I shouldnt be suprised at this point...

[jimmiej]

Since I don't believe in your god, I guess he's going to have to tolerate my sin. Tough luck for him, I guess.

This thread was started from a Christian perspective. My comments and questions are for the Christians participating here.

 

[jimmiej]

But if I believe there was a misinterpretation of the words or phrases, then being a Homosexual isn't a sin as far as I'm concerned. And imho, one can use the Bible as a guide in one's life without being obsessed with following it literally down to the letter and placement of a comma.

Your ignorance of Christianity is showing. We are made "right" with God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, not by following a set of rules.

However, that's not the discussion here.

 

[cardaway]

Your ignorance of Christianity is showing.

Now that's some Christian bashing, I'll tell you what.

Just for the record, this is an example of stuff outsiders are uncomfortable being the basis of our society. Not people like eclectics and the other Chrsitians here who don't ask people if they "profess" to be Christian.

 

[eclectics]

Your ignorance of Christianity is showing. We are made "right" with God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, not by following a set of rules.

However, that's not the discussion here.

Then in my case, I guess ignorance is bliss. My God loves me just the way I am and approves of my decisions regarding the interpretation of his word. Sorry you disagree, but after all, it's my life, not yours. Please live your life as you see fit but be careful of the stones you cast at others. One day one might ricochet back at you.

 

[SandraVB79]

I have time to read this thread as I'm searching for my gay meds. Oh have you heard? The Pentagon now classifies homosexuality as a "mental illness." Now, where are my darn pills, gay-be-gone?

Sorry, can't help it. With all the wars going on in the world, with so many people starving to death, with so many people dying because some "minor" diseases that can easily be solved, etc etc, the Pentagon is busy with things like that??? Unbelievable.
Really. It's kind of sad people are so busy with something like this. No one gets harmed, they are only trying to live their lifes, the way they have been "born".

Next to that, I can't really approve people who come here with Bible quotes and who try to convince me here that I have to live them up literally. I mean, when other religions do this (let's think about Moslims), we call it extremism (and we call the acts that follow because of it terroristic), but if it's our "own" religion (whatever Christian one) it should be OK?
I think there are very serious problems that should be solved in the world, and if you want to do something "right", try to solve those, instead of calling hmosexuals "sick".


Regarding the age of sexual consent: it used to be 16 here, and has been brought down to 14.

 

[Laura]

Incorrect! The church has a scriptural duty to monitor it's own members.

Precisely. But I am not an Episcopalian, nor is discernment. Nor, might I add, are you.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

The Bible says God hates divorce. IA with you there. As far as your 50%, remember we're talking about Christians, not the general public.

Which Christians are we talking about this time? The 95% of Americans identifying themselves as Christians that get brought up every time there is discussion of religion in schools? Or the much smaller percentage of literal-bible-interpreting (except of course for slavery and other pesky parts that they disagree with) Christians who believe exactly as you do?

 

[NewJersey]

Your ignorance of Christianity is showing. We are made "right" with God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, not by following a set of rules.

However, that's not the discussion here.

Actually, yours is. Should we get a rating on the Christian scale, as to how truly Christian you are? I can see it now..

"I'M A TEN, DARNIT!!" "No, sir you are not. You haven't read the bible today and believed every word that was written in it. You are only a Type 4 chrisitan."

I happen to a Christian, but do I let other christians "scare" me into thinking I'l'l feel God's wrath at the pearly white gates? Of course not, I know God put me here for a reason, and I've turned out just fine, thanks.

 

[katytrott]

Seems to me, unless you are an Episcopalian, your "outrage" would be better aimed at something you disagree with in your own denomination. I'm sure the Episcopalians can work this out without outside distractions. If the end result is a split, so be it. Christianity has many denominations. There is one for everyone. If yours shares your outrage, fine. If not, I respectfully suggest you find one that better fits your beliefs. Not all Christians believe the way you do. If you don't like that, I'm sorry, but there really isn't much you can do about it.

I am not getting into this whole homosexuality debate, I just wanted to mention one comment regarding this post, hope you all don't mind that perhaps I am off topic.

