This article is a follow-up to a previous article that was published a couple of weeks ago, “Same-sex Marriage, the Gospel, and what does either have to do with the other”. If you have not read it, or wish to revisit it before continuing with this article you may do so here. http://wp.me/p4FyFa-1P. If you have not previously read this article, I strongly suggest you do so, as that will provide the foundation upon which this article is built.
I will do my best to not repeat or rehash what has previously been stated and instead address new material, but I do want to emphasize our baseline starting point.
We are all sinners, separated from God as a result of sin in our lives. God, in His foreknowledge, knew that sin in man would destroy our relationship with Him. God created us for a relationship with Him and part of His plan in creation was reconciliation because He loves us despite our sin. What greater love could He have shown than to become one of His creation in the person of Jesus. Jesus was the only human ever born who did not come from the sin stained seed of Adam, as Mary was directly impregnated by God. What other than a great and unconditional love could motivate Jesus to humble Himself, born as baby, enduring the struggles of growing up as a human, enduring the pain, ridicule, torture, injustice and finally death on a cross in order to pay the penalty for our sin and taking the punishment we deserve. Jesus, being God, could have stopped at any time saying, “I have had enough of this”, and gone back to heaven. But He persevered and pressed on because of a deep and enduring love for you and me and every individual He created. Only a sinless human could substitute himself for the sin of another and no one can live a sinless life other than God Himself. There were no other options and Jesus willingly laid down His life for ours out of a great love for humanity. No one forced Jesus to go through the crucifixion and the nails didn’t hold Him there. His love did.
The Bible describes sin as anything that is contrary to God’s nature. This includes, but is not limited to lying, stealing, adultery, complaining about things that are not wrong, and the list goes on and on. I do not look down on anyone as being “more” or “less” sinful because of any particular sin. I too, was born in sin and am in no position to judge anyone. I only look up to Jesus as my Lord and Savior. There is nothing I can do to save myself, nor anyone else themselves. I also could not have endured my trials when I was injured in 1990, nor the struggles I have had since without the hope I have in Jesus. He is in control and when my life here and now comes to an end, I will spend an eternity with Jesus in heaven. I endure because I can view all I go through now as light momentary affliction compared to the glory that awaits me in heaven. The Bible describes our lives as a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. This will seem like absolutely nothing when compared with an eternal dwelling in heaven. We were made for eternity and must view the short time we have here in this lifetime in light of eternity. Where we spend eternity, whether in heaven or hell, will depend on our response to God’s offer of salvation.
The Bible deals with each type of sin in its own light and articles could be written regarding each one. The question at hand here is whether homosexuality is to be listed among the sins for which Jesus died and therefore requires our repentance? Secondarily, is Biblical marriage at all applicable to a same-sex relationship? In this article I am in no way personally condemning or judging anyone, but merely passing on what I have found as the Biblical basis for a discussion about how God views homosexuality, made known to us through revelation in his word. If there is any judgment felt here, it is not coming from me but God speaking to your heart.
The first thing that must happen in any discussion of homosexuality with regard to the Bible is to define what it is exactly that we are referring to when we use the term homosexual. The easiest place to start is to state what we are not talking about. Throughout human history, there have been men who have had very close friendships with other men and likewise women with women. These individuals enjoy spending time with one another and enjoy each other’s company in such a way that they could say they prefer the company of their friend more than any other individual at any given time and may feel love toward them. They may share a room at college as roommates or share an apartment or house to consolidate expenses. They may love each other with a brotherly or sisterly love, but their relationship is not sexual in nature in any way. These individuals may say that they are more comfortable in the company of their own sex over the opposite, but do not entertain sexual fantasies or activity with such company. One example from scripture of such a friendship is between David, before he became king, and King Saul’s son, Jonathan. They enjoyed a very close friendship, but it was in no respect sexual in nature. These types of relationships are condemned no where in scripture nor by God. These types of friendship relationships do not make you gay or lesbian, but merely a close friend. In such a relationship, marriage is not even a consideration as the circumstances do not fit into the purpose and design of what marriage is all about.
So, what is marriage, and what is it all about? Marriage was instituted by God as a means of uniting two complimentary individuals, a man and a woman, in such a way that they are no longer two but one for the purpose of mutual growth, support, and procreation. This is intended to be a permanent union joined by God that nothing short of death should separate. The institute of marriage was created by God immediately after He formed and brought together Adam and Eve. And they were united, laying the foundation for all future marriages, and instructed to multiply and fill the earth. This was also the institution of the family.
