By Mike Edwards
I recently wrote here why a fair-minded person may think God approves of women being restricted from roles men are offered. Many opposed such equity because of bigotry but bigots don’t read spiritual blogs. It is so important how God-followers represent God. The good news is what is often said about God may not be true. There may be similarities as to why fair-minded people think God favors roles according to one’s gender and why God condemn gays.
Many people of faith only condemn gays because they think the Bible does?
Many of us were taught to believe God condemns gays because the Bible says so. Some may be unaware biblical scholars who respect the Bible believe Scriptures do not condemn gay monogamous relationships. See here. The bigger argument though is that no one can claim God condemns gays because the Bible says so. Literature require interpretations and we disagree. One main reason fair-minded people condemn gays is because of a misunderstanding of the Bible, thus misguided devotion to God.
Some may also argue God condemns gays because homosexuality just isn’t natural.
You don’t have to be gay to understand one can no more control their feelings toward those of the same sex than you can control having feelings toward the opposite sex. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t feel natural to you. You aren’t gay. Let’s don’t cause others to keep secrets at the expense of their mental health. God-followers must always use their hearts and minds when loving others by being non-judgmental and putting themselves in another’s skin.
It is argued the world could not have populated in the beginning! We are no longer in that situation and the world will continue to populate because not all couples are gay. We have unwanted children who need loving couples. Is adoption by a same sex or different sex couple not a better situation than groups homes or orphanages? Many gay couples are far better parents than many opposite sex parents. Don’t worry! Loving couples don’t try to scare a child straight or gay.
How can we know what God thinks about gays?
If God exists even atheists agree God must be morally perfect. The best way to understand God’s moral perfection is through our thoughts of human perfection. How we think we ought to treat gays is how to know what God thinks of gays. The test for human or godly morality is if treating others like we want to be treated. Let’s not defend our position only because the Bible supposedly says so. We do not have to check our moral conscience at the door. Be guided by love – how should I treat others if I had the same non-choices. I hope one doesn’t think I approve of pedophiles for such love is not between two consenting adults.
How must we treat gays or anyone?
Psychological harm is done when one must hide their sexuality because of bigotry and hostility. Monogamous relationships, as opposed to mindless, selfish, uncommitted relationships, are in our best interests, though I am not suggesting we all should impose our views of consensual, sexual behaviors on others. One’s sexual orientation is personal and between them and their Creator. Personal relationship decisions are not violating anyone’s personal rights as do immoral behaviors as stealing, murdering, etc. I hope more may stop judging others about their personal relationships because God supposedly condemns them through Scriptures.
Done with Religion 
John, we will have to disagree on this. All literature, including the Bible, always requires interpretation. You suggesting otherwise makes it difficult to at least have open discussions. In my Post I added a link to an article that states that biblical scholars who respect the Bible believe Scriptures do not condemn gay monogamous relationships. I explain further in the Post why I feel the way I do.
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Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…. Isaiah 5:20.
God’s declared will is what it is! God’s truth does not require ‘interpretation’. “All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are plain to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge.” Proverbs 8:8,9
We must live our lives according to God’s Word, and NOT live God’s Word according to our lives.
Love it or hate it, God’s detestation of homosexuality is patently obvious to anyone who can read. The Bible is replete with warnings of hell to those who practice it.
Repentance precedes forgiveness. We Christians don’t condemn homosexuals, we deliver them from it by the power of God. Contact John for more details.
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Hi Sonny. Thanks for reading. I don’t think Jesus’ words were warnings against same-sex relationships as much as speaking to a lackadaisical attitude toward commitment. Please see link in my article and Gushee’s book that I reference. I know we may not agree but I don’t believe God or the Bible should be used to refer to gay relationships as sinful.
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Follow some of your reasoning but don’t understand how I can be sexually or lustfully connected to another person outside of our own marriage (whatever that is in your culture as long as it is male and female as Jesus stated)? My uncle and his sister my aunt lived together in one household but as far as I know, they never had any problem with murder, lying, slander, gossiping, theft, sexual immorality or any outward sign of sin that was ever reported. If they lived together as brother and sister or two chaste beings the marriage is for tax and government reasons. Then keep it out of the congregation. Keep it civil and just more paperwork for $$+-.
I don’t care if someone marries their dog or their sister as long as they don’t claim that the sex they have is God approved. I accept all unrepentant sinners the same as in need of change. Are you saying God accepts unrepentant willful sin in an ongoing sexual relationship outside of marriage? What is the affirmation of? Trying to learn here.
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