Salmon of Doubt

Since the latest thread on gay people turned into a discussion of carnivores without answering some questions I had, I have a few questions for Christians, if any of you are here and want to answer them for me.

I start with an assumption- God exists, he loves all people, and what he wants for us is for us to recognise him and worship him so we can get into heaven.

Given this, why does he make some people gay, and then tell his worshippers that being gay is wrong and evil, and that they should make all efforts either to persecute gay people, or try and persuade them into being straight or celibate so that they can go to heaven?

As I posted before, the effect that this has on gay people is usually to turn them away from God, because he gave us these desires, but then tells us we can't act on that desire unless we want to go to hell. This seems extremely illogical and unfair, especially as we are always being told that God loves us.

And saying that it is a choice to be gay is not an answer, as all available evidence shows that people are gay from birth, probably because of hormone imbalances in the brain.


So, my questions for Christians are:

Why would God take people he loved, make them gay, and then condemn them to celibacy or hell, even though this is a huge factor in turning them away from him?

If you don't believe that people are born gay, why not, and where is your evidence?

Has preaching to gay people that God loves the sinner and not the sin ever converted anyone in your experience?

Gemma Therese

Wrong -- being gay isn't wrong or evil. Living a gay lifestyle is.

Gemma Therese

Luiseach

What, pray tell, is the difference between 'being gay' and 'living a gay lifestyle'? And why is one considered evil and the other isn't?

What is 'evil' about living a gay lifestyle?

I don't see anything evil about being gay or living a 'gay lifestyle.'

Salmon of Doubt

How do you define a 'gay lifestyle'?

I want a monogamous relationship with another woman, I don't want to sleep around or disrupt other's relationships. But I've never heard any religious person say that is alright.

Does the bible say it's ok for people to have monogamous gay relationships? I've never heard anyone claim that before.

Spaz

So are gay people supposed to lie to people and live as if they're straight?

Gemma Therese

Well, it convinced me. And I'm still a sinner, trying not to be, but I know I can do nothing to warrant God's hatred.

Gemma Therese

Salmon of Doubt

Well, I certainly do see celibacy as a condemnation. Sex is an extremely pleasurable pastime, and I personally wouldn't want to miss out on that! It is also an extremely important part of any intimate romantic relationship, and it upsets me to think that a loving creator could tell me that I was not allowed to experience that. Does that not upset you?


off topic, but if you can do nothing to warrant God's hatred, why would it matter if you DID have a sinful gay lifestyle??

Colander of Truth

Wrong -- being religious isn't wrong or evil. Living a religious lifestyle is.

oriecat

So you don't think being gay is a choice, but what's wrong is choosing to live the life style of your non-chosen orientation? So you basically think all gay people should repress who they actually are? Should they live a fake lifestyle, ie live a lie? Well no, lying is bad too. So they should have to live alone and celibate their whole life? ie become priests? Oh wait, priests aren't celibate.

What exactly do you think gay people should do? Why are they less deserving of the chance to love and be loved in an intimate relationship, just because of something they did not choose to be?

Abel Stable

That is analogous to saying: "Being dark skinned isn't wrong or evil. Living a dark skinned lifestyle is." The logic is the same and makes no sense either way. And what does "lifestyle" mean anyway? If you are gay, how do you avoid it? Christians seem to mention "spiritual warfare"- often which turns out to be just insidious doublethink. For example- is this your suggestion to how a homosexual should live?:

(thinking: ) "Damn look at the nice package on him! I mean no! No no! Bad! Dirty! Evil thought! No! JesusJesusJesusJesussavemywickedfilthybody..."

That's really very healthy...