If all sin in Christianity carries the same weight, why hate gays but not when people lie about santa to kids?
473215
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.
421172
The Bible does not say intolerance is a sin. What amazes me the most is all those people who say Christians should be tolerant are so intolerant of Christians. I believe thats called hypocrisy. You're right that God is the only one to judge and He puts much of His judgment in the Bible. So when the Bible says that something is a sin Christians can say that that same thing is a sin. The Bible condemns many things as sin like sex outside of marriage (both hetero or homosexual), the Bible condemns lies, adultery, murder, stealing, gossip, worshipping false gods, drug use, consulting spirits (demons through mediums and the like). So Christians are not judging only telling others what God has already judged and declared in His Word. Now something thats important is this. I can tell a person they are committing a sin and the Bible teaches that those who are sinners (which is everyone by the way) that don't repent for their sin and accept Jesus as Savior will spend eternity seperated from God being tormented. Jesus came to save us from that. Even when that is true of a person becuase they refuse to accept Jesus, God does not call me to hate that person but to love and pray for that person. I won't participate in their sin and I won't approve of their sin and I won't be tolerant of sin but I can still love the person and the Bible teaches us to do that as well.
864792
Because insecure Christians are seldom happier than when they feel they are being persecuted.\n\n5 years ago they did nothing but complain about the commercialisation of Xmas and stores using Christ's name to sell stuff.\n\nSo when stores caved in to the Christian's demand to esperate Christ from the commerce of the holidays, then the very same people started complaining about "Taking the Christ out of Christmas".\n\nThe "War on Christmas" is a myth that is becoming true as many people (including Christians) are getting tired of a minority of Christians crying persecution whenever the rest of the world fails to bend over backwards to accomodate their religious prejudices.
1181359
The gay community doesn't take aim at Christains or Christianity. In fact, there are many Christians and Christian churches that work in, with, and around the gay community to help meet the needs of that group of people. Many of these churches have set aside their differences about the issue of homosexuality and instead try to atleast provide what is needed in that community. Everything from just having some folks from the local churches come by and make sure they are doing okay and check on them the ill and elderly gay people in the gay community to also inviting the children of gay families to events with other children. Christians, as well as other people of other faiths, are active parts of the gay community. Thus, we are not blaming them for anything. There is the debate over equal rights and personal freedom and responsibility that is being waged between the gay community and those that wish to deny gays and lesbians equal rights and protections afforded other citizens of this nation, not to mention just the personal freedom and responsibility to choose how they live their lives. Many of the Christians and other faiths that work in the gay community have come to notice that "gays" and "lesbians" are first and foremost, human beings, just like them. That despite the labels that society may place on them, they are human beings. These human beings form relationships, have families, and participate in larger communities of greater diversity. It is not to say that these Christians that work in the gay community all have changed their mind on their Biblical beliefs, but instead have realized that they can still hold their beliefs while at the same time reaching out to human beings and meet their needs and they want to make it clear that they aren't against equal rights for all human beings or denying people their personal freedoms and responsibilities. They truly believe that all human beings should be treated equally and be granted by the government equal rights and protections and they believe that the government should never impose sanctions on people's personal freedoms so longa s they are acting responsibly and not doing harm to others. It doesn't mean that those in the gay community don't have disagreements with those Christians or others, because they do. Although, sometimes I'm amazed at the amount of understanding that comes out of such private conversations...more understanding than those debates and arguments elsewhere. The two both suddenly understand why the other feels the way they do on the various issues and they search for the right words to make it clear. Suddenly there isn't name calling or just scripture being yelled at the others. Instead, true dialogue, true conversation occurs. Such ashame it never goes beyond into the larger debate, though.\n\nStill, the gay community does get frustrated by those in the larger Christian community who sometimes say things that not only bash gays, but also make the very Christians that we come in contact with seem like they are less than Christian. As one of my hetero friends said once "sometimes I see more of Jesus in them than I do in those who represent Christianity on television." There are some in the gay community who may have not met these Christians who work in the community. They come from so many denominations in Christianity...nor may have some in the gay community not have come in contact with people from other faiths who are also working in the community. These are the people who sometimes attack Christians and other people of other faiths without truly ever seeing the more beautiful, more loving ...  more human side of those who wear such labels to describe their faith.\n\nWhatever the troubles I have as a gay man with my partner, I don't blame Christians or Christianity. That is a term that covers a large amount of people and a wide diversity of denominations and beliefs. Nor do I do that with ot
558212
I think us Atheists should remind the good ol' christians that Gluttony is a sin too. So, whenever you see a fat christian, be sure to tell them they're going to hell with the homosexuals. It's only fair, RIGHT? ;-)
988241
One of the many reasons I left the Christian Faith.  Damn women oppressing Nazis!\nEDIT_THIS IS WHAT TICKS ME OFF!  In one breath most Christians will tell you that being gay is an abomination, and in the next, they decide they don't want this one to apply.  You can't have it both ways.  Either you follow the Bible or you don't.  This is why people call Christians lying hypocrites.
