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I
I realize you want first hand accounts, but if nothing turns up, here are some ideas/sources.
Do you ever listen to National Public Radio? They did a piece on homosexuality and the church. It was extremely provocative and very well done. I think it gives the perspective you are looking for.
In the radio piece NPR contructed, the man they chose to speak against homosexuality was actually a pastor who struggled with homosexual desires but was married. He spoke of how he had homosexual desires and remained faithful to his wife. He compared it to a heterosexual man who has desires for other women but remains faithful to his wife.
On the other side they chose someone who had gone through a homosexual healing program and had remained unchanged and unphased. He spoke out against the healing program.
Very interesting. Very hot button.
The Episcopal Church is also another source. They have split over the issue of homosexuality and they now employ gay priests and support gay marriage. They find christianity and homosexuality to be compatible.
One last source that may be of some help is an author named Andrew Cominsky. He does not support homosexuality but he addresses the deeper issues such as what shapes gender identity and sexual desires. He is a christian who struggled with homosexuality and was healed. He has some awesome material.
p.s. Heads up- The NPR piece is very biased against christianity- like most NPR content.
Do you ever listen to National Public Radio? They did a piece on homosexuality and the church. It was extremely provocative and very well done. I think it gives the perspective you are looking for.
In the radio piece NPR contructed, the man they chose to speak against homosexuality was actually a pastor who struggled with homosexual desires but was married. He spoke of how he had homosexual desires and remained faithful to his wife. He compared it to a heterosexual man who has desires for other women but remains faithful to his wife.
On the other side they chose someone who had gone through a homosexual healing program and had remained unchanged and unphased. He spoke out against the healing program.
Very interesting. Very hot button.
The Episcopal Church is also another source. They have split over the issue of homosexuality and they now employ gay priests and support gay marriage. They find christianity and homosexuality to be compatible.
One last source that may be of some help is an author named Andrew Cominsky. He does not support homosexuality but he addresses the deeper issues such as what shapes gender identity and sexual desires. He is a christian who struggled with homosexuality and was healed. He has some awesome material.
p.s. Heads up- The NPR piece is very biased against christianity- like most NPR content.
S
Sorry if I make preconceived notions on your take on this issue as it is a bit sensitive to some people. But after reading your posts it seems as if you want to hear 'Christians' justifying being gay. But I'm sorry to say that the Bible unequivocally highlights that engaging in homosexual acts is a sin.
I personally think that it doesn't mean that people have turned into animals but they have just been misled by the devil. It is like any other sin where repentance brings back one to God's favour. At times I think we misguidedly take Christianity to be something which is meant to have a rosy path. Unfortunately for me too,God has clearly outlined in his word that this is a thorny road. Every decision we make has it's ramifications.
Lyndies think about it a bit more, We can virtually justify every sin with our human thoughts. As Jesus died at the Cross of Calvary for our sins this highlighted the severity of the Devil's shackles. It is not something we can just sugar coat to please our carnal or sexual desires.
By the way, succumbing to earthly pleasures may bring temporarily happiness but we all know where the big goal lies: ETERNAL PEACE.
That said I'm of the thought that the remedy to sin is always God's word, prayer and repentance and NEVER Discriminate or Ridicule.
If someone hardens their heart from God's word, we just keep on praying for God's hand to touch them. But remember that in the end God gave us autonomy in our choices which means that no one is a prisoner. If you get 'addicted' to something sinful, leaving is never easy. You might get depressed but that's when you need to pray even more to God for total deliverance.
Read on the trials and tribulations of Job if you want to remind yourself of how intense things may be in this gospel.
This is a general note, Let's us never try to make ourselves victims when one points out scriptures that go against what a sizeable amount of people are doing. Because God will definitely hold us all accountable for our actions on earth.
To be honest it is easier said than done. But that's the crust of the matter.
