How do i not be gay? (homosexual)

[Donkeyfish07]

I believe in the gospel, but I have the knowledge through research that parts of the bible are often perceived wrong from the translation into English. The bible didn't fall from God into our English speaking hands already in English, flaws are very possible.
We must believe in the TRUE MEANING of the gospel for what it is, not what mis-translations say.
God bless you brother.

Every instance of a claimed mistranslation I've ever read has been easily proven false upon researching it.....10/10 times it's always someone not liking what's being said and trying to force a different interpretation on it. What verse do you claim is mistranslated? I look into every case of this I find....I'm not against the idea of a mistranslation being possible but I've never seen a legitimate one, ever.

 

[charlesbro]

Every instance of a claimed mistranslation I've ever read has been easily proven false upon researching it.....10/10 times it's always someone not liking what's being said and trying to force a different interpretation on it. What verse do you claim is mistranslated? I look into every case of this I find....I'm not against the idea of a mistranslation being possible but I've never seen a legitimate one, ever.

""In the original Hebrew, the 10th Commandment prohibits taking, not coveting. The biblical Jubilee year is named for an animal's horn and has nothing to do with jubilation. The pregnant woman in Isaiah 7:14 is never called a virgin. Psalm 23 opens with an image of God's might and power, not shepherding. And the romantic Song of Solomon offers a surprisingly modern message.
But most people who read the Bible don't know these things, because extensive translation gaffs conceal the Bible's original meaning.
The mistakes stem from five flawed translation techniques: etymology, internal structure, cognates, old mistranslations, and misunderstood metaphor.
The tenth Commandment, commonly but wrongly translated as "thou shalt not covet," illustrates how internal structure or etymology can be misleading. Like the English "host" and "hostile" that share a root but don't mean the same thing, the words for "desirable" and "take" in Hebrew come from the same root. It's the second word, "take," that appears in the Ten Commandments. But translators, not recognizing that related words can mean different things in this way, misunderstood the Hebrew and wrongly translated the text as "thou shalt not covet" for what should have been "thou shalt not take."
The translation "Jubilee year" results from a mistaken application of cognates (similar words in different languages). In the original Hebrew, the year was called the "year of the horn," or, in Hebrew, "the year of the yovel." The Latin for yovel is iobileus, which just happens to sound like the Latin word iubileus, connected to the verb iubilare, "to celebrate." The English "Jubilee year" comes from the Latin. (A similar Latin coincidence gave rise to the notion that the fruit in the Garden of Eden was an apple.)
Starting about 2,300 years ago, the Hebrew Bible was translated into a Greek version now known as the Septuagint. One shortcoming of that translation is its inattention to near synonyms. For instance, the Hebrew words for "love," "mercy" and "compassion" are frequently mixed up, because they mean nearly the same thing. Likewise, because most young women in antiquity were virgins and most virgins were young women, the Septuagint wasn't careful to distinguish the words for "virgin" and "young woman" in translation.
This is how the Hebrew in Isaiah 7:14 -- which describes a young woman giving birth to a boy who will be named Emmanuel -- ended up in Greek as a virgin giving birth. Though these facts about Greek and Hebrew are generally undisputed among scholars, the translation error remains, both because people are usually unwilling to give up familiar translations, and also perhaps because the Gospel of Matthew describes the virgin birth of Jesus by quoting the mistaken Greek translation of Isaiah 7:14.
Metaphors are particularly difficult to translate, because words have different metaphoric meanings in different cultures. Shepherds in the Bible were symbols of might, ferocity and royalty, whereas now they generally represent peaceful guidance and oversight. So the image of the Lord as shepherd in Psalm 23 originally meant that the Lord was mighty, fierce and royal. The impact was roughly the same as "the Lord is a man of war." But in most English-speaking cultures, "the Lord is my shepherd" conveys a wholly different, and therefore inaccurate, image.
Similarly, kinship terms like "father," "brother," "sister," etc. were used in the Bible specifically to indicate power structure. This is why the romantic Song of Solomon -- the Bible's only full length treatise on relationships -- says "my sister, my bride" or "my sister, my spouse." On its face, that English translation is not only unromantic but in fact felonious. The original point, however, was that the woman in this relationship should be the man's equal.
In these and many other instances, improved translation techniques bring us closer to the original intent of the Bible. And like a newly restored work of art, the Bible's original beauty shines the brighter for it.""

