What does the Bible say about homosexuality...

[AuntieAnt]

Jesus spoke in parables so people would not only get intrigued and listen to his stories, but to help people safely relate to what He was saying without feeling accused. The Lord's allegories stayed on people's hearts and they were able to accept the truth regarding themselves. They were able to come to the truth that they indeed needed God.

Mobs of people followed Jesus around because they were hungry to hear what He had to say. His words were life and light and gave them hope and deliverance and healing. Jesus did not go around pointing fingers and condemning folks of various sins, not even in a sweet, gentle voice.

Jesus never accused or condemned weak, broken and hurting people in need of salvation. Jesus never walked around calling out specific sins against the spiritually blind.

However, Jesus boldly accused the religious zealots and Pharisees who were convinced they were holier-than-thou and felt they had the right to judge and accuse others. Jesus accused them of judging outwardly when they were inwardly corrupt with pride, arrogance, spite, anger, etc.

 

[kaylagrl]

I think that for the most part Christians having not committed the sin of homeosexuality is the reason it is picked on and so vehemently condemned. I have broached this subject before, how much noise Christendom makes compared to how little (nothing actually) Jesus said about it while He walked this world. The way I was treated by other so-called Christians for simply mentioning this fact in one thread was disgusting, as they lined up and fell all over themselves vilifying me. A few of them continued to slander and gossip about me long after I stopped participating in the thread. It is apparent they love their sin more than they love the Truth.

I actually disagreed with you on that thread and told you how I felt. I never was nasty nor gossiped about you. Jesus said He came to fulfill the law. Homosexuality was wrong in the OT and it was wrong in the NT. Jesus never disagreed with that.
You and I almost always agree but on this one topic we disagree,at least partially. You said " It is apparent they love their sin more than they love the Truth." I find that hurtful Magenta,I really do.

 

[PeacefulWarrior]

I know what the Bible says about the subject. It was a rhetorical question. Do not mince words with me and make up something that is not true.

What's the point of this rhetorical thread?

If the question is rhetorical ("What does the Bible say about homosexuality...") it seems the only purpose would be stirring strife.

 

[Spoonfulofsugar]

I am sure they do not see themselves that way.

Here is where have gone full circle and we swing back around to focus again on haughtiness and pride.

 

[coby]

I'm jumping in.

Before I give my perspective, let me share a few things I believe, so that there's no doubt:

1. Any and all sin is detestable in God's sight
2. Even one sin is enough to separate us from God (without Christ)
3. Breaking just one of God's given laws is the same as breaking all of them (cf. James 2)
4. Certain sins in Scripture are called abominations.

Now with that out of the way, here's my take on the apparent selective outrage by some Christians against homosexuality versus other types of sins:

It was mentioned upthread about how there seems to be a dissonance between protesting gay marriage and protesting divorce. It can be safely argued that we as Christians have been, in a sense, forced to accept divorce as normal and no big deal. It is so commonplace that we don't really express much public outrage against it. The difference with homosexuality is that one can be possibly charged with a hate crime and/or sued just for speaking out against it, either verbally or by actions. That is not the case with divorce really, or most other types of sin for that matter. People who are merely divorced cannot use existing anti-discrimination laws as leverage to get what they want or to justify their lifestyles. We don't have things such as "divorce pride" parades, promoting and celebrating divorced people as a way of showing "diversity" or "corporate responsibility" or similar things.

That's why there is a lot of pushback from the Christian community with regard to homosexuality. And it does often come across as selective outrage, to the near exclusion of other sins.

It is true that an unsaved person is just as condemned for lying only one time as he/she would be for being a practicing homosexual. It is also true that Christ is willing to forgive both types of sin if the offender truly wants Him to be his/her Savior.

That being said, although there might be others, I can't think of a sinful practice besides homosexuality that is being pushed down the throats of people so vehemently.

I'm sure that the early Christians spoke out against certain practices but were silent on others. Probably because they were put in positions where they were forced to accept or even participate in them under threat of some serious consequence, death in a lot of cases.

That's why I believe many Christians come across as being hypocritical with homosexuality as opposed to other sins.

