What is your sexuality?
Heterosexual
Do you feel homosexuality is a choice or something a person is born with? Why do you feel that way?
-I think it is both. I think each of us is born with a propensity towards a different sin. Some people are swayed to gamble, some to lie, some to cheat, some to murder, some to steal, and some to be homosexual. But just like a person can chose not to sin, so they can also chose not to engage in homosexual activity
How many people do you know who are gay?
- More than I could count. I was in PRIDE during college, and several of my best friends are homosexual
What is your religion?
-Episcopalian
Are you practicing?
-Yes
Does your religion say homosexuality is a sin?
-The general episcopal doctrine is the belief that ANY Godly relationship is a good one, homosexual or not. In fact we have the only (I think only) openly gay bishop, and we make sure that homosexuals are not judged against in our congregations. However, I do NOT agree with this particular doctrine. I don't think there can be such thing as a Godly homosexual or bisexual relationship because it says rather blatantly in the Bible, several times, homosexuality is a sin. I think it's akin to try to say you were stealing for God, or you were lying for God, or you murdered for God. But, I think it's good that homosexuals are comfortable attending church. I would rather see them there than not there, because it's the sick who go to the doctor, not the well. I'm a sinner, too, and I'm welcomed at church, why shouldn't they be?
Do you think homosexuality is a sin? Why/why not?
-Yes, it says it several times in the Bible, and we tend to glance over it trying to make the world a more politically correct place. Let the world be politically correct, let our churches be Biblically correct. I do believe homosexual couples should be given the same rights as a married couple because they do not deserve to be discriminated against by a government any more than theives, liars, and blasphemers are. But, I don't believe it should be called a marriage, be condoned or sanctioned by the church, or have any justification through the Christian religion.
Why do you feel people are judged based on their lifestyle choices?
-Because, it is impossible to not judge someone. Judging is a way for us to stay alive. I would never judge someone on a spiritual level, that's not my place, but i do have to make some judgements about them. This person is not educated, I should try to communicate to them in a way they would understand, this person smells awful, I should try not to sit next to them on the bus, this woman is a lesbian, the way I act around her is going to be different. Those are reasonable judgements that allow us to function in a society. What would be wrong is to say, this person is uneducated, they can't learn the Bible, this person smells bad, I bet they don't take care of themselves physically or spiritually, this person is a lesbian, she's going to hell.
I have tattoos and peircings and ride harley's. People automatically think I'm an uneducated, promiscuous, deliquent hoodlum up to no good. In fact, I have a degree in international business administration, plan on going to get my degree in information technology, have never been in ANY trouble with the law, rarely disobeyed my parents, can count the number of times I've done drugs on my hands, and drink more alcohol with my own mother at home that I ever have with friends, and I'm also a very active member of my Church and was a peer minister during college. How we project ourselves is how people are going to judge us and our character. If you don't want to be percieved that way than don't. I honestly couldn't pick out a gay person on teh street unless they were exhibiting blantanly gay behaviors (men wearing feminine clothes, makeup, women with boy haircuts and clothes).
Any other comments?
I've seen just as many straight marriages that had less to do with the sanctity of the covenant as I have seen gay couples who love each with all their hearts. I don't believe homosexuality is right, nor do I think straight marriages without God in them are any better. So be sure you aren't being hypocritical the next time you scorn a homosexual and shake the hand of a man who abuses his wife.
God bless!
