How can Christians not condemn homosexual behavior?

[BobbyisStrange]

Judgement is reserved for God. Bust as Christians we must live in LOVE. Love entails that we understand, accept, acknowledge, and provide avenues so God's grace can work its miracle. There is no place for prejudiced and predetermined notions in this sphere.

When people say this, I just have to ask, have you read your holy book lately? Like I mean really read it...Not to much in that book about love.

 

[waitasec]

Judgement is reserved for God. Bust as Christians we must live in LOVE. Love entails that we understand, accept, acknowledge, and provide avenues so God's grace can work its miracle. There is no place for prejudiced and predetermined notions in this sphere.

From this, it can be said that God abhors gay and homosexuality. In fact, it is for this very reason that He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha.

When it is in our capacity to change that which God abhors, how can we expect God to understand our lack of enthusiasm to do so?

hmmmm....

 

[Kathryn]

You live by a double standard. When you relate to others you chose to be subjective in your approch to morality. But at the personal level you choose to be objective in your approach to morality. Which approach is right? And how would you say the other is wrong in a situation when you practise both? It's confusing.

This is a pretty strong accusation.

I do not live by a double standard. I am very clear on my own personal standards and WHEN ASKED TO BE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN A SITUATION, or asked on a forum such as this what my opinion is, I do not hesitate to share my personal standard.

However, part of my clear personal standard is that I do not believe it is my right to impose my personal moral standards on other adults or people who do not have a right to expect my involvement in protecting their rights.

I don't see how you can be confused on this. I've been quite clear.

 

[Kathryn]

Well, look, I only took this line of questioning
because it seemed that you were holding Paul's teachings up
as the standard, or reason behind your own....
validations/non-validations of peoples' intimate partnerships.

I certainly have no problem with people setting the standards in their own homes.
No point though, in ... postulating... that your standards,
are Paul's standards, or Jesus' standards, or the bible god's standards,
if really, in the end, they are your own.

The OP asks how Christians reach their conclusions. I was discussing how I had reached my own personal conclusions.

 

[waitasec]

The OP asks how Christians reach their conclusions. I was discussing how I had reached my own personal conclusions.

this is very interesting. you made me think about something.

what is the criteria for reaching a personal conclusion?
i am of the opinion that personal conclusions hold our values. the ideas that compliment our values stick. but where do those values come from?
perhaps it's how we feel about those values that draw them in or are rejected.

 

[allright]

In both the Old and New Testaments homosexuality is clearly condemned. So, if a Christian believes in the correctness of the the Bible I fail to see how they can condone or support homosexual behavior, even if they believe the homosexual disposition arises as naturally as the heterosexual disposition. Not that I'm not thankful for those who renounce or simply ignore these Biblical positions, but this picking and choosing in the Bible appears to be less than honest. So while I appreciate the many Christians who don't adhere to the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality, I have to wonder how they explain/rationalize it away.

People who call themselves Christians and then pick and reject the parts of the the Bible they dont agree with are not really Christians but the same as a pagan who makes up his own God and then acts like hes real.

Jesus came to offer salvation not to condemn. People condemn themselves by rejecting him and chosing to continue in sin.

 

[Skwim]

In both the Old and New Testaments homosexuality is clearly condemned. So, if a Christian believes in the correctness of the the Bible I fail to see how they can condone or support homosexual behavior, even if they believe the homosexual disposition arises as naturally as the heterosexual disposition. Not that I'm not thankful for those who renounce or simply ignore these Biblical positions, but this picking and choosing in the Bible appears to be less than honest. So while I appreciate the many Christians who don't adhere to the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality, I have to wonder how they explain/rationalize it away.

People who call themselves Christians and then pick and reject the parts of the the Bible they dont agree with are not really Christians but the same as a pagan who makes up his own God and then acts like hes real.

Jesus came to offer salvation not to condemn. People condemn themselves by rejecting him and chosing to continue in sin.

So should I assume you go along with at least the New Testament's condemnation of homosexuals?

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:8-11
New International Version (NIV)
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

​

Which puts homosexuals in the same basket as

The sexually immoral
Idolaters
Adulterers
The greedy
Thieves
Drunkards
Those who kill their parents
Murderers
Liars
Slave traders
Perjurers
Etc. etc.

?
​

 

[sojourner]

Which puts homosexuals in the same basket as The sexually immoral
Idolaters
Adulterers
The greedy
Thieves
Drunkards
Those who kill their parents
Murderers
Liars
Slave traders
Perjurers
Etc. etc.

No, it puts "men who have sex with men" (i.e., rapists and those who engage in unnatural acts) in the same category. "Homosexual" was unknown then.

