It's Pride month, which means many cities around the country will be hosting Pride parades and events celebrating the LGBT community and affirming the progress our society has made on civil rights over the years. Participants come from all walks of life: gay, straight, young, and old, to wave rainbow flags and partake in the merriment. And, increasingly, religious leaders are also choosing to join in.
For some faith denominations, there is no controversy here. Groups such as the Episcopal Church have long since welcomed LGBT members into the fold. For these congregations, taking part in Pride is a no-brainer.
But the same cannot be said for more traditional denominations like the Catholic Church. While some Catholic leaders do participate in Pride events, many more do not often citing their belief that homosexuality is not condoned by God and therefore should not be celebrated. But apparently, this ambiguity in Church policy did not sit well with one particular bishop, who took it upon himself last week to issue a directive to his fellow Catholics. Bishop Thomas Tobin tweeted out:
A Ratio to End All Ratios
Bishop Tobin may have believed his argument to be ironclad when he hit the "send" button, but the internet sure didn't waste any time tearing it to pieces. In Twitter parlance, a "ratio" occurs when someone sends a particularly bad tweet that generates more comments (usually explaining why it's a poor opinion) than it does likes. Bishop Tobin may well have broken some sort of record in this regard, earning an astounding 94k comments to less than 30k likes.
As you might imagine, many comments referenced the Catholic Church's less than stellar track record when it comes to child safety.
But others chimed in to argue that religion also has no right to dictate how people live their lives, what they decide to celebrate, or who they choose to associate with. And shouldn't the Bible be about spreading love?
Church Teachings vs. Modern Realities
Despite Bishop Tobin's poor choice of words, his message does represent a real dilemma that traditional church groups are grappling with. If their religion says that being gay is a sin, what approach should they take to Pride celebrations?
Because a majority of Americans now support gay marriage, outright condemnation doesn't seem like a great idea from a public relations standpoint. As church attendance numbers continue to dwindle, faith leaders are looking for ways to get more people in the pews not to keep them away.
At the same time, perhaps they truly cannot participate in Pride events in good conscience due to their interpretation of the Bible's teachings. If that is the case, perhaps it's best to leave the decision up to individual priests and parishes. If they want to participate, great. If they'd rather pray for rain that day, the clear takeaway from this story is that it's best to keep quiet about it.
45 comments
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Earl Farrell
When the religious leaders of his day decided that it was necessary to kill Jesus in order to keep their cushy positions, they huffed and puffed about this and that and were very impressed with themselves. Much like today. The obvious lesson there for me is not to trust the organized uniform wearing "leaders" of the church, and instead trust Jesus, who loves homosexuals, and left handed people, and tall people and.........
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Reb TK
"Gut Yom Tov" ( "Happy Holiday") to everyone celebrating LGBTQ+++ Pride this month. I am always amazed by the personification and expression of joy that occurs this month! There is a long way to go: violence against LGBTQ+++ people (especially Trans people) is increasing just as violence against our Muslim friends, and Jews is increasing. Police violence against People of Colour is increasing. This is not a mistake. It is intentional. There is a solution. Solidarity and Pride and Our willingness to draw a line in the sand will, eventually, lead to Justice. After Justice comes Peace. Silence = Death. Action=Life. Peace and Out. tk
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Rev. Randy
After all the years of service and dealing with faith leaders, I see we all still fall short of God's will and the teachings of Jesus. Our mission is ONLY to be a beacon to God for each persons faith. The Judgment and interpretation of scripture is something that is out of our calling. We are to only teach people how to be led by the Holy Spirit, be taught by the Spirit and receive the enlightenment and discernment from the Spirit. We only present scripture for consideration and food for thought. If I follow the Lord's teachings, I sit at the table with all men and women without judgment or bias. If we come together under the direction of the Lord and lead by the Holy Spirit with differences, if we are open to be led by the Holy Spirit, God's will be revealed. All we are doing here debating is playing with gasoline. Scripture indicates we are still in the age of Mercy. One day we will live the age of Judgment, but today is not the Day. Remember the Throne of Mercy is full of thorns and nails, while the Throne of Judgment is nice, plush and real comfy. No wonder we choose to sit in the comfy chair first. How about we just love one another like we hope the Lord loves us and teach our people to hear the word being revealed to them by the Holy Spirit instead of telling them what they should hear.
