I don't want to choose between them. How can I reconcile the differences? They are truly good, decent, kind people. How can that be wrong?
2007-07-01 17:40:30 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Response to "watchman"- You couldn't be more wrong. I'm not baiting anyone for an argument here. Lets not be so defensive. Its an honest question.
2007-07-01 17:51:13 · update #1
God does not want you to judge. You are supposed to treat them like equals. I am Catholic to it is wrong in my religion, bet let god do the judging.
2007-07-01 17:43:27 · answer #1 · answered by Allison S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian and according to the Bible, homosexuality is a sin. But so are many, many other things. You don't have to approve of everything someone does to love them. One of my very best friends is a lesbian. She is a wonderful person and I hope that our differences never come between us. She is aware of how I feel about it but we don't discuss it.
The biggest problem I have found with this situation is making the decision on whether or not to stand up in her wedding.
I don't support her lifestyle and I don't participate in it. She wants to frequent gay bars and places that cater to that particular group of people and I just don't go with her.
Just be a good friend without compromising your own beliefs. If your opinion is asked, give it. If not try not to.
Good luck =)
2007-07-02 00:46:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not wrong for them to be good, decent people. It's okay for you to like them and appreciate them as human beings. That doesn't mean you have to condone their sin.
You probably have other friends and acquaintances who live sinful lifestyles, but you still share their company. It's no different. Just pray for them, and don't participate in their sin. That doesn't mean you have to preach at them; that probably wouldn't be the best approach in any case. If the subject of how your faith views their homosexuality comes up, be honest, but tell them that it's not your place to judge them. "The Bible says homosexuality is a sin. I believe the Bible, but that doesn't make me your judge. What you believe and do is between you and God. I value your friendship."
2007-07-02 00:48:59 · answer #3 · answered by hoff_mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you don't have to feel bad about being their friend. religion is usually about tolerance and forgiveness above all else. u can b their friend and not agree with their lifestyle, actually it would probably prove alot to ur friends if u keep the friendship. i'm sure most of the religious ppl they come into contact with just judge them and push their intolerance on them. u can break that by proving that religion is about love and forgiveness. i'm not sure what religion u r, but if u read any of the stories about Jesus (one of the main Christian figures) then you can learn that he didn't care about anyone's lifestyle he was all about friendship and just being a good person. so if Jesus can do it, then so can u.
2007-07-02 00:50:34 · answer #4 · answered by nichole f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christ never said anything against homosexuality. You may be thinking Paul represents the religion - he doesn't. Furthermore, the science really does point to their not having a lot of choice in the matter. The choice isn't between believing God or science, it's between believing Paul - who was, after all, a man - or your own conscience.
2007-07-02 01:04:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love the sinner, not the sin. If I were in your situation, I would treat them just like I would anybody else, but if they ever brought up their lifestyle and asked what I thought about it, I would be honest and tell them that I don't believe in it, but that is their choice to live like that, but I was their friend and would always be. I would then pray for them.
2007-07-02 08:29:03 · answer #6 · answered by Caleb's Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to choose between them. Your religion might say that their sexual prefrences are wrong but you don't have to become gay yourself.
Religions are about tolerance, kindness and happiness.
If your religion won't tolerate you being friends with people of a different culture you probably need to examine it's basic principles.
2007-07-02 00:45:48 · answer #7 · answered by tracingmarshmellows 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible states that God hates sin, but loves the sinner. God calls you to love those around us, but we are to hate any lifestyle that is against His divine word and plan. You should certainly love your friends and be there for them. Love them and teach them by your example. Let them see God's love in you. When you do this, they will see that you love them and that the lifestyle they are living is wrong. Stand firm and strong in your conviction that their lifestyle is wrong, but help them see the way God meant it to be. Hope this helps.
2007-07-02 01:10:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What does your religion tell you to do with respect to gay people? Mine tells me to love them.
I have a friend and he's gay and been gay as long as I have known him. I don't see him often so it's not a sticky situation, but it's no more of a sin for him to be gay than for me to be a glutton, which I admit I am and I have to continually fight against. I don't know whether my Friend fights against his gayness or not, but that's between him and God. He knows that I believe that practicing a homosexual life style is a sin because that's what it says in the Bible. That's all I have to do is be sure he knows it.
2007-07-02 00:47:12 · answer #9 · answered by William D 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Dear Ultraviolet,
I agree with all of the above. It is not for you to judge. As long as they do not cause you to act against what you believe in, then, for you there is no wrong.
And if you truly believe that it is wrong to be the way they are, then live honestly, kindly, and in all actions strive to live to your highest standards.
fox
no one can keep you from carrying god in your heart
2007-07-02 00:47:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