Quote:
Originally Posted by hippie4lyfe
I know we all share this common struggle we have or had been wrestling with our faith and our sexuality. It is such a shame that one has to feel that sexuality compromises religion.
Maybe there is a broader lesson to be learned, and God put us here as agents of tolerance? Not to make us sound like a supreme people by any means, I feel we all have a life purpose to fulfill.
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Eric,
It seems to me that the struggle between faith and sexuality is a totally artificial one; and one that so many of us have struggled with. If everyone could just forget all they thought they knew about the Bible and approach it anew as if for the first time with no preconceived ideas and no already-formulated doctrines, I think no one would have any opposition to homosexuality.
I think it would be obvious that the Old Testament must be looked at through the New Testament. So many of the OT teachings have long since been done away with (especially the entire book of Leviticus.) And a careful look at Paul's writings would show no anti-gay statements at all. I feel that the only reason people think the Bible is anti-gay is because they have come to it with that idea already drilled into them, and they see what they expect to see.
All information that comes from the Bible comes through a person's interpretation. My personal interpretation (and I think it's the right one, of course
) is that the Bible shows the love of God and shows us how to love others. All teachings and beliefs must be viewed through that lens. (Martin Luther thought that the Bible must be viewed through the lens of "justification by grace through faith.") I no longer see a conflict betwen faith and sexuality; it has taken some time, I'll admit. I sorrow over all those who have lost their faith due to the narrow-mindedness of so many Christians.
I also see LGBT people as messengers of tolerance. I think the church very much needs that message.
Tu Amigo, Pablo