Why do so man Christians speak out against homosexuality, but not against being rich and being Christian?

Question

Doesn't the bible say a camel can more easily pass through the eye of a needle, than a rich man can enter heaven? Why is one part of the bible deemed so important, and another is so often ignored?

If it's not a sin to be rich, what does this bible verse mean? Clearly, it says it's pretty impossible for a rich person to enter into heaven. Unless camels are getting through those needle eyes, now.

How can one insist that so much of the bible is "leteral truth" and then turn around and deny that when it's inconvenient. If we believe the bible is literal truth, and a it is absolutely impossible for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, then it must follow that it is impossible for a rich man to enter into heaven. Right?

sorry for typo, "literal", not "leteral"

How is it possible for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle? Are you completely unfamiliar with both needles and camels? If you have to distort your thinking enough to make your religion work, I'm glad I'm not apart of it.

flandargo: I did and foudn this

"The needle in Matthew and Mark is a rafic. In Luke it is a belone. But both are synonyms for needles used in sewing."

Answer 1

Because Christians think that what Leviticus says is more important than what Jesus said?

Sorry i can't think of another logical answer!

And to address what others have said, JC never said it was 'difficult' for a rich man to get into heaven he said a camel has a better chance entering the eye of a needle (which is impossible) then a rich man has of going to heaven. In other words it is according to JC that guy you pretend to believe in, harder than IMPOSSIBLE for a rich man to enter heaven.

Poverty is a christian virtue, being rich is a sin because by having more wealth then one needs you are depriving others of wealth. Every cent more than you need should go to good works like charity and helping others. I don't see how a christian who has read the bible could argue that being rich in a world where a huge proportion of people are starving is not immoral and a sin.

When Pastorart can show me a camel entering through the eye of a pin i'll believe he is not a gullible simpleton. He says they did not mean a sewing pin, but PastorArt obviously hasn't found the bible interesting enough to study it in its native language, i like other religion scholars, have.

The needle in Matthew and Mark is called a 'rafic' whilst in luke it is 'belone' both words point to a needle, though the latter refers to a surgeons needle rather than a sewing needle. Noone ever called the gate into jerusalem the 'needle' this is a fanciful legend created by wealthy christians who need to justify their own excesses.

If anyone can find a fact that counters this feel free, but i know you won't because i did all my research already! :)

Edit: Pastor i will make you a deal. Find one ancient jewish OR greek source (anywhere from 3000BC-200AD) that refers to this kind of 'needle' and i will take everything back and dedicate my life to your church. But first i will refer you to the ancient jewish midrash that Jesus was quoting when he made that speech

‘The Holy One said, open for me a door as big as a needle’s eye and I will open for you a door through which may enter tents and (camels?).

That is from Song of Songs, what kind of needle do you think it is talking about pastor?

There you go pastor, that's my good deed for the day, It is now your christian duty to actually go and do some real research as you have a chance at saving my soul.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Its not impossible for a camel to pass thru the eye of needle just difficult.

The Bible presecribes the death penalty for homosexual activity. That's how bad a sin God considers it to be.

Lev 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.

The Bible never says that being rich is sin, never.

It just says its more difficult for those with a lot of money.

The reason is that those people who have a lot of money often don't think that they really need God in their life.

And when Jesus was talking about how hard it was for a camel to pass the thru the eye of a needle, he was NOT talking about a sewing needle.

Matthew 19

23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"

When Jesus said this He was not speaking about a sewing needle. Back some 2,000 years ago many cities had walls to protect them from bandits and pirates. At night they would close and lock the gates of the city. However there was a door large enough for a man to walk thru but too small for a horse go to thru.

Camels were, the U-Haul trailers of that time period, and if you wanted to enter the city at night, you could unload your camel, then the camel could get down on its knees, rubbing its belly in the dirt, and the camel could inch its way thru the doorway large enough only for a man. This door way was called "The Eye of the Needle".

Once the camel got thru, you could haul, by hand all of your stuff thru that open door way and then re-load your camel.

That process took usually over an hour.

That's the process Jesus was talking about.

Very difficult but doable.

Jesus was not talking about a sewing needle.

Pastor Art

PS: Abraham was very rich. And he made it. Job was very rich and God bragged about how good he was.

Answer 4

Because they are becoming so rampant & society is accepting this as normal which is not! On the other hand, just because you are "rich" doesn't mean that you won't get into heaven. The danger there is if you put all your hopes & dreams & faith in money (ungodly mammon; wordly riches), then you won't make heaven your home. So what if some christians are rich, maybe God has blessed them to be so we don't know. The passing through the eye of a needle is speaking of humbleness & putting your faith into perspective. Casting off ungodly worldliness & humbling yourself, speaking of a position, a posture, of kneeling before God. Lastly, the reason why we speak against homosexuals is because it's wrong and infiltrating our society seeking to turn it upside down. The rich don't have this power, they just make their money and go back to their homes or go on vacation to Europe, or whatever they do with their money. While on the other hand, homosexuals seek to destroy the design of the family unit that was designed by God.