Yes and it's bad that they force you to accept it, but I do understand it. They may not have the right to marry, but the people that remarried while it was adultery were never treated as second class citizens or had hate talk, so they didn't have to fight for their 'rights'. But it's bad.

 

[Ahwatukee]

I'm jumping in.

Before I give my perspective, let me share a few things I believe, so that there's no doubt:

1. Any and all sin is detestable in God's sight
2. Even one sin is enough to separate us from God (without Christ)
3. Breaking just one of God's given laws is the same as breaking all of them (cf. James 2)
4. Certain sins in Scripture are called abominations.

Now with that out of the way, here's my take on the apparent selective outrage by some Christians against homosexuality versus other types of sins:

It was mentioned upthread about how there seems to be a dissonance between protesting gay marriage and protesting divorce. It can be safely argued that we as Christians have been, in a sense, forced to accept divorce as normal and no big deal. It is so commonplace that we don't really express much public outrage against it. The difference with homosexuality is that one can be possibly charged with a hate crime and/or sued just for speaking out against it, either verbally or by actions. That is not the case with divorce really, or most other types of sin for that matter. People who are merely divorced cannot use existing anti-discrimination laws as leverage to get what they want or to justify their lifestyles. We don't have things such as "divorce pride" parades, promoting and celebrating divorced people as a way of showing "diversity" or "corporate responsibility" or similar things.

That's why there is a lot of pushback from the Christian community with regard to homosexuality. And it does often come across as selective outrage, to the near exclusion of other sins.

It is true that an unsaved person is just as condemned for lying only one time as he/she would be for being a practicing homosexual. It is also true that Christ is willing to forgive both types of sin if the offender truly wants Him to be his/her Savior.

That being said, although there might be others, I can't think of a sinful practice besides homosexuality that is being pushed down the throats of people so vehemently.

I'm sure that the early Christians spoke out against certain practices but were silent on others. Probably because they were put in positions where they were forced to accept or even participate in them under threat of some serious consequence, death in a lot of cases.

That's why I believe many Christians come across as being hypocritical with homosexuality as opposed to other sins.

Hello NotMeButHim,

Well said! And I would also add that, though all are sins, God never rained down fire and sulfur on any cities because of lying, slander, murder, greed or any other sin. The problem that we have today, specifically for those who are living same-sex life styles and are calling themselves Christian's is that, instead of repentance, they have justified and embraced this life style, which is actually the opposite of repentance. Their attitude is, "God loves us just the way we are" and they therefore do not recognize it as sin and therefore no need to repent. God's institution of marriage, which he created between a man and a woman has been polluted by those who support, condone and live same-sex life styles. We don't see people who lie, steal, rape, slander, the greedy, etc., attempting to proclaim to the rest of the world that these practices are ok with God, as we see with those who are attempting to make same-sex as being a normal and acceptable practice.

 

[kaylagrl]

Many Christians feel like you have to go on a homosexual Witch Hunt in order to prove how Christian you are. Also I see how there is a abundant mob mentality in this forum. I had a similar experience in a thread about the trinity. They love to gang up on anyone who disagrees with them. Gluttony is a sin but I don't see anyone protesting buffets. Alcoholism is a sin but I don't see anyone protesting bars. Fornication is a sin but I don't see anyone protesting the cable companies for airing it on TV. I don't recall the Bible telling us to pick and choose which sins to speak out about and which sins to remain silent about. How about we pray for them and show them kindness instead of condemning them and acting like we are superior to them.

Quote "instead of condemning them and acting like we are superior to them."

Again,you're making a judgment call.

 

[Demi777]

I actually disagreed with you on that thread and told you how I felt. I never was nasty nor gossiped about you. Jesus said He came to fulfill the law. Homosexuality was wrong in the OT and it was wrong in the NT. Jesus never disagreed with that.
You and I almost always agree but on this one topic we disagree,at least partially. You said " It is apparent they love their sin more than they love the Truth." I find that hurtful Magenta,I really do.

