Well I’ve tried to have this discussion with many of the kids at my school, but they are all devout Christians and refuse to and even acknowledge my points, so I figured I’ll try this out.
Every Christian says they’re against gays/lesbians, or maybe “all homosexuals” would be the correct term, but I’m not sure. Anyways, these Christians say that they’re against it because it says it’s a sin to be gay in the bible. However, these Christians also say they live by the 10 commandments. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but no where in the 10 commandments does it say it’s a sin to be gay. Contradictory. My arguement was that the bible also says that cussing is a sin, yet every single one of these kids I know cusses alot, using more words than are said in the bible. Now they are telling me that that is different, but it’s not; it’s still a sin and it’s still bad according to their book. But, of course, they have some excuse to tell me why it’s not as bad as being gay. Contradictory.
I would just like someone to explain to me why cussing would be a worse sin than being gay, since they’re both sins and are both bad, according to their book. I am only 15, but I don’t believe or not believe in “God.” I’m one of those that believe there could be a god, but won’t actually “believe” in one until I get scientific proof. I’m not trying to sound anal or be a punk, I just don’t understand the big homophobia issue in this world.
I’m not entirely sure what the question is, but I’ll have a go:
Sin is sin. The bible doesn’t talk about some sins being worse than others, people do that. Sin separates us from God. But God gives us grace, and Jesus paid for our sin so that we can be reconciled to Him.
People respond to sin in all sorts of ways. Homophobia is one of them. They make a big deal out of a particular sin, and say that it is worse than ther sins. There is no biblical justification for this.
The bible says that homosexuality is a sin. It also says that a lot of other things are sins too
Am I a sinner? Yes. But I believe that God loves me anyway, and if I come to Him, He will forgive me. Do I believe that a practising homosexual is a sinner? Yes. Do I believe that God loves and accepts them just the way they are? Yes. Do I believe that they are human beings created in God’s image? Yes. Do I believe that it’s my place to condemn them? No way.
Leaving aside whether particular things are or are not sins, I believe that it’s absolutely wrong when christians use the bible to condemn groups or individuals, and miss the fact that God loves each individual irrespective of what they have or haven’t done and what they do or don’t do. Their sin is between them, God and other directly involved parties (and sometimes the law of the land - eg murder). To proclaim something generally as a sin is quite different from telling someone (or a group) what’s wrong with them (stealing is wrong vs. you are a thief and therefore lesser than I am), and I think that christians have often tended towards the latter, which they have no biblical right to do, and justified it by calling it the former.
Thank you, you answered all my questions with a perfect answers. You are one of the very few people I know who believe in “God” that think like that. It may be because you are older (which I don’t know) and are wiser to the fact, or just because the kids my age are actually ignorant to their religion’s beliefs.
I’m glad you think that it’s wrong to condemn this group of people. That’s one less person who I have to believe as ignorant and aarogant. I wish more people in the world would think like you, and cut all this homophobia out.
Generally, Christian kids either fully embrace their religion or fully abandon it as they mature. Over time, some of the former become more “liberal” in their faith, and some of the latter return to their faith with a more secularized viewpoint. In other words, the older you get, the more likely you are to encounter peers who are reasonable, kind, loving Christians.
No in the sense that they have been created by God, in His image and with free will. No in the sense that they are loved by God anyway. No in the sense that the consequence of their sin is separation from God. No in the sense that they can be reconciled to God if they come to him. No in the sense that it is not our place as human beings to condemn the person (as separate from the action, which should be condemned).
Yes in terms of the people who get hurt by the sin. Yes in terms of the consequences of the sin, which may include punishment under established laws of the land.
Sometimes I don’t think it’s fair that God loves and forgives some people, because I don’t think they deserve it. But coupled with God’s infinite justice is infinite mercy.
^ Well, the Catholics at least distinguish between mortal sins and venial sins, the former being big bad ones that’ll send you straight to Hell, the latter being lesser sins that will land you in Purgatory but not necessarily damn you. This, of course, is an over-simplification; perhaps someone who still practices this religion can explain it better. I don’t know if there’s actually any Biblical rationale for this belief or not. The priests and nuns implied that there was.
Although the Bible says that homosexuality is wrong, I don’t think very much in the way of anti-gay attitudes or behaviors stems from the Good Book. Instead I think that many (most?) people are homophobic for various reasons already and find certain Biblical quotes to support their homophobia. It’s amazing the things that can be justified by the Holy Bible (and its counter-parts in other religions).
Anyway, if you adhere to the ostensible values of Christianity, you’re gonna love gay people no matter what. Jesus loved everybody and wants you to do the same. My take on it, even back when I was a Christian, was that you should accept everybody for what they are; if you think something is wrong, just don’t do it. If somebody else’s behavior is a problem for God, God will take care of it.
Regarding profanity: I think there’s a verse in the Bible somewhere that advises one not to use “foul language,” but not that cussing is a sin. Sorry, no cite, just a dim memory. The only “no swearing or else” rule I can specifically remember is the one in the Ten Commandments that says, “Don’t use the Lord’s name in vain,” and that can be interpreted in different ways.
Watch who you’re calling old around here. Young people today - no respect for the elderly. Actually, I’m 23.
I have found (and been guilty of) that sometimes you get more caught up in the consensus of what people say about a particular religion rather than sitting down and researching what their book says about them. This includes people within those religions. It’s not a matter purely of age, it’s a matter of doing the research yourself, and placing yourself under solid and reliable teaching (often difficult to tell).
Actually, I’m 23.