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The Religious Protesting of Homosexuality 

7/29/2012

9 Comments

 
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When opposing homosexuality, some in the Christian faith use rather extreme and contemptuous tactics. Use of these tactics have resulted in a deep, ferocious social divide, violence, a negative stigmatization of Christians and the spread of stereotypes about the LGBT community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender). For some of those who believe that homosexuality is a sin denounced by God, they think they’re supposed to angrily attack the concept, when the bible teaches of no such approach. The following article was written by Lasheena Allgood, contributing writer.

There are a lot of opinions and beliefs that are colliding in today’s society. As a true Christian, you want to be able to stand up for what you believe the Bible says in order to please God and show His love to the world. Some have success at living this out, while others display a self-righteous judgment, often accompanied by ignorance.  Jesus gave us two things to live by: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-32). In Paul’s 2nd letter to Timothy, he instructs us to “Keep reminding God’s people of these things…Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly (2 Timothy 2:14-16)”.

We find ourselves “boldly” standing for what we “heard” is right, when we haven’t studied what the Bible has to say on a topic, nor have we studied how to approach people. We waste a lot of time arguing. 2 Timothy 2:23-25 reads, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone and able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…”

A lot of people think that showing love and compassion towards someone with another sexual preference would mean that they’re compromising their own personal beliefs on the issue and agreeing with the person. There is a big difference between compromise and peaceful tolerance. As the passage in 2 Timothy illustrated, you can let a person know in a loving manner when you believe something is wrong without saying you agree with them. Before you confront someone on ANY issue, check your motives. Check your heart. Are you talking to them with the proverbial “picket sign” of judgment waving at their heads, or are you taking time to understand their plight? You should always try to gain understanding of a person’s heart and seek to confront them with God’s love and compassion in mind. If this is an issue you believe will truly put their lives in danger, it would be wrong not to tell them about it. However, confronting them in any sort of judgmental tone without truly seeking that person’s benefit makes your words and actions fruitless and those of a bigot. What is the purpose of standing in opposition to another’s actions or life without your desire to truly help them? It’s a necessary thing to take a stand for what you believe is right. However, the next time you wish to take that stand and confront someone, remember what God has told us about how to approach people with the correct words and motives. God will do the rest.-L.A.

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Compromising or correctly following the Bible?
J.Says on the topic: I think part of the reason why some respond so aggressively, and sometimes violently, to homosexuals or homosexuality is because of their own personal disgust, fear or misunderstanding of the concept, NOT because of their faith. In some cases, faith is a tool used to justify behavior versus being the cause of it. Some could be atheists tomorrow and they would STILL behave the same way. Underneath all that doctrine and preaching is a deep hatred for homosexuals that is completely independent of faith and God. What angers me is that they won’t own up to that; spewing their hatred in the name of God and using Him as a scapegoat. Even if you believe it to be true that God does not condone homosexuality, it doesn’t require spiteful comments, harassment, humiliation and violence.

Nowhere in the Bible does God or Jesus designate violence and abhorrence as the proper way to handle those believed to be “sinful.” If it’s really about faith, the focus would be on the religion as a whole and what God can offer an individual. A picket sign would read “Here’s what this faith can do for you” versus “God hates you and doesn’t want you here.” Isn’t the goal to bring people to the faith? Those who act in hatred are defeating their own so-called “purpose.” I was once told that I shouldn’t be friends with those who are LGBT because I am a Christian. How am I supposed to bring others to the faith and show my “Christ-like example” if I’m not acquainted with them? I don’t know where some in the religion get the idea that we can profoundly reach people at an arms-length distance. Besides, Christian or not, I’m going to be friends with ANYONE I find things in common with that will treat me well and deliver as a peer.

On the subject of gay marriage & Christianity, I’m a firm believer in separation of church and state. This country is religiously diverse and to design laws based on ANY faith would alienate, disregard and disrespect those outside of said religion. Additionally, I think we have to be careful about what socially we allow the government to deem illegal. Not long ago, interracial marriage was illegal. If we give our legislators that kind of power, anyone they consider socially inappropriate, for any reason, could be at their feet. *drops the mic*

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9 Comments
Crazy MC Stan
7/30/2012 07:10:25 am

I felt like the hate from some Christians had made me let go of my faith in God which used to be so strong. After I came out I was sent hateful ill wishes from people I used to go to Sunday school too. And I became distant with my faith. I am slowly returning to him because I finally found the stength from listening to Mariah's fly like a bird when I was in a really bad part of my life and it taught me the lord will save me if I just believe him and ask. I am slowly regaining my faith and ignoring people who hate me because I'm gay.

