God's "Unacceptance" of homosexuals

[Intoxication]

I was debating on putting this in the LGBT section, but it involves God and religion discussion, so I decided this was a better place, if not, feel free to move it to the LGBT section.

I go to a Christian church, and having a devout Christian mother and devout Christian friends, I hear a lot about the 'sin' of homosexuality. Engaging in homosexual practices is a sin, and so on and so forth. Well, I personally am bi-curious. A few of my friends are bisexual. My sister is bisexual, and my stepcousin is homosexual. I love my friends and my family members with all my heart, regardless of sexuality (regardless of anything, really) and I respect everyone's opinion. But I find the unacceptance of homosexuality in Christianity a bit odd. If God and Jesus love everyone unendingly and unconditionally, then what's different about homosexuals and bisexuals who engage in homosexual activities? God made us the way we are- no one wakes up in the morning and says, "I think I'm gonna be gay today." My personal beliefs are you choose to live a homosexual lifestyle, but you don't choose being homosexual.
Let me clarify.
You choose to go out and kiss a girl (or a guy) or have sexual relations with a girl (or a guy) but you don't choose the attraction to a girl (or a guy). You can choose to not have sexual relations with the same sex, but you don't choose to be attracted to the same sex. That is the way we were made.
I just don't appreciate the Bible saying, in no certain terms, that homosexuality is wrong.

[Sythan]

The Bible wasn't written by God, it's an interpretation of what people think God wants.

Like you said, we don't choose it, we only accept it.

[BluEiis]

My Christian friend pointed out quite a few verses to me about homosexuality being an abomination and such.. Personally, I don't have a prolem with the LGBT community, but I believe the "born this way" notion is absurd. Humanity was made like all other species, to reproduce. Gays and Lesbians can't reproduce, and they defy natural law. Homosexuality is NOT natural. That's just my opinion, and I'm sure I will be blasted for it soon. I don't care. There's nothing wrong with homosexuality, but Christians do not approve because God says it is an abomination, he hates it, etc. etc. And because they say God created woman for man. You know, Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.lol

[Troubled_Heart]

i agree with you... I go to christian union at my school and I had to read a passage about homosexuality being wrong and they went on about it... I'm bi but I still felt like we can't help it and it was the way God made us, and it's like he wouldn't have made it possible if he really didn't want it...

[Eldora]

Originally Posted by BluEiis

My Christian friend pointed out quite a few verses to me about homosexuality being an abomination and such.. Personally, I don't have a prolem with the LGBT community, but I believe the "born this way" notion is absurd. Humanity was made like all other species, to reproduce. Gays and Lesbians can't reproduce, and they defy natural law. Homosexuality is NOT natural. That's just my opinion, and I'm sure I will be blasted for it soon. I don't care. There's nothing wrong with homosexuality, but Christians do not approve because God says it is an abomination, he hates it, etc. etc. And because they say God created woman for man. You know, Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.lol

I don't want to cause another fight on this subject, but I just can't help but say my piece. Please PM me any replies you have, just so we don't go too off-topic, here.

But, look at it this way: Do you choose to like your favorite flavor of ice cream? Just because someone says: "Hey, I like vanilla, so you're gonna like chocolate, too, or you're not gonna be my friend," when you truly don't like vanilla ice cream, does that mean you're going to force yourself to like vanilla ice cream, and end up feeling sick because of it, just because someone tells you that you can't be their friend if you don't like vanilla ice cream?

Odds are, no.

But it's the same way with gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Just like you can't force yourself to like a certain flavor of ice cream, we can't force ourselves to like men or women, if we don't like them. Or, in my case, I can't force myself to like a guy unless he has certain ingredients added to make him different from everyone else, just like I don't like vanilla ice cream too well without Oreos in it to make it taste better. You see what I'm saying? It's not a choice.

I was debating on putting this in the LGBT section, but it involves God and religion discussion, so I decided this was a better place, if not, feel free to move it to the LGBT section.