 

[Donkeyfish07]

Metaphors are particularly difficult to translate, because words have different metaphoric meanings in different cultures. Shepherds in the Bible were symbols of might, ferocity and royalty, whereas now they generally represent peaceful guidance and oversight. So the image of the Lord as shepherd in Psalm 23 originally meant that the Lord was mighty, fierce and royal. The impact was roughly the same as "the Lord is a man of war." But in most English-speaking cultures, "the Lord is my shepherd" conveys a wholly different, and therefore inaccurate, image.

That source clearly doesn't know what they are talking about. The metaphoric, symbolic, and qualities of a shepherd is probably among the most well defined things in the bible.

1 Samuel 17:34-35

"And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
"
John 10:11-18

"
[SUP]11 [/SUP]I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
[SUP]13 [/SUP]The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep"

It's very clear and there's nothing lost in translation on that issue. I could pick apart the rest of the post but that source (wherever you got that from) clearly isn't credible. Although there is somewhat of a point made in the text you posted, that being unfamiliar with a particular culture can lead to lack of understanding.....but that's not due to mistranslation, it's only due to lack of knowledge about the culture. For example, there's a lot of allegory in the new testament that is related to Jewish wedding traditions.......there are a lot of people that are unfamiliar with those traditions but it doesn't have anything to do with mistranslation.

 

[charlesbro]

oh whatever, we sin with Leviticus standards, yup all of us
Who goes by that stuff tho lmao

 

[Donkeyfish07]

oh whatever, we sin with Leviticus standards, yup all of us
Who goes by that stuff tho lmao

Oh I do agree with you on that one, none of us live up to leviticus standards and gay people tend to get singled out while the rest of them are ignored....no arguments there. Like this one for example

"Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard"

 

[charlesbro]

No fruit off a tree that has been planted for less than four years xD
Sinful,sinful modern day Christians.
Thank God we aren't like that

 

[Occasus]

First off, I want to say that it is very admirable of you to seek to not follow those desires. It shows a wisdom and desire for God that, sadly, isn't very present these days.

Second, in addition to following the advice of what was already posted, I would also suggest you search the Internet for groups who help people with homosexual desires resist them and serve God. It's unfortunate there aren't many in the real world.

Third, understand that the sin of homosexuality is not a sin that's somehow "worse" than any other. God does not consider you more bad than say a lier to someone who is arrogant. I don't mean to downplay the severity of sin - they all separate us from God - but don't think of yourself as a special case of "bad person." In Christ we all are equals, no matter what sins we struggle with.

Fourth, realize that it's not a sin to have homosexual temptations/desires. As a straight male I find myself pitted against lust, the sexual desire for women in improper ways. When I see a hot gal I'm tempted to look at her a little too long and think a little too wrongly about her. That's not a sin. The sin is if I were to do those things. The sin is not the homosexual temptations, but rather acting out on them.

A previous poster said you should repent. I agree, but let me give a clear definition: repentance is a change of mind. In your case it would be changing your mind to say "This is a sin, and I don't want to do it anymore." From the looks of it, you've already achieved that. Very good! A changed mind in coordination with the Holy Spirit make for a dramatically changed life indeed.

Ahem. Matthew Chapter 5:

[SUP]27 [/SUP]“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [SUP]28 [/SUP]But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [SUP]29 [/SUP]If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [SUP]30 [/SUP]And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

 

[Simona25]

First off, I want to say that it is very admirable of you to seek to not follow those desires. It shows a wisdom and desire for God that, sadly, isn't very present these days.

Second, in addition to following the advice of what was already posted, I would also suggest you search the Internet for groups who help people with homosexual desires resist them and serve God. It's unfortunate there aren't many in the real world.

