Homosexuals

[Sir Gareth]

While I of course do not condone homosexual behavior I do think it important that you show both of them love and understanding. Of course you have a right to tell them not to be affectionate to one another in your home.

My question to Micheal is this, would you be as hard on a liar? How about if the daughter was living with her boyfriend in sexual immorality?

Too often Christians pick on the homosexuals as the worst society has to offer, thats simply not true. Just as a liar, a fornicator or even a murderer they are lost souls in need of guidance and love.

[dakota190]

I am in agreement with loving them and allowing them into your home as long as they are showing you the respect you described in your original post. If it becomes a problem in the future you can always rescind your invitation of them based on an actual event. until then you are a witness for the Lord.

[Guest]

Thank you Michael for your honesty. I think it's easy for christians to give the advice that "sounds" good but if it were your own shoes , would you feel the same? What if it was your small kids we were talking about here? I know and truely understand what all of you are saying but let's look at this another way since it was brought up. A daughter living with her boyfriend , yes it is sexual immorality as well but , I don't think the 2 can be compared really. Which one would bother you more, to see your daughter holding hands with her boyfriend that she lives with or her lesbian partner ? See my point ? No, they haven't done anything like this in front of me but do I wait for them to ? Isn't them having this baby together and raising it showing something? Ok and as far as hateing the sin but loving the sinner, I could not agree more but my point is again, does that mean I allow it in my home? Would you allow that murderer in your home with your small kids? As Michael said, their are a large amount of demons involved in this . I'm not saying I won't let them in my home at this point but I won't be inviting them either.

[artsylady]

Unless you keep your kids in a bubble, they will be exposed to what is happening in the world soon enough. You didn't mention how old they were.

I would educate the kids when they are old enough and show them how to treat non believers - no matter what their sin or how disillusioned they are about what it really is. Love the innocent baby that they will have too. Pray for them now and when your kids are old enough, teach your kids how to pray for them.

[Smalcald]

I have a situation I'd really like some advice on . My late husband had 3 grown daughters who are half sisters to our 3 kids that we had together. One of the girls is a lesbian , her and her "other half" have been over to my house but not very often. They both know I'm a christian and in no way condon their lifestyle. They have been respectful to me , (like by not showing affection toward one another). I have often wondered if I should even allow them over in my home , (right now my kids have no idea that they are lesbians) (or even know what that is for that matter). Now I found out today that their sister is pregnant and will be raising the baby with 2 "mommies". How should I handle this as a christian? Please take in consideration that I do have younger children involved here. My kids are not close to her at all , she rarely came to visit even when her dad was alive and will probably be the same now but I just want to know what you would do. Would you allow them to visit in your home? And then with a baby ?

Yes I know your concern. We have elementary aged children and have faced this also.

First kids don't necessarily care or are thinking about gay stuff or sexual orientation at that age, which is good. The gay couple we know are just presented as good friends, like any other friend or roommates one might have in college etc. The kids accept this for now and it is not a lie. I mean we don't talk about other people having sex, why would we talk about them?

However the two mommy thing is more problematic. Kids are forming their beliefs right now about what is normal behavior what is natural. There is also the problem about having children out of wedlock with or without a gay issue and letting our children grow up thinking this is normal acceptable behavior.

I am not sure how we would handle the two mommies or two daddy issues with elementary age kids? Older kids in middle school and above it is easier as you can talk about what is sexually immoral and how at the same time we should not judge other people and it is not the kids fault if their parents are immoral sexually. But I think the bigger deal you make of it the bigger problem it will probably be for you.

[MorningGlory]

Love them. Through your kindness and your witness - you may be the only Bible they see - You do not have to love the sin, but I think we should love the sinner and attempt to show them how much Jesus loves us. Witness to them.

very true believer and really good advice!!

[Guest]

Unless you keep your kids in a bubble, they will be exposed to what is happening in the world soon enough. You didn't mention how old they were.

I would educate the kids when they are old enough and show them how to treat non believers - no matter what their sin or how disillusioned they are about what it really is. Love the innocent baby that they will have too. Pray for them now and when your kids are old enough, teach your kids how to pray for them.

Their is a difference between sheltering them and keeping them separated and that's what I'm talking about here. We are to be in the world but not of it. They are 4,5 and 10. To say they will be exposed of it soon enough ? I'm sorry but that doesn't mean I'm going to go hang out with drug dealers either just because they might be exposed to it in life. I can teach them wrong and right without being around it.

[artsylady]

Their is a difference between sheltering them and keeping them separated and that's what I'm talking about here. We are to be in the world but not of it. They are 4,5 and 10. To say they will be exposed of it soon enough ? I'm sorry but that doesn't mean I'm going to go hang out with drug dealers either just because they might be exposed to it in life. I can teach them wrong and right without being around it.

Sounds like you made up your mind that you don't want your kids to be around it? You seemed to be asking for advice so please don't get upset if people are giving advise that is the opposite of what you might want to hear.

When I said they'd be exposed to it, I mean they will soon enough learn about homosexuality. I would wonder if the 10 year old may already know of it. My suggestion was only that they hear about it from you and learn the truth about it from you rather than leaving it up to playmates to inform them.

It's up to you to teach them in the way that you believe God would want you to. If that means you're going to keep your kids away from them, that's totally up to you. That would indeed be the easiest remedy. Doesn't really require anything very difficult on your part to tell them that you are a Christian and you won't have them in your home or around your kids. Is it the right thing and is this what God wants of you?

[Smalcald]

You know these are good questions.

It is not just homosexuality. We are wrestling with issues concerning divorce and out of wedlock child birth in my family. Our kids are all in elementary school. Now it is one thing to try to keep them away from "out" gays which really where we live is really easy. But it is about impossible to keep them away from out of wedlock births or families that are going through divorce, at least where we live.

We have talked about it a little, but it is something I would like to do a better job with as frankly I am not sure how to handle.

[EricH]

Love Them Both

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

God Does!

Agreed