homosexuality thoughts

[kev360]

i know, i know, i'm sorry to make another one of these. just seems like its such a huge issue. i think a lot about it, and how to react when my friends tell me they are gay, so on, so forth.

so, i want to get some feedback. basically, i feel like the best way to react to someone you know is homosexual is to basically love on them, probably all the more BECAUSE they are homosexual, and because they probably view the church as a hate machine. i think we can mostly agree on that. inviting them to church and accepting them into church with open arms should be a duh. also, if they embrace the lifestyle, they probably shouldn't be put in a position of leadership. having a main selling point of christianity as "gays will burn in hell" is probably a bad way of going about doing things.

all that being said, some thoughts:
-if you are gay, but you don't act on it, and instead choose to be like paul and stay single, does that still make you a sinner? (granted, you'd have all the same issues of lust as a straight christian. but, other then that, is your life/tendencies inherently a sin?)
-that being asked, does it really matter if homosexuality is genetic or not? even if it is completely natural, so are many other sins. we're called to fight against ourselves to strive after God. so, why has this become such a big issue?
-most people can agree there is a huge gap between the 'homosexual community' (i know, a TERRIBLE, terrible term that simplifies the issue and causes more harm then good), and the christian community. does all the burden fall on christians to fix this issue?
-what is the best way to respond to christians who insist on preaching hate for homosexuals? especially when they are of the stubborn variety? (this, i mainly ask because i've often found myself in that situation).
-for anyone who disagrees with my basic approach (or anyone who understand why things have gotten the way they have): what makes homosexuality any worse then any other sin? especially, what makes it worse then any other sexual sin?

food for thought. comment if you want. ignore it if you must. but, i'd love to hear some other opinions on this.

 

[kayem77]

i know, i know, i'm sorry to make another one of these. just seems like its such a huge issue. i think a lot about it, and how to react when my friends tell me they are gay, so on, so forth.

so, i want to get some feedback. basically, i feel like the best way to react to someone you know is homosexual is to basically love on them, probably all the more BECAUSE they are homosexual, and because they probably view the church as a hate machine. i think we can mostly agree on that. inviting them to church and accepting them into church with open arms should be a duh. also, if they embrace the lifestyle, they probably shouldn't be put in a position of leadership. having a main selling point of christianity as "gays will burn in hell" is probably a bad way of going about doing things.

all that being said, some thoughts:
-if you are gay, but you don't act on it, and instead choose to be like paul and stay single, does that still make you a sinner? (granted, you'd have all the same issues of lust as a straight christian. but, other then that, is your life/tendencies inherently a sin?)
-that being asked, does it really matter if homosexuality is genetic or not? even if it is completely natural, so are many other sins. we're called to fight against ourselves to strive after God. so, why has this become such a big issue?
-most people can agree there is a huge gap between the 'homosexual community' (i know, a TERRIBLE, terrible term that simplifies the issue and causes more harm then good), and the christian community. does all the burden fall on christians to fix this issue?
-what is the best way to respond to christians who insist on preaching hate for homosexuals? especially when they are of the stubborn variety? (this, i mainly ask because i've often found myself in that situation).
-for anyone who disagrees with my basic approach (or anyone who understand why things have gotten the way they have): what makes homosexuality any worse then any other sin? especially, what makes it worse then any other sexual sin?

food for thought. comment if you want. ignore it if you must. but, i'd love to hear some other opinions on this.

-Homosexuality is never placed in the Bible as a sin that's harder to forgive for God.
-I agree that having gay thoughts is different from acting on them. And I believe that if you pray and have faith in God, you could erase them.
-I also believe that some people are born with a weakness towards homosexuality. But as you said, everybody are born with a weakness for something.
-Many "christian" churches believe that spreading the Hate Gospel is the right thing. I personally think that those churches are a shame for the christian community and should stop using the "Christian" title before "Church". Big example: The Westboro Baptist Church with it's God hates fags campaign. Gross.
- Because of some of these churches and preachers, the gap has grown. But there are so many reasons too, like the simple deniance that homosexuality is wrong.
- I agree that the good approach should be out of love and respect to the person. That doesn't mean they will respond all smily and happy, but that's not up to you.
- Again, I don't think homosexuality is the biggest sin. I don't think that's even biblical. There's no such thing as a small sin or a big sin TO GOD'S EYES.

 

[kayem77]

I readed about this just today, by the way . This site may help =)
Does God hate fags?

 

[HannaElisa]

Gay or straight you should treat everyone the same. Everyone deserves to be loved for who they are. I don't think homosexuality is a sin because it doesn't make sense that loving someone is a sin just because they are of the "wrong" gender.


