I promised to write this last week, but because the subject is so important, I didn’t want to merely throw it up here for dissection. My views on homosexuality have taken years to cultivate, and a 30 minute blogging session wouldn’t do them justice.
Is Homosexuality A Sin? The Bible says this:
Lev 18:22
“Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” – NIV1 Cor 6:9
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders” – NIVRom 1:26-27
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even 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.” – NIV
I won’t debate you on whether or not homosexuality is a sin. However, I submit to you that the church’s hatred of homosexuals is as great a sin, as that oh-so-detested-by-Christians-sin. Heck, it’s actually more harmful if we can agree that the greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.
In our haste to brand the homosexual as so deviant as to top all other sins (when no sin is supposed to be greater than another), we show our own black hearts and communicate to the world that we truly do not love others.
What does this bumper sticker communicate to churchgoers? Now, to the unchurched?
Would a gay person feel welcomed by you if he saw your sticker at the grocery store? Is this going to make him feel like you care about him? Will he ask you about Jesus?
We don’t have to worry about being hated for our faith, we’re making sure we are hated for our lack of love. Here are my questions to you:
What is the last thing you said about homosexuality?
Did you say it as if you were talking about a friend or :gasp: an enemy?
If a homosexual knew what you said about him would it make him feel comfortable enough to share with you any pain he are experiencing?
Has your church created an environment of love that outsiders know would welcome homosexuals?
Next up: Why I could never vote for the marriage amendment.
Paula Said:
on November 19, 2006 at 5:06 am
I asked my women’s bible study why homosexuality was the one sin we checked for at the door of the church. Of course, no one had an answer consistent with Scripture. I think most folks just want some sin to point at (a speck) that they themselves do not struggle with. Divorce, adultery, fornication, gossip, greed, all (planks) hit a little too close to most homes. This might be the greatest challenge of our generation in the church– to effectively extend God’s love and forgiveness to this people group.
Robyn Tippins Said:
on November 19, 2006 at 5:39 am
This is probably the smartest comment on this situation I’ve read EVER. I agree wholeheartedly.
Karen Said:
on December 19, 2006 at 4:19 am
Gerald preached on this about 6 weeks ago. His whole sermon was about loving people. He talked about this bumper sticker and how it’s hurting people that see it. He talked about our clever and oh so witty church signs, our Christian t-shirts, and such. He got rid of about 15 of his Christian t-shirts. He didn’t do this because he changed his beliefs, but because he realized that it could be hurting the lost and his chances of witnessing to them.
Our pastor just completed a 7 weeks series on evangelism. We are called to love and witness to everyone, especially those that society finds unlovable.