Could the Apostle Paul have been gay?
412004
I know quite a few gay christians and they all identify with the apostle Paul. Gay Christians totally empathise with Paul because:\n\n(1) Read Romans 7:15 to 25. Paul says tries and tries but still cannot help but sin. You could sense his frustration in these verses. He called himself a 'Wretched and miserable man" because of this struggle of his.\n\n(2) He also grew disheartened when after asking God so many times to remove the “thorn” in his side, God would not do it. This symbolic “thorn” has come to symbolise for gay people, their homosexual orientation. Many gay Christians have asked God in tears and total depth of despair to remove their homosexuality, their “thorn” and just like Paul, God would not do it\n\n(3) The Reason God gave Paul for not removing his "thorn" was, 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” God actually says that the imperfect “thorn” or weakness would actually make Paul a better, stronger person. And most gay people find that once they accept God’s answer and just let go of the self hatred they CAN be better, stronger people. \n\nAnd I admire them because unlike MANY CHristians, they have had a REAL test of faith. If after deep soul searching and intense commune with their Creator, in addition to therapy, spiritual counselling and inflicting and all kinds of emotional and mental scars upon themselves through efforts to change, a gay person finds he or she cannot change they will simply arrive at an ultimatum. \n\nThey can either accept, (A) “This is God’s will for me.” and stop beating up themselves and try to make the best of the cards they were dealt or (B)‘There is no God and bible is bull-crap” and try to be happy and fulfilled as an atheist or non-Christian. \n\nIt’s one heck of a test of faith and beliefs. Something most take for granted and many have gay people STILL have to endure all kinds of persecution and condemnation from hateful, judgemental Christians and yet they STILL choose to stick with their faith. I have found most gay Christians, because of their struggle are MORE humble, more empathetic, compassionate and a lot less judgemental of other people.
612210
Wouldn't that be ironic considering what the church thinks of gays?
622458
It hasn't been proven that he was either although a lot of people believe he was straight for two reasons. 1) All his sonnets were about love involving women and 2) In his final will and testament he left his wife Anne his second best bed making people wonder who got the best one? I guess you could also say that he may have been gay because Shakespeare was considered one of the first women's rights advocates which is actually quite noticeable when you read between the lines in some of his plays especially Othello, Macbeth and Twelfth Night.
657134
Regardless of whether Jesus was a real guy, I think that the meme we see today was started by Peter and Paul.  It seems unlikely that Jesus could have come up with all of that stuff about eternal salvation on his own.
982708
Yes, if you believe that the whole of history is contained in the Bible, then, he would have to have married his sister.  However, it could be that a generation or two had actually passed, or, that there were other people around from other tribes... in which case, it could also be his cousin.
1183717
Go to this site. It will give a different view of the bible's statements on homosexuality, or lack thereof. I wish every Christian would read this and challenge themselves to really study it, but, unfortunately most won't. \nhttp://www.godmademegay.com/letter.htm
504639
I think it is very possible they were married, but maybe not.  There is some evidence that he may have been married and some that says the person he was married to was Mary Magdalene.  The big thing is - does it matter?  I don't believe that if he was married it changed his message at all.
278156
No.\nJesus kept himself for the Lord. Paul writes on the topic of marriage to one of Corinthians; (1 Corinthians 7:1-7:3) "It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband." NKJV. This doesnt mean it is a sin to get married or have relationships it just means that because of our inadaquance and temptation, we are given the opposite sex to relieve temptation. See also 1 Corinthians 7:6-7. " But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. For I wish that all men were even as myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that." Paul was single. He realized the gift that is to be able to serve God with your entire self. But marriage alike is also a gift of God. Paul recognized the gifts of celibacy and marriage. Jesus being the Son of the Living God served our Lord with his whole self. It would not be in the character of our Savior to tie himself up with a woman to suit his own carnal needs. He was able to overcome sexual temptation.\n\nAs far as "what-could-have-beens"... You cant conjure up hypothetical alternate outcomes for our Lord and Savior. He didnt become who He is by accident. It was destiny. God sent him to accomplish a purpose knowing the future already. He didnt send Him down here and cross his fingers hoping he didnt screw up.\n\n***\n\nThis is the same answer I gave last time someone asked this question.\n\n***************\n\nJust because it was in the Hebrew religion doesnt mean it was God ordained. The pharisees had all kinds of weird rules they came up with to make themselves more holy. For example: if a chicken laid an egg on the Sabbath you could eat the egg but you had to put the chicken to death for laboring on the Sabbath....
533590
Well, I don't understand how a man could be attracted to another man, since I am a heterosexual male (you probably already figured that one out).  But, realizing that the Bible says it is an abomination for a man to lay with another man, and at the same time all sins are equal (a murder = a lie = homosexuality...sins are equal), I tend to have a different view than your average evangelical.  We are all sinners.  We're born into sin, thanks to Grandpa Adam and Granny Eve. So, basically, I say let 'em be.  \n\nCheck out the link I provided.  It may disprove the belief that homosexuality is a choice.  Now, for some people, it is (the "curious" college student willing to try anything because they are drunk), but for others, they are born this way.  Think about the little boy on "Who's The Boss".  He was like 10 years old when the show first came on, and was the most effeminate boy I had ever seen.  You can't "choose" to be  homosexual when you don't even understand what sex is.  He's grown now, and out of the closet.
499586
Hitler was supposedly rumored to be gay as well...does it matter?
771847
Paul SAYS Jesus said this, but it isn't anywhere to be found in the Gospels.  Possibly Jesus never said it, or maybe Paul made it up; Or, possibly, one of the hundreds of "editors" of the bible thought it was a nice sentiment and added it.
343940
Paul did meet Jesus,on the road to Damascus,and was indeed a Disciple.Next time do a little more research.
306188
I think Paul deemed himself an apostle after his encounter with Jesus.The one where Jesus told him to go to Damascus.That encounter made such an impression on him that he later qualified himself as an apostle...the highest office in the church..which was reserved for the disiples who had personally known Jesus. I think it was around AD 35.I'm no authority...but I've been reading alot lately.
1106059
No, he was married to his wife and i think he had about 5 or 6 children or maybe that was 4? idk but he wasnt gay, maybe your thinking of alexander the great now he was a gay gay guy.
685805
Priory of Sion and Da Vinci notwithstanding, of course it is possible. Remember that there are many years in the life of Jesus not accounted for in the Bible. Anyone who thinks that he did not have relations during this time period is being a little naive. I'm not saying that there is a conspiracy, just that we need to look at him as a man. Now...what would Jesus do?
366336
Of course not! what gave you that idea?!\n \n Romans 1:26-26 "That is why God gave them up to disgraceful sexual appetites, for both their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature; and likewise even the males left the natural use of a female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males,working what is obscene and receiving in themselves the full recompense, which was due for their error." \n\n1 Cor 6:9 "What! Do you not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men."\n\n God hates fornication and homosexuality and lesbianism.  Anyone who practices those things will not inherit God's Kingdom.
413015
I just know of this one guy, one of those who followed him that either he loved a lot or was loved by him a lot. and he asked a guy three times: do you love me?\n\nI dunno if any of that is related to homosexuality...\n\nI just know that he is supposed to have done many other things than what's written in the bible, and that there is a statement somewhere that the law is saint, just and good, so I think that if he was exposed to a homosexual, he would have probably said "I forgive you. go and don't sin anymore"