I am not homosexual, but I do not like to hate others for their use of free will. Jesus taught to love thy enemy, didn't he? I know there was once a Saint Nicholas, but he is different that the Santa that many Christians tell their kids about. My question is why is ok to lie to your children and say there is a Santa Clause that brings presents from the North Pole to them when they're good, but then teach them that it's wrong to lie and to avoid homosexuality?\n\nAnother question (because I don't feel like spending another 5 points to make one)...if all mankind was born with original sin and carried original sin, then why did God destroy the city of Soddom, if everyone in the world had sin?
214653
First, it can certainly be argued that not all sin carries the same weight even though all sin is damaging.  Participating in the Holocaust and stealing a pencil are clearly not the same weight.\n\nIt is wrong to hate anyone.  I do not understand the evangelicals who do hate homosexuals.  If you are going to do that, then you also need to hate gluttons, adulterers, liars, vain people, greedy people, and so forth at least to be consistant.\n\nWhat you are seeing when you see hate is their own brokeness coming through and their own attachment to their own sins.  Unfortunately in the US, Christians tend to misread an important passage because of how it is translated into American English.  People see Jesus as "saving" them.  Unfortunately that has a specific theological meaning and so that translation is favored.  However, it is a slightly better translation to use the word liberated.  God liberates us from our sins is a closer idea.  You are saved if you actually permit God to liberate you.  As an early Christian writer said once, "most people carry their sins around with them like chains.   The chains are broken and they have been set free, but they won't totally let them go.  They drag them around on the ground and they get snared to their old sins."  Christians who feel a need to hate, have really surrendered their salvation in favor of their own sins.  But God does and will let them go again, if they permit God.  Submission to the will of the Father, kenosis, or disolving of self in favor of God, is the key.\n\nNow, there is a question of whether it is wrong to lie to children about Santa.  I have thought about it, but it is a lie like a parable.  Parables are not true, yet they are.  Santa is a similar type of thing, it isn't true, but it is.  You are teaching gift giving and the importance of goodness.  It has become distorted in American culture, but if you read the original story of Nicholas, really we are continuing his ministry 1700 years later.  It really is because of Nicholas this is occuring.\n\nIt is true that all the world sins and it is broken.  It is the experience of the writers of the OT, that the destruction was due to their sin and they recorded that.  It could be listed as a mystery.  It could also be thought of as even though we are imperfect, we have minimum standards of conduct we must not fall below.  For example, no slaughtering of innocents would rank up there no matter who you are.
254091
i'm not religious at all, but i agree with you on all points. God seems to be love, but it's the followers that seem to abuse the message.\n\nprobably out of fear they condemn everything that strikes them as weird, with a bible in their hand.\n\ni'm from Holland, a country that is (thank god) very liberated to the gay people. But even there, i see the narrow-mindedness of gay-bashing. I have some gay-friends, some of them are even married to eachother. \n\nSometimes i even have the feeling that their love must be more pure than any hetero-sexual love, because the homosexuals had to do many hard steps to be with their loved-ones. The coming out, the elling it to the parents, living in doubt for years before coming-out, being ridiculed by society day in day out....\n\nmost people condemn homosexuals, because a group of them is very open about sex. these people that condemn that, never seem to realize that that same homosexual had to hide his feelings of sexuality for years and years, untill he came-out. It must be the same as people living in a land where a dictator rules, and they finally got rid of the dictator. these people we see always cheering on the streets the first day, feeling relieved, yet still insecure of the future.\n\nwith coming out, it probably feels like that. a feeling of relief, and at the same time the feeling of 'and now what'. I can't blame them for wanting to scream their sexuality of the roofs, after having to hide those feelings for years.\n\nIt's society, and specially christian society that does these people harm. I always wonder how christians would feel if i told them that their act of love is a sin. i always wonder if they would be able to stop sinning, as they always tell the gay-community.\n\nit's sick!\n\nchristians make it hard on this big group of people, who obviously don't deserve that. \n\none of my gay friends is married and would love to adopt a kid. i know he's great with children and i know he would make a very good father. He just chose, by himself, that he would never adopt a child, because he doesn't want the child to grow up in world where the child will be teased at school for having two fathers. \nThat is, in my opinion, the greates act of love i ever seen. giving up a dream, in the interest of a child he never even met. It's also a sick act, because it's caused by a judging society.