This person is very sick and needs much help.
This person is very sick and needs much help.
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Indeed. Leigh was quite clear from the title and breif excerpt that he was here at FR promoting queerness. But I give too much benefit to doubt, so I clicked the blogpimp’s link. Sure enough - he is supporting faggotry.
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Making controversial statements is nothing new for me. Neither is the reaction that usually follows.
But perhaps no other issue causes as much discussion, debate, and condemnation from others than when I present my position on the issue of homosexuality.
As a known Christian, I have been told that I MUST think a certain way and that I MUST believe a certain way regarding not only people who are gay, but regarding their entire lifestyle as well.
Now I realize the standard position people of faith take when the issue of LGBT folks comes up: ‘love the sinner, hate the sin’. And, from a theological point of view, that seems fair and acceptable. We are all sinful, of course. We all have the opportunity to be redeemed.
Countless times I have heard Christians trip all over themselves explaining how they aren’t judging the person, how they have ‘no problem’ with gay people, etc. Then many follow up later by verbally discriminating against those very same people.
We have to be careful here – what might appear as discrimination often times is not intended to be such whatsoever. Biblical quotes must be placed in context, and there are some very direct words pertaining to the issue.
My own take has been born out of many years as both a Christian and as a supporter of the Gay community.
My personal faith, as is the case for most people who walk with the Lord, has been a winding road full of glory and difficulties. I have had moments of great strength as well as times so problematic I was forced to reassess my beliefs.
My experience (as a straight man) with the gay community is quite extensive. From being introduced to the Calgary scene a few decades ago through a close family member who is gay, through to the present where I know many in the Calgary and Edmonton communities – and have discovered more gay family members – I have never thought of anyone in the gay community as being on their way to burn in Hell.
So therein lies the problem. Here I am, a self-professed believer in Jesus Christ who also believes that homosexuals should be treated no differently than anyone else. I happen to lack the sense of acceptable discrimination and compulsion to condemn these people that I have seen emanate from so many other followers of God.
As a live-and-let-live libertarian by nature, I have never seen it as my place or responsibility to call out gays on any grounds, religious or otherwise. If what they are is wrong and unacceptable in the eyes of the Lord, then that is between the gay person and the Lord.
I have nothing to do with it, I have no say in it, and put directly, it is none of my damn business just as my relationship with the Lord is none of anyone else’s damn business.
The way I see it, when Christ walked the Earth He could have spent his time hanging with Kings and other members of the upper-society of the time. He didn’t. Instead, He spent his short time in this world with what we would describe today as ‘everyday people’.
Christ didn’t judge. How could I?
It is interesting to note the reaction I received a few months ago.
A friend of mine from the Edmonton LGBT community was murdered. Vigils and various acts of remembrance followed, some of which I attended. A few from the gay community made note of my attendance, and remarked that Jimmy would have loved that I was there.
Many who I stood and paid respect with knew I was straight and knew of my religious beliefs. Never – not once – was I made to feel uncomfortable or out of place.
By contrast, I did hear from a few fellow Christians who questioned why I would attend. One even took the opportunity to question ‘the strength of your faith’ simply because I look upon gays and lesbians as humans, not as abominations.
I wonder what Christ’s response to that would be?
I’m guessing very similar to mine.
Making controversial statements is nothing new for me. Neither is the reaction that usually follows.
But perhaps no other issue causes as much discussion, debate, and condemnation from others than when I present my position on the issue of homosexuality.
As a known Christian, I have been told that I MUST think a certain way and that I MUST believe a certain way regarding not only people who are gay, but regarding their entire lifestyle as well.
Now I realize the standard position people of faith take when the issue of LGBT folks comes up: ‘love the sinner, hate the sin’. And, from a theological point of view, that seems fair and acceptable. We are all sinful, of course. We all have the opportunity to be redeemed.
Countless times I have heard Christians trip all over themselves explaining how they aren’t judging the person, how they have ‘no problem’ with gay people, etc. Then many follow up later by verbally discriminating against those very same people.
We have to be careful here – what might appear as discrimination often times is not intended to be such whatsoever. Biblical quotes must be placed in context, and there are some very direct words pertaining to the issue.
My own take has been born out of many years as both a Christian and as a supporter of the Gay community.
My personal faith, as is the case for most people who walk with the Lord, has been a winding road full of glory and difficulties. I have had moments of great strength as well as times so problematic I was forced to reassess my beliefs.
My experience (as a straight man) with the gay community is quite extensive. From being introduced to the Calgary scene a few decades ago through a close family member who is gay, through to the present where I know many in the Calgary and Edmonton communities – and have discovered more gay family members – I have never thought of anyone in the gay community as being on their way to burn in Hell.
So therein lies the problem. Here I am, a self-professed believer in Jesus Christ who also believes that homosexuals should be treated no differently than anyone else. I happen to lack the sense of acceptable discrimination and compulsion to condemn these people that I have seen emanate from so many other followers of God.
As a live-and-let-live libertarian by nature, I have never seen it as my place or responsibility to call out gays on any grounds, religious or otherwise. If what they are is wrong and unacceptable in the eyes of the Lord, then that is between the gay person and the Lord.
I have nothing to do with it, I have no say in it, and put directly, it is none of my damn business just as my relationship with the Lord is none of anyone else’s damn business.
The way I see it, when Christ walked the Earth He could have spent his time hanging with Kings and other members of the upper-society of the time. He didn’t. Instead, He spent his short time in this world with what we would describe today as ‘everyday people’.
Christ didn’t judge. How could I?
It is interesting to note the reaction I received a few months ago.
A friend of mine from the Edmonton LGBT community was murdered. Vigils and various acts of remembrance followed, some of which I attended. A few from the gay community made note of my attendance, and remarked that Jimmy would have loved that I was there.
Many who I stood and paid respect with knew I was straight and knew of my religious beliefs. Never – not once – was I made to feel uncomfortable or out of place.
By contrast, I did hear from a few fellow Christians who questioned why I would attend. One even took the opportunity to question ‘the strength of your faith’ simply because I look upon gays and lesbians as humans, not as abominations.
I wonder what Christ’s response to that would be?
I’m guessing very similar to mine.