spurly

I don't see that I am being unscriptural. The church is a gathering of people who have problems and are looking to God and each other to overcome those problems as we live life in community with each other and in relationship with God. Last time I checked, ain't no perfect people in the church I attend.

Kevin

spurly

I believe you and I simply have a difference of opinion TomboyMom.

Gunnaheave

Since your stated criterion for determining that someone should not be a role model to children is that they should not resist the commands of the God you believe in, I assume this applies to more than simply homosexuals. By that logic, no unbeliever, or non-Christian should act as a teacher, big-brother-sister, adopt a child, etc. Am I correct in assuming that you would also oppose non-Christians in general acting in these roles?

Godless Dave

Also, people who eat shellfish and pork, and women who go to church during menstruation? Those are prohibited by the same part of the Bible that condemns homosexual behavior.

spurly

Godlessdave:

Homosexual acts are condemned in the NT for the new covenant as well, eating pork and shellfish are not. For a couple of places where it is mentioned see Romans 1:24-31, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Kevin

spurly

In an ideal world, the only role-models would be people who were fulfilling their purpose - the reason God created them - to live in a relationship with him. Unfortunately, because of sin we do not live in an ideal world anymore.

In the church, the role-models we set before the children must fit this criterea. In the world, sometimes it is not always possible. However, I hope Christian parents would seek out those role-models that best fit their understanding of God and his work in this world.

Kevin

Godless Dave

Romans 1:24-31 mostly seems to be about the evils of lust. It could be interpreted as condemning lustful acts, but not loving relationships.

It's not clear that 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 is talking about homosexuality at all:
"abusers of themselves with mankind" could mean male homosexuality but is open to interpretation. "Mankind" is often used to mean "humankind" irrespective of gender. I don't know enough about the KJV translation to know what it was supposed to mean in this context.

All that aside, these are the words of Paul, not Jesus. It tells us about Paul's prejudices but not necessarily what God wants.

TomboyMom

Yes, we have a difference of opinion. Yours is based on your religious beliefs and mine is based on other more objective criteria. But the more important difference is that I am not imposing my standards on you or on Big Brother/Big Sister. I am not demanding that they prohibit Christians from serving as volunteers, although I believe that Christian influence on children is detrimental. That is what bothers me about many Christians--they are not content to live their own personal beliefs; they insist on imposing them on others, including me. I am just as qualified to serve as a Big Sister as you are a Big Brother, Spurly, and I strongly object to the efforts of you and those who think like you to prevent me from doing so.

Treacle Worshipper

Would you consider me a fit mother? Or teacher?
I am a warranted Guider, altho' I am currently taking a break from Guiding for personal reasons. (This is with the UK Guide Association, not the Girl Scouts.) I would not consider discussing my private life with any of the children under my care, and I would certainly look askance at anyone else who did so, gay or straight.
Are the children of homosexuals eligible to have a Big Brother or Sister?
The thing that bugs me about this is that you only know I'm bi because I choose to tell you. If I didn't tell you, you would most likely think that I was a perfectly good person to look after a child. I was bi when I was Christian, altho' I wasn't out, and I didn't leave the church because of being bi.
To me, someone's sexuality is irrelevant to their befriending/parenting ability.

I am glad to hear that you do not agree with violence.

What if the type of life I want to live is based around work with children? Would you prevent me from living that life?
I'm also not convinced that keeping children completely ignorant of how the world works is the best thing for them. What happens when they meet a child at school who has two mums or two dads?

That's cool. Thank you for your sincere answers to my questions. I'm sorry to come back at you with a load more questions, but I'm trying to understand the thinking which makes me "bad for being". Even if I only have relationships with men for the rest of my life, I will still be bi. I think that's something some people don't understand.
TW

spurly

I guess here's where I draw the line as a follower of Jesus. Would I let my daughter be in your girl scout (guide) group? Probably not. Not that I am afraid that you would molest her or that your sexuality would rub off on her, I just wouldn't want her exposed to homosexuality at that point in her life. Eventually, yes, she will have to hear about it and face it, but I would want to keep her as innocent as possible for as long as possible.

If my child was in your class, in a public school setting, then I would have to deal with it. Wouldn't like it, but I would have to deal with it or else I would have to place her in a Christian school. And I would be very grateful for your commitment not to talk about it to the students. (Although students are pretty perceptive. I have subbed in middle schools [grades 6-8] before and they can usually tell you which teachers are bi or gay).

I am interested in how you dealt with your Christianity and your homosexual tendencies. If you want to PM me your response to that, that would be fine.

Kevin