Religion and Homosexuality

[cwoodard34]

ok let me put this in how i got it thru my head
im bi to make it even easyier to get it
ok men wrote the bible years and years ago
they put down wat they say god toild them
they also out in thier own opoions
there fore someone didnt like gays and put some verse in it saying neither does god but in the bible it says god loves everybdy there for gays are apart of everybody  yay!

[SurveyMack10]

It is written in the Bible that gays are against God's wishes . God is perfect - he created all things but he did not make peple gay -read your Bible

Just like he didn't make people retarded or mentally ill, blind, deaf or deformed...these things just happen

First, being gay is completely different than every example you just gave. Secondly, how did he NOT make people retarted, mentally ill, blind, deaf, or deformed? However, homosexuality falls into a totally different category.

[queenofnines]

homosexuality falls into a totally different category.

Right, because people "choose" to want to be discriminated against.  

Scientists have already theorized that it may be conditions in the womb that cause people to turn out gay.  When science has clear evidence that the origin of homosexuality is birth, what will your religion say then?

I'll see it in my lifetime, I'm sure!   

[shernajwine]

Scientists have already theorized that it may be conditions in the womb that cause people to turn out gay.

Many of the initial studies, which were highly touted by the media as "proof" for a biological basis for homosexuality, have been contradicted by later, more thorough studies.

For the entire article. http://www.godandscience.org/evolution/genetics_of_homosexuality.html

And you can refuse to the read the material because of the link. That's up to you, but it doesn't make the research any less significant. And the website author referenced OTHER scientists research, but I suppose all them are not really scientists either. 

 But for others who are not closed minded, this is a good article.

[queenofnines]

Sherna, even if homosexuality was a choice, it still wouldn't be wrong.

[shernajwine]

Sherna, even if homosexuality was a choice, it still wouldn't be wrong.

Listen, I think it is wrong. I think it goes against God and I think God who created mankind knows what is right and wrong. However, I don't hold homosexuality as some HORRIBLE sin. It is a sin like any other. I sin, I can't judge a person. I can say the sin is wrong but that doesn't make them a bad person.

I am no better in my sin than a homosexual is in theirs. So, in personally knowing gay people, I know they love their partners and in my limited human reasoning I can sympathize with their position. But I'm not God, I don't have a right to contradict him just because on the outside it may seem perfectly harmless. God knows best, he said it's wrong.

I know you don't believe in God, so none of this is meant to convince you, but only to show where I am coming from as an individual.

[sheogorath15]

I'm interested in this as well. I have found on other forums and talking to some Christian friends that it is considered sin because it's an abomination.  Because men with men isn't how God intended us to be.  He intended man with woman.

As far as theories why... Population cannot grow.  Your butt can't get pregnant. 
Waaaayyyyy back in the day, Catholics needed their numbers to grow. Therefore they came up with the idea that birth control was evil. Same concept with homosexuality. If you can't breed, population can't grow. if population doesn't grow tithes stop coming in.

[SurveyMack10]

homosexuality falls into a totally different category.

Right, because people "choose" to want to be discriminated against.  

Scientists have already theorized that it may be conditions in the womb that cause people to turn out gay.  When science has clear evidence that the origin of homosexuality is birth, what will your religion say then?

I'll see it in my lifetime, I'm sure!   

Just because you don't think homosexuality is a choice doesn't mean it isn't, we are going to have to agree to disagree on that.

[SurveyMack10]

Sherna, even if homosexuality was a choice, it still wouldn't be wrong.

That's your opinion, but it's obvious from previous threads you and Sherna have a very different belief system...

[sheogorath15]

I have a question and I was wondering if someone who knows the Bible inside and out could answer it for me:

Why are there religious groups that say "God hates fags"? If God created humans and didn't want any of them to be gay why did he make some of them gay? And if you believe that homosexuality is a choice why did he give humans the ability to choose to be gay?

[jordandog]

Secondly, how did he NOT make people retarted, mentally ill, blind, deaf, or deformed?

Warning bells and flashing lights are going off all over the place right now! By saying this, there is a very strong implication that he would then be able to micromanage every single human behaviour, including the 'free will' argument. That implies he has control over all things relative to human behaviour and fetal development that are the cause of what you have mentioned above and that is NO small order! Just to list a few he would/could control and thus be able to change and/or prevent:

*Control over binge or alcoholic drinking and drug use - known to cause DNA mutations, can lead to many cancers and other diseases in the unborn and in teens/adults

*Control over automatically providing all required amounts of necessary nutrition passed from mother to fetus [he could have simply 'built' this into us] and making pregnant mothers take care of themselves - naming a couple most everyone is familiar with: lack of vitamin D and folic acid during gestation is a known contributor to and/or cause of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile diabetes, certain cancers

*Control over chromosomal translocations - a definite cause and effect in limb deformities of many types, heart anomalies, cranial disfigurements such as cleft palates, incorrect development of brain synapses resulting in blindness, deafness, deficits in adaptive behaviors and significantly impaired cognitive functioning ie mental retardation, mongolism, cretinism, and many more

Does anyone else see a flaw in the statement I quoted?
edited to add: And why would these things which are the root of so much suffering, not just on the part of the one afflicted, not be stopped from happening if god is of the purest love?

[sheogorath15]

I have a question and I was wondering if someone who knows the Bible inside and out could answer it for me:

Why are there religious groups that say "God hates fags"? If God created humans and didn't want any of them to be gay why did he make some of them gay? And if you believe that homosexuality is a choice why did he give humans the ability to choose to be gay?

