I really don't care what you believe about me. It matters not at all. And my hostility is aimed at the bigots-Christian or not- and I recognize the fact that gays have many Christian allies and are often Christians themselves.
I not only advocate for separation of church/state, I take it right to separating 'religion' from 'law'. That is, if it's some mandate or morality that's being propagated for religious reasons... then that should NEVER be the foundation for a given law (that everyone must abide). I may not actively protest for a church or other group, but I'll always stand for laws/policies I view as being just and fair.
again you are incorrect you know homosexuals who profess to be Christian however, are not living a Christian lifestyle. One cannot engage in homosexual sex and be Christian it is an oxymoron to state homosexual Christian and yes, that includes the homosexual pedophile priests
And here in lies the problem with religion and faith, particularly with your brand of ridged , close minded , "my truth is the only truth" and I'm right so everyone else is wrong mentality. The presence of people like you are a big part of the reason why we have wars and terrorism, people killing and being killed in the name of god. The tittle of this thread is "civility" and you are anything but civil, or rational, or decent.
Near death experiencer Christian Andreason gave all of us something to think about: http://www.near-death.com/andreason.html#a11a
but you see, the rigidness has been there much like it has for homosexuals The issue is that you live in a fantasy world and are looking to redefine the Bible. Homosexual sex is a sin. It is not Christian to continue to live in sin We're not talking about things which are not chosen like race/sex/species or even deformities We are talking about a choice to engage in homosexual sex The rigid beliefs are the homosexuals where they will not accept that the entrance fee to a Christian life is to abandon homosexual sex. If you don't want to do that, then start your own church where homosexual sex is embraced and even encouraged Oh, when talking about a roof of a home etc, it's OK to use the word RIDGE But, when discussing the set-in-stone beliefs of homosexuals, the word is RIGID Since it appears that you are trying to present yourself as a learned man, I want to help you in that endeavor. Also, there is a capital G in God and I'd also encourage you to refresh yourself on the definition of civility. It does not mean agreeing with you.
That's it. I'm done here. I'm not dealing with your god, obsession with sex and moronic ideas about gays and christians . go away.
hmm which of us was engaged in civil discussion and which had Internet tantrums? I've at least found your attempts at discussion to be entertaining.
There are many denominations of Christians who disagree with you. Do not pretend that there exists some monolithic understanding and interpretation of scripture, because that is patently false.
Again, one can elect to change things within their church but one cannot change the Bible Feel free to pay attention to what I wrote, not what you want to believe. You can go form the "Church of the homosexual" and claim to be Christ following but embracing gay sex. You can recruit followers all that you want. It does not change the Bible nor will it change how you are ultimately judged.
I will be judged by a loving and inclusive God, certainly not by YOU. As I said, scripture can, and has been, interpreted many different ways over the centuries. The denomination in America that is directly descendent from the Puritans and Pilgrims embraces the LGBT community with loving and affirming arms. The fact that YOU don't or that YOU feel you've got the inside track on biblical interpretation or salvation or sin means absolutely nothing to me, or to the members of many many Christian churches. You need to get over yourself just a little bit and realize that you do not speak for Christians or for Christianity, but only for yourself.
thanks for your sharing of your opinion but the Bible disagrees with it. If it didn't, then homosexual marriage would be warmly embraced in all Christian churches
like you and I, different Christian churches see that issue differently. You wanna claim your view is the only correct one. I, on the other hand, understand that God's house has many rooms, and there is plenty of room within God's grace for differing opinions to coexist.
Oh, make no mistakes about it, absolution will get you forgiveness of the sin of homosexual sex but you can't keep engaging in it. Here is where your spin does not work homosexual sex is an action, much like stealing etc. the problem is the sin, not the sinner. The sinner can be absolved of their sins if they admit to the sins If you do not accept that homosexual sex is a sin, then that is your free will to do that.
There are Christians out there along with churches that do not believe homosexual acts are a sin because they are not mentioned by Jesus Christ directly. Now, you can spin all you want that they are wrong and they aren't Christians, you are free to do that, just like they are free to say the same about your Christianity. I have no dog in this race because I am not a Christian. To me, you all are wrong, but that is my opinion and faith.
Problem you have of course, and one that you willfully ignore, is that there is no where in the bible, OT or NT, that specifically mentions homosexuals .. if as you seem to advocate it is such a big sin then one would have thought it would have been mentioned at least once without the need for interpretation. You choose to abide by an interpretation that suits your needs and that, of course, is your right .. but you simply cannot say that the interpretation you abide by is correct for everyone for that would be a lie, furthermore what every your bible says has no power to over rule the constitution.. separation of church and state sees to that. As to your other question here about supporting the state forcing religious institutions to perform SSM then I would stand shoulder to shoulder with you against that .. but .. when it comes to for-profit organizations then equality over rules religion every time.
the Bible does not use the word "homosexual" it states a man shall not lie with another man like he would a woman now, what do you suppose that means?
Again open to interpretation, you have already decided which interpretation you wish to adhere to, but you simply cannot say that the interpretation you abide by is correct for everyone for that would be a lie, furthermore what every your bible says has no power to over rule the constitution.. separation of church and state sees to that. http://www.reformjudaism.org.uk/a-to-z-of-reform-judaism/contemporary-issues/homosexuality.html also is not the quote you have used from the OT (Lev. 18:22), is is not correct that Christians are not held to the laws of the OT? - http://www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-OT-law.html
first off you thinking it says anything about homosexuality is your interpretation of somebody else's translation. I can make you a list of scholars that say Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 are talking about shrine prostitution. Hell I'll up the anti and list anti gay scholars that say such. Should you be interested.