Third, understand that the sin of homosexuality is not a sin that's somehow "worse" than any other. God does not consider you more bad than say a lier to someone who is arrogant. I don't mean to downplay the severity of sin - they all separate us from God - but don't think of yourself as a special case of "bad person." In Christ we all are equals, no matter what sins we struggle with.

Fourth, realize that it's not a sin to have homosexual temptations/desires. As a straight male I find myself pitted against lust, the sexual desire for women in improper ways. When I see a hot gal I'm tempted to look at her a little too long and think a little too wrongly about her. That's not a sin. The sin is if I were to do those things. The sin is not the homosexual temptations, but rather acting out on them.

A previous poster said you should repent. I agree, but let me give a clear definition: repentance is a change of mind. In your case it would be changing your mind to say "This is a sin, and I don't want to do it anymore." From the looks of it, you've already achieved that. Very good! A changed mind in coordination with the Holy Spirit make for a dramatically changed life indeed.

There is a difference between the atraction that a man has for every "gal" he encounters and the atraction of a man for another man. In the first case, the atraction is natural for it is normal to like women that can eventually give birth to babies and not men, who get pregnant only in stupid american movies. Both atractions are sinful, but the last one is also corrupted, perverted.
Sin must be understood as the disease of our fallen nature, disease that leads to death. Sin isnt´s just a breaking of a law, sin is going against God and your true self. Sin is what stops us from becoming what we are and were ment to become. We are not called to be champions of the abstinence. If all what God wants from us is to refrain from doing some things, then I believe the laws of Moses would have been sufficient.

 

[Shilo]

i dont want to be gay but its hard not to.. what do i do? i dont want to talk to my parents or anyone i know about it becaus ei dont want them to know.. help please...

Everyone is made with a issue they need to overcome. The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus calls you an overcomer. Please put your trust in Jesus and he will help you overcome. Everyday we wake up in the morning the evilone attacks our mind. The only thing that can over powere the lie is the truth. When you start thinking of being attracted to another man remove the thought from your mind. Then replaces it with a truth from the word of God. The more you replace the lie with the truth it will become easier. Then one day you will see that you have become the overcomer you were made to be. Then you can use what you have learned and help someone else. The day that you help set someone else free will be the day that you will be able to say, I walked through the fire but I was not burned and the river of tears did not over take me. I am here today as proof of the power and love of God. He has a purpose for my life that I may help others come through the fire and the tears. I am standing and will stand Satan will not take my victory in Jesus the Messiah.

 

[blue_ladybug]

I have to disagree with this approach. Having loving feelings for another consenting adult who shares those feelings is nothing like any other sin whatsoever. The only thing that makes it seem sinful is that it grosses some people out. Jesus never even spoke of it. I vote for people to have happy lives instead of living in depression because of something they cannot control.

I disagree. The bible is VERY clear when it says that a man SHALL NOT LAY with another man, nor a woman with another woman. The reason it "grosses people out" is because it is a disgusting act in itself. Being homosexual IS a sin!! But even homosexuals can learn to be happy without being with someone of their own gender.

 

[Wormwood]

The only thing that makes it seem sinful is that it grosses some people out. Jesus never even spoke of it.

I'm all for people learning to live [happily] as well, but what you said here is a glaring misrepresentation of things both biblical and of the prevailing Christian outlook.

 

[Defrost514]

There is nothing wrong with being gay, just don't act on those urges.
Leviticus 20:13"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them."

 

[Defrost514]

I'm all for people learning to live [happily] as well, but what you said here is a glaring misrepresentation of things both biblical and of the prevailing Christian outlook.

Still criticizing I see.

 

[NicholasStone]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. I am gay as well and unfortunately it doesn't go away. There isn't a magical ritual, cognitive behavioral therapy, even prayer (unless of course God chooses to change someones sexuality) that will change the way you feel. I would suggest attempting to love yourself exactly for who and where you are at right now- and know that to be loved and accepted by Jesus is not the same as being loved and accepted by the church.

