Methodist Church: Homosexuality is a Gift, Not a Sin

[Smalcald]

I have never said that divorce is an unforgivable sin, so that would be a lie. Unrepentant adultery on the other hand is not going to be forgiven for those who refuse to repent of their adultery. In fact divorce is often not a sin at all. But what "church" are you talking about? The only Church that is hard on divorce is the Roman Catholic Church. Most of the other Churches today particularly the Evangelical and non-denominational churches seem to totally accept divorce, a good portion of the ministers are divorced.

I do think the topic helps us understand the temptations and challenges of those who must be celibate however. For example if a person is tempted to have sex with people of the same sex according to scripture this is sin,for a person plagued by these temptations the only option is celibacy which Paul as we know suggested for many Christians. But what about the man who cheats on his wife and leaves her? If she does not take him back what are his options? His options are the same as the gay man, celibacy. If he ignores scripture and married the women who he was in an adulterous relationship with the marriage would not be valid, it would simply be living in fornication as he is still married to his first wife. So the challenges are the same and I think it helps us have some compassion on those who wrestle with the gay perversion.

The reason I say let the topic go is that it is not an issue in my congregation it is not open to debate no one is agitating for gay acceptance; so if some other congregation is off the rails I can do nothing about that but pray and point out that it is wrong. What is a much bigger problem in my congregation is adultery, fornication and divorce, this is where the healing is needed.

That is false. Are you homoexual? Have you ever been homosexual? If not, then I would say that you can only see one side of the issue and you do not have it correctly figured out yet. Your church may be the exception, but most evangelical churches, while they give lip service to forgiving people of things in their past, when it comes to the issue of homosexuality, actually do not. You stating that they "100% accept homoexuality" is patently false. They treat homosexual people as if they are second-hand goods only good to fill a pew. Even if a man leaves his wife for homosexual easons, divorces her and re-marries, if he repents later on, with a true and repentant heart, he is not living in a constant state of unrepentant sin. That is false. And that is assuming re-marriage is not an option, because most people's understanding of the texts on divorce in the NT is severely flawed. According to Deuteronomy, no one who gets a legal divorce is still married.

If healing for this issues is neccesary within your own congregation, then I would suggest that you alter your attitude and understanding on the subject, because you are not going to be able to offer any "healing" to anyone in your present state of mind.

There is no reason to let the topic go, or turn it into yet another debate on the evils of divorce when we have someone saying divorce is acceptable.

I went ahead and altered your language a little but I think it may help us a little.

[Guest shiloh357]

Sherlock, you noticed too? Byron, what is your position on homosexual acts within a monogomous same sex relationship?

I think gay sexual activity is sinful. However, heterosexuals have romantic relationships that do not involve sex. I see no reason why homosexuals cannot.

That rationale makes no sense. Sexual activity embraces more than just intercourse, even in hetrosexual relationships. How is it not wrong for gays to be romantically involved just as long as they don't have sex?

What is your biblical support for such a position? How does that square with Jesus' view that sin begins in the heart before it is carried out in the flesh?

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

[wyguy]

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

[~candice~]

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

I've been saying that this whole thread

[Guest shiloh357]

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

I've been saying that this whole thread

Yeah, but you have an accent.

[wyguy]

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

I've been saying that this whole thread

Maybe. But a man's opinion is worth twice that of a woman. Now get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich.

[~candice~]

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

I've been saying that this whole thread

Yeah, but you have an accent.

A cool one too! PS nice to come into agreement with you .

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

I've been saying that this whole thread

Maybe. But a man's opinion is worth twice that of a woman. Now get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich.

Come closer and say that

[wyguy]

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

I've been saying that this whole thread

Yeah, but you have an accent.

A cool one too! PS nice to come into agreement with you .

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

I've been saying that this whole thread

Maybe. But a man's opinion is worth twice that of a woman. Now get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich.

Come closer and say that

Sure. Just as soon as you put down that rolling pin.

[ayin jade]

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

I've been saying that this whole thread

Maybe. But a man's opinion is worth twice that of a woman. Now get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich.

You are a closet muslim wyguy?

[wyguy]

If the act is wrong, why would the desire leading up to the act be okay?

Excellent point!

I've been saying that this whole thread

Maybe. But a man's opinion is worth twice that of a woman. Now get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich.

You are a closet muslim wyguy?

Of course not. I take a shower every day!