Post by novatiger on Apr 10, 2013 9:29:16 GMT -6
NoVa, I've been impressed by your honesty, your empathy, and your intelligence--even over the interwebs. Nothing is going to change that.
On the other hand, my holy book (as well as others) says what it says. And it says it in more one place. I can't change that. It also says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." I learned that when I was a little girl in GA's, when I was a Baptist. I see daily where that meaningful scripture applies to me. An example is that I have a very hard time helping poor people that I encounter on the street. It is my natural inclination to go the other way when I seen them. I also know that it is important that I help them. I'm working on my aversion, but it's still there.
I also believe in the scripture that says, "Judge not." I think it is a bit unfair to think that straight people that don't support the current agenda don't know gay or lesbian people. Many of us have family members, friends, that are gay or lesbian. We have known them for years, even our whole lives. We love them. Period.
As far as the Baptist church is concerned, what is taught and preached varies from church to church. It is one of the most truly democratic institutions in the country. (I'm saying that as a Methodist.) That can be both a blessing and a curse. The individual church would have to change the leadership of that church.
Are you certain that it means what you think it does? Have you ever spent a serious amount of time looking at those verses without using the tinted glasses provided by your church? Have you looked at the history and culture involved? I have and I believe that even if I were straight, i would come to the conclusion that the interpretation most churches still put on them is wrong.
There is something of a parallel here with evolution. As a biologist, evolution is a fact. Things I do everyday wouldn't work if it were not true. This means I don't accept Genesis as literal truth. To do that would be to deny the reality of God's universe. Now believing Genesis is the literal truth is mostly harmless, except where some people try to have the Genesis story taught as science. The difference with viewing all same sex relationships as fundamentally sinful is that it creates an animus in society against. It creates the attitude that everything about our relationships is fundamentally immoral. It gives people who are not as loving as you license to harass LGBTs in the workplace, allow bullying at school. It's legal in 29 states to fire someone just for being gay or evict them from their home. When we try to get anti-discrimination laws passed, churches are the first to line up in opposition.
I don't see how churches can maintain their interpretation without creating this hostility in society. I don't think that's God's plan for either us or the church. That is why my feelings on this are so strong. I realize that you and Baldy are sincere in your beliefs and I'm sorry if I seem to be attacking them, but I see too much of the harm that they cause even when you think you're saying it in love.
That is not to say that there are not sinful aspects of homosexuality just as there are sinful aspects of heterosexuality. But I do not believe those of us in committed relationships that are the equivalent of marriage are in opposition to God's word.
I agree we are all sinners and there are a number that I struggle with. One is the same as you do. I've started carrying extra change to give out when I see someone I think is in genuine need. But I do not consider my relationship with Stan to be one of those sins. In fact, understanding and not just accepting but loving myself as gay has allowed me to draw closer to God and feel Him working in my life like never before. Sin doesn't do that.
