Whether you are for gay marriage or morally object it, basic human rights says we're all entitled to our opinion. However the time the Church spends objecting gay marriage approval is appalling. Christians are known for the things they are against (homosexuality and abortion) rather than the things they are for (which if you follow Jesus are love, peace and justice).
Perhaps if the Church (and I mean the church as a globaly entity - I'm aware there's some excellent churches bucking the norm) were more active in opposing injustices such as war and the killing of civilians, famine when there's enough to go round, and people sleeping rough in our thriving cities, then perhaps they could have a moral leg to stand on.
Homosexuality is a highly contested topic in the scriptures. Theologians grapple to come to a conclusive decision on the subject. But loving people, forgiving the sinner and hanging out with the poor are stated very clearly in the Bible. As Shane Clairborne says, perhaps our highlighters forgot to mark those scriptures.
Marriage is no longer singularly a church event, but has become a contract with the state. The Church is trying to raise her voice against something that has been lost; the sanctity of marriage. If the church opposes homosexuals marrying because they are living in sin, then why should the church be allowing unbelievers to marry who are already living in sexual relationships? Isn't all sin the same in the eyes of God?
I believe we shouldn't fight a 'problem' until we have an alternative solution. The Church is fighting a problem for which the alternative answer for them should be embracing and loving these men and women they are oppressing in their vigilant fight. And in the meantime, while we focus on the political battle to define what marriage is, we still have young men fighting a war that is killing innocent civilians and the worst famine the world has seen in 60 years.
If the argument is centered around the moral demise of a society, ratified by fear, perhaps the church should check herself out in the mirror. What moral integrity do they have when the Bible clearly states to love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31) and that we are called to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free (Luke 12)?
I'm a total lover of the Lord. He's the reason I get up every morning. But when I look into the eyes of my friends who are being shunned from church because of their lifestyle, my heart breaks for what the church has become. She is a Bride who invites everyone to her wedding. Suddenly this wedding is not dissimilar to a Posh and Beks wedding. Invite only and please wear black. Don't fit in? Sorry buddy - you're out.
He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
Isaiah 42.3 (NLT)
Perhaps if the Church (and I mean the church as a globaly entity - I'm aware there's some excellent churches bucking the norm) were more active in opposing injustices such as war and the killing of civilians, famine when there's enough to go round, and people sleeping rough in our thriving cities, then perhaps they could have a moral leg to stand on.
Homosexuality is a highly contested topic in the scriptures. Theologians grapple to come to a conclusive decision on the subject. But loving people, forgiving the sinner and hanging out with the poor are stated very clearly in the Bible. As Shane Clairborne says, perhaps our highlighters forgot to mark those scriptures.
Marriage is no longer singularly a church event, but has become a contract with the state. The Church is trying to raise her voice against something that has been lost; the sanctity of marriage. If the church opposes homosexuals marrying because they are living in sin, then why should the church be allowing unbelievers to marry who are already living in sexual relationships? Isn't all sin the same in the eyes of God?
I believe we shouldn't fight a 'problem' until we have an alternative solution. The Church is fighting a problem for which the alternative answer for them should be embracing and loving these men and women they are oppressing in their vigilant fight. And in the meantime, while we focus on the political battle to define what marriage is, we still have young men fighting a war that is killing innocent civilians and the worst famine the world has seen in 60 years.
If the argument is centered around the moral demise of a society, ratified by fear, perhaps the church should check herself out in the mirror. What moral integrity do they have when the Bible clearly states to love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31) and that we are called to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free (Luke 12)?
I'm a total lover of the Lord. He's the reason I get up every morning. But when I look into the eyes of my friends who are being shunned from church because of their lifestyle, my heart breaks for what the church has become. She is a Bride who invites everyone to her wedding. Suddenly this wedding is not dissimilar to a Posh and Beks wedding. Invite only and please wear black. Don't fit in? Sorry buddy - you're out.
He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
Isaiah 42.3 (NLT)
Here here. I believe God is love. People use religion to benefit their beliefs but I don't believe God would want people who are attracted to the same sex persecuted.
ReplyDeleteThere are two 'sayings' I've heard of late that I've parroted to anybody who will listen...
If straight people hate gay people, perhaps they should stop giving birth to them
and
How many gays have to be born until you realise God made them that way? (And we all know the big guy does good work!)