That's fine. I apologize for and retract my statements to you where I said you're discriminating or bigoted. I guess I was concerned that when you say you don't accept or endorse homosexuality that you were saying that you would work against or vote to make same sex marriage illegal.
You're cool. I can understand how that mix-up can happen.
If I were providing a service, such as computer/car repair, I wouldn't treat a gay customer any different from a straight person.
Now as far as not wanting homosexuals around you or your kids, that's a little different. You certainly have the right to choose who you associate with, I'm not saying you don't, but I think you're "shutting the door" on some potentially beneficial friendships. Before meeting my soon to be wife, I hadn't had much contact with homosexuals. Because her church accepted homosexuals and lesbians; I came to have meaningful discussions with quite a few couples and individuals. The first gay couple I met had been together for 12 years then and are still together today, 17 years later. It's been a joy getting to know them and the other same sex couples at her church; and I'm glad I left that door open.
I agree that homosexual/lesbian persons can be decent people, and good people overall, because if we outright rejected them, how could a religious person "convert", I should say, "persuade" that person? For instance, if I were a preacher wanting to bring people over to God, I would have to at least talk to people whether they are gay, straight, dumb, smart, rich, poor etc.. I cannot refuse to talk to a person because he is gay, ya know?
I can shut the door on a person's lifestyle and not the person himself. If I had a family member, perhaps a brother, who was gay, then I would still love him and treat him accordingly. But what I will not do is allow him to bring his partner into my home for dinner, for example... nor would I allow them both to spend a night in the same bed in my home. That's indeed, shutting down homosexuality, but not people. What about the his partner, you might ask? Well, so be it. I would be willing to talk to him separately.. if he would be willing. It might seem cruel and prejudice, I can see that. But just remember that I'm not doing that out of hatred of homosexuals. It's simply because God doesn't like it, and those on his side must not either. If you would like a reference Bible text just for fyi, just look over 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Doesn't say anything about us killing homosexuals.
I realize that the Bible, and other religious texts' purpose is to educate. I won't get in to the various books and verses (mostly in the Old Testament) where the Bible does imply that it's okay to discriminate. Perhaps it's easier to say that for a lot of Christian sects, they, or their leaders/ministers/priests have interpreted the teachings in such a way that it's okay to discriminate against certain races or groups. And they've been interpreted/taught that way for a long time.
I tend to agree with and second this statement. I believe that there are more than a few that twist the Bible to fit what they want. I imagine that's part of the reason why you don't really trust them - I hear you there.
You're very observant! I also believe that the Bible, in and of itself, doesn't teach hate or discrimination. Matt 22:39, Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. I seriously doubt that a hate-filled book would tell someone love someone else as your own-self. I don't hate homosexuals personally.. I just have a strong dislike for even the idea of two persons of the same-sex (man or woman) having sex or in a romantic relationship.
As far as God being around longer: that's your belief and I won't try to change it. I'll just say that the idea of a deity or deities has been around for a long time as well. It's just barely possible that man created God vs. the other way around.
Thanks for rejoining the thread.
I see. Thanks for rejoining to. If it weren't for guys like you, I'd left some time ago.
Thanks!