Thoughts...

[katautumn]

Would it change your opinion if they could marry? I know you have not, personally, condemned homosexuals in this thread; however, many Christians condemn homosexuals by claiming it is the unrepented fornication that make them unable to be Christians and yet they also don't want gays and lesbians to have the right to marry. It's a catch 22. So, basically, you're either not "really gay" or you should be forced to live celibate and lonely for the rest of your life.

 

[clareos86]

Hmmm interesting. I don't know. Here, in Scotland (and the rest of the UK) gay marriage was legalised a few weeks ago. So no, actually I don't think that changes my opinion.

Right let me try to explain.

I am a relatively liberal Christian (I think). In my opinion, Christianity should be more about love rather then condemnation. Therefore, I love you and the rest fo the world (apart from my brothers when they annoy me lol) I can appreciate that non -Christian (and I guess Christian) homosexual couples should be granted some kind of union.

First of all - non-Christians. Obviously, none of them would believe that their relationship was wrong. I believe that they have the right to have a special day with their partner and have rights.. like if their live-in partner of 40 years dies and they have no right to their home.. that's crazy!! So I agree that gay people should have a legal and civil ceremony.

However, I cannot condone a church wedding for a gay couple. In my opinion, (though I am more than willing to consider others) the Bible states that homosexuality is wrong. We do not accept liars, thieves, murderers blah blah blah to have their sins blessed by the church so I believe that we cannot accept a sexual gay relationship to be blessed by the church. So I support a legal marriage but not a Christian one. Does that make sense? (I'm very tired!!)

Basically, my theology is 'Love the sinner, hate the sin.' If one of my gay friends was to get married and invited me, I would go along, wish them well and still continue to pray that they would turn to the Lord and repent of ALL their sins, not just homosexuality.

Phew! I think that's me done for the night!!

Happy Birthday btw!!!!

 

[SimplyMe]

Hmmm interesting. I don't know. Here, in Scotland (and the rest of the UK) gay marriage was legalised a few weeks ago. So no, actually I don't think that changes my opinion.

Right let me try to explain.

I am a relatively liberal Christian (I think). In my opinion, Christianity should be more about love rather then condemnation. Therefore, I love you and the rest fo the world (apart from my brothers when they annoy me lol) I can appreciate that non -Christian (and I guess Christian) homosexual couples should be granted some kind of union.

First of all - non-Christians. Obviously, none of them would believe that their relationship was wrong. I believe that they have the right to have a special day with their partner and have rights.. like if their live-in partner of 40 years dies and they have no right to their home.. that's crazy!! So I agree that gay people should have a legal and civil ceremony.

However, I cannot condone a church wedding for a gay couple. In my opinion, (though I am more than willing to consider others) the Bible states that homosexuality is wrong. We do not accept liars, thieves, murderers blah blah blah to have their sins blessed by the church so I believe that we cannot accept a sexual gay relationship to be blessed by the church. So I support a legal marriage but not a Christian one. Does that make sense? (I'm very tired!!)

Basically, my theology is 'Love the sinner, hate the sin.' If one of my gay friends was to get married and invited me, I would go along, wish them well and still continue to pray that they would turn to the Lord and repent of ALL their sins, not just homosexuality.

Phew! I think that's me done for the night!!

Happy Birthday btw!!!!

I find this a little strange, it seems like a double standard. I've not heard of a Christian church turning down a wedding because the couple had pre-marital sex or were living together. I won't say it never happens, but it seems to be the rare church that turns such a couple away. So, in essence you seem to be saying that homosexual immorality is worse than immorality by heterosexuals. Additionally, there are many Christian churches that don't read the Bible as you do, but more as I (and others here) do, and will celebrated gay marriages -- that sex between married couples (gay or straight) is not a sin. So, why do you oppose a Christian wedding for gays?

 

[Athene]

Athene, did you actually read any of my posts? I have said the whole way through this thread that I do not want to condemn anyone. I am a sinner just the same, as I believe all sins are equal to God. We are all redeemed through the cross.

Then why did you bother to post this thread if you recognise that you are just as much a sinner as everbody else? If you don't want to condemn gay christians then why do you ask them how they can be a christian but not see their lifestyle as wrong? Why did you post your proof texts which also condemn homosexuality? Yes I did read all of your posts before I posted and that's the reason I asked you why homosexuality is the one sin which would stop someone from being a christian?

 

[clareos86]

I find this a little strange, it seems like a double standard. I've not heard of a Christian church turning down a wedding because the couple had pre-marital sex or were living together. I won't say it never happens, but it seems to be the rare church that turns such a couple away. So, in essence you seem to be saying that homosexual immorality is worse than immorality by heterosexuals. Additionally, there are many Christian churches that don't read the Bible as you do, but more as I (and others here) do, and will celebrated gay marriages -- that sex between married couples (gay or straight) is not a sin. So, why do you oppose a Christian wedding for gays?

