A Young Christian Girl's Take on Gay Rights: It Might Surprise You

[Anonymous]

First, I would like to start off by saying that I KNOW this is a very controversial topic. Many people will not agree with me at all, and I will probably get a lot of hate.

To begin, I think that everybody should know where I stand religiously. I am a Christian. That plays a very important role in what I am going to talk about now.

As the title of this take entails, I am here to talk about my stance on gay marriage/gay rights. Considering I am a Christian, I believe this may surprise some of you.

I am not against them. Not completely, anyways. I've been struggling with this for awhile now. I have grown up going to church, always being told that being gay is WRONG. But, as I've gotten a bit older, my view began to change.

I do not want to demoralize gay people. I do not want to put them down. I love them just as much as I love any other person. My personal belief is that nobody should be put down for how they feel. If somebody is gay, the DO NOT deserve to be alienated because of it.

Christians are supposed to be accepting, loving, helpful, compassionate. But, over the years, I believe some of us have developed a very hateful point of view. By not letting somebody marry the person that they love, how are we really being accepting or compassionate? By taking away somebody's shot at happiness, how are we encompassing all that it means to be a Christian? By telling somebody that they are going to hell because of who they've fallen in love with, how is that fair?

I do not believe that being gay earns you a straight way ticket to eternal damnation. What if a gay person is also a devoted Christian? I believe that they are still loved by God and will be accepted.

Conflicting emotions definitely go on inside me. My parents are completely against gay people. My dad makes the most HORRIBLE comments. And I never, ever speak up. That's why I'm here now. I want people to know how I feel.

I want everyone to know that I do, to an extent, support gay rights. The Bible strictly prohibits them...and this is where my internal conflicts arise. Am I wrong for thinking this way? Perhaps I am. But this is how I feel.

I simply want to be known as a girl who accepts everybody, no matter who they are, or who they love. People may not even read this take, but that's okay. I just want it out there. I needed to get this off of my chest.

[Anonymous]

It is interesting to see the list of arguments for and against homosexuality.

There are Christians who support gay rights and believe that the Bible does not prohibit homosexuality.
There are non-religious people who support gay rights and believe that the Bible does prohibit homosexuality.
There are Christians who oppose gay rights and believe that the Bible does prohibit homosexuality.
There are Christians who oppose gay rights and believe that the Bible does not specifically say that it bans homosexuality, but that their opposition is derived from inference.
The list goes on.

[madhatters4]

i think you have a great position on the matter and one that is becoming more common among devout christians. it is understandable why religious people might be against homosexuality. nearly every religious text denounces and damns homosexuality.

but like you have experienced and many others books written 1000s of years of ago may have great lessons but also may contain positions that in 1000s require re-evaluation

[StewieRH]

I too am a young Christian girl and as far as I recall, have never had a problem with people who are gay, bi or lesbian.

To be honest it really confused me when I first heard that being gay was a sin. I mean I'm straight myself but I just didn't understand how (as you say) Christians are meant to be loving, accepting people who are accepting of all and yet apparently if you're gay you're evil.

I really don't get that. People who are gay, bi or lesbian can't help the way they feel, just as I can't really help the way I feel as a straight girl.

My Mum is a Christian and usually a very nice, kind, understanding person, and yet her take on it is "Well they can't help the way they feel but I think them actually carrying out the act (sex) in itself is wrong" despite the fact she broke the rule of "no sex before marriage" (I know this because I was 9 when she got married to my Dad).

I've mentioned about the whole gay thing before to my mum, how I didn't understand how that was a sin and she didn't seem to know how to answer other than what I've just wrote that she said.

Upon further research it's because it's "against Gods plan" as you say, they can't help the way they feel though. I would be devastated if I was told I was going to hell for loving my boyfriend and could never do any *ahem* "intimate" with him or whoever I ended up with ever; because I can't help the way I feel as a straight girl. I like guys romantically, not girls, just as gay guys like guys romantically and not girls, and lesbians like girls romantically and not guys.

The way I see it: Killing, torturing, raping, bullying, molesting, etc those things are evil.

Being gay? Being gay doesn't seem like being evil.

[myTake Owner]

I don't think that being gay in and of itself is evil either. Not at all.

When people that are gay say hurtful things about Christians, however, that does hurt me. Just because I'm a Christian, they're automatically on the defensive. That's why I just had to write this take. I love everybody, no matter who they are, and I really wanted people to know that.

[StewieRH]

I can understand that, I wouldn't like it if a bunch of gay/bi/lesbian people started hating on me just because I'm Christian and assumed things about me based on that.

