What about homosexuals?

[BT]

Now, since we can't really be open and honest about homosexuality on most places in CF. I figured we'd be pretty safe here in our own neck of the woods. So what are your thoughts on homosexuals? Oh, let me clarify that... what are your thoughts on "homosexual Christians", or "homosexual Christianity" (if there is such a thing), homosexuals in relation to the church and ministry. Should they be accepted as church members when they are actively practicing homosexuality (unrepentantly)? Feel free to post your thoughts and feelings. (At least till they shut us down )

 

[seebs]

I would never go to a hospital where they told me I had to repent of my broken leg before they'd treat me.

Every church has members who are unrepentantly sinning. Honestly, I doubt I've ever met a person who wasn't blind to one sin or another. On the other hand, I've never met anyone who was unrepentantly doing something he believed to be a sin.

So... I guess, the overall question is what we do with people who are for whatever reason unable to accept that a given thing is sinful, and I think the right answer is to encourage them to come closer to God, and fellowship with other Christians, in the hopes that the Holy Spirit will draw them to conviction. But, ultimately, that's up to God, and it happens on His schedule, not on ours.

There are people in every church who are habitually angry, and who justify their anger by saying it's "righteous", even though it really isn't. There are people in every church whose marriage is a sham they maintain for social reasons. There are people in every church who are avaricious, who are cruel... For me to advocate excluding gay people from a church, I would have to be able to claim that I am better than they are, and, whatever my other flaws, and however long it took me to learn, I am no longer that arrogant.

 

[CrystalBrooke]

what about homosexuals...its wrong, altho i think you can be christian and homosexual, you can fornicate and be a christian. ppl like that really really need to be shown that its wrong, if they are truely a christian, they'll change.

 

[jenptcfan]

I would never go to a hospital where they told me I had to repent of my broken leg before they'd treat me.

Every church has members who are unrepentantly sinning. Honestly, I doubt I've ever met a person who wasn't blind to one sin or another. On the other hand, I've never met anyone who was unrepentantly doing something he believed to be a sin.

So... I guess, the overall question is what we do with people who are for whatever reason unable to accept that a given thing is sinful, and I think the right answer is to encourage them to come closer to God, and fellowship with other Christians, in the hopes that the Holy Spirit will draw them to conviction. But, ultimately, that's up to God, and it happens on His schedule, not on ours.

There are people in every church who are habitually angry, and who justify their anger by saying it's "righteous", even though it really isn't. There are people in every church whose marriage is a sham they maintain for social reasons. There are people in every church who are avaricious, who are cruel... For me to advocate excluding gay people from a church, I would have to be able to claim that I am better than they are, and, whatever my other flaws, and however long it took me to learn, I am no longer that arrogant.

Excellent post. I agree with what you've said.

Anyway, homosexuality is without a doubt sin. Most of us here don't struggle with that particular sin, but we all struggle with something. Many of us have things that we've struggled with for so long and we've given up repenting of them out of frustration. I have to believe that homosexuality is probably one of the deepest sin-pits to have to crawl out of, and that a homosexual Christian needs others who are firm in their faith to be willing to love and disciple them.

A church should never twist the gospel to fit their "audience". Since this is the case, I can't imagine an unrepentant homosexual feeling comfortable in a church that preaches the truth. If a homosexual person understood that the church disagrees with that aspect of his/her lifestyle and would not preach otherwise, and was willing to come listen to the word, I think that's great. But I doubt that happens a lot.

 

[Lynn73]

To me, it's like an oxymoron. I don't think the two go together at all. And I'm speaking of the practice of homosexual acts, not the orientation. There are people who've become Christians and knew they couldn't continue having homosexual sex. It's not the same as a Christian who falls occasionally and knows he or she is sinning and must repent and ask forgiveness. Many who say they're Christian and gay see nothing wrong with what they're doing even though the Bible is very clear on it and they simply continue to do it. If it doesn't bother them and they feel no conviction of the Holy Spirit then I say something is very wrong.

http://www.hopeway.org/lifestory/sbennett.asp

You didn't say whether you wanted your opinons from Baptists only or not so I hope I'm not erring in responding since I'm not a Baptist.

 

[Cright]

I agree pretty much w/ everyone here.



I have a wonderful friend that was my neighbor in Florida. I worked with him, and after my apt. was broken into and robbed he let me stay w/ him in his home for 5 days until I could move into my new apartment.



We became good friends. He is very involved in his church. He volunteers 16 hours a week there doing bookkeeping. He is strong in his faith, and a great witness.



He is also gay. He does not practice homosexuality, although he did in his youth. (He's 50 or 51 now) He is friendly and professional at work, he's also very funny and kind on a personal level. At home.. he's also very generous and honest. I think that any congregation would be blessed to have him as a part of it.



The sad thing is that I don't think that most people who have strong tendencies for a certain sin do not fall away from it so easily. For those who are homosexual members/attendees of a church I hope and pray that they are learning and becoming more successful all the time w/ coping or understanding their sins.

