What is the proper Christian response to a homosexual?

[Polycarp1]

Wrong, SOME of the passages may be up for debate, but Romans 1 is actually quite clear and forceful in its assertions.

Absolutely. But once again you have to look at context. Against whom was Paul writing what he said: persons with desires for monogamous adult same-sex relationships, or the ennui-laden Roman elite, who were having parties at which, bored with "normal" sex, they experimented with homosexual acts, in quest of new thrills, not even a mile from where the fledgling Christian church in Rome was accustomed to meet. The rest of the description in Romans 1, verses 23-25 and 28-32, meet what contemporary writers like Petronius describe them as behaving to a T -- and do not, as a rule, describe the typical homosexual person. (Nor, I might note, do gay people "leave the natural behavior" -- the entire point of why they're gay is that they don't feel the "natural" desire of man for woman or woman for man. To me, that's yet another point in favor of the passage condemning the Roman elite who left heterosexual acts for homosexual ones, not gay people with no interest in the heterosexual ones from the start.)

I would never seek to defend what God condemns. But before I accuse my brother or sister of sin, I'd want to be very sure that I had properly identified what His Word is condemning, and whether it matches what they're doing or is in relation to something else entirely.

 

[UnitedInChrist]

Wrong, SOME of the passages may be up for debate, but Romans 1 is actually quite clear and forceful in its assertions.

..and there you go again with your..."Wrong"... and for centuries it was quite clear that the Bible was in support of slavery so what happened? I suppose you still support it b/c it said so in the Bible, but it's just a "cultural" thing and it's society that went against it.

 

[savedandhappy1]

..and there you go again with your..."Wrong"... and for centuries it was quite clear that the Bible was in support of slavery so what happened? I suppose you still support it b/c it said so in the Bible, but it's just a "cultural" thing and it's society that went against it.

The scriptures I read don't support slavery, but tell those who are slaves to obey their masters, and their masters to treat their slaves right.

Could you please give the scriptures that support slavery? Thanks.
​

 

[Pogue]

Leviticus 25:44-46: "Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly." (NIV)

Leviticus 19:20-22: "And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him."
Exodus 22:3: "...he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft."
Matthew 18:25: "But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made."
Genesis 17:27: "And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him."
Genesis 16:1-2: "Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai."




I'll edit and add more as and when I find them.

 

[ChristianCenturion]

Only a handful of participants in this particular CF subforum are gay. But by its location in the CO area, by defnition every one of us is a Christian, at least by the CF definition.

According to the rules, no other member is to say the other member is not a Christian in public posts and perhaps in other specific instances.

There is a difference in that and the CF definition is for specific forum purposes, but it is not in deciding one's ultimate 'Christian' standing.

But more to the point, the rule doesn't require me or others to call other members a brother or sister. If I have cause to think another is living in continual sin out of what they say or because they are advocating for the same, even after attempts at correction, then I'll decline to call them a brother or sister. That has nothing to do with if they can post in the CO area though.

So instead of rehashing the old debates on the morality of homosexuality, the legality of gay marriage, the propriety of gay adoptions, ex-gay movements, and all the other chestnuts that have been done inordinate numbers of times, my question is quite simple.

As a Christian, what is your proper response to a homosexual person who in some manner enters your life?

Notice that I'm carefully not making any presumptions about either you or this person. He may be practicing or celibate, in a monogamous union or promiscuous, a believer attending your church or someone protesting outside it. It may be a gay man or a Lesbian, a teen who's just come out (maybe your own child). All you know about this person for purposes of this question is that he or she has same sex attraction.

Then I say that is setting up a purposefully ambiguous restriction for what should come next.

If they are practicing the sin or found that they have sinned, I can give them the good news that they can be freed from slavery to sin or the shame of their past. I can share that they have a Redeemer in Christ, that with repentance comes forgiveness and fellowship with children of God.
The same as would apply to dealing with any sin or sinner.

If it were only a temptation, then that still would not make the temptation right. But more information would be helpful in the situation where I should lift them up in encouragement during their struggle against it. Or having more information may show where I might help in that struggle.

What are you, a Christian man or woman, supposed to do as regards him or her?

If possible, give Scriptural references that support your answer. Not mandatory but strongly requested.

I don't believe an over-generalized answer is best there - if I infer the question correctly. I am not seeing how removing information (i.e. ignorance in details) are supposed to help in discernment. The only thing I can see there is that it gives CAUSE to find out more so the person can be helped as an individual or fellowship can exist while being sensitive to special ongoing struggles.

