Why aren’t gay Christians accepted?

Among their church-going peers, I mean.  Subject doesn't have much space... 

VERY off-topic for this site, I know, but this was REALLY bothering me today.

Scenario A: 21-year-old churchgoing male is discovered to have gotten wasted at a party and knocked up a 15-year-old. His churchgoing peers ask him if he's repented, pray for him, and comment on how brave he is (WTF?).

Scenario B: A different (obviously ) 21-year-old churchgoing male is discovered to be gay. His church-going peers condemn him, and likely tell him he's not welcome at the church or with the 'community' anymore, but promise to pray for him. If he continues going to the church, no one will talk to him and parents will ask their children to stay away from him. Some brave parents will tell him not to talk to their children. Optional: Sometimes, they'll pray for him right then and there. If he is not immediately turned straight, he is then outcast.

...what is WRONG with this picture!?

Oh yeah, if the guy from scenario B somehow manages to do scenario A, he is possibly welcomed back for his heterosexual display.

UGH! This doesn't make me ashamed of my faith, but it makes me sad for my peers. I don't recall Jesus saying "lol, you can be saved... unless you're teh gay. PWNED!!!11" When I was first discovering my sexuality, my faith was one of the things that kept me strong throughout. Can't say the same for my "peers".


Edited by Man Overboard

Please don't make the mistake of confusing different Christians. There are a lot of different religions under the header of Christianity, and not all of them really follow Yeshua. I'm positive that in my 'church', gay Christians would not be expelled but aided. It's just a case of WWJD

BTW, BJean and BFriede, what is your creed about?  Do you have scriptures?

Man Overboard:

As JrKASperov notes, although there are many who call themselves "Christians," not all truly understand, much less follow, what is inherent in their faith.  In this regard, your scenarios are dissimilar, and ultimately proceed from false assumption.

The heterosexual person in Scenario A has committed a sin by having pre-marital sex.  If he repents - sincerely, humbly, honestly - then he is forgiven by God, as long as he does not remain in sin; i.e., that he understands that what he did was wrong, and makes sincere efforts not to repeat the "sinful" behavior.

The homosexual person in Scenario B is committing a sin by engaging in homosexuality.  If he repents - sincerely, humbly, honestly - then he is forgiven by God, as long as he does not remain in sin; i.e., that he understands that what he is doing is wrong, and makes sincere efforts to end such behavior.  (As an aside, I know of no church that would "welcome back" a "reformed" homosexual who has then committed a heterosexual sin.  That person would then be "tasked" - not "applauded" - for committing that sin.)

Notice the difference.  The heterosexual person "has committed" a sin: i.e., it is in the past. The homosexual person "is committing" a sin; i.e., because it is the "lifestyle" that is sinful, the sin continues in the present.

As I have noted in other threads, my belief here follows from Jesus' own actions and words in the case of the adulteress.  We are all familiar with the fact that he tells her accusers, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone."  However, most people (even good Christians) forget the rest of it.  He asks her, "Woman, where are thy accusers?"  She responds, "They are gone."  He then says, "Neither do I condemn you.  Go, and sin no more."

He does not condemn her; he provides loving forgiveness.  However, neither does He expect her to "remain in sin": "Go, and sin no more."  That is a command, not a suggestion.  What He is essentially saying is, "You have sinned and almost suffered the penalty for that particular sin, which is death.  I have shown your accusers that they are also sinful, and have saved you.  However, since you now know that you have sinned, any further adultery on your part will be conscious and willful.  In addition, I may not be there the next time to save you."

Given that homosexuality and adultery were essentially "equal" sins - i.e., both were punishable by death by stoning - simply replace the adulteress with a homosexual.  Jesus' words and actions would have been exactly the same: to not condemn, but rather be loving, compassionate and forgiving.  But at the same time to be stern about not remaining in sin.

