I have no strong opinion on this issue myself but i find the differing views on this subject fascinating. Please dont answer offensively everyone can have an opinion without being offensive - thanks in advance for any constructive views.
2007-02-22 00:34:40 · 35 answers · asked by Silent Doe 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I know its opening a can of worms Lois :), i love great debate - thanks for all the answers folks its great to hear all your opinions :)
2007-02-22 00:55:20 · update #1
Short answer: yes (but don't stop here).
Most Christianity (nearly every segment, synod, sect and variation) agrees that homosexual behavior is contrary to God's law and should not be practiced or condoned.
This said, Christ taught love and tolerance for all mankind. His teachings are clear: love one another, love your neighbor as yourself, and the list goes on.
Nearly all religious leaders (with the exception of a few extremists) recognize and understand that humans are born with different challenges. We are all tempted by different things. For some Christians, one of their challenges is attraction (physical, emotional, sexual, etc.) to members of the same sex.
For a Christian to actively practice homosexuality--and to proclaim that he or she is following the teachings of Christ is contradictory. This does not mean they don't love God or Jesus.
Similarly, however, for any Christian to condemn another based on the choices they've made in life or the behaviors they choose to practice is wrong in the eyes of God and contrary to the teachings of the Savior.
Besides love, one of the things Christ taught us is that we make our own choices while we are on earth (right or wrong). Forcing choices on people is not Christlike.
Can a homosexual be a Christian? Absolutely.
2007-02-22 00:45:54 · answer #1 · answered by Teachmepme 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I have read through most of the answers here. Many say that homosexuality is a sin and therefore, if you commit a sin you cannot be a true Christian.
Now, I want to know with that definition of being a true Christian or a Christian being one who has not committed a sin - who on this Earth can be a Christian?
And, as far as I am aware of all humanity sins in the eyes of Christianity. No one on Earth is without sin, that is why Jesus died on the Cross as payment for all of humanity’s sins. Maybe I do not understand Christianity as others do, as I never have understood how you can point out the sins of another and not see the other four fingers pointing back at yourself.
No one is free of sin and all deserve forgiveness, mercy and love. Love your neighbor as yourself, it really is a simple idea. Why not put it into practice?
2007-02-22 02:54:33 · answer #2 · answered by Unity 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Most of the verses in the KJV and many other English translations which speak out against homosexuality are really talking about other things. Some verses that are now translated to speak against homosexuality were actually talking about lifes of luxury and wearing soft fabrics by males. Some were talking about temple prostitutes and such.
Many belive that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of homosexuality; that places the supposed crime of homosexuality above the actual crime of rape, which is what was some in the city wished to do to the angels. Some believe that a male needs to be a homosexual to rape another male, but that's simply not the case. There are many cases of straight males raping homosexual males; they may use sticks or other items to do so, but it is still a sexual crime, and still a form of rape.
Christ never said "a homosexual will never enter heaven". Many people preaching against homosexuality are just as guilty of other sins and somehow feel assured of their own salvation. Bible verses are an excuse for hatred. One needs to remember that the Bible also teaches that women are worth half the value of men; that clothes of diverse fibers are sinful; that unruly children should be killed, and many other things that aren't believed today. Add to this the errant translation of specific ideas, designed to outlaw a portion of the population, and you have a system of persecution.
It's mostly the conservative or "radical" Christians that would condemn over 10% of the world's population out of hand. Some churches, such as the UCC and some Episcopals and others take a more sane approach.
Radical Christianity is no better than radical Islam. It puts a book ahead of God.
2007-02-22 00:49:31 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
As a Christian I did not say your family members that are homosexuals are sinful and going to end up in hell, God said it and as a Christian it is my duty to tell you and anyone else that is not a Christian that, without Christ you are going to burn in a devil's hell. Under the same token it is your God given right to believe it or not, however if you choose not to believe it, then your blood is off of my hands when you stand before the Judgment seat, you can not look at me or any other Christian that has told you about Jesus and blame us when God tells you, "Depart" as for the part about non-whites, I have yet to read anything in God's Word about them, therefore the rejection of them can be blamed on stupidity more then anything.
2016-05-23 22:44:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. Homosexuality is a state of being. It is not, in and of itself, a sin. I.e. if one is a celibate homosexual, one is not sinning, yet one is still a homosexual. Just being attracted/tempted by the same sex doesn't make one a sinner any more than does an unmarried person being attracted/tempted by one of the opposite sex.
