In Reply to: Re: There is a difference posted by OT2 on September 21, 2006 at 18:52:59:
I did mesh yours and Farmer's posts together and I apologize for that. It was unintentional.
I believe everyone has a right to their own opinion even if it is that blacks were the descendants of Ham and the belief is that they were slaves because of Ham's actions. I think expressing that belief to a black person posting here would be WRONG. If someone was advocating that at Journeys I would say something about it whether black or not.
I don't think it is just about being politically correct. Do you realize that in Houston there are MANY churches that are called "reconciling" churches that have very active ministries run by Christians that are gay and lesbian friendly and accept this orientation as normal and a minority variation of sexual orientation?
I am glad for that. I am Glad "His Touch Ministries" has been active and perhaps still is [?] with regard to bringing comfort and care to people dying with aids.
I never pictured you as a left handed person beater. I only talked about how that was once a widespread belief of Christians across American some decades ago, that left handed people were going to hell.
I used that to compare it to the unwarranted fear of a person's sexual orientation.
Do you realize that pedophilia and people that research sex acts with children or who are rapists are criminal and criminality has nothing to do with consenting adults and their sexual preferences?
There are many heterosexuals who suffer from AIDS, Hepatitis C and other serious afflictions. Those diseases strike any orientation.
Since this is a board where people are on different journeys after the family, I can agree to respect that you do not think like me. I am not Christian bashing here. I don't think I ever have.
Part of my journey was to come to terms with who I am as a person. All of me. Some of that would according to your belief send me to hell.
I think it would be a pretty sick god that would fry a person for eternity for loving someone that was of the same sex.
I can't believe in a god like that. I am agnostic because I cannot believe in any God I have heard about. I believe there is something beyond what people understand or can tack down scientifically just yet. I don't take the leap into faith in any religion. Neither do I belittle anyone or tell them they will burn for eternity if they haven't accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
I know many very sincere Christians. I respect them. I don't hate them or dis them for their basic belief, although the ones I know are mostly from reconciling churches.
I don't understand how you equate Berg's doctrines with homosexuality. Berg was all about control. Rape is about a sense of power and control for someone who is out of control. I don't see anything that would equate what consenting adults do that is normal including having homosexual relationships as anything comparable to Berg or his doctrines.
Homosexuality between consenting adults is the same as it is between heterosexual ones.
Homosexuality does not mean a person is a barfly or a drug addict either. Any orientation can be either. Any orientation can delve into criminal behavior.
I think it would be best for you to get into a debate with a Christian who is with a reconciling church to discuss the biblical perspective. I am not a Christian and so I can't get into that with you.
I met some Christians who have a ministry very similar to His Touch and they have done great work with people with AIDs and with gangs, troubled youth, etc. They are great people in their caring. Eventually if someone goes to their church that is homosexual they have to renounce their orientation because they will otherwise feel like they are going to hell.
I can't see how loving someone, same sex or not, when it is between consenting adults is "sinful".
I can't fathom why it is such a big deal for some. I can see not believing in it for yourself but I can't see telling others they are going to hell if they don't stop having their homosexual relationship(s).
I believe I have responded to your psot respectfully. I will try to keep it on that level.