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Posts Tagged ‘Gay’

Main Reason Leaders Turn Others Away From God!

Posted in Acceptance of Others, Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , on July 26, 2026|

by Mike Edwards

One reason I had to quit calling myself a Christian was when it became associated with being anti-gay, etc. It is hard for many to hear anything positive about God when leaders imply that God and the Bible condemn gays. Leaders fail to admit their interpretation could be wrong, yet they destroy many individuals and families presuming they are right about God’s heart. Leaders must stop implying or presuming God condemns gays for being gay. It is clear leaders’ lack of support. You don’t have to say explicitly what one is implying with their words. Just ask where they stand with God and gays. I am convinced for many it would be a negative stance or “I love you but….”

Leaders should know better

It is seldom admitted literature requires interpretation or one’s interpretation could be wrong, thus one’s understanding of God could be wrong. Even if you believe your Holy Book is inspired by your God, our interpretations are not inspired. Besides, it is rarely admitted that it cannot be proved one’s sacred book is inspired by their God. We cannot prove God inspired every word in the Bible (God controlling what writers/editors thought and recorded). If we did not assume literature is inspired, but rather the writers wrote what they believed was true of their God, we could avoid extremism. If we didn’t assume biblical writers always understood God correctly, this leads to more open discussions what God is really like. See link: Shouldn’t we assume the Bible isn’t inspired by God – all rants against the Bible

God loves gays

Nothing may be more destructive to God’s reputation than when Christian leaders explicitly or implicitly condemn gays in God’s name. Gays no more choose who they are attracted to than straights can? Many gays will tell you they have always been attracted to the same sex. If you are a straight man, don’t you naturally have to fight not looking at naked women than men? Ask gays their battle! Who chooses to be gay when one has to hide their sexuality because of bigotry and hostility See: God Loves Gays

There is real debate if the Bible condemns  gay relationships

See here.

I love you but …..

 It is impossible to not feel personally attacked when one utters “I love you but I hate your sin.” Especially if being gay isn’t a sin. 

Many, because of their understanding of the Bible, will respond with some version of “I love you; I hate your sin.” This is not a phrase found in the Bible. One is hard pressed to find anywhere in the Bible where this is a recommended strategy in relationships whether the Bible clearly condemns a behavior or not. It is impossible to not feel personally attacked when one utters “I love you but I hate your sin.” What is heard is I or God don’t love you.

But some actions are really harmful

It can be argued that hating alcoholic behavior is loving because alcohol abuse is harmful. Hating homosexual sex is only loving if homosexual sex is sinful. But do we tell a drug abuser that we love them but hate their behaviors? You don’t tell anyone coming for help with their addiction that you love them but hate their behavior. You simply say I love you and let’s do this together. They probably already hate their own behaviors. When someone is overweight, which is a lot of us, should we say “I love you but I hate you are fat?”

Please don’t reject a gay child in God’s name!

Some parents condemn their child because the Bible supposedly does. Not all agree. See here.  When there are any doubts what the Bible might be advising, God-followers must take the most compassionate, less judgmental stance toward others. Many parents know in their hearts to not judge their child but they are torn when hearing others claim the Bible condemns homosexuality.

Please stop!

Even if you think God and the Bible condemns gays, please don’t imply or speak for Christians and claim God condemns gays. Leaders seldom state directly God condemns or gayness is a sin but it is implied. Come out and say you don’t know even if you believe being gay is a sin, unless afraid of losing your position or donations. Hopefully, you do that for women’s roles. Surely, you admit there is debate concerning if women can be priests or pastors. This is another topic that breaks my heart when leaders presume their interpretation is inspire to deter women from pursuing their gifts or subjecting a wife under a husband’s authority which often can lead to domestic violence.

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the Done with Religion site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

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What Are The Worst Lies about God – Gays

Posted in Acceptance of Others, christian living, Love of God, The church, tagged , , , , , , on June 24, 2026|

by Mike Edwards

God Doesn’t Condemn Gays

Understandings and mental views of God shape your belief in God and your relationship with God. God surely delights more in one seeking to know God than the ninety-nine, offended by one’s interpretation of the Bible, who already know their Creator (Lk. 15:3-7). Biblical interpretations must be plausible based on what a loving God should be like.