 

[waitasec]

In both the Old and New Testaments homosexuality is clearly condemned. So, if a Christian believes in the correctness of the the Bible I fail to see how they can condone or support homosexual behavior, even if they believe the homosexual disposition arises as naturally as the heterosexual disposition. Not that I'm not thankful for those who renounce or simply ignore these Biblical positions, but this picking and choosing in the Bible appears to be less than honest. So while I appreciate the many Christians who don't adhere to the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality, I have to wonder how they explain/rationalize it away.

People who call themselves Christians and then pick and reject the parts of the the Bible they dont agree with are not really Christians but the same as a pagan who makes up his own God and then acts like hes real.

Jesus came to offer salvation not to condemn. People condemn themselves by rejecting him and chosing to continue in sin.

i knew it!!
whew...i'm not crazy.

 

[Skwim]

No, it puts "men who have sex with men" (i.e., rapists and those who engage in unnatural acts) in the same category. "Homosexual" was unknown then.

WOW!! Another episode of deja vu. I gotta see my doc.

​

 

[allright]

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:8-11
New International Version (NIV)
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

​

Which puts homosexuals in the same basket as

The sexually immoral
Idolaters
Adulterers
The greedy
Thieves
Drunkards
Those who kill their parents
Murderers
Liars
Slave traders
Perjurers
Etc. etc.

We all start in the same basket "sinners"
God sent Jesus out of love to give as a way out.
Each person decides whether to take it or stay in the basket

?​

​

[/quote]

 

[waitasec]

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:8-11
New International Version (NIV)
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

​

Which puts homosexuals in the same basket as

The sexually immoral
Idolaters
Adulterers
The greedy
Thieves
Drunkards
Those who kill their parents
Murderers
Liars
Slave traders
Perjurers
Etc. etc.

We all start in the same basket "sinners"
God sent Jesus out of love to give as a way out.
Each person decides whether to take it or stay in the basket

?​

​

you're right...this garbage supports hate

 

[Nakosis]

We all start in the same basket "sinners"
God sent Jesus out of love to give as a way out.
Each person decides whether to take it or stay in the basket

?​

​

The mistake is thinking you can remain subject to sin and use Jesus as a get out of jail free card.

Being a Christian shouldn't mean you can act/behave however you wish and still go to heaven because Jesus paid for your sins. Being a Christian should mean you venerate the teachings of Jesus so you can yourself become a better person.

Allow others to find their path and trust that God will help them along the way.

 

[allright]

The mistake is thinking you can remain subject to sin and use Jesus as a get out of jail free card.

Being a Christian shouldn't mean you can act/behave however you wish and still go to heaven because Jesus paid for your sins. Being a Christian should mean you venerate the teachings of Jesus so you can yourself become a better person.

Allow others to find their path and trust that God will help them along the way.

What I meant by getting out of the basket was repenting of sin, becoming born again and living a life of repentance from sin and faith toward God, not continuing in sin

 

[allright]

you're right...this garbage supports hate

Warning someone to save their soul from hell and give them eternal life is not hate

 

[Skwim]

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:8-11
New International Version (NIV)
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

​

Which puts homosexuals in the same basket as

The sexually immoral
Idolaters
Adulterers
The greedy
Thieves
Drunkards
Those who kill their parents
Murderers
Liars
Slave traders
Perjurers
Etc. etc.

We all start in the same basket "sinners"
God sent Jesus out of love to give as a way out.
Each person decides whether to take it or stay in the basket

?​

​

TO REPEAT

​

So should I assume you go along with at least the New Testament's condemnation of homosexuals?​

 

[waitasec]

Warning someone to save their soul from hell and give them eternal life is not hate

nice straw man tactic. preventing/prohibiting/condemning is not a warning it's passive aggressive behavior fed by hate and bigotry and fear

 

[blackout]

The OP asks how Christians reach their conclusions. I was discussing how I had reached my own personal conclusions.

I am still unclear though as to how you have reached some of your conclusions.

But I'm not out to hound you.

 

[allright]

nice straw man tactic. preventing/prohibiting/condemning is not a warning it's passive aggressive behavior fed by hate and bigotry and fear

I guess warning someone a truck is about to hit them means you hate them.

Your war is really with God and you cant win

Im glad someone hated me and told me about Jesus and that my life was all wrong and an affront to God

 

[Nakosis]

What I meant by getting out of the basket was repenting of sin, becoming born again and living a life of repentance from sin and faith toward God, not continuing in sin

Ok, I think we are mostly all working on that not only Christians. Trying to become the better person. I've enough of my own sin I'm in no position to judge anyone else's.

Sexual desire? I'm certainly in no place where I can judge my sexual desire as being less sinful then the next fellow. It's not up to me to judge my fellowman. I've enough of my own problems to worry about. Worrying about the next guy's problems seems a bit hypocritical to me.