You are confused. Probably because most discussions in the media twist this around. They make gayness an innate part of personality, unchangable.
Gay means defining one's personality according to one's sexual orientation, and going along with the so called gay lifestyle.
People with sexual temptations who do not act on them are not sinners.
Sin is an action, not the temptation. So God indeed does love someone who is tempted and tries to stay pure.
Catholics consider such temptations a personality defect, similar to personality defects toward drinking and drugs and promiscuity. They are probably partly innate, but mainly developmentally defined. They can be cured, but not in all cases. Like alcoholics, they must take one day at a time.
As for God not liking people who are tempted with same sex attraction: ah, if you only knew how wide and deep is the love of God who showed us this love when Jesus died for us.
But improper sexual thoughts are also sinful. (A man who looks at a woman with lust in his heart...)
God does love each and every one of us, assuredly!
You: "You are confused. Probably because most discussions in the media twist this around. They make gayness an innate part of personality, unchangable. "
No confusion here. Being gay is changeable to what is normal - heterosexual. You've been mislead and don't acknowledge God's view on this issue. Here's the website on Exodus that may help you better understand the issue and how God helps those who want to be helped out of this living hell:
http://www.exodusnorthamerica.org/
You can search the site on how Catholics handle this problem. In fact, I highly recomend just reading through the site, especially the testimonies. No one is born with that emotional problem that is later acted out sexually when they are adolescents and awakening sexually. Many tormented homosexuals have turned their life around with the help of Him. I know a former homosexual and it was not easy. Now he is happily married with children. God is blessing him.
Another active homosexual that I know, who is Catholic, has told me that it's okay to be gay as long as you don't act out on it. This is ridiculous. His situation in particular is ludicrous. He lives with his "ex-lover". Yeah right = they don't act on it!. In any event, this is what the Catholic church teaches. If you are a homosexual it's okay but DON'T act out on it. In other words, the person tortures themselves emotionally and is never rid of the affliction.
It now looks like a don't ask don't tell policy where if the priest is gay it's okay as long as they don't get caught molesting anyone. If they do get caught molesting someone, well, that's okay too, they'll pay the victim off and cover for them. Interestingly thought Catholic leaders are very anti abortion, which I could not agree more on, but when it comes to child molestation they cover for the priest and pay off the victim. It is hypocrisy.
You: "Gay means defining one's personality according to one's sexual orientation, and going along with the so called gay lifestyle. "
Me: Oh, come on ... Play the redefiniation game with someone else. Being gay is being a homosexual. Either you are a homosexual or you are not. If you are a homosexual you act on it. Another example - either you are a thief or you are not. If you are a thief you steal things. No one is born as a thief. It is a learned behavior that attempts to compensate for an inadequacy.
It's not a "personality" thing and it's not a "sexual orientiation" thing. NO ONE IS BORN GAY. Read through the Exodus site and clear up your confusion or possibly denial. There is much for you to learn. Stop being an apologist and defining homosexuality down in the name of compassion. By doing this you advocate evil. Homosexuality is evil.
You: "People with sexual temptations who do not act on them are not sinners. "
Me: The problem is that even THINKING about sexual temptations whether it be with someone other than your spouse, same sex attraction etc. is a sin. The person doesn't have to act out on their thoughts. We are all sinners for one reason or another. A verse for you to learn:
Matthew 5:28
You: "Sin is an action, not the temptation. So God indeed does love someone who is tempted and tries to stay pure. "
You apparently diagree with God. ONLY a homosexual with be "tempted" to act out on another. If you are not a homosexual you will not be "tempted". SO the bottom line is the person is a homosexual and a sinner. Homosexality is a sin. I repeat:
Matthew 5:28
[28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
That verse explains how God views temptation. It is not in agreement with your view. The Judeo CHirstian God is so Holy and Perfect that even thinking it is a sin. As the verse states, thinking it or lusting is the same as commiting adultry.
