The religious conservatives see being gay a original sin. For the most part this is based on old testament views held by many conservative and jewish churches. Hence, the word sodomy.
Since you are acknowledging that there are people who do prescribe to faith in a "religion" and what you posted is more or less from God's word, you need to know something.
Followers of Christ are held in, what is known as the NEW testament cannon, to a HIGHER calling not lower. And ""for the most part"" it is not just "old testament" views.
And sin is still evident. Look at how it is put in the Letter to the Galatians>
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
And in another letter to the church at Corinth:
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
But it is important to note that these letters were to the church...look at what Paul says about outside/inside the church:
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
Hence, the word sodomy
SODOMITE Originally a citizen of the town of Sodom, one of the cities of the plain near the Dead Sea (Gen 13:12). The term came to mean a male who has sexual relations with another male.
other readings of this "behavior"
Romans 1.
2 Peter 2.
Jude.
Those who are followers of Jesus are taught to not hate anyone. That does not mean they can be in agreement with the sin. But sin is not an old testament buzzword long forgotten.
If you have read any of the bible, remember the story of the woman caught in adultry that was brought to Jesus?(John 8) He had compassion on her by not allowing her to be stoned(condemned), He did not condemn her either when he asked about her accusers, but when He told her to go He added " and sin no more"........
....wonder why Jesus said that? |