For example and to remove the possible confusion with homosexuality being over-emphasized, I don't believe it would be good for a young woman to be ignorant of a man who is constantly tempted with fornication or even has a history of the same.

As for scriptural support, I find any premise where homosexual temptations or sin are presented as 'special' being disconnected from Christian teaching.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

 

[UnitedInChrist]

The scriptures I read don't support slavery, but tell those who are slaves to obey their masters, and their masters to treat their slaves right.​

Could you please give the scriptures that support slavery? Thanks.​

Fair request. When I get home I'll have to dig it up from my class, but most definately...scripture supported slavery which is why Christian's are constantly reminded of that major error in judgement from non-christians. Give me some time. It requires me finding my book, and notes....but I'll get it.

 

[UnitedInChrist]

According to the rules, no other member is to say the other member is not a Christian in public posts and perhaps in other specific instances.

There is a difference in that and the CF definition is for specific forum purposes, but it is not in deciding one's ultimate 'Christian' standing.

But more to the point, the rule doesn't require me or others to call other members a brother or sister. If I have cause to think another is living in continual sin out of what they say or because they are advocating for the same, even after attempts at correction, then I'll decline to call them a brother or sister. That has nothing to do with if they can post in the CO area though.

Then I say that is setting up a purposefully ambiguous restriction for to what should come next.

If they are practicing the sin or found that they have sinned, I can give them the good news in that they can be freed from slavery to sin or the shame of the past. That they have a Redeemer in Christ, that with repentance comes forgiveness and fellowship.
The same as would apply to dealing with any sin or sinner.

If it were a temptation, then that still would not make the temptation right. But it could be a situation where I should lift them up in encouragement for their struggle against it or see if I could help in that.


I don't believe an over-generalized answer is best there - if I infer the question correctly. I am not seeing how removing information (i.e. ignorance in details) are supposed to help in discernment. The only thing I can see there is that it gives CAUSE to find out more so the person can be helped as an individual or fellowship can exist while being sensitive to special ongoing struggles.

For example and to remove the possible confusion with homosexuality being over-emphasized, I don't believe it would be good for a young woman to be ignorant of a man who is constantly tempted with fornication or even has a history of the same.

By any definition..whethere here, or websters, or bible etc...what I know a Christian NOT to be would be one that says "I'll decline to call someone my brother/sister if they continue to live a life of sin". You have the right to do so of course..but while living in what you call sin is not christianlike..not believing someone is your brother/sister because of sin goes against the foundation of which Christianity was founded on. Children of God my friend...not Children of God, except for sinners.... One judge and guess what...it's not you. Peace

 

[ChristianCenturion]

By any definition..whethere here, or websters, or bible etc...what I know a Christian NOT to be would be one that says "I'll decline to call someone my brother/sister if they continue to live a life of sin". You have the right to do so of course..but while living in what you call sin is not christianlike..not believing someone is your brother/sister because of sin goes against the foundation of which Christianity was founded on. Children of God my friend...not Children of God, except for sinners.... One judge and guess what...it's not you. Peace

In the haste to rush in and try to give a baseless rebut, you may have forgotten to include ANYTHING that backs up your accusations. I'm sure it was tempting to try and pretend I needed to assume the role of Judge of someone's salvation, but doing so while ignoring discernment and believers are not to be ignorant only makes the attempt uncalled for presumption in your post.

Perhaps next time, you would like to review what the Christian teaching DOES say. For example:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13
9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

Matthew 7:15-23
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

1 Timothy 5:22
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

 

[UberLutheran]

The scriptures I read don't support slavery, but tell those who are slaves to obey their masters, and their masters to treat their slaves right.

Could you please give the scriptures that support slavery? Thanks.
​

OK.

So she said to Abraham, Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.
(Genesis 21:10)

But God said to Abraham, Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named.
(Genesis 21:12)

And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.
(Genesis 21:13)

and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle.
(Exodus 11:5)

but every slave that is bought for money may eat of it after you have circumcised him.
(Exodus 12:44)

When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.
(Exodus 21:2)

But if the slave plainly says, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,
(Exodus 21:5)

then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.
(Exodus 21:6)

When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do.
(Exodus 21:7)

When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged.
(Exodus 21:20)

But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money.
(Exodus 21:21)

When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free because of his eye.
(Exodus 21:26)

If he knocks out the tooth of his slave, male or female, he shall let the slave go free because of his tooth.
(Exodus 21:27)

If the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
(Exodus 21:32)