774776
Not to mention that he smokes, breaks into peoples houses, use elf slave labour, abuses animals (making those deer fly all around the world), sold out to coca cola, etc. Who knows what he does to little children when they are sleeping or sitting on his knee? I don't think he's gay though (there is a mrs. claus). Being gay wouldn't may him a bad role model. But I don't think he's gay, he's always talking about prostitutes though--"ho, ho, ho". He also only gives presents to Christians and secular westerners. Pretty prejudice. yes Santa is a pretty bad role model.
295795
Every now and again some version of Christianity accuses someone of being the Anti-Christ.  Usually it is someone who stands in their way or causes them grief.  Everyone likes to blame the horrors of the world on someone.  Based on their track record I doubt they'll ever get it right and the real anti-christ has probably had a long fruitfull life and is now retired somehwere where they serve cocktails on the beach.
1044096
There's an important distinction that people like you don't grasp. Me and people like me don't dislike gay people. We think they are God's children just like anyone else. What we are against is homosexual acts. Just like we don't dislike adultorers, we just dislike the action they chose to go forward with. It's the old adage - love the sinner, hate the sin. I've known gay people, and I'm fine with them - some of them are extremely kind and generous. But what I am against is if the act out on their tendancy. We all have weaknesses, some are prone to alcoholism, but it doesn't mean that it's ok for them to drink alcohol. Some are prone to drugs, but....you get the picture. It may seem cruel to some to count homosexual acts as sins, but I didn't make the rules, I just trust that God knows what is right and what isn't.
388420
Yeah, you're completely right.  Christianity is poked fun at a lot, particularly since people came forward about sexual abuse.  I disagree with a lot of Catholic Church beliefs (mostly about women and homosexuals) In that sense, one can see that the Church has soem narrow-mindedness as well.  No one really knwos the answers to these types of questions, like why is it okay to make fun of white people or homosexuals?  You're just right and there's nothing to do about it except asking friends not to make such insensitive jokes.
1086409
I sin every day, and I'm not so insecure about death that I have to go sit in a box with some priest, and beg for forgiveness while he reads a magazine on the other side. Everyone tells lies... It's human nature. Organized religion, the bible, and the ridiculous concept of a deity was created by man for the sole purpose of control. The same reason why Santa Claus was created for children to be on their best behavior. Out of all the religions, I'd have to say through personal experience that Christianity is quite possibly the worst with tolerance, and the acceptance of others with differing beliefs. In their mind, they see their "way" as the only way, and they'll refuse to see differently, so they'll spout rhetoric and scripture as a means to intimidate, and convert others. Hence, why the word "Christianize" exists.
1017357
the Bible condemns a lot of things, including lusting, stealing, etc.I will never understand why my fellow "christians" pick homosexuality as the be all end all sin.
474638
Well I am Christian and also bisexual, I dont hate gays straights bis or whatever. I do believe the Bible shows homosexuality as a sin but I also realise there are 613 other sins and no one can live sinlessly. So, I just get on day by day, dont let either ruin my life or the lives of others.
