From: anon@spdcc.com (Anonymous Forwarded Posting)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Homosexuality and Christianity
Date: 11 Nov 92 18:28:15 GMT
Article-I.D.: spdcc.1992Nov11.182815.8566
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting

In article <Bwxx9H.IB0@tridom.com> thornek@mis.tridom.com (Keith Thorne) writes:
>>I have been educating a "fundie" friend of mine. She has written the
>>minister of her church, opposing the position her church takes. Namely,
>>the idea that homosexuals "chose" to go against God's word. I read the
>>letter, and she did a very good job. 
>>Now she wants information about Biblical references and interpretations
>>to discuss with her minister. She has even ask if I would be willing to
>>talk with him to, to "educate" him.

Someone else writes:
>The real point is that we believe that it is not wrong for us to
>act on our attractions. This means that we disagree with the
>Bible. Let's be up-front about that.


There have been several discussions lately concerning Homosexuality 
and Christianity, so I thought I would throw out my thoughts.

For me, it's a question of whether or not you want to follow God.
(Don't flame me yet, read on...:)
You see, I'm a Christian, trying to live my life as Jesus would
want.  I am also gay.  My relationship with Jesus Christ, and
my study of the Scriptures lead me to a belief that the 2 *can* coexist!

Now that is not to say that the Bible doesn't have some very
distinct things to say about the conduct of my life, (sexual morality, etc.).
But I feel that these 2 very different aspects of my life can coexist.

Now I realize that the question of whether or not homosexuality,
or homosexual conduct is a sin is a stumbling block for many so I will
address a few references.  (As stated, I am very at peace with my 
beliefs so I have not prepared as strong a defense as perhaps I should. :)

Levitical references.

The often cited Levitical references can be approached several ways.
(IMHO, the discussions of sexual position, etc are largely irrelevant.)
If you refer to the "morality code," you should probably follow it
all or none at all. And, as pointed out, even the most conservative
Christians don't want to follow everything in the code. 

I did, however, want to mention another discussion I had heard.
Supposedly, during this time period, when a conquering army
raided a villiage, it was common practice for the conquering male
warriors to rape the men in the villiage. IMHO, feel that this is
more what the morality code was getting at when it mentions
same-sex relations.  (Can anyone back this up with references?)

For the minister who stated that we had "chosen to go against God,"
at least for me, he is wrong.  That minister will, undoubtedly,
point to Romans 1.  Romans 1 says that the people's hearts were
darkened (v21), and they started worshiping idols (v23). Because
of these things, God gave them over to sexual impurity (v24),
and eventually, every kind of wickedness (v29).  But before it
begins that discourse, it says that "although they knew God,
they neither glorified him as God or gave thanks to him." (v21)
As a Christian, I try my best to "glorify God" and give thanks
to him.  So that excludes me from that loop! :)

One last thing that will blow the socks off the fundamentalists.
You can search scriptures, as I have, and you will never *once*
find any condemnation *whatsoever* for a committed, same-sex
relationship!  In fact, there are a few examples of *possible*
same-sex relationships.  David spoke of having a love for Jonathon
that was greater then the love of a woman. (or something like that)

So for me, it's not so much a question of whether it's a sin,
I've resolved that one, but it's rather a question of who are
you going to serve and where you are going to spend eternity.

God Bless!
Newsgroups: soc.motss