Nothing may be more destructive to God’s reputation than when Christian leaders condemn gays in God’s name. Gays no more choose who they are attracted to than straights can. Many gays will tell you they have always been attracted to the same sex. If you are a straight man, don’t you naturally have to fight not looking at naked women than men? Ask gays their battle! Who chooses to be gay when one has to hide their sexuality because of bigotry and hostility? It is impossible to not feel personally attacked when one utters “I love you but I hate your sin.” What is heard is I don’t love you. Especially if being gay isn’t a sin.  See here.

God Loves Gays!

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

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5 Of The Worst Beliefs That Make Believing in God Difficult!

Posted in Bible, christian living, Jesus follower, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on October 19, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

Claims made by Christian leaders about God, according to their interpretation of the Bible, keeps believers and unbelievers distant from God. Our relationship with God cannot exceed our views of God. Even if a Book is inspired, interpretations are not. Few admit that their interpretation may be wrong. The only God worth believing in must be a perfect Lover. God surely is like the perfect human being—defined by love, empathy, and moral perfection. We cannot know God perfectly, but we can use our moral intuitions to guide our understanding.

God is not a hellish or sadistic 

Biblical scholars don’t agree a literal Hell is a reality in the Bible. See here.  A terrorist’s God seeks to kill infidels in this life, not waiting for the afterlife. God is nothing like such a god by burning/torturing forever infidels, only waiting until the afterlife. A loving God can’t be a terroristic God. My God gave me a brain to imagine what a loving God does to those who don’t believe while living a short time here on earth. Who does God allow in heaven?

No, God doesn’t just let Christians into heaven

The majority of people born into the world didn’t have a Bible or know of Jesus. Most people accept or rebel against a certain religion based on the family born into whether it is Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. A child sexually abuse by their father may struggle to accept a God who is most often betrayed as our Father in Heaven. No human or spiritual parent brings children into the world requiring their eternal destination be based on circumstances out of one’s control. A loving God can’t be a God of chance! Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). Did Jesus really mean God only saves those who accept Jesus? This verse could mean Jesus’ way of love is the best path toward God.

We don’t know what happens after life here on earth. No one can claim the Bible, subject to fallible interpretation, has the definitive answer. We are free to speculate what a loving God might do.  It is reasonable to believe a loving God that is able to create will take forever, if necessary, to save everyone from themselves. God only wants to help you become the person you deep down desire to come. Careful the regrets you, your family, and friends will feel at the end of your life if not pursuing a godly life now. Careful that our character developed here on earth may make the change process longer and more painful in the life to come. See what-god-may-really-be-like.com/what-religion-goes-to-heaven/

No, God doesn’t hate or condemn, gay people 

Please stop saying “God loves the sinner hates the sin.” Being gay isn’t a sin.  Why would God condemn gays when they can no more chose who they love than straights can. Why would anyone choose to be gay when faced with condemnation, bigotry. We all know the psychological harm when one must hide their sexuality. Biblical scholars who respect the Bible don’t believe Scriptures condemn gay monogamous relationships. See here. Since we can’t claim our interpretations are inspired by God, shouldn’t we choose the least harmful view? See here for more rants on God loves gays.

No, God doesn’t ordain men to be in authority over women 

Does God really call women to not serve equally with men in marriage and in the church? I am not sure why any fair-minded person would think women can’t fulfill the same roles as men unless believing a Book about God teaches otherwise. The most qualified or gifted should surely lead a company. Why not in church? It is a big deal! Views on gender roles effects directly half of the human population. Men in authority over women whether in public, private, or church life is conducive for abuse at the hands of men.

We can’t know if biblical writers always wrote what they think and influence by their patriarchal culture, thus what God thinks. But, even if believing writers were inspired/told by God, Paul a main writer of the New Testament can be interpreted to suggest or not suggest hierarchical roles.  See here.   Let’s choose the least harmful biblical interpretation. Galatians 3:28 may be God’s ideal: “There is neither Jew or Gentile, neither slave or free, neither male nor female, for you all are one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).”