God is Love, Not Hate

 

[eugenius]

I think "Christians" need to stop HATING period.... If you actually read the Bible, you will soon discover that Jesus preached nothing but love and forgiveness. When we hate, we are not being Christians. We are not being the "Light of the world" The "city upon a hill". We are being the dark cloud of the world. Think about that.

We allow shows like Family guy to be able to say things like, "Jesus hates many people, but none more than gays". That is an actual quote from an episode. They are obviously very wrong, since its not Jesus who hates, but "Christians". So many people confuse the two, and that is what's really sad. By being bad Christians we are keeping people from knowing Jesus.

I am not gay and never have been so I don't know if it is actually a choice or not. Maybe it is, maybe it isnt. Only someone who is gay can tell you that. I just know that the whole point of sex is to make children. That is the way God designed it. That is obvious. Two people of the same gender cannot make children. So something is definitely wrong there.

Whether they chose it that way, or born that way, its an anomaly of nature. Its not supposed to be that way. But to hate them for it, is the same as hating someone with dyslexia or autism. I honestly don't know if its a sin or an involuntary condition, or more likely a psychological issue. It could be any of these. Only god knows if its a sin, and its only a sin if its voluntary.

 

[jimmydiggs]

Gay or straight you should treat everyone the same. Everyone deserves to be loved for who they are. I don't think homosexuality is a sin because it doesn't make sense that loving someone is a sin just because they are of the "wrong" gender.


God is Love, Not Hate

Who is the authority on issues of morality, us or God?

 

[karine___]

i think that many Christians sound more like "messengers of death" instead of messengers of LIFE, LIGHT,LOVE what the world lacks and God gave us that most beautiful service to perform , to love one another. whoever isnt in light is in...darkness , so we got to show them something better than what they are living in. i don't believe the approach to scare someone into Heaven ever works, just like i dont believe in serving God out of fear(coward fear) but serve Him out love ,WONDERFUL LOVE , the love He Himself had for us in the first place by sending Jesus , love that fills every empty space and makes us complete , bold, fearless.

 

[Ritter]

all that being said, some thoughts:
-if you are gay, but you don't act on it, and instead choose to be like paul and stay single, does that still make you a sinner? (granted, you'd have all the same issues of lust as a straight christian. but, other then that, is your life/tendencies inherently a sin?)
-that being asked, does it really matter if homosexuality is genetic or not? even if it is completely natural, so are many other sins. we're called to fight against ourselves to strive after God. so, why has this become such a big issue?
-most people can agree there is a huge gap between the 'homosexual community' (i know, a TERRIBLE, terrible term that simplifies the issue and causes more harm then good), and the christian community. does all the burden fall on christians to fix this issue?
-what is the best way to respond to christians who insist on preaching hate for homosexuals? especially when they are of the stubborn variety? (this, i mainly ask because i've often found myself in that situation).
-for anyone who disagrees with my basic approach (or anyone who understand why things have gotten the way they have): what makes homosexuality any worse then any other sin? especially, what makes it worse then any other sexual sin?

food for thought. comment if you want. ignore it if you must. but, i'd love to hear some other opinions on this.

1. We're all sinners until we're dead.

2. It isn't. Why? Genetics are only half the battle. There are some "genetic" sins one may never unlock if they order their environment effectively. Alcoholism is genetic. I will never drink alcohol. Savvy?

3. Nope, it is a gap inherent in the goals and fiber of each community respectively.

4. To be honest, I rarely meet Christians who preach hate against homosexuals. A lot of the "hate" is overblown by the homosexual community. Of course I hate their sinful act. I also hate it when kids waste their lives with sloth. If that is taken as hate against the people who practice the sin, fine. I won't change my opinion to make their lives cushier.

That said, if I found some red-blooded anti-homosexual, I'd probably ignore them. Either that or slip a non-lethal sedative in their drink.

5. I suppose on balance it isn't any worse. All sin separates one from Christ. It is perceived as worse because it is an openly twisted rebellion against the created order. Sexual gratification even further away from God's prescription than sex before marriage.

That and I suspect it is a population thing. A very small percentage of people are gay, of course their sin is going to be viewed with greater disgust. It is harder to understand.

 

[Tlite]

One thing I've found about many Christians is they will pray for you and encourage you as long as you are making an effort to turn away from sin. That being said, if a person who commits homosexual acts (I do hate the terms gay and the like as if it were who they are) truly wishes to change they are going to want to seek help with an individual who has showed them kindness and earned their trust. Right? I know I personally wouldn't have sought help if God didn't bless me with a youth pastor who I trusted. God loves us all no matter what sins we commit. I'm sorry to say it but homosexual acts are a sin. It is because Sex outside of marriage is wrong and God made marriage for man and woman. My advice would be to be a friend to them, love them, and show compassion for Jesus loved us while we were still slaves to sin. If you know someone who is trying to overcome this struggle encourage them to fight it. Be there for them. Live a life that shines the light of God exemplifying who God really is. God uses those who live for Him to further His will. Just be listening for when God calls your name.