I am commited to following Christ. I have faith in him and God's word, and am not a follower of a religion. Saying that, I do happen to go to a church here in the UK because I want to be around other people who love Christ, learn more about him, and worship him with other people. I attend a normal evangelical church. I suppose you could say I am attending that church because it suits my beliefs, because our belief is simple. It follows Christ. Maybe I am being thick, but I don't understand denomonations and all the different beliefs within them. I completely understand different worship styles eg rock bands/choral music however, but you can still follow Christ the same way regardless of your choice in worship styles.

I urge everyone who reads this thread to pick up a Bible and read all about Jesus and try to imagine how he would be reacting to issues in our society today. He was radical in his time, going out amongst the most hated and showing them love. He is the pinnacle of love, love in action and today, would probably be out on the streets rather than worrying about different beliefs within denominations.

Eclectics, I really am not aiming this post at you. It really is intended for everybody. Again, I am sorry to be off topic.

 

[cardaway]

I urge everyone who reads this thread to pick up a Bible and read all about Jesus and try to imagine how he would be reacting to issues in our society today. He was radical in his time, going out amongst the most hated and showing them love. He is the pinnacle of love, love in action and today, would probably be out on the streets rather than worrying about different beliefs within denominations.

Which is why many people who don't even believe he was the son of God still think he was a great man that still would have had quite a following.

 

[katytrott]

I guess what I am trying to say is please don't have a bad impression on Christians. We are trying (I emphasise the word trying) to be like Christ, that is all. There are many who claim to be Christians, but fall wayyyyy short of being anything like him, and unfortunately, that is the behaviour that people see and make opinions of, that is only natural. We shouldn't all be tarred with the same brush as there are, however, many truly fantastic Christians out there. But even they fail, that is the point of Christ and why we choose to follow him, not just believe he was a good man, because we can be forgiven for those failures.

Whoa, look at me. Sorry to butt in to this debate. I just hope I have made some way to change some thoughts. There are some really heated comments on this thread and some made me quite sad.

 

[eclectics]

I am not getting into this whole homosexuality debate, I just wanted to mention one comment regarding this post, hope you all don't mind that perhaps I am off topic.

I am commited to following Christ. I have faith in him and God's word, and am not a follower of a religion. Saying that, I do happen to go to a church here in the UK because I want to be around other people who love Christ, learn more about him, and worship him with other people. I attend a normal evangelical church. I suppose you could say I am attending that church because it suits my beliefs, because our belief is simple. It follows Christ. Maybe I am being thick, but I don't understand denomonations and all the different beliefs within them. I completely understand different worship styles eg rock bands/choral music however, but you can still follow Christ the same way regardless of your choice in worship styles.

I urge everyone who reads this thread to pick up a Bible and read all about Jesus and try to imagine how he would be reacting to issues in our society today. He was radical in his time, going out amongst the most hated and showing them love. He is the pinnacle of love, love in action and today, would probably be out on the streets rather than worrying about different beliefs within denominations.

Eclectics, I really am not aiming this post at you. It really is intended for everybody. Again, I am sorry to be off topic.

Unfortunately when man "organized" religion he gave birth to all the infighting you are going to have when a group of men and women get together. Sadly, it goes with the territory.

 

[VanBrujah]

This thread was started from a Christian perspective.

No it wasn't.

It was started from a "I hate gay people because MY bible tells me to" perspective.


The Bishop in question is a christian, and she thinks gay people are ok. Maybe you and discernment are the ones who are not christian, did you ever think of that?

 

[jimmiej]

No it wasn't. It was started from a "I hate gay people because MY bible tells me to" perspective.

You are incorrect. This is all OP said:

I shouldn't be suprised at this point...

Just when you think you have seen everything....

Even the interviewer asked the bishop how she reconciled her belief with scripture.

The Bishop in question is a christian, and she thinks gay people are ok. Maybe you and discernment are the ones who are not christian, did you ever think of that?

Please read my posts again. NEVER did I say anything about gay people. I was talking about homosexual acts.

If you're so smart about Christianity, how exactly does a person become one?

 

[jimmiej]

Actually, yours is. Should we get a rating on the Christian scale, as to how truly Christian you are? I can see it now..

