Gay

[BetheButterfly]

This is EXACTLY how I feel. Religion is a manifestation of men's hearts. Those hearts that desire control, manipulation and fear. Like I said, if I spoke to God myself (Oh and I tried, believe me) I would again rejoin the fight. However, the fact that the bible and religion is just an exchange of men's ideas and ideals on how to control the masses, causes me to reject the notion that the content of the bible is the direct will of God.

 

The Old Testament of the Bible is basically a collection of manuscripts where people accounted God's interactions and the basic history of both the ancestors and descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel.) Beautiful poetry, tragic lamentations, promises/prophecies, and heartfelt prayers to God are included. The New Testament of the Bible is basically a collection of manuscripts where people accounted what Jesus said and did, as well as the early history of his followers. Encouraging letters, as well as rebukes, are included, especially by Paul, who used to persecute Christians.

 

Now, you are free to believe that it is true or not. You are free to believe that the authors of each manuscript got together to connive how to "control" people, or you can believe that these people of the past did have true interactions with God. Either way, as far as I know, a time machine does not exist (yet) that can take a person or people back in time in order to find out the truth. However, I believe they wrote the truth.

 

Also, to say "It's not my place to judge gay people" fair enough, but what you're essentially saying is "I love my gay friends/family, but when the time comes, I'm sorry but you're going to have to burn forever". Even so, again it wouldn't surprise me to find that the aspects of the bible that touch upon homosexuality and hell were fabricated in order to reject differences in people and cause fear to reel in more "believers". Fear is the most powerful form of control, days gone by has shown us this.

Interestingly, when Jesus talked about hell, he talked more about hell being a place where those who don't help others go. Please see Luke 16:19-31

 

Matthew 25 (I boldened some.)

Matthew 25 NIV - The Parable of the Ten Virgins -

 

"41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

He also used hyperbole as well as hell to talk about the need for self-control.

 

 

Matthew 5:22

"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell."

 

Matthew 5:29-30

"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."

I understand that but I'm talking about the anatomical regions on/in the body, that suggest that it was placed there specifically for homosexuals to enjoy. You're telling me that God specifically placed a prostate, that could be stimulated during anal sex, in that position just to tempt people to engage in homosexual acts, just so he has a reason to burn them later?. An all powerful being, against homosexuality, would not have placed the prostate in such a position that benefits homosexuals, he could have easily found a way to place it somewhere else.

First of all, if God specifically made men to be homosexuals or bisexuales, due to the prostrate in the male body being able to be stimulated, then why are not all men homosexuals or bi?

 

When God made us, He gave us free will. Now, in Matthew 25, Jesus shows that there are serous consequences to not helping those in need. However, God made us with the ability to not help those in need. It is therefore up to each adult to help those in need, in spite of God making us with the ability to not help those in need if we so desire.

 

One thing that I love about Jesus' parable concerning the poor man Lazarus is that he had a horrible and terrible life on earth, yet God in His mercy gave Him Heaven (with Abraham). It makes me so sad that the rich man in the parable went to hell, but the reason, according to this parable, is that he did not help others. Now according to you, do you think he should have complained to God "But God, you made me like this? You made me not want to help others?" Nah. God has made it clear in His interactions with the descendants of Abraham what he expects from them, and helping those in need is one of those expectations.

 

As for sexual guidelines, the Tanakh is very strict against (heterosexual) adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, and incest. The penalty was death or being cut off from the people.

 

Leviticus 20 (I boldened some.)

Vayikra - Leviticus: Chapter 20

 

"10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. 11 And the man that lieth with his father's wife--he hath uncovered his father's nakedness--both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

12 And if a man lie with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have wrought corruption; their blood shall be upon them.

13 And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

14 And if a man take with his wife also her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death; and ye shall slay the beast.

16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

17 And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness: it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity."

 

 

If for some divine reason, it had to be there, he could have made it immune to stimulation from the anal region, or any other alternative my small mind hasn't thought of yet. Female homosexuals bring the same argument. It's humerous to think that architect responsible for every single atom and the way it functions in the universe, would miss such an obvious "flaw" (if it is one) in the human body.

