What do you say to this

[LeonaS]

A person on another board (non-religious) mentioned the incident where some college kid was secretly filmed with another boy in a homosexual activity. The film was put onto YouTube and, sadly, the one boy committed suicide. A terrible thing on all counts. My problem is, this person on the other board somehow managed to place Christianity at fault. Nowhere in the Washington Post article did it make any reference to Christianity. Their rationale is that because "Christianity has demonized homosexuality for centuries" it caused the kid who filmed the act to hate the other boy. If this isn't the most outrageous "logic" I don't know what is! I haven't had any luck in making these bigots understand and I'm very frustrated. Anyone here have any good ideas I can use to wake these bozos up?

[mizzdy]

Are they just as mad at and blame islam too? Do they blame christianity for the suicides of those who are bullied everyday at school? or demonize christianity for the suicides of young woman because they have a poor body image also? The argument goes round and round, if they hate christianity there may not be much you can say to them but set forth your thoughts/opinions and let it be. I don't know much about this young person but it sounds more like he was upset about being on youtube more than being homosexual but not I really don't know if thats the case.

[Guest man]

A person on another board (non-religious) mentioned the incident where some college kid was secretly filmed with another boy in a homosexual activity. The film was put onto YouTube and, sadly, the one boy committed suicide. A terrible thing on all counts. My problem is, this person on the other board somehow managed to place Christianity at fault. Nowhere in the Washington Post article did it make any reference to Christianity. Their rationale is that because "Christianity has demonized homosexuality for centuries" it caused the kid who filmed the act to hate the other boy. If this isn't the most outrageous "logic" I don't know what is! I haven't had any luck in making these bigots understand and I'm very frustrated. Anyone here have any good ideas I can use to wake these bozos up?

That guy didn't kill himself because christians demonized homosexuality, he killed himself because someone taped him in the act and put it out there for the world to see. The people responsible for his death are those who exposed him.

My guess is that the guy doing all the blaming is probably gay himself.

I wouldn't let this individual get under your skin. He's already got you calling him names. He's not worth stumbling over. Let it go. God will deal with him in His own time.

[georgedrw81]

I wouldn't let this individual get under your skin. He's already got you calling him names. He's not worth stumbling over. Let it go. God will deal with him in His own time.

Right

[spiritman]

A person on another board (non-religious) mentioned the incident where some college kid was secretly filmed with another boy in a homosexual activity. The film was put onto YouTube and, sadly, the one boy committed suicide. A terrible thing on all counts. My problem is, this person on the other board somehow managed to place Christianity at fault. Nowhere in the Washington Post article did it make any reference to Christianity. Their rationale is that because "Christianity has demonized homosexuality for centuries" it caused the kid who filmed the act to hate the other boy. If this isn't the most outrageous "logic" I don't know what is! I haven't had any luck in making these bigots understand and I'm very frustrated. Anyone here have any good ideas I can use to wake these bozos up?

That guy didn't kill himself because christians demonized homosexuality, he killed himself because someone taped him in the act and put it out there for the world to see. The people responsible for his death are those who exposed him.

My guess is that the guy doing all the blaming is probably gay himself.

I wouldn't let this individual get under your skin. He's already got you calling him names. He's not worth stumbling over. Let it go. God will deal with him in His own time.

Good response man

[LeonaS]

I realize I shouldn't get into these "discussions" but small-minded people just frustrate me so! And, I brought up the fact that several non-Christian religions shun (or worse) homosexuals. I guess they just argue for the sake of arguing. I always ask God for patience; this is apparently a situation where I can use it.

[Guest Butero]

Christianity teaches us to hate the sin but love the sinner. No Christian would have filmed the act and put it on the internet. For the most part, the people I have come in contact with that hate homosexuals are not religious at all. They just look at homosexuals as doing something nasty and they don't want anything to do with them. Christianity would tell us that all fornication is wrong, and our ministers that are doing their job would preach against it because they wouldn't want people winding up in hell, but at the same time, we wouldn't go around trying to do harm to people because they are sinners. If anything, the Christian faith would teach us to love these people and pray for them, so the person on the secular board has a misconception of Christianity.

[JohnOfAlabama]

They blame Christianity because it promotes the Truth.

They hate us because the world hates Jesus and we are His body.

That was the devil... tempted the fellow to do something sinful, shame-filled... filmed him... broadcasted it to shame him... tempted him to kill himself.... Classic devil... steal, kill, destroy.

And so, what follows is certainly not blame on Christians or Christianity for the incident.... Just making a general comment - food for thought, for whatever it's worth to anyone...

So many Christians do confuse the terms "homosexuality" and "homosexual behavior." The former doesn't necessarily mean the behavior so much as it refers to the condition of brokenness that leads to the temptation.... same as alcoholism... An alcoholic might be "sober as a saint".... but still face the temptation. Temptation isn't a sin... homosexual behavior is sin. If we aren't careful to assert this whole Truth, we rob those who struggle with this of any hope. Jesus never promised to take away our temptations while in this flesh - nevermind what some preachers might say. He isn't saving our flesh. He's saving our souls. He does promise to walk with all of us in the midst of our temptations. What a wonderfully freeing Truth! What wonderful Hope! Are we walking as His Body with each other in the midst of our several temptations?

Since Jesus was Himself tempted in every way like we are and was yet without sin, then we can know that He fully understands what we are feeling (whatever our temptations) and knows how to avoid falling. Since He is risen from the grave, we can talk to Him and He to us. That's what His resurrection means to me.

In Judaism, we find a rule: never shame another. In Christianity this also holds true. We are not as effective as the Holy Spirit who makes one to feel his/her guilt. Guilt and shame are not the same thing. If we make others feel shame and fear, they will likely never ask for help. Church and Christians should be the safest place/people for others to approach. Are we?

Can they see that?

I've known 2 people (separated by years and miles) in my own life who have committed suicide because they couldn't deal, felt they couldn't ask for help. Both went to church. Both struggled with homosexual feelings. I know others who have those feelings but who are utterly terrified of anyone finding out. I ache for them so much.

We must be so careful not to make a political issue out of this. We must assure people that there is a difference between merely being tempted and acting. We must let people know that if they struggle with those feelings but don't want to indulge them, that we will help them as we help each other resist temptations of all kinds. We must each be willing to be vulnerable about our own struggles even while exemplifying righteous behavior in ourselves and encouraging/admonishing each other. The world will say all manner of evil things about us, but we mustn't get distracted by that. Let our example be louder than its words.

Edited October 3, 2010 by JohnOfAlabama