How do you reconcile homosexuality and Christianity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Christian, but I genuinely do not feel that homosexuality is wrong. I just never have. I do see that homosexual acts are condemned by the Bible. I go to a very conservative church that will never perform gay marriages, for example. But in my heart, in my conscience, I just really do not feel homosexuality is wrong. I do not see anything immoral about it. If you have felt similar and found a way to reconcile this, I would love to know! I have been thinking about it for awhile.

Lifelong practicing Catholic. I came to an Ephinany about homosexuality in the my early 20s. I figure if I can wear blended fibers and eat shellfish without guilt, I'm a hypocrit to judge the sexual habits of others. I do oppose abortion though.

[Anonymous]

OP - why do you think it is not Biblically wrong (forget the moral part, since that is not necessarily the same as Biblical morals)?

Is it because Jesus didn't directly condemn the act? I'm thinking there are a lot of things that Jesus didn't directly address because, I agree, He was all about love and compassion, which *everyone* deserves. For example, He never addressed slavery. If he didn't address it, does that mean He would condone it? IDK, I think not.

[Anonymous]

Same reason I don't think eating shrimp is a sin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - why do you think it is not Biblically wrong (forget the moral part, since that is not necessarily the same as Biblical morals)?

Is it because Jesus didn't directly condemn the act? I'm thinking there are a lot of things that Jesus didn't directly address because, I agree, He was all about love and compassion, which *everyone* deserves. For example, He never addressed slavery. If he didn't address it, does that mean He would condone it? IDK, I think not.

I think it IS Biblically wrong, but I don't understand why. Like, with every other sin I can understand why it would be harmful to others or to yourself, but not homosexuality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a conservative christian as well, and my daughter is gay. I think it's wrong, and a sin, but so is gossiping and divorce and greed and on and on and on. Everyone's committing sins every day, including me! Her being gay is no worse that my other daughter sleeping with her boyfriend. It's not place to condemn anyone for any sin, especially one that's not hurting me. I just pray the same thing for us all - to be forgiven, to want to be closer to God and to live our lives to please Him.

The difference is, most people repent from non-sexual sins. People who sexually sin enjoy the sin and don't usually repent and change their ways.

Are they repenting, or are they just not sinning anymore? The boyfriend/girlfriend that was sleeping together - did they repent and stop? Or did they get married, so it's no longer a sin? The guy having an affair - did he repent and stop? Or was he busted and didn't want a divorce so he stopped? The lady that was gossiping - did she really feel guilty and will never do it again? Or will she do it again as soon as she gets another piece of juicy news?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same reason I don't think eating shrimp is a sin.

OP here- have you read the Bible? Eating shrimp and homosexuality are surely not equivalent. It is clearly written in the New Testament that you can eat what you want:

‘Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:13-15)

‘(hypocritical liars)… order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.’ (1 Timothy 4:2-5)

But homosexuality is different:

Romans 1:18-27New International Version (NIV)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

‘It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7)

You guys comparing homosexuality to blended fabrics and shrimp have missed the issue here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - why do you think it is not Biblically wrong (forget the moral part, since that is not necessarily the same as Biblical morals)?

Is it because Jesus didn't directly condemn the act? I'm thinking there are a lot of things that Jesus didn't directly address because, I agree, He was all about love and compassion, which *everyone* deserves. For example, He never addressed slavery. If he didn't address it, does that mean He would condone it? IDK, I think not.

I think it IS Biblically wrong, but I don't understand why. Like, with every other sin I can understand why it would be harmful to others or to yourself, but not homosexuality.

I think you need to talk to a Bible expert, a Theologian. Lay people, such as myself, don't have a full grasp of the Bible, the context of which some things were written, and the lost in translation from Greek and Hebrew to English.

I used to study with a Theologian, and it was quite eye opening to learn about the meanings behind why certain things were written the way they were, many of which were culturally based.

I suppose the sin of homosexuality is a lot like the sin of sex outside of marriage (which I am guilty of, too, btw, but I did end up marrying the person). I agree with PPs that a sin is a sin is a sin. Sexual sins, though, are distinct in the sense that, as the Bible teaches, your body is a holy temple, and if you bring sin into your body, then you are defiling the holy temple, which the Holy Spirit resides. But again, no different than if you treat your body like crap, I suppose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - why do you think it is not Biblically wrong (forget the moral part, since that is not necessarily the same as Biblical morals)?