Just as people have free will, so we have the ability to control or use our bodies in ways that go against God's commands.

 

I for one am more impressed when a person whose "addiction" is sexual controls himself/herself than when a person who does not care about sex controls himself/herself.

 

 

It's unnatural for humans to fly of our own volition, hence why we don't have wings. That is something that is truly unnatural because it's not possible if God hasn't made it possible. I believe in God, just a different model to the one I used to believe in.

It is your decision whether you want to believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the accounts concerning God's interaction with them, and their ancestors and descendants, or not. However, please keep in mind that the reason so many people today even know about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is because their stories were written down.

 

I personally have no idea who the Patriarchs of my family are or what they believed concerning God. However, I love and admire the impressive accounting of the Tanakh, written by many people of the past, including Moses, Joshua, Samuel and other prophets, King David, and King Solomon kept accounts of God's interactions with them and their ancestors and their people. I also love and admire the accounts of what Jesus said and did, as well as the letters of encouragement and rebuke for his early followers, both Jewish and Gentile! You are free to do and believe what you want. God gives us the ability to choose what we do with our bodies, and God gives us the ability to help or not help others. However, He does command us to help others, even though He made us with the ability to not to. He has also given guidelines concerning sex, though He has created people with the ability to enjoy sexual immorality/sexual sins too.

Edited September 24, 2012 by BetheButterfly

[Titanwolf]

First of all, if God specifically made men to be homosexuals or bisexuales, due to the prostrate in the male body being able to be stimulated, then why are not all men homosexuals or bi?

That's not what I'm trying to highlight. I'm trying to draw attention to the fact that, there are multiple mechanisms in place, that allows sexual gratification. For men that is the prostate and the penis. For women it's the clitoris and the G-spot. Both have 2, don't you find that HIGHLY coincidental?. I'll make the point again, humans don't have wings because that is unnatural. We cannot fly of our own volition because God hasn't allowed it. Humans have multiple sexual organs, both catering for herterosexuals and homosexuals. God is an omnipotent, omniscient being. If it wasn't meant to be, aka unnatural, it wouldn't exist. Period.

 

I read everything else you posted and I believe that this is just something that we're never going to agree on. I tend to avoid questions about religion (unless absolutely necessary), because I never, nor can anyone receive any definitive answers.

 

Here's another thing. Why create us? a perfect being that requires nothing. Why create us flawed? or the ability to be flawed, only to punish us for operating how he created us to operate?. Maybe I should start a new thread on that, but I don't think I would get any answers there either.

 

I respect your beliefs though. I'm not one of those people who are trying to draw you away from your beliefs, I'm just a former believer seeking answers to questions that my brethren could never answer.

[Mme. Chaucer]

I respect your beliefs though. I'm not one of those people who are trying to draw you away from your beliefs, I'm just a former believer seeking answers to questions that my brethren could never answer.

 

Titanwolf, I REALLY recommend you do rent that documentary that I mentioned entitled "For the Bible Tells Me So." It is really beautiful and thought provoking. It explores "gay" and people who have had to challenge their own beliefs because of their personal experiences. It is NOT anti - Christian AT ALL. There are points of view in it from people in many religious venues including fundamentalist Christian ones. Please watch it! If you do, let me know what you think.

[mercy]

Titanwolf, I REALLY recommend you do rent that documentary that I mentioned entitled "For the Bible Tells Me So." It is really beautiful and thought provoking. It explores "gay" and people who have had to challenge their own beliefs because of their personal experiences. It is NOT anti - Christian AT ALL. There are points of view in it from people in many religious venues including fundamentalist Christian ones. Please watch it! If you do, let me know what you think.

 

"For

 

I watched it again this morning!

[Titanwolf]

Titanwolf, I REALLY recommend you do rent that documentary that I mentioned entitled "For the Bible Tells Me So." It is really beautiful and thought provoking. It explores "gay" and people who have had to challenge their own beliefs because of their personal experiences. It is NOT anti - Christian AT ALL. There are points of view in it from people in many religious venues including fundamentalist Christian ones. Please watch it! If you do, let me know what you think.

 

Oh yeah, I'm downloading it as we speak I'll need to have my notepad at the ready.

