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Question

why are so many people still against gays/lesbians? i used to be a strong christian, but not anymore. and im straight, but i still support the gay/lesbian community. i just dont understand why churchs/religions cant accept it. i mean some gay communities actually go and make a church just for gay people because others wont accept them. i know that people say its a sin and its not right. but every sin is equal. no matter what it is. and God made them that way. so why dont church and people that believe accpet them? what do you think?

i just think that god forgives everyone no matter what they do. and he accpets and loves everyone right? so, if he can accpet gays/lesbians..why cant the church? and people said that there are churches that let anybody come. and then tell the gay/lesbians that they need to stop and change. shouldnt they just allow to go to church to pray/worship god? i understand people believe that being gay/lesbian is a sin. but once you sin you cant really take it back. you can repent, but its not like..you kill someone. and take it back. so if you are gay..then you are gay. you cant say sorry god..and then the next day be straight. there are alot of churches that do that. just let them be free and be whoever they are. and another thing that gets me..is that some christians saying that being gay is disgusting and "yucky". and then you turn around and call yourself holy. that are some of the reasons why i stopped going

Answer 1

I agree. I was under the impression that in Christian theology a sin is a sin no matter how big or small and that's that in the eyes of God. I think *(many) of the Christians are kidding themselves when they protest it so vehemently on the grounds that its against God. If that was the whole truth of it, wouldn't they also have large protest rallies demanding we all stop overeating or flipping each other off on the freeway or worshiping gods other than their own? (And I know these things happen but not to the extent that anti-homosexual protests are happening) I propose instead that it is not necessarily a matter or religion but a matter of that same old someone being "different from me" scenario. And lets face it, sex is an extremely intimate subject for many of us and is already one of those areas that is taboo on many levels, making the difference that much more dramatic.

I think that as long as 'they' use religion to back up their childish "you're different so that means your scary" mentality, those within the "subcultures" will have to continue their uphill battle for equality.

Answer 2

I would hope that if I were sinning as a straight person doing whatever thing you can come up with, that my church would eventually come to me and say Trish you are not living right and you need to change, if you cannot change you should go somewhere else...this of course would be after having been helped and cared for but continually rejectting the change or support...there is a time for enough. Now if a gay person were living a life of abstinace I would hope they could be helped and accepted not turned away.

Answer 3

1) "Against" - Christian scripture teaches us that homosexuality is a sin which prevents the practitioners from obtaining salvation. Thus, Christians are supposed to be against homosexuality (equally, drunkenness and fornication). As mentioned by so many other answers, we are *not* supposed to be against homosexuals - just the homosexuality. Paul makes it very plain in these scriptures that some of the Christians of that day *used* to be homosexuals, and it should be the desire of Christians that homosexuals give up this sinful conduct which prevents them from being Christian and become brothers and sisters in Christ.

2) Support: Therefore, for a Christian to support the "gay/lesbian community" would be the same as a Christian supporting drunkenness or fornication. We should support the effort to change these individuals, but we should not support the sin of these individuals.

3) Gay churches: by this, you can see why there are "gay churches". Scripture is very clear that homosexuals cannot obtain salvation - only *ex*-homosexuals. We are not even to associate with self-proclaimed Christians who participate in these salvation-denying sins. On the other hand, scripture specifically mentions that it is not forbidden to associate with homosexuals who do not claim Christianity (in hopes that they might convert).

4) "Every sin is equal"
1Co 6:9-11
9. Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
10. nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11. And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.

1Jo 5:16-17
16. If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.
17. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.

Thus, scripture makes it *very* plain that not all sin is equal. Some sin prevents the sinner from inheriting the kingdom of God (i.e. eternal life), and others (the same, perhaps?) are so severe that scripture does not recommend that Christians pray that the sin be forgiven!

5) "God made them that way"
This is not true. Even if you accept the unproven theory that homosexuals are born with homosexual tendencies (and I do not), homosexuals are *not* born committing homosexual acts. I once knew a man who was a reformed homosexual pedophile. He admitted to me that he still had "urges" and asked my help. Although I did not know what to tell him (except to pray and seek better guidance than me), it was clear that, as long as he avoided that sin, he was no longer a pedophile, but rather an ex-pedophile sincerely making an effort to avoid that sin. Did God make him a pedophile? I think that you will agree that He did not. How then, homosexuality?

6) "why don't church and people believe that"
As mentioned, there is no firm evidence for such a thing. What you're asking is, "Why don't churches and people agree with my personal opinion?"

Conclusion:
1) Scripture teaches us that homosexuality prevents a person from attaining salvation - but not only homosexuality. These salvation-preventing sins *must* be put away before a person can become a Christian. This is scriptural.
2) Christians are not permitted to associate with Christians actively involved in salvation-preventing sin. This, too, is scriptural. Naturally, Christians should not "support" these sins or their enactment.
3) Christians *are* supposed to accept the non-Christians who are involved in such sin in order that they may be taught the will of God in this matter and be given the opportunity for salvation. This, too, is scriptural.

If this seems "judgmental", remember - it is the bible, not we, who have declared this judgment.

Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com

Answer 4

Christians HAVE TO look down on someone. Its a part of the WE verses THEM mentality. It allows them to feel superior, giving them their SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Actually, it is a precept of man that homosexuality is a sin. The only tenet in any of the OT covanents that gives any indication of it being a no-no is Leviticus. Though if a person actually does read Leviticus, a person FIRST has to offer up a Peace Offering sacrifice just to enter into the covanent and they have to uphold each and every tenet of it to remain a part of it.

