Tolerating Gays

[Scarletprayers]

I was just wondering about Christians opinions on Gays.

If two Gays ran a shop should we patronise it?

How should we talk to Gays?

1. Sure I would shop there

2. I would treat them like I do anyone else. I would attempt to help them discover what God's next step was for them spiritually

There are three questions I like to ask everyone

1. Who are you personally?

2. Where are you spiritually?

3. How can I hlep you take the next step?

Excellent EricH..................exactly right!

[ParanoidAndroid]

Just to put things into perspective - hands up anyone who's ever looked at pornography.......

*puts hand up*

...... you have just committed the same sin of sexual immorality that a homosexual commits. Hands up if you've ever had sex before marriage........

*silence*

..... you have just committed the same sin of sexual immorality that a homosexual commits. Sin is sin, and the act of homosexuality (the act, not the person) is exactly the same as every other sin in existence. Would I thus shop at a store run by a gay couple? Of course, just as I would shop at any other store. They are all run by sinners......

I'm glad to see these answers - some good biblical responses..... though I'm not sure about the 13 laws of God, and I can't say I agree that the other 600 Old Testament laws (man's law) are to be "taken with a grain of salt", as kidtek puts it. I mean, the early apostles kept the Laws right to their dying day. However, all the laws need to be seen in the context of the Cross of Christ. It is not right to simply say "oh, that's man's law, we shouldn't uphold it". Look at everything through the Cross, and when in doubt, remember the two Greatest Commandments - Love God, Love your neighbour.

But I digress. As I said, most of the responses I agree with. However, in practice, I have seen some very intolerant attitudes towards homosexuals. If a gay person joins a church, the first thing they are asked is "are you a practicing homosexual". I mean, you don't see a heterosexual (unmarried) person come to church and see the first question as "so, had sex with anyone lately". Considering that heterosexual sex outside of marriage and pornography are both forms of the same sin, I can see how homosexuals feel singled out.

~ Regards, PA

[Treasure]

In answer to the OP, my opinion is that we show them the love of God just like we would anyone else. We are all sinners saved by grace.

Would I patronize a shop that is owned or operated by homosexuals? Like Marnie said, it depends on what they're selling. I wouldn't NOT patronize it just because someone is homosexual.

It brings up an interesting point though and someone may be able to relate and offer some insight.

I was in Barnes and Noble a while back and felt tremendous spiritual oppression. I actually went there for coffee and started looking at the Christian book section (which is right next to the books on "spirituality") and remembered something that a non Christian friend had mentioned to me about tarot cards. I'd never seen tarot cards and know nothing about reading them or anything else. I went into the "spiritual" section and was just glancing at the titles and was saddened by the number of people that were in that isle as opposed to the deserted "Christian" section.

I found myself praying silently for people standing around me.

With that in mind I have a question. Do we see a shop that is run by anyone as a mission field or something to be drug to the gallows?

[Datan]

It wasn't your question that really irked me, but the one answer I read: 'talk to them like people.' Like people? They are people. Homosexuals are just as human as you or I; they bleed when they are cut; they feel pangs of hunger; they need to love and be loved back. We're all God's children, after all. So wouldn't he want you to treat your brother or sister in Christ like any other person? Of course.

I don't see the big deal at all. One of my really good friends is gay, and he is one of the nicest, most loving people I've ever met.

It kills me to know that it's because of close minded people that people like my friend will never be able to marry; sure, they have 'civil unions' available in some states, but that's not marriage. If two people are in love, and they want to be married, they should be given the full rights given to any man and woman in the same position. And this country is supposed to be based on freedom! Discrimination stemmed from religious belief was not supposed to be ruling factor; anyone remember why the pilgrims came here?

I answer to your question, talk to Jesus. He'll tell you what you should believe in. I think I feel so strongly for homosexuals because Jesus wants me to; He's given me that small piece of a backbone to stand up against this idea of predetermined loathing.

And I would shop at that store; if they have something I like, then obviously I'm going to buy it.

Here's a question for you: What gives the inclination that someone is gay, huh? Are you using stereotypes to make the judgement? Just keep in mind that those who judge others will be judged too.

[KeilanS]

Datan, homosexuality is wrong, plain and simple. We should be based on freedom, not immorality.

That being said, we should not hate homosexuals. You can love a liar and hate the lie. You can love a murderer and hate the murder. You can love a homosexual and hate the homosexuality. They are lost sinners just like you, me and everyone else, why so many Christians seem to especially despise homosexuality over other sins is beyond me.

