[GCFL-discuss] Marriage

[gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net]

Jeff, I'm not going to start an argument, especially since I feel the
same way you do on many of your statements, but I have been trying for
years to put together some common sense points that could take the issue
of homosexuality OFF our national and local civic agendas, because it is
such a waste of time and energy.

Yes, I find description of homosexual acts disgusting. As to whether it
is a sin, I don't really care, because unlike adultery, I don't find it
tempting. I have to worry about things I could in some circumstances find
tempting (even though I know there is good reason not to do them).
Whether homosexuality is a sin, I am content to leave between those who
are tempted, the clergy they seek counsel from (if any) and God. I have
in the past counted a few homosexuals as personal friends, I did not try
to dissuade them, they did not try to persuade me, and at least one of
them died of AIDS.

I don't believe that anyone loses any right as a citizen because they are
homosexual. I also don't believe anyone is entitled to special
recognition because they are homosexual. If that's what turns someone on,
they can keep it in the privacy of their own home, and no, I don't want
to hear about it, I don't admire or respect it, and I wouldn't insult
anyone by "tolerating" it. But I agree that the police have better things
to do, and that state laws should not impose criminal penalties for
private consenting behavior. I note however, because its not illegal
means you won't go to prison, that leaves open that you may go to hell,
whatever that may be.

At a church retreat I attended last fall, one of the speakers asked
everyone to write down what they thought of homosexuality, and what each
person thought God thinks. After getting predictable denunciations, he
said, OK, what everyone basically said is that it is against God's
pattern. Now what makes THIS sin so especially deserving of disgust? Each
of you has done some OTHER thing that ALSO is against God's pattern.
Booty call every five minutes is no better. (That really puts it in
perspective.)

I observe that most Christians who are concerned about homosexuality
simply don't want to be put in a position of having to "accept"
homosexuality, or teach their/our children that its an OK thing. It is a
valid point. It is legal to drink wine and whiskey and beer in this
country, but some churches teach that consuming any alcohol is a sin.
They have a right to teach that, and likewise a right to teach that
homosexuality is a sin. (That is guaranteed by the First Amendment,
although most people don't know it.)

Anyway, homosexual lobbies will have to come to terms with the fact that
it is a biological abberation, whether or not it is an abomination. You
can get that from Darwin, much less from the Bible. Its always going to
be a minority practice, that carries some social disabilities, life is
not always fair. And yes, Genesis 1:27 is enough to show that the union
of two individuals of the same gender does not produce the image of God,
as the marriage of a man and a woman does.

Siarlys

P.S. Sorry to run on so long, but I always see so many angles.


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