It has its virtues -- it's like we
begin with the classic hijack, and
then move to the topic!
But here's my observation: Phinehas and I both are opposed to sexual sin, and I suspect every other participant in this thread is, too. And while there are a few homophobes on CF (based on post contents, which is all we have to go on), generally what you have is people with varying degrees of self-righteousness denouncing what they see as the sins of others.
And that's true whether you're talking about "Bible-believing Christians" (BBC) holding forth that "the Bible clearly condemns all gay sex as sin" or we of the pro-gay faction denouncing the judgmentalism of the first group.
The bottom line here to me is that we're
all sinners saved by the grace of God mediated through the Atonement of Jesus Christ -- and, as such, free from the law, not to do sin, but to love.
I am steadfastly against the following homosexual sins, based on my reading of Scripture:
- anal gang rape (Genesis 19 and Judges 19:22ff)
- sodomitic fertility rites to Moloch and other Ba'alite deities (esp. Astarte) (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13)
- turning to orgiastic practices, along with malicious attitudes, in an ennui-laden search for new kicks (Romans 1:21-32)
- the selling and patronizing of enslaved 'rent boy' prostitutes (I Corinthians 6:9)
I'm also opposed to the sin of Sodom, as defined more specifically than Genesis does in Ezekiel 16:49-50.
I suspect that every GLBT member of CF, and their supporters and defenders, will largely agree with that stance.
The difference between us and the BBCs is (1) what we read Scripture to say, and (2) the absence of the attitude that the Bible is God's Lawbook, to be obeyed, like wearing seat belts, not because it's a good idea, but because it's the Law.
Paul would denounce the "Bible-believers" vehemently -- he grew up in a culture which demanded he comply with every jot and tittle of the Law for salvation, and he celebrated his new birth of freedom in Christ
But beyond that, the sin of which we're all guilty is that of judging our fellow men. And I'm as guilty of that as is anyone "on the other side". But I call on us all to rethink our positions, because whatever the truth may be, the one thing that is absolutely clear from Scripture is that He Who came and died to save us and Who will return to be our Judge is dead set against any one of us arrogating to ourselves the right to judge the sins of others.That's His job.