Did you know that you CAN reconcile your faith with your sexuality?

Question

I'm trying to post a little bit of sanity in opposition to all the religious hate that has been posted here lately. If you are having a hard time with all this as I did at one time, this ministry brought me back to my faith when I thought all religions were hypocritical money grubbing hate mongers.

Logos Ministries has a special call to the mission field of the gay community; dispelling the myth of God’s “limited” love and instead sharing with them the message of God’s unmerited acceptance to all people who believe.

The website below is an in depth analysis of the passages of the bible that many use to condemn homosexuality. This isn't merely a citation of scripture but an analysis of the whole biblical passage and written with a view of the history at the time. This is thoughtful and mindful of Jesus's message of love. This website helped me to reconcile my faith with my sexuality. It's okay to be gay and be Christian.
http://mercytoall.net/about.htm

Thank you Zero Cool, much of what you quoted comes from Logos Ministries studies. Please note that I didn't say that the bible condemns homosexuality, I said that is has an analysis of the scripture that is USED to condemn homosexuality. Peace and love :)

By the way this is for those who were raised Christian and feel that being gay means you can't be. I respect those of other faiths or non-belief. And I'm not horrified by it :)

Answer 1

First, one question back. Do you want to be religious or spiritual? Faith in a higher power (may it be God, Allah, Shiva, the Gitche Manitou, the Goddess...) does not necessarily come from a book. It is what your heart says, for that is where people of faith truly feel their higher power. Religions help those who are searching find the path, but ultimately, it is up to the individual to walk it.

In response to your question, yes. Every religion has its version of the Golden Rule. So, if you look at it that way, then yes, religion and sexuality can be reconciled. Also, every faith of love state that one should love and not hate another. Taken in that context, how can one deny anothers love for a person.

While there are many pro and con arguments to this question, ultimately, YOU are the only who can answer it. For, accepting/reconciling faith is like accepting/reconciling ones sexuality. When one accepts their sexuality, they sometimes feel like a great burden has been lifted of their shoulders. This is the same for ones faith. When someone truly accepts their faith, their heart is not burdened down by doubt.

Sean

Answer 2

The Bible does NOT condemn homosexuals and does NOT consider homosexual sex a sin.

The passages in Leviticus (18:22 and 20:13), understood IN THE CONTEXT of the time and place, are not an admonishment against loving sexual relationships between people of the same sex but instead against sex as a form of domination and control. Besides, these passages are part of the Holiness Code which is not binding to modern day Christians (or anyone else for that matter).

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah was a warning against rape, inhospitality and xenophobia. The reason for Sodom's destruction is made clear in Ezekiel 16:48-50. According to Ezekiel, the sins of Sodom were pride, laziness, being inhospitable, neglecting the needs of the poor, greed, and idolatry (the worshiping of idols). Nothing about homosexuality is mentioned. If Jude 1:7 describes anything about the sexual immorality and perversion in Sodom and Gomorrah, it's describing RAPE.

1 Corinthians 6:9 was a mistranslation of the word "malakee". It's used elsewhere in the Bible to mean someone who lacks discipline or one who is morally weak, and never is it used in reference to sexuality or gender.

1 Timothy 1:9-10? Also a mistranslation. 1 Timothy was an admonishment against male prostitution, not committed, loving same sex relationships.

The words "physin" and "paraphysin" in Romans 1:26-27 have also been mistranslated. Contrary to popular belief, the word "paraphysin" does not mean "to go against the laws of nature", but rather implies action which is uncharacteristic for that particular person. An example of the word "paraphysin" is used in Romans 11:24, where God acts in an uncharacteristic (paraphysin) way to accept the Gentiles. When the scripture is understood correctly, it implies that it would be unnatural for heterosexuals to live as homosexuals and for homosexuals to live as heterosexuals.

Answer 3

Thanks for the information and link.
I have a Christian background.
I am more of a Deist now, however I find the Logos Ministries site to be very interesting.

Answer 4

i really like what sean k has to say about this.
thanks for the link and the information about logos.
also, i wanted to add for people who want church communities to be open for all, another great organization is soulforce.
i don't really go to church or want to right now, but i believe everyone should be able to follow whatever path they choose... which means being a christian if they so choose or going to a special christian university if they so choose, gay or straight.

Answer 5

Faith is believing in something without proof of it's existences.As an Atheist I know and have proof their is no God. I / human / am the higher power.

Answer 6

thats all very well and i appreciate your effort!

but i don't really care about the bible and religion for that matter.

i dont believe in anything

and i think it really is better that way.
thats my opinion, dont be annoyed or horrified by it.

Answer 7

I have reconciled my faith with my homosexuality:
I know there is no god, therefore I am not conflicted.
easy

Answer 8

ATTN: Homosexuals .. Remember that Jesus loves you! You can find salvation in His atoning death! Repent!!!!!!!


Romans 1:26-27 - For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Leviticus 18:22 - Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Leviticus 20:13 - If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

1 Corinthians 6:9 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Repent and be saved!

Answer 9

Thanks..I'm gay and I already know who I am..but I think you mean really well...so...thanks.

Answer 10

That was a good link. Thanks!