Ultimately, Christians - if they truly follow Christ - are never supposed to judge or condemn.  Rather, they are to follow the ten precepts of Jesus' ministry: love, peace, forgiveness, humility, compassion, patience, selflessness, charity, service and truth.  Christians may have an obligation to inform homosexuals - lovingly, humbly, patiently - that their lifestyle does not comport with what God wants of them, and that they are "living in sin."  However, once that "warning" is offered, it is incumbent upon Christians to treat homosexuals with the same love, peace, forgiveness, humility, compassion, patience, selflessness, charity, service and truth that they treat any other person, whether Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, atheist - or heterosexual.  To do otherwise is simply not Christian.

Peace.

Sean Trane wrote: Just become atheists: the most sensible thing to do. no god to tell you what to do and how to do it. Seriously, this is the 21st Century, you'd think humans would be grown up enough to stop believing in a super-natural being counting your screw-ups to see if you are going to hell or not! Baldfriede, Starting a religion is likely to be sect and is game for you, since you are your own priestess but this stuff can get to your head quick and drive you to insanity. 14 women...... (vestry virgins I hope.....) Do you need a god? I could submit a resumé, if asked gently enough..... I would choose a prog anthem(Ritual - nous sommes du soleil), a prog prayer(Sheep) and have a prog prosternation position (preferably in very minimalistic clothing). Just kidding of course but don't mess with that stuff because many are losing it quickly.

I had to look up "prosternation" in a dictionary and came up with

prosternation

\Pros`ter*na"tion\, n. [F. See Prostration.] Dejection; depression. [Obs.] --Wiseman.

Are you sure about your choice of words?

To answer your last question nacho, it is a movement seen in the 'prophetic movement' and in many traditional churches. The lust for money corrupts church leaders, and as such they will never condemn wealth. I personally condemn wealth of material need without sharing, as Yeshua promoted a sharing kind of existence. Homosexuality is really an easy target, not yet accepted by society anyway, while wealth is. 

Lesbians forming their own religion,ministers preaching that we should stone gays and Gdub making the worst pun I have ever seen!! i dont know which is the bigger crime

This site gets Gaia and Gaia with every passing day...

Welcome to Progarchives 2005 !!!

Home to every musical,intellectual and social misfit on the planet.

gdub411 wrote: Tony R wrote: Lesbians forming their own religion,ministers preaching that we should stone gays and Gdub making the worst pun I have ever seen!! i dont know which is the bigger crime This site gets Gaia and Gaia with every passing day... Welcome to Progarchives 2005 !!! Home to every musical,intellectual and social misfit on the planet. That pun ruled...you're just jealous that a Brit didn't come up with it. Seriously, though, Bald John and Bald Fred post so often on this site, one wonders where they find time to perform in a band and run a restaurant as well. Also, one gets a feeling that they're just here to shamelessly promote the lp and then when they find out no-one gives a crap, they'll depart our fair forum for good.

You are just jealous that you dont get all the homophobic attention any more!

gdub411 wrote: Tony R wrote: gdub411 wrote: Tony R wrote: Lesbians forming their own religion,ministers preaching that we should stone gays and Gdub making the worst pun I have ever seen!! i dont know which is the bigger crime This site gets Gaia and Gaia with every passing day... Welcome to Progarchives 2005 !!! Home to every musical,intellectual and social misfit on the planet. That pun ruled...you're just jealous that a Brit didn't come up with it. Seriously, though, Bald John and Bald Fred post so often on this site, one wonders where they find time to perform in a band and run a restaurant as well. Also, one gets a feeling that they're just here to shamelessly promote the lp and then when they find out no-one gives a crap, they'll depart our fair forum for good.   You are just jealous that you dont get all the homophobic attention any more! Nah...I'm straight now. Maani cured me. Praise the Lord. Girls Rules. Lesbians turn me on. I want to see some coochie right now....Yeah! WOO HOO!

Bah,I dont believe any of it! You are just a little uptight!

Why dont you go round Maani's and get stoned......

What? The Rock said he was gayer?

Gayer than who????

We all new he was gay,unfortunately Liz Taylor didnt!

Anyway here's a picture that will send you back into the closet.....