If a man lies sexually with a woman who is a slave, assigned to another man and not yet ransomed or given her freedom, a distinction shall be made. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free;
(Leviticus 19:20)

but if a priest buys a slave as his property for money, the slave may eat of it, and anyone born in his house may eat of his food.
(Leviticus 22:11)

If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave:
(Leviticus 25:39)

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
(Deuteronomy 5:15)

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.
(Deuteronomy 15:15)

then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same.
(Deuteronomy 15:17)

You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt; and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.
(Deuteronomy 16:12)

But if you no longer delight in her, you shall let her go where she wants. But you shall not sell her for money, nor shall you treat her as a slave, since you have humiliated her.
(Deuteronomy 21:14)

You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.
(Deuteronomy 23:15)

If a man is found stealing one of his brothers, of the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or sells him, then that thief shall die. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
(Deuteronomy 24:7)

but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.
(Deuteronomy 24:18)

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.
(Deuteronomy 24:22)

Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters, but Sheshan had an Egyptian slave whose name was Jarha.
(I Chronicles 2:34)

So Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to Jarha his slave, and she bore him Attai.
(I Chronicles 2:35)

The small and the great are there,and the slave is free from his master.
(Job 3:19)

Like a slave who longs for the shadow,and like a hired hand who looks for his wages,
(Job 7:2)

he had sent a man ahead of them,Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
(Psalms 105:17)

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,much less for a slave to rule over princes.
(Proverbs 19:10)

The rich rules over the poor,and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
(Proverbs 22:7)

a slave when he becomes king,and a fool when he is filled with food;
(Proverbs 30:22)

And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest;as with the slave, so with his master;as with the maid, so with her mistress;as with the buyer, so with the seller;as with the lender, so with the borrower;as with the creditor, so with the
(Isaiah 24:2)

Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant?Why then has he become a prey?
(Jeremiah 2:14)

All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.
(Jeremiah 27:7)

And they obeyed, all the officials and all the people who had entered into the covenant that everyone would set free his slave, male or female, so that they would not be enslaved again. They obeyed and set them free.
(Jeremiah 34:10)

How lonely sits the citythat was full of people!How like a widow has she become,she who was great among the nations!She who was a princess among the provinceshas become a slave.
(Lamentations 1:1)

its mistress is stripped; she is carried off,her slave girls lamenting,moaning like dovesand beating their breasts.
(Nahum 2:7)

and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
(Matthew 20:27)

and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
(Mark 10:44)

Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.
(John 8:34)

The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
(John 8:35)

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.
(Acts 16:16)

Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.
(I Corinthians 7:21)

For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
(I Corinthians 7:22)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
(Galatians 3:28)

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,
(Galatians 4:1)

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
(Galatians 4:7)

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.
(Galatians 4:22)

But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.
(Galatians 4:23)

But what does the Scripture say? Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.
(Galatians 4:30)

So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
(Galatians 4:31)

knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
(Ephesians 6:8)

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
(Colossians 3:11)

no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
(Philemon 1:16)

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,
(Revelation of John 6:15)

Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,
(Revelation of John 13:16)

to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.
(Revelation of John 19:18)

 

[UnitedInChrist]

In the haste to rush in and try to give a baseless rebut, you may have forgotten to include ANYTHING that backs up your accusations. I'm sure it was tempting to try and pretend I needed to assume the role of Judge of someone's salvation, but doing so while ignoring discernment and believers are not to be ignorant only makes the attempt uncalled for presumption in your post.

Perhaps next time, you would like to review what the Christian teaching DOES say. For example:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13
9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

Matthew 7:15-23
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

1 Timothy 5:22
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

I knew your post would be as such. The usual "throw the scriptures to retaliate". Again, that is how you define your being a Christian. I've been taught and entirely different way. As far as you not associating with sinners...I'm glad you've taken on the role of judge and condemner. For as your last quote goes..."do not share in the sins of others", I would suppose you should be a hermit as all men sin? Not sure how you'll spin that one, but I'm sure you will.

 

[ChristianCenturion]

I knew your post would be as such. The usual "throw the scriptures to retaliate".
Again, that is how you define your being a Christian. I've been taught and entirely different way.

If you have an objection to Christian teaching and your teaching comes from other sources, that would explain much in the replies.

But it still leaves one of us saying something that is reflected in Christian teaching and the other... well, just making a bunch of opinions that contradict Christian teaching.

If that is fine with you, that is your call.

As far as you not associating with sinners...I'm glad you've taken on the role of judge and condemner. For as your last quote goes..."do not share in the sins of others", I would suppose you should be a hermit as all men sin? Not sure how you'll spin that one, but I'm sure you will.

