"Why Homosexuality Is Not Like Other Sins"

[Rachel333]

I've been seeing this article praised on Facebook and I wanted to share my frustration.

desiringgod.org/articles/why-homosexuality-is-not-like-other-sins

Basically, while homosexuality is no worse than any other sin,

it is different from all the rest, at least right now. At this moment in history, contrary to the other sins listed here, homosexuality is celebrated by our larger society with pioneering excitement. It’s seen as a good thing, as the new hallmark of progress.

Christians aren't just against homosexuality.they're merely against sin because they love everyone so much.

We are against any sin that restrains people from everlasting joy in God, and homosexual practice just gets all the press because, at this cultural moment, it’s the main sin that is so freshly endorsed in our context by the powers that be. Let’s hope that if there’s some new cultural agenda promoting thievery — one that says it’s now our right to take whatever we want from others by whatever means — that Christians will speak out against it. The issue is sin. That’s what we’re against. And that’s what should make our voice so unique when we speak into this debate.

And don't forget that Christians are being constantly persecuted just for being loving.

That’s our message in this debate, when society’s elites despise us, when pop songs vilify us, when no one else has the resources to say anything outside of two extremes, we have this incomparable opportunity to let the gospel shine, to reach out in grace: you’re wrong and you’re loved. We get to say this.

[16strong]

So hate in the name of "love." Got it. :roll:

[Burris]

it is different from all the rest, at least right now. At this moment in history, contrary to the other sins listed here, homosexuality is celebrated by our larger society with pioneering excitement. It’s seen as a good thing, as the new hallmark of progress.

Uh, no; if it were seen as a "hallmark of social progress," then progressives would be encouraged - in the same way as they are encouraged to give time or money to certain causes - to engage in homosexual activities.

John Piper's word-choice is deliberately manipulative and dishonest on its face.

No, homosexuality is not being celebrated with excitement; it's merely being accepted as one possible (and likely innate) sexual orientation - an orientation that, when explored by consenting adults, hurts absolutely no one.

That differs markedly from how many churches and parachurch organizations have hidden abuse only to be exposed by whistle-blowers for crimes leadership teams have sometimes been permitting for decades - and that doesn't just apply to the Catholic Church, but to the pretty girl-fetishist Bill Gothard and to Doug Phillips (who is accused of making unwelcome, continual, and highly sexual advances towards a vulnerable live-in employee).

Clean up your own damned house.

[Terrie]

Divorce and remarriage is a sin, according to many churches, but you don't see massive PR campaigns over that, because it lacks the "Eww, icky" factor that they can push with the specter of men having anal sex.

[salex]

Divorce and remarriage is a sin, according to many churches, but you don't see massive PR campaigns over that, because it lacks the "Eww, icky" factor that they can push with the specter of men having anal sex.

I brought this up and was told that there wasn't a "divorce culture" like there was a "gay culture"

:roll:

[Terrie]

I brought this up and was told that there wasn't a "divorce culture" like there was a "gay culture"

:roll:

Right, and that's why fundies push "covenant" marriages. Because of gay culture. :shifty-kitty:

[Grimalkin]

I once asked on Catholic Answers Forums if it was more sinful than having sex outside of marriage and why.

I was told "Yes." and something about the angels crying out against it or something. I was earnest in asking these things. I have actively sought out real explanations. I have never heard one that made sense.

[guitar_villain]

Christians aren't just against homosexuality.they're merely against sin because they love everyone so much.

Really? Because I keep seeing ads on TV for Red Lobster and their shrimp and lobster feasts, with all sorts of slo-motion porn of crustaceans being dipped in melted butter and tossed with pasta. This sort of filth is shown constantly, no matter what kind of audience might be led into sin.

Second place has to go to WalMart and Target for bombarding me with flyers full of clothing made from mixed fabrics

So far I haven't gotten any ads from gay people trying to get me to buy gayness, so they're pretty far down the list of heavily promoted sin

[Toothfairy]

Okay, I always point this out. I don't care what anyone says I'm a christian and I support same sex marriage. It's not a sin. The bible says premarital sex is a sin against your own body, how many christians are virgins when they marry? How many help the poor? Are jealous? The bible says love your neighbor, which includes gays. If a women has her period she is unclean. How many women have period sex? Or isn’t isolated when she has her periods. And don't these morans understand you can't make any laws or force anyone to follow your beliefs. Remember when slavery and interracial marriage was illegal because Jesus. The bible was used to condone these actions.

