tkmaxwell777
04-23-2007, 07:50 PM
Hi! I stumbled across your site by sheer accident... or maybe by Divine Intervention :D First off, I'm a Christian married gal who has been debating the evangelical teachings vs. homosexuality for some time now. I've been a Christian for over 25 years, raised in an AoG church (seems to be a lot of us here from the threads I've read), and have been seeking the truth about whether or not God is okay with same-sex relationships. I'm involved in various online communities where male/male and female/female romantic and sexual relationships are written as fictional stories, and in doing so have met several gay and bi individuals that have been hurt by the church so badly that they have turned completely against God. I want to help them find Christ... not some religious endoctrination, but a personal relationship with God. It's just that I'm still struggling with how to address their sexuality from a biblical perspective. I've read Mel's pamphlet, and it raises some very interesting and compelling points about interpretation and changing relevance. I just have a couple of questions I wanted to ask before I continue reading. Before I ask them, I want to make it clear that I believe with my whole heart that if you say you've accepted Christ as your Savior, it doesn't matter if you're het, gay, lesbian, bi, or trans, you're my brother or sister in Christ. Period. You're not going to get any 'turn or burn' theology from me in that regard.
Okay, first question. For those of you who are Christians, do you promote monogamy the same for gblt's as for hets? I know legalized marriage isn't an option (or even civil services, which I think is ridiculous), but if vows are exchanged before God in faith, is that what you (collectively or individually) consider to be the step that God accepts just like He does with het couples? I'm divorced and remarried, so I understand exactly what Mel was referring to in his pamphlet and can relate to 'never being right' in the eyes of some church people. I've just heard about the promiscuity that can occur and wondered what your stance on that is. I can't see God being pleased with ANY of us going to bed with a bunch of different people, regardless of orientation, so I just wanted to see what you guys think.
Second question... can someone point me to a good site where I can read the results of scientific and sociological studies being done? I've heard some bits and pieces about genetics and social enviromental aspects, but it's so hard to find balanced info. I believe that we should use all of the resources that God has given us. His word will back the truth up when we get to it, but sometimes it's written from limited perception (by man - though inspired by God), and it seems to contradict until it's put into context with the world around us. I just want to learn more so I can decide for myself. The church is wrong with how they are dealing with the homosexual community, and I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. It makes me really angry when I hear the hatred coming out of pulpits and pews. On the flip side, I'm not happy with the militant anti-Christian groups in the homosexual community either (though I can understand their hurt). There has to be some kind of middle ground here. I'm just trying to find it.
Thanks for any help you can give me!
TK ^___^
Okay, first question. For those of you who are Christians, do you promote monogamy the same for gblt's as for hets? I know legalized marriage isn't an option (or even civil services, which I think is ridiculous), but if vows are exchanged before God in faith, is that what you (collectively or individually) consider to be the step that God accepts just like He does with het couples? I'm divorced and remarried, so I understand exactly what Mel was referring to in his pamphlet and can relate to 'never being right' in the eyes of some church people. I've just heard about the promiscuity that can occur and wondered what your stance on that is. I can't see God being pleased with ANY of us going to bed with a bunch of different people, regardless of orientation, so I just wanted to see what you guys think.
Second question... can someone point me to a good site where I can read the results of scientific and sociological studies being done? I've heard some bits and pieces about genetics and social enviromental aspects, but it's so hard to find balanced info. I believe that we should use all of the resources that God has given us. His word will back the truth up when we get to it, but sometimes it's written from limited perception (by man - though inspired by God), and it seems to contradict until it's put into context with the world around us. I just want to learn more so I can decide for myself. The church is wrong with how they are dealing with the homosexual community, and I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. It makes me really angry when I hear the hatred coming out of pulpits and pews. On the flip side, I'm not happy with the militant anti-Christian groups in the homosexual community either (though I can understand their hurt). There has to be some kind of middle ground here. I'm just trying to find it.
Thanks for any help you can give me!
TK ^___^