What Would YOU Do If . . .?

[angellica]

That's not really a lifestyle, though. After all, what if said individual was raised in a religion that didn't believe teh ghey was ebil? They're not really living in defiance of your god if they don't believe in Him/Her/It/Them (elohim is a complicated word...I like to cover my bases).

I have a Christian lifestyle, and I will raise my kids like that. If they participate in a lifestyle that is in direct defiance to that, they will not be allowed to do it in my home.

 

[sidhe]

I have a Christian lifestyle, and I will raise my kids like that. If they participate in a lifestyle that is in direct defiance to that, they will not be allowed to do it in my home.

What's a Christian lifestyle?

 

[angellica]

What's a Christian lifestyle?

Following God, praying, church, reading the Bible, living for God.

 

[Archer93]

What's a Christian lifestyle?

Being prepared to disown your children and not consider it sinful?

 

[geekgirlkelli]

Being prepared to disown your children and not consider it sinful?

+1

 

[sidhe]

Following God, praying, church, reading the Bible, living for God.

I know a priest who does all those things. He's also bailed parishioners out when they got arrested for DUIs, paid people's bills, and supports gay rights. He feels that it's totally in keeping with his ministry. Is he living a Christian lifestyle?

 

[allhart]

I think you need to swap out JUDGMENT and HELL for GRACE and power. You can do that can't you. God who feels outrageous compassion for every single person, regardless of their situation. He has am unconditional sort of love "my friends" Just like good parents illustrate. Have you ever watched the movie raising Jeffery Dohmer. It shows a nurturing loving parents raising a serial killer. They didn't know he was a serial killer either.

You know why I became a Christian? Because nothing filled my emptiness of love( here nor there). I even married my wife thinking she would make me happy. Nothing I tried made me joyful. Maybe for a minute,but not for long. Even in acquiring drugs, things or money. Nothing satisfied me, but his love and truth did I don't love God back out of the fear of Judgment or hell. I love him for his Grace and Power,also look for the promises that he makes. All the good ones you can have for yourself, not the negative. You can swap them out can't you?

 

[Archer93]

I know a priest who does all those things. He's also bailed parishioners out when they got arrested for DUIs, paid people's bills, and supports gay rights. He feels that it's totally in keeping with his ministry. Is he living a Christian lifestyle?

I would say so, yes! Sounds like an excellent chap.
To go back to the OP- if my (highly hypothetical) child were to say 'Mum, I'm gay', my response could only be 'Me too!'
And I wouldn't even have an issue if they were straight.
They're your child, for cryin' out loud. Flesh of your flesh or chosen/adopted, they're family. To decide that there's something wrong with them would be to decide that you had failed as a parent.
Hard to admit, of course, which is why kicking them out of the house seems like the easier option.
Unless, of course, you can see that their sexuality isn't any type of flaw, it's just who they are, just like their taste in music, films, anything.
How they behave to others, that's the acid test. Who they love makes them happy. Even if our own happiness isn't the point in life, isn't other people's?
If you cannot love your brother, who you do know, how can you love God whom you do not?

 

[David Brider]

David, are you proud of that comeback?

Pride doesn't really enter into it. I just find it kind of ironic that you criticise other posters for repeating things by rote when the reality is that of all the posters on these boards, it's you more than any other who seems to delight in churning out the same meaningless phrases ("0 x 0 = atheism" for example).

How about, if you realize you're gay, you'll respect your Christian parent's' position on the absolutely incompatible nature of gay life and Christian truth?

How about a reply to that rather un-rote huh?

How about, if you're a Christian whose child has come out as gay, you learn what "the nature of gay life" actually is?

David.

