What does it even mean to be "Anti-Gay"?

[DesignerNate]

Seems like this word is tossed around a lot but I have serious questions on how the word is used because it seems to be accusing a lot. I am a Christian. I have struggled with homosexuality for many years. After examining my heart and other factors of my life, I couldn't feel comfortable pursuing a romantic relationship with another man. My reason is simply because when I really examine my motives for wanting to pursue that kind of relationship, it seems to be surrounded in clouded judgments and my own scars and insecurities. However, really thats just my take on it. My story is different from yours so what I end up believing may be different.

However, the issue at hand is, What does it mean to be Anti-gay? Or Pro-gay for that matter? If someone is a homophobic and hates someone just because they are gay, well I can see that falling into the "anti-gay" category. But not everyone is that obvious. Some people believe that Homosexuality is a sin, but they still love people who are gay, but does their opinion make them anti-gay? And what if someone supports the gay community and loves on those people and protests against hate crimes, they would be conisdered Pro-gay? But what if that same person ultimately has a belief that homosexuality is a sin, would they be both Anti-gay and Pro-gay? I know their are obvious examples but I'm not really talking about those, I just think that sometimes people want to point the finger too soon thats all. For sure Anti-gay and Pro-gay exist but does everyone fall into one of those categories so easily?

 

[tulc]

Well on a board like this it's hard to have nuanced answers when every side takes a black and white view of an issue. I believe God views the world with a highdef flatscreen color TV, while we are still stuggling with an old black and white set...and there's something wrong with our vertical hold. Each of us thinks we are getting a clear picture of the other side and we can't even tell who any of them are.
tulc(just a thought)

 

[DesignerNate]

Well on a board like this it's hard to have nuanced answers when every side takes a black and white view of an issue. I believe God views the world with a highdef flatscreen color TV, while we are still stuggling with an old black and white set...and there's something wrong with our vertical hold. Each of us thinks we are getting a clear picture of the other side and we can't even tell who any of them are.
tulc(just a thought)

Its a great thought tulc, and one that I think people should begin to take seriously you bring up good points. I feel as though someone is more capable of seeing the truth when the have an open mind on hearing out both sides. Sure they may believe something is one way, but in order to believe in something you also have to put it through fire, you have to test it and you have to strengthen it. If someone is so narrow-minded that they quickly accept one viewpoint, they aren't testing why they truly believe in it.

 

[Apollo Celestio]

Anti-Gay = Anyone who says anything that denounces/condemns homosexuality/homosexual sex.

 

[DesignerNate]

Anti-Gay = Anyone who says anything that denounces/condemns homosexuality/homosexual sex.

But is the conclusion really that simple? I mean if i thought homosexuality was morally wrong would i be looked at in the same light as the people that actively hate gay people? What if i had a good reason to be concerned that it was morally wrong? What if my reason was because I cared and was concerned? I don't go around throwing stones at Gay people, and all my love and support is for who they REALLY are. Plus being Anti-gay has such a negative connotation to it, If someone maybe considered homosexuality to be morally wrong, but didn't point the finger at homosexuals would they still be considered "anti-gay"?

 

[Brieuse]

Seems like this word is tossed around a lot but I have serious questions on how the word is used because it seems to be accusing a lot. I am a Christian. I have struggled with homosexuality for many years. After examining my heart and other factors of my life, I couldn't feel comfortable pursuing a romantic relationship with another man. My reason is simply because when I really examine my motives for wanting to pursue that kind of relationship, it seems to be surrounded in clouded judgments and my own scars and insecurities. However, really thats just my take on it. My story is different from yours so what I end up believing may be different.

However, the issue at hand is, What does it mean to be Anti-gay? Or Pro-gay for that matter? If someone is a homophobic and hates someone just because they are gay, well I can see that falling into the "anti-gay" category. But not everyone is that obvious. Some people believe that Homosexuality is a sin, but they still love people who are gay, but does their opinion make them anti-gay? And what if someone supports the gay community and loves on those people and protests against hate crimes, they would be conisdered Pro-gay? But what if that same person ultimately has a belief that homosexuality is a sin, would they be both Anti-gay and Pro-gay? I know their are obvious examples but I'm not really talking about those, I just think that sometimes people want to point the finger too soon thats all. For sure Anti-gay and Pro-gay exist but does everyone fall into one of those categories so easily?

Repent or go to hell. That's antigay.

 

[Jet_A_Jockey]

as a classification its difficult, since many people are not against homosexuals but homosexual action. For instance, I believe that homosexual acts are sinful, but on that same note I would (and have) defend a homosexual if I felt they were being treated unfairly. If someone truly hated them for who they are, then yes they could be anti gay. Also any remarks or actions that are in any way negative towards homosexuality could be called anti-gay.

 

[Phinehas2]

This is such a helpful thread DesingerNate as I think it will clear the air.
The key is the wordlview. I think the Anglican view best sums up the Christian view, as in Lambeth 1.10, that homosexuals (those with same-sex attraction) are fully loved by God and fully included in the church and that same-sex sex is error. Its important to note that there are homosexuals, or gays who believe this. If that is anti-gay, then some gays are anti-gay. How can that be?
The answer is the issue for Christians is about the sexual acts, not about people.
People who say others are anti-gay often means people are anti-same-sex sex. So its same-sex sex blessing that people are most often referring to

Repent or go to hell. That's antigay.

Not specifically anti-gay, Jesus taught that for all people.

 

[BAFRIEND]

I am not pro or anti gay.

I am against people living sinful lifestyles perverting scripture and the Lord's teaching to justify it.

I am against people leading scandalous lives and attempting to assimulate their sinful lifestyles into normalcy.

If you want to be accepted, call a sin a sin. Don't try to force your perversions upon someone else.

One of the main arguements here is:

I will state that we are no worse than anyone else; straight people sin, too.

Well, that is really no excuse, is it ?

Don't judge me because I rob banks because you did not put any money in that parking meter two weeks ago, did you ?

Whenever someone does something wrong- it is funny how they always compare it to other evils or use negative connotations to defnd it. It is funny, but it really is not, is it ? Consider your salvation, people. Consider your salvation.

 

[tulc]

I am not pro or anti gay.

uhmmm.....ok.
tulc(letting it pass)

 

[Apollo Celestio]

But is the conclusion really that simple? I mean if i thought homosexuality was morally wrong would i be looked at in the same light as the people that actively hate gay people? What if i had a good reason to be concerned that it was morally wrong? What if my reason was because I cared and was concerned? I don't go around throwing stones at Gay people, and all my love and support is for who they REALLY are. Plus being Anti-gay has such a negative connotation to it, If someone maybe considered homosexuality to be morally wrong, but didn't point the finger at homosexuals would they still be considered "anti-gay"?

It's the opinion of the pro-gay.

 

[Apollo Celestio]

This is such a helpful thread DesingerNate as I think it will clear the air.
The key is the wordlview. I think the Anglican view best sums up the Christian view, as in Lambeth 1.10, that homosexuals (those with same-sex attraction) are fully loved by God and fully included in the church and that same-sex sex is error. Its important to note that there are homosexuals, or gays who believe this. If that is anti-gay, then some gays are anti-gay. How can that be?
The answer is the issue for Christians is about the sexual acts, not about people.
People who say others are anti-gay often means people are anti-same-sex sex. So its same-sex sex blessing that people are most often referring to
Not specifically anti-gay, Jesus taught that for all people.

Sounds about right, but we're invisible.