[Anonymous]

As a Christian I am against gay marriage. But I don't hate them or judge them. We are called to loev our neighbors. But that doesn't mean you have to accept the things they do or the way the llive. The Bible is clear on the issue. Some people just don't want to believe it because they think it is wrong or outdated. Just because you dont believe something doesn't Mean it isn't true. The bible is also clear on marrying some one who is divorced. Even Jesus said to the woman at the well. When she was about to be stoned for adultery let him who has no sin cast the first stoNE. At the end he told her to go and sin no more. So loved her but not what she was doing. As Christians we are to show love not judge. Yes we are to accept the person no matter what as God accepts faults and all. We are also called to live to the standards which you can find in the Bible. It isn't a religious things it is a relationship with God. And I want to please Him. I know it isn't popular theas days. Let us be kind to one another.

[SmileGirl95]

I understand what you mean! I'm also a young Christian female but I completely support gay rights, which I am open about with Christians and non-Christians. I would never want to think it's wrong but I know the Bible says it's wrong. I want to stay a Christian and develop my relationship with God further but I worry that as a consequence of that, I will later start believing it's wrong. I was actually talking about this yesterday with one of my friends, so you're not alone. Feel free to message me if you want to talk more about it :)

[myTake Owner]

That's how I feel, as well.

I mean, sometimes I feel like my opinion is completely wrong. How can I agree with something that is specifically prohibited in the Bible? And that scares me, but then I think about much hate gay people have endured and I feel in my heart that I'm right.

But the doubt is still there. I completely understand where you're coming from.

[SmileGirl95]

Yeah I get you! Sometimes I feel that I shouldn't agree with it because Christianity says it's wrong, and I don't want to be a Christian who picks and chooses what I believe. But mostly I'd feel wrong to ever think that being gay is wrong because I just can't think that way. I believe that love is love regardless of if it's with a man and a woman, a man and a man or a woman and a woman, and you can't help you love. I've had friends who are gay/lesbian/bi and they know I completely support them. I've heard some Christians say it's wrong to be gay but to treat gay people with love and guide them towards the 'right path'. I mean loving them is good but I don't want to guide them to the 'right path' because being gay is a part of them that is natural for them. And they have a right to pursue that path. Yeah I agree, the hate they get is not right at all.

[phillykreta]

I'm Christian too, I have got to know God four years ago and my relationship to him is real tight. I'm strict on myself with it, as in no sex before marriage.. Just so you know where I am coming from.
Jesus told us in the Bible that the most important thing is to love one another. And the one without sin shall throw the first stone. No one is without sin, so no one will be allowed to judge besides God, it's not on us to judge people. We should only love them and support them. Same goes for everyone including gay people. So yeah. I know what you're saying.

[Anonymys]

I am a Christian girl as well, and I believe everyone should be treated with respect; I don't think Christians of today should be stereotyped or attacked based on a former law or a Christian person's mistake. I also believe everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter who agrees; when I find truth, even in as controversial a place as the Bible (all of it, not just the most convenient parts), I don't think speaking it in a respectful way requires me to edit it to the "politically correct" version. I also believe in treating all sins the same, but I don't believe in treating people like sinners that I have to judge or fix. I am also a gay girl, but I believe that the joy I find in God is better than the happiness I might feel with a girlfriend, even if some days are hard. I believe that caring about other people is more important than caring what people think about me.

[Anonymous]

Youve been going to church but obviously not reading the bible. God said all sins are sins of the flesh the only ones that aren't is being gay and suicide. Being gay ia not sin of the flesh and Its unnatural according to god. Christians are followers of Jesus. Didn't he get crucified because he was agaisnt the norm during the reign of the romans which waa homosexuality, rape, murder, abortion, war... etc none of these things where considered bad but natural during roman rule. So i have to say your not a Christians like god says your either with me or stand against be. there is no gray area. Dont be fooled by societal norms jesus didn't he was killes for speaking against them. Your wha the bible calls faux Christian , so many who say they beleive in jesus but not his word.

[myTake Owner]

That was very hard to read...

But what I took from it is that you think I'm not a real Christian... which is NOT true.

First off, you don't know me. You have never met me. You don't know my praying habits, how often I go to church, anything. Yet you still have the nerve to call me a faux Christian.

Secondly, I DO read my Bible. I was actually reading all of the passages about homosexuality. There are three of them.