 

Edit- Thank you Mercy. I really appreciate that.

Edited September 24, 2012 by Titanwolf

[BetheButterfly]

That's not what I'm trying to highlight. I'm trying to draw attention to the fact that, there are multiple mechanisms in place, that allows sexual gratification. For men that is the prostate and the penis. For women it's the clitoris and the G-spot. Both have 2, don't you find that HIGHLY coincidental?., humans don't have wings because that is unnatural. We cannot fly of our own volition because God hasn't allowed it. Humans have multiple sexual organs, both catering for herterosexuals and homosexuals.

 

I do not find it coincidental, no. For example, a person's brain can get turned on by many different people. If a person is married, the brain doesn't automatically decide, "Hey, I'm married... no more sexual attraction for anyone except my marriage partner!" Rather, it takes the concerted effort on the part of the human to control his/her brain to direct sexual desires to only be for the marriage partner, if that is what they vowed to their partner to do.

 

Obeying God is almost like a marriage contract/promise/vows... in fact the church has been pictured symbolically as the bride of Christ. Because I love God, I agree to His guidelines as part of the covenant I have with Him through Jesus. That includes obeying God because I love Him. If I didn't love Him or want a relationship with Him, I would be most definitely free to live however I wanted without any consideration to what God says to do or not do.

 

That is the same with marriage. My husband and I made the covenant to each other which included being sexually faithful to each other. Now, if we wanted, we could break the guidelines we believe God set up for us and we agreed to for each other, but we don't because we both love God and we love each other.

 

God is an omnipotent, omniscient being. If it wasn't meant to be, aka unnatural, it wouldn't exist. Period.

I believe God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. However, I don't believe that just because a person can kill another person, that means it's "meant to be" or should happen. God wasn't happy with Cain when Cain killed his brother Abel. God wasn't happy with Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God and ate the fruit from the tree He forbid. If you think about it, not eating a silly fruit from some silly tree was not a harsh requirement. It wasn't a painful thing to NOT do. Adam and Eve did not have to do it, but they did. Cain didn't have to kill his brother Abel, but he did.

 

As for people struggling with sexual temptations, I really admire people who feel the temptation to commit adultery, for example, but DON'T. Rather, they confess their thought of temptation to God and repent without doing the sin. They train their minds to not "go there." That is because they love God and they love their spouse and want to do what is right, and keep their covenant with both God and their marriage partner.

 

 

 

I read everything else you posted and I believe that this is just something that we're never going to agree on. I tend to avoid questions about religion (unless absolutely necessary), because I never, nor can anyone receive any definitive answers.

It is fine to agree to disagree. At the end of our lives, we are all held accountable to God. For those who don't believe God exists and that they will thus not be accountable to anyone/anything, they will just be nothing anyways, according to them. However, for those who believe in God and that God rewards obedience, we have hope in being blessed with God's tactile presence.

 

Here's another thing. Why create us? a perfect being that requires nothing. Why create us flawed? or the ability to be flawed, only to punish us for operating how he created us to operate?. Maybe I should start a new thread on that, but I don't think I would get any answers there either.

You get answers, but I don't think you like the answers, which is fine.

I believe God created us because He loves us and He wanted to create beings who can reason and think and create and invent, because He loves us. I believe He created all different kinds of life on earth for many reasons, including beauty, diversity, and the wonder of it all! I believe He didn't create humans to be mindless robots who never question Him because mindless robots cannot truly love. Love is truly love if it is given of one's own accord, not because one is "programmed" to love.

 

Obedience is truly obedience if one does it even if doesn't make sense to them. When Abraham obeyed God and started off to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar, he didn't question God's command. (I would have questioned it and protested it though, to be honest.) However, he believed God would do a miracle or provide some way out of it, and God did! God tested Abraham's obedience, and I bet that was one of the hardest and most miserable times in Abraham's life, when he was about ready to kill his beloved son.

 

By the way, I don't believe God would ever ask anyone to kill their child after what he commanded of Abraham once. Rather, I believe God showed a picture of what He would do once for all through Jesus' death and resurrection... he didn't command Abraham to do what he was not willing to do for us. (Genesis 22:8, John 1:29, John 3:16, Matthew 1:21-23)

 

Genesis 22 (I boldened some.)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+22&version=NIV

 

"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations on earth will be blessed,[c] because you have obeyed me.”