I go to a Christian church, and having a devout Christian mother and devout Christian friends, I hear a lot about the 'sin' of homosexuality. Engaging in homosexual practices is a sin, and so on and so forth. Well, I personally am bi-curious. A few of my friends are bisexual. My sister is bisexual, and my stepcousin is homosexual. I love my friends and my family members with all my heart, regardless of sexuality (regardless of anything, really) and I respect everyone's opinion. But I find the unacceptance of homosexuality in Christianity a bit odd. If God and Jesus love everyone unendingly and unconditionally, then what's different about homosexuals and bisexuals who engage in homosexual activities? God made us the way we are- no one wakes up in the morning and says, "I think I'm gonna be gay today." My personal beliefs are you choose to live a homosexual lifestyle, but you don't choose being homosexual.
Let me clarify.
You choose to go out and kiss a girl (or a guy) or have sexual relations with a girl (or a guy) but you don't choose the attraction to a girl (or a guy). You can choose to not have sexual relations with the same sex, but you don't choose to be attracted to the same sex. That is the way we were made.
I just don't appreciate the Bible saying, in no certain terms, that homosexuality is wrong.

I don't appreciate it, either. A few years back, when I was ten, I started reading the Bible more. I was a devoted little Christian, back then. It turned over a lot of stones that should have been left unturned, telling me that anyone who liked the same sex and allowed themselves to was going to hell unless they repented and changed their ways.

I left Christianity, and it was best for me. I'm not saying that's the right path for you to take, because like Sythan pointed out, the Bible is just an interpretation of what people think God wants. You can have your own thoughts on what you think God wants.

And you are right. Like I said, no one chooses to be homosexual or bisexual. It's not a choice. As a bisexual with more of a preference for girls, yes, I could probably make more of an effort to find boys that I like and live a perfectly 'Christian' lifestyle, as could every other bisexual in this world. But when it's easier to like girls, what's really the point?

[Tynan]

Well according to the bible this "god" guy created everyone in his own image.
So on that idea why would he create someone just to hate them?
Why would he make them that way just to cause people to hate his creations?

To me that doesn't sound like a "loving and just" god.

[Fictional]

Originally Posted by BluEiis

My Christian friend pointed out quite a few verses to me about homosexuality being an abomination and such.. Personally, I don't have a prolem with the LGBT community, but I believe the "born this way" notion is absurd. Humanity was made like all other species, to reproduce. Gays and Lesbians can't reproduce, and they defy natural law. Homosexuality is NOT natural. That's just my opinion, and I'm sure I will be blasted for it soon. I don't care. There's nothing wrong with homosexuality, but Christians do not approve because God says it is an abomination, he hates it, etc. etc. And because they say God created woman for man. You know, Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.lol

I have to say that your argument that humans are made to reproduce just like all other species, whilst correct, doesn't cover the full story; my dog's forever trying to hump other male dogs, just like he's always trying to hump my autn's sofa. Homsexuality is just as comon amongst other species as it is with humans.

I know I'm an atheist, so my opinion may not count for much, but in my view, a God who loves everyone can't also be a God who condems homosexuals to such a degree.

[BluEiis]

I understand what you guys are saying. I don't believe in any god, but I honestly don't believe homosexuality is natural. Back on topic, the OP was referring to the Christian church's treatment of homosexuals. Their "God" apparently burned down a city because it was "wicked," and the main sin was homosexuality. Also there is a verse somewhere other than the ones mentioned in "Why Can't I Own A Canadian" (look that up if you haven't read it ) ....but I don't know, any Christian I have ever met has had some pretty extreme opinions on quite a few subjects, and tend to judge immediately when someone does not conform to their rules.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

This all depends on the version of the bible you use. Earlier versions don't condemn homosexuality in any way, other than lust but that applies to all sexual orientations including heterosexuality. Old Testament translations, such as Leviticus 18:22 where it says no man can lie with another man and so forth, is taken out of context because it applies only to Israel children. The Christians who spout opinions that homosexuality is wrong for whatever reason (excluding the lust mentioned above) aren't supported by earlier versions of the bible. They may not even be supported by newer versions of the bible. I believe the bible first began condemning homosexuality in the King James Version of the bible, initially written somewhere around the 16-17th centuries. Ancient Greek versions use words that experts in the field don't quite know what they mean, such as "arsenokoites", which in the KJV means homosexual but in the context it was used, arsenokoites only made sense as meaning homosexual 20-22% of the time it was used. The remaining 78-80% of the time it meant murder, child prostitution, etc... .