\n\nand i can go on and on complaining about all this. i even asked a lot of quetsion about the subject in this Q&A-thingy, trying to disprove that the bible condemns homosexuality. But i found out that these zealot-christians don't even read, listen or think, they only judge based on an old book.\n\nif i truly admit: seeing two guys kissing on the streets is like a grose thing to watch. i can't help that, i truly find it grose to see. but at least i also try to look beyond what strikes me as grose, and see the true love that two human-beings can have for eachother.\n\ni actually wonder what homosexuals ever did to christians, to deserve this treatment. i can't figure that one out.\nthese christians always say 'we love the sinner, but he hate the sin' or whatever. In that way they try to justify their own condemning. i really don't see what gives them the right to even call it 'sin'. \n\nLove can never be a sin. Never!\n\n(sorry for the long answer, but during the typing i got just as angry as you got during asking this question, i guess)
51030
Its perfectly OK. C'mon people we are living in the 21st century now.\n\nAnd for all those, who use Bible as a weapon against homosexual desires, I'd like to tell you that its not Jesus himself that wrote it. How can you gaurantee that whosoever wrote it, did not misinterpret Jesus. \n\nIts only the "personal interpretations" of the homophobics that make it against it. Even rayburnlarry above has cited a "version" of Bible, while going against same sex love.\n\nJesus, the messiah always promoted love, understanding and accepting those who might be different from us.\n\nNothing makes God, the Jesus more happier than seeing Love rather than hatred and selfishness.
113529
B/c we still have old timers who are "vary religious"... most people from my generation have no problem with it unless your gay and try to make a pass on them...people are getting smarter and realizing that "God" is just fictional like "santa" or the "easter bunny" but a higher power and an attemt to make everyone behave...god serves the same pupose as santa....my grandparents think homosexuality is wrong and this was an attempt to rid of everything "they" dislike...SO BE GAY BE HAPPY AND LIVE YOUR LIFE THE WAY YOU WANT! GAY!
44946
Thas not true.  I am neither one of those but I can tell you that God says no sin is greater than the other.  Wether you murder your parents or do a man when your a man thats still sin to him and every soul may seek forgiveness.  You may not be correct in your actions, you may not follow all the laws of god, but you can still believe.  God says that taking the same sex to bed together is a sin and he also says that gossip is a sin but nine out of ten times i bet you do that, so what makes you or anyone else better than the other.  If you are gay or a lesbain, to me, that is your sin, you will answer to god just like me for my sins.  Which is greater?  How can god put a scale on how bad you hurt him?  A sin is just that, a sin to god.  Worldly pleasures are just worldly pleasures.  Just try and live your life as correct as possible for god and it shouldn't matter if you're gay or a lesbain.  Just let him know you believe and ask him to live in your heart.  If you truely except him than the lord will help you discover who he has planned for you to love.
532409
Yes I know someone who know longer chooses the homosexual lifestyle and they follow Christ.  Two actually.  A woman and a man.  The fell in love, got married, and have 2 kids.  They did not turn heterosexual, though.  Think of homosexuality like alcoholism.  That might make some mad, but that is the best analogy I can give.  If you are a follower of the Bible, certain things are wrong.  Just because you have a desire doesn't mean you should act upon it.  Homosexuals are just hurting people, many have poor if any relationship with their fathers and some were sexually abused as children.
187551
I love this question.  Talk about your Hobson's Choice!  The number of "Christians" [I infer that from specific answers they have given on this and other topics] who are suddenly ready, willing, and able to cease loving others based on the consequences of their actions is astounding.  What happened to "love the sinner, hate the sin?"\n\nI'm not saying there is no God, but the fire and brimstone model just doesn't hold up to scrutiny.  The all loving God has no need for Hell.  If we receive His grace at death, then we will recognise and understand our sins, and realise [as in "achieve"] all we are suppose to be.\n\nThen there's the weak argument that God will remove the pain they'd feel.  Sounds like a lack of free will to me.  So then everything must be predestined?  I guess it doesn't really matter what I do, since God already has it decided.  My stealing your car/wife/lunch money isn't a crime, it's an act of God!  And since it's His will, I won't have to suffer for it.\n\nThe biblical version of God did not provide salvation for abject sinners.  Sort of like today's "three strike" rule.  Once you know you're on your way to Hell, why would you care about what you do?  This is why the Church invented purgatory.  By offering a here-to-fore unavailable path to salvation they were able to extend their control over others' lives.  Clever, no?  And it was also a great way to raise money...\n\nBe good to yourself.  Be good to others.  Don't try telling anyone else what this means for them.  If that ain't enough, we're screwed.
