?

If what you wrote "can be interpreted a number of different ways (each way with as much validity as the next)" then I'm going to interpret what you posted as meaning you agree that God condemns homosexual activity and those who support and promote homosexuality are violating God's law. According to your theory, my interpretation is just as valid as yours and it doesn't matter what you actually meant..

I meant that nobody has won this argument. There are valid arguments against God's condemning of Gay marriage and other things because of historical context, word interpretation, and things like that. Adversely, the Bible obviously doesn't mention homosexuality in any positive light. There are convincing arguments either way, and no side has won through an infallible or totally correct argument. Obviously, you think you're right and the people who disagree with you are wrong. What I'm saying is that I don't understand why this is such a huge issue to debate.

Concerning the comment about Biblical interpretation, I was trying to make the point that this is a subject we'll never know the truth about (at least as long as the conversation stays bound by the current rhetoric). There are very valid arguments on both sides of the issue.

 

[ReformedChapin]

Why is it so important?

Because it's a sin. A Sin that is infultrating the church like nothing else. We cannot allow it to become a norm perverting the scriptures further.

Satisfied?

 

[Candide]

I'm satisfied with that being you're opinion...and a direct answer to the question...but I'll be looking forward to other's opinions as well as the ensuing dialogs.