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Bob Anderson
This directive, coming from the Catholic Church of all places, has to rank as the greatest example ever of 'ironic hypocrisy'. Simply mind-boggling.
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browneyedwytch
I think the one thing we all need to remember when we talk about the Bible or other holy books is that these are MAN's interpretations of God's word. And what the Divine may have said may not be what man heard. In the course of time, the books have been translated into different languages, and when words didn't match. the writer used what work in their language. In the case of the King James version, he edited parts of it take care of his political needs,ie thou shalt not suffer a witch to live was originally thou shalt not suffer a poisoner to live. That was done to protect his mother, who poisoned people to keep James on the throne. We have so many interpretations of the Bible that the only way we will know the true one is when we meet the Divine Creator in person to tell us.because man sees things in hiw own way. Remember the chapter of Luke was written by one who never even met Jesus.
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Sherri Washburn
I think all of these parades are a waste of time and energy. Parades, and special days created to celebrate self centered, self indulgent people. Every thing is being sexualized as if it is the totality of what it is to be a person. I am much more than a sexual being or a woman. I am a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend etc. I don't like the way that sexuality has become the core of people's identity. Personally I identify as a child of God. That is enough for me. Have a blessed day all.
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Secretary3rd
It deals in numbers Gays do not produce children and the Catholic Church needs to fill the seats or they die off.
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Secretary3rd
Gee! How many in te parade are still Catholic and attend Church on Sunday. Having a Catholic priest calling the pot black and he is above it all. Really when at one time the only way to raise up in the church was to be a pet of a Cardinal.
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Wayne Stevens
I mean to say I'm a straight person and not a strange person
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Wayne Stevens
Okay I really don't like to get in the middle of this what if somebody somebody anybody can show me anywhere in the Bible where it says directly that homosexuality is a sin please show me and I'll admit it right then and there and shut up in the meantime I'm just a strange person can be as I can be however I also believe in Live and Let Live also I said earlier that if God permits it if it is already happening if God would not want it it would not be how much more simpler can it be it all boils down to faith in God
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Ben
If a Christian follows the teachings of Christ & to love your neighbor as yourself, then yes they should.
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preacher richard h.
But we r also to try n lead them out of sin an if they keep sinning avoid them or we may be tempted to sin. Christians shouldn't be gathering with deviant non believers unless its to try an lead them to Christ, and then they should not go alone
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Carl Elfstrom
If that's the case preacher Richard H., what are you doing on this minister's blog. Although we are all ULC ministers, this is not a Christian minister's blog, and the ULC is not affiliated with a Christian sect. Some of us abhor the teachings of your worthless bible, and passionately love engaging in many of the activities which you call sinful. I'm far from the only ULC minister who hates what you're preaching, and will put you in your place, over your foolishness. Stick around, if you dare. We're going to have a lot of fun putting you down, and sending you on your way, like a sniveling, little cry-baby.
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flugo
'carelf': You're an personification of knowledge without wisdom. You need to alternately pull your head out . . . . and replace with your thumb you've been sucking.
God's original intent for sexual relations was established early in Genesis: one man and one woman.
Jesus underscored this in the 19th Chapter of Matthew.
Romans 1:24-27 and I Corinthians 6:9-11 clearly condemn same gender sex.
To your increasing ignorance and intellectual dishonesty can you refute the above obvious allusions to homosexuality.
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Carrie
Try it more like this, instead of your narrow minded crap! Another passage of Scripture sometimes used against gay people is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, which reads as follows in the King James Version:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God.”Note 1. William Arndt, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1979), page 489.
In this passage there are two key phrases relevant to our discussion. First there is the reference to “effeminate” persons, which is often viewed as a reference to nelly gay men. In truth, however, the Greek word translated “effeminate” in verse 9 is quite broad. The word is malakoi, and it literally means “soft.” (See note 1.) So Paul is saying “soft people” will not inherit the kingdom of God. Since we know Paul was not talking about the Pillsbury Dough Boy, we have to ask what he meant.
Note 2. Dale B. Martin, Arsenokoitês and Malakos: Meaning and Consequences (Source: Biblical Ethics and Homosexuality: Listening to Scripture edited by Robert L. Brawley; Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville Kentucky, 1996), page 124. Nissinen also offers “frailty of body or character, illness, sentimentality, or moral weakness” as other possibilities for the meaning of this word in other contexts (page 117).
