Let's set some facts straight before I ask this question.
I am a Christian, but I do not belong to any denomination. My father is Jewish, as are a lot of my ancestors (my great-grandfather was a rabbi). As such, I abhore religious persecution and feel religious freedom is a good idea. Why the apparent discrepancy?
Let's just say: having someone discriminate against you for your parents' religion... isn't fun. I learned my lesson, and I try like hell to keep from hating folks. I'm not a fan of the institution of church, because it has become more of a business and political atmosphere than a place of worship.
I also don't know the answer to this next question, as it can be argued both directions. I'm asking it because it struck me as topical.
I didn't write this quote, but it came from a blog I frequent.
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"Christianity is a hypocritical idea, they preach love and practice hate. How can anyone babble on and on about "love thy neighbor" and bash someone just because they love another member of the same sex?"
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Let's look at some Bible verses I found, to see if there is any validity to this point.
Romans 1:26-27
"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. "
Leviticus 18:22
"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination."
I Corinthians 6:9
"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."
End of story, right? Well, I don't think so. All right, I'm going to possibly step on some toes. However, I really don't care... I'm more curious of getting the answer.
Is the Bible 100% inerrant?
It was indeed written in a pre-scientific age, where slavery, genocide, mass murder, and the oppression of women were completely acceptable. Also, the authors may or may not have awareness of sexual orientation, since its scientific study didn't begin until 1950 CE. Furthermore, how many translations of the Bible are there? What about the Book of Enoch? Are we really sure everything's the same... and what's real and what's not?
However, Christianity was a revolutionary idea in its peace and way of life. It set a standard. Why change that standard? Aren't those who preach the word spreading a better way of life? It seems to work so far... why mess with a good thing?
Here's the deal. There are thousands of passages about love. My question is: if God's love is infinite, limitless, and so encompassing... why the big deal against homosexuals? Can't they go to heaven and be treated equal?
Does me being Christian force me to become a bigot? I don't think so, because I'm far from it. Does my pro-gay rights stance mean I'm going to hell? I don't think so, either, because that would imply God's love has limits.
So, here's the question again:
"Christianity is a hypocritical idea, they preach love and practice hate. How can anyone babble on and on about "love thy neighbor" and bash someone just because they love another member of the same sex?
I'm certain that someone (POKE) will answer this question in detail. I am not answering this question, because I know not the answer. I'm fishing for responses. I'd also like to hear some responses from those who agree from this quote, as not to be one-sided.
3 comments:
To quote one of my favorite actors, Sir Ian McKellen: "Well, I'd often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer at the front saying, 'this is fiction.'"
Disagree with me? Most Christians would, but most are ignorant to the fact that the Bible has been revised several times since it was first written. Or if they are privy to this fact, they either don't want to admit it; or they're fine with the newer alterations.
True, Christianity does promote love and light; but they often promote hate against those that are different (i.e. homosexuals, lesbians, those who practice other religions, etc.) It's not surprising, considering most people tend to fear what they fail to understand. But, if they were truly believers - true Christians - they wouldn't discriminate against others. Period.
That being said, I don't think there are many true Christians in existence. Too many people enjoy hating on/judging others. It's sad, but undeniably true.
What is my position on Gay Rights? I'm definitely for it. I have many friends who are homosexual, lesbian, and bisexual. I don't see anything wrong with a human being loving another human being. We should all be so lucky to love someone, whether be it someone of the opposite or of the same sex. So, I guess you could say I promote love in all of its many forms.
Unfortunately, not everyone shares my views on the matter. But, imagine if everyone did? The world would certainly be a better place. But, c'est la vie.
Curious.
"Most Christians would, but most are ignorant to the fact that the Bible has been revised several times since it was first written."
I wouldn't say they're ignorant, but possibly ignore that fact. It is true, that the Bible is one of the most revised books in the world... along with being one of, if not the, most popular.
"It's not surprising, considering most people tend to fear what they fail to understand."
I agree with you there. However, I do believe a lot of progress is being made in respects to toleration.
"But, if they were truly believers - true Christians - they wouldn't discriminate against others. Period."
Hmmm... there poses another good question. What is a true Christian?
"I'm definitely for it. I have many friends who are homosexual, lesbian, and bisexual. I don't see anything wrong with a human being loving another human being. We should all be so lucky to love someone, whether be it someone of the opposite or of the same sex. So, I guess you could say I promote love in all of its many forms."
I'm 100% in compliance with those statements.
Back to the "true Christian" statement for a moment...
That doesn't change the fact that those verses I quoted are there, in the Bible. Does that mean to say that true Christians choose to go away from those statements?
Now, there is the possibility of human error. I'm going to piss some more folks off... but who cares at this point?
There is the possibility of the Bible, by written by a bunch of different humans, is problematic and lends itself into possible error. After all, why are there over 30,000 different ways to worship Christ? That's 30,000 different interpretations. If not, why so many different churches? Why not combine them all?
Who's right and who's wrong? Is there a right way and wrong way to worship?
That being said, there are thousands of gay Christians (I know a few). There are also churches who welcome homosexuals with open arms and do not practice discrimination against it. The majority of churches do not, though.
So, summing up.
What is a true Christian?
If it's someone who follows the Bible to the word, then they really shouldn't tolerate homosexuality. In that case, how explain the oxymoron of loving? Also, in that case, isn't a true Christian a bigot? Isn't the Bible in that case... prejudice?
Now, if there is someone who chooses to interpret the Bible in their own way... homosexuality can be tolerated. But how explain going away from those verses? They're pretty clear. Wouldn't that be going against the Bible?
Either way, it's really screwed up. I may have opened the flood gate, and proposed more questions than answers. But this is a good discussion, and I cannot contain my curiosity.
So the question still stands.
From my friend Robert:
"Religion is a wonderful thing. BUT, you get alot of little things with it, its not perfect. There's love in it, there's happiness in it, but there's also sorrow, hatred and madness in it. Its not easy living with religion, the things its done to me-trying to pick at my brain what little bits left of it, hey look here Lawrence, I'm not all the way crazy."
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