I analogize it this way: It is a sin to have premarital sex, right? But it isnt a sin to "be" a heterosexual (unmarried), right? Heterosexuality is not a sin. But HAVING heterosexual sex is sometimes a sin. Having homosexual sex is always a sin.
That being said, even if one gives in to the temptation to have homosexual sex, that doesn't mean one can't be a Christian. There are people who are Christians who swear and take the Lord's name in vain every day. That's one of the top two Commandments of the 10. Yet, nobody is running around saying that if one doesn't refrain from any and all taking of the Lord's name in vain that one can't come to Church or be a Christian.
Christianity does not mean refraining from sin. Christianity means accepting Jesus Christ and trying to do what God wants you to do. All people fall short of the glory of God, homosexuals no moreso than anybody else.
2007-02-22 00:43:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
i have read the various paragraphs and i believe does it really matter. Its down to the individual and there beliefs. The churches around the globe says its a sin to be gay and in the eyes of god you should be condemned. To me that's human beings giving there input to what they believe should happen. Lets not forget the catholic churches who covers up for there priests, allowing them to abuse kids. To me most religions just want to fund there coffers and let the poor continue to be poor.
I'm gay and proud of it and i believe in god, and what ever choices i make are mine. I don't listen to what people think i should do, if its wrong then its wrong we all make mistakes, were not perfect. for too long we have been treated as a 2nd class society. Now we have laws to protect us and about time too.
Have a nice day everyone and live your life in peace.
god bless
2007-02-22 02:10:02 · answer #6 · answered by steve w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course.
Listen, any time anybody gets in your face screaming about homosexuality being "condemned" in the Bible, just calmly tell them that Jesus Christ never uttered one word on the subject.
The Bible is positively bursting with conflicting information, everybody knows that. And everybody also knows that a person with an agenda can find a passage in the Bible to "back up" whatever, WHATEVER, they choose. Remember a while back when a bunch of nuts started saying "The Bible tells us to make lots of money!" Wow.
Anyway, all Jesus was really about was loving your neighbor as yourself.
That's all. Besides, research has shown irrefutably that gender orientation is decided the same way hair color or the color of a person's eyes is decided. Nobody CHOOSES to be gay -- you either are or you're not.
And God doesn't make mistakes.
2007-02-22 00:40:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
No.
The true Christians have their lives changed when they become believers. Christianity isn't neither a easy life or hypocrisy.
None of us are holly. All of us are sinners.
Our lives have to be different when we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. The Bible condemn homosexuality, it is against the original plan of God;
If I want to follow Jesus, I have to fight everyday against my sin. It is a process, a life style,
PS. The Bible do not condemn to smoke, to drink but all kind of slavery ...We are free through Jesus.
2007-02-22 02:14:16 · answer #8 · answered by ♫♪Fencer♫♪ 4Him 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In Christianity bigotry is no less a sin than any other. I'm not a Christian but this prayer says quite a lot about it.
Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement Prayer
God, whose love and compassion extends to all without distinction of sex or sexuality
We offer you our lives and experiences as gay men, bisexuals and lesbian women
Help us to play our special part in your work of redeeming love for all people
Give us strength to carry your love into a world that may reject or ignore us
May we journey with Christ in faith and truth and justice trusting in your eternal love
We remember in prayer
*
The Church - that your concern for love, justice and freedom may be honoured by the community of faith
*
Lesbians and gay men throughout the world, especially those facing hatred, injustice or imprisonment; the lonely, isolated and confused; the poor and hungry; the elderly, the sick and bereaved; that they may know themselves to be acceptable and accepted
*
Those we love, especially our partners, our parents, our families and friends, that our love may be a reflection of your creation
*
Those who seek to hurt us, that their hearts may be changed
*
Ourselves - that we may be ready to respond in love to the needs of our gay brothers and sisters and all your creation
*
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
2007-02-22 00:50:34 · answer #9 · answered by CHEESUS GROYST 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the revealed scripture from God, including the Old Testament and the letters of the New Testament.
The OT and the NT are very clear in the teaching that homosexuality is a sin and an abomination to God.
It is not an unforgiveable sin, though. Someone who sins in this way can turn to God, repent, and find forgiveness and cleansing. But God forbid that anyone would continue in the sin, kinda playing with God, thinking that God will always forgive them, etc.
There is a limit to His patience.
god bless
2007-02-22 00:42:15 · answer #10 · answered by happy pilgrim 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