You insinuated a Christian must follow a set of "rules" in the Bible & that is too difficult. I will agree with you on the second part of that. However, the Bible says we are not saved by works, but by faith in the grace of God. Read Ephesians 2:8-9.

I happen to a Christian, but do I let other christians "scare" me into thinking I'l'l feel God's wrath at the pearly white gates? Of course not, I know God put me here for a reason, and I've turned out just fine, thanks.

Christians have no need to live under a feeling of guilt. God has cast our sins "as far as the east is from the west." However, that doesn't mean we should continue to sin. The Bible says we are "a new creation." Christians have to live "in" the world, but we should not be "of" the world. This world is not our home.

 

[jimmiej]

Which Christians are we talking about this time? The 95% of Americans identifying themselves as Christians that get brought up every time there is discussion of religion in schools? Or the much smaller percentage of literal-bible-interpreting (except of course for slavery and other pesky parts that they disagree with) Christians who believe exactly as you do?

I didn't mean to insinuate Christians have a smaller divorce rate. I have no idea what it is. Heck, it could be higher than 50%!

To answer your question, when I say Christian, I mean those who have by faith accepted Christ's sacrifice for their sins. 'Course, that number is only known to God.

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

I use mine to help prop up one end of the couch - the leg is broken. It makes a nice coaster, too.

I do not want to be part of a debate on God or the Bible, but I just found this to be very, very sad.

 

[Saxsoon]

I am not getting into this whole homosexuality debate, I just wanted to mention one comment regarding this post, hope you all don't mind that perhaps I am off topic.

I am commited to following Christ. I have faith in him and God's word, and am not a follower of a religion. Saying that, I do happen to go to a church here in the UK because I want to be around other people who love Christ, learn more about him, and worship him with other people. I attend a normal evangelical church. I suppose you could say I am attending that church because it suits my beliefs, because our belief is simple. It follows Christ. Maybe I am being thick, but I don't understand denomonations and all the different beliefs within them. I completely understand different worship styles eg rock bands/choral music however, but you can still follow Christ the same way regardless of your choice in worship styles.

I urge everyone who reads this thread to pick up a Bible and read all about Jesus and try to imagine how he would be reacting to issues in our society today. He was radical in his time, going out amongst the most hated and showing them love. He is the pinnacle of love, love in action and today, would probably be out on the streets rather than worrying about different beliefs within denominations.

Eclectics, I really am not aiming this post at you. It really is intended for everybody. Again, I am sorry to be off topic.

I think that is a true definition of the Church. Going to be with fellow people who share your beliefs. Heck, I would love for Church to be at Starbucks even though I don't like coffee. lol Good post!

Yes there is corruption in the church, only the most thickheaded person couldn't see that. I have seen it in my own church where the pastor got a little to big for his britches. Jesus actually opposed organized religion as he saw within the the Jewish priests the corruption going on. (no offense) The same thing holds true with Christianity today. I know Jesus would be sick of what happened to Christianity.

Back on topic, do I think Gays will go to hell, no. If that one little thing sends them to hell, then we all should for the lies, thoughts we have had about others, and everything else. Sadly some Christians think because they are not something they understand, they are automatically worse than the murderers and the child molesters and Jesus won't give them a second glance. That is why Jesus died for us, so these sins wouldn't hold us accountable on Judgement day. That is why Christianity isn't technicaly religion as religion is described as man's attempt to persure God. Christianity is God's attemt to reach us through his son. If you don't hold these to be true for you, so be it, I won't shove it down your throat anymore.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Please read my posts again. NEVER did I say anything about gay people. I was talking about homosexual acts.

Then why did you say you aren't interested in "the acts", in this post?

They don't give a damn about 2 people who are committed to each other, who love each other, - they are just interested in what those 2 people are doing in the bedroom.

I won't speak for others, but as for me, you are incorrect.

And why choose scripture that references people, not acts, for bolding, as here?

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.

With such a man do not even eat.

"Expel the wicked man from among you

32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.."

 

[jimmiej]

Precisely. But I am not an Episcopalian, nor is discernment. Nor, might I add, are you.

As you know, the scpriture doesn't differentiate between Christian denominations. I was speaking of the universal Church, i.e. ALL believers. JMO, but I don't believe God cares one bit what denomination we belong to.