Originally Posted by BluEiis

My Christian friend pointed out quite a few verses to me about homosexuality being an abomination and such.. Personally, I don't have a prolem with the LGBT community, but I believe the "born this way" notion is absurd. Humanity was made like all other species, to reproduce. Gays and Lesbians can't reproduce, and they defy natural law. Homosexuality is NOT natural.

If homosexuality is not natural, why is it found so often throughout other non-human species? To be nit-picky, there are some organisms that use homosexuality for reproduction via parthenogenesis. This is found in various lizards, such as Komodo dragons, New Mexican whiptail lizards, boa constrictors and so forth. It's also found in certain sharks, worms, insects, etc... . That said, parthenogenesis isn't naturally found in mammals but homosexuality is. So your view doesn't hold up. Do you have any other arguments in support of your statement?

Originally Posted by BluEiis

any Christian I have ever met has had some pretty extreme opinions on quite a few subjects, and tend to judge immediately when someone does not conform to their rules.

As much as I agree with this, it also is seen amongst other groups of people.

[Intoxication]

Well I definatly like Jonsi s reply. That's the idea I was going for .

[Guile]

There's a difference between hating the sinner and hating the sin. God loves homosexuals equally, but they are sinners (as all of us are), and if they pray for repentance then they go to heaven like everybody else. I may hate that my friend is never on time for movies, but that doesn't mean I hate him, I just hate that aspect.

"Love the sinner, hate the sin"

[ChaosControl]

Originally Posted by misslonely

God made us the way we are- no one wakes up in the morning and says, "I think I'm gonna be gay today." My personal beliefs are you choose to live a homosexual lifestyle, but you don't choose being homosexual.
Let me clarify.
You choose to go out and kiss a girl (or a guy) or have sexual relations with a girl (or a guy) but you don't choose the attraction to a girl (or a guy). You can choose to not have sexual relations with the same sex, but you don't choose to be attracted to the same sex. That is the way we were made.

First of all, I have to say I agree with this 100%, I couldn't have put it better myself. We all choose how we act upon our feelings, whether we are gay, bi or straight, but we have no control over those feelings initially.

Originally Posted by Fictional

I know I'm an atheist, so my opinion may not count for much, but in my view, a God who loves everyone can't also be a God who condems homosexuals to such a degree.

I also agree with Jessy. I've never been able to get my head around such a contradiction: "God loves you! Unless you're gay."

Originally Posted by Sythan

The Bible wasn't written by God, it's an interpretation of what people think God wants.

Absolutely agree.

I feel that religion is what people make of it. I'm an atheist. I may not be able to answer your question in as much detail, but I feel that it is people's ignorance and intolerance of homosexuals that has led them to believe, over hundreds of years, that the bible condemns it. But not everyone sees it like that. Just for the record, I have a couple of Christian friends who totally accept homosexuals. I feel that is a good approach to have to religion because, as I said, I think it's about interpretation. They believe their god loves everyone equally and that's what religion is all about: beliefs. We are all entitled to them.

You are entitled to your religious beliefs just as you are entitled to accept homosexuality and be bi-curious. I know there will be a lot of peer pressure and it will be tricky, but I hope you are able to balance the two and be happy with who you are and what you believe.

[JKmadu619]

If God hates homosexuals I cannot accept him. I choose to believe he does not hate them.

As someone said before "God didn't write the bible" therefore it could be full of factual impossibilities and lies. And yet I still believe in the bible and I make it compatible with my own morals.

- Justin

[BluEiis]

There's a difference between hating the sinner and hating the sin. God loves homosexuals equally, but they are sinners (as all of us are), and if they pray for repentance then they go to heaven like everybody else. I may hate that my friend is never on time for movies, but that doesn't mean I hate him, I just hate that aspect.

"Love the sinner, hate the sin"

Exactly. Anything I have heard about the Christian faith continuously states this. God hates homosexuality, but not the homosexual. Although, there are individuals such as Fred Phelps and Westboro Baptist church that claim God hates America, soldiers, "fags", and everyone else. But hey, every religion has it's own personal extreme wackos.

If God hates homosexuals I cannot accept him. I choose to believe he does not hate them.

As someone said before "God didn't write the bible" therefore it could be full of factual impossibilities and lies. And yet I still believe in the bible and I make it compatible with my own morals.

