Mar 29, 2010 -- 8:00PM, Austa wrote:

Lutz:  If I recall my pastor's explanation for when I asked a similar question (I have a gay son) his reasoning went something like this:

Because Adam ate The Apple and brought sin into this world in the form of Steve to tempt Adam into forbidden sex... so all gays like my son (and even lesbians too) must suffer because Adam ate The Apple.  But God, being a loving and compassionate God (who is moved to tears when even a tiny sparrow falls splat on the ground from its warm nest), gives gays (and lesbians) the unique opportunity to accept God's forgiveness for their God created sinful desires after Adam ate The Apple.  In accepting God's forgiveness they will be rewarded eternal bliss eventually in heaven when they die.  But while living their lives in torment, repression, shame and unfilled dreams of romantic companionship, domestic partnership and bliss, they must remain celibate and happy in loving their Lord, their Creator and Master. Or accept Christian reparative therapy which cost about $1 thousand dollars for the Complete Package offered by our church.

It all made perfect sense to Pastor Hard@ss.  And, no, I'm NOT making this up.

Yeah, well what is another fairy tale from a book full of them. Might as well make up your own, when you don't know the truth.

Did you ever ask the pastor if he really believed that BS?

Holy cow!

 Ya know, I don’t know a lot about the Christian beliefs, but maybe some folks need to get a better God or something. 

 Have heard that some liken God to a father-like figure.  Ever ponder why a father would knowingly (and God is the All Knowing) create a being destined for harm, torment, shame, derision, misery, etc?  Would any parent desire such a life for their child? If one can answer ‘yes’ to this, then I posit that God is very messed up.  Is this the type of Almighty deserving of worship?

 We humans are entirely responsible for the suffering caused to same sex oriented individuals (and for pinning this on a faulty understanding of God).  I think we do this out of fear, and to preserve ego (my opinion). Folks are so wrapped up in self they don’t get that differences should be appreciated, celebrated- and revered.  If God is moved to tears for one fallen sparrow, then He’s bawling his eyes out –continually- over what mankind is doing to gays and lesbians.

 My understanding of reparative therapy is that is entirely unsuccessful -even damaging.  Might want to peruse some of the posts from the old B-Net- the ones where folks tell their stories. Some involve their experiences with reparative therapy.  I found it most upsetting.

 Here’s a link:

 www.beliefnet.com/boards/message_list.as...’

Oh, and another thing, this ‘gays hafta be celibate’ thing.  Why is it always the ones who are married insisting on gays being celibate (or worse, insist gays must marry the opposite gender -even though there’s no interest in doing so)? Look, I don’t know anything about marrying someone one is not attracted to, but I can imagine that prospect being unpleasant to even to think about.  However, telling someone they must practice life-time celibacy is about the most vicious and cruel notion there is- and I do know what I am talking about in this respect.   To those who prescribe such a life- you first.

 Irene.

Homosexuality is forbidden.  Period.  End of Story.  

Remember, folks, that's where the backstory begins from the beginning; it's God ordained.  Who are we mortals to questions His infinite wisdom and compassionate love for mankind?

God created homosexuality; God can forbid something he created.  It's in the inherent nature of God to do whatever pleases Him... in a very loving, wise and compassionate way, of course. He can order whole tribes destroyed which is in the Holy Record, His Word because of his wisdom and love.  Gays?  Same-sex marriage?  It is forbidden.  Why?

When we all get to heaven, let's ask God:  Hey, what's up with that gay thing you did?