Tolerating Gays

[kari21]

Are we to tolerate evil? Nope...not at all......

On the other hand, they are sinners and lost, and are in need of the saviour. We, as Christians, are commanded to share the Gospel with love. But that doesn't mean we are to give any kind of approval to their lifestyle.

[Datan]

Datan, I can see you have a very strong belief on this issue. I can sympathise with the argument you are making. However, I must disagree. Being born a certain race cannot be changed. Being born with a certain sexual preference may not be able to be changed, but you can stop yourself from engaging in the act of sex. It is the act that is the sin, not the state of simply being. Being asian is not the same as being gay, because there is no defining characteristic that sets an Asian apart.

Biblically speaking, the act of homosexuality is the same as the act of watching pornography, or adultery. Just because a homosexual has urges towards others of same sex does not mean that they should be acted on. Should someone who has an urge to have sex with a 10-year old act on that urge simply because that's what they feel (they might feel they were born that way). Now, I'm not trying to say that homosexuality is exactly the same as pedophilia, because naturally pedophilia involves the exploitation of a young person while homosexuality is between two consenting adults. However, I'm focusing on the urges of the individual. If a pedophile has urges towards a child, that does not make it right, anymore than two men or women having urges towards each other.

It comes down to how much you care about God. Do you want to follow God and follow his commands? Or do you want to ignore God and follow what the world says. In all things though, homosexuality is just another sin, like many others. It's not the "big evil" that some claim it to be, stealing a packet of chewing gum is the same. Talking back to your parents is the same. Pre-marital heterosexual sex is the same. They are all ways that we can fall short of the glory of God.

I appreciate your kinder words, Para, but even so ... I still have to stand up for these poor people; they're being mocked without any sort of defense, and I can't allow that. It's wrong.

No defining characteristics of being Asian, eh? Then why is that people automatically assume I'm going to be a brain-child? Or that I'm going to settle into an 'arranged marriage'? Why is that people think I can't speak English well, grow to be beyond '4-something, and gain weight? Why is that people automatically assume I come from New York City, and that I'm smuggling name-brand handbags in and out of the area?

People, sir, take the automatic assumption I'm Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or even Filipino -- they never take the time to find out about me, or the person I am ...

It's still discrimination.

Oh, and I forgot my all time favorite: "Hey, Attila the Hunny!"

Pedophilia is no where near homosexuality. It's not even on the same radar, you know. Being molested or raped when you're a kid (no matter what age) is just a crime; homosexuality is perfectly legal because there's nothing unnatural about it. It's love.

I was never referring to the act of sex itself, though. I'm speaking on terms of love: true and pure love. If a person is truly in love with someone of the same sex, and that person loves him or her back, I don't understand why God would want to break that up. It breaks my heart.

I do care about God, and that's why I'm so very, very conflicted about this whole issue. I see it as discrimination; I've been discriminated against so many times because of race, so segregating race and homosexuality doesn't make much sense to me. As far as I can tell, any sort of separate treatment is absolutely wrong -- why would God want to tell His children to destroy another person's image, when the world today is in such a shamble ...

I don't know what to do, say, or think anymore.

[None]

I don't know what to do, say, or think anymore.

Then you're right there with the rest of us. We only try to do our best and believe what feels right in our hearts to do.

There are many things in the Bible that go completely against what society has taught us is the right way to live today, how can we NOT feel confused? If this issue of homosexuality was brought up 100 years ago, there would be no confusions because the factor of acceptance would not be there. Once we accepted this sin into society as an alternative choice, we broke off that part of our shield of sin awareness. Christians who know the Bible and know the TRUTH understand that it goes against nature and we have Scriptures to confirm what our conscience tells us. An unsaved person has society telling him "it's ok to feel these things...", while the sin is 'small' in it's temptation stage, and they continue on to fulfill their lustful sins, thinking all is well. This is not their fault.

It's more the fault of society than the actual "homosexual" and if it continues on this way, we'll suffer as a whole because of it.

[Smalcald]

I don't know the whole issue is boring.

And a little weird, don't you think?

I mean there are people here equating gays with disabled persons?? Yikes. Is that what they teach in college now?

Yeah it is weird.

I don't know maybe I am just burned out about on the topic. The bible is relatively clear about two men or two women having sex, and about what marriage is supposed to be. Christian congregations will try to follow these teachings and individual Christians will try to please Christ and what He wants for us.