It is sad to see a rush to become the accuser and so poorly fabricated to boot.

I suggest that you go back to what I did say, not what you've incorrectly inferred or misrepresented.

Perhaps this portion could be read again:

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.

Clearly, you've dropped the context of brother or sister portions and leaped to trying to claim I have said that I don't even associate with any sinners.
Not only would that blatantly show that what was said was not addressed, it shows the response is falsely representing another. It would also be fundamentally flawed in fitting the preaching repentance and forgiveness.

Mark 2:13-17
13Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

15While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
~~~

Now, I would appreciate it if I didn't have to keep correcting attempts at rephrasing what I have said. It probably would be a benefit for those that have tried too.

 

[LoveAlways]

"Hi. How are you?"

 

[savedandhappy1]

Perhaps I can help: none of the rules in Leviticus (or the second half of Exodus, or Numbers, or Deuteronomy) apply to Christians — except the ones about homosexuality.

So, if one commits adultery, or has sex with an (opposite-sex) relative, or works on the Sabbath, or lies about someone (especially if that lie gets someone fired, or ruins a relationship, or gets someone thrown in jail) — THESE kinds of sins "don't count"; or if they DO count, they're just "little, bitty sins" but certainly not as serious as the damnable sin of homosexuality.

The correct terminology for this is, "complete and utter hypocrisy" but heterosexual, conservative Christians hate having that word applied to them, so we'll just call it a "little, bitty sin".

The above post was directed at me, so how darn you say all the lies above as if that is what I believe and or do.

We all sin, and the only sin that isn't able to be forgiven of is blaspheming of the Holy Spirit. This has been stated by me and everyone else that believes that homosexuality is a sin. Yet, we keep being told we don't believe that and/or we think we are so much better/righteous then someone else. You must really be blessed to be able to know someones heart and mind better than the person whose heart and mind you attack, with your false statements.

Humans put degrees on sin not God, and so your "little bitty sin" statement is totally stupid. It is really just one more false accusation that is being put out there to try and make those who believe homosexuality is a sin, as some evil .....................whatever.

You and a few others keep trying to make what we say something other than what we are saying or believing. I just hope that the people who are reading, but maybe not posting, take their time and really read what is being said.

I guess I should start accussing you all of the hate and bigotry labels that freely get thrown on people, but that wouldn't be Christlike now would it?

If I need you to try and answer post directed at me I will let you know, and until then please don't try and speak for me. I really wouldn't care if you would truefully share my true beliefs, but I don't see that happening.

Since you like BigBadWlf just want to attack a person and not the topic, and to make false statements about someones beliefs, I will add you to the list that BigBadWlf is already on. That list is people I will no longer respond to.




​

 

[OceanAngel]

"Hi. How are you?"

Thats what I was gonna type.

 

[PinkTulip]

Perhaps I can help: none of the rules in Leviticus (or the second half of Exodus, or Numbers, or Deuteronomy) apply to Christians — except the ones about homosexuality.

So, if one commits adultery, or has sex with an (opposite-sex) relative, or works on the Sabbath, or lies about someone (especially if that lie gets someone fired, or ruins a relationship, or gets someone thrown in jail) — THESE kinds of sins "don't count"; or if they DO count, they're just "little, bitty sins" but certainly not as serious as the damnable sin of homosexuality.

The correct terminology for this is, "complete and utter hypocrisy" but heterosexual, conservative Christians hate having that word applied to them, so we'll just call it a "little, bitty sin".

Interesting I always thought these issues were resolved in the NT, but after 2000 some years we still fight about. Acts 15 19-21

5Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."


19"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."

28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.


So it is obvious (except some people will disagree with me), that sexual immorality was referring to the Law as defined by the OT. Levitical Law (the Holy laws). if you do not agree with me, what other sexual sin laws were they referring to?

 

[SallyNow]

Wrong, SOME of the passages may be up for debate, but Romans 1 is actually quite clear and forceful in its assertions.

No, it is not. There are translation issues, and also issues regarding if this letter to Romans was only supposed to be applicable to them in the moment, or only to them as long as the culture wore on, and the exact context of the meaning (cult prostitutes? Sexual rituals?)

But none of this, none of this should make people think they can allow themselves to be rude, mean, or cruel to homosexuals or anyone else. The Golden Rule applies, even to people you do not like.

 

[MyHeart07]

"Hi. How are you?"

I'm fine...a little tired...Sweet of you to ask

Hope you're doing well on this fine evening.

 

[UnitedInChrist]

The above post was directed at me, so how darn you say all the lies above as if that is what I believe and or do.​

