peacenik

Christianity should embrace the concept of homosexual marraige in order to promote the value of monogamous relationships within the homosexual community. Although the Old Testament condemns homosexual acts in Leviticus, the same Old Testament condemns many other acts that are no longer recognized as being immoral by the church. Furthermore Jesus never even spoke on the subject of homosexuality; he obviously thought that other things were a higher priority. Finally, although Paul did condemn homosexuality as being wrong, there is significant reason to suspect that Paul was himself Gay.

See this link: http://www.gayheroes.com/paul.htm

By embracing the concept of homosexual marraige, Christianity can promote the value of monogamous relationships, which also reduce the spread of STD's. After all, a homosexual couple that has never had sex with anyone other than each other could not possibly catch an STD. Furthermore, homosexuals, who according to all the scientific evidence do not choose to be gay, could finally be truthful about who they are and find acceptance within the community at large.

The time for the Christian church to embrace the concept of homosexual marraige has come. Just as the church can no longer claim that the earth is flat, we can no longer claim that Gay people make a concious decision to be Gay.

spurly

Whether or not they make a conscience decision to be gay is yet to be determined. However, even if someone has a tendency toward certain things - that person still has choice. And they can choose to honor God with their life, by turning away from homosexuality.

Think for a moment about alcoholics. They say that some people are genetically pre-disposed toward being an alcoholic. Do we then say - oh you are genetically pre-disposed to be an alcoholic, so drink as much as you like. No. That would be silly.

However, that is what some people seem to want to do with people who have a tendency toward homosexuality. It's just as silly to do it here as it is there.

I have a tendency toward hatred. I have to choose to love. I have a tendency toward pride. I have to choose to be humble. I have a tendency toward materialism. I have to choose to be more giving with my possessions. Tendencies can be overcome if we choose to do so.

Thus if a church did what you are proposing, they would be saying, "You have a tendency toward the sin of homosexuality, go ahead and indulge yourself". That does not make sense.

All this being said, I will reach out in love toward everyone, and I do not hate anyone because of their sexual choice. However, their sexual choice can not be condoned by the church. Love means that we reach out to them and help them leave destructive, sinful patterns behind as they walk toward God.

Kevin

Hayden

Really? In that case, when did you make a conscious decision to be heterosexual?

HR

Spaz

I can see how it would be a bad thing if homosexuals went around and did whoever spreading disease and what not (as if heterosexuals don't do the same). But this suggestion would stop that, which would solve the only real problem with homosexuality. I don't see the huge problem that christianity decided to have with it, people should be more tolerant.

spurly

I do not know.

Hayden

Can't have been that conscious a decision, eh?

HR

spurly

I think you have missed what I was trying to say. I will try it again. If I chose to act on my tendencies to have sex with people outside of the bounds of marriage, it would be sin and it would be wrong, and I would not expect the church to support it. As a matter of fact, I would hope that they would hold me accountable to what I say I believe about God and purity.

The same is true if I had a tendency toward homosexuality. If I chose to act on that tendency, I would be going against God's revealed will (I realize this line of thought is only true for those who believe in God, holiness, and sin), and would be sinning. I would not expect the church to support a choice that I was making to act outside the bounds of God's will.

I guess what I am trying to say is that we have a choice for any action we make.

Kevin

Hayden

Yet you admit that you did not have to make a choice about homosexuality. I'd like to see an example of a homosexual who admits choosing his sexuality. I think I'd remember doing so, were I gay and had done so (I'm not, and I didn't).

Sorry about hi-jacking the thread, by the way.

I'm not sure that homosexual marriage would prevent promiscuous behaviour, as heterosexual behaviour doesn't seem to. Most committed gay couples are that way without the need for marriage, although I agree that it's a violation of their civil rights to deny them the rights given a married heterosexual couple.

HR

peacenik

Well I think that you are making several assumptions. First, you assume that homosexuality is sinful, but if it is such an abomination as many Christians claim, then why did Jesus not once mention it. He did after all mention the importance of fidelity to one's mate, and he did discourage divorce. Also before you start bringing up scripture from the Old Testament, especially Leviticus, I would remind you that most Christian churches do not follow the vast majority of commands found in this book. After all I would be willing to bet that you do not have a problem eating pork, worshiping on Sunday rather than the sabbath, or wearing clothing with 2 different cloths, so why do you use this same book of the Bible to condemn homosexuality.

Second, you set a double standard for heterosexuals and homosexuals. Heterosexuals are allowed to act out their sexual tendancies by entering the sacred bond of marraige, but homosexuals are essentially forbidden from ever having sex

Why is it wrong if two homosexuals get married. Just as it is with heterosexuals, it is physically impossible for a homosexual couple that has never has sexual relations with any one other than each other to contract an STD. So this argument that God just wants what is best for us doesn't fly either.

On the other hand by continuing to encourage homosexuals to be secretive about their tendancies and thus discouraging homosexuals from entering long term relations for fear of being discovered, especially in small, religious communites, churches are actually encouraging homosexuals to be more promiscuous. This promiscuity in turn results in more disease.

peacenik

First, I was not trying to offend you, and if I did I apologize. I certainly was not trying to stereotype or anything like that. What I was intending to get across as far as with monogamous relationships was merely that rather than condemning all homosexuals, the church should simply apply the same standards that it applies to heterosexuals to homosexuals, by promoting monogamy and permitting marraige.

Second, maybe I see Christianity differently than you do, but I don't believe that God damns homosexuals. The truth is that Jesus doesn't even discuss homosexuality. He focuses instead on loving others and showing compassion. Then again, I am no longer an evangelical Christian, and I do not read passages of scripture literally as some do.