1) Is in Paul, and it's talking about how "'man shall not lie with man"

2) Is in Leviticus, I believe, and it's pretty much the same as #1

3) Is the story of Sodam and Gomorra, in which a group of men try to "have sexual relations" with the two angels that God sent to destroy the city.

Please don't go around saying that I'm not actually a Christian. I love God. I stand for Christianity. I fight for what I believe in. And I really don't appreciate the things that you wrote in the little rant.

[Opinion Owner]

Every religion beleifs in god but Christians beleif jeus is their saviour. I do know by your take you are not taking the wors serious so like i said you aren't a christian. You cannot change the words of the bible to fit your views.

[Love_Is_Eternal]

The Bible teaches that if you say you love God, yet do not keep his commandments, you are a liar.

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:1-3)

You cannot claim to love God while at the same time support something that God calls an abomination. That's just hypocritical. The church is full of them.

[crimsonqueen]

Here are my thoughts on this: everybody sins, the Christian faith all agrees on that right? Sins don't keep you from heaven and good deeds don't get you into heaven. Believing in God and loving God is what gets you into heaven. Right?

When you tell a gay person God hated them. Or that who they love is wrong in Gods eyes.. you're driving them away from Gods love. And isn't that the greatest disservice to God and to gay people both?

You might think it's a sin. But it's not your job to handle other people's sins. It's your job as a Christian to say God loves you and offer that love back. Because being gay won't keep you from heaven. But disbelief will, according to the doctrine.

[amandaaxo]

I am also Christian and I just wanted to clear something up that might ease your struggle a little. The Church is NOT against gay people themselves. The Bible and Christian teaching says absolutley nothing about BEING gay is wrong. What the Bible does talk about is homosexual ACTIONS (basically gay sex). The reason for this is because sex is supposed to signify a bond between man and woman, and the Church believes that every time intercourse is practised there must be a possibility of procreation. (In case you're not sure what that means, it means sex is always supposed to be done with the possibility of having a baby, because thats what sex is for. ) This is why the Church also outlaws contraception (condoms, birth control), sex before marraige and all of those other things. The church has nothing against gay people themselves and a true Christian would never discriminate against or treat people any differently, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, or anything else.

[Anonymous]

I guess what I'm wondering is how person who is pro gay can be in a religion that is, by its own book, very much anti gay. And how a person who is gay can be in a religion that, by its own book, tells them that they are an abomination. It's one thing to believe in a deity, but the Christian one? If you're gay or a supporter of gays, why?

I don't know, maybe I'm missing something. Being straight, non religious, and an outsider to the whole gay vs anti gay thing, I'm sure there are lots of others who have a better perspective than I do

[myTake Owner]

I don't know. I'm probably one of the exceptions.

This is just the one point in my religion that I doubt. That the way I feel is wrong. And sometimes I sit and wonder what God is thinking of me. Does He hate me for writing this?

I just can't bring myself to be against gays. I cannot do it. It's a simple human rights matter. They deserve to be happy just as much as any other person does. And my religion condemns that. Tells them that they are pariahs for doing what they do. Tells them that they're going straight to hell.

And I just can't bring myself to agree with that.

[Opinion Owner]

You're questioning, and that's good. You're following the morals you believe are right and not letting others dictate them to you. Let me say this, and I mean no offense by it, but if there is a god, and he hates you for writing your honest opinion on something, that's not a worthy god. A worthy god would be understanding of your conflict over this issue. He wouldn't send people to "hell" just because they were born a certain way.

I wish I could tell you there's an easy way to resolve this, but from my perspective, your only options are to either accept that you are going to have an unpopular opinion in your religion, or leave Christianity (you can believe in a god / creator without being a Christian)

[Opinion Owner]

But if you insist on staying in your religion, all I can tell you is, hold on to what you believe in, be proud of it, and don't let anybody use the "god is going to send you to hell" card to guilt you into changing who you are.

[0112358]

There are quite a few large and significant Christian denominations that are quite accepting of homosexuality. Some have performed gay marriage ceremonies. The U. S. episcopal church, which has 3 million members, consecrated an openly gay man as a bishop.

[helloitsmethere]

THANK YOU!!!
I also have Christian beliefs and it annoys me whenever I see Christians telling gays to 'die' or 'go to hell'.
I'm sorry, aren't we supposed to be the same ones preaching love to all of humanity? Pope Francis also disapproves of Christians doing this.
Also, preaching hate is a sin and God has a VERY special place in hell for those who continue harassing people for who they are. So go on, keep hating on them, your ass will be sorry when you are burning in eternal flames.
Thank goodness that despite them being from a Christian background, my parents are open minded people and taught me to accept people for who they are from a very young age.