1047796
They don't.  They harm the cause of Christ by making people equate Christianity with hate.  I'm certain that one way or another those people are going to have to answer for their hatred.\n\nAs a Christian I apologize for the existence of sites and attitudes like that.
980523
Most oppose it because they have firm belief that it is a sin against God.   It was not in Gods plan for a man or women to engage in homosexual acts.  Sex is a gift from God and it is meant to be an act between a man and a woman as shown from the story of Adam and Eve.   Etc....  In my opinion the church only believes homosexuality is a sin because it is a tradition.   It was a rule put in place when they needed their communities to copulate so that they had parishioners to support their community and church.   Homosexual behavior prevents the production of children.  I'm not defending the church but I can understand where it came from and it's in human nature to take things to the extreme when they really strongly believe it is against their God.  Some people will do anything for "their God".
126273
I am a straight man.  I have had many gay friends due to my involvement in theatre.  I do not hate homosexuals.  I am also a Christian and I know lots of people who hate homosexuality.  I don't understand why it is singled out as THE sin to hate.  I have told Fat christians that I think gluttony is a sin.  I have told rich Christians that greed is a sin.  I have then asked them why their sin is less of a sin then a homsexual's sin.  I have asked these questions many times in many adult Sunday School classes.  Needless to say it doesn't make me real popular.  So now to your question.  I think a lot of people hate homosexuals simply because they are told they should.  The Christian right is constantly bombarding us with the message that homosexuality is the number one threat to the family unit.  Of cours this is stupid.  Divorce, infidelity and not spending time together are the biggest threats to the family units I know about.  When a Christian tells me that homosexuality is a sin.  I always agree that the Bible does say that a man shouldn't lay with another man.  So by the letter of the law it is a sin.  But then I ask them if they have had to fight off strong urges to sleep with members of the same sex?  They always respond NO!  Then I say isn't it odd that most of the other sins in the Bible hold some temptation for us, but this one, if we are heterosexual holds none?  I then ask them if gay marriage was legal and the gay couples got the same tax breaks and property rights as straight couples would you be tempted to turn homosexual?  Of course they say NO!  Then I zing them with "So why do you suppose that of all the sins listed in the Bible we straight Christians spend so much time and energy focusing on the one that doesn't tempt us and never will?  Isn't it possible it's a convenient way to not deal with issues that DO effect us?  Isn't it possible that it's just a way to feel superior and holy without ever having to do anything but look down on others who are different than us?  100% of the time they then answer: "The Bible says homosexuality is a sin."  This one issue is truly one of the reasons it is hard to stay active in church.  When you KNOW people are judging and being blind and feeling so secure and right about it, it can drive you crazy.  Even when I tell them that I have watched gay friends die horrible deaths of AIDS without adequate medical care because their life partner of many years could not get them on a "family" insurance plan, it makes no impact.  Now having said all of that I would like to share with you some things about the current attitude in our society that makes me dislike the Gay Rights movement.  As a heterosexual Christian male, I am judged and hated before I even have an opportunity to share who I am.  As a straight male, I get sick of being told by effeminate men what is style.  I resent being almost always portrayed in the media as not as smart as gay men, not as in touch with our feeling, not as capable of expressing emotion.  I think on any given night on television there is a lot more straight male bashing then there ever was gay bashing.  There I got it off of my chest.  This is the longest answer I've ever written.  I wonder if anyone will actually read it all the way through?
844641
Homosexuals raising kids is not how God planed it. Also in reference to someone elses answer that sexuality is a gift from God... NORMAL sexuality is a gift form God. BUT God does not give sodomy as a gift to no one. God hates sodomy. He loves the ppl that fall into the devils trap of homosexuality, but he hates the sin.  THAT being said. I think that children need a Father (Male father) and Mother (Female Mother).  I don't much care about the statistics, but a child raised with homosexuals will have no morals, in a homosexual home, what are morals?? I think that if a child gows up thinking that its a normal way of life.. chances are thats the way they will choose as well.