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GAYS IN THE CHURCH - 8/11/2008 9:56:41 PM
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norajm
Posts: 43
Joined: 8/5/2008
From: MI
Status: offline
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I have been visiting a new church. Today I found out they do not allow homosexuals to become members. (no. I'm not homosexual)
They quote Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
Leviticus 18 -19 has a lot of rules, such as cutting the hair, tattoos and etc and they are not adhering to those.
What are your opinions regarding churches that do not allow homosexuals to become members?
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RE: GAYS IN THE CHURCH - 8/11/2008 10:09:21 PM
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earthless
Posts: 6352
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: where pigeons are wearing sweaters....
Status: online
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A popular sentiment today is that the Bible is increasingly irrelevant in a modern age of scientific enlightenment. Thus, when the Scripture's condemnation of homosexuality is referenced it is not uncommon to see expressions of polite exasperation etched on the faces of the masses.
After all, the Bible not only condemns homosexuality but also clearly teaches that Sabbath breakers must be put to death (Exodus 35:2).
First, it should be noted that while Sabbath breaking had serious ramifications within ancient Israel, it is not a precedent for executing people today. Not only we are we longer under the civil and ceremonial laws of a Jewish theocratic form of government, but as the apostle Paul explains, the symbolism of the law has been fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:13-14).
In his letter to the Colossian Christians, Paul underscores the Christian's freedom from adherence to Sabbath laws pointing out that "these are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ" (Colossians 2:17).
Thus, there is an obvious difference between enduring moral principles regarding homosexuality and temporary civil and ceremonial laws relegated to a particular historical context.
Furthermore, we would do well to recognize that the God of the Bible does not condemn homosexuality in an arbitrary and capricious fashion. Rather he carefully defines the borders of human sexuality so that our joy may be complete.
It does not require an advanced degree in physiology to appreciate the fact that the human body is not designed for homosexual relationships. Spurious slogans and sound bites do not change the scientific reality that homosexual relationships are devastating not only from a psychological but also from a physiological perspective.
Finally, far from being irrelevant and antiquated, the Bible's warnings regarding homosexuality are eerily relevant and up to date. The book of Romans aptly describes both the perversion and the penalty: "Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion" (Romans 1:26-17, emphasis added).
It would be difficult to miss the relationship between Paul's words and the current health care holocaust. More people already have died worldwide from AIDS than the United States of America has lost in all its wars combined.
This is but the tip of an insidious iceberg. The homosexual lifestyle causes a host of complications including hemorrhoids, prostate damage, and infectious fissures.
And even that merely scratches the surface. Non viral infections transmitted through homosexual activity include gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Viral infections involve condylomata, herpes, and hepatitis A and B.
While there are attendant moral and medical problems with sexual promiscuity in general, it would be homophobic in the extreme to obscure the scientific realities concerning homosexuality.
It is a hate crime of unparalleled proportions to attempt to keep a whole segment of the population in the dark concerning such issues. Thus, far from demonstrating that the Bible is out of step with the times, its warnings regarding homosexuality demonstrate that it is as relevant today as it was in the beginning.
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: GAYS IN THE CHURCH - 8/11/2008 10:25:03 PM
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colliefan
Posts: 2996
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Raleigh, NC
Status: offline
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The issuse should be '" why should a habitual sinner in any known sin be considered for membership?" Would a habitual thief be considered for membership?
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RE: GAYS IN THE CHURCH - 8/11/2008 10:27:26 PM
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prophet
Posts: 691
Joined: 4/19/2005
Status: online
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How do ya know its habitual unless they confess it to someone? 
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Create in me a Clean Heart, O Lord.
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RE: GAYS IN THE CHURCH - 8/11/2008 10:30:40 PM
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colliefan
Posts: 2996
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Raleigh, NC
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quote:
ORIGINAL: prophet
How do ya know its habitual unless they confess it to someone?
you deeds will find you out...then it is time to apply church discipline.
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RE: GAYS IN THE CHURCH - 8/11/2008 10:35:29 PM
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norajm
Posts: 43
Joined: 8/5/2008
From: MI
Status: offline
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The issuse should be '" why should a habitual sinner in any known sin be considered for membership?" Would a habitual thief be considered for membership?
So instead of "helping" them see their way the best thing is to keep them out???
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RE: GAYS IN THE CHURCH - 8/11/2008 10:41:37 PM
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colliefan
Posts: 2996
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Raleigh, NC
Status: offline
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quote:
The issuse should be '" why should a habitual sinner in any known sin be considered for membership?" Would a habitual thief be considered for membership? So instead of "helping" them see their way the best thing is to keep them out???
NOT AT ALL. The first order of business would be to lead them to reptenance and then on to the road of discipleship.
2 Tim 3:16 - 17 (ESV) 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof,
for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
17that the man of God£ may be competent,
equipped for every good work.
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RE: GAYS IN THE CHURCH - 8/11/2008 10:42:30 PM
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ta_mosquito
Posts: 11449
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: from MN, now in Ontario :D
Status: offline
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In an attempt to consolidate for the purpose of effective moderation we have created a couple One Stop threads for the topic of homosexuality. Therefore, this thread on the topic is being closed.
Please continue your discussion in one of the following One Stop Threads.
Click on one of the following links:
Homosexuality
Homosexuality in the News
Thank you!
Tricia
Forums Moderator
Please do not reply to this message within the forums or chat.
Please email Community@salemwebnetwork.com with questions, comments, or concerns.
Please do not send me PMs regarding this message.
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