Outside of that, I am kind of tired of the topic I guess, which I know is not fair to jump in and say that on this thread. But in some ways it is like we are almost obsessed with all things gay, both in the Church and outside of the Church.

I know you as a professional women probably work around and with gay people; I work around some gay people and know several gay people just socially. They know what I believe but we have a relative d

[hebrews_beauty]

Treat them no different than any other person---a human life that is valued, without discrimination based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, etc.

[Axxman]

Don't get huffy on me Axx, I was just surprised............your first statement was very............bold and outspoken, and then going to they usually run the other way when they find our your beliefs. I'm not asking you, nor do I think you should hide anything. But, people have to be approached as people first, not their sin. Not trying to start a fight........really!

LOL...you are on my list of people to avoid 'huffiness' with. I was just answering the question with a question. I really never intend to 'fight' or 'offend' my fellow believers, but sometimes my lyrical style is blunt. PEACE!

[Treasure]

Certainly not if it was a food shop, anyway

.

What's that got to do with anything?

[sweetycakes]

Certainly not if it was a food shop, anyway

.

What's that got to do with anything?

Just my personal choice, in a hygienically related sort of way.

[Scarletprayers]

Don't get huffy on me Axx, I was just surprised............your first statement was very............bold and outspoken, and then going to they usually run the other way when they find our your beliefs. I'm not asking you, nor do I think you should hide anything. But, people have to be approached as people first, not their sin. Not trying to start a fight........really!

LOL...you are on my list of people to avoid 'huffiness' with. I was just answering the question with a question. I really never intend to 'fight' or 'offend' my fellow believers, but sometimes my lyrical style is blunt. PEACE!

Don't know Axx, lyrical never comes to mind when I think about your post! The blunt word however is spot on!

[Axxman]

Axxman - I'm afraid I must inform you of your unloving way of communicating about gays. It shows your complete intolerance of gays in particular, not just of sin in general. If you have such a problem with gay people that you would slander their name all around town to run them out of business, why not do the same for other shops where people are not Christians?? Why not stand outside a porn-shop and loudly declaim what's happening in there? Why not set up protests outside Wicca shops (or even Borders or Barnes and Noble in their "Spirituality" section).

Why would you even dare consider shooting off at homosexuals, when you are just as sinful as they are.

Good day, axxman. I hope you take what i have said to heart.

~ Paranoid Android

Hello Paranoid Android. You make several interesting points and I will attempt to give you insight into my way of thinking by addressing those points.

First, I am far more tolerant of gays than God is (its a human fault, I know.) I know gays, I work closely with some...but I don't financially support their lifestyle. If I have a choice between financially supporting a store operated by homosexuals, and not supporting that store...I'm going to shop elsewhere. Otherwise, yes...I am completely intolerant of the homosexual lifestyle...but its not like I'm gonna send them to hell for all eternity or anything.

You also accuse me of slandering them. If a store is owned by gays, and I tell people the store is owned by gays...how is that slander? Really, I am telling the truth about them in order to 'run them out of business.' The truth of the matter is, I don't really have the power to run them off, and judging by the responses on this thread, the Christian community doesn't really have the desire to stand up against ungodly perversions.

Why not stand outside a porn shop? What self-respecting Christian hasn't picketed against a porn-shop...lol? My church has always prayed against such sinful establishments in our community. I thought all churches did that. Anyway, you have moved into the catagory of active protests outside a business (which I'm all for) when all I implied was a word of mouth campaign effort to harm the profitability of a business. Honestly though, If I thought an active protest outside of a gay shop would close it down...I'd do it without question.

Lastly...this is a biggie...you said, "Why would you even dare consider shooting off at homosexuals, when you are just as sinful as they are."

Thats a fairly bold statement. Do I sin? Sure. It would be a lie to say otherwise. Do I live an actively sinful lifestyle, that is an abomination to God? uh..no! Do I allow my sin to become my lifestyle? No again. There is a remarkable difference between being a sinner (which I am) and being a person who revels in a sinful lifestyle against God. I don't believe God would want His people actively, and knowingly, supporting that type of lifestyle.

Lastly, I understand you meant your post to me in a kind way...and thats how I took it. I hope you accept my reply as a Brother, and not as your enemy. Peace.