God can’t be all-powerful and in complete control 

God cannot be all-powerful or controlling and be true to God’s nature. See here. A God who is truly loving would not be a God of control but rather one who allows for free will and authentic relationships. Logically, how can God be all-powerful and humans have some freedom/power? The belief of God being in complete control makes God responsible for evil.

Suffering (prayer unanswered) may be because God cannot intervene in evil or suffering without human help. Even the Bible claims love does not insist on its own way (I Cor 13:5). Claiming God allows evil is not a better solution. A God who supposedly allows evil but doesn’t do anything to intervene is no different than a parent who stands by and watches their child suffer. Evil and suffering in the world may be because God can only intervene when there is human cooperation, both by evildoers and non-evildoers.

The good news for many is that God can’t be responsible for evil or their suffering. I have brain cancer. I don’t have to believe God doesn’t care or that God could do something and doesn’t. God knows and empathizes with us in our suffering. God grieves with us. God can empower, inspire, and accompany us. God can influence us to follow Jesus’ example which can make for a much grander world. God doesn’t derive pleasure by seeing us in pain but the unfortunate truth in a free world is suffering happens. Lean on God and others for emotional support and encouragement in difficult times. See what-god-may-really-be-like.com/evil-and-suffering/

Where is God?

Billions in the past have believed in the possibility of a Creator. They couldn’t all be lunatics. Nations can only have spiritual revivals when their view of God possibly changes. Do you want to be more “in” with God? I am not sure there is anything to lose in beginning a journey of faith if the desire is to live life with fewer regrets. Personally, the biggest reason for being a God-follower is the inspiration and encouragement I sense in striving to be a better human being. Give God’s influence in your life a chance if so inclined. Moral values aren’t just found in a supposed inspired Book. It is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. We all seem to know the question we ought to ask ourselves – am I loving others perfectly? Or am I loving others like I want to be loved.

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

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Believing God Condemns Gays May Be The Worse False Belief About God!

Posted in Acceptance of Others, Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 30, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

Many rightly wonder if what Christian leaders claim about God is true. Who can blame them when God supposedly created a place such as Hell, to torture forever those who don’t believe in God a short time here on earth. I have written  here main beliefs that are drawing people away from God, though inclined to have a relationship.

Those who read my blogs often are probably sick of me ranting against those who condemn gays in God’s name according to the Bible. See God Loves Gays Many are open to more of a relationship with God, but not if Christian leaders keep implying being gay is a sin. That makes no sense to many of us who believe God can be known through one’s moral intuitions. Please stop with “God loves the sinner, but hates the sin.” God doesn’t hate the sin (gay) if being gay isn’t a sin!

Many believe God condemns gays because of a supposed inspired Book 

Many believe that God inspired biblical writers/editors to always be right about God, but inspiration can’t be proven. See here. So, if writers wrote God condemns gays according to the Bible, then Christians feel obligated to do the same. But, even if you believe God inspired biblical writers/editors to always be right about God, many may not know that biblical scholars who respect the Bible don’t interpret Scriptures to condemn gay monogamous relationships. See here. One’s interpretation may be wrong. Stay open-minded!

Why would anyone choose a lifestyle subject to rejection and abuse? I didn’t decide one day to be attracted to the opposite sex. Neither do gays decide to be attracted to the same sex. We can at least say science isn’t conclusive why we have desires for the same or opposite sex (Karen Keen, Scripture, Ethics And The Possibility Of Same-Sex Relationships, Chapter 7). It is a myth that sexual choices are always the result of some trauma or rebellion in our lives. If we don’t know why one has feelings for the same sex, why speculate or judge rather than love instead.

How can we know God then? 

What would you believe about God and gays if you didn’t have a Bible? It is a fair question. The majority of people born into this world didn’t possess a copy of the Bible or even heard of Jesus. I doubt a Creator would only communicate through such means. There are universal morals that most agree on such as don’t murder, don’t abuse, follow the golden rule, etc. Why wouldn’t a Creator create us to think like They do.