This common Greek word had different connotations depending on the context in which it was used. In terms of morality, it generally referred to something like laziness, degeneracy, decadence, or lack of courage. (See note 2.) The connotation was of being “soft like a woman” or like the delicate expensive fabrics worn by rich men. In the patriarchal culture of the time, women were thought to be weaker than men, more fearful, more vulnerable, and more vain. Thus, men who ate too much, liked expensive things, were lazy, or liked to dress well were considered “soft like a woman.” Although this type of misogynistic thinking is intolerable in our modern society, it was common in ancient times and explains why the King James Version translated malakoi as “effeminate.”
Note 3. Martin, page 126.
But it is important to understand the difference between ancient and modern notions of what makes one effeminate. Paul wasn’t condemning men who swish and carry purses; he was condemning a type of moral weakness. The ancient Roman and Greek understanding of what it meant to be manly or womanly was quite different from today. First-century Romans didn’t think of effeminacy as merely a homosexual trait. In that culture, any man who was more interested in pleasure than in duty was considered to be woman-like. And men who worked to make themselves more attractive, “whether they were trying to attract men or women, were called effeminate.” (See note 3.) They saw all pleasure-seeking men as effeminate, whomever they sought pleasure with. In first-century Roman terms, most pro-wrestlers in the WWF (manly men by our definitions) would be considered effeminate, because of their apparent interest in fancy, hyper-masculine costumes and posturing. From this perspective, Paul was condemning men who are vain, fearful, and self-indulgent.
In recent years, however, some have suggested that, in the context in which it appears in 1 Corinthians 6, malakoi may refer specifically to male prostitutes, who would have served as the receptive partner (i.e., soft, “woman-like”) in sexual intercourse. This translation is reflected in two of the most widely used modern English translations of the Bible, the New International Version and the New Revised Standard Version. Since malakoi was used to refer to men who exhibited the negative traits associated with women in first-century culture, it’s not hard to see how the term might also be used to refer to male prostitutes. They would be viewed as sexually indulgent (a trait associated with women) and as the ones who played a receptive role in intercourse (again, associated with women). Because here Paul uses malakoi in a list of sexual sins, it is possible to infer that he may have been referring specifically to male prostitutes, rather than soft men in general.
However, regardless of whether Paul intended to refer specifically to male prostitutes or more generally to all men considered morally soft, it is apparent that the term malakoi has nothing to do with the question we bring to Scripture. We are not defending prostitution, nor vanity or self-indulgence. Our question is whether same-sex couples may live in loving, committed relationships with the blessing of God. The term malakoi does not address that.
Note 4. Some have suggested an earlier use of the word in a piece of literature called the Sibylline Oracles, a collection of oracles written by many people over a number of centuries. However, the dating of the particular oracle in which this word appears is uncertain. For more on this topic see Dale B. Martin’s article, page 120.
The next key phrase in this passage is rendered in the King James Version as “abusers of themselves with mankind.” A similar phrase appears in a list of sins in I Timothy 1:10. Both phrases are derived from a single Greek word, arsenokoitai, which is quite rare. In fact, these two biblical references may be the first examples we have of this word being used in the literature of the time. (See note 4.) Because the word is so rare, its exact meaning is probably lost forever. However, some scholars have worked hard to make an educated guess.Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error" (Romans 1:24-27). Comment:
Metaphysically, this passage vividly describes a life in which the demands and distractions of the flesh become the only priority, and any spiritual purpose or awareness is resisted and denied. The consequences of this misplaced priority are severe. "They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice" (Romans 1:29). One of those manners of wickedness, in Paul's evaluation, was homosexual behavior, which he saw as always licentious and thus a denial of God. Heterosexuals who live lives absorbed in lust and carnal pleasures would be equally condemned.
