As to the Bible being perfect, I have faith that it is. I recognize the difference between the New and the Old testaments, but I believe in the whole. Logically, I recognize that it was written, collectively, by inherently fallible men. But here's the rub: If I just start cherry picking passages that I like or don't like because it was written by men I might as well chuck the Bible out of the window and start being a new age, "spiritual", good feelings and good vibes hippy type.
Who says God has to make sense to you? And you have to agree with what GOD says? Good grief.
What about the difference between a man that was born gay and a man that was born straight? Both are born with the drive to commit acts that the Bible defines as sin. Having worked in a jail I can tell you that a surprising percentage of men and women are capable of committing both heterosexual and homosexual acts. But if you really start deciding what is wrong or right based off how you're born the struggle of Christianity, and life in general, loses meaning. Whats the point in preaching the word of God? You were either born to believe it or not. Whats the point of charity? Poor were born to starve to death. Whats the point of science and medicine? Men were born to die of the measles and if man was meant to fly we'd have wings. As you can see, if you take that line of thinking to its inevitable conclusion you wind up excusing a lot of silliness.
Now here's the problem I have with my fellow conservatives: sin is sin. To be guilty of any one sin, without faith in Jesus' sacrifice, is to be condemned to hell. That means that all sins, having the same penalty, are equally horrible in God's eyes. Now, I commit sin. You guys sure as hell do. In fact, on this very board, several of you argued that prostitution should be legal, or at least ignored. Now how is it that a prostitute, who is capable of tempting you red-blooded American boys less of an "abomination" to the church OR the state than a gay dude marrying another gay dude? At the very least, I assume the married gay dudes aren't going to be capable of subverting any church men into sin. As a representative of the state I can point out that prostitution causes or correlates with a number of other criminal problems. Haven't seen anyone clamoring to get anyone arrested for cheating on their wives, or take away the rights of divorced couples. Nobody getting locked up for taking the Lord's name in vain either. Why is this one sin so important to the state?
I think the state oughta get out of the marriage business altogether. Do I think homosexuality is okay? Nah its gross and a sin but that ain't really any of the state's business. Separation of church and state and all that. I think we have wayyyyy bigger fish to fry as a country in general and as conservatives in specific. I think Christians who believe and follow the Bible oughta remember the greatest commandment.
Jesus replied: “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.â€
All that is wonderful. Well put. BUT....
I'm not talking about how you, I, or any of the rest of us debating the issue think about the issue.
I'm talking about future generations. Not speaking out is implied endorsement. Deciding it's okay for people to embrace this particular perversion tels our kids that it's not a wrong. It's just a different normal.
I can't agree with that. Can't accept preachers sanctioning gay unions. Don't want gus teachers telling my kids it's just a different and perfectly okay way of being.
The war for my support was lost a long time ago. It's the war for the minds and souls of my kids that concerns me.
We all sin. No doubt. But the difference here is I'm not saying my sin is okay and should be accepted. Im trying every day to do better. I'm not substituting my selfish desires for God's will.
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