The church often makes gay people feel as if we need to DO something- to be single, to change, to pray- to be perfect in their eyes, in order to be accepted.

The Church often confuses the words love and acceptance. And for the gay person- acceptance and love are the same thing- because being gay FEELS like who we are- it is NOT something we choose.

Jesus does not see you this way. He sees all of us, gay or straight, as being loveable. He's in LOVE with you regardless of anything. The choices that we make on this earth will affect us in different ways and I'm not going to tell you that you should or shouldn't be gay or have a relationship or any of that. That is between you and God. What I will say is- worry less about what the Church says and ask yourself what you feel God is telling you.

I will be honest. I still don't feel that I've ever had a clear answer from God regarding whether or not it's ok for me to have a boyfriend or husband or whatever.

But I do know, that if I was supposed to hear directly from God on the subject- he'd figure out how to get the message through to me- because trust me, I've prayed my head off for the answer to this one.

Is a person who is born without arms unlovable to Jesus because of what he looks like or feels like- or because he can't use his arms like a 'normal' person? No.
In fact- there is a special place in God's heart for the person born without arms.

Why would you be any different. Just because you feel you have been given the short end of the stick- doesn't mean you have to DO anything but be yourself.

How you deal with loneliness while on earth- that my friend is still something I'm talking with God about. But please don't allow yourself to hate yourself one more minute because of something no one knows how to control.

 

[Ugly]

So this is why you joined? To sit around and debate homosexuality? Because, so far, this is all i've seen you discuss. And bringing up old, dead, threads to do it in.

 

[LivingInFaith00]

pray and fast for it in faith as if it already happened. Fast and pray and tell God that I WILL KEEP FASTING TILL YOU CHANGE ME, IT SAYS IN UR WORD IM NOT SUPPOSE TO BE THIS SO YOU TAKE IT AWAY! Keep fasting till its gone, it may seem slow at first but keep going till its all out and keep telling him this. But don't just say it as words, mean it (believe it as if it HAS happen)

 

[wwjd_kilden]

pssst. The thread is three years old and the original poster is no longer a member

 

[emma93]

i dont want to be gay but its hard not to.. what do i do? i dont want to talk to my parents or anyone i know about it becaus ei dont want them to know.. help please...

Most people i meet are so against this, however it is something you cannot change and should not want to change. It is who you are and you should be proud. (God help me for all the comments i will receive for saying that). The world is changing, we should be proud of ourselves, learn to love ourselves and be happy in our own skin no matter what others think. I know plenty of gay people and do not think they negatively effect my own life, i always believe that if you are not harming others and are happy, you should pursue that happiness. Whatever that may be.

 

[sharkwhales]

Well (this is a dead thread, but even so), the most obvious negative effect of homosexuality is when a person fights it, it is agonizing for them. According to the world, if they don't want to suffer they must accept their desires and take on a new identity. So to comfort themselves they take on a label that basically says 'I am my uncontrollable sexual desires'.

We are spiritual beings fighting spiritual forces, and just going with the flow of the world and the flow of our souls doesn't ultimately make us any happier.

And yes it can be changed, with God all things are possible. The idea that we are just born one way and we stay that way, is an idea the world made up to comfort itself instead of going to God with its problems. But even if a person struggles with that desire for a long time, we are more than our desires and shouldn't accept an identity based on them.

 

[emma93]

Well (this is a dead thread, but even so), the most obvious negative effect of homosexuality is when a person fights it, it is agonizing for them. According to the world, if they don't want to suffer they must accept their desires and take on a new identity. So to comfort themselves they take on a label that basically says 'I am my uncontrollable sexual desires'.

We are spiritual beings fighting spiritual forces, and just going with the flow of the world and the flow of our souls doesn't ultimately make us any happier.

And yes it can be changed, with God all things are possible. The idea that we are just born one way and we stay that way, is an idea the world made up to comfort itself instead of going to God with its problems. But even if a person struggles with that desire for a long time, we are more than our desires and shouldn't accept an identity based on them.

Oh wow, didnt realise it was dead, i didnt look at dates. It appeared at the top of my page!