 

[ChristianIFB]

Here is your answer, its right there in Gods Word...

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 

[ChristianIFB]

Man chooses to be homosexual, they were not born that way as society will have us to believe. Its very clear in scripture what God has said on this subject and the Bible calls homosexuality an abomination. How many times does the Bible use the phrase abomination? People all the time will say things like "dont you know this is 2011". A good answer to that would be "dont you know this is the word of God and it is not bound by time or ages". Society today always trys to change the Truth of God into a lie.... What God calls murder, we call womens rights or pro choice. What God calls sodomy, we call an alternate lifestyle. What God calls gross immorality, we call adult entertainment. There is many times that people will try an excuse away drunkeness, sodomy, etc by saying that it is a disease or we were born with it. I like a quote from Vance Havner that said "I'm tired of hearing sin called sickness and alcoholism a disease. It is the only disease I know of that we're spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year to spread." I dont believe that there is as much hate Preaching going on as the homosexuals would have us to believe the fact is that they do not like what the Bible says and so they react defensively to the man of God preaching the Word.

 

[ChristianIFB]

i think that many Christians sound more like "messengers of death" instead of messengers of LIFE, LIGHT,LOVE what the world lacks and God gave us that most beautiful service to perform , to love one another. whoever isnt in light is in...darkness , so we got to show them something better than what they are living in. i don't believe the approach to scare someone into Heaven ever works, just like i dont believe in serving God out of fear(coward fear) but serve Him out love ,WONDERFUL LOVE , the love He Himself had for us in the first place by sending Jesus , love that fills every empty space and makes us complete , bold, fearless.

A lot of the time I hear people say that we as Christians are just to love one another and yes that is true but the most important is to Love our God and our God has set standards and he created us, therefore he owns us and he makes the rules. How can we say that we love our God and try to compromise what he has said or try to explain away such things as homosexuals, drunkeness, idolatry, etc... It is not love and it is not friendship if we fail to declare the whole counsel of God.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

 

[jandian]

One thing I've found about many Christians is they will pray for you and encourage you as long as you are making an effort to turn away from sin. That being said, if a person who commits homosexual acts (I do hate the terms gay and the like as if it were who they are) truly wishes to change they are going to want to seek help with an individual who has showed them kindness and earned their trust. Right? I know I personally wouldn't have sought help if God didn't bless me with a youth pastor who I trusted. God loves us all no matter what sins we commit. I'm sorry to say it but homosexual acts are a sin. It is because Sex outside of marriage is wrong and God made marriage for man and woman. My advice would be to be a friend to them, love them, and show compassion for Jesus loved us while we were still slaves to sin. If you know someone who is trying to overcome this struggle encourage them to fight it. Be there for them. Live a life that shines the light of God exemplifying who God really is. God uses those who live for Him to further His will. Just be listening for when God calls your name.

Amen! well said...

 

[Tlite]

If I could get one more thought out there, one thing that the people who think they are born gay don't or choose not to realize is that although God wants us to love our fellow human beings, there are different types of love in our world. There are three different Greek words for love (I'm not a Bible scholar but this is what I've picked up from my youth pasted who has taken extensive college classes to learn greek) Agape describes an unconditional love like the love God has for us or a father for his children. Eros is a passionate love. It is a love which is reserved only between a man and a woman who are married. Then you have Philia which is a love you would have in a friendship. It's a brotherly love. Now as Christians we can agree that God is the source of all love. If it doesn't come from God then it can't be love. So why would God instill in a man a passionate love for another man? He doesn't for God doesn't tempt us (James 1:13). It is a desire of the flesh. One thing you could pray for the people who have bought that they are born to have homosexual thoughts is God will give each of them the woman he has designed to be with them. Pray that God shows them what love really is and how it was designed to be.

 

[jamie26301]

Here is your answer, its right there in Gods Word...

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Yes, but if you read the verse closely, it is refering to CHOOSING the act of homosexuality, rather than being homosexual.

 

[jandian]

Hope this doesn't sound to hash and is taken in the context intended. But, there is no such thing as a gay christian....If anyone be in Christ, he is a new creature. Therefore one who was gay before accepting Christ is now a new man in Christ; who, granted, may still be struggling with gay tendencies which he will overcome as he continues to allow himself to be processed by God. What you label yourself is what you will be - for life and death is in the power of the tongue. God is love