Answer 5

Jesus was refering to those rich men who are not believers yet. Most rich men are self-reliant, so it is hard for them to give up the control and believe in Jesus. They have no reason too.

I suppose you are questioning why rich Christians live in a high quality lifestyle. Is it right a a rich Christian to buy a Rolls-Royce rather than giving more to the poor and needy? Some Christians will say they have been blessed by God and even some say that if you are not rich you are not spiritually mature. I think God will ask what did you do with all the money I gave you. Would the rich Christians be able to justify their high luxury life? But then again if you look at the OT, most were very well to do.

Answer 6

It is not being RICH that is the problem, it is a rich man who has a love of money that is the problem. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil, not money itself. Rich people probably don't go to church as much as poorer people. But if the rich people praise God for their good fortune, give their 10%, then there is no problem.

That is why...now, if you would have re-worded your question to fit that. It is a big problem, I do not like greedy people. Also the bible hits on homosexuality many times. In Leviticus it talks about one man lying with another is a sin, Jesus said the act of marriage is for a man and a woman...etc. etc.

P.S. love the sinner hate the sin. It is not about the person but their acts. If the gay person can be celibate, doesn't act on lust, and when he does, repent...then it is no differen't than an unmarried straight person.

Answer 7

Regarding the "eye of a needle" debate, it seems to me that everyone so far has left out the most important part. Jesus makes His "eye of the needle comment" in three different scriptures, Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, and Luke 18:25. In each case the disciples ask him "who then can be saved?" It is Jesus' answer that ends this issue, whether the eye of the needle is a literal needle or a name for a small door. Jesus replies, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Even as difficult (in some cases, virtually impossible) as it would be for a wealthy person to completely set aside their wealth to follow Christ (as He instructed the rich, young ruler in another passage), God can still draw that person to Himself and bring them into the kingdom of heaven.
The Bible never says being wealthy is a sin. It is the love of money (over the love of God) that is the problem. Look at Solomon. He was one of the wealthiest men in the Bible, and it was because God blessed him with it. Why? Because God gave him one request, and instead of power or riches, he asked for wisdom to rule God's people. God gave him that and more because He was pleased with Solomon's answer. If being wealthy had been a sin, that would have never happened.
Regarding homosexuality, the Bible is clear on its stance on this issue, regardless how anyone tries to twist scripture to deny it. However, any judgment is to be left to God. Christians are told to judge themselves first, then worry about others. "Take the beam out of your own eye first. Then you can see to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
I disagree with the homosexual lifestyle because according to my beliefs it is wrong. That doesn't mean I hate gay people or that I'm homophobic. I've had friends who were gay before, but we both knew where the other stood, and left it alone. I have enough sins in my own life to deal with without having to worry about anyone else's.

Answer 8

VERY VERY GOOD POINT!!! . but u see you are talking about how society views rich people and how alot of christians view rich people. As a christian how can a person have loads of money when there are starving people with no food to eat halfway around the world?It all boils down to the contents of a persons heart.


When and if i ever become rich
i must use that money to make other peoples lives better.
If you can spread love and hope to your fellow human being then your making a true miracle. Money can be used for selfish purposes or unselfish purposes, its all about how u use it and the amount of love you have for other in your heart.

Answer 9

because now a day, most people believe money is the only way.

any way, Jesus never said it was impossible for a rich man to get into heaven. didn´t Jesus have a rich man as one of his disciples?

OK, you added some detail, now for me.
the eye of the needle is not the sewing needle, sorry, nope, its the little hole in the wall, like a door way. when the main gates of the city are closed, they have these little narrow and short passage ways for entrance. The camels would have to craw on their knees to enter the city.

do a little research, and you will see, its not impossible for a rich man to enter heaven, for it is not impossible for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle, but it is very hard :)

Answer 10

I'm talking from the point of view of an Jewish Christian who teaches Old Testament in Protestant church buildings. Mine is an proficient opinion. I've been learning Old and New Testament theology and historical past for forty years. Jesus used to be a Jew of the Second Temple Period, as had been all of the Apostles. Jesus made no try to modify the fundamental ethical teachings of Judaism; rather the opposite, He took them as a right and assumed they had been to be obeyed. Jesus found out a lot approximately the person of God, the Father. He criticized many matters that the devout leaders of His day obtained mistaken. And, He illustrated the affection and pleasure on the center of Judaism that others had neglected. But He didn't difference the fundamental ethical teachings. When He ascended to heaven, all of the matters that were sin beneath Judaism had been nonetheless sin. Adultery used to be nonetheless adultery; homicide used to be nonetheless homicide; robbery used to be nonetheless robbery; coveting used to be nonetheless coveting; and homosexuality used to be nonetheless homosexuality. Nobody even quite aware of Second Temple Judaism wonders why Jesus in no way acknowledged homosexuality. It's no longer a thriller. He did not point out it when you consider that it used to be unthinkable, and He had no purpose of replacing the ethical legislation. Nobody might have admitted to gay acts. Nobody might have dared devote them anyplace close a righteous Jew. Nobody might have requested whether or not they had been appropriate; they knew flawlessly good that they weren't.