I agree with you sister. Homosexuality is wrong and theres no way past it. And telling the truth is not being judgemental.
When I see people hardening their hearts against the truth thats what I think of:
Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Jeremiah 18:12
"But they will say, 'It's hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.'
Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.......

 

[Richard1976]

Well those people who force you to accept it make you feel guilty, so you got to know where your feelings come from. Strangely enough when I was homeless in Queensland a homosexual man let me rent a room in his house, only because he wanted to have sex with me. I lived with a whole community of homosexuals for 8 months and I observed what they're like. Oh yeah the go around converting other men, and once they knew I wouldn't turn I was out on my ears.

My point exactly! Thank you SO MUCH for your HONESTY!

 

[coby]

Hello NotMeButHim,

Well said! And I would also add that, though all are sins, God never rained down fire and sulfur on any cities because of lying, slander, murder, greed or any other sin. The problem that we have today, specifically for those who are living same-sex life styles and are calling themselves Christian's is that, instead of repentance, they have justified and embraced this life style, which is actually the opposite of repentance. Their attitude is, "God loves us just the way we are" and they therefore do not recognize it as sin and therefore no need to repent. God's institution of marriage, which he created between a man and a woman has been polluted by those who support, condone and live same-sex life styles. We don't see people who lie, steal, rape, slander, the greedy, etc., attempting to proclaim to the rest of the world that these practices are ok with God, as we see with those who are attempting to make same-sex as being a normal and acceptable practice.

He wanted to destroy Nineve.
Sodom would have stayed if those miracles Jesus did had been done there. Why don't we stretch out to see the same miracles?

 

[Willie-T]

Hello NotMeButHim,

Well said! And I would also add that, though all are sins, God never rained down fire and sulfur on any cities because of lying, slander, murder, greed or any other sin. The problem that we have today, specifically for those who are living same-sex life styles and are calling themselves Christian's is that, instead of repentance, they have justified and embraced this life style, which is actually the opposite of repentance. Their attitude is, "God loves us just the way we are" and they therefore do not recognize it as sin and therefore no need to repent. God's institution of marriage, which he created between a man and a woman has been polluted by those who support, condone and live same-sex life styles. We don't see people who lie, steal, rape, slander, the greedy, etc., attempting to proclaim to the rest of the world that these practices are ok with God, as we see with those who are attempting to make same-sex as being a normal and acceptable practice.

Good post............ except for the fire & sulfur part. The Bible pretty clearly stated what the sin of S&D was....... and it didn't say, homosexuality. Bad as that was, it seems God felt something else outweighed it.

 

[Depleted]

I know what the Bible says about the subject. It was a rhetorical question. Do not mince words with me and make up something that is not true.

What mince words? I was curious so asked. I didn't get it was a rhetorical question because of the plate reference.

 

[kaylagrl]

I spoke to some homosexuals. They went to church since birth. When they were 14 they cried out to God to change them. Nothing happened. Church had no power, noone helped them. They gave up and now they're the reprobates and it's all their fault. Right.

Whoa,whoa,whoa there sister!! The power to save and change is not in the church. People can't do anything but share the truth of the gospel,only God changes the heart. If the people wanted to truly change they would have. I've cried out to God too and He said "but you're still holding on to that bad thing!" I didn't want to let go. Until I made up my mind God couldn't force me to change. When a person truly wants to change they will. You cannot blame the church for that.

 

[Spoonfulofsugar]

I agree with you sister. Homosexuality is wrong and theres no way past it. And telling the truth is not being judgemental.
When I see people hardening their hearts against the truth thats what I think of:
Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Jeremiah 18:12
"But they will say, 'It's hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.'
Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.......

But how often does the spirit lead? If we are honest when we answer that question I would think at least 50% of the time we speak out of our flesh. That was a conservative %. lol

 

[hornetguy]

So because we sin we have no right to say something is sinful. Yes,someone who is justifying their own sin and sweeping it under the rug while pointing at someone else is,in itself, sinful. I dont say homosexuality is wrong,the Bible does. If we can't say something is wrong because we aren't perfect and sinless is ridiculous. The disciples weren't sinless but they preached on sin,they called wrong,wrong. We should be maturing as Christians,trying to live a sin free life. But I dont understand this new idea that because everyone sins no one can say sin is wrong. I dont see where that is preached in Scripture.