298442
You know I am a strong christian, but I don't shun science and common sense. Being gay is not a choice. It's just not, if you ask almost any gay guy or girl, they would say they would not choose to be gay, because who in their right mind would choose to be made fun of, shunned and hated? No one.
661854
That list of all the Bible parts listed as "the thinking of God" is the most ignorant thing I've ever heard.\nBible is full of contradictions. \nThe Ancient Testament says also that killing in the name of God is right.\nIs good also to have sex with your daughter or your son.\n\nChrist never said anything of that. We are Cristians.\n\nYou should study some antropology before telling other people that they're living in sin. In ancient times it was a shame to give away your sperma without having a child.\n\nLove is never a sin. Sex connected to love is never a sin. Sex is not a sin.\nVIOLENCE is sin!
135804
It says that in many places in the Bible, but instead of going through all of the passages of scripture, lets take a different route. What does it matter? People keep asking is this a SIN or why is that a SIN or will one go to HELL if one does such and such. These are the wrong kind of questions to ask. These are legalistic questions. People are more concerned with what's LEGAL than with what's RIGHT.\n\nDo you go around killing people? I hope and assume that the answer is no. Why don't you? Is it because it violates your state's criminal code? Would you if they repealed your state's homocide laws? Or would it still be WRONG even if it were legal? Are you simply obeying a LAW or are you obeying your heart?\n\nGod called us to a higher standard than LAW. That higher standard is LOVE. The LAW was given to condemn evildoers, not to produce righteousness. If you, for example, refrain from murder simply to obey the LAW, then you aren't very righteous at heart, are you? I've heard it said once that people want to know where to draw the line so that they will know where to put their toes.\n\nAsk Jesus Christ to enter your heart and save you. He will write His laws on your heart. Then you will concern yourself with what is RIGHT instead of what is LEGAL.\n\nHomosexuality is wrong. It is a perversion of nature. It is harmful to the body, mind, and spirit. It is harmful to children and society. It hasn't always been accepted by society like it is today. I remember when it was illegal in every state. Homosexuals need help, not hatred and not validation, which is hatred diguised as love.
397917
Dear ES,\n\nThrough the years I've heard so many people say that it isn't fair to people who aren't born in Christian families or in a Christian nation.\n\nThe thing is that nobody is born a Christian, absolutely nobody.  The awesome uncreated Creator didn't have to save a single person because ALL have sinned and fallen short of His glory.  But while we were yet dead in our sins Christ died for the ungodly.\n\nJesus is the only Way to the Father but the Father does NOT have any quotas.  He doesn't want anybody to be eternally separated from Him.\n\nI'm enjoying your questions but I'll eventually get to the links you have provided.  Thank you!
258298
WE are taught in scripture that we are to love the sinner and hate the sin.  So you are not wrong to feel the way you do.  And I agree it is destroying the foundations of civilization, as it always has every great civilization in history before they came crumbling down as it became more acceptable.
668411
Good point. This 'good loving god' totally set-up Adam & Eve, then blamed THEM for it. It would be like putting crack cocaine in a cookie jar, telling your kids never to eat it, then releasing a clever drug dealer who would try to convince them otherwise.\n\nWhat a silly story, and you're a BAD EVIL GOOD FOR NOTHING ANGRY SPITEFUL VENGANT MONSTER!!!!\n\nNothing more.
