Can Someone Please Explain This To Me?

Question

I was baptized a catholic, but have not practiced any sort of faith or attended church in about 20 years (I'm 28). I just have too many questions that I have not received acceptable answers to. First, christianity seems to be very anti-gay. I personally am not gay, but have several friends who are and they are all great people who lead a good productive life. How is it that someone who murders, rapes, or molests children can be accepted into heaven so long as they accept Christ as their savior and repent, and yet a gay person who has never harmed another person and led a good life can't get in only because they are gay? Also, when it comes to sex, any sort of pre-marital sex is also a sin. How can something pleasurable between 2 consenting adults be considered wrong when no harm is being done whatsoever? If these truly are the rules of God, why would I want to worship an entity that would not reward those who have led a good life, yet reward those who have committed atroscities?

Answer 1

“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
--Buddha

If it doesn't make sense then it probably isn't true.

Answer 2

Bottom line... homosexuality is was and always will be a sin in Gods eye, the Bible is very clear on that. If you live in sin you will not enter heaven unles you are forgiven of that sin and change from the sinful life.

You say, "How is it that someone who murders, rapes, or molests children can be accepted into heaven so long as they accept Christ as their savior and repent" You answered your own question. They realized they were sinners the accepted Christ and repented. The same thing your homosexual friends can do.

You state, "Also, when it comes to sex, any sort of pre-marital sex is also a sin. How can something pleasurable between 2 consenting adults be considered wrong when no harm is being done whatsoever?" The bible states, " 1 Cor 10:23 "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. Just because something feels good doesn't mean it is good for you. Look at all the things that come from pre-marital or non marital sex, std's abortions, single parents trying to survive. All can be avoided by saving the sexual pleasures to that of a marriage.

And finally, God does reward those who live a good life, He sent His Son so that those who believe in Him and ask for forgiveness and change from thier sinful ways, He rewards with everlasting happiness in Heaven!

Everyone sins, it is how we repent from those sins and seek forgiveness from those sins that determines if we will be blessed by God.

I hope that helps.

God Bless

Answer 3

The questions you are asking are important ones.

Not all denominations recognize homosexuality as sin, and some are now ordaining openly gay men and women as priests and ministers.

Regarding sex and sin, it is interesting to see how little the Bible really talks about sexual behavior, compared with how often it speaks of a much more sticky matter, that of money and how the poor are treated. I think most people would rather think about sex and sin than about giving up some wealth so that there might be a more even division of resources in society --am uncomfortable subject indeed.

You are reflecting quite deeply right now on some important concepts that will guide your spiritual journey...there are many possibilities for worship and belief, but you may have to do a little shopping around to find a place that feels right to you and has already thought through the questions you are asking. Good luck to you!

Answer 4

I am sorry but all the answers you seek you won't find from people standing up for some faith. I think you should do some searching to uncover what each faith holds as values and what they don't. I have learned more about God and faith from myself and never picking up a book or asking a preacher that diddles lil boys. One thing I can say is God is Just, his creations,his actions,etc. As for gays not going to heaven this is not written anywhere. Some people are born with 2 heads and some people are born attracted to same sex. I am sure if you know and accept this god can to. Now if someone was gay just for some lustful factor like some people lust over things that they know are bad. Well obvious those people are not very well minded. Anyway seek within in not without.

Answer 5

You have to start with accepting that being gay is a sin!

They too if they repent there sins ... and start getting in line with God will, then they along with the murders with be given a chance

ps Jews & Most Christians believe this. A Jewish person once told me that there is about 50 places in the Old Testament stating that a man taking up bed with other man is a Sin. Basically Christ told us to follow all that, but that through repentence and seeking God's word in their lives, they will be saved.
The biggest problem today is that people make up in their mind they think God should be, rather than seeking the Truth
It's a life trip with God and each one of us have to make hard choices
and as long as your gay friends don't think it's sin, I doubt they would consider repenting. If they did, they would start changing their ways
I not perfect and if not for praying and repenting my sins, I wouldn't change my sinful life
Please do more exploring and pray

