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Home > Alternative Lifestyles > Article > Readers Respond |
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 READERS RESPOND |
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Let In The Light
Comment from dthames
No big deal in this error but Anita Bryant was second runner up to Miss America, not Miss America, however she was Miss Homophobe America.
Comment from Oxon
Thank you Brian. An article well chosen and well placed. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven." -Jesus of Nazareth. Then who can be "saved?" "With man it is impossible but with God nothing is impossible." --Jesus of Nazareth. I rest my case with the teachings of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. He seems to not care if I prefer males. He could change me but he seems uninterested. He accepts me as I am. I trust my Advocate at the Last Judgment. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with being in Heaven in the Hereafter. Accepting the teachings of Jesus as the Son of God has everything to do with it. Commandment number Eleven: Love one another. God loves us. That is what counts. +++
Comment from ps4478
I have never been able to figure out why the Christian people hate us so much just because we are the way we are. If God loves everyone then He also must love us to. And if God doesn't make mistakes then He didn't make a mistake when He made us. I always will believe that we are born gay and God made us this way. So, does He make mistakes? I think not.
Comment from chefsdelight
We are told in scripture that "fornicators" will not attain heaven. This includes man/woman fornication, woman/woman fornication, male/male fornication. Why is it that only the "homosexual" fornicators are talked about by the "religious right"?
Comment from eageraaron
Amen to that.
Comment from scooter4531
I think you have used the Bible in the same way you accuse the religious right of using it .. to support your own argument. I believe the Bible is God's Holy Word and that when we read it and try to learn and understand and put into practice God's Word .. God's Teachings .. God's Way, Truth, and Life .. that the Holy Spirit will guide us if we are not blinded or deafened by our own rationalizations and justifications. I don't think God's teachings are rocket science. God is our Father, Jesus is our Brother, the Holy Spirit is our Guide. All persons of the one true God want us to know and understand and live their Holy Will .. their Way, Truth, and Life. So, instead, of condemning others or excusing them, let's just do the best we can to live God's Way and to help others do so as well. In the end, each of us will answer to God and any judgments or excuses man made of or for us will be null and void. So, don't look for isolated verses to say homosexuality is wrong or is okay. Look at the whole Word and to the Holy Spirit to explain it as God means it as it is His Word, not ours, and He expects us to live by His Word, not ours, and He will judge each of us accordingly. And don't forget the teaching of "hate the sin, love the sinner". We do sin and sin is hateful but we, the sinners, are not hateful. God still loves us so we must love each other but hate sins as they offend God. What is sin .. ask God .. read His Holy Word and LISTEN AND HEAR AND UNDERSTAND AND LIVE WHAT GOD SAYS not what we say God says. Stand by what you truly believe and never hesitate to tell others your "true" beliefs .. not your desired/needed rationalizations and justifications ... If others don't believe as you do, don't accept what you say, etcetera .. don't let that stop you from believing it and saying it. Whatever we say to others does plant a seed .. one of accord if we are correct and one of discord if we are not correct. Once planted, the seed grows but does so mostly due to the care and attention it gets from the one in whom it was planted. If we plant seeds of accord, all who hear us have two choices .. live in such accordance, too, or not. All choices have consequences and that is up to God.
Comment from rchmdguy
As one who has battled with same-sex attractions, and being a Christian, I know the experience of feeling condemned by fellow Christians. And I can say, it is a sad thing that "condemnation to hell" has been a response from ultra-righteous right-wingers. I, too, would encourage ALL people to seek the truth through ALL of God's Word. But one point needs to made clear: homosexual BEHAVIOR is a CHOICE. It is not genetic. And as such, it is a sin just as much as lying, gossiping, stealing, etc. (the list is endless.) I don't believe Exodus, or any group, promotes a "cure", but only a Biblical response to help those with same-sex struggles to reconcile themselves to Christ, deal with their struggles openly, and find freedom from behaviors that run contrary to their consciences. Though I may seem the biggest hypocrite, (but no more than any of us - REALLY), I do know the truth of what God's Word says about me. Yet, it is my choice still to live as I am. Come what may. My hope is that since the "Gay Community" is so intent on promoting and demanding tolerance, that tolerance for those who wish to change their lifestyles to be "out" of the gay lifestyle would be offered more freely - - WITHOUT reverse judgment and condemnation.