I also pray the same of myself and my loved ones too.. that we are constantly learning, understanding and improving our sinful natures and ourselves.



My $.02

God Bless,
Carina

 

[GreenEyedLady]

I also agree with everyone that has posted.
The bible is clear, being Gay is a sin, however not allowing them in a church is wrong. Most gay "christians" that are still practicing thier sin are in a church that accepts it as a lifestyle. I know there are many who have changed and fought against thier lusts and been sucessful with Christ. If they are not in a church that preaches against it, then they will have a hard time falling away from that sin.
I think we should treat homosexuality as the sin that it is, and help the sinner to Christ, not just shun them away because they were such a horrible person.
There are prison minisrties and there are death row ministies, there also needs to be homosexual ministries within the churches. Unfortunatley, that might be hard to come by in the Baptist denomination.
GEL

 

[MbiaJc]

I agree pretty much w/ everyone here.



I have a wonderful friend that was my neighbor in Florida. I worked with him, and after my apt. was broken into and robbed he let me stay w/ him in his home for 5 days until I could move into my new apartment.



We became good friends. He is very involved in his church. He volunteers 16 hours a week there doing bookkeeping. He is strong in his faith, and a great witness.



He is also gay. He does not practice homosexuality, although he did in his youth. (He's 50 or 51 now) He is friendly and professional at work, he's also very funny and kind on a personal level. At home.. he's also very generous and honest. I think that any congregation would be blessed to have him as a part of it.



The sad thing is that I don't think that most people who have strong tendencies for a certain sin do not fall away from it so easily. For those who are homosexual members/attendees of a church I hope and pray that they are learning and becoming more successful all the time w/ coping or understanding their sins.

I also pray the same of myself and my loved ones too.. that we are constantly learning, understanding and improving our sinful natures and ourselves.



My $.02

God Bless,
Carina

I agree but have one question. What makes him gay now if he is not comiting the act? If he has repented and asked for forgivness for his past sins, then I see no difference in him than the rest of us saved sinners.

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Now, since we can't really be open and honest about homosexuality on most places in CF. I figured we'd be pretty safe here in our own neck of the woods. So what are your thoughts on homosexuals? Oh, let me clarify that... what are your thoughts on "homosexual Christians", or "homosexual Christianity" (if there is such a thing), homosexuals in relation to the church and ministry. Should they be accepted as church members when they are actively practicing homosexuality (unrepentantly)? Feel free to post your thoughts and feelings. (At least till they shut us down )

Here are my thoughts. I'm sorry but I'm super tired of hearing the excuse "I'm born that way so I can't be held accountable for it." Well my reply to that is, "Uh, I was born into sin and I can't help that either, still doesn't give me the right to openly sin does it?"

My church, here recently, has dealt with a homosexual person. She was asked to leave the church because she would not repent of her actions and pretty much said there is nothing wrong with it. But that situation was touchy since it involved the youth pastor's wife, who by the way was not asked to leave. However she did say she was living in sin and wanted to turn away from it.

I think there can be homosexual Christians. I mean there are lustful Christians, murdering Christians, and many other sinning Christians. The devil knows our weak points and as we know continually drives and drives until he gets us to fall. However I think a homosexual who doesn't repent of this sin lifestyle should probably examine their heart as it pertains to Jesus. If they call themselves a Christian and live in habitual sin and they aren't punished, then something is wrong. I mean the Bible teaches that if you aren't punished by God, then you are none of His and God chastens whom He loves.

But I don't think homosexuals in the church need Pharisees pouring down their own wrath and claiming that it's God's. I think they need to be handled with love and sincerity and show them what scripture says about all sins and perhaps not blatantly point out theirs. Like someone said if the truth is being preached then they should at some time fall under conviction. But I don't think a person living in gross sin needs to hold a position of authority. Sure we all sin, but to live in it without turning out of it will sooner or later deserve God's punishment. I mean He's not going to bless anyone living under gross sin.

 

[seebs]

I agree but have one question. What makes him gay now if he is not comiting the act? If he has repented and asked for forgivness for his past sins, then I see no difference in him than the rest of us saved sinners.

What makes him gay is the same thing that makes most celibate priests and nuns straight. Sexual attraction is a biological thing. Most people continue to experience sexual desire or attractions, have sexual dreams, and so on, whether or not they are sexually active.

So, presumably, on the occasions when he has sexual dreams, they're about men, same as with any other gay man.

Choosing to be celibate does not change your biology.

 

[9-iron]

Most gay "christians" that are still practicing thier sin are in a church that accepts it as a lifestyle.

It is wrong to accept this lifestyle in the church. A Christian that struggles with being gay, but yet admits such behavior as sin should be accepted. A gay person who finds being gay biblically acceptable should not be welcomed into the church.

 

[RED that's ME]

(At least till they shut us down )

And what gave you this idea? This mod is happy everyone kept it nice till she found the thread.

MOD HAT ON

Due to new ruling at CF about Homosexual threads this thread is now closed. Moderators of the Baptist/AnaBaptist Forum decided to close the threads instead of redirects.

http://www.christian-forums.com/t693704

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