Hello To All,
Yes I know, this is an ancient post, far as the forum goes, but emotions are still running high, not only stateside but world wise, regards sexual orientation. The military, governments, religious, right on down to the numerous individuals.
Did watch the uTube video's listed, which are only three out of many more.
Interesting to see the 'group dynamics' in play. I've referred to group dynamics of that nature, as 'mob mentality', and much dependent on 'how' it's being used.
Personally, the church setting in front of the congregation, as in the video, is out of line. As I see it, it's like yelling at an orange, because it is an orange and 'we' want you to be an apple. Just not going to happen that way.
So in essence these dedicated religious people, are reacting, as I view it, to a revised and human interpretation of Gods words.
(If the word "homosexual" appears in your Bible then you're holding a version that was written after 1946, since the word "homosexual" didn't even reach common usage until the late 1800's.)
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(Quotations by theologians and others showing diverse beliefs:)
"I want God's gay and lesbian children to know of God's unconditional love and acceptance of them as well. We cannot find any condemnation in scripture for committed monogamous same-sex relationships." Rev. Charles Coppinger, Chaplain of the Arizona Legislature in a letter to legislators, sent 2000-NOV-7, announcing that he is gay.
"The Genesis passage is very clear, that the sin of Sodom that brought on the destruction of the city was indeed linked to homosexuality." A. Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Time.com called him the "reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S".
"The half-dozen biblical references to homosexuality do not reflect what we understand today about loving relationships. This is an identity, not a sin." The Rev. Dan Johnson of Good Samaritan United Methodist Church in Edina, MN.
"The witness of the Bible is univocal about same sex sexual activity. It is always rejected as sinful. There is no distinction made between homosexual behavior that is part of the consensual acts of adults and other forms of such behavior." Ben Witherington III, evangelical biblical scholar.
"Homosexuality and sodomy are not ethical sins. No one is being hurt, no one is being cheated, nobody's rights are being infringed upon. Homosexuality is a religious sin, analogous to other Biblical prohibitions, like not eating the carcass of a dead animal, or not sleeping with a woman during her menstrual cycle." American Orthodox Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
"I am always amazed at how the Bible, that portrays my Lord embracing the outcasts, touching the lepers, welcoming the Samaritans, not judging the woman taken in the act of adultery, and inviting 'all of ye,' not 'some of ye,' to 'come unto me,' can, in the hands of a few distorted people be turned into a book of hatred, violence and judgment." J.S. Spong, an author and retired bishop of the Episcopal Church, USA.
"In reality, there are no biblical literalists, only selective literalists. By abolishing slavery and ordaining women, millions of Protestants have gone far beyond biblical literalism. It's time we did the same for homophobia." William Sloane Coffin, former chaplain of Yale University and, peace activist, and leading liberal clergyperson.
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So, what is the answer to this sexual conundrum!
Is Source/God, (or your term for God), a God of Perfect Unconditional Love!
OR
Is Source/God, a conditional Loving God, with built-in 'buts, and except for's"!
Seeing certain activities, do strike me as being 'odd', neither correct/ incorrect, nor as right/wrong, merely as being odd. Multiple body piercings, and whole body tattoo's, fall into that category for me, so what!
So ones sexual relationships, may seem 'odd' to me, so what!
As long as no other is being taken advantage of, or being harmed against their will, so what!
Ah, common sense in the world, where have you fled too!
Be Well
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