I've never really understood any religion based on the Bible. The Bible is said to be God breathed, That he spoke to people and they wrote down his words. Or something to that effect..lol but then all these people interpret the Bible differently. A friend of my says she can soeak in tongues, but my cousin says that the gift of tongues is no longer given. My aunt is a pastor, but my friend says it is wrong for women to wear pants. They all use the same Bible, they just chose to interpret it differently. I mean look at the Amish people, they use the exact same Bible as Westboro Baptist Church. Different extremes. Too much relies on interpretation. The whole idea just blows my mind..

[TheCrowing]

Their "God" may not accept homosexuality, but my God does. My God accepts who I am and has made me this way for a reason.

[Brandon]

I look at it like:

Many people are religious hypocrites. I truly believe that people who consider homosexuality to be a sin are the ones who sin the most. With an ancient text in a modern society, I almost consider it practically impossible NOT to sin. Humans aren't God and can't judge whether someone is going to Heaven or Hell based on what THEIR interpretation is. That's religious hypocrisy at its finest. Let people do whatever the fuck they want, as long as it doesn't hurt other people, and leave it up to the man upstairs to deal with them.

[BluEiis]

Off topic..but, exactly how is this triggering?

[Intoxication]

Well, some people might... I don't know. Someone who might read this might find the topic of hatred of homosexuals triggering... I don't know. I didn't know if it would be, so I decided to put it there in case it was.

[Intoxication]

Anyway, I respect and am open to everyone's opinion. I appreciate the lack of profanity, anger, and attacking of others on this thread. Thank you
... My mind is blank right now I just feel very strongly about this and thought I should get other people's opinions on it. So, thank ya for your participation.

[ChaosControl]

Originally Posted by Brandon

I look at it like:

Many people are religious hypocrites. I truly believe that people who consider homosexuality to be a sin are the ones who sin the most. With an ancient text in a modern society, I almost consider it practically impossible NOT to sin. Humans aren't God and can't judge whether someone is going to Heaven or Hell based on what THEIR interpretation is. That's religious hypocrisy at its finest. Let people do whatever the fuck they want, as long as it doesn't hurt other people, and leave it up to the man upstairs to deal with them.

I didn't have the guts to put it like that, but I totally agree.

[BluEiis]

Originally Posted by misslonely

Well, some people might... I don't know. Someone who might read this might find the topic of hatred of homosexuals triggering... I don't know. I didn't know if it would be, so I decided to put it there in case it was.

Ohh, I see(= Thanks.

[Agent P]

If all homosexuals are going to hell (like I've been told and screamed at), then it's going to be one hell of a gay party down there. Even if there's murders there too, what does it matter? We're already dead it's not like they can kill us when we're dead. Because obviously being a homosexual is just as bad as killing a person or any other thing Catholics say you will got to hell for.

[Youth Pastor]

As my name says I am a Youth Pastor at a First Baptist Church. After reading a lot of comments I feel the need to clarify some things. The best way to do this is to separate some things. Separate the sins from humans. Sins are what keep people from Heaven. Everyone in history, except Jesus, has sinned. Anyone can accept Christ and go to Heaven. We have all lied, lusted, and have other common sins. Some people have accepted the homosexual lifestyle which is also a sin, just like lusting, etc. God hates sin and He loves people. Not accepting Christ is what keeps you from Heaven. I don't agree with homosexuality at all. However, that won't keep me from socializing with them because for one I don't want to be labeled as a Christian who comes off as judgmental and secondly we're all sinners and in need of God's grace.

[Sythan]

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

As my name says I am a Youth Pastor at a First Baptist Church. After reading a lot of comments I feel the need to clarify some things. The best way to do this is to separate some things. Separate the sins from humans. Sins are what keep people from Heaven.

Gluttony, Lust, Greed, Hate, it's all in our species as humans. We are animals just like Monkeys and Apes, have we evolved? Yes. Are we much different in nature? No.

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

Everyone in history, except Jesus, has sinned. Anyone can accept Christ and go to Heaven. We have all lied, lusted, and have other common sins.

Ghandi has sinned? This is where your point fails, Ghandi was not Christian, yet apparently he's in hell for not accepting Christ?

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

Some people have accepted the homosexual lifestyle which is also a sin, just like lusting, etc.

I would like to remind that the Bible is not a book written by God, it is a mere interpretation of what people think God want's. It was written by men, men who sin and men who are wrong.

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

God hates sin and He loves people.

He has killed more people than Satan.

