We have already seen that there are many interpretations of God’s Word out there. How can you tell which one is the ONE TRUE interpretation?
For example, what does the truth in God’s Word say about homosexuality? Is it a sin?
You have to let the Bible interprete-
Yes homosexuality is a sin.
Leviticus 20
13 " 'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
I am a bit different in my thinking on this then most people. I believe that in fact some people are born with true homosexual tendencies, genes, hormones, whatever something is causing them to deviate from what is the sexual “norm”.
I have know many homosexuals, all have been really good, nice caring, loving people. Funny too they have all been Christian! For some reason we have a lot in our neighborhood!?
I had a cousin and a best buddy growing up that were both true homosexuals - we, their parents, everyone knew from the earliest age that these guys were different. Both were really, really nice guys! Both have since died from AIDS.
Homosexuality is a sin and the homosexual’s “cross to bear” [am I using that term correctly?], just as the alcoholic must strive to defeat alcoholism homosexuals must strive to defeat homosexuality. Homosexuals are no worse then adulterers, pedophiles, overeaters, thieves, verbal and physical abusers, etc., etc,!!
All of us are sinners, we all deviate from GOD’s “norm” and have some sin we have to deal with:
I don’t believe that we can punish homosexuals **but we can demand a monogomous lifestyle. ** Would allowing homosexuals to marry help with this issue? I don’t know. Does it give a message of condoning homosexuality which in no way should be condoned.
Luke 6
41"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Can homosexuals lead a congrgation? If you don’t reguire the following minimum from your Priests, Ministers or Pastors then how can you say no to a homosexual?
1 Timothy 3:2-12
2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.
Titus 1
6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
Should, can we stop homosexuals from being Christian?
LOL! Our churches would be empty if we kicked out all the sinners!!!
Deprive homosexuals from the Eucharist-
sinners need the eucharist the most!
Peace, Carlan