Obviously Paul would (perhaps grudgingly) acknowledge that heterosexuals could live committed, loving, sexually active lives and still be expressive of God consciousness. (He really preferred that everyone stay celibate.) He did not believe that homosexuals could live committed, loving, sexually active lives and still be expressive of God consciousness. Many people today would agree, because their impression of homosexual behavior is one of selfishness and licentiousness, totally focused on sexual gratification and totally absent any true sense of love or commitment. Are there homosexuals whose behavior would fit that description? Certainly. Are there heterosexuals whose behavior would fit that description? Certainly. They are choosing to disregard or deny the Presence, not just of God, but of a divine purpose to life. That choice will have consequences; their lives will be unhappy and unfulfilled—not because God is punishing them, but because they are refusing to allow the Love that God is to express in and through them and their relationships.
Not all heterosexuals are like that, of course; and not all homosexuals are like that, either. What separates us from God is not whom we choose to love, but a refusal to love at all—a refusal to be the Love of God in expression. Those who would use Paul's views as a blanket condemnation—of anyone!—need to let their eyes drop down the page an inch or two to the beginning of Romans 2: "Therefore, you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things."
So metaphysically, the message of this passage—and the message of the entire Bible, really—is this: Put God First! If you do, everything else will fall into its proper place and your life will be a creative expression of divine love. If you don't—if you allow distractions of any sort to take on a higher priority than God in your life—the consequence of that negative choice will be a negative, fearful life experience.
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Carl Elfstrom
So, are you saying that if you hang-out with gays you will turn gay too. You must not be secure in your alleged sexual orientation, so in case you falter and find yourself in bed with another man you can blame it on him, and claim you were hanging out with this man who you didn't know was gay, and through that association he turned you into his biotch for the night. However, your little Nelly self got away from your new found butch stud daddy the next day, and you repented of your sin, so you could go back to putting down gays, until your next weak moment, when you unintentionally become associated with another gay man, who causes you to be turned on be his growing bulge.
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Carl Elfstrom
The Catholic clergy is full of self a persecuting, and self-homophobic homosexuals, who don't want gay people to experience the joy of life that they deprive themselves of. I'm still overjoyed that they expelled me from two Catholic elementary schools, and then told me they wouldn't take me in another Catholic school again in my life, even if I wanted to become a priest later on, to which I could only laugh in their faces. Therefore, I'll only tell Catholics to go for the gusto! Don't pay any attention to your self-deprived gay clergy. Go to those Gay Pride parades, and have a fabulous time. If they don't like it, it might be time for you to find another church that does. Life is too precious to waste on nay sayers.
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Pastor Xal
I heart you Carl!!!
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Carrie
I think they should. They are far safer with Gay Pride than they are with Pedophile Pride Priests. The same can be said about the evangelical preachers who say they abhore Gays only to be found in motel rooms with underage boys. At least Gays are honoest about who they are. People who imply they are mentally ill or sexual deviants are the sickest things on the planet. People who quote scripture...I.E. fan pulp fiction are the blind, miserable souls in need of guidance.
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preacher richard h.
Haven't You heard the Guy who started the Homosexual movement in the last century IS Now Advocating the movement for pedophile rights n Pride. I know they are both Mental illnesses but I guess it puts homosexuals n pedophiles on EQUAL FOOTING
Take Pride in That.
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Carl Elfstrom
There is absolutely no such thing as a homosexual movement, and homosexuality has absolutely nothing to do with pedophilia, you ignorant deliverance reject mother_ _ _ _ _ _. Homosexuality has been around d as long as people. You may have become familiar with it in the last century, when you reached puberty, and started wondering why you were only attracted to the front lower half of other boys. Read Neil Miller's book Out Of The Past which includes 150 years of gay history country, you ignoramous. They even made a movie about it.
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Carl Elfstrom
P.S. I made a mistake in the next to the last sentence in my last comment, above. What came out looking like gay history country should have been gay history in this country. Thankyou.
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Pastor Xal
I'm taking Pride in UNDERSTANDING the difference. I take Pride in Education & informed discourse. One person supports both & that changes facts? Oh, have you been reading Trump's Twitter page? He says one of "our" moons is Mars. Does that make it true?? That would also mean Africa is a country & not a CONTINENT. Know and research your sources. Turn of Fox Entertainment Media & prepare your own opinion.
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preacher richard h.
If its a Straight pride parade or a Christian Pride parade I say yes. but you should avoid parades that celebrate Mental illness and Deviant Sinful Behavior.
We Cant save everyone.
