I believe God loves gays and lesbians

[DNB]

I'm pointing out how you claim to be a Christian but don't seem to bother following the teachings of Jesus. There are many Christians who do this. It's easy to observe. Why don't you value what Jesus taught?

Of course, it is an idea that many Christians use as a weapon against others. It's funny that no matter how cruel and immoral Christians behave they never think they are destined for hell. Hell is always for other people, according to certain Christians. Frankly it's an absurd idea, along with heaven, in a literal sense. It makes more sence as a metaphor of states of mind. For example mean and hate-filled people (like Christians who supposedly follow Jesus will condemn gays and trans kids) can be said to be living in a hellish state, while those people who live in a way that Jesus taught (even if they aren't Christian) can be said to being living in a heavenly state of mind. Too bad churches don't teach that we should all work to accept others for who they are, and help each other live in a more heavenly state.

What do you do to move away from your judgment and condemnation of your fellow human beings, and move towards a more heavenly state of living?

Hell is real, evil is real, the world is a cesspool, and no man loves his neighbour as he loves himself.
Your optimism is naive, and therefore, dangerous.
There are pockets of good in the world, and the earth is not devoid of compassionate and charitable acts.
But, again, injustice and corruption are not the exception nor the minority incident.

Your world-view needs to be more balanced.

 

[Ashoka]

Hell is real, evil is real, the world is a cesspool

"The Christian resolution to find the world ugly and bad has made the world ugly and bad."- Friedrich Nietzsche

 

[DNB]

Nah, you've shown you have tunnel vision. It's more for seekers who come to this forum wanting to find answers. People who are LGBT who want hope that there is a God who loves them and accepts them. People who will stand up to bigotry.

Meaning, a real personal God does not react to mechanical rituals - would you demand that from your relatives or be touched by it?
God responds to sincerity and affection, even when angry and inquisitive.
We are created in His image, therefore we can relate to Him, and do not have to act in a manner that even most humans will not take seriously.
That's why I was indignant to such a story, it does not make God seem affectionate towards a heart-felt appeal, but rather to a cold and detached formula.

 

[DNB]

"The Christian resolution to find the world ugly and bad has made the world ugly and bad."- Friedrich Nietzsche

It is so that we don't contaminate ourselves with its constructs and paradigms.
We act in a manner that does not conform to the world, but we do not remove or ostracize ourselves from it either - we try to lead by example...
...oh, I'm sorry, I'm talking about the wise and sincere Christians.

 

[Ashoka]

That's why I was indignant to such a story, it does not make God seem affectionate towards a heart-felt appeal, but rather to a cold and detached formula.

No, the point of the story is that even if we seek God out in a way that is, at first, sinful and evil, eventually God's grace will touch the person's heart and change it. Just like in the story. It becomes an appeal and God's heart melts like butter when he sees us seeking us, even if it's half-hearted at first. But the truth is, even if the person in the story was seeking God half-heartedly, or doing so without even realizing it, God would have still been loving and kind towards him. Because God is love.

So if I were to pray everyday, first praying hatefully, eventually I would pray to God with devotion. Because although I am being sinful and hateful, in the end, I am still seeking God, even through my curses, which become praise.

 

[Treasure Hunter]

"The Christian resolution to find the world ugly and bad has made the world ugly and bad."- Friedrich Nietzsche

Critique of the world goes hand in hand with having high hopes for the world. Those who accept the world as it is have implicitly condemned the world.

 

[Treasure Hunter]

It is so that we don't contaminate ourselves with its constructs and paradigms.
We act in a manner that does not conform to the world, but we do not remove or ostracize ourselves from it either - we try to lead by example...
...oh, I'm sorry, I'm talking about the wise and sincere Christians.

The wisest one is removed from the world because he is on the journey seeking the Kingdom, which is not of this world.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Nah, you've shown you have tunnel vision. It's more for seekers who come to this forum wanting to find answers. People who are LGBT who want hope that there is a God who loves them and accepts them. People who will stand up to bigotry.

I'd like you to know that I think your willingness to stand up to religious bigotry against LGBT people speaks volumes about your good character, Ashoka.