God created humans, and all other creatures with the means to reproduce. He wanted the earth to be populated. So of course He made it pleasurable. But it was also designed to be an engagement between two committed, life-long partners. Within the bounds of marriage there would be a real, lasting commitment to the teaching and upbringing of children resulting from sexual activity. Reproduction can only happen between a man and women, and that is the only type of sexual activity that is supported in the Bible. It is only in this context, a man and woman coming together to build a family and grow God’s kingdom, that Biblical instituted marriage applies.
So what exactly do we mean by homosexuality, with regard to the Bible? Homosexuality, as opposed to close same-sex friendships, is the engagement in sexual activity of a man with a man or woman with a women.
In Leviticus, same-sex sexual activity is lumped together with having sexual relations with animals, both being unclean, perversions and abominations. These behaviors are among those practiced within the nations which God condemned, and supplanted by the Israelites.
Lev 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. 23 And you shall not lie with any animal and so make yourself unclean with it, neither shall any woman give herself to an animal to lie with it: it is perversion. 24 “Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean, 25 and the land became unclean, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.
In addition, Sodom is described as being wicked and sinful throughout scripture. It is alluded to that this wickedness included same-sex sexual relations. God does not change, nor do His ideals and opinions about activities in the past, present, or future. If he felt that this type of activity was an abomination following the exodus from Egypt, he still feels that way today.
In the New Testament, Paul is even more forthright, clear, and direct and, for the most part, I will let God’s word speak for itself.
Romans 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Ti 1:10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,
James speaks more generally about sin, and as such, this applies to the sin of same-sex sexual activity.
James 1:13 ¶ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Same-sex sexual activity may be a legitimate desire, but like pornography, drunkenness, drugs, adultery, etc, it is not natural, and when conceived, gives birth to sin. Same sex sexual relationships are never portrayed within scripture in a positive manner. Every positive marital/sexual relationship within scripture is between a man and woman and the contrary is condemned.
The argument is often given by those engaging in same-sex sexual relations that they were born the way they are, and because of that, should be accepted, embraced, and by no means encouraged to change. I would whole-heatedly agree that they were born the way they are. We all were, and we are all encouraged to change. From the first sin of Adam and Eve onward, we were all born with a sin nature and it is just a matter of the life circumstances we live in and around as to what temptations we are presented with throughout our lifetimes. What is clear from scripture is that we are all responsible for how we respond to temptation and because no one has lived a life free of sin, we all deserve God’s judgment. But that was the whole reason Jesus was born, lived a sin free life, died on the cross and was raised again after three days. God loved us while we were sinners and provided the means for us to receive his forgiveness, reconciliation, and salvation through the death of His son. Jesus took the penalty for our sin on himself and died in our place. But while this gift of salvation is free for us to obtain, we still must choose to accept it by placing our faith and trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Each individual must understand that they are dead in sin and believe that there is nothing that can be done to earn salvation apart from what Jesus has already done at the cross.
Regardless, however, what an individual may feel their emotional sexual orientation may be, God made each person at birth with either the sexual reproductive organs of a male or those of a female and they are incapable of functioning according to the opposite sex. God is not a God of confusion and would not have programmed people contrary to their genetic profile. This world, however, is corrupt and full of temptation and it is very easy to be drawn into a sinful lifestyle from such an early age that it truly feels natural.
Another argument that is often raised regarding the Bible and homosexuality deals with the Bible’s treatment of slavery and tries to make a comparison between homosexuality and slavery. This, however, appears to me merely a smokescreen and excuse to try to discredit the Bible and justify ignoring what the Bible says. Inhumane treatment of other human beings is a sin, just as same-sex sexual relations are a sin. While there did exist much slavery during the Biblical time frame, it was not of a form we are now accustomed to from recent past. Slavery at that time was more humane, akin more to a servant master relationship similar to military tenure than our more recent slave trade. The Hebrew scriptures also laid out strict governing guidelines to protect slaves according to moral grounds. The Bible also makes it clear that masters are subject to judgment for sin and, as with all of us, to be held accountable for our words and actions. For further information related to slavery and the Bible, please refer to a very comprehensive and informative article on the topic of slavery and the Bible. http://www.bible-researcher.com/slavery.html
If you still insist on believing that the Bible supports Homosexual marriage, please allow me to refer you to another article with some things to consider. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2014/06/17/five-questions-for-christians-who-support-gay-marriage/
In conclusion, homosexuality, as defined in the Bible as same-sex sexual activity is a sin, and Biblical marriage is only applicable between a man an woman. As such, same-sex marriages are not condoned by scripture and should not be condoned by followers of Jesus. That being said, I personally do not judge or condemn anyone as I too am sinful and must rely on Christ’s saving grace in my life and for my salvation. What I do is present what the Bible says and warn that one day all of us will be found before one who will judge all mankind and we will all give account for every word and deed, whether good or bad.