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John D. Partin
Preacher Richard H., "deviant" is in the eye of the beholder and a matter of interpretation. No sensible people would accept your definition of gay as "deviant" anymore than a Nazi's definition of Jewish as "deviant" or Klansman's definition of black people as "deviant", considering the obviously biased source of the comment.. Religious fanatics, such as yourself, are also considered "deviant" by many people and belief in Christianity was considered a "mental illness" in the former Soviet Union and de factoedly by many people in America today. So, before you call anyone else "deviant", clean up your own act first and remove the beam from your own eye before trying to remove the speck from anyone else's eye or condemn anyone else, as your supposed "Lord and Master" told you to do!!
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Carl Elfstrom
I've never heard of a parade that celebrates being straight, Christian, mentally I'll, or engaging in deviant, sinful behavior. Are we on the same page? It makes me wonder how tight some of our fellow ministers are wrapped. Maybe, if we ignore them, they'll go away. Apparently, they aren't even the kind who would leave their wives to be with Jesus, like his twelve apostles did. One night with Jesus, and none of them ever wanted a woman again.
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Gerardo
Actually we cannot save anybody because Salvation comes from God.
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Wayne Stevens
Okay people where is your faith simple if God would not want it it would not be
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Dan Atatakai
A LOT of people believe the Bible says that homosexuality is an abomination. What many do not realize is that it says NOTHING about homosexuality at all. People take something believed to be about it, yet if they looked at the actual historicity of the writings, they would see it has nothing tied remotely to it. For example:
Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13 has been researched and found to have been about the use of male temple prostitutes in Canaanite religious ceremonies. Since the Levites were against anything done by the Canaanites, they banned such an action. It had nothing to do with two people of the same gender who love each other.
Romans 1:26-30: This is a favorite by many like Steven Anderson and others of the same hateful bigotry refusing to look at the history. During the time of Saul/Paul, the Romans would have religious ceremonies to the goddess Diana for increased calvings/lambings and better crops. This ritual would get people so "riled up" that it would end in the participants joining in what one would classify as an orgy. Again, nothing about two people of the same gender who wanted to share themselves romantically.
Paul supposedly wrote 1Cor 6:9-10. If you look at modern bibles, you will see a list of people who will not be allowed into the kingdom. One category would include the "homosexual." Yet, if you look at KJV1611, NOWHERE in these passages does it mention homosexuals. It is a historically recent addition, added by someone(s) who wanted to add it in, going counter to the order of Jesus when he, paraphrased, said not to "add to nor take away from the Word of God, not one jot, not one tittle."
Then you have the story of Sodom & Gomorrah, saying that God destroyed these two population centers because of homosexuals wanting to "know the angels." First off, when is the act of rape having to do with love? Second, if someone were to actually read the passages about this story, they would see that God threatened to destroy these two towns because of "INHOSPITALITY AND RAPE", not about two loving people having loving sex. It also mentions how God supposedly warned the two communities repeatedly that he would take action if they did not change their ways of mistreating strangers, and other acts of inhospitality.
To "cure" the general population of their bigotry, whether it be religious, racial or sexual, it is going to take generations of education, teaching the realities of situations, much like the actions of Ms. Jane Elliott, from Riceville, Iowa, who taught racial bigotry with the "eye color game" to elementary school students. https://youtu.be/1mcCLm_LwpE
To summarize simply, "So what would be so wrong for ANYONE to participate in ANY pride parade, whether it be for gender issues or being left-handed, racial issues or being either blue-eyed or brown-eyed?"
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Tom Wilson
I feel the need to point out that I'm a former extremely conservative Ordained Evangelical Minister for more than 30-years. I read the bible cover to cover a minimum of twice a year for most of those years. I took everything it said literally however during those 30-years in the back of my mind it always bothered me that a lot of what was written about God and many of his supposed servants was completely the opposite of who I knew Jesus to be and the bible claims that he was God incarnate yet much of what is written about God in the Bible is completely the opposite Jesus' example and teachings. I don't expect folks who are literalists to accept this and I genuinely couldn't care any less if anyone agrees with me.
Frankly, the description above fits the vast majority of religious people I know who claim to be Christians. I go so far as to say in my experience the vast majority of Christians don't even believe in Jesus or his teachings, because what someone genuinely believes is demonstrated by their life and by how they love all of their neighbors. Jesus clearly believed that every living person was his neighbor.
