Homosexual is about genetic or hormons, or what ?

[Saint Frankenstein]

Brain sex?????????????????????
You mean the great self mind #uck?????

 

[leibowde84]

God doesn't hate ****, He loves everyone.

The free gift of eternal life is available to all.

Homosexuality is a sin just like any other sin.

Homosexuality is not a sin, even according to the most conservative Christians.

 

[Kirran]

By some interpretations of the Bible, one can take anal sex between two men to be a sin. But even that is rather questionable, as I understand it, and depends on a rather pick-and-choose approach nevertheless perceived as 'literalism'.

 

[Noa]

He meant that no Christians believe being homosexual is a sin. They believe acting homosexual is the sin. The common analogy is that someone is not sinful for being born with a desire to steal. It is only sinful if they actually steal.


And to the OP: I do not have an opinion on the matter because it does not really matter much to me. Sexuality is far more complex and beautiful than any gene, even if there is a gene, or any other single factor.

 

[Kirran]

He meant that no Christians believe being homosexual is a sin. They believe acting homosexual is the sin. The common analogy is that someone is not sinful for being born with a desire to steal. It is only sinful if they actually steal.


And to the OP: I do not have an opinion on the matter because it does not really matter much to me. Sexuality is far more complex and beautiful than any gene, even if there is a gene, or any other single factor.

Acting homosexual seems thoroughly culturally relative. If I were to learn how to decorate, become a bit more urbane and dress myself well, would I then be 'acting homosexual'?

 

[MARCELLO]

Homosexuality is not reasoned by hormones or what so ever. It is the butter quality

 

[SkepticThinker]

You have now.

What I meant was that I've never seen any evidence of any god that has "unerringly foretold future events" or "acted in human history" or "explains where we come from" or acted in any way at all upon human affairs.

 

[SkepticThinker]

Because he loves people and he loves righteousness. As mentioned, misuse of God-given sexual powers has caused great harm to many. Those who listen to our Creator spare themselves and others much pain and suffering. Those who don't know Gods laws and so do what God forbids, and those who knowing God's laws choose to disregard them, invariably suffer for doing so, IMO.

Seems to me if this god loves us so much he'd be more concerned about starving and abused children, or slavery, or monstrous dictators, or natural disasters, or climate change but instead "he" chooses to focus on the manner in which we have sex and with whom, the specific ways we need to worship "him," what kind of fabrics we wear, or how we treat our slaves (and it's not very nicely, by the way). It also seems bizarre to me that a loving god would "create" homosexuals or bisexuals and then condemn them for being what they are. Where's the love there? I'm not seeing it.

Never mind that I (and many, many others) don't follow what I consider to be the petty dictates of your god, and I live as good a life as anybody else.

 

[Noa]

Acting homosexual seems thoroughly culturally relative. If I were to learn how to decorate, become a bit more urbane and dress myself well, would I then be 'acting homosexual'?

Yes, it is very relative. I was just explaining the common argument of why many Christians try to claim they can 'hate the sin but not the sinner.'

All this being said, the loud Christians for whom sexuality is their last political fight are not as hegemonic in the US as people like to claim. It is primarily certain strains of evangelicals that have problems with it. Most of the mainline denominations (largest US Presbyterians, Lutherans, and so forth) are all much more affirming.

 

[rusra02]

What I meant was that I've never seen any evidence of any god that has "unerringly foretold future events" or "acted in human history" or "explains where we come from" or acted in any way at all upon human affairs.

I believe all this evidence is found in the Bible, and nowhere else. Have you read the Bible?

 

[rusra02]

Seems to me if this god loves us so much he'd be more concerned about starving and abused children, or slavery, or monstrous dictators, or natural disasters, or climate change but instead "he" chooses to focus on the manner in which we have sex and with whom, the specific ways we need to worship "him," what kind of fabrics we wear, or how we treat our slaves (and it's not very nicely, by the way). It also seems bizarre to me that a loving god would "create" homosexuals or bisexuals and then condemn them for being what they are. Where's the love there? I'm not seeing it.

Never mind that I (and many, many others) don't follow what I consider to be the petty dictates of your god, and I live as good a life as anybody else.

I believe the Bible reveals that God is very concerned about mankinds suffering, and has explained why he permits it for a brief period. Many loving parents allow their children to undergo very painful medical procedures because they know this will help the child and benefit him in the future. Similarly, I believe God has permitted, not caused, mankind to suffer for beneficial purposes. As Romans 8:20-22 explains; "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but through the one who subjected it, on the basis of hope that the creation itself will also be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now." The corruption brought upon mankind by sin and rebellion against God is the real cause for mankinds suffering, IMO. The cure is painful but necessary, and soon God will remove all causes for suffering. (Revelation 21:3,4)

 

[Kirran]

I believe the Bible reveals that God is very concerned about mankinds suffering, and has explained why he permits it for a brief period. Many loving parents allow their children to undergo very painful medical procedures because they know this will help the child and benefit him in the future. Similarly, I believe God has permitted, not caused, mankind to suffer for beneficial purposes. As Romans 8:20-22 explains; "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but through the one who subjected it, on the basis of hope that the creation itself will also be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now." The corruption brought upon mankind by sin and rebellion against God is the real cause for mankinds suffering, IMO. The cure is painful but necessary, and soon God will remove all causes for suffering. (Revelation 21:3,4)

Have you read the Astavakra Gita, or the Bhagavad Gita, or any of the Upanishads? Also, the Daodejing/Tao Te Ching is a very wonderful scripture.

