Homosexuality vs. religion

• Series62

  SQ_Crazies wrote: I understand how "it works". Don't worry, I'm more educated on the topic than most who would be sitting in this thread with my stance right now. I also understand that religious people aren't used to questioning things.

  As a Christian man, I learn by questioning so as not to remain ignorant. Before I accepted the Lord's salvation and as a result of, I ask questions to clarify what the Bible teaches. Through study, research and prayer, those questions have and will continue to be answered.
  
  My religion is founded on my personal relationship with Jesus. Because I know that the Bible is true, I won't allow the whimsical conversation of non-believers to sway me from that truth!
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Series62 wrote: Like this; If F.K. sincerely accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, he would then begin studying God's word, the Bible, and realizing the sinful condition of his life, choose to live as a straight, heterosexual man, obeying the commandments of God! He would "abide" by the word of God!

  
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Series62 wrote:

  SQ_Crazies wrote: I understand how "it works". Don't worry, I'm more educated on the topic than most who would be sitting in this thread with my stance right now. I also understand that religious people aren't used to questioning things.

  As a Christian man, I learn by questioning so as not to remain ignorant. Before I accepted the Lord's salvation and as a result of, I ask questions to clarify what the Bible teaches. Through study, research and prayer, those questions have and will continue to be answered.
  
  My religion is founded on my personal relationship with Jesus. Because I know that the Bible is true, I won't allow the whimsical conversation of non-believers to sway me from that truth!

  I'm not a non believer, I think the Bible sends a great message.
• Con_Alma

  Are you suggesting that if a person accepted Christ they wouldn't want to begin studying His word??
• Series62

  ^^Your statement is true to the extent of what F.K. has previously confessed. However, if he had a change of heart......
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Um, no not exactly. I'm saying that first of all you shouldn't have "accept" Christ. Learning of Jesus Christ is comparable to learning of Adolf Hitler if you follow what I'm saying. All you can do is accept the history. I'm saying his word has been interpreted by thousands and thousands of people--who is right? How can you tell someone else they're wrong? How can you prove that what you believe is more true than what someone else believes when it's all based on faith?
  
  I mean, in the words of Joe Rogan, I'll go to church with you if you'll smoke a joint with me and look through a telescope.
  
  Religion is fine, I'm a firm believer of everyone being free to have their own beliefs. Organized religion is just a moneymaker and it causes more problems than it solves. I think religion should be a personal matter and in that case, believe whatever you want.
• cbus4life

  My only question is...at one of the Christian churches i grew up in, we had a gay pastor for awhile. One of the most loving, Christ-like people i've ever met.
  
  How does that work?
  
  So much inconsistency in Christian thought...
  
  I mean, i've attended numerous churches where gay people are welcomed and their lifestyle is not considered a sin.
  
  I know young gay men and women who are active in bible-study, and in the day-to-day activities of their church. They are accepted wholeheartedly, and are truly wonderful Christians. They aren't there to try and change their "lifestyle," but are there because they have accepted Christ into their life and want to live their life as Christians. They are my friends, and they are constantly reading the bible, discussing it, and growing as Christians.
  
  Yet, according to some, they are being "bad" Christians for continuing in their supposedly sinful lifestyle and having no desire to change?
  
  Honestly curious how this difference in attitude in many Christians churches is thought of...
• Series62

  SQ_Crazies wrote: I'm not a non believer, I think the Bible sends a great message.

  It does have a great message! Try believing in it, and it will become much more greater and meaningful to your life!!
  
  Con alma: "Are you suggesting that if a person accepted Christ they wouldn't want to begin studying His word??"
  
  NO. If you really accept Christ, you will develop a desire to learn of Him and live by His word! Otherwise, like SQ, you're just a non-believing reader who think it's a book with a great message!
• SQ_Crazies

  

  So if you believe that The Communist Manifesto has a good message, could you consider it a bible and accept Karl Marx as your lord and savior and live by his word?
• Con_Alma

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Um, no not exactly. I'm saying that first of all you shouldn't have "accept" Christ. Learning of Jesus Christ is comparable to learning of Adolf Hitler if you follow what I'm saying. All you can do is accept the history. I'm saying his word has been interpreted by thousands and thousands of people--who is right? How can you tell someone else they're wrong? How can you prove that what you believe is more true than what someone else believes when it's all based on faith?
  
  I mean, in the words of Joe Rogan, I'll go to church with you if you'll smoke a joint with me and look through a telescope.
  
  Religion is fine, I'm a firm believer of everyone being free to have their own beliefs. Organized religion is just a moneymaker and it causes more problems than it solves. I think religion should be a personal matter and in that case, believe whatever you want.

  
  I really appreciate your explanation. I understand your point much better now.
  
  Regarding which interpretation is right...I would suggest when taking into consideration all of the ones you might have been exposed to, combined with your own thought and discernment, that would be the interpretation that's best for you because it's what you will accept and believe as truth.
  
  I think you would understand others doing the same. Would you not? ...and how would any of us truly know how others came to their own personal views or beliefs without knowing that entire process in their particular lives?
• Con_Alma

  Series62 wrote:
  Con alma: "Are you suggesting that if a person accepted Christ they wouldn't want to begin studying His word??"
  
  NO. If you really accept Christ, you will develop a desire to learn of Him and live by His word! Otherwise, like SQ, you're just a non-believing reader who think it's a book with a great message!