In 1 Samual 18, essentially the text is saying the David and Jonathan were 'married', under the old definitons. All of the qualifying factors are present to define marriage, the vows, the knitting of souls, the Love, and even the cleving---leaving your family and going to another Christians like to claim that they were 'just friends', but I don't know too many str8 friends, that strip NAKED in front of another, professes their UNDYING LOVE, then go home with them, and live with them UNLESS they are 'SPECIAL" friends.

One should also note, that in neither the aramaic nor the koptic greek, the old languages that the scriptures were written in, actually had a word that meant 'homosexual' Granted, they did have many words and phases that described homosexual behavior, but not an acutal word that meant homosexual. One should be leery of any translation/revision of the scriptures that has the word 'homosexual' in it.

Under the old defintion of sin, its only a transgress if a person violates what they had vowed to their god to uphold. Back in the day when a person reached adulthood usually 13yo, they would take part in a religious ceremony where they would vow to their god each and every tenet of their covanent or contract with their god(s).

Deut 23:21-23 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

If ya didn't vow to uphold something, you couldn't be guilty of sin. Which is why a man cannot judge another guilty of sin, onl the SPIRIT can do that, since a man cannot know what another vowed to uphold. Hheheee a homosexual would have to be pretty twisted to vow to their god NOT to gay.

Christians unfortunately changed the definition of sin in the 7th century since it contradicted the christian precept that 'everyone is a sinner'. The former definition was why sinners were so vile in the OT scriptures, since they just didn't do something bad they LIED to their OWN god. IF a sinner is willing to LIE and DEFY their OWN god, truth is NOTHING is sacred to them. IF a sinner is willing to LIE and DEFY their OWN god, its not like a mere human can expect moral behavior form a sinner.

According to the biblical gospel of Matthew, there is only ONE transgression that is NOT forgiveable, denying the SPIRIT. Hheeheee though denying 'Jesus' according to 'Jesus' to okay.

Mat 12:32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Answer 5

I agree with you in that gays and lesbians should be accepted and loved by Christians. This however does not change the fact that their sexual conduct is a sin and an abomination to God and, this is often forgotten, has a demoralizing effect on society as a whole. This is really not that difficult to understand, love the sinner, but do not accept their sin as something natural.

Answer 6

Read your Bible.

It says nothing against gays as persons.

It is the lifestyle that is the problem.

Practicing homosexuals are condemned by the Bible and, therefore by Jews, Christians and Muslims who follow these tenets.

My best friend in High School was gay. (he died) I loved him like a brother but can not condone his lifestyle.

If this is such an issue to you, you need to question your relationship with Jesus. Jesus loved everyone but also said that those guilty of the law would be judged.

Hard choices.

Answer 7

im christian. I support gays. I don't agree with their choice but that's my own belief. I can't live their lives through me. Funny thing with Christianity is that we try to teach peace, love and harmony to induvisuals, but when it comes down to gays/lebs...we don't want to have anything to do with a person or we throw the bible in someones faces. Half of the thing the church does, we cannot say Jesus would do the same even though we try.

I speak for some people...not all

Answer 8

Sometimes I think that some people aren't happy unless they have someone else to judge. It takes the focus of them and their shortcomings. I don't understand either why so many Christians hate/ fear/ disapprove of gay people. The few that I know are in loving relationships and have always been willing to help me and my family if needed. Just as in the straight community there are those who are sexually deviant or maybe even criminal. But it is stupid to say all gay people are that way, just as it would be stupid to say that of all straight people. So again, I think it comes down to judgment for the sake of ignoring personal faults.

Answer 9

Love the person and hate the sin, homosexuality is unacceptable and an abomination in God's eyes and such ones practicing such things have no place in God's Kingdom. Anyone intentionally sinning will be destroyed, and those who consent to doing of wrong are just as guilty.

Answer 10

That is a difficult question to answer, but it raises another question as to why it is even an issue in the first place. Too many are under the impression that either God or the church created marriage - the family institution. As we study history we know this isn’t true. On the surface, gay relationships appear to run counter to the marriage concept.

Specifically, marriage is purely created by man, and is in no means bad, in fact, it has been the best means for establishing the greatest social concept, family. It stands at the forefront for the continuation of growth – procreation, which happens, as we all know, between two people of the opposite sex. The intentions behind marriage are to establish cooperation, codependence, and continuation.

Many either fail to remember or have yet learned is that when we die and pass on from this world to the next, we neither marry nor are given into marriage. Religious institutions continue to argue over this issue, on one side they say marriage and intimate relationships are to be only between men and women, while on the other side they preach that we don’t marry in heaven.

In regards to passing on from this world to the next Jesus said, "you know that the sons of this world can marry and are given in marriage, but you do not seem to understand that they who are accounted worthy to attain the worlds to come, through the resurrection of the righteous, neither marry nor are given in marriage. Those who experience the resurrection from the dead are more like the angels of heaven, and they never die. These resurrected ones are eternally the sons of God; they are the children of light resurrected into the progress of eternal life. And even your Father Moses understood this, for, in connection with his experiences at the burning bush, he heard the Father say, `I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And so, along with Moses, do I declare that my Father is not the God of the dead but of the living. In him you all do live, reproduce, and possess your mortal existence."

So I don’t know why religious institutions are even concerned. Religion is purely about the relationship between the individual and God. The relationships between two people will never be about religion, but religion reveals that family is a necessity for growth to happen within an individual and growth transpires between all people no matter the age, sex, or race.

A funny analogy of this is at the time when Jesus was living, just as the Jewish people placed themselves ahead of the gentile people so does the church with the Gay community.

In my opinion, God does not see a homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, or celibate. He doesn’t see the stigma or title that is placed on an individual by others. What he sees is a child – a son of a vast family, one with potential, who will someday know him and be like him.