My moral intuitions tell me that God is not bias against females, people of color, or gays. Shouldn’t we choose the least harmful view? If you think there is a .0001% possibility that science proves sexual orientation isn’t a choice, why would we judge? Anyway, I am convinced the Bible is silent on monogamous same sex relationships, while supporting relationships that show love and concern for one another.

Why Christian leaders don’t change their views but must for the sake of God’s reputation 

There are several reasons many won’t change their views publicly. One reason as stated is because of one’s view of the Bible and their interpretation. Leaders and others who believe in an inspired Bible fail to recognize or admit their interpretation may be wrong. If they have to admit uncertainty, they may fear others will question their abilities to lead. Certainty is more comforting to many. If leaders and Christians admit they may be wrong about one belief for decades, they may think others will doubt their many other supposed inspired beliefs. I am not judging. I thought for a while my interpretations were always the correct one. See the sin of certainty

What now! 

Who chooses to be gay when one has to hide their sexuality because of bigotry and hostility? Science isn’t conclusive why we have desires for the same or opposite sex. I am begging you to not condemn gays because the Bible supposedly does. Christian leaders and laypeople – show some courage and change your stance. You may not agree with my interpretations, but let’s both admit our interpretations could be wrong.  Listen to each gay’s story and love them like you would want to be loved if you had the same journey. If we stopped condemning gays in God’s name, we would reveal more the loving God we believe in. I believe changing one’s false belief that God condemns one for being gay would move hundreds of thousands toward God.

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Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

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God Loves Gays!

Posted in Acceptance, Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , on August 24, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

Condemnation of gays in God’s name is one of the greatest stumbling blocks Christians put in front of those wanting a relationship with God. Stop with “God hates sin, not the sinner.” Being gay isn’t a sin. It never made moral sense to me why God would condemn gays when they can no more chose who they love than straights can. Why would anyone choose to be gay based on the condemnation and bigotry they face? Parents often only condemn their gay children because of their supposed correct interpretation of a Book. We know the psychological harm done when one must hide their sexuality because of bigotry and hostility. One’s interpretation of the Bible is often used to drive others away from God. Many may not be aware that biblical scholars who respect the Bible don’t believe Scriptures condemn gay monogamous relationships. See here. When there is uncertainty in interpretation, shouldn’t we choose the least harmful view? If Christians made this decision, we would see many more drawn to God’s love. Condemnation of gays is one of the greatest stumbling block Christians put in front of those wanting a relationship with God.

Please see most posts on God Loves Gays!

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Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like 

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What One Lie About God May Be The Most Harmful?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 5, 2025|

By Mike Edwards

I wrote recently 13 Lies according to one’s understanding of the Bible that I believe do the most harm to God’s reputation, thus turning many away from God. The problem isn’t the Bible but one’s view of the Bible. When one believes God inspired/approved all written about God in the Bible, they assume the biblical writers always portrayed God accurately. Furthermore, many go a step further and assume their interpretation is the right one, but ancient literature is always subject to interpretation.

Unbelievers, women, and gays

There is no doubt the following lies have impacted millions if not billions over history – that God created a forever, torturous hell for beliefs held for a brief time while living on earth, that God is bias thinking women can’t serve in religious or marriages roles that men can, that God condemns gays for an attraction choice they no more control than do straights. Many have rejected God based on claims made about hell, women, or gays. See 13 Lies

What may be the most harmful lie about God according to the Bible? 

It is often claimed and assumed that God’s main message according to the Bible is that salvation is about going to Heaven or Hell rather than how to live life here on earth. The main message can’t be about Hell which doesn’t literally exist. There is no word in Hebrew or Greek for “hell,” only possibly words used as metaphors to illustrate that spiritual death is as tragic as physical death. Even when Jesus was asked how to have eternal life, Jesus didn’t speak about a physical destiny but life here on earth. (Lk.10:25-37) Jesus simply answered the question “love God and your neighbor,” speaking more about the quality than quantity of life. God cares more about you here and now, not trying to terrify you about the afterlife if you don’t believe.