We all sin, and the only sin that isn't able to be forgiven of is blaspheming of the Holy Spirit. This has been stated by me and everyone else that believes that homosexuality is a sin. Yet, we keep being told we don't believe that and/or we think we are so much better/righteous then someone else. You must really be blessed to be able to know someones heart and mind better than the person whose heart and mind you attack, with your false statements. ​

Humans put degrees on sin not God, and so your "little bitty sin" statement is totally stupid. It is really just one more false accusation that is being put out there to try and make those who believe homosexuality is a sin, as some evil .....................whatever.​

You and a few others keep trying to make what we say something other than what we are saying or believing. I just hope that the people who are reading, but maybe not posting, take their time and really read what is being said.​

I guess I should start accussing you all of the hate and bigotry labels that freely get thrown on people, but that wouldn't be Christlike now would it? ​

If I need you to try and answer post directed at me I will let you know, and until then please don't try and speak for me. I really wouldn't care if you would truefully share my true beliefs, but I don't see that happening.​

Since you like BigBadWlf just want to attack a person and not the topic, and to make false statements about someones beliefs, I will add you to the list that BigBadWlf is already on. That list is people I will no longer respond to.​

​

Can we all just get along here? Seriously. I am guilty as the next for starting arguements here..but lets try a little more to get back on track here. Saved...just keep in mind Uber is as passionate about his beliefs as you are. As much as you hold homosexuality to be a sin...others hold that same passion saying it is not when it is monogomous love and the scriptures never specifically speak to homosexual love...just homosexuality in the use of reckless sex, temple prostitutes, etc... You are taught scripture one way...others are taught another...hence all the denominations out there. If you entered the Fundamentalist room...you would have 99% of that forum in agreement with you. If you entered the UCC room, you would be attacked by 99% of the people in that room. This is why denominations were created. I can understand people feeling attacked on here because beliefs and faith don't get rocked very easily, so human nature makes us lash out at first. I've done this. My way of dealing with it now is I just think of others being as passionate about their church as others are about theirs. I go to a UCC church and I'm a hardcore REPUBLICAN. Yes...it is true. BUT, where I differ is I can not justify any Bible or my God discriminating. It doesn't work for me. People have walked this earth for thousands of years and then some. The Bible has been used to support all sorts of beliefs. Some have been OFF THE WALL, and others are very valid. Not that long ago, there were signs with "No Blacks Allowed", or "Italians Need Not Apply" etc... and the reality of the situation is people would look to the Bible and say...see this scripture supports that. It sounds crazy but it is very true. The South, where most Christians, and hardcore religion flurishes, used the Bible to defend their stands on racial segregation, and the support of slavery for nearly 200 years. Again, this is truth. Today, we can't even comprehend it. I am reading a book now with Bible people STILL upset...and are actually QUOTED, that blacks are given the same rights as the "better race".. yes, this is 2007. The Bible is a very scary thing. It is used by so many people for so many things it still amazes me.

 

[BigBadWlf]

The above post was directed at me, so how darn you say all the lies above as if that is what I believe and or do.​

We all sin, and the only sin that isn't able to be forgiven of is blaspheming of the Holy Spirit. This has been stated by me and everyone else that believes that homosexuality is a sin. Yet, we keep being told we don't believe that and/or we think we are so much better/righteous then someone else. You must really be blessed to be able to know someones heart and mind better than the person whose heart and mind you attack, with your false statements. ​

Humans put degrees on sin not God, and so your "little bitty sin" statement is totally stupid. It is really just one more false accusation that is being put out there to try and make those who believe homosexuality is a sin, as some evil .....................whatever.​

You and a few others keep trying to make what we say something other than what we are saying or believing. I just hope that the people who are reading, but maybe not posting, take their time and really read what is being said.​

I guess I should start accussing you all of the hate and bigotry labels that freely get thrown on people, but that wouldn't be Christlike now would it? ​

If I need you to try and answer post directed at me I will let you know, and until then please don't try and speak for me. I really wouldn't care if you would truefully share my true beliefs, but I don't see that happening.​

Since you like BigBadWlf just want to attack a person and not the topic, and to make false statements about someones beliefs, I will add you to the list that BigBadWlf is already on. That list is people I will no longer respond to.​

​

your indignation aside UberLuthern make excellent and accurate points about your position.

 

[HexenHammer]

Homosexuals are abomination, and their attempt to convert others to their debauchery puts them on par with Satanists, and worse than murderers.