We know that Jesus told us to love everybody. He didn't specify only one kind of person worthy of His love. Our duty as Christians is to love everybody. (John 13:34, John 13:35, John 15:12, John 15:17, just to scratch the surface.)
So if a gay or lesbian person came to your church and wanted to participate, but did not see a need to change or hide his/her sexuality, would that person be excluded from experiencing Jesus's love through your church?
So if a woman who was planning on getting an abortion came to your church, would she be excluded?
Who would your church exclude? Is your church only for the "righteous"?
2007-10-15 15:15:57 · 12 answers · asked by Acorn 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think that will tell you how unchristian a church or person is, by the people they decide can't know Jesus or can't go to their churches.
2007-10-15 15:19:30 · answer #1 · answered by BerserkKirk 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The problem is that you are judging them and the one to judge is not on earth. We are to accept people at their face value. To take communion in my church all you have to do is come in and sit down. We do not judge you, it is between you and God. For a woman to have an abortion simply to not have another child is wrong but to save her life, I see it different. For me which is more important the mother or the child? As long as a person is not trying to pick up someone in the church as a lover but is there to worship the Lord, why not. Church is for the sinner, not only the righteous.
2007-10-15 16:32:06 · answer #2 · answered by Coop 366 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't attend church. I think any and all of those people should be there as much as they want to be there. Church is a place where people should go to learn about the word of God. Those that are not ill do not need to be in a hospital
2007-10-15 15:33:19 · answer #3 · answered by wrench'n away 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a young boy I learned the golden rule, alittle later I was taught that God loves the sinner not the sin. The problem that perplexes me is that certain groups seem to demand I accept what I believe to be sinfiul behavior or accuse me of rejecting the person entirely. It is not my job to change them ,I believe God and the individual are the only ones that cin effect any lasting change in the individual. My part is to accept people as they are,yet not to be a prop for any behavior I believe ungodly.
T4
2007-10-15 23:55:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would do my very best to be inclusive. I'm not saying I'm completely without prejudice. I am compelled and commanded to show and emulate the love of Christ to gays, lesbians, someone who is thinking of abortion, who has had an abortion, doctors who perform abortions. Also to illegal immigrants, gang bangers, the homeless.
I don't do these to the extent that I should. Or maybe, would like to. But at the very very least, I can pray for the love of Christ to be revealed to these people. That love, in general, be shown to them and become fortified because of it.
With Regards and respects
2007-10-16 02:29:09 · answer #5 · answered by Green is my Favorite Color 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My church would not exclude anyone. God loves all of these types of people you have described and He is the judge of their actions, not our church. And if these individuals continued to come to our church, they would begin to see and know His amazing love and would desire all that He wants for their lives, which would include turning from their sins. It IS our duty as Christians to love everyone, but it is also our duty to minister to those who "do not see a need to change". And it is always the sinner's choice to decide whether to acknowledge their sins as sins and allow God to help them make changes in their lives, or to not.
2007-10-15 15:47:49 · answer #6 · answered by blessed1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Our church tries not to discriminate or judge....there is only one worthy to hold that position.....and he sits at the right hand of God.....Jesus you know went against the grain in his short time on earth.....he healed the lepers, one of which was a Samaritan and not considered clean, that is why he did not go with the nine others for the priests to pronounce him clean after Jesus healed them. He talked to Prostitutes (the woman at the well), he ate with tax collectors....in our strive to follow Jesus our church chooses to set aside individual opinions and be "Pro Human". Jesus came after all to save the sinners. Hmmmm looks like the ticket fits us All....
2007-10-15 16:29:33 · answer #7 · answered by Sage 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The way I see things is that Jesus loved everybody...He just doesn't love sin. So for me no matter what the circumstance may be, I love all people not their sin! Now as far as churches are concerned...idk...maybe you should talk to some preachers or priests or something!
2007-10-15 15:24:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Since God created us as gay people, those who exclude us from their churches on this basis are rejecting God's children. The good news is that salvation is not based on attending a church which promotes homophobia. It's based on a personal relationship with Christ and God.
2007-10-15 23:40:51 · answer #9 · answered by Michael B - Prop. 8 Repealed! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Catholicism dictates that only those not living in mortal sin may recieve Communion. Living in mortal sin means done something VERY bad to offend God. This does not mean little white lies to family or friends or something equally as tiny, but the BIG things -- like homosexuality and abortion, which are both seen as huge sins in the eyes of Catholics. The gay/lesbian person and the woman who had an abortion are both allowed to attend Church, but, living in mortal sin, they are not allowed to recieve the Holy Sacrament.
They may participate in Mass again as soon as they are absolved by the priest, by going to confession.
I hope this answers your question.
2007-10-15 15:21:58 · answer #10 · answered by Keyne 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