Is it because Jesus didn't directly condemn the act? I'm thinking there are a lot of things that Jesus didn't directly address because, I agree, He was all about love and compassion, which *everyone* deserves. For example, He never addressed slavery. If he didn't address it, does that mean He would condone it? IDK, I think not.

I think it IS Biblically wrong, but I don't understand why. Like, with every other sin I can understand why it would be harmful to others or to yourself, but not homosexuality.

I explained this a few posts up. The point of sex (biologically speaking) is to produce children. And two gay men can't, so that's why historically the Bible was against it. This is no longer the case. Two gay men can raise a family now through adoption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - why do you think it is not Biblically wrong (forget the moral part, since that is not necessarily the same as Biblical morals)?

Is it because Jesus didn't directly condemn the act? I'm thinking there are a lot of things that Jesus didn't directly address because, I agree, He was all about love and compassion, which *everyone* deserves. For example, He never addressed slavery. If he didn't address it, does that mean He would condone it? IDK, I think not.

I think it IS Biblically wrong, but I don't understand why. Like, with every other sin I can understand why it would be harmful to others or to yourself, but not homosexuality.

I think you need to talk to a Bible expert, a Theologian. Lay people, such as myself, don't have a full grasp of the Bible, the context of which some things were written, and the lost in translation from Greek and Hebrew to English.

I used to study with a Theologian, and it was quite eye opening to learn about the meanings behind why certain things were written the way they were, many of which were culturally based.

I suppose the sin of homosexuality is a lot like the sin of sex outside of marriage (which I am guilty of, too, btw, but I did end up marrying the person). I agree with PPs that a sin is a sin is a sin. Sexual sins, though, are distinct in the sense that, as the Bible teaches, your body is a holy temple, and if you bring sin into your body, then you are defiling the holy temple, which the Holy Spirit resides. But again, no different than if you treat your body like crap, I suppose.

Sex outside of a marriage was a sin because it used to leave unwed, destitute mothers (some may argue it still can, but we have birth control today). And it was bad for children to grow up impoverished and without a father. Women couldn't provide for the family the way that men could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You just ignore what the Bible says like every other progressive Christian.

Show me where Jesus says homosexuality is a sin.... You can't.

NP but Sodom and Gomorrah.

I was the pp who believes two parent families are a blessing and that Jesus would love gays too.

Sodom and Gomorrah are most definitely Old Testament. Way before Jesus, and Jesus brought a whole different code of personal conduct and even specifically renounced certain Old Testament rules (diet, hating your enemy...). True, Jesus didn't specifically mention homosexuality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a conservative christian as well, and my daughter is gay. I think it's wrong, and a sin, but so is gossiping and divorce and greed and on and on and on. Everyone's committing sins every day, including me! Her being gay is no worse that my other daughter sleeping with her boyfriend. It's not place to condemn anyone for any sin, especially one that's not hurting me. I just pray the same thing for us all - to be forgiven, to want to be closer to God and to live our lives to please Him.

The difference is, most people repent from non-sexual sins. People who sexually sin enjoy the sin and don't usually repent and change their ways.

Are they repenting, or are they just not sinning anymore? The boyfriend/girlfriend that was sleeping together - did they repent and stop? Or did they get married, so it's no longer a sin? The guy having an affair - did he repent and stop? Or was he busted and didn't want a divorce so he stopped? The lady that was gossiping - did she really feel guilty and will never do it again? Or will she do it again as soon as she gets another piece of juicy news?

OP here. My understanding is that repentance is not just "feeling sorry" which by your post is what I assume you think it is. Repentance is about a genuine change of heart that comes from God's grace. The sins (fooling around, gossip, affair) are not the real problem, the problem is a lack of connection to God's love. The sin is the symptom, not the disease, so to speak. If a person truly repents, they will not have a *desire* to sin anymore. The gossiping lady will truly have caring and empathy for others instead of wanting to talk about them, the couple will want to unite in front of God and their families and have God be a part of their relationship in marriage, the man having an affair will commit to his wife and have God in his life. People stumble, but if you really repent, you make legitimate progress. You should be making progress in your spiritual life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Christian, but I genuinely do not feel that homosexuality is wrong. I just never have. I do see that homosexual acts are condemned by the Bible. I go to a very conservative church that will never perform gay marriages, for example. But in my heart, in my conscience, I just really do not feel homosexuality is wrong. I do not see anything immoral about it. If you have felt similar and found a way to reconcile this, I would love to know! I have been thinking about it for awhile.