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

Not accepting Christ is what keeps you from Heaven. I don't agree with homosexuality at all. However, that won't keep me from socializing with them because for one I don't want to be labeled as a Christian who comes off as judgmental and secondly we're all sinners and in need of God's grace.

We don't ask to be Homosexual, we don't wake up one day and go "Jee, I think I'll be gay". You are right when you say we choose....we choose to accept who we are. How many more gay people will God have to create before people begin to realize he want's us here?

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

Everyone in history, except Jesus, has sinned.

This is problematic because people who haven't heard of Christianity are sinners. When you say this, you push your view onto everyone else as though it is the one thing that everyone should be compared to regardless of what their beliefs actually are. This is illogical because it only works well if people all have the same amount of understanding, otherwise, you're saying someone is at fault despite the fact they were unaware of it. There's another problem though, when you say such statements, not only are you covering everyone with the same blanket but you're also implying that you will view everyone via that same blanket. In other words, if someone tells you they're not a Christian, it falls on deaf ears when it comes to you.

Lastly, the biggest problem, the statement is incorrect.

"No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister." (1 John 3:9-10)

If there is nobody except Christ who does not sin, then this passage is incorrect. Notice how the passage says "children", "they" and "them". This all implies more than one person, so it makes no sense how only one person (Christ) can be free from sin.

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

Anyone can accept Christ and go to Heaven.

Anyone can fart after eating a can of beans, what's your point?

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

Some people have accepted the homosexual lifestyle which is also a sin, just like lusting, etc.

Did you by any chance read my previous post in this thread where I mentioned earlier versions of the bible don't condemn homosexuality as a sin? This brings me to my main question: are you willing to ignore all the earlier versions that don't condemn homosexuality while accepting the later versions that do condemn homosexuality? If so, then this boils down to you having a personal dislike for homosexuals and again, that would be a sin on your part.

I doubt I'll get any of this through your head but who knows, stranger things have happened. You say people "accept" such a lifestyle yet there is no evidence anywhere of that being true. You may have anecdotal evidence but that's useless in such online forums. So given there is no evidence supporting your view on homosexuality being a choice, why do you continue to say otherwise?

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

God hates sin and He loves people.

Then why does god regret making people?

"And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart" (Genesis 6:6)

This statement that god hates sin is nonsense because you must have not read the Old Testament where god commands humans to kill others. If god hates sin, why would he order people to sin? Is it that god doesn't mind ordering people to sin because that's perfectly fine to him but doesn't want to be next to such people (despite the fact he promised them rewards)?

This also begs the question, if god hates sin, why did he create Lucifer and/or Satan? It seems he doesn't have too much of a problem with sin when he orders people to sin and he makes beings that will sin. All of this comes back to one source: god.

Originally Posted by Youth Pastor

Not accepting Christ is what keeps you from Heaven. I don't agree with homosexuality at all. However, that won't keep me from socializing with them because for one I don't want to be labeled as a Christian who comes off as judgmental and secondly we're all sinners and in need of God's grace.

LOL, everyone is judgmental, it's a moronic thing to say you don't want to be judgmental. I never understand how Christians, such as yourself and others on this forum have a clear hatred for homosexuals, condemn them to hell yet say they're willing to be friends with them. It seems so odd because how do you be friends or even socialize with someone who, at least in your mind, are condemning to hell and dislike them for personal reasons?

Further evidence you're judgmental is by your statement "we're all sinners and in need of God's grace". Bingo, you just told every single non-Christian they need to drop their belief and go with yours because of course yours is the only one correct, otherwise, it's time to play the condemning game. You're a youth pastor so I assume you do voice your opinions to others in your church and possibly to those outside your church.

I'm interested though in one thing: why do you not agree with homosexuality? If your answer is going to repeat bible quotes that probably are inapplicable, then don't bother, however, if your answer is independent of what the bible says, then I'm interested.

[dr2005]

My view on this is take "God" out and replace it with "Man" and you're probably a fair bit closer to the truth. Indeed, I would probably go as far as to say that God is probably banging His metaphysical head against a wall at what we as a species have contrived to justify "in His name", assuming He does exist (the above is after all contingent on my belief being correct). There is a case for arguing that a lot of the more controversial elements of the Bible, the Old Testament in particular, may well have been attempts to justify aspects of history that they weren't particularly proud of - or maybe they were and saw it as a means of justifying their pride. Who's to say. All I will say is that you have an almighty contradiction in a God who defines himself as love and compassion and then his followers hating and rejecting people who are different.

