Is it wrong for a Christian to have gay and bi friends?

Question

I'm Christian, and I try to worship God in all things. One thing that I clash with a lot of my Christian friends over is that I have gay and bi friends. They say I'm wrong for being friends with people who are blatantly disobeying God's commandments, but I don't think it's wrong, because God calls us to love all people, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or sexual preferences.

I don't believe that being gay (or bi) is right, but I also don't judge people if they are, because I believe that it is something that is between that person and God. My view is that, regardless of how wrong a person may be, God didn't put us here to judge, but to love.

How else can we reach out to them, and bring them to Christ, if we won't associate with them because they're 'messed up' or 'lost'? It's not like Christians are perfect either, so like Jesus said, in John 8:7, '...Let he who is without sin among you, cast the first stone...'

Am I wrong for believing this? Am I wrong for having gay friends?

Answer 1

No. They need salvation as much as anyone and maybe more.

Answer 2

Absolutely Christians can be gay/bi -- depending on the denomination -- it may be accepted. If he is from an evangelical subgroup however, and gay, and young -- then yes, he will be deeply closeted, and terrified. They set up special camps and use guilt and shame and attack techniques, threats -- the whole 9 yards, to try to "change" their gay kids. Kind thoughts, Hermes Added notation: Notice how some people who presume all Christians have beliefs identical to theirs happily are noting that he might be gay, but it would be a sin. I know MANY Christians who do not think homosexuality is a sin. Some have it as a doctrinal position of their churches that it isn't, actually -- such as the United Church of Christ (UCC). I've added a link to their site (do NOT confuse them with the Church of Christ, the United in their name makes all the difference) and also a link to an anti-fundamentalist site below.

Answer 3

Loving people and seeking to lead them to Christ is not the problem, and something we should do. However, you must keep in mind, 1 Cor. 15:33 (NKJV)
Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."
Just look at some of the answer to your post, they've been fooled into thinking it's okay to be friends with fornicators. Are you friends with men who cheat on their wives? Strippers? Pedophiles?

Judging is one thing (determining who should be forgiven and who should not); judgment (discernment) is another. Your friends who say you shouldn't are not making judgment, God has already done that. When you proclaim the truth, that is not judgment, that is preaching the Word.

"Hate the sin, love the sinner" they say, does not mean to "throw your pearls before swine."Matthew 7:6 (NIV)
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

As a Church we should be much stronger than we are, feast upon the word and you will know what to do.

Answer 4

Wow. You really have a good point on here. My step-mother is a (pardon the parenthesis) "born again Christian". But she has also told my brother, who jokes around about being gay, (I know it's not a joke and I'm not making fun of people being gay or bi. Neither is he. He just knows it makes my step-mother mad.) But anyways, like I said, it makes her SO MAD! She actually told him that if he is gay, she will no longer allow him in the house or let him bring over his "boyfriend". It really baffles me because, just like you said, God tells us to love all people. So if that's what we are supposed to do, then why are all these people that claim to be a Christian judging so many others. I am actually in the same boat you are in. I was raised as a Christian and I have a couple of gay guy friends and there is nothing wrong with having a gay friend, in my perspective. Thank you for posting that God didn't put us here to judge, but to love. I have tried to make that a very good point in one of my other answers. So many people that claim to be Christians, all they do is namecall. So, sorry to make this so long, but you are not wrong for having gay friends!!

Answer 5

It's wrong to judge others. Your friends should understand that it's not your job to judge. I am also a Christian and I have gay friends. I see nothing wrong with this. We will ALL have to answer for our sins. I'm sure your friends (the "Christian" ones) sin every day as well so they have no right to judge.
Our God made it clear that we are to love our neighbor. He didn't say just they neighbor that you agree with. Stick with the 10 commandments and just do the best you can and you will be okay.

Answer 6

The bible says for a yoked person not to be with an unyoked person,and there is no light were there is darkness.You have good points,but we can reach out to the lost without putting ourselves in the middle of there sin. We as Christians shouldn't give the lost any kind of idea that what there doing is okay either.It is a very touchy situation pray about it,and God bless you.

Answer 7

I agree with you. Would you think that your friends would tell you not to associate with prostitutes or people with leopracy? Then they would think the Jesus was wrong to hang out with these people. They would know more than Jesus?
Many Christian churches do not condemn gays, lesbians or bisexual people. That doen't mean they are bad Christians. They may even be more Christ-like by being more compassionate.
Keep doing what you are doing, I think you are on the right path.

Answer 8

Love the sinner, but hate the sin. God did say to love your neighbor, so your doing just as you should. Ignore what your other friends say, and keep in mind "He who is without sin cast the first stone". Your Christian friends are in no position to judge your gay, and bi friends.

Answer 9

Christ's friends were the lowest of the low. He spent time with tax collectors, murderers, thieves and adulterers. He loved them all and never once scolded them the way most Christians feel they have to do now. He loved them and showed them the truth through His love.

I think the fact that you have gay friends makes you more Christian than the average homophobic "Christian" who thinks his love for Christ and his hatred for homosexuals can actually live in the same heart.

Answer 10

That's one of those areas of Christian life that are between the individual believer and God. It also depends upon what influence you are having on their lives and what impact they might be having on your life.

Jesus hung around with tax collectors and sinners but He was there to share the gospel message and to model right behavior. He wasn't there to approve of their sins or to join them in their coarse jesting or other sinful activities.

Are you being like Jesus in your friendships with gay and bi people?

Answer 11

sounds good to me, as long as this is not an area of weakness to you, and that YOU are the one that influences the environment, not them having influence over you.

Whenever Jesus Was hanging out with us sinners, he was always the focuss, and the key influencer in the group,

otherwise, they will influence your world view and your faith.

Keep the order correct and your doing what Jesus Does

in saying that, we can learn something useful from everybody we meet, and all we need to do is love people, and God will take care of the rest. Bless you for caring.