Temptation is not sin, yielding is"- Billy Sunday, some time ago.
I thought I would shock all the "Christian" readers with my title and share my views on this topic.
I believe we live in a broken and fallen world. For more information, check out this perennial best seller. We are also broken and fallen. The symptoms of this fall include proclivities towards activities that are against our design, harmful to ourself and others and that would turn us against our creator.
One of these proclivities that we see becoming more acceptable in our society is homosexuality. For some reason, this symptom of a fallen world is currently being flaunted by those that are inclined in this direction, and it is considered wrong to tell them they are wrong. I don't think being homosexual is a choice, any more than having this fallen nature is a choice. Based on genetic make-up, past experiences and nurture, it seems that some develop a propensity for this. Others develop a propensity to promiscuous heterosexuality, isolationism or any number of other behaviors.
For some reason, this symptom of a fallen world is currently being flaunted by those that are inclined in this direction, and it is considered wrong to tell them they are wrong. If someone decides that they are homosexual, whatever. I think it is wrong, but I think that the deeper issue is a spiritual one and I am not called to ask people to change behavior without asking them to change their hearts. But why is it socially acceptable for them to flaunt their behavior and identify themselves solely as a sexual being?
We also seem to have lost the idea that just because we feel like doing something then it is inherently okay for us to do it.
Once again, we need revival.
Lessons Learned
10 months ago
8 comments:
do we have a double standard for how we treat gays and how we treat other sinners?
there are a lot of people out there that flaunt sinful behavior, but they dont get the hatful backlash that gays get.
i agree, hearts have to change first before behavior.
Man, I just tried to comment, but it erased. I will try to remember what I just said. Thanks for weighing in Dave.
I think their is definitely a several standard reaction in the Church to sinful behavior. Some sin, like gluttony, the Church encourages, some are tolerated and not addressed, some are forgiven and some cause us to work as hard as we can to make make people feel like they are unlovable, which encourages the flaunting of the behavior, I think.
Perhaps is we were more tolerant of people and less tolerant of anything that pulls people away from God.
No more hatfuls of backlash!!!
(Sorry, I couldn't resist)
Not like I never make errors. Like, in my comment, I said "Perhaps IS we were..." instead of "Perhaps IF we were..."
Though I agree with your comments about loving the sinner and hating the sin, what other sin 'group' forms alliance clubs in order to promote their personal rights? When was the last time you heard a pedofile win a case in court for being discriminated against because of his choices? Or a support group for liars who just want a chance to be heard? Or better still, a teacher who was forced to retire for not tolerating profanity in the classroom which is protected by the First Amendment? The only comparison I can think of for where our society has ended up is Sodom.
there are lots of groups that would be up in arms if we attempted to restrict their "rights".
strip clubs, if we decided to outlaw strip clubs.
bars, if we banned bars.
divorce, if we made it illegal to get a divorce for any situation not permitted in the bible.
there are lots of sinful behaviors that are allowed by our government and a lot of people would fight for claiming an infringment on their rights.
every sin is different and will cause different reactions.
james,
how do you think the church promotes gluttony?
Well,
I think it is considered acceptable to a great extent. Eating and drinking to excess are not considered sinful, even tho it is certainly gluttonous.
In regards to homosexuality, I do not see how we restrict their "rights". No one says they can't be homosexual. Many people just do not want marriage redefined. I don't think anyone ever thought marriage would be defined as anything other than between one man and one woman (except the LDS Church of 150 years ago). Not that their is a concerted effort to redefine marriage, many are concerned. Which is why people are promoting these propositions. Not for the sake of denying rights...two people, gay or otherwise, can still share whatever they want and have whatever access to whatever they want, but why do we have to redefine what has always been recognized as marriage?
gluttony may be one of those issues not adressed by the chruch, but i dont think it is encouraged. if anything, i think Christians are those who encourage their kids to be healthy. maybe just a difference in opinion.
are gays redefining marriage or are we defining it to leave gays out? does the bible define marriage?
Help me out. Are you supporting gay marriage, or are you playing the devil's advocate?
Did you look to see if the Bible defines marriage?
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