do you think its time for christians to drop the debate on homosexuality and...?

Question

put their focus on worse problems?

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_111807WAB_sex_abuse_setlement_SW.1795924d.html

seriously. so much time is spent keeping homosexuals out of the church, why cant that time be spent keeping child molesters and sexual predators out? dont you think the time spent hating gays could be put toward better uses?

there was even a story from a couple months ago of multiple molestations in a church. and there was this incident where a couple of girls (11 and 12) played a trick on their youth teacher, they put shaving cream on the ladies door handles (to her car) and in her purse and some other stuff. well she took some car oil and poured it on the kids, the kids thought it was water so they had their eyes open and looking up at her as she poured it on them.

what in the world is wrong with christians. (i know this isnt all christians but how can such a loving religion produce such people?)

would it really be so bad if churches ran background checks on people they put into positions with power? and then monitor the ones that need it?

look at the people who suffer due to the negligence of the church. =\

Answer 1

I agree. Child molestation is pure evil and needs to be addressed. When it comes to consenting adults who are gay or lesbian, this should be the least of their worries in my view.

Answer 2

Some churches do make background checks. But the truth is, listening to the message from the Pastors are what people ought to be doing, sex offender or not. So to exclude them from church would be quite unnatural for a church to do. Some churches keep them in away from the congregation, but they still worship as well, as I believe they should.

As far as the homosexual debate, I am just getting stated. I am continually defending them against the Pharisaical of the church, who preach a different Gospel, which is not another really, but a legalistic approach; they think that certain people are too sinful to hear the Gospel. As long as they are around, I will take them to the test.

But you are right, there are things that Christians find themselves doing which are not in accord to the message of Jesus Christ, and they need to drop it.

Answer 3

That is one GOOD reason for church membership-- they have classes at some churches so you can become a member, and they always want to talk to people and find out more about them before they let them work in the Sunday school or become part of the staff. ( which is always smart because you never know what people bring into the church these days) I do not want some wacko teaching my child's Sunday school class!
I think churches should be inviting and definately hope that any sinner would come to church and hear God's message--we should not be telling them to stay out of church- what point would that make? People NEED to hear God's word! But yeah I would definately want those INVOLVED in my church to be right on with God-- not living in continual sin and teaching my child false doctrine or anything....that is why it is always good to go through some type of class or speak to the Pastor one on one and the Pastor should have some really good questions for that person before they become involved ( as far as administrative or teaching) in that church.

Answer 4

What is "the debate" on homosexuality?

For you, is the debate whether or not sodomy is a sin?

If so, you are unlikely to get Christians to "drop" the debate and say that sodomy is not a sin. The Bible identifies certain behaviors as "sin" and other behaviors as sin in certain circumstances. Same gender sexual relations are in the first category. They are described in the Bible as an "abomination."

Consequently, any Bible-believing Christian will view sodomy as a sinful act. If you ask them to do otherwise, you ask them to negate their belief in the Bible as the Word of God. Not likely to happen....even if the majority of people feel differently.

Do you think the "debate" has been won if the majority of people feel that sodomy is not a sin? If so, does that mean that everyone else is wrong and they should get in line with the majority? This would certainly be intolerant.

Or do you think the debate is whether or not Christians should condemn and shun homosexuals?

It is here where Christians often find themselves at odds with the Bible. After all, the Bible says that judgment is God's responsibility....not ours.

The Bible also says that we are ALL sinners. Specifically, the Bible says we are all to love God with all our strength and love our neighbors as ourselves. Any Christian that tells you he does both of these at all times is either a liar or a fool.

The Bible doesn't say to hate homosexuals. On the contrary, it says to love them. But the Bible does say to hate sin. This would make it incumbent on Christians to love the homosexuals they encounter but not to encourage their sexual behavior.

Here is the problem. The Bible says that if a believer among you is sinning, you are to show them their sin and encourage them to repent. If the person does not repent (after repeated attempts) they are to exclude that person from their community of faith.

Homosexuals that do not view sodomy as a sin are not likely to repent. Churches that call them on it are then faced with some difficult choices:
o accept their behavior as not sinful (and go against the Bible), or
o expel the homosexuals from their faith community (and appear to be cold and judgmental to others) or
o allow homosexuals to stay but continue to preach that sodomy is a sin.

The last option doesn't satisfy extremists on either side of the debate. It may, however, be the most honest. After all, if all unrepentant sinners were kicked out of the church...all the churches would be empty!!!

Regarding the molestations and cruel punishments you mentioned.....what do they have to do with Christianity and the debate on homosexuality? Seems like a random addition to your original question to me.

Answer 5

When I think about the amount of time, money, and resources that some so-called "Christians" put into making sure that certain people are denied rights, it really makes me sick. But I take it as a further proof that just because you exploit the generally-agreed-upon symbolism of all that is good and holy, that doesn't mean you're good and holy yourself - in fact, quite the contrary.

Answer 6

That's just ONE MORE REASON why I "LOVE" christianity...
It's so loving and tolerant to everybody...

Apart from other interesting "christian mentalities", hating people who are bisexual/gay is apparently one of their favorite occupation...

And that article... if it's true... WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW, CHRISTIANS???

Back to the gays...
It's been there, it's in the Bible, it's in their heads and it's not going to change very much, unless the people THEMSELVES realize they have to accept sexual behaviors like that. It's natural. I read an article about homosexuality occurring to animals too. God creates creatures that are programmed to "sin"? How can a god that is "all-loving", "caring" and "forgiving" hate his own creations??? Supposing creationism is not TOTAL bulls­hit, of course...

Christians, wake up.

@David S:
Wow! Impressive TL;DR! Too bad I don't actually have time to read all that nonsense... "we were all sinners" ? gah... sins... who cares?

Whaddya mean, loves gays, but hates sin (homosexuality = sin)? That's a freaking PARADOX!!! You're gay, god loves you and everybody, but he also hates you because you like men. WTF???

Or is that supposed to mean, the gays have no right to love or have any sexual pleasure in order to have a chance to go to heaven? (again... the BIG *IF* [sarcasm])

And I just misplaced my sheet with "bible interesting articles"... Otherwise I'd shown you exactly where it tells what punishment homosexuality must be given...

Answer 7

The problem is that the churches and the book differ on so many things.
"child abusers should be drowned"
" homosexuals should be stoned"
"those who repeat a wrong should be thrown out"

Just three examples of not practising the words of their god...!!

Background check everybody and monitor all..!!

Answer 8

I can't volunteer my time as a coach or anything to do with children until I undergo a state and FBI background check. It's now a requirement in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Answer 9

I think the church dosen't need to go out of it's way to fight homosexulaity. If it's an issue their voting on or something then I hope they would stick to their beliefs. BUT God never wanted us to be Politictions any ways. The othe rissues you talked about Its not just Christians that suck as people....we all do at one time or another

Answer 10

My church does background checks on children's workers..................it's a sad day but I agree with the policy.

I wish all of the homosexuality talk would go away too............but it won't. It's been handled so poorly by many Christians...........earnest, I suppose, but many people have been driven away from God...........and that really isn't what they wanted.