Answer 6

Great question. You need to understand that none of us get into heaven based on our merits. We do not get in by being good according to society's standards. If that was the case we could get in by just being a little better than average. We wouldn't really have to be good, as long as we were better than "that guy" or "those people". The bible says that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So none of us deserve to go to heaven. The only way to get in is to admit this. In the book of Acts 2:37-38 the people ask "what must we do?" Peter responds by telling them to repent and be baptized. So it is clear that we must repent of our sins and THEN be baptized. This does not mean that we become perfect and never commit another sin. But it does mean that we must ackowledge our sins and try to turn away from them. Now, if we convince ourselves that our sin, is not a sin, then we have not turned away from it. We are refusing to repent. Furthermore, how can we ask to be forgiven for a sin which we refuse to call a sin. Ultimately, all these sins are committed agianst God. It is his word that we disobey. So it is from him we must seek forgiveness. Even if we feel that our sin has not hurt anyone, the sin was against God. For this sin Jesus gave his life. So all sin causes pain. A murderer, rapist, homosexual,liar,etc, have all sinned, Yet, God loves them all and wants all of them to come back to him. He paid the price, if we will accept him. In the 7th chapter of Luke, Pharisees are criticizing Jesus because he allowed a sinful woman to touch his feet. He tells the a parable about 2 men who owed a creditor money they could not repay. One owed 50 denarii and the other 500 denarii. The creditor forgave both debts completely. Jesus asks, "Which will love the creditor more?" Of course they answer that the one who was forgiven more. So it is with us. It may be that a murderer is more thankful to Jesus than you or I. Can we see his heart? Christ can.
As for your baptism. It clearly was not a baptism. You must first have an inderstanding of these things and understand that our sins have consequences. Then you must repent of them and be truly baptized. The word actually means to be immersed, so sprinkling a little water is not the same. In baptism we die to our sinful selves and are buried as Christ was buried. We also are raised out of the water. This is what Christ meant when he said that we must be born of water and Spirit. None of this should be done out of a fear of hell. It should be done because one loves Christ and wants to spend an eternity with him.

Answer 7

First of all, salvation has little to do with "living a good Life" or being a "good person".

You may have been Baptized a Catholic but it is obvious you have spent no time at all in studying and learning the faith.

I wish you well and hope you re-discover your Catholic Faith and heritage. Its the finest organization you will find. Do yourself a huge favor. Go to a good Bookstore, buy a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and actually read it.

Answer 8

the 10 Commandments are given to us so that if we follow them our life will be happier. That includes sex. Sex is a cherished act with your spouse. Most Christians have a happy sex life. Casual sex leads to disease, heartache, divorce,harm. I too have met gay people who are great people. I admit I have confusion with this. But you know what? I don't have to have all the answers I just trust and do the best I can. I love all people. God is love says the Bible. "Shop" around and see if there is a place you feel comfortable to worship at. I'm sure there is.

Answer 9

The person who is gay can, just as the murderer or rapist, repent and ask Jesus to forgive them and they will be saved.

Considering pre-marital sex..
I don't have specific statistics in front of me, but they are available. How many abortions are the result of pre-marital or extra-marital sex? Do you think no harm is being done to those unborn children? Not to mention STDs, divorces, etc...

Answer 10

Well, it's possible to believe in a Higher Power, a Divine Creator without falling for the hypocrisy of Christianity. I am also a reformed Catholic. I gave it up for Lent for many of the same reasons you list above.
So, don't let yourself be fooled by the infinite lists of rules created by corrupt men under the guise of "divine inspiration" and find your own path.
You already know in your heart that Christianity is wrong!

Answer 11

I believe that all religions are based out of one thing, belief in something bigger than yourself. Try to always remember that the bible was written by biased MAN. And the rules of churches and other things are not always what God intended. Much of what has been made into church law was done by MAN and you have to go with your heart and what you believe. There are religions out there that believe only a certain number of people can even get into heaven so I guess according to them, we're all going to hell.

Jesus never said we had to gather in a million dollar church filled with gold ornaments and other costly things, all he said was to gather in his fathers name..there are so many contradictions in most of the churches its become really confusing. Go with your heart and trust that those who do terrible things will be punished in the end, whether its in this life or the next.