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God and His Gays

Science is stealing up on America's religious fundamentalists, causing much alarm. Consider the dilemma of the Rev. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and a leading figure in the Southern Baptist firmament.
- By Harold Meyerson

Comments

Well spun, indeed. Its entirely true that God, the bible, and church have been used to defend any number of horrible actions in history. They have also been used to fight against injustices, often the same injustices. For example, segregation. White supremecists found arguments to support their stance within the pages of the Bible. So did Martin Luther King Jr. Science often finds itself on both sides of a moral question, as well. In the same question, DNA shows how alike all humans are while earlier science was used to point out our genetic differences as better or worse, justifying discrimination. The fact that men are creative in their use of the evidence available to them, whether spiritual or scientific, does not make science or faith wrong or bad. Citing just the bad things people have done in the name of God is as dishonest as citing only the good things people have done in the name of God. It gives at best half the picture.

By hrhZerik | Mar 21, 2007 12:36:48 AM | Request Removal

All of us are sinners, and God loves all of us. Jesus never had to mention the subject in question because it was already covered by the Jewish scriptures of the time that Christians now call the Old Testament. God is our creator and therefore has the authority to give us commandments which we can choose to obey or not, but we cannot choose the consequences of our actions. There is no sin in happening to be born same-gender attracted. We are born with many conditions over which we had no control. Sin occurs when a person chooses to ACT in a manner contrary to God. That goes for EVERYONE no matter what type of person you find attractive. God will still love you, but you will ultimately not get to where you want to go eternally by following any sort of path of sin.

By FiguredBass | Mar 21, 2007 12:49:04 AM | Request Removal

Is this the same Bible that also advises that people who work on the Sabbath should be stoned to death Numbers 15:35 and condones the beating of slaves since the slave is the owners property Exodus 21:21. Why is it only the anti-gays passages are carved in stone? Jesus praises those who make themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven, but conservative Christians rarely lead the way with self-castration. In the New Testament, Matthew and Luke describe how Jesus cured the beloved servant of a centurion - and some scholars argue that the wording suggests that the pair were lovers, yet Jesus didnt blanch. Religious bigots cite one part of the New Testament that clearly does condemn male homosexuality - not in Jesus words, but in Pauls. Do we really want to make Paul our lawgiver? Will we also enforce Pauls instruction that women veil themselves and keep their hair long? Paul disapproved of marriage except for the sex-obsessed, saying that it is best to remain unmarried as I am. So if were going to cherry-pick biblical phrases and ignore the central message of love, then perhaps we should just ban marriage altogether? It would certainly solve the problem of twice and thrice-married Republican moralists.

By filmex | Mar 21, 2007 1:18:02 AM | Request Removal

Who can really feel qualified to speak for what God thinks about human sexuality? Why do people worry so if their son, their daughter or they themselves might be gay? Why do some Christians ostracize people only because of sexual orientation? I think people look for excuses for their hatred of gays in the good book because they know that their feelings are irrational. And as long as people have such irrational feelings, they will look on their children, their friends, and their neighbors with loathing if those people are honest enough to identify themselves as being gay. A little backup from God can help people feel better about being bigots. And so the cycle continues on for generation upon generation. And what does God really think of it all?

By claritygraph | Mar 21, 2007 1:37:25 AM | Request Removal

Im willing to stipulate only for the sake of argument that there is a biologic basis for homosexuality - i.e. its written in the DNA. That doesnt constitute an endorsement from God. Cancer is a DNA flaw. By your reasoning, if you were stricken with cancer, it would be wrong for you to seek medical care to alter the natural course of the disease. Thats your genetic imprint, your destiny. I dont see anything compelling about your argument whatsoever. As a non-believer, Im not sure why you are even worried about what God thinks. Do you concern yourself with what Santa Claus thinks about Christmas? As a believer, I believe Gods human creation is far more than just the genetic code. The human soul is the business of God.

By dcombs7 | Mar 21, 2007 2:04:17 AM | Request Removal

If someone warned you there was a steep cliff and not to get near it but you deny its existence and walk off the edge, will your denial of its existence keep you from getting hurt when you hit the bottom? You are entitled to believe there is no God or ugly things about His nature if you wish, but your beliefs cannot change fact. God loves everyone and wants to save everyone. That is why He sent His son Jesus Christ to Earth. If you are an atheist and do not want to believe that, that is your business but you will not change God. I am not a bigot because I believe. I have no bigotry or hatred toward people who have this situation or any other. Believing God has forbidden certain actions for humankinds eternal welfare is not an act of hatred.

By FiguredBass | Mar 21, 2007 2:31:59 AM | Request Removal

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