 

[allhart]

I would say so, yes! Sounds like an excellent chap.
To go back to the OP- if my (highly hypothetical) child were to say 'Mum, I'm gay', my response could only be 'Me too!'
And I wouldn't even have an issue if they were straight.
They're your child, for cryin' out loud. Flesh of your flesh or chosen/adopted, they're family. To decide that there's something wrong with them would be to decide that you had failed as a parent.
Hard to admit, of course, which is why kicking them out of the house seems like the easier option.
Unless, of course, you can see that their sexuality isn't any type of flaw, it's just who they are, just like their taste in music, films, anything.
How they behave to others, that's the acid test. Who they love makes them happy. Even if our own happiness isn't the point in life, isn't other people's?
If you cannot love your brother, who you do know, how can you love God whom you do not?

To say you failed as a parent. Makes it sound as though you are in control of them or control everything at all time. And with all do respect! That life style isn't what God created you to become. In role playing. Compared to the natural order of things. That life style isn't your best avenue for living. Their is a lot of desires I have had to nail to the cross at a great cost to me.....

 

[Gremlins]

If they could get a job, I guess I would if they insisted on living in sin. If they are irresponsible enough to not follow the rules of the house they are living in, even when told of the consequences, then it is their problem.

So you never, ever disobeyed your parents growing up? If you did, did they just kick you out the house? As for 'oh, they can just get a job' - well, no actually, they can't. If you're a teenager who's been booted out of your home before you've got any qualifications you're unlikely to get a living wage anyway, and if you've got no home address then finding work becomes nigh on impossible.

As for a 'Christian lifestyle', what would you do if your teen couldn't forgive someone, or didn't offer up their bed to a homeless person, or who didn't feed the hungry, or didn't love their neighbour, or broke any other commandment?

 

[Wyzaard]

You don't want to be subjected to that life style.

Ummm... you're not being subjected to anything; they're the one who is gay, not you.

That doesn't change the unconditional love you have for them or for God.

Ummm... rejecting them for who they are certainly makes this 'love' conditional.

 

[Wyzaard]

I'd ask them if they want help (whatever that might be) to overcome this and if so, great. If not, they do not live under my roof. Basically, the same thing I'd do if they told me they were an alcoholic or a drug addict. Sorry if that is rude to you, but it's the truth.

No, it's ill-informed prejudice... I really hope you'll not have any children.

 

[Wyzaard]

I would send them to a Christian psychiatrist who would tell them that such behavior is an abomination.

That's not a proper psychological diagnosis, btw.

 

[Wyzaard]

Their is a lot of desires I have had to nail to the cross at a great cost to me.....

Wha... are you gay?

 

[roflcopter101]

I would send them to a Christian psychiatrist who would tell them that such behavior is an abomination.

Psychiatrists=drug giving.
Psychologists=talking.
Besides, I don't think it's particularly right for someone to hire a psychologist just to have a supporting viewpoint. Psychologists are for counseling and objective advice.

 

[Wyzaard]

Following God, praying, church, reading the Bible, living for God.

Strangely, lots of gay people do those things too. They can live with you!

 

[angellica]

Ummm... you're not being subjected to anything; they're the one who is gay, not you.



Ummm... rejecting them for who they are certainly makes this 'love' conditional.

Right, I will not be subjected to seeing them do anything gay, sexually or otherwise.

I'm not rejecting them. They are free to come back anytime, but their sinful lifestyle is not.

 

[allhart]

Wha... are you gay?

No, that wasn't a desire I resonated to; however, "drugs" on the other hand opened a lot of doors to many variables to sex and other realms of life. Not alone throwing people under the bus to get what I wanted. How about finding your worst sides of yourself, not being High....No more excuses!

 

[angellica]

So you never, ever disobeyed your parents growing up? If you did, did they just kick you out the house? As for 'oh, they can just get a job' - well, no actually, they can't. If you're a teenager who's been booted out of your home before you've got any qualifications you're unlikely to get a living wage anyway, and if you've got no home address then finding work becomes nigh on impossible.

As for a 'Christian lifestyle', what would you do if your teen couldn't forgive someone, or didn't offer up their bed to a homeless person, or who didn't feed the hungry, or didn't love their neighbour, or broke any other commandment?

There is a difference, as I said before, in committing a sin and living a sinful lifestyle.