What you're saying actually makes a lot of sense! I never thought of that :o I know that in the Catholic church I went to as a child, every couple wanting to get married had to have several meetings with the priest to talk about marriage and stuff.

And I definitly didn't mean to say that homosexual immorality was in any way worse than heterosexual immorality. Wow, I need to re-think!

Hmm.I guess you could say that the church has simply gone with the times and allowed "sexually immoral" straight couples to marry and here is the chance to try to stop that by outlawing gay marriages? Even as I type that it seems wrong.

Yeah.. God loves us no matter what. And I guess if a Christian gay couple want to get married then that's OK with me. If God sees it as wrong then they'll find out when they die and face Him.

Thanks very much SimplyMe for your opinions.. they REALLY made me think!

 

[clareos86]

Then why did you bother to post this thread if you recognise that you are just as much a sinner as everbody else? If you don't want to condemn gay christians then why do you ask them how they can be christian as well as being gay? Why did you post your proof texts which also condemn homosexuality? Yes I did read all of your posts before I posted and that's the reason I asked you why homosexuality is the one sin which would stop someone from being a christian?

I did not, ever, say that homosexuality is the one sin that would stop someone from being a Christian. There is no sin that can stop someone being a Christian if they do not repent.

The reason I posted this thread is out of a want to discuss topical issues with people with different opinions from mine. The group of Christians that I am friends with are all very similar in their opinions and I wanted some different output. My opinions have chnaged even in the course of this thread.

 

[Jacob4Jesus]

Well, I think it's good that you're at least considering the opposing viewpoints given to you. Most people don't even do that.

 

[GAPCanadianChristian]

Would it change your opinion if they could marry? I know you have not, personally, condemned homosexuals in this thread; however, many Christians condemn homosexuals by claiming it is the unrepented fornication that make them unable to be Christians and yet they also don't want gays and lesbians to have the right to marry. It's a catch 22. So, basically, you're either not "really gay" or you should be forced to live celibate and lonely for the rest of your life.

Here in Canada, we have recently received the right to marry... and the sky hasn't fallen in.

 

[GAPCanadianChristian]

What you're saying actually makes a lot of sense! I never thought of that :o I know that in the Catholic church I went to as a child, every couple wanting to get married had to have several meetings with the priest to talk about marriage and stuff.

And I definitly didn't mean to say that homosexual immorality was in any way worse than heterosexual immorality. Wow, I need to re-think!

Hmm.I guess you could say that the church has simply gone with the times and allowed "sexually immoral" straight couples to marry and here is the chance to try to stop that by outlawing gay marriages? Even as I type that it seems wrong.

Yeah.. God loves us no matter what. And I guess if a Christian gay couple want to get married then that's OK with me. If God sees it as wrong then they'll find out when they die and face Him.

Thanks very much SimplyMe for your opinions.. they REALLY made me think!

Yay! There is hope!

 

[clareos86]

Well, I think it's good that you're at least considering the opposing viewpoints given to you. Most people don't even do that.

Yeah I don't get people who won't even listen to others' views.. how else can you learn?!

 

[Helo]

I find this a little strange, it seems like a double standard. I've not heard of a Christian church turning down a wedding because the couple had pre-marital sex or were living together. I won't say it never happens, but it seems to be the rare church that turns such a couple away. So, in essence you seem to be saying that homosexual immorality is worse than immorality by heterosexuals. Additionally, there are many Christian churches that don't read the Bible as you do, but more as I (and others here) do, and will celebrated gay marriages -- that sex between married couples (gay or straight) is not a sin. So, why do you oppose a Christian wedding for gays?

I agree

 

[SimplyMe]

What you're saying actually makes a lot of sense! I never thought of that :o I know that in the Catholic church I went to as a child, every couple wanting to get married had to have several meetings with the priest to talk about marriage and stuff.

And I definitly didn't mean to say that homosexual immorality was in any way worse than heterosexual immorality. Wow, I need to re-think!

Hmm.I guess you could say that the church has simply gone with the times and allowed "sexually immoral" straight couples to marry and here is the chance to try to stop that by outlawing gay marriages? Even as I type that it seems wrong.

Yeah.. God loves us no matter what. And I guess if a Christian gay couple want to get married then that's OK with me. If God sees it as wrong then they'll find out when they die and face Him.

Thanks very much SimplyMe for your opinions.. they REALLY made me think!

I just wanted to say thank you for your kind words, I'm glad I could help.

 

[clareos86]

I just wanted to say thank you for your kind words, I'm glad I could help.

No problem I'm still learning about lots of things, not just Christianity so it's good to be able to have forums like this to discuss. If anyone has any other thoughts.. let me know