Eternity in View 
Great post, I agree.
IMHO, the biggest problem with acceptance of homosexuality is that people who support it tend to make it acceptable to God.
If it is acceptable, it is not a sin that will be acknowledged and repented of.
Add to that, homosexuality is not a single sin like a lie, it is a life of sin and a life of denying the sin.
My only question? If homosexuals are to change to be straight, are you able to change to turn homosexual?
If I would choose to do so, and had reason that would motivate me to do so, yes. But I cannot think of a valid reason that could motivate me to do so, and many reasons why I should not. Nobody is born homosexual. It is a choice brought about by life’s circumstances and experiences in a sinful world. Everyone has the physical sexual makeup of either male or female and one’s mental and emotional state is merely conditioned incorrectly by one’s surroundings when his or her emotional tendency is in conflict with his or her physical makeup.
Thank you for answering my question. Interestingly, I do not believe you. I am not sure why you would want to change, you are already straight. Being gay is not a choice, much like you, you did not choose to be straight. Your response is a cop-out, and designed to only strengthen your argument that being gay is a choice. I have no desire to choose to be straight, and as you said, nothing motivates me to do so. If it does not motivate you, then why would you choose to want to do it in the first place? I am very confused, first you say you would, but there is not motivating factor to do it. Which is what I am trying to say. I have no desire to be straight nor choose to be straight. And I did not choose anything. I know I was born this way. By using your logic, the millions of LBGT persons over the thousands of years would choose it…which means that all of these people all chose it. Statistically that makes no sense, and logically too. I have this “feeling” you will say,but I know lots of gays, which may be true. However, you may either know ex-gays, or ones that just are not comfortable being gay. If you would poll every gay, they will all say they knew, knew since they were very young. Like you did when you were of a certain age.
I understand your position that you truly believe it is not a choice, but it is only because you have been deceived that you and others like you feel as such. I also think you misunderstood me. Never did I say that I would change. I said that if I had a motivating reason to change, that I could if and only if I wanted to make that choice, which I don’t ever see happening. When God created the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden, he made them male and female. In response to Satan’s temptation, they disobeyed God’s command not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. From that moment on, sin has taken root in the heart of man. We are all born in sin. Each of us has a bent toward sins of one sort or another and Satan knows us enough to take advantage of our weaknesses. But that is where the hope I have in Jesus comes into play. God did not leave us in our sin, destined to suffer the consequences of remaining in our sin, that is death. Jesus, God in flesh and blood, lived a perfect life and gave that life, dying on the cross to pay the penalty for sin and death in our place. Because of this sacrifice, we can be forgiven and look forward to an eternity with God in heaven when our time on earth comes to an end. All that is necessary is for each of us to repent, confessing our sins before God and call on the name of Jesus as Lord and savior.
This is what you said: If I would choose to do so, and had reason that would motivate me to do so, yes. This means that you would choose to be gay. Which is in your words not mine. I did not say anything to the contrary. You are the one who said If I would choose… I did not choose, there is no satan who made me change. I did not sin, nor have I ever sinned with me being gay. The one statement that is always made is why would anyone choose to be gay. When you can be fired from a job, you can be shot, murdered, etc. I am lucky, I did not have this problem, though, there are many people who do. And, please answer my question. If you say being gay is a choice, then why over millennia, have men and woman “chosen” to be gay. History has proven that we exist and always exist. Wouldn’t you think that logic dictates, that over thousands of years, no one would choose it anymore? Then the whole problem would go away? No one to discriminate, no one to shoot, kill, or murder? No one to bully, no one to commit suicide? I am still very perplexed as to why history has shown that we exist, and will not go away. If people chose this life, then there would be no more gays, why? who wants the misery. And no, I (nor anyone) chose it for attention. Do you know any “real”, “true” gay people? Anyone who lives this life of “sin” and has a happy life? A life without persecution, and judgement?
