I finally went to church on sunday (1st time in a while) and the pastor said that AIDS is a punishment for gays and people who are irresponsible, and thats a good thing cause they need to learn a lesson. Do you agree with the pastor, or should I join another church?
2006-09-25 05:51:34 · 18 answers · asked by james w 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe there's a good and bad side to AIDS. It's a horrible disease, and preventable by SOMEBODY. It can be passed to innocent children, etc. But the good side, if there is one, is that it shows that there is a punishment for immorality. Maybe it would keep someone from being immoral because they're afraid they'll contract it.
I would ask the pastor personally just between you and him what he meant by it. There could be a misunderstanding. Ask before you leave.
By the way, thumbs up for going back to church! ;)
2006-09-25 05:57:27 · answer #1 · answered by chocolatelovergirl 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
You didn't say what kind of church this is, but anyone who says such a thing is ignorant and hateful. Exactly what lesson, does he think they'll learn??
AIDS is a disease of the immune system, not a STD. The virus is part of the family of viruses called lentivirus, which commonly infect animals such as sheep. The mode of infection is that when their immunity is already compromised (like in the winter time), and kept in close quarters, the virus will be spread by the sheep coughing on each other. Should the sheep "get what they deserve" ??
Most of the AIDs victims in places like, say, Zaire or maybe Botswana, are children. For what should they be punished???
The Christian God is a Loving God. He doesn't "enjoy" punishing mankind. Find a church which teaches loving ideas.
2006-09-25 06:04:44 · answer #2 · answered by Joya 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i does no longer say my pastor does this generally. although, there have been situations while human beings have not given or do no longer supply in any respect, and he will instruct some centers on the subject count of "giving." Our church equipped new centers, doing ninety 5% of the paintings ourselves (a congregation of 80 human beings or so). As such, we've a loan to pay off and it expenditures to run the centers (means, etc.). So, all of us supply 10% plus yet another 5% to fulfill the church's desires. we are going to in all probability be doing this for the subsequent 12 years or so till the debt has been paid off, and we've been giving a "double" tithe (extra or much less) for various years now. that is not elementary - i'm going to admit to that, yet God has blessed us so richly. i do no longer think of tithes could be constrained to moneys, nevertheless that's the 1st element every person thinks of. you may actually additionally supply of their time and talents.
2016-10-17 22:58:20 · answer #3 · answered by itani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like so many in the so-called Christan faith that pastor does not know or understand what the bible says.It says love thy neighbour as thy self.Mainstream Christianity seems to be going down a path that does not in the slightest resemble Christs teachings.They seem to hate anyone who doesn't think like they do and seem to determined to force their values down the throat of everyone else.Personally I'm a christian and I don't go to church for that very reason.Remember that Christ said"Where two or more are gathered in my name I am there also." You don't have to go to church to be a Christan despite popular belief.Any pastor or church that teaches the type of hatefulness that the pastor you mentioned is full of people that aren't Christians and are more likely to go to hell than you if you don't go there again.Find a different church,one that teaches love and not hate and you will have found the true spirit of God and people who believe in and practise it.
2006-09-25 06:15:41 · answer #4 · answered by Jim C 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To say "it is a good thing" is wrong for HIM to say. Since smoking causes cancer and a person refuses to stop, they should not be surprised if they eventually get cancer, because it is a result of that vice. Sexual diseases are the same way, NOTHING is fail safe, and if you choose to live that kind of life, then you are saying that you choose to accept the cosequences that could arise from that lifestyle. IF the pastor said that it was a "good thing", he is missing the point all together because people die from diseases, (Christians included), and it is never good. I would ask him what he meant by saying that remark before I made the decision to leave.
2006-09-25 06:07:20 · answer #5 · answered by dooder 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Find another church.
This pastor does not know the Gospel in which when one of the disciples asked if the blind man was blind because of his sin or the sin of his father, Jesus answered that the man was born blind so that the glory of God coould be shown by means of the man' being healed.
A person who thinks that AIDS is God's punishment on gays does not know God.
2006-09-25 06:01:51 · answer #6 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, there are quite a few people who would agree with the pastor. However, his statement is not true. I would suggest that you visit other churches in your area and find one tha t you like. You may want to visit them for several weeks before you decide whether or not you agree with their teachings. Hope you find one!!
2006-09-25 06:15:49 · answer #7 · answered by theology_chick 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Join another church quickly. DOes that sound liek something God like and filled with Love?! That is pure hate and judgement! Judging is Gods job and not mans. SO what is Cancer a punishment for? Esecially when Kids get it!? This guy is an ******.
2006-09-25 05:55:51 · answer #8 · answered by david s 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The question you should be asking yourself is do you agree with the pastor and what he is teaching? If not, then you would probably want to search for another church. I dont agree with his statement.
2006-09-25 05:54:05 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What sins did those people commit who caught AIDS trying to donate blood? What sins do those babies commit that catch it from their parent?
You should have questioned the pastor!
2006-09-25 05:56:10 · answer #10 · answered by Rajan S 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