Originally Posted by Sythan

He has killed more people than Satan.

Depends what part Satan was playing in things really, when you think about it. I'm not drawing any conclusions on that point, just throwing the idea out there.

[--.redpanda.--]

The Bible says that we were molded in God's image. If everyone is made in God's image, then he should be okay with homosexuality because of the words in the Bible.

Also, a lot of churches are more accepting of homosexuality.

[JKmadu619]

Originally Posted by Sythan

Gluttony, Lust, Greed, Hate, it's all in our species as humans. We are animals just like Monkeys and Apes, have we evolved? Yes. Are we much different in nature? No.

Ghandi has sinned? This is where your point fails, Ghandi was not Christian, yet apparently he's in hell for not accepting Christ?



I would like to remind that the Bible is not a book written by God, it is a mere interpretation of what people think God want's. It was written by men, men who sin and men who are wrong.

He has killed more people than Satan.



We don't ask to be Homosexual, we don't wake up one day and go "Jee, I think I'll be gay". You are right when you say we choose....we choose to accept who we are. How many more gay people will God have to create before people begin to realize he want's us here?

You have won this thread, better yet you did so without insulting Christians. You my friend win.

- Justin

[Intoxication]

weaseltheepic made a good point about being molded in God's image. That's exactly how I feel. He made us, and therefore the way we are and the way we live and what we are is exactly what he wanted because he made us.

And of course Man is the problem here. Man is the one who says homosexuality is a sin. He thinks the bible says so and says, "Look! All you gays and lesbians and bisexuals and transsexuals/transgenders and questioning people out there, you're all going to hell!" while holding up a bible.
Since when did Man have the power to condemn people? We're not God. We don't have the right to say who's going to hell and who's not. The one person who decides where we end up at the finale is GOD. We don't have control over anyone- their sexuality especially, and in turn where they'll go when they die.

[Jennysaurus]

its people who take their interpretation of God and use it to put others to shame. The Bible mentions a lot of things that is considered a sin, and we've all done some of it. its people who claim that God hates homosexuals and that theyre all going to hell. Nowhere in the Bible did it say that God hates them. and man cant determine who is going to hell.

im a christian who has gay friends and i love them just as much as i love my friends who are straight. a lot of people take things out of context and think that just because they go to church, read the Bible, pray, etc that they have the right to point the finger at whatever and whoever they think is wrong. sinners shouldnt knock other sinners down.

[MadPoet]

Actually the bible never says its wrong to be homosexual. What it does say, is that it's wrong to engage in homosexual relations. There's a big difference, obviously. Christians twisted the scripture and took it to mean that it is bad to be gay all together, which it is not. I don't believe either is wrong, personally. I think that it's your right to be with whomever you want, and even though Christians try to dictate what is wrong and what's right, you should be the only judge of what is right for you.

[Xujhan]

Originally Posted by MondayComesAround

Actually the bible never says its wrong to be homosexual. What it does say, is that it's wrong to engage in homosexual relations. There's a big difference, obviously. Christians twisted the scripture and took it to mean that it is bad to be gay all together, which it is not. I don't believe either is wrong, personally. I think that it's your right to be with whomever you want, and even though Christians try to dictate what is wrong and what's right, you should be the only judge of what is right for you.

I don't think the difference is that big, at least not from a moral perspective. Humans are sexual creatures, like all other mammals. Forcing or guilting a human into being celibate is cruel and unusual, and damaging.

Consider: "It's okay to be a photographer, it's just not okay to take photograpghs." It's essentially the same thing, except with a bit of added deception in appearing moderate.

[Beetbox]

If I must I will find the verses again but the bible was never against homosexuality. In fact it was the translators and even they put their changes in italics and added words to change the meanings. In fact many verses in the bible were changed by the multiple translations over the years. In fact there is a celebration of a gay union.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by MondayComesAround

Actually the bible never says its wrong to be homosexual. What it does say, is that it's wrong to engage in homosexual relations. There's a big difference, obviously. Christians twisted the scripture and took it to mean that it is bad to be gay all together, which it is not. I don't believe either is wrong, personally. I think that it's your right to be with whomever you want, and even though Christians try to dictate what is wrong and what's right, you should be the only judge of what is right for you.