This statement, “If I would choose to do so, and had reason that would motivate me to do so, yes.”, does not mean I would choose to be gay. You are ignoring the word if at the very beginning. I was saying that IF the two criteria 1) I would choose and 2) I had motivation to change, were both true, then yes I could change. But neither 1) nor 2) is true in my case, so I won’t change. But with regard to sin, it is because Satan is the God of this world, and we as men and women are incapable of living lives free of sin. According to the argument you have given, why would anyone choose to live a life of sin as a homosexual with the consequences of lost jobs, discrimination, bullying, etc. if they could choose to do otherwise. In the same way, there have been, over thousands of years, people committing other sins as well. People choose to murder, steal, lie, commit adultery, and other sins despite the consequences that accompany them. History has shown that murderers, liers, cheaters, thieves, etc exist. According to your argument, which could apply to anything, wouldn’t logic dictate that if these sins were a choice, that people would see that nothing good comes from them and that after thousands of years no one would choose to sin any longer? Then a lot of problems would go away. Because we cannot of ourselves choose to live a life free of sin, God sent his son to take our sin upon himself so that his righteousness could be imputed upon us. Only in this way do we have any hope of salvation.
Again, your words: If I would choose to do so, and had reason that would motivate me to do so, yes. You missed the operative word, “Yes” Comparing liars, cheaters, etc. is in no way another logical comparison. If gays were to stop being gay, then there would be no more gays. We are inherently gay. One cannot simply choose, however, in your logic, you would choose, remember that word, “Yes”, the yes part negates the if part. You cannot choose a yes, then no at the same time. You made no mention of the “ifs”. Your first statement is yes, I would. You are not being honest with what you wrote. Your yes statement is believable, because with the right conditions, or choices at the time, you would choose to be gay. So, why all the arguing when you said being gay is a choice? Again, why haven’t you answered my question. Do you know anyone that is gay? Or able to get out and find out more about what gays are like? Do you know “”real” gays who are truly gay? Not just those ex-gays? True gays with a family, kids, etc. Have you ever been out of the house to befriend them, us? Are we that much of a disgrace, that gays in your presence would defile your sense of religion? Do we make you wretch in disgust? But hey, you said, you would choose to be gay, remember that operative word, yes. That yes takes precedence with your choice. If you are so angry about not wanting to chose to be gay, then why say it? Much like you, and your disgust with choices, now you know what it like to be gay. Did someone molest you as a child? Did you not have a father in your life? Were you brought up only with a mother? Are you a closet-case, who cannot come out because of being religious? You know that is the ridiculous arguments that people use to claim that gays are “that-way”. But lets get back to why you would choose to be gay? Yes, you said if, but you did say , yes you would, but you get angry when you said yes. Do not skirt around this, These are your words, your obfuscation is exactly why being gay isn’t a choice? And you are correct, some people lie, cheat etc. But those people realy get caught. Maybe murder, but not always. Then conversely, if I were to not choose to be gay, then how miserabel would I be with a wife or kids. I would ike to have kids, but I do not want a wife. Why would you want someone to live a lie when you said lying is also a sin? Does this mean I get a have a double-whammy? Everything is a sin, to you. I cannot keep up. There are to many, and then on top of that, if I do one sin, then I sin again for something that isn’t even considered a sin. I didn’t even act out on it. So, again, if you are to choose being gay, why would you choose it? And, do you even know any gays, etc?
I am in no way angry. I am in no way trying to be hostile or argumentative. My persistence and continued response and bolded words are meant merely for emphasis, not elevated volume or hostility. I feel bad that it is coming across as anything other than that. My continued replies are also merely an attempt to make sure the intent of my original statement is clear. I am sorry that you misunderstood the original intent of my comment. But allow me to clarify one last time and then be done. I understand that you think the “yes” nullifies the if. That was not my intent and I never meant that I would indeed choose to be gay personally, which I wouldn’t, but that it is possible to choose to be gay in the same way it is a choice to be straight and if certain conditions were met, I could choose to be gay. Those theoretical conditions have not been met, so I choose not to. That said, if(just emphasis) I choose to be gay(which I wouldn’t), and have motivation to do so(which I cannot think of anything that could provide such motivation), then yes(I could). But there is no situation I can think of in which the conditions are both met, therefore there is no chance that I can imagine actually making this choice. To emphasize the yes in my original statement is to distort the intended meaning of my response to your initial question. Now, to your other question. My neglecting to answer your question was in no way intentional. The original content of my post was actually adapted from a message I had sent to my sister-in-law, who I love dearly, enjoy the company of and do not condemn, but who has chosen to live a lesbian lifestyle and with which am in disagreement with in much the same way as you and I are in disagreement. But we do not let our disagreement get in the way of our friendship. If I was an acquaintance of you, I would have no problem cultivating a friendship, and would not look down on you or judge you for your lifestyle choices. It is not my place to judge you as I am a sinner in my own right. You are not a disgrace, but merely a sinner, as I am. I grew up with a loving father and mother, but that is irrelevant. I also do not like the term religious, because that comes with bad connotations. The Christian faith is most adequately described as a relationship with Jesus and following his example, while relying solely on Jesus for salvation by the sacrifice Jesus made in our place. I wish you well in your future endeavors and have enjoyed dialogging with you. Thanks for your questions, your time and thank you for reading my blog. For more information about who I am and what my background is, please check out the “My Life” blog entries. Have a great day.