[Anonymous]

Jesus doesn't really talk about gay people.

While some say he did so indirectly and that Old Testament law is the key to this, it has a TON of prohibitions from not eating shellfish to mixing fibers that very few Christians follow.

A lot more was said about being fair, moderate and generous. A more impactful statement is that no human is pure and good enough to make it to heaven without God's grace.

Why we're so hung up on homosexuality and sex in general, and not say, predatory lending or not helping the impoverished, does not make sense to me.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Christian to but I don't support gay marriage because I think marriage is between a man and woman and because Iv had girls online try to perpresher me to be gay and they would get mad and curse at me when I said no and told I'm straight and a couple girls girls would spam with private messages saying they wanna have sex with me and one girl would go up to me in a game online and say I was cute and I would say to her that I'm straight and she would ignore me and walk a way and another girl on kik messenger kept on asking me what boobs I liked and she kept smiling the hole time when she asked and I kept telling her I'm straight

[myTake Owner]

If they were online, they were probably just creepers. Plus, that has nothing to do with my Take.

You can block people on kik, and on most other apps. You can also choose to simply ignore them. They'll leave you alone eventually.

It seems as if you are judging the entire gay community on how a few "girls" were acting towards you ONLINE. The Internet is subjective... you never truly know who you're talking to, not unless you video chat them. So if I were you, I wouldn't let how people act online influence how you think about the gay community as a whole.

Because, trust me when I say this, just because a girl is lesbian, it does not mean that she immediately wants to have sex with every girl she meets.

Plus, you don't know, those " girls" who were messaging you could have actually been old men. You never know.

I respect your opinion on gay marriage. It's just your reasoning that bothers me.

[Opinion Owner]

that's true and yes they were online

[LittleSally]

No, you're not wrong. Your view and feelings on this are right on point.
The Bible wasn't written by God, it was written by men - who were afraid of their own shadows and loved making things up that suited them at the time...
by the way., I'm also Christian.

The good, respectful, loving things in the Bible make sense, everything vile and disrespectful towards innocent people has no business being in any holy book in my opinion.

[Josht13]

so some of it is right and the word of god but the stuff I don't like "oh that's just made up". Definition of cherry-picking.

[LittleSally]

@Josht13 You do realize none of that is 'the word of God', right?

...

[Josht13]

then why believe any of it.

[LittleSally]

@Josht13 The obvious answer is because I want to + it's my family's tradition. I look at it logically. I have no idea why you have a problem with that...

[Josht13]

the thing is it's illogical. You think the bad parts are total bullshit but the parts you like are real it's just cognitive dissonance, how can the bible be bullshit and truth about the world at the same time and how can you know what you believe is the truth. How does liking something make it valid.

[LittleSally]

@Josht13 Didn't I just explain it? If you don't get it... that's just fine.
Keep on living your life and I'll be living mine.

[Josht13]

I want to, isn't an acceptable answer.

[LittleSally]

@Josht13 You're one of those religious nuts, aren't you? Should've seen it right when you commented.

[Josht13]

no I just don't think you can think some of a holy book is bullshit but other is the truth flaws in anything should discredit it so it should all be true or fake in my mind.

[LittleSally]

P. S. Also - the Pope is not taking the Bible literally either. So why should anyone else? Or is he exempt because he is 'the voice of God'.

P. P. S. Rhetorical question. Any answer from you will be superfluous. (But I have no doubt you're going to write some nutty blindly religious mumbo jumbo anyways. Go right ahead.)

[Josht13]

Also I never said take it literally it can be a true metaphor but this only works for the stories in the bible the passages that say gays are an abomination are either right or wrong,

[myTake Owner]

@Josht13 I wasn't going to comment on this at all, but there isn't one passage in the Bible that states "Gays are an abomination" specifically. There are exactly three times in the Bible that gay sex is mentioned, not even just people being gay in general.

[Josht13]

one is all it needs. They did not retcon it. Also I am not religious.

[myTake Owner]

@Josht13 I honestly believe that there is a reason why it wasn't emphasized more clearly. Jesus himself NEVER even mentioned it while he was here preaching on earth.

[Josht13]

there is a reason it was called an abomination but then not mentioned? fuck me they hardly give a clear sign do they. Jesus didn't go over most things.

[myTake Owner]

@Josht13 If it was really that terrible and taboo, don't you think a stronger emphasis would have been put on it?