  I was asking SQ...sorry for the confusion.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  I understand that, but I see a lot of people just preaching what they've been preached around here. Pawns more than thinkers.
  
  I'm not confused, I'm not looking for my interpretation. I may be confused, but it's on a different level. I believe in what I believe in. I was addressing the question of "who is wrong" to everyone else basically.
• Con_Alma

  Who is wrong only matters to that person. No?? Eternally does it matter to anyone else if I am wrong?
  
  We don't know if a person is simply preaching what they have been preached to...at least I don't. I don't know what any person has done or sought out to come to the conclusions they have.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Right, but you can clearly tell who is just towing the company line here.
  
  And I disagree, who is wrong doesn't matter to the person--no one is wrong, that's the point I'm making.
• Series62

  cbus4life wrote: My only question is...at one of the Christian churches i grew up in, we had a gay pastor for awhile. One of the most loving, Christ-like people i've ever met.
  
  How does that work?
  
  So much inconsistency in Christian thought...
  
  I mean, i've attended numerous churches where gay people are welcomed and their lifestyle is not considered a sin.
  
  I know young gay men and women who are active in bible-study, and in the day-to-day activities of their church. They are accepted wholeheartedly, and are truly wonderful Christians.
  
  Just confused, i guess.

  To love Christ is to denounce and turn from your sinful way of life in all it's forms.
  
  If you are openly living in a sinful lifestyle and serving in the church, and the pastor is allowing such behavior to exist in the church, then what is done will only serve to weaken the position the church in the community.
  
  The Bible teaches that men will come "preaching to itching ears", that is to say that they will preach what people want to hear in lieu of what they need to hear. They are obviously not teaching the truth of the Bible and there are consequences to be realized in that. Read Revelations 22:18-19.
  Especially so if that pastor was "called" by God to minister His word.
  
  God is a God of love, patience, grace, mercy and forgiveness. But woe unto those who knowingly wrongfully minister His word!
• Con_Alma

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Right, but you can clearly tell who is just towing the company line here.
  
  And I disagree, who is wrong doesn't matter to the person--no one is wrong, that's the point I'm making.

  I agree that no one is wrong regarding their own path or journey of interpretations. Where a person might be wrong and often are is in their own beliefs versus another's.
  
  On day we will truly see who was correct.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Series62 wrote:
  To love Christ is to denounce and turn from your sinful way of life in all it's forms.
  
  If you are openly living in a sinful lifestyle and serving in the church, and the pastor is allowing such behavior to exist in the church, then what is done will only serve to weaken the position the church in the community.
  
  The Bible teaches that men will come "preaching to itching ears", that is to say that they will preach what people want to hear in lieu of what they need to hear. They are obviously not teaching the truth of the Bible and there are consequences to be realized in that. Read Revelations 22:18-19.
  Especially so if that pastor was "called" by God to minister His word.
  
  God is a God of love, patience, grace, mercy and forgiveness. But woe unto those who knowingly wrongfully minister His word!

  Ok...
  
  First of all, you aren't a sinner?
  
  And to the last part of your post, which I bolded, how do you explain this:
  
  
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Con_Alma wrote: Where a person might be wrong and often are is in their own beliefs versus another's.

  Exactly, you enter the world alone and you leave it the same way. If you hold such high beliefs based on faith then it is wrong to question someone else's faith--faith is an individual thing, not a collective one. It doesn't and shouldn't (though it does) matter what others believe.
• Series62

  As a pawn of Jesus Christ, I'll gladly "tow the line". Yes, I do listen to my Pastor teach and preach, the Bible however teaches me to study for myself. And in prayer for the wisdom of God's word to be revealed to me, I do study.
  
  The word of God can, has been, and will continue to be misinterpreted by men for their self-serving gain and pleasure.
  
  God's word however is not an opinion, though you may think it to be.
  
  It is truth!
• Series62

  Con_Alma wrote:

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Right, but you can clearly tell who is just towing the company line here.
  
  And I disagree, who is wrong doesn't matter to the person--no one is wrong, that's the point I'm making.

  I agree that no one is wrong regarding their own path or journey of interpretations. Where a person might be wrong and often are is in their own beliefs versus another's.
  
  On day we will truly see who was correct.

  We most certainly will!
• SQ_Crazies

  

  No, it isn't.
  
  So...you listen to a guy lecture and then read from the book he lectures from and combine that knowledge to form your beliefs. You're pretty well rounded huh?
• Con_Alma

  SQ_Crazies wrote:
  Exactly, you enter the world alone and you leave it the same way. If you hold such high beliefs based on faith then it is wrong to question someone else's faith--faith is an individual thing, not a collective one. It doesn't and shouldn't (though it does) matter what others believe.

  SQ_Crazies wrote: No, it isn't.
  
  So...you listen to a guy lecture and then read from the book he lectures from and combine that knowledge to form your beliefs. You're pretty well rounded huh?

  ????? How can his own faith be questioned by another?
• SQ_Crazies

  

  I'm not saying that what you believe is wrong, I'm saying that you pushing it as all there is is wrong and ignorant.
  
  And are you going to address the picture of the towers?
• Con_Alma

  If a person believes they are to spread the teachings of their doctrine can it be wrong for them attempting to do so when they have faith in the doctrine that teaches them to?
  
  Are you asking me to address the towers?
• SQ_Crazies

  

  No, I'm asking Series, my bad.
  
  And yes, remember I said it's a personal thing IMO, pushing something as the be all end all is wrong and very naive.