A question...

[basswhooper]

Hi all. I have a question for some of you. But before that, I want to tell you what this is not... This is not an invitation to revisit the LCMS/ELCA pissing contests that have erupted here in the past. This is not me seeking to correct anyone on their doctrine or beliefs.

What this is is me seeking to understand the perspective of people who

Comments

[blergeatkitty]

Well, I believe that God loves everybody - without question, without exception - and calls us all to serve in different ways. I don't believe it's a sin (or biblically prohibited, for that matter, and yes, I've read any passage you can cite about this) to be in a committed, loving relationship with a consenting adult, no matter the genders of the people involved. I believe if your pastor or other spiritual leader can lead his or her congregation effectively, and sets an example with his/her faith and compassion, his/her romantic life should be a nonissue

[basswhooper]

You're absolutely right about it being a touchy issue, and I was frankly afraid of posting it for fear that it would be seen as "baiting people who didn't share (my) opinion... Even with all (my) disclaimers". But in the end my desire for understanding was greater than my fear of being misunderstood

[blergeatkitty]

I don't disregard the passages, I just think that, like a lot lot LOT of the Bible, they need to be examined in their proper historical and textual context. In every passage where homosexuality is addressed, it's in the context of either pagan orgies or adultery, not of loving relationships. Often it's also surrounded by a lot of other prohibitions that either we generally don't consider at all sinful in the modern era (widows remarrying, eating shellfish) or apply to situations that just don't come up anymore (how to treat our slaves and concubines) - many of which the Bible suggests we no longer have to adhere to now that Jesus has been here.

I think we agree on something fundamental - that people who are going to use the Bible should actually read it. I admire your wish to deepen your faith through understanding, and I wish more people would do it. I admit I don't devote enough time to studying the Bible

[basswhooper]

Yes, it would appear that we are in agreement on that. There is a fellow (whose name I forget, but you'll know him if you ever see him; he has hair that'll make you think of Johnny Bravo) who did a series of youth ministry videos dealing with difficult topics such as this. A point he made in one video (women as clergy) was that, whatever you believe, be able to tell people why you believe it. Don't just shrug your shoulders and say "I dunno/It just feels right/It's just what I've always been told or taught", which I thought was dead on the money. So at the risk of being repetitive, thank you again for your kind words. :)

My feelings on divorce are quite simple. Is divorce aside from marital unfaithfulness (which is not limited to adultery, btw...) a sin? Yep. Is it a forgivable sin? Yep. Once it's been forgiven, can one move on with their life? Yep. To expect a divorced person to remain single for the rest of their life is hard-headed legalism, and it's the very type of religiosity that Jesus railed against throughout his ministry.

[basswhooper]

Thank you for your input! :)

[dreamofcolors]

While I was born and raised in the church, I'd hardly consider myself a great theologian, but I know what I believe in my heart. I've always read the bible in the historical context it was written in, and my understanding of the vast contradictions in the new and old testament, specifically Paul's letters, is that he wrote them to VERY specific audiences that had very specific situations that needed to be addressed. In one letter, he mentions deacons who were women, and in another letter, he says women should be silent in church. The letters were written to communities that needed certain things discussed, so it's hard to base everything on one verse that says a woman should cover her head in church or be silent or whatever

[basswhooper]

Thank you as well!

[working_dreamer]

I recommend "What God Has Joined Together: The Christian Case for Gay Marriage." The book is extremely informative and very well researched. I'm pro-homosexual clergy and pro-female clergy. I am also a little too tired to properly respond to this now and will come back at a later point - when I can think better. :)

[basswhooper]

Thank you. I look forward to a more in-depth reply.