Most of the Jewish and Christian bible on the other hand was clearly written by men with agendas to control people and make them conform to them. That includes much of what it supposedly says about homosexuality. Therefore I've begun to live by the words of Walt Whitman "...Re-examine all you have been told in school or church or in any book, Dismiss whatever insults your own soul; And your very flesh shall be a great poem…
I do not call myself a Christian any more but I am a follower of Jesus!
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Bill Robinson
Well said!
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SherriLee Slade
Very well said and thank you
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flugo
'tam': The Scripture reference, please, that shows 'Jesus clearly believed that every living person was his neighbor.', as you've intimated.
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John D. Partin
Flugo Marx, if you really don't need everything to always be spelled out for you, then you can figure a few things out for yourself, read between the lines, and connect the dots in Jesus' words and actions. If not, then, as I and others here know to be true about you, you are a hopeless idiot!! Jesus healed the servant of the Roman centurion who came to him for help. He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well about eternal life and offered her spiritual help. He told the parable about the Good Samaritan (and Jews, usually, had nothing to do with Samaritans or anything good to say about them). He healed the daughter of the Samaritan woman who came to him for help and said in reply to his saying that he had "only been sent to the lost sheep of the children of Israel" and that it "wasn't good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs" (to test her), "True, Lord, but the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table" because of her great faith. Look it up for yourself, if you don't believe me. Why should I do everything or anything for you?!! That is the proof in Scripture that Jesus clearly believed that every living person was his neighbor. Also, 'For God so loved THE WORLD!! (last time I checked THE WORLD includes everybody!!) that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
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preacher richard h.
great now the homosexuals want to rewrite the bible so they aren't an abomination any more
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Minister GoogMan
Wrong sir. The Bible had already been rewritten by human men to gain power and control over others. Ask King James.
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Pastor Xal
Between hundreds of versions and just a many translations, would you kindly point to the one that will be "rewritten"?? It's a 2000'ish year old book meant to guide people. Same as other Holy Texts. The belief (or not) remains within the individual.. Thanks
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Carl Elfstrom
They are only an abomination to prejudiced people like you. Thank God you are part of a minority, even among Christians.
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preacher richard h.
The Church , is Christs House, if Leaders start writing doctrine influenced by Social Issues It is No longer Christs house it is Mans If that is the case then Christ nor GOD will be present Nor will they hear the prayers of Mans Church Christ ALWAYS directed Christians to The Word if we had problems and Too many are trying to take Christ OUT of the Church. There is no need to bring sexual preference or political views into Christs house .It ONLY Divides and doesn't allow Us to do what we go for and that is to Worship Christ and Grow strong in the Holy spirit AMEN
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flugo
'preachard': Clarification of your posting is required before any intelligent discussion can take place. . . . . . . define 'The Church', please.
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John A Anderson, CD, CIF Mons ON
Plus there is the fact that Yeshua actually said NOTHING regarding who loves anyone. It was Saul of Tarsis who introduced the Jewish point of view into Christianity. Of course, most of the accepted books of the New Testament were penned by him.
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Miranda Allison Young
Here is a link to an excellent explanation regarding homosexuality in the Bible: https://www.hrc.org/resources/what-does-the-bible-say-about-homosexuality People condemning it should read this. There is nothing in the Bible that condemns homosexuality.
Miranda Allison Young-
preacher richard h.
However, it was used metaphorically to refer to a catamite (a boy kept for sexual relations with a man) or to a male prostitute in general. The word translated here as "homosexual offender" is the Greek word arsenokoites which means a sodomite, a person who engages in any kind of unnatural sex, but especially homosexual intercourse 5.
The first mention in the Bible is in Genesis 19:1-13. The wicked men of Sodom attempted a homosexual rape of two messengers from God who had come to visit Lot. As a result of this and other widespread wickedness, God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in a storm of fire and brimstone. The next two mentions are in Leviticus You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (NKJ, Leviticus 18:22) If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. (NKJ, Leviticus 20:13)
GODS WORD It cant be More plain than this. AMEN ps I will be marching in the Straight Pride parade in Boston when the date is set. amen
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Amy Varela
A comment by James Fell, preacher richard h. I'm quoting this because it's perfect.
"It's official. Boston is going to have a "Straight Pride Parade."