Sis.... nobody is saying that we don't call a sin a sin... what we are trying to say is that we should approach it like Jesus did. Look at his discussion with the promiscuous woman at the well. He talked with her, not TO her. He had no problem informing her that her behavior was not acceptable, but he didn't go about it in an "in your face" kind of way.

We have to meet people where they are, in order to show them where WE are. And... we also have to forget the notion that we are going to "change" them in the first interaction... (primarily because WE don't change them... the Spirit does)
Many lifestyle changes take a long time to accomplish.

We can plant the seed of love that Jesus has for all humans, and let the Spirit water and provide the growth.

 

[Willie-T]

Whoa,whoa,whoa there sister!! The power to save and change is not in the church. People can't do anything but share the truth of the gospel,only God changes the heart. If the people wanted to truly change they would have. I've cried out to God too and He said "but you're still holding on to that bad thing!" I didn't want to let go. Until I made up my mind God couldn't force me to change. When a person truly wants to change they will. You cannot blame the church for that.

WE are the church. And Jesus left us here to treat (and speak with) others with the same compassion He did.... NOT to just turn to a juicy, convicting verse and preach it at them. That is what so many of us seems to think we are supposed to do.

 

[AuntieAnt]

What's the point of this rhetorical thread?

If the question is rhetorical ("What does the Bible say about homosexuality...") it seems the only purpose would be stirring strife.

Yikes! I believe you're right, brother PeacefulWarrior. According to my signature below, I have no business being here. Thank you for the heads-up.

 

[coby]

Whoa,whoa,whoa there sister!! The power to save and change is not in the church. People can't do anything but share the truth of the gospel,only God changes the heart. If the people wanted to truly change they would have. I've cried out to God too and He said "but you're still holding on to that bad thing!" I didn't want to let go. Until I made up my mind God couldn't force me to change. When a person truly wants to change they will. You cannot blame the church for that.

That church didn't even teach on getting baptized with the Holy Spirit or that you become a new creation or receive power to overcome sin. If churches aren't judgemental and preach on that the kids that have those feelings will ask for help and get it. That's what church is for.

 

[Willie-T]

Sis.... nobody is saying that we don't call a sin a sin... what we are trying to say is that we should approach it like Jesus did. Look at his discussion with the promiscuous woman at the well. He talked with her, not TO her. He had no problem informing her that her behavior was not acceptable, but he didn't go about it in an "in your face" kind of way.

We have to meet people where they are, in order to show them where WE are. And... we also have to forget the notion that we are going to "change" them in the first interaction... (primarily because WE don't change them... the Spirit does)
Many lifestyle changes take a long time to accomplish.

We can plant the seed of love that Jesus has for all humans, and let the Spirit water and provide the growth.

A truth well-spoken.

 

[Spoonfulofsugar]

Sis.... nobody is saying that we don't call a sin a sin... what we are trying to say is that we should approach it like Jesus did. Look at his discussion with the promiscuous woman at the well. He talked with her, not TO her. He had no problem informing her that her behavior was not acceptable, but he didn't go about it in an "in your face" kind of way.

We have to meet people where they are, in order to show them where WE are. And... we also have to forget the notion that we are going to "change" them in the first interaction... (primarily because WE don't change them... the Spirit does)
Many lifestyle changes take a long time to accomplish.

We can plant the seed of love that Jesus has for all humans, and let the Spirit water and provide the growth.

Exactly. Although Id add that the spirit should alwas lead and that is why we want to sow tpwards the spirit so that we do not act out of our flesh.

Sometimes we do the planting and sometimes God sends us to add to what is planted. TOGETHER we are the BODY of CHRIST.
God even does that with his kids ya know? How many times has God had to keep sending someone to confirm what he is trying to get through our thick heads? He has done this with me! It is only when I finally get it that I can recollect the bread crumbs along the trail that he has dropped. lol

Thank you Lord for your long arm of mercy and grace! Amen