I personally think that it doesn't mean that people have turned into animals but they have just been misled by the devil. It is like any other sin where repentance brings back one to God's favour. At times I think we misguidedly take Christianity to be something which is meant to have a rosy path. Unfortunately for me too,God has clearly outlined in his word that this is a thorny road. Every decision we make has it's ramifications.
Lyndies think about it a bit more, We can virtually justify every sin with our human thoughts. As Jesus died at the Cross of Calvary for our sins this highlighted the severity of the Devil's shackles. It is not something we can just sugar coat to please our carnal or sexual desires.
By the way, succumbing to earthly pleasures may bring temporarily happiness but we all know where the big goal lies: ETERNAL PEACE.
That said I'm of the thought that the remedy to sin is always God's word, prayer and repentance and NEVER Discriminate or Ridicule.
If someone hardens their heart from God's word, we just keep on praying for God's hand to touch them. But remember that in the end God gave us autonomy in our choices which means that no one is a prisoner. If you get 'addicted' to something sinful, leaving is never easy. You might get depressed but that's when you need to pray even more to God for total deliverance.
Read on the trials and tribulations of Job if you want to remind yourself of how intense things may be in this gospel.
This is a general note, Let's us never try to make ourselves victims when one points out scriptures that go against what a sizeable amount of people are doing. Because God will definitely hold us all accountable for our actions on earth.
To be honest it is easier said than done. But that's the crust of the matter.
L
Homosexuality is a sin, but ungodly condemnation is sinful too. Case in point, Westboro Baptist Church (ugh) .
L
Well, to get to Heaven, all you need is to declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that He dies for our sins and rose again. So...if that's all we ever do, we're good. But there are great things is Heaven for those of us who actually live for God. And want to please Him. :] So, yeah...Plus, I suppose it could be that someone struggles with being gay but wants to live for God with all of their heart. I don't believe that God would be mean and say, "Well, you loved me and searched for me as if for treasure, BUT...you're gay. So peace out." You know? He's not like that.
J
Gay Christian? Alcoholic Christian? Addict Christian?
I think a question is set incorrectly. The Christianity for this purpose also exists to be released from sins instead of that sins became norm of Christianity. If the sinner has confessed and has come to church, only to escape and will be released from sins. And the Churchs task to help people to be released from their sins, instead of to advertise them.
I think a question is set incorrectly. The Christianity for this purpose also exists to be released from sins instead of that sins became norm of Christianity. If the sinner has confessed and has come to church, only to escape and will be released from sins. And the Churchs task to help people to be released from their sins, instead of to advertise them.
L
Shine and I have already talked about this through a pm, but I thought I'd give my response on this on here, too.
I can see where you might think that I'm trying to look for Christians that will justify it, but that's not the case. I mean, I wanted to hear more than just the one-sided arguments about what scripture says because I've heard many different sides about those verses and I was confused.
I just didn't want to hear the "that's the Bible, so the end--it's wrong!" argument yet again. You know?
And I am not trying to justify homosexuality at all...actually, through some testimonies that people sent me on this sight, I've learned the truth, I think. And I don't believe that it is what God wants for His children. I believe that because of the fall, they've taken a kind of love they've been blessed with and it's been twisted simply because people are faulted. But God can take that and make that love pure.
Any way...I just don't like it when people say "because it's scripture...blah blah" I mean, yes, God's Word is the Truth and stands forever.I'm not denying that. I'm just saying that the verses about homosexuality are not exactly as clear-cut as people seem to think they are. It's hard to understand, especially if we're hearing the two sides to the sames verses. It can be confusing, and we need more than someone just saying that's what's what.
And then there's the whole thing about loving homosexuals no matter what and not being like, "You're a sinner! Grr." Because it's not right to condemn them. We all sin, all have fallen short. And one isn't worse than another.
So, no...I'm not trying to justify anything. I just needed some people to help me make sense of some things.
Hope that makes sense.
I can see where you might think that I'm trying to look for Christians that will justify it, but that's not the case. I mean, I wanted to hear more than just the one-sided arguments about what scripture says because I've heard many different sides about those verses and I was confused.