"I'm straight. I like being straight. A big reason why I like being straight is that I've never once experiences bigotry for my sexuality. I didn't have to fight for my right to marry the person of my choosing. I didn't have to concern myself with being beaten or killed because others didn't accept who I wanted to sleep with. I didn't have to stay closeted out of fear or worry about the reaction if my family, friends or colleagues by coming out.
I never got called a slur for being straight. No one told me I'm going to burn in hell for being straight. There aren't any programs where I could be sent to be tortured into no longer being straight. There aren't any countries where you can be put to death simply for being straight.
There is nothing I ever had to fight for, or struggle against, because I'm straight. And therefore, there isn't any reason to take pride in it. grateful for the privileges I get? Sure. But pride? I don't see it.
What I do see is that this parade is misnamed. It's not a "Straight Pride Parade." It should be called "I'm a homophobic piece of shit" parade."
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I know this is an old topic but I have only recently joined here and Pride month is nearing. Some of the things stated above but many comments are still very valid. In a few days, my concerns will be increased for many of the people I care about and many of the strangers I do not yet know because of the violence against the trans and LGBTQIA+ communities. I already fear for the lives of children in Palestine homes, in the Congo, on our own streets, in our schools that keep getting targeted by mass murderers, and these many laws being made that will not help to protect them from further threats.
I watch things going on among those on TikTok, I see the states with laws taking more and more rights, making more and more things for women like me illegal. I have a medical disorder that requires me to have an IUD to control the hormones my body releases so I don't hemorage or get cysts, my niece is fifteen, same age as I was when this medical issue began and she may need the same thing. Yet, if we were in Louisiana and she is found to have it, she would be unable to get that treatment now. Why? Because people are more concerned with controlling birth control rights of women than letting them choose for their body or their health. Because politicians want women having children even if they don't want them, now victims of sexual assault have to fear unwanted pregnancy even more than before if the same laws are passed nationally.
Yet, people want to just continue to spread hate and disinformation toward the LGBT+ community, targeting trans people, all because of what is written in a book because it is claimed that it is the word of a higher power.
I was blessed growing up that most of the men and women in my life that were Christian had the deep belief that if God existed, He would never condone senseless killing of innocent children, defending those that rape and molest children, that a building was not a required space for worship. Those in my life that had a harsher view, believing that non-believers were going to hell, etc, were the ones in my life that were abusing their children or abandoning them, ignoring them, teaching them to hate themselves. I always swore to be the type of person that would be a positive force in the lives of others, when my nephew came out as gay I was the first person he told and he was afraid of how I would react. He said that the only reason he felt he could tell me was because I had always shown him love and support no matter what and been there, so when he told me he was gay I simply looked at him and told him that I loved him and that if he got himself a boyfriend that guy better treat him good and make him happy.
Since then he has only dated 7 guys in the 16 years since he came out to me and he has now been married for two years. He and his husband have a good life, are successful and happy. I would never have been able to be happy if I had let him go through these years without me supporting him, he had been very much like my own child as I helped raise him.
I was ordained through a humanist church back in 2009, I have only performed a few ceremonies in that time by choice as I wanted to help others that could not afford all the fees involved with marriage and had ideas that weren't traditional for their ceremonies. Yet, long before I was ordained I often had people seek me out for guidance on matters, not necessarily spiritual but for comfort, understanding, compassion, a listening ear, and someone that would not give condemnation to them.
I grew up wanting nothing more than to see unity, to stop seeing people finding reasons to cause division among humanity.
So many of my friends, whether straight or part of the LGBT community attend Pride Parade's for the feeling of family, support, and unity. I am not saying it is all roses, that there aren't troubles among them at times too, but I will always be one of the first to offer a kind word, to tell someone that they are loved and that they matter, that they are wanted and they belong, that they are valid.
I learned this from a Christian, even though I myself am not Christian, but he always accepted me regardless and we had some great talks. He used to say, "In God's house we are all equal, we are all His children, and my job is not to send you from the light, but to show you the wonder of His light. The rest is up to you because He gave you free will." He is one of the few Christian's over the years that I have always respected, that never gave me cause to feel uncomfortable.
I always try to accept and not condemn the church or any members of any religions until individuals do something to cause my respect for them to fly out the window.
I hope this year's Pride month will see more people opening minds and hearts and saving more lives.