From: hudson@athena.cs.uga.edu (Paul Hudson Jr)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Homosexuality and the so-called "Christian biblical stance."
Date: 23 Jul 92 07:37:29 GMT
Organization: University of Georgia, Athens

In article <Jul.22.02.38.24.1992.19133@dumas.rutgers.edu> GAVIN@phdlab.commerce.ubc.ca (Gavin Chin) writes:

>Now is homosexuality a greater sin than others?  From my
>understanding, sin is sin in the eyes of God and the punishment for
>it is the same.  At the same time, Jesus died on the cross to save us
>from sin, no matter what sin we have committed.  Just as the
>punishment is equal to all, so is the redemption.

All sin is bad and all separates from God.  But some sins are worse than
others.  For example, blashpeming the Holy Spirit is unforgivable.  
Some sins are abominations.  SIn can be worse when it is in violation of
the conscience of one who is rebelling.  Where does homosexual sin fall on
the list.  It is probably higher than some and lower than others.

>Some people will argue that it would not set a good example for the
>congregation to have a homosexual minister since he is openly
>practicing a sinful act.  However, I do not know of any pastor or
>reverend who has yet become sinless during their ministry.

There is a difference between ocassionally stumbling and being openly
rebellious and unrepentant.  Open rebelion and refusal to repent was
forbidden for any Christian in I Corinthians 10.  How much more forbidden
should it be for elders.

One of the reasons the requirements were left for elders was to make sure
that holy men were chosen.  Elders are supposed to set an example for
the flock, a good example, not a how-not-to example.

Yes, I've
>seen them do things I myself would question, but then God knows that
>it is impossible to lead a sin free life in this world.  That's why
>we have Jesus.

Isn't this a defeatis attitude.  If we partake in the death and resurrection
of Christ we can die to sin and live righteously unto God.  We need not
be bound by sin.  That is also why we have Jesus.

>The most important thing would be for the homosexual minister to have
>an unquenchable desire to become closer to God and to serve in His
>ministry in the best way possible.  If it means that he will "lose"
>his homosexuality, then praise God.

If a minister has a weakness in the area of homosexuality, then stand with
him in prayer.  But if he has a desire to be closer to God, then he should
be willing to humble himself and deny his passions and be celebate.  There
are many celibate people who are hetero-inclined.  I suppose many would have
a weakness toward hetero-fornication.  But they should not be allowed or
encouraged to act on this weakness, or to be consumed with such a lust.

>On a different thread, does anyone know FIRST-HAND of any homosexual
>who, after accepting Christ and becoming a well grounded Christian,
>renounce their homosexuality and become heterosexual?  If you don't
>have any first hand stories, can you please share some from RELIABLE
>sources?

I know a guy who used to be a street prostitute who stopped after he 
became a believer.   I have heard accounts of others who were more
willfully homosexual who changed after they became believers.  
Jack heyford told of a couple who were formerly homosexual male and lesbian
who repented, became Chrisitans and later married.  maybe you could write
Church on the Way.

Link Hudosn.

[The summaries I've seen suggest that these cases are unusual, and
that the effects are often not very long-lasting.  Unfortunately
attempts to gather statistics have not been very successful, so
I can't say much more than that.  --clh]