I don't attribute you with hate at all.
I made a list of what I think hatred is, and you weren't in it.
I appreciate that my friend. I have had trouble in the past with looking past people and I am sometimes overly cautious.
I like you, but you frustrate me.
Thank you I have grown very fond of you. I share your frustration but I think it is more due to my inability to communicate my thoughts effectively than anything else.
You make this about you.
I didn't mean to but I can certainly see why it looks that way.
You asked me what hatred was, and I listed it, and your response? That I am attributing "an agenda" (really? Really???? an agenda???) to you.
A poor choice of words my friend and I apologize. I guess I was hoping for definitions and not necessarily examples. But reading your responses I think that the examples are actually helpful and have assisted me in understanding the situation more clearly.
Everything isn't about you.
The hatred is there.
The hateful posts are there.
I'm not sure if all the posters are on your ignore list, or you just refuse to see how hateful some of those posts are.
I think the problem is that I hate to attribute hatred to those who call themselves Christian. Perhaps I am doing them a disservice by not attempting to correct an inappropriate attitude instead of assuming the best of intentions. I have to admit there is only one person on my ignore list and yes there are posts that certainly are uncharitable.
As I said, you may even have done so with the best of intentions,
but after you have people comparing you and your partner to a man and a dog, or child molesters, you end up being nothing more than salt on the wound to say, "well, you know, the bible says..."
I am sorry that this happens to you. I am especially sorry that you have felt unloved by those who claim the name of Christ.
Do you really care what the bible says about homosexuality?
There is a lot of research on it on the internet.
Research it well, even the sides you disagree with, and you will at least come to the conclusion that theologians are split, and it isn't "clear."
Try places like
www.whosoever.org, created by gay people that still wanted to worship God. Look at some of the "loving" letters sent to them by Christians. Read what the examination of the bible on homosexuality. Most importantly, pray about it long and hard.
I assure you I am truly interested and I agree with you that at best there is much controversy and that many Theologians and Bible Scholars disagree over the issue.
I am also concerned with behavior. Many Christians, myself included, seem to forget that we will not be judged based upon what anyone else does, we will be judged on our own behavior. We are called to Love God and Love our Neighbors and any uncharitable behavior violates that call.
I don't think you have love in your heart, but can you for a minute, love your neighbor as yourself? Put yourself in our shoes, be the brunt of all of that condemnation, and then see someone just putting one more straw in your back, and try to understand how your love or concern is misinterpreted as hatred, condemnation, or self-exaltation.
Point well made and appreciated.
If you have love in your heart, you should be able to at least understand how the person could have misunderstood.
Well we are imperfect and oftentimes need help with the 2x4
