Anna asked me why I brought up the Newsweek article posted below and said:
I’m done with this thread unless RP says something about why he brought it up.
Anna,
I brought it up because I thought it would make for good discussion (which it has). I , personally, enjoy digging into controversial subjects…and…just because something may seem black and white to you or I doesn't mean that there aren't other opinions out there OR that our opinion is correct. May I never be so proud as to think I have all the right answers.
Now, this particular subject is rather difficult. I think so because in reading through many of the comments it seems people are arguing different things. Such as:
a) Is Homosexuality a sin?
b) If homosexuality is a sin should those practicing it be allowed to marry?
c) What role should the church play in legislating their morality on the world?
d) What role should individual christians play in legislation?
e) How do you feel about the "church's" current repsonse to homosexuals?
Here are my basic thoughts:
The first question is an easy one for me.
a) Homosexuality IS a sin. Based on what the Bible says or even if you look at it from an evolutionary stand point it just doesn't seem right.
It starts to get a lot more complicated from that point on.
b) Personally, at this time, I don't care if gays get married or not. I do not see how it effects me one way or the other. I don't see marraige as something so special that I must fight to protect it to stay "traditional". I don't see Biblical examples of Jesus or other Christians fighting to push their agenda through the political field. That being said, because of I believe homosexuality is a sin, should the issue come to a vote I would likely vote against gay marraige.,,if I voted at all (I did not vote on Measure 36 years back).
c) It is my rather strong opinion that the church needs to back the EFF up. Until they can show the world the LOVE of CHRIST they need to quit worring about showing the world the LAWS of CHRIST. The church should take a page out of the Bible (a novel idea i know) and treat the world the way that Jesus treated them. Try sacrificing their lives for homosexuals…and allow GOD to convict them if He so desires. The WORLD will never listen to Christians when they are treated so poorly by the church.
d) We should feel free to vote our morals and feel free to legislate our agendas…but we should do so as Americans and not as Prophets for God. I'm tired of hearing Churches preach on "whatever ballet measure they think is important" and act as though they know what God wants. For instance, how many Churches were convinced that God wanted John McCain to be President? Vote. Legislate. But understand that God will always be in control and you will always be able to serve/worship Him no matter what laws are created.
e) The church has failed. If God treated us like we treat Homosexuals we would all be burning for eternity. If God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit told us "Conform to our standards and we will love and accept you…otherwise we will have nothing to do with you because you disgust us" how would that work? Our message to the world should be that of Love…this is not to say that sin will go unpunished but people please…lets try the Golden Rule for awhile. And if you must tell someone about God's justice over sin…tell it to the church. Our churches are just as sinful as the world…and we should know better.
For the record, this is just how I feel right now. I haven't done an in depth Bible study to come up with my beliefs so there is a strong chance that you all could change my mind through your comments. For those of you in the Portland area it looks like we could get snowed/iced in for quite awhile…plenty of time for us to unpack this a little more.