I recently read an article in the Sacramento News & Review (SN&R). It had a column dedicated to Reverends talking about the affects of orientation. I knew that it wouldn't be something against but for so I was intrigued - pastors who are openly apathetic to homosexuality are rare (no one is PRO-GAY because that asserts difference, no less insulting than asserting yourself pro-Deaf. Neither are appropriate because it categorizes the behavior as something that can be decided. It's always Pro-Gay Rights and Pro-Deaf Rights. Pro-Gay Rights people don't care about homosexuality as an orientation, it doesn't bother them or appear obvious in a crowd).
Reverend Dr. David Thompson, quotes himself as actually saying, straight out, with no sugar coatings, that St. Paul is wrong in Romans. Wow. Drop the jaw. It's not that I disagree with the Reverend, I'm skeptical about Paul's letters just as much as he is, but I never outright say it. I just say "Well it could be..." and make it as pretty and "non-offensive" as possible (Christian political correctness you might say). He says that because homosexuality is so deeply biologically and psychologically rooted, the idea that God would make something unpreventable wrong is preposterous.
So, those who believe homosexuals aren't sinning, why are we this bold? I don't mean blabbing on and on about how the other side is wrong. That's not being bold that's actually being rather dumb. But our voice is very quiet outside of this forum. I realize the voice of the opposing side is loud and it kind of leaves a ringing sound in my ear but that's the problem. I'm discouraged, because the minute you speak out you get called a heretic and basically shouted at with put-downs and questions about your faith until your shrink into obscurity, which, in my opinion, isn't right. We should be like martyrs, stronger than knives in the form of sharp objects or words, and be making a bigger impact in the real world and speaking as clearly as possible.
The reason the opposing side has no trouble is because it's easy for them. Quote a Bible verse, then shout "Amen!" and any Christian will stop and agree. They haven't been taught how not to because the same people doing this are the ones that taught them how to shut off their brain and work on auto pilot for the rest of their life. We have to try to turn it back on and then persuade them to use it, which is so much harder than turning it off (making people think really is more difficult that it needs to be).
So what will you do to start the flow of thinking and be a voice for Christianity and homosexuality? That's like standing in the middle of a bloody war practically, because you're mocked for being Christian and for being homosexual or fighting for homosexuals, and you're mocked for being both. The Lord knows I wanted to quit, especially after seeing how ignorant people on both sides can be, but someone always impresses me and I have to try again. We're fighting in the middle so we have to be twice as loud - and when you're cast with a burden like THAT and you STILL continue to fight for both, you KNOW you must have some faith. And that's all the proof I need. God wouldn't life the burden, I wouldn't be so relaxed, if I weren't fighting for what's right. I would feel guilty for arguing with my brothers and sisters, not betrayed. For all those here fighting in the middle we have a burden yet we press on BECAUSE we know we have God. We don't need cheat sheets or brainwashing or easy pickings because we know God will help us through it.
Now for the question. If you're stuck in the middle, fighting for both homosexual rights and for Christ, has your burden been lifted? I want to hear your testimony, about what convinced you that something wasn't right about what they taught you in Sunday School.