Comment from Rudipre
It is furthermore common fact that here in South Africa there are still church groups that condemn gays. It is my opinion that no matter where one go, one would still come across homophobic church ministers (or pastors for that matter.) I am not asking for them to condone homosexuality, but that they accept the fact that gays do exist and will continue to do so, no matter what. Since the new democracy came into power in South Africa, more and more gays come out of their closets, especially the previously disadvantaged. We all deserve equality!
Comment from jeff2505
Brian, I loved this article. As a person who has read the bible, I do find it very interesting that certain people cite the same passages over and over and like you said they skip over the more important ones. And I too have searched the bible looking for any clues as to god saying he hates homosexuals. I haven't found anything yet. I also find it interesting that most people haven't realized that homosexuality has been around since almost Adam and Eve. I mean if a person took the time to research the bible and other historical books they will find many an interesting thing like homosexuality being around since the beginning. No one today was born way back then the only connection we have to the past is the bible, and other historical documents. We don't know what god did or even if he did create Adam and Eve. He very well may have created Adam and Bruce. We don't know and we can't accurately say that this really happened or the bible really says this. I mean come on that book has been written millions of different times and in millions of different ways and versions. It isn't the word of God it is the word of man's interpretation of God's word. And that is one of the foundations of the human society and especially in this country everything is up to interpretation and not everyone interprets things the same way. So how can we say that the bible says this when it could just be your interpretation and someone else may not see it the same way. That is probably the biggest human error of all that everyone interprets everything differently and it is extremely hard to find any one group of people were all the members share the exact same thoughts, opinions, feelings and etc. Hypocrites that is what we all are. Some more so then others but we are all guilty of it and that to me is the ultimate sin. One last thing. Those Ten Commandments aren't the original ones. If anyone has ever read the bible carefully or even watch any movie based on the ten commandments they would know that When Moses took the original ten commandments down to the people he saw them sinning and broke them and went back to god and told him what he saw. God then told Moses to rewrite them which he did. But even so the Ten Commandments that we know today don't even come close to being God's word. My point being that if they are going to preach the bible like there is no tomorrow then they better learn how to read between the lines and know that the bible isn't the word of God. It is man's interpretation of God's word an we don't know what God really said because he didn't write down his messages he had other people do it and they wrote what they wanted to or what they thought God meant and wrote it so that everyone could understand it. Anyways I am done ranting and raving. Just wanted to say I loved the article and I even printed it and I am going to keep it.
Comment from Asian23
Nice and great article. Worth to read.
Comment from hdjock
The Bible claims this and that. People don't understand who wrote the Bible. It was written by man, we are supposed obey God's law. What is God's law? DAH, the only law God gave us are the Ten Commandments of which we are suppose to live by. There is nothing in the Ten Commandments that condemn gays and lesbians. Come judgment day we shall be judged by God for the things we did here on Earth. But, I also believe that we will be judged for the things we didn't do that we should have done as well. It's not easy living in a very small town being gay and living in the closet. People always suspect you and talk about it behind your back. They can be cruel to those who are different and pass judgment onto you without even knowing you. I've spent my life trying to find someone to be with, it hasn't happened yet. There are so many out there who like to play the game thing. Wanting to meet and getting everything set up, only to come up with the excuse that they couldn't make it. How many out there know that HIV, AIDS, was really brought into this country by two priests. Yes, there was an airline steward that was blamed for the spread of it. It was also spread by drug users sharing infected needles. My heart goes out to all those who have died from the virus. It's not just one persons problem, it's everyone's problem.