The worst worst worst shit I hear is about gays adopting.

"Children deserve a mother and a father" Okay tell that to all the fucking kids in foster care legally freed for adoption who don't have moms and dad's. Kids who were abused and neglected by their moms and dad's.

[2xx1xy1JD]

Divorce and remarriage is a sin, according to many churches, but you don't see massive PR campaigns over that, because it lacks the "Eww, icky" factor that they can push with the specter of men having anal sex.

Their argument fails on a really basic level, because there are PLENTY of sins going on in the world right now.

Adultery has not disappeared, and most laws against it have disappeared.

People are still being killed.

Gossip is more prevalent than ever, and it's capacity for harm is increased by social media.

[DGayle]

So homosexuality gets all the focus since society is okay with it.

Well, fuck I guess I getter do toss the shrink I just tossed in the frier, chance out of my cotton-poly shirt and my cotton-spandex jeans, and cancel my hair trim appointment. Other things society is okay with.

[2xx1xy1JD]

Since I'm the weirdo on the board who actually doesn't eat shrimp or bacon or wear wool/linen blends for religious reasons....sometimes, following your religion means developing some self-discipline and recognizing that the world wasn't set up to cater to you.

Once upon a time, I ate shrimp and lobster. They are quite yummy. My mom and sister still eat these things and will talk about it. I still work in a heavily Chinese area where I see dim sum places all over. Red Lobster advertises (although it bears the same connection to good seafood that Olive Garden has to good Italian food). I gave up these foods when I got married, and then went to Nova Scotia on my honeymoon. The entire place is filled with lobster.

My temptation wasn't anyone else's problem.

[PopRox]

Okay, I always point this out. I don't care what anyone says I'm a christian and I support same sex marriage. It's not a sin. The bible says premarital sex is a sin against your own body, how many christians are virgins when they marry? How many help the poor? Are jealous? The bible says love your neighbor, which includes gays. If a women has her period she is unclean. How many women have period sex? Or isn’t isolated when she has her periods. And don't these morans understand you can't make any laws or force anyone to follow your beliefs. Remember when slavery and interracial marriage was illegal because Jesus. The bible was used to condone these actions.

The worst worst worst shit I hear is about gays adopting.

"Children deserve a mother and a father" Okay tell that to all the fucking kids in foster care legally freed for adoption who don't have moms and dad's. Kids who were abused and neglected by their moms and dad's.

Very well said! I am Christian and I feel the same way you do. High five. :)

[FaustianSlip]

it is different from all the rest, at least right now. At this moment in history, contrary to the other sins listed here, homosexuality is celebrated by our larger society with pioneering excitement. It’s seen as a good thing, as the new hallmark of progress.

Uh, so is eating bacon, but you don't see Jewish people losing their shit over it and/or trying to get it outlawed.

[Miggy]

Since I'm the weirdo on the board who actually doesn't eat shrimp or bacon or wear wool/linen blends for religious reasons....sometimes, following your religion means developing some self-discipline and recognizing that the world wasn't set up to cater to you.

Once upon a time, I ate shrimp and lobster. They are quite yummy. My mom and sister still eat these things and will talk about it. I still work in a heavily Chinese area where I see dim sum places all over. Red Lobster advertises (although it bears the same connection to good seafood that Olive Garden has to good Italian food). I gave up these foods when I got married, and then went to Nova Scotia on my honeymoon. The entire place is filled with lobster.

My temptation wasn't anyone else's problem.

Well said. I love the bolded.

Isn't there a quote about being in the world but not of it?

[Sundaymorning]

I wonder what these people, who think that civil gay marriage should be outlawed or being gay in general should be punished cause their own personal religious beliefs don't allow it, would say if some Hindus would demand that beef should get banned too.

After all, cows are sacred in Hinduism and it's a really big deal to them. Even many liberal Hindus I've met won't eat any beef, one woman (who otherwise doesn't really follow the religion all that much) once said to me that to her, eating beef would be like eating her own mother.

So yeah, why not ban eating beef and porc and seafood? Some people sincerely believe it's sinful, so, according to fundie logic, you have to ban it for everybody else too.

