How Should Devout Christians Treat Their Gay Neighbors?

Christian Post ^ | 07/10/2015 | Clem Boyd

[WayneS]

With Christian forebearance, perhaps?

[Alex Murphy]

"When they are your neighbors, be neighborly and kind," Bev said. "We can have a dialogue with them and stay out of the grid of their interpretation of us and us of them. We don't have to make a decision for them that they need to do this or that. We just need to put down our guards and get to know each other." That's what Ken and Floy did with Rosaria. "God does not get an address wrong," Rosaria shared. "And Ken and Floy and I were neighbors. Just because we were neighbors they were going to be my friend in an unconditional way." And being a neighbor means respect as much as kindness.

WayneS: With Christian forebearance, perhaps?

I like how you phrased it.

[circlecity]

You should treat a gay neighbor like any other neighbor - with kindness and dignity. Everybody is a sinner. We are called to be salt and light. That doesn’t mean you have to support their lifestyle in any way or even pretend you do. And if they pretend to be Christians then you really can’t socialize with them.

[LibsRJerks]

We have a gay couple in our otherwise very conservative military retiree type neighborhood. They are quiet, they keep their yard up beautifully and there really are no issues. They do fly a rainbow flag, but that’s it.

As long as there are no problems, as long as they are not coming I to my yard telling me how to live my life, what else can I do? I can’t stop them from their activity ... That is their choice. God gives them the free will to choose just like he did me. I am not responsible for their choice.

All we Christians are asking is for the freedom too follow our consciences — the freedom to make OUR own choices. And for this we are vilified, even as we allow homosexuals the right to make their choice.

[freepertoo]

My brother was gay and we loved one another very much. Unless someone is in your face personally offensive, treat them as you would anyone else. I very much disagree with the Homosexual lifestyle, but that is no excuse to be hateful to someone.

[arthurus]

Like that.

[Quality_Not_Quantity]

For me, hoping for a return to a theocracy in a secular world is a waste of time. Do I wish that abortion were illegal? Yes. Do I wish that the courts would stop continue to chip away at my Christian beliefs and rights to them? Of course.

Do I think that homosexual acts are wrong? Absolutely. But, I also believe that speeding, cheating one’s taxes or spouse are also wrong. Does that mean that I disassociate myself from everyone who isn’t walking the narrow line of a perfectly obedient Christian life?

Absolutely not. Christians are called to be, among other things, a light to those around us. If we expect those who haven’t given themselves over to God’s love through belief in Jesus to act like they have, we’re going to be bitterly disappointed - and those around us will judge, not us, but Christianity itself, by our actions.

I’m not advocating acceptance of everything everybody does, not by a long shot. But if you can’t be a friend to people and give them a chance to see the love of God shining out from you, they’re never going to even think to ask, ‘Hey, what is it about you that is so different from everybody else?’

Only then can you talk to them about what you believe, any why. Pray that God will open their eyes to seek the Truth, and leave most of the rest to Him.

[mulligan]

Why would I know if they are gay?

[WayneS]

Thanks,

I definitely used a lot fewer words, that’s for sure.

[ScottinVA]

With respect but with a degree of guardedness. Do NOT share any personal information with them.

[ScottinVA]

“Why would I know if they are gay?”

If they’re like some former neighbors I had, the ever-present rainbow flag will give it away.

[JimRed]

The same as any other neighbor.

[joshua c]

But I would not be shy about my Christianity or my views on homosexuality so they may not like me.

[Skooz]

Bump for later.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Same as any other sinner ... love the sinner, hate the sin.

[Morgana]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWXkHp_1bT8

[rockinqsranch]

Have to come up with a sign with a red circle, and a diagonal red line through it with a caricature that means “No Rump Jumpers”. Can’t figure a caricature that would not be offensive, kind of like gays.

[dadfly]

humm. the guy is right but so muddled.

a pastor put it succintly: as God loves, “love the sinner, hate the sin.”

in this situation, whatever the sin in question, myself included, i hope to ask myself:

am i serving the sin or am i serving the sinner?

the answer, as always, is found in Jesus.

[jonathonandjennifer]

If they’re quiet, no loud parties, barking dogs , etc. they are okay in my book.