 

 

 

I respect your beliefs though. I'm not one of those people who are trying to draw you away from your beliefs, I'm just a former believer seeking answers to questions that my brethren could never answer

Thank you. I respect your beliefs too and understand your questions. Peace and God bless, no matter what you decide to believe or not. Edited September 24, 2012 by BetheButterfly

[Feelin Frisky]

Just goes to show you how cocked up this who god and creation stuff is. It falls apart very quickly under real scrutiny--unless you think like a sheep herder ca 3,000 BCE.

[loveunlimited]

Just goes to show you how cocked up this who god and creation stuff is. It falls apart very quickly under real scrutiny--unless you think like a sheep herder ca 3,000 BCE.

 

the bold underlined is sufficient.

[BetheButterfly]

the bold underlined is sufficient.

 

Tragically and horribly, some people insult homosexuals.

Tragically and horribly, some people insult those who believe homosexuality is wrong.

 

This just shows that there are people on both sides who are mean-spirited, severely limited in love (only loving/liking those who agree with them) and are not interested in agreeing to disagree. They do not live in mutual respect.

 

Tragically and horribly, some Theists insult Atheists.

Tragically and horribly, some Atheists insult Theists.

 

Again, this just shows that there are people on both sides who are mean-spirited, severely limited in love (only loving/liking those who agree with them) and are not interested in agreeing to disagree. They do not live in mutual respect.

 

However, Christians are supposed to show love even to those who do not agree with them, according to Jesus (Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-38) and according to Peter (1 Peter 3:8-17) and Paul (1 Corinthians 4:11-13, Ephesians 4:29-32)

 

Matthew 5 is an important teaching of Jesus which I personally am learning to grow in!!!

 

" 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

 

People can insult me by calling me a sheep or whatever they want. However, my job is to love them no matter what they say to me or do to me, because I love God and I love Jesus!!! That is a lesson I am learning now, and I am so thankful for God's amazing love which helps me in turn love those who insult me and others, as well as insult Jesus, my Savior.

[loveunlimited]

Actually it's possible I was more insulting the sheep.

 

Look, really I don't care what you personally believe, but I made my mind up long ago that I didn't believe in god, because if he exists he's done me no favours at all. Besides, you are sheep. isn't jesus known as the good shepherd? isn't a congregation known as a flock? isn't there a parable about the shepherd leaving his flock to seek the sheep that was lost? But sheep are known to follow blindly... you can't agree that christians are referred to as sheep, but then take umbrage when the downside is pointed out. Sorry, but that's my opinion. I'm not having a go at you personally, and you're probably a very good example of what a christian should be like. unfortunately in my experience, you're a rare one. The black sheep, you might say.

[ComingInHot]

Eclypse:

 

I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE POSTING HERE!!!

 

As a scientist, you then then are given a THEORY, whatever it may be, gather all documented information including studies from as many different sources as possible, expound upon that research to finally make or draw a sound conclusion if possible to then prove said theory to become law. If Law cannot be the conclusion, then you are left having to choose which THEORY you will believe in, right ??!!?!?!

 

Okay, so if that is sound reasoning, and you too have an open mind, and following the scientific path of drawing a conclusion or "choosing" what makes the most logical sense and AFTER your own research following said process can "openly" see that Christianity and the Bible are actually very scientifically founded*** Oh My Gosh I'm so excited and I'm NOT kidding because I can't stop run on sentences when I get excited...

 

Now, you may or may not choose that there is a God, or in the Creation Theory, but if you have done, REALLY done your research from all angles, then you can see it as a viable theory, only you have "chosen" to follow a different theory that makes more sense for you, right, am I right, I know I'm right** And that is why spirituality and laws/theories of science are so exciting AND interesting to debate and question and debate some more! Because we CAN & we SHOULD!!

[BetheButterfly]

Actually it's possible I was more insulting the sheep.

 

Don't insult sheep!!! They are adorable!!!