I just didn't want to hear the "that's the Bible, so the end--it's wrong!" argument yet again. You know?
And I am not trying to justify homosexuality at all...actually, through some testimonies that people sent me on this sight, I've learned the truth, I think. And I don't believe that it is what God wants for His children. I believe that because of the fall, they've taken a kind of love they've been blessed with and it's been twisted simply because people are faulted. But God can take that and make that love pure.
Any way...I just don't like it when people say "because it's scripture...blah blah" I mean, yes, God's Word is the Truth and stands forever.I'm not denying that. I'm just saying that the verses about homosexuality are not exactly as clear-cut as people seem to think they are. It's hard to understand, especially if we're hearing the two sides to the sames verses. It can be confusing, and we need more than someone just saying that's what's what.
And then there's the whole thing about loving homosexuals no matter what and not being like, "You're a sinner! Grr." Because it's not right to condemn them. We all sin, all have fallen short. And one isn't worse than another.
So, no...I'm not trying to justify anything. I just needed some people to help me make sense of some things.
Hope that makes sense.
P
Cool. It's good to see that so many people can thoroughly catergorise homosexuality as a sin. So heart-warming to know that God condemns it. At the very least, I'm glad we've come to an agreement.
Now what?... Is there anyone who will look past the obvious and get to some real truth.Thankyou to those who have. It it true that homosexuality demonstrates the power of sin, but what about the HIGHER truth that demonstrates the power of God's love and Grace?
...so many quotes, completely taken out of context, as to not portray the overall purpose from which it was derived-the bible. The GOOD news.
Now what?... Is there anyone who will look past the obvious and get to some real truth.Thankyou to those who have. It it true that homosexuality demonstrates the power of sin, but what about the HIGHER truth that demonstrates the power of God's love and Grace?
...so many quotes, completely taken out of context, as to not portray the overall purpose from which it was derived-the bible. The GOOD news.
S
God's grace is a gift, but we need to accept it, not just in our words, but in our actions, revelations speaks on having the seal of God on your forehead and your right hand, meaning in your thoughts AND you actions.
If we continue to live wilfully in sin, how can we accept God's grace?
I am not condemning homosexuals, as we all struggle with wilful sin in our own way.
If we continue to live wilfully in sin, how can we accept God's grace?
I am not condemning homosexuals, as we all struggle with wilful sin in our own way.
P
hmm, so true. That's great. Thankyou.
I was just getting the feeling that overall, the posts were emphasising the fact that homosexuality is a wrong, it's not what God wants for his children . And this is true. A lot of gay Christians on here probably know that. I think all we've really done is stated the obvious.
As proclaimers of good news, there should be tonnes of really uplifting and supportive posts, that emphasise the higher truth that God is on their side, he has a plan and a purpose, he will bring his great work to completion in you.....there are sooo many! THIS is the higher truth.
How could we truely accept God's grace if we are always only focussing on the problem, instead of his goodness?
How can people accept God's grace, if posts only present the 'sins to avoid' instead of the 'Embracing of God's Grace' ?
If we want to help homosexuals (or just anyone in general), we can't be just stating one level of truth, but we have balance it with the higher scriptures of truth. That's when they are set free.
I was just getting the feeling that overall, the posts were emphasising the fact that homosexuality is a wrong, it's not what God wants for his children . And this is true. A lot of gay Christians on here probably know that. I think all we've really done is stated the obvious.
As proclaimers of good news, there should be tonnes of really uplifting and supportive posts, that emphasise the higher truth that God is on their side, he has a plan and a purpose, he will bring his great work to completion in you.....there are sooo many! THIS is the higher truth.
How could we truely accept God's grace if we are always only focussing on the problem, instead of his goodness?
How can people accept God's grace, if posts only present the 'sins to avoid' instead of the 'Embracing of God's Grace' ?
If we want to help homosexuals (or just anyone in general), we can't be just stating one level of truth, but we have balance it with the higher scriptures of truth. That's when they are set free.