The real problem, as typified in this thread, is there's a lot of people who claim to be Christians(such as the OP), but really only have a superficial or mainstream understanding of the scripture, and as such fall for common deceptions over and over again.
I'd give you the same advice as the OP. Maybe spend a little more time studying your bible and less time supporting worldly, sinful, left-wing political causes.
Perseus I want you to know that your actions here have made me feel angry and quite offended.
Lets get a few facts straight... None of us (As far as I am aware) are saying that homosexuality is not sin, NOR that should it be accepted within a church. If someone was claiming to be a Christian while openly and proudly practicing homosexuality I would advocate throwing them out. What some of us are of the opinion, is that the best way to save these people is not to condemn them. (How did Jesus act towards the woman caught in Adultery?) But to love them, show them God's love.
Ahh yes, the old judgmental accusation that generally comes after the theocracy one. The trusty toolbag of the leftoid. Perhaps I should be more tolerrrrrrrant and openminnnnnded? After all, it doesn't affect me, right?
As I said, zero surprise, although perhaps the degree of infestation here is. Let's all hold hands, sing kumbaya, not judddddddge anyone, and bask in the self-appropriated label of Christianity.
Yep... I'm on the left and not ashamed of it. I'd like to point out that the RIGHT in Australian is well to the LEFT of your Democrat party. As are probably most of the mainstream European conservative parties.
A note to others reading this - I do apologise that this view below is simplistic and controversial and I am not suggesting that the right generally doesn't want to take care of people - they wish to do it in a different and individualistic way. I simply want to make a point.
I believe in looking after the poor. Or perhaps our society should let people who are poor through no fault of their own starve?
I believe in looking after the Aliens in our society, those who don't have citizenship. Making them feel welcome and protecting those who have the least rights in our society. Or perhaps we should continue to force them to live underground?
I believe in looking after the health of those who can't afford to. Or perhaps our society should let them die?
I support the restriction of firearms so that those in our society who choose not to buy them, those who wish to live peaceful, non violent lives, can live safe lives without fear. (I'm not saying those who have guns don't want to live peaceful lives!)
My point is that the left has values of looking after the weak in society - giving everyone a fair go that isn't dependent on birth - so to condemn all 'lefties' as heretical is quite frankly insulting and incredibly... TeaParty/Rightwing/American.
I will also point out that I do not agree that abortion is right, nor other things that the left advocates. But on social issues I'm way down the left spectrum.
Self appropriated label of Christianity? This is deeply offensive to me. May I ask? What do you need to be, to be a Christian? Do I need to be a gun toting republican to be a Christian? Do I need to believe that homosexuals are going to burn in hell and that in every conversation I speak to them I need to remind them of this and condemn them for their horrible horrible sin? Do I need to be holy and righteous, I could never fall into sexual sin after all, I'm a Christian. If I did I'd go to hell.... Jesus came to save sinners, and though the world and all it's evil will be judged when Jesus returns, we aren't to condemn those outside of the church. Leave that to God.
I'll list a few things that I believe.
I believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead.
I believe that Jesus will return.
I believe that Jesus is God the Son. God is one, Father, Son and Spirit.
I believe that none of us are sinless. I believe that without Jesus paying the price for our sins, none of us can be saved.
I believe that since we are forgiven our sins - through propitiation if you like - we should try and live our lives for God.
I believe this should effect our lives so deeply, our lives should revolve around God, every aspect of it!
I believe that non-Christians will go to hell.
I believe that our life is about God, Love and Evangelism.
If you are looking for other stuff I believe you can go find the Westminster Confession of Faith - other than the article on infant baptism which I haven't made my mind up that would pretty well sum it up.
So please... to come in here and deride my beliefs without knowing a thing about me other than what I have posted here is extremely offensive. No Church has their doctrine perfect, no person has their doctrine perfect. And you would do well to avoid questioning motivations, you cannot see into my heart from behind your computer screen, you do not know what is in here. I can tell you that I am in Christ, to deny that is hurtful.