I still do not understand your response. Continued use of uppercase letters is (from the perspective of writing) anger. or to get your point across in the way of shouting, or yelling. And, as for the point of religion, do you not understand what your are doing (preaching in the name of Jesus) is Religion? Preaching in the name of any god or Jesus, or whomever you choose to worship is a religion. Even the Flying-Spaghetti monster Religion. This is how and why I become distrustful of religion. Religion is not to be used to judge, misinform, or to lead those whom you call “sinners” to a way of life that I, or anyone like myself do not care to be lead too. I was “religious”, I found that religion, is the nemesis of happiness. Religion, and those who preach religion as a way to transform someone to something that are not, is only going to lead that person to anger, resentment, or other situations that I would not care to want to do, or think of. While your intentions (to you) are noble, that are not to me. I only asked you a question. And then you were the ones who, in my point of view became angry. I was not the one who said, “If I would choose to do so, and had reason that would motivate me to do so, yes.”. I did not (I think) attack, or become angry with you. I simply wanted an open dialogue, and simple and fair dialogue. Your very first sentence in many ways was your own admission of choice. But after some back-and-forth, your lack of acknowledging that, you would be motivated. Even though you mention your SIL, do you have an open relation with her? Even though you do not accept her for what she did not choose, do you shun her? Do you accept her with open, loving arms, and forget she is a person, not just a lesbian? Do you forget that she is someone who (I am guessing) goes to work, provides for herself, and a family, or partner? You talk about your family, what makes you think she and I are any different? If you want to dictate your life from a book, written by man, that has been translated many times over, and from several different languages, that is a problem right there. Why cannot you forget that everyone is the same, no matter what they are, or labeled to be. You talk about your accident, etc. Do you understand that not that long ago, a person like you would never be able to be let out of the home, and would be an embarrassment to their family and to society? The family would commit someone in a wheelchair to an asylum, where you would live out the rest of your life in solitude, and probably no one in your family would ever visit you, or knowledge you exist. It is very sad that empathy is not in your heart. You think it is, however, you cannot put yourself in someone else shoes. To be very frank, you are a disgrace to those in your predicament. You literally cast the first stone, for something that is beyond my control. It wasn’t a choice that you had your accident. Now, think about how that is relevant to someone who is gay. Would you make fun of someone in a wheelchair, demean them, preach to them all because they are what they are. And they are what they are because of an accident, or by birth. And, conversely, what is a child is born with Down Syndrome? Would you preach to them the same way you hurl bible versus to me? At one time this was the norm, exorcisms were norm (and some are still done) for children who were born deficient. Either with no arms, legs, paralyzed, or with DS, or any other birth defect. It is 2016, do you not see children out and about with these problems? It wasn’t until after the 1950’s that someone in your predicament would be allowed to be outside of the home. Let alone be in a home. You would not be able to work, to have children, adopt, etc. Ald because of an accident. I am not saying in any certainty that I am an accident, but if you use that term in it’s very general sense, yes, I was an accident. I was born accidentally gay, because being gay is not the norm. And, you are not the norm. At one time you were, but not now. I think you still need to get out an find more gay people. We are not ogres, we are not heathens, were are not people who want to molest children, were at once, (like you could have been) put into asylums. Not to be seen in public, or in our families. Perhaps you needs much more empathy, your one-sided thinking is not becoming. You and I are very much alike in (though) different ways, we can both be discriminated, we can both be denied services. I am sure you you still have trouble going into store, etc. If it wasn’t for the ADA, you would be left out in the cold. Never to shop, be taken into a store by your wife, never to work, etc. I too have those same issues. However, mine are not as overt as yours. You would be deined services much faster than I would be. Now, think of that. I bet you did not. Again, you and I are alot alike. You forget that, Jesus had lots of sympathy, and empathy. Your heart has grown cold, it chooses not to have empathy. Sympathy you may have, but empathy, (putting yourself in someone else shoes). This is why I stress to get to know more gays, more lesbians, trans etc. Are you afraid that your family may ostracize you if