Originally posted by denynothing
On a side note, you still have yet to provide the evidence for homosexuality being a choice or an inherent behavior, its honestly just a curiosity
thing.
I actually posted some links to scientific studies that found distinct differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals in the way the brain reacts
to pheromones of the same vs opposite sex. Additionally I provided a link to another condition that could be tied to the homosexual/heterosexual
argument, there are people born with what is termed indeterminate gender. You can find my post here:
Research on differences between homosexual and heterosexual brain responses
You stated
I am simply saying what the bible says and how that is my motivation for denying their sin.
And I would like to address that.
Core to the Christian belief system is the acceptance of Jesus as the Lord our God who came to use in human form to offer us salvation, and provide a
living example to guide us, and teach us how God would like us to live our lives and fulfill our purpose here.
Holding that belief and reading the bible..the whole bible it follows a path of growth and enlightenment.
The old testament follows man from the biblical beginning,in some ways akin to the path that child and parent follow as the child grows eventually to
adulthood. God is at times vengeful, merciless, fearsome and terrifying, and it was in these times that God instructed absolute and total intolerance
of homosexual sex, along with many other things, he instructed that people be stoned to death for various failings, and even instructed us to kill
non-believers in Deuteronomy 13:6-10
In the new testament God in the form of Jesus guides us down a different path. While his disciples are still bound by the laws and commandments handed
down before in their personal lives, the laws of the old testament regarding the judgement of others were handed down by God to form and maintain
order in his newly formed Nation of Israel, and with the coming of Jesus this was no longer needed nor desired as part of his new Kingdom. (The first
separation of church and state?)
From this point on Jesus instructs us that it is not for us to judge others, in Matthew 7 he refers to the person finding fault in another as a
hypocrite, he teaches against condemnation, persecution, and so on. Instead he teaches us to reach out to people, with love, compassion. He does not
teach us to avoid sinners, or turn our backs on them. He instructs his followers to follow these teachings and his example, to gently lead those who
have not yet accepted him, as he himself lead them, to him and his kingdom.
His instructions to his followers in the New Testament are very clear in regards to their own behavior, their interactions with others including
non-believers and sinners, and how they are to share his message amongst others by following his examples.
Based though on the bible as we know it, from a Christian standpoint (New Testament) we know that humans were given free will, that we are not to
judge others as we ourselves are not perfect that is only for Christ and his father to judge, and that we were not taught to force others to behave as
Christians, whether they believe or not, to shield ourselves from exposure to sin. The bible in fact teaches quite the opposite.
Mark 2:15 - 17
15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there
were many, and they followed him.
16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with
publicans and sinners?
17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Christians were not instructed to deny or restrict a non-believer's ability to sin, they were instructed not to commit those sins themselves. The
Lord knows we humans are not perfect, that even the best will falter and stumble somewhere along the way, thus we are given a life time to find our
way to Christ. He expects his followers to reach out and help guide those who have not found their way to him yet with kindness, love and compassion,
but most importantly while he wants all of his children to be able to accept his gift of salvation, he wants them to come to accept him willingly,
that their faith be genuine and pure.
Jesus knew that while one can force another's behavior, one cannot force another's feelings or beliefs to conform to ones will, that in fact the
use of force is more likely to raise resistance than acceptance.
Denying them the ability to commit what to them is natural, but your faith deems a sin, will not save them if it pushes them farther from HIM.
Can't we just blame it all on the gays?
