Is it possible for Christians who believe homosexuality is sin to reach out in love and compassion to those who identify as gay and those who struggle with same sex attraction. What are some of your ideas?
2007-06-18 22:40:00 · 23 answers · asked by John 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To clarify...
"those who struggle with same sex attractions" does not apply to people who identify themselves as gay and are living happy with that choice, it refers to people, perhaps Christians, who are unahppy with their attractions toward the same sex and want help... these people do exist in the church
2007-06-18 22:52:01 · update #1
Yes it is possible to reach out....treat them and pray for them the same way you would any other sinner which should be with love and compassion
If a gay person wants to try not living in the gay lifestyle then help them find a support group of gay turned straight folks(sorry not sure of the PC term for that kind of group)...they do exist, I have meet people that have attended. Just remind yourself that their sin is the same as everyone else's....as long as they repent and confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior .God will do the rest...our job is to tell them the truth not Convince them (as in all non-believers).
EDIT: The same would apply to those who have not yet acted on the physical urges they feel...Prayer and speaking with others who have been there who know the struggle they may be enduring.
2007-06-18 22:48:49 · answer #1 · answered by Nicole B 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Not only is it "possible," it is commanded by the One we profess to serve.
We are to love and have compassion for "our neighbor." Who's our neighbor? It is our literal neighbor, our jerk of a boss, our obnoxious nephew, our homosexual friend or acquaintance; NOT just our family, our church friends, our prayer partner, our "small group," and any stranger who lets us know they are "saved."
One of the biggest mistakes I think that Christians make is to presume that there is ANY difference in types or levels of sin. The only difference between my sin and that of a homosexual act, is that I usually (but certainly not always) am able to recognize my sin as such.
How could you not have compassion for a person who doesn't even recognize that what he/she is doing sexually is wrong? Even a non-celibate single person from time-to-time may come up for air and think "we really should get married" or "we shouldn't have gotten involved this way"....But if you are being bludgeoned from every side by people telling you "you're going to hell" , or even worse: "I will pray for you" (because you are so lost, while I am so saved) what in the WORLD would turn you toward that religion?
We cannot be so immature in the faith, and so judgmental.
What do you think it means to "love your neighbor?"
What do you think Jesus meant when he said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" about the prostitute?
Why do you think He said "FIRST, love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength..." and the second (commandment) is like unto it: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
He said these on these two (and JUST these two) "hang all the Law and the commandments."
The ONLY answer is to love and have compassion and PRAY for people you consider to be lost. CUT OUT THE PREACHING. IT DOESN'T WORK. FOR ANYONE...
2007-06-18 23:01:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not afraid to reach out to homosexuals. I have a godson who is homosexual. He and I have talked at length about the situation. As a matter of fact I am the first person he came out to and he said he did it because he knew that as a Christian I would love him no matter what. He was right, I took it much better than either of his parents did and actually was a safe haven for him for awhile. I am honest with him though and have told him how I feel about this lifestyle that he has chosen. God hates sin not sinners. So too should we.
2016-05-19 15:37:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is homosexuality such a big deal in the christian community? I am not gay but I hang out in the gay community and the amount of times I have heard that they have been judged and looked down on because of it.
Other people lie, cheat, steal, have sex before marriage and so on and it's not such a big deal for christians to reach out to them.
Let people live their own lives and leave them alone. Why would homosexuals want anything to do with a religion that treats them like crap?
2007-06-18 22:57:47 · answer #4 · answered by soundofsettling 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those who "struggle" with same sex attraction should be encouraged to accept and love themselves "as they are" just as the Lord does. If a Christian thinks they're being compassionate by convincing a gay person that they're sick and wrong and that they have to repress themselves for the rest of their lives, those "Christians" are NOT conveying the love and acceptance that God freely gives to all his children. A gay person shouldn't be told they can change and then figure out too late that they can't. They shouldn't be mislead and then let down after a life of failed attempts to be something other than what God made them.
2007-06-18 22:50:29 · answer #5 · answered by Lesbian & Uniterian 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I think Christians can most definitely reach out to homosexuals in love and compassion. I mean, yes, it is a sin to practice homosexuality. But it is also a sin to lie, steal, covet, commit adultery, I could go on and on. Who are we (Christians) to decide which sins are acceptable and which sins are not? Christians sin all the time, so I think the first step would be to let homosexuals know that they are no worse than the rest of us. Also, we could remind them that Jesus Christ died for sinners, not the righteous. The blood of Christ covers all sins, past, present, and future. God loves the homosexual every bit as much as He loves the rest of His creation. Peace.
2007-06-18 22:51:26 · answer #6 · answered by superfluity 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You have to treat them like anyone else unless you think you have some special nack for the issue. You said if they wanted to change. I would think that takes a lot of special knowledge and possibly personal experience, at least extreme empathy and can intuit a solution. Prayer is best as a two way conversation, then you can ask for direction. Who would know better.
2007-06-18 23:04:28 · answer #7 · answered by hb12 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I so it every day
It starts with tolerance and non judgment.
There isn't any way you are going to convince someone who's gay that they should change, and judgment only leads to them feeling guilt and more distant.
Love is the only answer. That and firmness. You are a friend, but not so much as you participate in anything that will compromise what you believe. like any rule you set out for your children or yourself. There are consequenses to pay for your actions.
dir :)
2007-06-18 22:54:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. When I was a musician, I ran into many homosexuals of both sexes (as you do in the arts), and disagreed with them all...when they asked me.
I've always felt that we can disagree with the life, but love the person. I can tell someone what I see and feel, they can be hurt, and still love me...God can do this through me, I can't do this by myself.
2007-06-18 22:48:52 · answer #9 · answered by stronzo5785 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel that these are form of addictions. Its not that they are born that way. Just as how people are tempted to lust, they have also started to lust and find it hard to come over it.
I was also addicted to a sin and God saved me,
Please read my life change here,
http://www.protectinghands.com/ladder_to_heaven.htm
I had also read this experience of 7 Columbian Youth who have seen Hell and people are there who have immoral sex and are cast because they did not repent and claim the victory of Jesus on the cross. http://www.insightsofgod.com/
God did not create us to damage our lives. He wanted us to be holy and pure. When we ask Him to help us out, He will, because He knows it is very hard for us without Him.
2007-06-18 23:13:26 · answer #10 · answered by Brinda 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