God is so pissed to require your death isn’t the main message about the Cross

To insist God required Jesus be murdered on the Cross in place of you isn’t Godly or parental love. Google “theological views of Jesus’ death” for many interpretations about Jesus’ death. Did Jesus and the Romans have no choice but to murder Jesus for an unjust cause? Soldiers die for one another because of a cause they believe in. Jesus thought his message was worth dying for. Jesus accepting death than powering over others may be the reason billions have been influenced to live unselfishly. Jesus wanted to change our attitude about God, not to change God’s attitude toward us. What kind of God sees how the world has turned out and doesn’t just say the Hell with it, but instead enters such a world to experience underserved suffering via the Cross to inspire and relate? 

What really is God’s salvation?

Jesus spoke of a life, worth living, empowered by God, for your good and those you have relationships with. I believe Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you wish you could deep down. I get help from God in pursuing a life with less regrets, of being the husband, father, friend, and man I truly want to be. It’s on God to come through for you if you choose to follow. Jesus when leaving this earth spoke of having God’s spirit within us. God’s influence, though invisible, can be the same as a parent who has left this earth that you believed loved you to the fullest.

What One Lie About God May Be the Most Harmful?

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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Is Sodom and Gomorrah Really About God Condemning Gays? What Is The Real Story?

Posted in Acceptance, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , on July 21, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

This story in the Bible is often used to condemn gay relationships. I believe this passage along with other “clobber” passages (see here) are wrongly used to claim God condemns gay relationships. Whether one believe this story is historically accurate, the moral of this passage is used to defend that God destroyed this city because of one’s sexual orientation. Please see for insights below Josh Scott book Context Chapter 6

Lack of hospitality is the moral of the story

It may be foreign to our way of life, but cultural expectations during these times were to greet and care for strangers who may come to your city/door. See Josh Scott for more details. So, Lot extends his hospitality to strangers visiting in Genesis 19. Then, people of Sodom surround his home and insist his visitors be sent out for their own sexual pleasures.

It’s crazy to read though maybe not for a patriarchal society that Lot offered his daughter instead to be raped, but this story is more than about sex. It appears even after his horrific offer by Lot, the crowd outside felt judged by Lot not accepting their invitation to prey on strangers (19:9). I guess the only good news in this story is that these possible divine visitors (19:15) offered protection for Lot and family to leave before the city was destroyed by God.

Further evidence Sodom and Gomorrah about lack of hospitality or love in general

In other OT passages the writers emphasized the lack of hospitality, not being gay, as the moral concern regarding Sodom and Gomorrah. The prophet Isaiah in Chapter 1 condemns the Judah people by calling them “rulers of Sodom.” (1:10) They are then called out for their lack of justice for the oppressed not sexual sins (1:16-17). Isaiah didn’t understand Sodom and Gomorrah as a condemnation against homosexuality. Other passages agree the sin in Sodom and Gomorrah was about the lack of love toward the oppressed (Amos 4, Ezekiel 16). Even Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, when referring to Sodom and Gomorrah, speaks of lack of hospitality as the sin. (10:9-15).

Besides, visitors came to rape not have a relationship

This story is about hostility and hate toward outsiders. Do we really think only gay men showed up to Lot’s doorstep to pry on male guests or did straight men suddenly become gay? And then Lot offers these supposed gay men his daughters for sex.  Didn’t Lot know they were gay? This story obviously is not about consensual sex – straight or gay. This story is also not about a desire to be in a monogamous same-sex relationship.

God would surely condemn nonconsensual sexual relationships, but why would God condemn any relationships based on mutual love and respect. It doesn’t make moral sense why God would condemn gays when they can no more chose who they love than straights can. Ask your gay friends! Why would anyone choose to be gay based on the condemnation and bigotry they face? Please be careful picking a Bible story or passage to definitively speak for God.

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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5 Lies About God Turn Many Away From God!

Posted in Acceptance, Bible, christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on December 24, 2023|

By Mike Edwards

Lies may be too strong a word. I can’t prove with certainty what God’s views are regarding women’s roles, gays, etc. But it is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. All rational humans seem to have the same internal moral code – to love others like they want to be loved. The Bible can’t be the definitive word about God because scholars don’t all agree what the Bible claims about God on many moral issues. We also can’t prove God controlled prophets or writers to always understand God perfectly. We can imagine what a loving God is like though our moral consciences. See here.

God does not torture or kill infidels 

We know bad religion when we see it. Any religion that advocates or excuses those, who don’t accept their belief, being killed in this life is evil. Christianity must avoid having any comparisons with such a religion. A loving God can’t possible light infidels on fire and then not letting them die in the afterlife. Christians must reject such a view of Hell. Now, when one meets their Creator and rejects living a loving/godly life, I can see them being allowed to pass on into final death. I wrote that Hell (a place of forever punishment) is doubtful biblically and even morally from a loving God. See here.   See here.

God does not condemn gays for attractions they have no control over

How could a loving God possibly condemn gays when they can no more choose who they are attracted to than straights can? If you are a straight man, don’t you naturally have to fight not looking at naked women than men? Ask gays their battle! Who chooses to be gay when having to hide one’s sexuality because of bigotry and hostility? Even if you believe God inspired every word in the Bible and agrees with all written about God, not all biblical scholars interpret that Bible condemning monogamous gay relationships. See here. I am begging you to not condemn gays because the Bible supposedly does. Please be open to the possibility that you may be wrong.

God does not believe only men can serve certain roles 

Women suffer violence because some claim the Bible says God wants women submissive to men in ways men are not similarly submissive to women. It doesn’t matter all men don’t take a mile when given an inch. Enough do! Many women can obviously feel disrespected and confused why a supposedly loving God would choose according to gender than gifts in serving in the religious institutes. Men, walk in their shoes if you had certain leadership gifts. Most would agree it is immoral to favor one based on the color of their skin. Intuitively, to favor men over women for particular roles seems sexist. Scholars don’t agree how the Bible should be interpreted on roles for women in the home or church. See here.

God does not exclude infidels from Heaven after death 

One’s religion or rebellion against a certain religion is often based on the family born into whether it is Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. Is God a God of chance? A loving God wouldn’t only let Christians into heaven when the majority of people born into this world died without knowledge of Jesus the Christ. No human or spiritual parent brings children into the world requiring that one’s eternal destination is based on circumstances out of one’s control. Only extremists believe you must adhere to a certain religion in this life or the life to come or be killed. Even the Bible possibly suggests all will eventually end up in Heaven. See here.

God can’t control evil or your suffering

One of the biggest reasons for being an atheist is because of the presence of evil in our world. Some suggest God doesn’t intervene in evil or suffering because all evil eventually leads to good, as if some grand plan by God. Tell that to sexual abuse victims or family members of murdered victims. We must consider that God can’t be all-powerful. Perfect love can’t be controlling. Ask any adult child. Evil and your suffering may be because God cannot intervene single-handedly without being controlling. Such freedom by God is necessary for authentic relationships to develop. Forced love is an oxymoron. God is surely doing all they can to stop suffering with the help of others. The alternative is that God can always stop your suffering and doesn’t, or that God arbitrarily stops other’s sufferings sometimes but not yours. I doubt it! 

How can we stop turning people away from God? 

I believe if we at least stopped claiming certainty in God’s name regarding gays, women’ roles in marriage or in church, or the destiny of those who don’t choose a certain religion in this life are destined to never be with God in the afterlife, we would have more open conversations and reveal more the loving God we believe in. Your interpretation may be wrong, so stay openminded. Christian leaders – show some courage and change your stance. You may not agree with my interpretations, but I will admit my interpretation could be wrong if you will. Don’t claim you have God all figured out according to a Book. Yes, we can claim God hates evil such as physical or sexual abuse, but for example listen to each gay’s story and love them like you would want to be loved if you had the same journey.

5 Lies About God Turn Many Away From God!

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Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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The Church and LGBTQ

Posted in Acceptance, christian living, Lifestyles, Love of God, The church, tagged , , , , , , , on August 9, 2023|

by Jim Gordon

Unfortunately, we know many people have been treated wrong within the church system. Some more severe that others, but none of it is good.

I think one of the groups that seem to be affected most by this are those who are LGBTQ. I have seen this group of people treated rudely and like second class citizens in many churches where they should find love and acceptance more than anywhere else. God said to love our neighbors, he did not say to love only those with whom we agree.

Even in the churches that are actually welcoming, LGBTQ people are often not accepted and allowed to participate fully within the organization or hold certain positions. They are welcome to come in and sit and listen so hopefully the church can change them, but they are not welcome to come in and participate in any way within the church program.

Christian people will deny rights and services to LGBTQ people based on their Christian beliefs, unfortunately even including fellow Christians who are LGBTQ. Even government office holders can refuse certain services and basically get away with it because they say it goes against their Christian morals. As a Christian, I say these things should not be. This is nothing like the example of Jesus.

Labels are placed on many people, gay/straight, black/white, male/female, christian/atheist, American/foreign/immigrant. Yet behind those labels are human beings who were created in the image of God. They are loved and accepted by God and we are told as followers of Christ to be known for our love for one another.

I feel for those who are LGBTQ. It hurts to see people who were created and loved by God be rejected and abused by those who claim Christianity. I think it is time to look past the labels, look past personal feelings and accept people just the way they are, because they are created and loved by God.

Jim Gordon and his wife left the institutional church after spending over fifty years within the system. Jim wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system and why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God. Jim can be contacted by email at: jimgordon731@gmail.com

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We Must Rethink The Bible When It Comes To Gays!

Posted in Acceptance of Others, Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 6, 2023|

By Mike Edwards

I am going to focus briefly on the main issue as to why I think Christians must change how they view the Bible. There are many reasons. Women suffer violence because some claim the Bible says God wants women submissive to men in ways men are not similarly submissive to women. It doesn’t matter all men don’t take a mile when given an inch. Enough do! But perhaps even worse, Christian leaders condemn gays for being gay because the Bible supposedly does. I wish I had known 40 years ago what I know now!

It doesn’t matter even if you think God inspired the Bible!

It is natural to assume inspiration means God agreed with what the biblical writers claimed about God. If writers wrote God condemns gays according to the Bible, then Christians must do the same. I doubt God inspired everything written in the Bible about God, so the writers might be wrong about God. But even if you believe God inspired every word in the Bible and agrees with all written about God, not all biblical scholars interpret that Bible condemning monogamous gay relationships. See here. I understand condemning unfaithfulness according to the Bible, but we don’t need a book for such condemnation. But claiming God through the Bible condemns gays is subject to biblical interpretation. Your interpretation may be wrong, so stay openminded.

Being gay isn’t a choice!

Many Christians, worse leaders, are quick to judge in God’s name when one admits they are gay. Listen to the Podcast of one man’s journey: Blue Babies Pink by B.T. Harman. Hopefully, it will give you compassion as to the struggles growing up gay. We condemn stealing, murder, and gayness in the same breath. Stealing is a choice. Being gay is not a choice. Listen to their stories before judging. Stop with “love the sinner, hate the sin” speeches. It is impossible to feel loved and accepted when such words are used. Even if you believe the Bible condemns gays, do you tell someone overweight that “I love you but I hate your behaviors.” Look in the mirror for most of us. I’m not overweight but my belly fat is an issue. Anyway, most gays will tell you this is not a choice they have. This is who they are. Why would anyone choose a life of hostility and bigotry?

Please!

I am begging you to not condemn gays because the Bible supposedly does. Christian leaders – show some courage and change your stance. You may not agree with my interpretations, but I will admit my interpretation could be wrong if you will. Listen to each gay’s story and love them like you would want to be loved if you had the same journey. I believe if we at least stopped claiming certainty in God’s name regarding gays or women’ roles in marriage or in church, we would have more open conversations and reveal more the loving God we believe in.

Dear Reader: If you still think being gay is a choice and you must condemn gays in God’s name, I beg you to listen to Blue Babies Pink podcast episodes or if prefer more reading than audio see blog Blue Babies Pink

We Must Rethink The Bible When It Comes To Gays!

MikeEdwardsprofilepic125

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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