 

 

Look, really I don't care what you personally believe, but I made my mind up long ago that I didn't believe in god, because if he exists he's done me no favours at all.

That's fine. It's not my business what you believe either but I won't disrespect you for not believing in God. I understand why you don't. I personally believe in God and understand why I do, and that's because of my own personal experience.

 

Besides, you are sheep. isn't jesus known as the good shepherd? isn't a congregation known as a flock? isn't there a parable about the shepherd leaving his flock to seek the sheep that was lost? But sheep are known to follow blindly... you can't agree that christians are referred to as sheep, but then take umbrage when the downside is pointed out.

Yes, but interestingly people who don't believe in God calling people who do "sheep"nowadays is sadly not a term of endearment concerning the loving nature of Jesus being the loving pastor (Shepherd) of those who follow him, but rather an insult.

 

Sorry, but that's my opinion. I'm not having a go at you personally, and you're probably a very good example of what a christian should be like. unfortunately in my experience, you're a rare one. The black sheep, you might say.

Interestingly, I don't think many of the Jewish leaders in Jesus' time preached love for one's enemies.

 

Rather, many did not like being oppressed by the Romans (understandably)... that's one reason why many people did/do not believe Jesus is the Promised Messiah, King on the throne of King David (prophesied about in 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalm 2, and Psalm 89). Jesus preached loved for enemies and didn't kill any Romans, which frankly was not considered a good trait for someone who is supposed to rescue people from their oppressors, hmm?

 

 

So anyways, about insults, a lot of it depends on the context. However, you are not insulting at all when reminding that Jesus is our Shepherd. However, that context is one of love and care... it remind me of Jesus' parable concerning when a shepherd goes and finds a lost sheep (Luke 15:4) It's about love and caring for a weaker species, instead of about being rude and generally insulting people as stupid... It makes me so sad when people insult others. I don't like it when people insult others and call them ugly and "good for nothing" too. I have personally experienced being called ugly and good for nothing (not on this forum though!), but that doesn't mean I should insult others like others in my past have insulted me.

Edited September 24, 2012 by BetheButterfly

[loveunlimited]

Gotcha. I apologise, you don't deserve mockery, but i reserve the right to take the piss out of those who shove it down my throat. they can't pee up my leg and call it rain. I will refrain from commenting on your input, you're a nice lady. but some people really do get under my skin, and i feel itchy then.

[BetheButterfly]

Gotcha. I apologise, you don't deserve mockery, but i reserve the right to take the piss out of those who shove it down my throat. they can't pee up my leg and call it rain. I will refrain from commenting on your input, you're a nice lady. but some people really do get under my skin, and i feel itchy then.

 

Well, if it makes you feel better, it makes me very sad that some Christians hate homosexual people. For one thing, that's against Jesus' commands to love. JESUS NEVER EVER COMMANDED HATRED OF HOMOSEXUALS... he never even mentioned homosexuality, according to the accounts of what he did and said in the Bible.

 

However, Jesus specifically commands his followers to LOVE other people, as accounted in the Bible.

 

It's sad when some people who call themselves Christians don't "get" this, because it's so clearly written in the Bible that Jesus commands to love.

 

It's not easy to love someone who doesn't love you, but Jesus very clearly says to love one's enemies. Again, I don't believe homosexuals are my enemies. They are my fellow brothers/sisters in humanity. They deserve respect and love, not hatred and insults. Even though most Christians, due to writings in both the Old Testament and New Testament, believe homosexuality it wrong, that doesn't give Christians a good excuse to disobey Jesus' commands to love. We can believe something is wrong without hating those who do it. Thankfully, my parents and friends didn't hate me when I was doing wrong. They loved me anyways and just merely prayed for me.

 

Thanks for apologizing by the way. If I ever offend you, please let me know and I will apologize.

Edited September 24, 2012 by BetheButterfly

[loveunlimited]

Oh my sister would love you, she'd convert you to being a lesbian in no time, because apparently it's a choice and she can be very persuasive! J/K

Sorry if i upset you beth, my best option is to be drawn to the good and ignore the bad.

