Okay, Mike, maybe we should back up just a little on this discussion of homosexuality. I am quite aware that there are Christians--individuals and whole denominations--who take the view either that homosexuality is not sinful, or that only homosexual behavior is, and do not punish the poor homosexual simply for existing.
I am sure we will talk about all those things later, but my first question to you was an attempt to understand what passages in the Bible are the ones that are cited by Christians who DO argue that homosexuality is extremely negative. I was under the impression they were quite specific, and so I was a little confused by your answer.
Everyone, Mike is my friend, and we are trying to have this discussion about homosexuality in a very open way. This is an much for me personally to understand why the subject is so polarizing to most Americans, because in San Francisco I do not get a clear picture of the sentiment in most of the rest of the United States, as it is simply an interesting subject to discuss. From what I have read lately, in a couple of states gays are actually losing some of their civil rights by initiative votes. It is in Maine, I believe, where it was just voted in that gays can be discriminated against in their employment without the protection of the law.
I was serious when I said that I hoped the Feelings thread could be a place where people with many viewpoints can express them. Mike is just trying to explain to me the answers to some questions I am asking him, and I don't feel that it is particularly fair to jump all over him. |