What of a person who has homosexual thoughts and tendencies but never acts on them?

[Josht13]

the emphasis was given it's an abomination are your eyes jammed with shit this should be enough to get the message through.

[Josht13]

*ears not eyes that's pretty weird.

[NatashaJ]

Well since your a strong Christian can I ask why there some people in your religion who are against transgender though hating transgenders are not in the bible and even if it was wouldn't that be against "love thy neighbor". I'm curious why some Christians are having a issue with the transgender bathroom issue.

[myTake Owner]

The transgender bathroom issue is a completely different issue in and of itself. People are scared that men are going to rape their wives/daughters/other girls relations in the women's bathroom.

If somebody is transgender, I will not judge them or accept them any less than I would any other person. However, I do not agree 100% with transgenders being able to use any bathroom they "identify with".

However, I've known transgender people and I'm not condemning them. It's just, the bathroom issue just... doesn't seem right to me, because of the fact that rapists and such can probably now get into the bathrooms without any problems.

[NatashaJ]

I see but I saw a question on here about lettings transgenders be able to use a bathroom at a church. Apparently that's against people religions which doesn't make sense.

[NatashaJ]

note a bathroom not a female or male bathroom and I think a shitty thing to do to denied someone the bathroom because of them could be a transgender.

[somebodysaycheese]

Um, i know atheist who are againat it. Being trans is a beleif not a fact noone id born in the wrong body thats logic. Its forcing their beleifs on the majority. And the bible says i knew you before you where in your mothers womb. Being trans is saying god doesny kbow you but you do. So essentially you are your own god. Which is standing against god

[NatashaJ]

@somebodysaycheese Okay but beside if there are transgender or not I still think its not cool to not let anyone not use a bathroom because of who they are.

[somebodysaycheese]

Theu can use the bathroom the one that coorelates with their dna. theu chose to transition. they chose not to see a psychotherapist
These are all choices they made the majority do not need to play pretend because someone chose to live their life a certain way. Like i said its theri beleif theu are what they identify not a beleif people need to keep their beleifs to themselves.. right? Plus gender identity amd sexual orientation dont go hand in hand. You can be trans woman and like girls.. now what? Your putting people in harma way because this person suffers from one or several mental illnesses that fall under gender dyshphora

[NatashaJ]

@somebodysaycheese Ok? and I was just curious about Christians on why they would be against transgender that's why I ask the mytake owner I know atheists can be dumb fucks too.

[FrankReynolds]

It is something that this society picks on the most discriminated people in this country. Trans people especially those of color get the most abuse of any people in this country. The root of the whole problem is the Human Race is rapidly becoming obsolete. Evolution will like it did for billions of years wield it hand create a superior form of Human or destroy Humanity and replace it with another form of life altogether. People talk this culture war or majority rules crap along with any other bullshit is just helping to speed up the process. As far as I'm concerned the clock is ticking Mankind Wise up or get WIPED OUT!. Its your chose.

[NatashaJ]

@FrankReynolds I agree I do feel very bad for transgender people I don't care if people think their mental ill I don't think they are. Because we not in their position we don't know exactly what's its like to really feel to be born the wrong gender. So I can't argue how they want if I don't see what they see.

[Sabretooth]

for me, ain't about the rights-it's about them being harassed.

[John_Doesnt]

That's called cherry picking. The bible opposes other things, yet you're not against them in America's modern society. Adultery, fornication & polygamous relationships are perfectly legal, but Christians don't complain about those things which are also abolished in the bible.
Hypocrisy is the current name of Christianity.

[JRH1991]

I honestly don't care what two consenting adults do behind close doors, but the bible says specifically marriage is between a man and a woman. I'm ok with civil unions but I dont accept it as marriage.

[John_Doesnt]

@JRH1991 what passage says only man & woman? The bible says between 1 man and several women. Nothing else about marriage.

[QuestionMan]

Pope Francis actually supports gay rights and is in favour of civil unions (but not calling it same-sex marriage).
If anyone is an authority on Christianity it's him.
I really like the guy. I agree with him on many things.

[Canadiandude]

Don't you realize satan is already went into the church? The bible is the only authority, not Pope Francis.

[Justaskinggg]

@Canadiandude u cra cra

[QuestionMan]

@Canadiandude The Pope's interpretation of the Bible is what counts not yours.
He is the central authority. That is if you're a Catholic.

[Canadiandude]

Have you not read the bible? Satan has moved into the church like the bible have stated and you're going to blindly follow the Pope. Only the bible can save you. You need to study on your own. You can't even trust most pastor because they don't teach that many so called Christian holidays are pagan holiday.
The bible is against gays you know that right?