Actually, the bible doesn't say it's wrong to engage in homosexual relations for all people. Ignoring the more ancient versions, in Leviticus (I'm assuming that's what you're talking about) where it often spouts that it's wrong, it only applies to a select group of people, namely Israeli children. It seems many Christians ignore this, despite it being said over and over in Leviticus.

Your faulty assertion of what the bible says effectively leads to saying homosexuality is bad. If it's fine to be homosexual, then you can find the same sex (assume men) attractive but cant be with anyone in particular. Homosexual relations being sinful means you cant find a particular man attractive or be with. If you notice, they lead to pretty much the same thing as it's redundant to say only one is fine but not the other. If this were applied to an object, saying only one of the statements instantly makes the object useless. It doesn't matter if you say the other statement, it'll be redundant.

[Liz94]

My views on this matter have really already been said, but I would like to say this....
I don't like it when people make the statement all Christians or Christians believe that... you should say Some, or most Christians......
I am a lesbian and a devoted Christian and there are many Homosexual Christians across the world.
I think that the Christian community are adapting to modern life after all alot has changed since it was written.
The whole Gods' acceptance to homosexuality is a debate that Christains will be having for a long while yet....But I do think progress is being made...After all there are about 3 places in the bible where it says it is wrong, compare that with the amount of times it teaches unconditional love, equality and do not discriminate and the outcome I personally make from it is that even if you disagree with the act of homosexuality you should accept that it exsists.

Also lets just clarify that in the bible it states a couple of times that the ACT of homosexuality is wrong NOT homosexual thorghts/feelings.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by elievry

My views on this matter have really already been said, but I would like to say this....
I don't like it when people make the statement all Christians or Christians believe that... you should say Some, or most Christians......
I am a lesbian and a devoted Christian and there are many Homosexual Christians across the world.
I think that the Christian community are adapting to modern life after all alot has changed since it was written.
The whole Gods' acceptance to homosexuality is a debate that Christains will be having for a long while yet....But I do think progress is being made...After all there are about 3 places in the bible where it says it is wrong, compare that with the amount of times it teaches unconditional love, equality and do not discriminate and the outcome I personally make from it is that even if you disagree with the act of homosexuality you should accept that it exsists.

Also lets just clarify that in the bible it states a couple of times that the ACT of homosexuality is wrong NOT homosexual thorghts/feelings.

Lets also clarify this is only said in modern versions of the bible and people who perpetuate these notions are unwilling to do a few seconds of Googling to find out its not what the bible in its entirety states.

[Wolfmanne]

I'm a Catholic on the Christian-left. What's in the Bible about LGBTs is wrong; it is misinterpreted. I believe that those words are saying that LGBT is weird and strange. I know I will be blasted for saying this.

[Sythan]

Originally Posted by Wolfmanne

I'm a Catholic on the Christian-left. What's in the Bible about LGBTs is wrong; it is misinterpreted. I believe that those words are saying that LGBT is weird and strange. I know I will be blasted for saying this.

You just re-stated what the Bible says about LGB's.

[Epsilon]

Originally Posted by Wolfmanne

I'm a Catholic on the Christian-left. What's in the Bible about LGBTs is wrong; it is misinterpreted. I believe that those words are saying that LGBT is weird and strange. I know I will be blasted for saying this.

If your Catholic (Which I am) I trust you know your own Church condemns homosexual actions as sinful.

God does not hate gay people. And no one is sinning by simply being attracted to the same sex. Sin only comes when those inclinations are acted upon through lust, sex, etc. The same principle exists for heterosexuals outside of marriage.

[Youth Pastor]

He has killed more people than Satan.

It depends on how you want to approach this. If you go back to the Garden of Eden Satan did tempt Adam and Eve which caused the Fall of Man. This caused mankind to be sinners which in that case Satan has killed a lot more people.

Ghandi has sinned? This is where your point fails, Ghandi was not Christian, yet apparently he's in hell for not accepting Christ?

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life ; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

Because of the Fall of Man we are separated from Christ forever. However, Jesus is the way for us to get to Heaven by accepting Him.

I would like to remind that the Bible is not a book written by God, it is a mere interpretation of what people think God want's. It was written by men, men who sin and men who are wrong.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness"