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
Done with Religion 