 

[SkepticThinker]

I believe all this evidence is found in the Bible, and nowhere else. Have you read the Bible?

Yes I have read the Bible. I don't consider an ancient book evidence of any of the things I mentioned. I need something more than vague, self-fulfilling "prophecies." The Bible doesn't that any more than the writings of someone like Nostradamus.

I'm looking for real world evidence. And I've never seen it. Why would there not be evidence anywhere else? If this god you speak of actually interferes in human interactions in the natural world, such interactions should be measurable or demonstrable in some way.

 

[SkepticThinker]

I believe the Bible reveals that God is very concerned about mankinds suffering, and has explained why he permits it for a brief period. Many loving parents allow their children to undergo very painful medical procedures because they know this will help the child and benefit him in the future. Similarly, I believe God has permitted, not caused, mankind to suffer for beneficial purposes. As Romans 8:20-22 explains; "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but through the one who subjected it, on the basis of hope that the creation itself will also be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now." The corruption brought upon mankind by sin and rebellion against God is the real cause for mankinds suffering, IMO. The cure is painful but necessary, and soon God will remove all causes for suffering. (Revelation 21:3,4)

All you're saying is that human beings are responsible for natural disasters and childhood cancers and slavery (even though your god condones it in your holy book when he could have easily just included "do not own human beings" in the commandments) and any other terrible thing that happens to us that is seemingly beyond our control, which to me is a wholly unsatisfactory answer that really explains nothing.

Yes, parents love children and want the best for them but they don't accomplish that by drowning their children or exposing them to a tornado or starving them to death or giving them cancer. And if any parent does that, we take their children away from them and/or put them in jail, and rightfully so. They are a bad parent.

 

[rusra02]

Yes I have read the Bible. I don't consider an ancient book evidence of any of the things I mentioned. I need something more than vague, self-fulfilling "prophecies." The Bible doesn't that any more than the writings of someone like Nostradamus.

I'm looking for real world evidence. And I've never seen it. Why would there not be evidence anywhere else? If this god you speak of actually interferes in human interactions in the natural world, such interactions should be measurable or demonstrable in some way.

There is evidence everywhere, I believe, of God's wisdom, power, and love. "For his [God's] invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable." (Romans 1:20) Jehovah's works convince me he is the true God, as does his activity in the past, and the prophecies he has fulfilled that are anything but vague. The Bible abounds with such prophecies. I suppose we short-lived humans want God to complete his purpose in our brief lifespan. Jehovah is not bound by any time constraints, except those he creates. (2 Peter 3:9) I believe the Bible tells us exactly when the last days began and that these days would not exceed one generation. That means not just you but all mankind will soon see Jehovah exercise his Godship in ways that are unmistakable.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

He meant that no Christians believe being homosexual is a sin. They believe acting homosexual is the sin. The common analogy is that someone is not sinful for being born with a desire to steal. It is only sinful if they actually steal.

I find this thinking really weird, since it implies that being gay is only OK if you remain celibate.

 

[Sand Dancer]

I find this thinking really weird, since it implies that being gay is only OK if you remain celibate.

I think fundies have gone from "It's wrong to be homosexual" to "it's wrong to act homosexual." Hopefully eventually they will just scrap the whole thing and be okay with it.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I think fundies have gone from "It's wrong to be homosexual" to "it's wrong to act homosexual." Hopefully eventually they will just scrap the whole thing and be okay with it.

Yeah, hopefully they'll catch up eventually. It's a bit like the progression from creationism to intelligent design, gradually moving towards evolution.

 

[rusra02]

All you're saying is that human beings are responsible for natural disasters and childhood cancers and slavery (even though your god condones it in your holy book when he could have easily just included "do not own human beings" in the commandments) and any other terrible thing that happens to us that is seemingly beyond our control, which to me is a wholly unsatisfactory answer that really explains nothing.

Yes, parents love children and want the best for them but they don't accomplish that by drowning their children or exposing them to a tornado or starving them to death or giving them cancer. And if any parent does that, we take their children away from them and/or put them in jail, and rightfully so. They are a bad parent.

I think you are blaming God for things Satan and Adam caused. Humans and Satan are indeed to blame for much of the suffering occurring today. The Bible tells us why God has permitted this for a limited time, and how he will reverse all the harm Satan has caused. I think before we criticize anyone, but especially our Creator, we should be sure we have all the facts. As Jehovah asked Job, who could not understand why he was suffering; "Should a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let the one who wants to reprove God answer.” (Job 40:2)

 

[columbus]

I think before we criticize anyone, but especially our Creator, we should be sure we have all the facts.

Here's a fact.
There is no god who cares enough about what I believe or do to give me a clear understanding of what that is.
Humans claiming to speak for god is not the same thing at all.
Tom