You: "Catholics consider such temptations a personality defect, similar to personality defects toward drinking and drugs and promiscuity. They are probably partly innate, but mainly developmentally defined. They can be cured, but not in all cases. Like alcoholics, they must take one day at a time. "
Me: Catholics are not in agreement with God. His Word views this differently. I repeat:
Matthew 5:28
[28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
That verse explains how God views temptation. It is not in agreement with your view. The Judeo Christian God is so Holy and Perfect that even thinking it is a sin. As the verse states, thinking it or lusting is the same as commiting adultry. If I was to think about tealing my neighbors car; that would be a sin and the same in His eyes as taking what doesn't belong to me. If I am thinking about stealing, I would be a thief.
As for me, I believe it when Jesus says:
Mark.9:23
[23] Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
[24] And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
[25] When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
[26] And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
[27] But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
[28] And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
[29] And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Mark.10:27
[27] And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Mark.14:36
[36] And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
I have yet to see God NOT help someone with sin who does believe in Him and put their fath and trust in Him. He never lets you down. He would NEVER turn His back on one looking to leave the homosexual life. He's eager to save people from eternal damnation however despite His incredible love and grace, He will allow us to turn our backs on Him. He gives us free will to do as we wish.
There is nothing that cannot be cured with God's help. In the case of homoseuxality, alcholism or abuse, God will do cartwheels to help His loved one IF they believe and put their trust/faith in Him. When it comes to whether one lives or dies that is God's call but Christians don't live for this life alone but look forward to eternal life in His presence. There is no way the Judeo Chrsitian God would turn His back on a homosexual earnestly looking to be what He intended for them - a heterosexual life. The website Exodus has many examples of how God helps these people who WANT His help. What you state is not in agreement with God's Word nor does it reflect His incredible love. When one loves another they don't want the loved one to suffer as homosexuals do. Homosexuality is a sadistic lifestyle, emotionally and physically. The God I know, would NEVER keep someone in bondage to that suffering if they wanted to leave it and they believe in Him, and giving Him their trust/faith to help them.
You: "As for God not liking people who are tempted with same sex attraction: ah, if you only knew how wide and deep is the love of God who showed us this love when Jesus died for us."
The Judeo Christian God considers homosexuality an abomination. He goes out of His way to state how this sickens Him. God hates sin and doesn't overlook it as you would like. He doesn't love evil. He despises evil and homsexuality is pure evil. The change of heart must come from the person, not God. Either you believe in Him or you don't. Either you put your faith/trust in Him or you don't.
Lev.20:13
[13] If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Whether it be in the Old Testament or the New, it is not something to think about (be tempted) or acted upon. Either is a sin. If you are "tempted" as you like to put it, then you are a homosexual. I'm not a homosexual so I am not "tempted" to same sex attraction. Only those with the affliction are "tempted". So when you are "tempted" you've already committed a sin according to Matthew 5:28
[27] Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
[28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
you might remember Jimmeh Carter and his infamous response to a PlayBoy interview on lust. He brought this verse to life. It is also not a coincidence that you don't hear about a gay women's health crisis. It is ALWAYS the Gay men's health crisis. Men are visual whereas women are not. If heterosexual men could have their way, they'd have a different woman every night. It's just how males operate. The visual aspect is why gay men have a health care crisis and multiple partners. Since they are gay, and visual it's even easier to have multiple partners. It's understood that they don't have to be in love whereas women DO want the emotional aspect of affection for involvement. Female prostitutes typically hate men and only want the money so don't confuse that.
Cross dressing doesn't go over very well either with God:
Deut.22:5
[5] The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
1Kgs.14:24
[24] And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
The Judeo Christina God makes no bones about it. Homosexuality doesn't go over well with God. Nor would He want a homosexual "tempted" with same sex attraction serving as an ambassador for Him. For whatever reason homosexuality really displease Him to no end. I'm guessing but I suspect His wrath at this unnatural act might be because he created women for men and not men for men or woman for woman. It is a despicable rebellion to what He envisioned as normal and right.