Comment from jimbo14
Admittedly, I was raised in a household that went to church twice weekly, and maybe that has affected the way I view homosexuality. I'm far from being a Christian myself, so I like to think that it's not the Bible that I hide behind, but a strong personal belief that it's just wrong. You can paint it any color you want, but one thing will always be true: it's not natural. Nature's main goal for any creature to survive and thrive is reproduction, and this is not possible with homosexuality. Skipping inane arguments about artificial insemination and such, let's put it this way: Three islands. A) Lesbians only. B) Homosexuals only C) Heterosexuals. Now, leave them be for 100 years and check to see whose island is most inhabited. But this is only my opinion and I guess no one should be denied happiness or discriminated against. I just don't like it being taught as a natural lifestyle or being given special rights. *I* don't get special rights for being bald, do I? Just in case the Bible is right, by the way, a LOT of us are in for a rude awakening. Peace to all.
Comment from ndachu
I have always wondered how to go about my life but this has opened my eyes.
Comment from animel64
Look, no matter how we try to make it seem right it is not right. The bible clearly states man and woman were put on this earth to conceive and bring life to this planet. There is no way in can 2 men or 2 women have a baby naturally the way god intended. The whole gay thing originated during the Sodom and Gomorrah thing (and God destroyed that). The longer we pacify these misguided individuals the longer they will walk in the sin they are creating. Rather it's Old Testament or new it still says it is not right. No one is born gay, and gayism is another for the devil to control his people and keep them from going to heaven. If a gay person repents from their sin before they leave this earth and stay the way god intended for us to be then and only then will they experience heaven and join Christ. The liberals will say let them do their own thing (well the devil needs his army too.).
Comment from melliebeans
Awesome !!! "Judge not lest ye be judged." Says it ALL !!!!
Comment from mountainjimmy
Well I find it interesting and a bit humorous that in your rantings about Biblical perspective, Old and New Testament theology that you conveniently left out all the New Testament references to homosexuality which would possibly discredit your point of view. Now I do agree with you that hatred against people is totally wrong and as conservative Christian person I'm dramatically opposed to the hatred and judgmental attitudes that many people deliver towards homosexuals in the name of God or religion. So I'm not condemning you and I also agree wholeheartedly that God will forgive and receive ANYONE who turns to him. However, I must take the chance to point out your quite incomplete Biblical "argument". If you'd like to discuss what the New Testament says how about we turn to Romans 1:26-27 where it says, "Because of this God game them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way men also abandoned NATURAL relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men..." Or how about I Corinthians 6:9-10, "Do you now know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor HOMOSEXUAL offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." Not quite the single dimensional line of thinking that you tried to portray from the New Testament. From that passage we see not that homosexual are horrible people or unlovable or deserving of hatred BUT that God is displeased with those actions just as He is with adultery, fornication and other ways that sex has been taken out of context. I'm not here to judge you or come at you with hatred at all but simply to you call you out and say that if you are going to write an article and be quoting something as sacred as the Bible the least you could is present all the facts even the ones you disagree with.
Comment from BobbyMaravilla
Well Brian, I wanted to take a rather low profile on this site and just find me a pretty bride in more ways than one, but after reading your article I just had to react. Let me begin by saying that each day that passes I find myself living more and more by the bible and that every word in the bible is actual today, all of it. It is just a matter of loving your neighbor as you love yourself and interpreting the bible for God's sake and not for one's own purposes. About homosexuals and the people that hate them. The bible states that homosexuality is not good. But the bible also states that you should love your neighbor, cover inequities (cover misdeeds of others), have mercy and help all who are not on God's path, not pervert the bible for your own sake, that God loves us all -even the sinners, he might be angry of their actions, but he loves us all -, and above all "vengeance is mine, says the lord" he will decide who to punish, and how. So who will be punished more harshly, the homosexual or the person who has hate (Mat 5:21-22) in his heart for one of Gods children? Both the Old and New testament are in agreement about that. As a matter of fact the Old and New testament are in agreement about EVERYTHING (Mat 5:17-18) according to Jesus. The reason the bible gives for the giving of the new testament is because Men corrupted the meaning of the old testament for their own sake, and not because the old testament is incorrect as you imply. The old testament's "rather lenient views on slave trade and bigamy" are all misconceptions. The laws that where given about these issues where given to mitigate slave trade and bigamy, not to promote it. Just