Actually, it's not quite the answer I was asking because if one presents this to a legislator, it's not going to carry very far. But if someone makes a list of tangible and measurable losses and/or disadvantages to bring before their elected officials, it might carry further is what I mean. The spiritual aspect of this is rather personal, imho...but when devising laws to protect all citizens, I don't see how it can be based upon someone else's religious interpretation. Gays are also in churches and believe in G-d. For those who don't, they are not knocking down the doors to get in so referencing their souls is not what they are concerned about. That's the spiritual realm you're speaking of, which I can certainly comprehend from your point of view.
.
"
Gays are also in churches and believe in G-d." This is true. They should be in church. Attending and not leading but in church so they (like the rest of us) can hear the word and be transformed continually. I will quote these scriptures and move on to my next point.
James 2:19
19 You believe that there is one God. Good!
Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
A belief in God in and of itself is not sufficient otherwise they^^^would be able to enter in.
1Cor 6:9-10
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men
10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Ok, now on to the other stuff. I think you have made a valid point. I am not attacking you or anyone else. I have gay relatives, friends, co-workers, you name it. I love them all. I do
not love their actions/ behaviors.
I understand what you are saying about the most effective way to reach politicians and the lack of concrete lists showing the detriments of equating relationships between same sex partners as equal to a marriage. I think the point @
Shimmie and others here were trying to make is this...
-> In the end,
what is the most important(thing) part of us? You pointed out truthfully that we are more than just souls and we indeed are.
We are spirits. At this point in time we are living in bodies. We have souls. We will
never not exist somewhere. So the point is, God loves and is concerned about the soul's final location. Any kind of distraction that comes along and causes lost focus on what should be happenening (ppl
clearly seeing the Love of God displayed in a manner that causes them to be drawn to him and salvation obtained) regardless to what form the distraction takes on
will cause tangible eternal casualties. We don't need any research to document the ramifications. History does that. What if we are half wrong (let's play devil's advocate for a moment)? The half that's lost will be
eternally lost
. Eternally lost souls, that's a big hairy deal! It is wrong to twist or manipulate the truth of God's word to suit one's purpose even though
we all have at some point or another. It is wrong to create confusion (God is not the author of confusion) by teaching future generations to accept what God has said in his word is wrong as acceptable-period. List or no list. There is nothing new under the sun.
All of the previous great societies eventually fell. Some have been completely annihilated as payment for their
tolerance. From Sodom and Gomorrah, Greece, Rome, Eqypt, Babylon, Persia, Germany, you name them- all fell when morality went out the window. Read documentation from them. Not recent historians
but the words of ppl who actually lived during the times. The word of God stands eternal. His words
will accomplish the tasks he sent them to accomplish. Any society that gets so intellectually advanced until they don't need God will be humbled and or destroyed. Who can box with the Almighty
? For a time God winks at man's ignorance but then the time to pay the piper comes
& or
.
IOW, forget sexual orientation for a moment. It and all of its spinoff topics are but distractions. If you give an inch to the devil he'll desensitize you slowly but surely and take foot after foot after precious foot. The line of compromise will always be constantly redrawn. The boundaries of what is acceptable will constantly be pushed further and further and not on the side of what God has said either. Just look at the middle east's history up to now... Before you know it you are lukewarm:kneel: and leaving a foul taste in the mouth of God
. What happens when the time comes where their souls are required? It is
all spiritual. Everything at its core has to do with the battle raging between good and evil in the spirit realm. We are in the matrix right now looking through that dim mirror. What we are saying to you is that you make a good point but, don't lose focus of the more monumental things.
Mark 8:36
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Matt 10:28
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Luke 12:5
5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
1 Cor 13:12
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Eph 6:12
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Psa 90:12
12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Eph 5:8-17
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
10 and
find out what pleases the Lord.
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
"...
it's HARD for me to say.. GAY PEOPLE ARE EVIL DOWNLOW HEATHENS
when they have been the group of people who have LOVED AND SUPPORTED ME AND ENCOURAGED ME AND ACCEPTED ME when everyone else did not.. I find myself in a quandary and I've prayed about it..
You are seeking God. So, you will get your answers. @
Shimmie made a great point. You may be the only true glimpse of God's love they will ever see. God
is love. Love them:heart2:. Sometimes we are planting seeds, sometimes we are watering and helping to remove weeds (lies, hurt, deceptions, old wounds)but God does the drawing closer part
.
@
makeupgirl already said it, I just wanted to reiterate anyone who said this or had this mentality I would give a serious side eye to>>
GAY PEOPLE ARE EVIL DOWNLOW HEATHENS. Since when are called to bash and belittle? Test them, those clutching a bible but spewing garbage and venom. Just b/c I say I am a Christian does not make me one. If I walk into a skinhead meeting and announce myself as a white male of Aryan decent that won't make it so. We know the Christian by the fruit they bear. Not just the public fruit neither- nuh uhh, but the fruit behind closed doors...
ETA: An excerpt from Ritchie Righteous' song
Who you represent?
"Everybody now a days be marching in the movement.
some ain't gon like what I'm saying in my song
cus they be marching for the right to do what is the wrong.
Abortion is a sin. Homosex is a sin.
And if you were born that way then you can be born again."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xOH2Xxwax8