[Scarletprayers]

It wasn't your question that really irked me, but the one answer I read: 'talk to them like people.' Like people? They are people. Homosexuals are just as human as you or I; they bleed when they are cut; they feel pangs of hunger; they need to love and be loved back. We're all God's children, after all. So wouldn't he want you to treat your brother or sister in Christ like any other person? Of course.

I don't see the big deal at all. One of my really good friends is gay, and he is one of the nicest, most loving people I've ever met.

It kills me to know that it's because of close minded people that people like my friend will never be able to marry; sure, they have 'civil unions' available in some states, but that's not marriage. If two people are in love, and they want to be married, they should be given the full rights given to any man and woman in the same position. And this country is supposed to be based on freedom! Discrimination stemmed from religious belief was not supposed to be ruling factor; anyone remember why the pilgrims came here?

I answer to your question, talk to Jesus. He'll tell you what you should believe in. I think I feel so strongly for homosexuals because Jesus wants me to; He's given me that small piece of a backbone to stand up against this idea of predetermined loathing.

And I would shop at that store; if they have something I like, then obviously I'm going to buy it.

Here's a question for you: What gives the inclination that someone is gay, huh? Are you using stereotypes to make the judgement? Just keep in mind that those who judge others will be judged too.

I think the talk to them like "people" was to make the exact point your making, you talk to them just like anybody else, period!

You can consider it closed minded if you want, for those who do not believe they should be allowed to marry, but your also doing against your (Catholic) church by doing so. As for why the pilgrims came here, yes for religious freedom, and the moment there was no "secular" government they made everything a sin, wearing colorful cloths, smiling & laughing on Sunday............the list is endless. Because that is what man does with God's laws, not what God does with it.

I also dislike these type of threads, as far as I'm concerned their sin is exactly the same as my sin, there is no difference in God's eyes.

[None]

Datan, homosexuality is wrong, plain and simple. We should be based on freedom, not immorality.

That being said, we should not hate homosexuals. You can love a liar and hate the lie. You can love a murderer and hate the murder. You can love a homosexual and hate the homosexuality. They are lost sinners just like you, me and everyone else, why so many Christians seem to especially despise homosexuality over other sins is beyond me.

It's because this country was founded on God's principals and standards and that particular sin is, now, not only being accepted by some churches, but is being taught in schools, in some areas, as an alternate sexual preference. Nothing like raising the new generation in the way he should go...children's sins usually far exceed their parents. Think about it.

We, as Christians, know that God is going to look down on this country and see the same thing he saw when He looked down on Sodom and Gomorrah and was very displeased. All throughout the Bible we see that God punished countries as a whole for their sins. Have we learned nothing?

THAT'S why Christians are worried about this sin so much.

Homosexuality acceptance is reflective of S&G's path of destruction.

This country has enough to worry about, now we're ticking God off as well?

[Marnie]

It wasn't your question that really irked me, but the one answer I read: 'talk to them like people.' Like people? They are people.

Actually, gays themselves are the ones who set themselves apart from the general population. They define themselves by their sexuality (how pathetic is that, anyway?). So, technically, there is US and THEM because that is how they see it.

[KeilanS]

Ah, I see what you're saying None. The reason homosexuality is such a big issue is because nobody claims that lying and murder is alright, but homosexuality is being taught as okay. So it's kind of the issue on which we have to take our stand against immorality. That makes sense.

[Datan]

Datan, homosexuality is wrong, plain and simple. We should be based on freedom, not immorality.

That being said, we should not hate homosexuals. You can love a liar and hate the lie. You can love a murderer and hate the murder. You can love a homosexual and hate the homosexuality. They are lost sinners just like you, me and everyone else, why so many Christians seem to especially despise homosexuality over other sins is beyond me.

I'm sorry, but I can't agree with you, KeilanS. I don't think homosexuality is wrong in the least; my heart aches when it's said that the way these people are, the way they're born, mind you, is wrong.

I was born half Mongolian, half Irish, and I look different. So does they way I was born say that people will hate my race (not me so much, but hate my half-breed face) because I'm different.

I don't disagree with what you went on to say about why some Christians weigh homosexuality over other sins. I'm sure their own sins are just as heavy if God really does see this sort of love as ... not right; I'm positive He must be angry with those certain people who judge. We aren't supposed to, after all.