[BetheButterfly]

Oh my sister would love you, she'd convert you to being a lesbian in no time, because apparently it's a choice and she can be very persuasive! J/K

Sorry if i upset you beth, my best option is to be drawn to the good and ignore the bad.

 

Lol.

 

When I was a teenager, I did struggle with bisexual thoughts, after sneakily (without my parents' permission) watching porn of girl on girl. However, I chose not to act on those desires in my mind. Instead, I told my Mom about them; she prayed with me, and I consider myself 100% heterosexual... have for 20 years... (I"m 35 now and am happily married to a wonderful man who loves God and loves me.)

 

I have no desire to be converted into a lesbian or a bi. Rather, I chose to obey what I believe God wants and I am thankful I did. However, it is not my place to judge your sister. I respect her right to decide what she wants to do with her sexuality. I also believe in defending her right to do so. I also think it's fine for her to get married, though I personally don't believe in marriages by the government anyways. Marriage is simply a covenant between people who want to share their life and responsibilities together. That should having nothing to do with what a government decides, in my opinion.

 

It doesn't make me feel threatened concerning my own marriage. My keeping my own marriage vows is because I love God and I love my husband, not because of our genders being different!!!

[ComingInHot]

Hey now... I posted (granted like ten pages ago*) that I DO NOT hate people based on sexual prefence, religion OR race AT ALL. I AM a Christian and striving to be Christ-like**

 

I have close friends that choose to lead a different Lifestyle than me and I adore them just as much as people who have chosen a way of life same as me.

 

The hypocracy lies in the hearts and souls that that twist and use their beliefs to fuel there "hate" and that goes for BOTH Christians and non-christians.

 

I don't segragate based on what people believe or how they are living their life or in what way they r living BUT I also don't "tolerate" it either as that too would be hypocritical of my faith.

 

I simply love the person and try to "win" souls for Christ, NOT hate them or condem them for being/choosing something different.

My friends who are homosexual love me for that! I don't preach at them, but when they ask I most definitely feel privilaged they asked and that I get to share my beliefs**

[BetheButterfly]

Hey now... I posted (granted like ten pages ago*) that I DO NOT hate people based on sexual prefence, religion OR race AT ALL. I AM a Christian and striving to be Christ-like**

 

I have close friends that choose to lead a different Lifestyle than me and I adore them just as much as people who have chosen a way of life same as me.

 

The hypocracy lies in the hearts and souls that that twist and use their beliefs to fuel there "hate" and that goes for BOTH Christians and non-christians.

 

I don't segragate based on what people believe or how they are living their life or in what way they r living BUT I also don't "tolerate" it either as that too would be hypocritical of my faith.

 

I simply love the person and try to "win" souls for Christ, NOT hate them or condem them for being/choosing something different.

My friends who are homosexual love me for that! I don't preach at them, but when they ask I most definitely feel privilaged they asked and that I get to share my beliefs**

 

I agree with you for the most part, though having friends with people who have different lifestyles than you is actually tolerance. If you didn't tolerate those who have different lifestyles, they wouldn't be your friends, hmm?

 

There's a saying that goes "Hate the sin, not the sinner." Jesus never said prostitution was ok, but he was friends with prostitutes. He never said sin was ok, but he was friends with sinners. For most Christians today, we consider ourselves sinners saved by grace.

 

Sadly, there are people who call themselves Christians who mock and hate homosexuals, even saying that God hates them. This is one reason probably why so many people in that lifestyle have so much bitterness against those who believe in Jesus yet do not tolerate and love them, like Jesus indirectly and directly commands.Jesus, however, showed loved for sinners, even people who the religious leaders in his day despised.

[TheFinalWord]

Jesus never said prostitution was ok, but he was friends with prostitutes. He never said sin was ok, but he was friends with sinners. For most Christians today, we consider ourselves sinners saved by grace.

 

Jesus, friend of sinners.

 

One of my fav songs right now

 

[mercy]

oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium.

 

mix em all up and you have a man. there's nothing magic in the base parts.

 

Sounds magical to me!

[GorillaTheater]

Do you ever think of a homosexual man as a hard working, outdoorsy type, working a logging crew, drinking beers at a truck stop, and hunting?

 

Every time I think about some of the funnier Monty Python sketches.