Lifelong practicing Catholic. I came to an Ephinany about homosexuality in the my early 20s. I figure if I can wear blended fibers and eat shellfish without guilt, I'm a hypocrit to judge the sexual habits of others. I do oppose abortion though.

Enjoy the shellfish, just don't be rude to the waiter. Jesus said, "God doesn't care what goes into your mouth, he cares what comes out of your mouth."

Jesus also said that all the Old Testament rules should be boiled down to just these two: 1. love God and 2. love your neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - why do you think it is not Biblically wrong (forget the moral part, since that is not necessarily the same as Biblical morals)?

Is it because Jesus didn't directly condemn the act? I'm thinking there are a lot of things that Jesus didn't directly address because, I agree, He was all about love and compassion, which *everyone* deserves. For example, He never addressed slavery. If he didn't address it, does that mean He would condone it? IDK, I think not.

I think it IS Biblically wrong, but I don't understand why. Like, with every other sin I can understand why it would be harmful to others or to yourself, but not homosexuality.

I think you need to talk to a Bible expert, a Theologian. Lay people, such as myself, don't have a full grasp of the Bible, the context of which some things were written, and the lost in translation from Greek and Hebrew to English.

I used to study with a Theologian, and it was quite eye opening to learn about the meanings behind why certain things were written the way they were, many of which were culturally based.

I suppose the sin of homosexuality is a lot like the sin of sex outside of marriage (which I am guilty of, too, btw, but I did end up marrying the person). I agree with PPs that a sin is a sin is a sin. Sexual sins, though, are distinct in the sense that, as the Bible teaches, your body is a holy temple, and if you bring sin into your body, then you are defiling the holy temple, which the Holy Spirit resides. But again, no different than if you treat your body like crap, I suppose.

Sex outside of a marriage was a sin because it used to leave unwed, destitute mothers (some may argue it still can, but we have birth control today). And it was bad for children to grow up impoverished and without a father. Women couldn't provide for the family the way that men could.

Is this a catholic church teaching? Because from what I have read in the Bible, sex is for pleasure, too. Do catholics never read Song of Songs in the Bible? It's basically Biblical erotica.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same reason I don't think eating shrimp is a sin.

OP here- have you read the Bible? Eating shrimp and homosexuality are surely not equivalent. It is clearly written in the New Testament that you can eat what you want:

‘Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:13-15)

‘(hypocritical liars)… order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.’ (1 Timothy 4:2-5)

But homosexuality is different:

Romans 1:18-27New International Version (NIV)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

‘It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7)

You guys comparing homosexuality to blended fabrics and shrimp have missed the issue here.

Your quotes are from Paul again. Some think Paul was divinely inspired. But he most definitely was not Jesus, in fact he's not even counted as a "prophet" (he called himself a disciple). Taking his every word literally is elevating him to a status that he didn't claim for himself.

[Anonymous]

OP here- have you read the Bible? Eating shrimp and homosexuality are surely not equivalent. It is clearly written in the New Testament that you can eat what you want:

For the sake of argument let's just say... homosexuality is a sin, It is also written in the New Testament ...

Matthew 7:12 New International Version
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you

Matthew 7:1
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

So even it is a sin, homosexual people should be treated just like everybody else, just like the gluttonous overweight men and women in your congregation. They should be welcomed and not judged and their "sins" and their relationship with God has nothing to do with you.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
Roman 12:19

But, I don't think the New Testaments says homosexuality is a sin... why... because translations and meanings of words....

My son wants to work for IRS, does that mean he is a sinner?

Jesus said to “treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (Matthew 18:17).

Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’” (Mark 2:15–16)

"unnatural" in your quotes... we don't know what that means... or what the original word was that was used and how many translation it went through. Maybe the translator was homophobic and when translating assumed "unnatural" mean homosexual relations.

There is nothing in Jesus's teachings that can make me believe that when 2 loving adults want to love each other it is a sin. Though I see lots of heterosexual sins. I wonder about people's obsession with homosexual "sin".