thoughts please?

Question

just seen this article on YA news in regards to Christianity and homophobia
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20071118/tuk-tutu-criticises-gay-obsession-6323e80_1.html
please if you read the link.... go back to the USA section of R&S as this is a UK link

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has criticised his own church for being "obsessed" with homosexuality.

The South African Nobel laureate said God "must be weeping" at seeing that the Church had such misplaced priorities. He also criticised the present Archbishop of Canterbury for not demonstrating the attributes of a "welcoming God".

Speaking to Michael Buerk for a special Radio 4 programme, Archbishop Tutu, 76, said: "Our world is facing problems - poverty, HIV and Aids - a devastating pandemic, and conflict. God must be weeping looking at some of the atrocities that we commit against one another. In the face of all of that, our Church, especially the Anglican Church, at this time is almost obsessed with questions of human sexuality

I do think he is making very bold and brave statements here
but he has very very valid points

ecterbob.... please dont ever think that

do unto others is a wonderful rule to live by xx

Answer 1

I agree. God must be weeping. My husband is from a very devout Church of Christ family. They are good clean country folks. You could not meet a more conservative group, but it does not prevent them from being warm, welcoming and loving. When he hears people ranting about homosexuals he just shakes his head. It is not the religion his grandpap taught him.
I think they have chosen this issue rather than any of the others, because it can be turned in to an "US" and "THEM" scenario. That frees people from compassionate action. If modern day Christians turned their attention to the real issues, they'd be faced with the conviction to do something about them. The power and hope of a world of "US" working together is daunting. I think they are avoiding it through the red herring of homosexuality Its the darker side of human nature. I don't think it is the fault of their religion. It certainly isn't what a loving creator would want from his children.

Answer 2

OK, some thoughts. If a Muslim or a Hindu, (or anyone from another faith or none, rich or poor, prostitute, homosexual whatever) were to come along to services I feel all Christians have an obligation to welcome them and not discriminate against them, (James 2). This also chimes with the way that Jesus met and accepted people his own Jewish society rejected. This itself is a core Christian value as the Rt Rev Tutu says.
Now, if the people who come wish to do so, they can begin to participate in our faith. However, our faith is not 'pick and mix' is has core spiritual values and norms those who participate in the faith accept. That doesn't mean that our core values and norms are beyond challenge, they do need to stand scrutiny from the scriptures, historical reality etc.
What I do not accept is the idea that the core values and norms of our faith are subject to review by the surrounding society. They are not and they never will be.
In the past, Christians have forfeited their lives rather than burn a pinch of incense on an altar to an emperor, because this would have violated one of their core beliefs about idolatry and worshipping Jesus alone. Today the issue of sexual norms is in the same category. Why should the faith compromise a core value, just because some loud 'political correctness' emperor demands it?
I think it is very good to welcome and help people who are experiencing all sorts of problems, but it would be a disaster to lose our identity by compromising who we are and what we believe in, just to conform with the changing norms of society.
Unfortunately, I think it is too late. That disaster has already happened.

Answer 3

the ten commandments were given to moses as gods laws, everything else has been written by man. todays church's are complaining about dwindleing numbers, is it any wonder, when they are excluding members because of laws laid down by PEOPLE, not god, if they dont start catchin up with the times and excepting that their dogma is man made there will be no church left. any of there church's in the area where i live are made up of older people, and most of those are of pension age, a complete lack of young members. maybe it's time for the church to ask why this is so. maybe if they started listening to people like Bish Tutu the numbers would start to increase again.

Answer 4

Homosexuality is clearly not the norm. If it was then the human race would simply cease to exist after a generation. If it is not the norm then it is a perversion, God created man for woman and visa versa. It is very simple and easy to find in the bible. There will be no homosexuals is heaven. However when God accepts them as his children they will change into what he first envisaged man/woman to be like.
Mr Tutu has simply stated his opinion and that is all it is....in this case he is wrong.

Answer 5

I agree with Desmond Tutu....there are far greater issues:- Unfair Trade, People Trafficking, Global Warming, etc (To be fair the number of Christians so active is out of proportion to their numbers in society)

Answer 6

Pangel, I struggle all the time with my church's stand on several issues. I know what the Bible says, I know what my heart says, I even know what my gay Christian friends say the Bible says. So for now, I just go with "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If applied with courage, that goes a long way. BTW, if you've got something against Christians, I'll stop bothering you. Blessings to you.

Answer 7

Blurring the lines between right and wrong...

No I think that Mr. Tutu has his priorities correct and the others are stuck in dogma and don't want to leave it. Mr. Tutu shows more compassion for his fellow humans than his peers.

Answer 8

It's a pity that mankind cannot rise above all of this. It's everywhere. It causes me to ponder about the intentions within a person's heart. God doesn't weep for us. He makes no mistakes. It's man who's screwing up here. No one else to blame. No devil, just the evil intentions of the hearts of men, and I have to include women as well. Why are people so obssessed with sexual orientation?

Answer 9

Archbishop Desmond Tuto gets my respect'
there are those' who do not stand up' for what they represent
Frightened of public scorn, ???
Right or wrong; this man came out with the teachings of his
moral conviction

Answer 10

Thanks for bringing this up, you get a star. Tutu deserves another Nobel peace prize for his continued work at teaching others the worth and dignity of people who differ from them.
His respect for all of humanity is a breath of fresh air in this world. If I had one wish for humanity it would be that all people have as open a mind and as clear a focus as he surely does.