like you will not accept that homosexuality is wrong the peoples of those times would not accept that slave trade and bigamy where wrong, so laws where given to lower their effect. And let it be said clearly, in my opinion only God has the prerogative to judge homosexuality, and deal with it as he wishes, all acts of men against homosexuality are sins of hate and will be dealt with harshly as stated in the Old testament, New testament and our current law. What you can do if you do not like homosexuality or for that matter whatever is a sin in your views is to stay away from it, as prescribed in the bible (Old and New testament). You are pulling some things out of context here, and if conservative exponents where not able to explain the verses it was because God did not want them to pervert the scriptures for their own reasons at that time. Exodus 21:7 "And if a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do." How do male slaves go, well; Exo 21:2 If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years. And in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. Exo 21:3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself. If he was married, then his wife shall go out with him. Exo 21:4 If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. as they came , with nothing, in certain cases the female alluded to here will go with all the benefits she has accumulated. Exo 21:8 If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no power to sell her to a strange nation, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. Exo 21:9 And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her as with daughters. Exo 21:10 If he takes himself another wife, her food, her clothing, and her duty of marriage shall not be lessened. Exo 21:11 And if he does not do these three to her, then she shall go out free without money. These females where meant to become wives, and only if they where not taken as wives where they to be sent away empty handed. So the giving of these laws where to mitigate the length of slavery (6 years). And to lay down how female slaves where to be treated (if you decided to sleep with them you had to treat them as wives). Before this, one can imagine that slavery was everlasting and female slaves were mere onsite free forced prostitutes. The giving of these laws imply that these issues are not "promoted" by the Old testament. And this is not only my interpretation, but the interpretation of the many scholars who have commented on the bible ( Clarke, K&D) The "Good Book" is a how to manual, but we need NOT "earn" God's acceptance, just chose love, he loves us all unconditionally. To the first murderer he said that if he (Cain) did well he would be accepted; Gen 4:6 And Jehovah said to Cain, Why have you angrily glowed? And why did your face fall? Gen 4:7 If you do well, shall you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at the door; and its desire is for you, and you shall rule over it. "it is a chronicle of man's inability to earn God's acceptance through his own deeds" Huh?? I might be naïve , but this is the first and I hope the last time I hear it called that, to me it is THE book of love, of unconditional love for God and of love for my neighbor as I love myself, and all it's laws are centered around these two concepts. Why is it adultery to lust after a woman that is not your wife? Who would want men to lust after their sisters, mothers or daughters? Love your neighbor as you love yourself. And it is not unattainable, it is just your focus on life. God's standards are not impossible to reach, you just need to love, no matter what. Salvation is prophesized in the old testament and some say that every mention of the word salvation in the old testament is an allusion to Jesus. As stated before the new testament offers no contrast to the old testament whatsoever, only a restatement. "love your neighbor as yourself" old testament Lev 19:18, the ten commandments don't kill, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't bear false witness, and various laws that in essence just describe the way we would like to be treated. Ok, I guess I've made my point, I could go on but I only wanted to state that you are doing exactly what you accuse the conservatives of doing, using the bible for your own purposes. I think there is a better way, and it is the way of the bible, we have all sinned in one way or another, but we should and can love each other, no matter how large we perceive our neighbor's sin to be. The thing I found utterly disturbing in this article is that you cannot reject parts of the bible without rejecting the whole, because a house divided against itself can not stand (Mat 12:25, Mar 3:25 New testament) and as Jesus himself said; Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. Mat 5:18 For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled. Mat 5:19 Therefore whoever shall relax one of these commandments, the least, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven. But whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven. Lastly I would like to say that to all who hate others for "sinning"; Mat 12:31 Therefore I say to you, All kinds of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven to men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven to men. So please DO NOT corrupt the words of the bible for your own gain, for that is a form of blasphemy in my view. And now I have to go and do what I came here for because Gen 2:18 "It is not good that the man should be alone". And I need to find my better half. May God bless you all and keep you in his Love.
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