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LaSheena Allgood
7/30/2012 08:26:44 am

I'm so sorry you had to endure such harsh criticism from other people in the "church". I've been hurt by people in the church, too. Don't let other people keep you from God's love. He's all that matters in this life. Stay encouraged and strive to keep growing in Him.

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Tori
7/30/2012 08:54:24 am

Thank you so much for this piece! As a Christian, I am thankful that someone else has pointed out other parts of the Bible that preach tolerance, acceptance, and peace. Yes, It mentions that homosexuality is a sin, but it is mentioned in the same sentence as fornication and divorce. It also vehemently states that God will do the judging, not us here on Earth.
Thanks again!

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JP
7/30/2012 05:03:15 pm

There's 2 parts to the reason why the response is so vitriolic (well, 3):

1. As mentioned, personal disgust.
2. Their own religion and religious beliefs are set up in a flimsy house of cards. So many have latched on to the "literal interpretation of the Bible is the only interpretation" and "All of the Bible is fully, 100% true, there are no fables, allegories, or fictional/exaggerations involved" that if even one tiny part of their Bible is proven wrong, then, by extension, it's all wrong.

People have such black/white thinking, binary thinking, that it's become a real detriment to life in general. It's simplistic, child-like thinking and it's caused so many problems.

They also tend to pick and choose which bible verses they want to follow and forget the rest exist, but that's another issue entirely.

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holla06
8/1/2012 12:20:03 pm

Im just not here for religion in general... because of many things.

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Joel link
8/15/2012 02:22:34 pm

I believe in seperation of church and state as well which is why I say gay marriage is fine by me as long as the church is not required to perform it. IF a church does decide to do so, it should be by their own choice. Separation of church and state should go both ways, the church can't dictate the states laws and the state also cannot force a church or any place of worship to perform a ceremony it does not believe in.

P.S. Fred Phelps and his incest fested cult thrive on publicity.

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Crystal
8/17/2012 01:38:11 am

It doesn't really gross me out, and personally I don't have anything against it. I just go off of what the Bible and statistics say. I think it's worth noting that society wants to force people to accept it and say a pastor is a "bigot" if he calls it a sin. I wonder how many pastors are called hateful for denouncing pre-marital heterosexual sex or adultery. The argument in favor of gay marriage is built on the assumption that several people are exclusively attracted to the opposite gender. The truth is, many people started out dating (or even married to) someone of the opposite gender. Does adultery become acceptable because your spouse has discovered homosexual attractions? Adultery, pre-marital sex, and homosexual sex appear in the same lists of things that are wrong. Someone involved in adultery or pre-marital sex or even envy or lying should change their own life before speaking out against other people's sins. We can't play favorites. I think one of the things that bothers me about the "you can't help who you love" argument is my dad's actions. Loving someone doesn't mean sex with them is appropriate. I refuse to believe he really "loved" those 6 women he was having affairs with. He's just a lonely old man looking for fulfillment in other people instead of in God. This type of idolatry happens in all sorts of relationships, even married heterosexual ones. It's one of the main reasons for the high divorce rate. Everyone who is empty is trying to fill that emptiness with another person who is also empty. People like my dad and his harem could be compared to leeches trying to feed off of one another, eventually realizing they're more helpless than before. Only a right relationship with God can bring peace and joy that lasts through the hardest parts of life. No amount of sex, legal or not, will patch that lingering ache in the soul.

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Maria
8/17/2012 07:56:06 am

@crystal: I don't think it's fair that a minister can be called a bigot for believing something is a sin if his faith prescribes it. However, I think the reason why the word 'bigot" gets thrown around is because so many Christian ministers say bigoted and hateful things.

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parker
10/3/2016 09:15:32 pm

The Flying Spaghetti Monster loves every one. Even immigrants,

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