you do? Will you be labeled as a degenerate because you want to educate yourself? Learn how others live, and what others feel, do, love, like in their live? At one time you would be denied that same liberties that you enjoy now. And all because of an accident. Imagine being preached to, using those bible verses you chose to send me? I am sure there are bible verses that could be used against you to deny you everything. Even a regular way of life. And to treat you with no empathy. Imagine hearing and reading all of those same bible verses everyday, all day, for years and years. Imagine being put into an asylum, like you would once be, along side me. Understand my friend, that you and I are much more alike than you will ever care to admit, or want to even think about it. I only want you to understand, whether you think it is a choice to be gay, use some empathy. Was it a choice when you had your accident? No, would you deny me the very same liberties that you enjoy, even though you use a wheelchair? Would you want to be preached to, and try to be healed, just because you had an accident? I have a very strong suspicion you would not want to be in that predicament. Sad, the ones whom I come in contact with, who are the most obstinate or vocal about gays, are the ones who cannot choose empathy. However, I will say, once their son, or daughter became gay, or their brother, they finally learned that the bible and preaching do not work. And if they continued to preach bible verses, they lost their family members. And the parent, etc. as they aged, wished they did not do what they did. Your loss of empathy saddens me. Jesus would be empathetic to lepers and the sick, why can’t you use that same emotion?
I removed all the caps from previous replies in order to dissuade any possible misinterpretation of anger, because there was none. Open dialogue was all that I wanted as well, And I don’t understand why you would not take my word that I was not angry. I am also very sorry that you have had such a bitter experience with religion. My faith is the source of my happiness and joy in life. As for my sil, we have a good relationship. We can laugh together, cry together, and do enjoy each other’s company when together. I do not hound her with preacher’s talk or look down on her in any way. If she asks a question, I answer it as I did with you. We know where each other stands on the matter of homosexuality, respect each other’s positions, and agree to disagree. With regard to my disability, I am thankful to God for his working in my life and very grateful for the opportunities that I have had, for the opportunity to have a family, a job, and to be able to get out on my own. I have no qualms with getting to know other people, whether gays, or straight, but getting to know more of them will not change my views on whether or not such a lifestyle is a choice. It also would not dissuade me from being a friend. There is no requirement that friends always agree about everything. Yes I do base my beliefs on what God has said in His Word, and everything I do is through the filter of what God’s Word says. But this book is not as you have stated, a book written by men …and therefore flawed. This book was inspired by God, perfect and inerrant in the original autographs, and there is very good reason to believe that the copies we have now are essentially the same as the originals. There are no verifiable errors that do not have a reasonable explanation. The Bible is a unified story from beginning to end, authenticated and verified time and time again by science, history, and archaeology. All said, I would have no problem being a friend with you. I know we disagree about much and doubt our interests would align, but as neither of us really know the other outside of this short dialog, it is impossible to know. Thanks for your time and comments. It has been fun and enlightening.
One other thought. I do, write, and say what I do because I care about others, including gays, and everyone else. Just assume for arguments sake that the Bible is as I am saying and that every Word of God is true. If I know the truth and withhold it from those I can see who are “in the wrong”, would that be an act of love or cruelty. I am not going to “push my agenda down anyone’s throat”, and am finished with this discussion unless you ask further and choose to continue our dialog. I have made my say in order to pass on,out of love, the knowledge I have at my disposal. If I am in possession truth, and refuse to pass it on, and you one day find yourself destined to an eternal torment in hell, you could very rightly ask, “Why did he not say anything?” and I would be guilty of assisting in your demise. I just want you and others to be able to make an informed decision regarding your eternal destiny of your own free will, rather than having that decision made for you. Should you reply again, please indicate whether or not you wish to continue this discussion and I will respect your wish. We can continue our dialog, or we can go our separate ways and agree to disagree. Should this be my final reply, I wish you the best in all you do. Have a great day, and thanks again.