 

[Ashoka]

I'd like you to know that I think your willingness to stand up to religious bigotry against LGBT people speaks volumes about your good character, Ashoka.

I appreciate that so much. Thank you.

 

[F1fan]

Hell is real,

I'm not convined, prove it.

evil is real,

Many humans have mental illness or have behavioral problems, and these are often called evil.

the world is a cesspool,

Just as your God created, so blame him.

and no man loves his neighbour as he loves himself.

Then Christianity is a failure. God's plan didn't work. You need a better God.

Your optimism is naive, and therefore, dangerous.

I'm plenty cynnical, but at least I'm not a believer.

There are pockets of good in the world, and the earth is not devoid of compassionate and charitable acts.

Those are naturally good people.

But, again, injustice and corruption are not the exception nor the minority incident.

Vote blue, it will improve.

Your world-view needs to be more balanced.

Coming from you, I interpret this to mean my world view is fine.

 

[DNB]

No, the point of the story is that even if we seek God out in a way that is, at first, sinful and evil, eventually God's grace will touch the person's heart and change it. Just like in the story. It becomes an appeal and God's heart melts like butter when he sees us seeking us, even if it's half-hearted at first. But the truth is, even if the person in the story was seeking God half-heartedly, or doing so without even realizing it, God would have still been loving and kind towards him. Because God is love.

So if I were to pray everyday, first praying hatefully, eventually I would pray to God with devotion. Because although I am being sinful and hateful, in the end, I am still seeking God, even through my curses, which become praise.

I see your point, but, I question as to how feasible that is on the seeker's part? But, that would depend on how hateful and defiant they are.
I know very that God is all merciful and forgiving, but all forgiveness, even unto salvation or not, is contingent upon sincere and contrite repentance.
We don't take a murderer out for dinner claiming that we forgave him, when he never said sorry - someone will be dead before dinner's over.

 

[DNB]

The wisest one is removed from the world because he is on the journey seeking the Kingdom, which is not of this world.

Yes, of course - but, try saying that to an atheist who has been accusing me for days about being too pessimistic and cynical.
They just don't get it! Anyone who doesn't see the prevalent wickedness in the world, and thinks that everything is okay, is part of the problem.

 

[DNB]

I'm not convined, prove it.

Many humans have mental illness or have behavioral problems, and these are often called evil.

Just as your God created, so blame him.

Then Christianity is a failure. God's plan didn't work. You need a better God.

I'm plenty cynnical, but at least I'm not a believer.

Those are naturally good people.

Vote blue, it will improve.

Coming from you, I interpret this to mean my world view is fine.

...anyone who believes that everything is fine in the world, is part of the problem, for sure.

 

[F1fan]

...anyone who believes that everything is fine in the world, is part of the problem, for sure.

Just as your God created, according to believers.

 

[Starlight]

If God loved everyone unconditionally, wouldn't that make that love largely meaningless?

No, not at all.

 

[Starlight]

You can believe anything you want about God since you can't actually prove or disprove anything with regard to God.

I can believe that God is an evil zombie monster that hates everyone equally and only created the world to watch everyone suffer.

But, sure, believe whatever makes you feel better about things.

I believe in God. Its called faith in God. I believe God is only love and goodness.

Its correct what you wrote. I can not prove God or disprove God

 

[Starlight]

It's a nice thought. Not sure what the debate is though.

Do you agree og disagree with the opening post?

 

[Starlight]

I am not religious, have no God belief -- but I give you points for your post. If, as you believe, God "IS" love, then there is no other conclusion.

Another viewpoint (again, from a religious point of view) is that if homosexuality and other human differences occur naturally (and all the evidence suggests that this is the case), then the religious person must assume that "natural" means "part of God's plan." And again, how then could you come to the conclusion that something that occurs within that plan is hateful to God?

Keep thinking...you're not doing badly.

Thank you. I agree with you. If God is really love then there is no other conclusion

 

[Starlight]

Severely questionable.

why do you believe that?

 

[Starlight]

The Gods are much more than "love". There's War, Peace, Fertility, Honor, etc etc.

Divine justice is part of God's love. If God was not just, then God is not love. To be loving you have to be just.