Christian: Homosexuality a sin? (Jesus Christ, moral, Leviticus, Kingdom, choice)

[ChristineES]

Having sex outside of marriage is frowned upon by both the Old Testament and the New Testament. As for being gay-- I have absolutely no idea. I have been attracted to a lot of men without thinking about sex with them.
On top of that, it is not up to me to judge others.

[SoyLeche]

Originally Posted by Vassal

Well I guess the main issue would be homosexual "marriage", since all sex is sin outside of marriage, heterosexual or homosexual.

So, by "homosexuality" you mean the act of having sexual relations with someone of your same gender then (regardless of if they are "married"), right?

I've gotta go with Aqualung on this one - feeling a same sex attraction isn't a sin. Having homosexual relations is.

I'll wait for your answer to cast my vote.

[*Paul*]

Christians, is it a sin to lust after a woman you are not married to? Matthew 5:28

Is it a sin to lust after a man you are not married to?

Sin starts in the mind not when you act on it. To think about and fantasise about homosexual acts is every bit as sinful as doing it.

[SoyLeche]

Originally Posted by *Paul*

Christians, is it a sin to lust after a woman you are not married to? Matthew 5:28

Is it a sin to lust after a man you are not married to?

Sin starts in the mind not when you act on it. To think about and fantasise about homosexual acts is every bit as sinful as doing it.

I agree. But "feeling attracted" <> "fantasizing about" or "lusting after".

[*Paul*]

Originally Posted by SoyLeche

I agree. But "feeling attracted" <> "fantasizing about" or "lusting after".

I think being sexually attracted to someone is the same as lust, I feel it is the lust of the eyes, like eve the person sees that which is attractive and desirable to them and then covets it, i can't really sepereate the difference in my mind between the two but I am listening if you are able to.

1st John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

[SoyLeche]

Originally Posted by *Paul*

I think being sexually attracted to someone is the same as lust, I feel it is the lust of the eyes, like eve the person sees that which is attractive and desirable to them and then covets it, i can't really sepereate the difference in my mind between the two but I am listening if you are able to.

1st John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Lust requires some action on your part (fantisizing, etc). Attraction is mostly passive.

[*Paul*]

Originally Posted by SoyLeche

Lust requires some action on your part (fantisizing, etc). Attraction is mostly passive.

Are you talking about sexual attraction? I don't think i agree.

[SoyLeche]

Originally Posted by *Paul*

Are you talking about sexual attraction? I don't think i agree.

I guess we are going to have to disagree then. I think that who we find attractive is mostly out of our control, and thus can't be considered a sin. What we do with that attraction (mentally, physically, etc) is under our control, and can be sinful.

[Hope]

Originally Posted by SoyLeche

I guess we are going to have to disagree then. I think that who we find attractive is mostly out of our control, and thus can't be considered a sin. What we do with that attraction (mentally, physically, etc) is under our control, and can be sinful.

This is very true, and I agree. I think the act of lust needs to be defined more clearly within Christian circles. Because too many people are under condemnation for something they should not feel condemned about.

As humans, we are naturally drawn to what is aesthetically pleasing. If I see a good-looking man, it is not lustful for me to acknowledge that he is good-looking and attractive. Nor is it lustful for a man to look at a beautiful woman and acknowledge her attractiveness. If mere attraction were equal to lust, then there would be only two solutions: avoid looking at all beautiful, attractive people of the opposite (or even same) sex, or demand people cover themselves from head to foot. Neither of which is very practical.

Attraction only becomes lust, and therefore sinful, when we allow our minds to fixate upon that attraction, and fantasize about it.