[IronicallyMaeve]

But homosexuality is so much fun! I don't wanna stop...

Oh wait, that's probably the point.

[formergothardite]

I wonder what these people, who think that civil gay marriage should be outlawed or being gay in general should be punished cause their own personal religious beliefs don't allow it, would say if some Hindus would demand that beef should get banned too.

After all, cows are sacred in Hinduism and it's a really big deal to them. Even many liberal Hindus I've met won't eat any beef, one woman (who otherwise doesn't really follow the religion all that much) once said to me that to her, eating beef would be like eating her own mother.

So yeah, why not ban eating beef and porc and seafood? Some people sincerely believe it's sinful, so, according to fundie logic, you have to ban it for everybody else too.

Because fundie Christians are right and everyone else is wrong. That is really the answer. They should get to force their beliefs on everyone because they have the right beliefs but other religions don't get to do that because they have the wrong ones.

[Vivi_music]

We are against any sin that restrains people from everlasting joy in God, and homosexual practice just gets all the press because, at this cultural moment, it’s the main sin that is so freshly endorsed in our context by the powers that be. Let’s hope that if there’s some new cultural agenda promoting thievery — one that says it’s now our right to take whatever we want from others by whatever means — that Christians will speak out against it. The issue is sin. That’s what we’re against. And that’s what should make our voice so unique when we speak into this debate.

That's the most ridiculous comparison I've read. Thievery hurts others. You are taking something from someone who worked hard for it, who probably needs money or valuables to eat or live. Homosexuality doesn't take anything away from anyone. It doesn't hurt people if it's between two consenting adults. Gosh. When will these idiots understand that LGBTs aren't a threat to their masculinity? :roll:

[RecoveringFundie]

I'm a Christian. My husband is a pastor. We both grew up pretty fundie (hence my name). Hubby more so than I did. Actually, I found out that Gothard used to be the youth pastor at the church I grew up attending. However, we both have changed significantly over the last few years. Even when we believed that the ACT of homosexuality (I don't actually like that term) was a sin (i.e--gay sex), because that's all the Bible actually talks about---the act, we still voted in support of gay marriage in our state----because we have always believed in the separation of church and state. But after really getting to know several gay people personally, and doing a lot of study and prayer, we have decided that we don't believe that being gay is a sin and that there is no sin in having a loving, committed relationship (i.e marriage) and a family. My husband has now performed several gay weddings and we are very active in a nation-wide non-profit for gay Christians---and those who have been harmed by Christians.

The conclusion that I have made about why so many Christians put "homosexuality" above any other sin is because they think it is gross. That is the only rational explanation that I can think of. It is just plain, old fashioned bigotry. It is "icky". They don't want to think about 2 women or 2 men having sex because it is so foreign. I genuinely think that is it. I've recently gotten emails from friends who have confronted me because they saw pictures of my husband officiating a lesbian wedding. I was honestly flabbergasted that people had the balls to confront me on our "sin". These are people who have never confronted me about any other "sin" in my life---and yet they choose this one? Believe me, I have plenty of "sin" in my life that could be confronted. This ain't the problem.

[morfydd]

I'm pretty sure gluttony is a sin, and it's pretty celebrated (Food Network). Pride is a sin, and it's celebrated (every reality show ever).

And usury is a sin - Dante puts those sinners in the same circle of hell as blasphemers AND SODOMITES. But modern capitalism, which I am assured by the right wing is the most patriotic and godly thing ever, couldn't possibly exist without usury.

[2xx1xy1JD]

Oh, here's an abomination that still exists - false weights and measures!

http://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/25-16.htm

Fraud and corruption are an abomination. I must have missed the memo that said that these things no longer exist, especially in politics.

[Imrlgoddess]

I have a question and didn't really know where to put it....but it mostly applies here.

On Fb at 4 am....I was told twice that only 1.8% of people (I assume in the US) are gay. I've seen that percentage in regard to this before...but I can't remember where, if it was on a blog or somesuch....

Where does this percentage come from? I looked up the stats and there are some different numbers out there. And where does the vehement argument that the Earth isn't overpopulated (a-la Michelle) come from?

It was too late(early) and I knew better than to jump into a discussion regarding homosexuality with folks from my home town. *sigh* :headdesk:

I have a hard time obliging willful ignorance.... :|