[K-Dog]

It is an interesting story which brought me to the site. I had come to the same basic conclusions as soulforce on my own, and was looking up how many times the Bible actually mentions homosexuality and found a link to this site. It was interesting to me there are others who had the same conclusion.

I am actually a heterosexual, which may make me a rarity on this site. I belong to the Assemblies of God denomination, and am considering going to college to complete my degree in pastoral studies to get ordained. However, I do not agree with how the church has treated gays all of my life.

The first problem I have is that the church is charged to preach the gospel in all the lands and in all tongues across the planet. What is the gospel? That Jesus Christ loves you, and he died for your sins. The gospel doesn't say he died for heterosexuals or homosexuals, just that he died for all mankind.

The second problem is that for every passage that the church uses to condemn homosexuals, there are at least ten passages ordering them not to. "First remove the plank from your own eye so you can see clearly." Or, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Or, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." To name a few.

My biggest problem is this, though: any discussion on the sinfulness of homosexuality comes down to one of two options. Either homosexuality is a sin and it is therefore covered by the blood of Jesus, or it isn't a sin and homosexuals have committed other sins (as have all people) and need the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of those. Either way, the conclusion is that forgiveness for homosexuals is both available and necessary.