Homosexuality and Religion (Jesus Christ, agnostic, LDS, bible, God)

[Autodidact]

Originally Posted by rheff78

oh, so you're what we would call a strict interpreter of things. If it doesn't expressly say it, then you can do it. If you were in my class I would have to specifically tell you not to hit someone in the face, because my rule of respect one another doesn't really tell you you can't do that. I see.

Is it your approach that everything not specifically mentioned in the Bible is prohibited, such as zippers, cell-phones and velcro? I know some Christians take that approach, but it seems a bit challenging.

[rheff78]

No but when things are alluded to, such as husband and wife etc, that's when you can start paying attention.

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by rheff78

No but when things are alluded to, such as husband and wife etc, that's when you can start paying attention.

So, if they just forgot the part about a husband and husband because the writers were straight, and it didn't cross their minds, then we should eternally punish homosexuals for that little error?

[Autodidact]

Originally Posted by rheff78

No but when things are alluded to, such as husband and wife etc, that's when you can start paying attention.

Well, many Christians here think you need to pay attention to what the Bible says, not what you want it to say. I gather you disagree. I think going from instructions to husbands and wives to a prohibition against homosexuality is a bit of a stretch.

[Father Heathen]

So what exactly is wrong with homosexuality that it should be forbidden by society? Can anyone give me a solid, rational answer beyond "an invisible sky daddy said so"? They don't breed? How is that a bad thing? Not natural? A lot of things humans do is not natural, like clothing, shaving, flight, wearing glasses and watching television.
And how does one choose what they find desirable and attractive? Does one choose what foods they like and dislike? Even if it was a choice, who cares? Does anyone have anything, anything at all, beyond kooky spooky superstition?

[Autodidact]

I think it's something like this, FH: Most cultures/tribes/religions have a set of taboos, or ritual purity rules. These usually involve food and sex, and sometimes clothing, washing and so forth. Judaism, being essentially an ancient tribal religion, has a lot of these, many of them listed in Leviticus. Many Christian sects seem to have inherited this set of sexual purity taboos, while rejecting the food-based ones. I have no idea why; it seems quite arbitrary to me. These taboos are deeply and sub-consciously ingrained in our society, as any good taboo should be. I don't think most Christians are even aware that's what it is, rather conceptualizing it as a moral issue, which obviously it isn't. That is, it has nothing to do with honesty, compassion, or other fundamental moral or ethical questions. It's just a remnant of an ancient purity tradition. That's what people mean when they say things like homosexuality is a sin, or unnatural, or even immoral. It's kind of like having sex with your sister or cannibalism--on that level. So it doesn't help much to point out that there's nothing immoral about it; it's operating on a deeper, more subconscious level than that.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by rheff78

So, you've just proved that the Bible preaches against homosexuality, but you seem to be ok with it. Contradictory maybe? yes, I mean naive. IMHO you may need to actually look at what Christianity says about homosexuals instead of just buying in to everything that people say is positive about it on her.

Interesting.
The verses in question say absolutely nothing about homosexuality.
In fact, they do not even hint to any thing homosexual.
Furthermore, it says right in the passage:

6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.

IMHO you really need to stop putting what you want to read above and beyond what is actually written.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by rheff78

No but when things are alluded to, such as husband and wife etc, that's when you can start paying attention.

It is not alluded to.
It flat out says husband and wife.
What is does NOT mention is Homosexuality.
Does not mention it at all.
So ANYTHING you get from the verses in question concerning homosexuality is merely an assumption on your part.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by rheff78

oh, so you're what we would call a strict interpreter of things. If it doesn't expressly say it, then you can do it. If you were in my class I would have to specifically tell you not to hit someone in the face, because my rule of respect one another doesn't really tell you you can't do that. I see.

Oh, so you are we call a Calvinite.
You feel the need to try and make verses say things that do not.

The passage above is a prime example.
It has absolutely NOTHING to do with homosexuality, yet here you are Calvinizing it to be saying that homosexuality is bad.