[QuestionMan]

@Canadiandude Lucky for me I'm an atheist.
The bible says don't sleep with dudes it doesn't say hate on gays.
Christmas is pagan I knew that.

[RachelBrigs]

@Canadiandude don't you know that wearing clothes made of two different fabrics is a sin yet you sit there in a polyester cotton blend t shirt lol

[Anonymous]

Personal beliefs are only part of the problem. Reactions from other people, based on that belief are the real BIG problem. Laws inspired by religion haunted society for thousands of years. And in many countries it's not over yet. There's Iran.
There's Uganda: www.nytimes.com/.../04uganda.html?_r=0
And many other countries.
And now and then those old ideas resurface at home: www.theguardian.com/.../california-lawyer-shoot-the-gays-proposal-2016-ballot

[Opinion Owner]

The Bible contains a few contradictions where it concerns homosexuality
There's David and Jonathan in 1Samuel 18
www.biblegateway.com/.../
It gets hotter in 1Samuel 19:24
www.biblegateway.com/.../
I remember something in Mattheus too.
Theology had to twist itself like a worm to get out of it.
But it didn't stop some popes from being gay.
bilerico.lgbtqnation.com/2012/06/the_gay_popes.php

Pope Benedict and 'gorgeuous' Georg Gänswein retired together

www.counterpunch.org/.../...er_georg-gaenswein.jpg

Not only popes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_bishops

[SovereignessofVamps]

Your links are interesting!

[CurlyBookWriter]

Growing up, no one has ever told me that gay marriage is wrong. To be honest with you guys, I strongly believe that I am not straight and realized that for a while now and I am 22.

Even before I started questioning, I had no problems with the LGBTQ community and I am a Christian myself! My parents say that they will accept me for whatever happens in my life as I continue to question myself. My brother may be against it but he doesn't mind the gays. His girlfriend is highly against it though so I am a little iffy on her...

To be honest, I have no reason to judge because I've been judge all my life for being white and black and so I am open to the LGBTQ community. So why should I judge someone just because they love the same sex? It's not bothering me! Plus, I have lots of friends who are LGBTQ!

[Sara413]

If it makes you feel uncomfortable that the Bible prohibits homosexuality, it's helpful to remind yourself that the Bible had a lot of rules and prohibitions that made sense for the times but no longer make sense today.

Focusing on the love and acceptance bit is the important stuff anyways. Glad you get it!

[RedThread]

You're not alone. I don't know where you live but I'm from Massachusetts and my friends who identify as Christian support people being free to do as they choose as long as they aren't hurting anyone. Gay marriage is just one of those things. Their reasoning behind it is a little different than yours when we have had conversations about it.

My state has had gay marriage since 2004 so maybe it's just been here much longer than some other states so people are just more chill about it now.

[myTake Owner]

I live in Oregon. Which is a very liberal state. Gay marriage was legalized here a long time ago.

However, I live in a very small community. Everybody goes to the same church. And everybody is very small minded.

Honestly, my stance is simple: everybody should be allowed to love and be happy, and they are not affecting my life in anyways whatsoever. So why should I condemn them? Why should I hate them?

There is absolutely no reason. That fact that so many Christians are so full of hate when it comes to this subject is terrible.

[Intraluminal]

Its a question of focus. The bible aays MANY things andnoften contradicts itself. The question is what does Jesus focus on? He definitely focusses on being loving and forgiving FAR more often than he focusses on homosexuality. If you look at what He says about homosexuality, he says practically nothing about it. Even the bible only mentions it like 5 times in the whole bible. On the other hand he mentions being loving and forgiving MANY times.

[myTake Owner]

@Intraluminal 3 times, actually. The Bible only ever mentions it 3 times, and it only even talking about "may lying with man, and woman with woman". So sex. I don't think that it ever actually mentions two people of the same gender simply loving each other, but the fact that that's still taboo is implied.

Also, you're right about the things that Jesus tended to focus on. Homosexuality wasn't one of them. In face, I don't think that He ever even mentions it. Unless he did in Leviticus... let me check really quick...

Leviticus 18:22 (The Lord talking), says "You must not have sexual relations with a man as you would a woman. That is a hateful Sin."

So Jesus himself never even mentioned homosexuality. He was much more worried about more important things, like love and faith.

[Intraluminal]

Exactly, so anyone who wants to truly be "Christ-like" should do likewise.