[SurveyMack10]

Secondly, how did he NOT make people retarted, mentally ill, blind, deaf, or deformed?

Warning bells and flashing lights are going off all over the place right now! By saying this, there is a very strong implication that he would then be able to micromanage every single human behaviour, including the 'free will' argument. That implies he has control over all things relative to human behaviour and fetal development that are the cause of what you have mentioned above and that is NO small order! Just to list a few he would/could control and thus be able to change and/or prevent:

*Control over binge or alcoholic drinking and drug use - known to cause DNA mutations, can lead to many cancers and other diseases in the unborn and in teens/adults

*Control over automatically providing all required amounts of necessary nutrition passed from mother to fetus [he could have simply 'built' this into us] and making pregnant mothers take care of themselves - naming a couple most everyone is familiar with: lack of vitamin D and folic acid during gestation is a known contributor to and/or cause of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile diabetes, certain cancers

*Control over chromosomal translocations - a definite cause and effect in limb deformities of many types, heart anomalies, cranial disfigurements such as cleft palates, incorrect development of brain synapses resulting in blindness, deafness, deficits in adaptive behaviors and significantly impaired cognitive functioning ie mental retardation, mongolism, cretinism, and many more

Does anyone else see a flaw in the statement I quoted?
edited to add: And why would these things which are the root of so much suffering, not just on the part of the one afflicted, not be stopped from happening if god is of the purest love?

How is that the same argument as free will...free will requires a choice. No one chooses to be genetically different? I just happen to believe that being gay is not a genetic thing.

[Annella]

Secondly, how did he NOT make people retarted, mentally ill, blind, deaf, or deformed?

Warning bells and flashing lights are going off all over the place right now! By saying this, there is a very strong implication that he would then be able to micromanage every single human behaviour, including the 'free will' argument. That implies he has control over all things relative to human behaviour and fetal development that are the cause of what you have mentioned above and that is NO small order! Just to list a few he would/could control and thus be able to change and/or prevent:

*Control over binge or alcoholic drinking and drug use - known to cause DNA mutations, can lead to many cancers and other diseases in the unborn and in teens/adults

*Control over automatically providing all required amounts of necessary nutrition passed from mother to fetus [he could have simply 'built' this into us] and making pregnant mothers take care of themselves - naming a couple most everyone is familiar with: lack of vitamin D and folic acid during gestation is a known contributor to and/or cause of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile diabetes, certain cancers

*Control over chromosomal translocations - a definite cause and effect in limb deformities of many types, heart anomalies, cranial disfigurements such as cleft palates, incorrect development of brain synapses resulting in blindness, deafness, deficits in adaptive behaviors and significantly impaired cognitive functioning ie mental retardation, mongolism, cretinism, and many more

Does anyone else see a flaw in the statement I quoted?
edited to add: And why would these things which are the root of so much suffering, not just on the part of the one afflicted, not be stopped from happening if god is of the purest love?

How is that the same argument as free will...free will requires a choice. No one chooses to be genetically different? I just happen to believe that being gay is not a genetic thing.

Mackenzie, your right.  Being gay is not genetic.  It's a lifestyle choice.  I'm sure though that science will try to prove otherwise.  

Being gay is a chosen sin (Biblically), that's why we as Christians are against it.  Isn't it funny how everything actually comes down to either a belief in God's Word or not?  Even if you don't believe the Bible, doesn't the gay lifestyle go against the natural order of things?  Things that we never would have accepted just 20 years ago are being shoved down our throat with "you will accept this or else"!  I preach against homosexuality, because of what I read in the pages of God's Word.  I can't say it's okay, when the Word of God says the opposite.  I've been told I could be arrested for preaching this and put in prison......so be it!  No way will I call evil good and good evil.......never!

We have many "saved" former gays in our assembly.  Some have AIDS.  A very talented Music Director comes to mind as I write this.  God has actually healed some from AIDS, as they turned around their life, and dedicated it to God.  Two of my dearest friends are former gays.  They, and everyone that came out of that lifestyle told me they "chose' it.  Some even confess of "inhabiting" spirits.

[animikokala]

Since I don't believe in the accuracy of any religious works written by man, I don't follow any true form of religion.  My view is that if you try your best to be a good person (I am an ardent supporter of the "do unto others" rule), then you've done enough.

As such, I don't agree with many religious based viewpoints (such as homosexuality or evolution).

My take on it is this:  I am heterosexual.  I am attracted to males (one in particular).  I have no urge (mentally, emotionally, physically) to be attracted to females whatsoever.  It comes naturally to me, and I understand this.  Further, other people that know this about me understand and accept it; they don't accuse me of choosing it, and it's not considered wrong. 

Why then, would someone who is homosexual not be following the same basic rules (I.E. it comes naturally to them).  Why is it not accepted that they simply are attracted to their own gender, instead of a different one?  If you are not homosexual, how can you say you KNOW that it does not come naturally to them?  How can you say you KNOW they are choosing it of their own free will, rather than be affected naturally like any heterosexual would?

Since I am heterosexual and cannot change it or control it, I will not ask a homosexual to change or control it.

That's just my opinion.

*note: when I say "you", I mean anyone.  I am not referring to any specific person.  This is an excellent debate, with many well-thought out posts.