667870
Things have to be taken in context.  I agree that the wearing of mixed fabrics and refraining from shellfish are not about morality, they are about sanctity - God set the Jews out to be His people of promise.  The Messiah came through them.  It's not that God didn't have dealings with (and laws for) other nations, but the Jews were bound to certain rituals and stipulations that had more to do with symbolism than with morality.\n\nSin is any transgression against God.  All sins are the same in the sense that any of them separate me from God.  Any of them.  I hope that's what people mean when they say that all sins are equal.  Because, of course, if they were all equal in all ways, they would all carry the same penalty.  Or the same level of consequence.  Under the Old Testament law, some sins carried more weight than others.  Some would get you stoned to death and others required a payment to be made.  \n\nI believe there is also a difference between willful - premeditated - sin and being "over-taken" in sin.  Maybe the difference is in the heart of the person and their willingness to repent.  \n\nAll sin is equal in that it is equally undoable.  Once done, it cannot be undone.  That's why we need a clean slate, and Someone advocating on our behalf.\n\nI believe that everything commanded of us - both to do and not to do - is for our benefit.  I don't claim to know all the pros and cons of homosexuality.   I certainly don't think that homosexuals are somehow in the same mindset as murderers.  I don't hate people for their sexual orientation.  \n\nI still believe that anything we surrender to God, He uses for our ultimate good.  Willingness is the key.  I'm not saying that's easy.  \n\nI also don't believe it's the orientation itself, but the lifestyle that is sinful.  It's the same for those who are unmarried (but sexually active) who are heterosexual.  \n\nSince I believe God's word is Truth, it would be unloving of me to say that I think something is fine, when from what I can see it is condemned.  I'm not going to persecute someone for disagreeing with me, but I'm not going to lie if asked for my understanding either. \n\nThere are many things that would be easier if they weren't in the Bible.  I feel sorrowful for those who oppose the truth (as I understand it).  It isn't anything to gloat about.  I know there are some who feel that that makes me arrogant.  That's not my experience or intention.  It's not me saying I'm better.    \n\nI believe that what is in there is for me to apply to me first. It's not something to bash other people with or impose on others.\n\nThanks for asking your question the way you did.  I hope I haven't offended you - or anyone else for that matter - in my answer.
563101
Can I just point out that in here the only ones that say homosexuality is a sin are those that are Chrisitan, what if you are not Christian it is not a sin. And anyway where are the Muslims that also say its a sin - nowhere, they know when to accept other peoples choice in lifestyle and belief and dont critise it. I have never heard of a Muslim damming a homosexual that does not follow their religion, they know when to quit!
304338
Those Christians that say that forget their Jesus (however, quite a few Christians do share that opinion with their lame "hate the sin, not the sinner" line.)\n\nJesus said if you lust after a person in your heart, you have already committed adultery.  While I disagree with him, certainly, Christians are not afforded this luxary.\n\nSo Jesus says that being gay (obviously, by definition desiring someone of the same sex) then they have already committed the deed.  As Christians, there is no difference between wanting and actually doing in this regard.\n\nThus, whichever Christians repeat this tripe do so despite of what Jesus told them.  In short, as Christians, they are flat wrong.  Either homosexuality is all the way wrong or just fine. \n\nWhile I abhor those fundies who decry homosexuality, at least they are consistent.  This moderate Christian way of having their cake and eating it too is biblically wrong and just plain stupid.
215957
Well according to the Old Testament, God hates a lot of people and a lot of people are going to hell.  Off the top of my head, people who eat shrimp, bankers, rich people, women who don't take rituatl baths after their period, people who are judgemental or arrogant, people born into other religions.  We don't prevent them from becoming Christians.  \n\nJesus said there were only two new commandments : Love God and Love Thy Neighbor.  So do you buy into all the old laws or just follow what Jesus said?  What about Paul?  Does his word carry the same weight as that of Jesus?  What about when Jesus and Paul disagree, which happens a lot?  Who do you side with?\n\nMost gay Christians believe that as long as you obey the words of Jesus himself, that is all that is really important.  The old testament, paul, all that stuff is extra and since a lot of it contradicts Jesus himself, its really not as valid as the word of the actual son of God.  The words of Christ himself are what was important, and Christ never said anything bad about the homos.  It depends on how you set up your Christianity... do you follow Jesus or Paul?  Do you try to follow them both?  \n\nOddly enough, there is almost nothing in the Bible about lesbianism, and none in the new testament.  It really is just gay male sexuality that is troublesome.  So Biblically, you can be a lesbian and a Christian with no contradiciton because Paul declared that Christ brought a new covenant that invalidates most of the old testament.