Isn't better to love, then to condemn?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
what i find of ultimate importance in this sort of discussion is that GOD [YHWH] himself never, never once, condemns any man or woman, any soul at all, to death. indeed, according to the jewish and christian scriptures, we stand condemned because we are born into a state of separation (sin) and we are instantly at enmity with GOD.
it is oh so sad to see people hating and cursing others, and it is truly wrong and agitating to see them do it in the name of GOD, YHWH.
Come on, Hater, come on, Fearer, come on, Agressor! Who wants the first hug? ~<>:-}
Sorry haters and fear-mongers-- Love and acceptance always rule, always win.
Assimilate or... hmm, well... Love and acceptance is a tough thing not to assimilate to... so...
Welcome haters and fear-mongers! Love You Guys, as Mr. R in the 'hood saz, Just the Way You ARE!!! *kisses kisses*
@uh_huh_yeah Check out Kajlito's post a couple down from yours. It truly is disgusting.
@ksframe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xslDXXIu4b4
my country stands no terms.
Has anyone seen the youtube clip of the Westboro Baptist Church singing "God Hates the World"? It is some really scary stuff. How can anyone take Jesus' teaching to love thy neighbour and turn it into that? I tried to find it again to post it here, but it has been removed due to "terms of use" violations. Ya think?
I agree with pretty much everything everyone has said. Now, if you could just go and convince the sort of people who run conservapedia.com, Focus on the Family and Fox News we'd be making some progress!
Religions tend to be hypocritical, which is one reason everyone should make their own decisions based on their own rational thought when it comes to their teachings. If the pope says something, it doesn't automatically make it right. The same as the Ayatollah telling people what to do in Iran...not always right. Christians believe God gave people free will, and that was one of the greatest gifts. Use the free will to decide what you think is right or wrong. Don't go along with a crowd, allowing them to make decisions that you feel in your heart aren't correct. The bible was written by man, and therefore has all of man's flaws. Personally, I don't think it's right to condemn them for the simple idea of 'being homosexual' and I think anyone who does is immoral. Love who you want, as long as it's for the right reasons.
This is gonna sound deterrant, but... if it wasn't for homosexuals, life on planet earth would be imposible. Why? demographic explosion. imagine all of us would fructified as the bible calls us to do. nature is wise.
so, if there is hate and condemnation of homosexuals, i say there should be hate and condemnation of barren man and women all over the world, since they are against God's divine plan too.
As Christians we are encouraged to accurately discern all things we see around us -- the good the bad and the ugly. I don't believe that we are told at any point to use that discernment for condemnation. You have a valid point that sin is sin, and save for blaspheming the Spirit there is no hierarchy of sin the likes of which we like to create. We like to create such a thing so we can feel better about our "lesser sins" in comparison with the "greater sins" of others. Yet the only comparison we are to strike, is between our imperfection (which we crave to leave behind), and the perfection of God (which we yearn for). With the noted exception, there are no "greater" or "lesser" sins.
Consider that the "laws" given to Israel were given to, well, Israel! To those who wished to be a part of the Covenant. They were not to be applied outside of those who wished to belong, and they were even commanded to be respectful of a stranger in their midst remembering that they too had been strangers in a strange land.
Jump to the New Testament. There are instructions for those who are in our midst. Again, those who wish to be a part of the Covenant. We are to speak openly and plainly with those we are in covenant with: always in love, never in condemnation. That's the Holy Spirit's job, and He's quite capable.
Remember that Jesus didn't shun those categorized as "unclean", but jumped right in with them. Condemning, excommunicating, or making a show of our disapproval have more to do with the sin of pride in us, than making any kind of eternally significant statement about sin in others. Think of the person trying to remove the speck from their brother's eye while sporting a piece of lumber in their own!
At first, I thought this sign was posted at an airport, apologizing for racial stereotyping, but I like your thing, too.
Anyways, I think you know the answer to your own question, and in a place like this, I can't see someone coming in here and saying "No, I think we should send all the gays to hell." Everyone deserves love.
It's definitely easier to condemn and hate than love... To error is human... but to forgive is divine...
I love the picture you chose. I think Christians are not the only religious group that should announce "Oops, my bad," to homosexuals, our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers, our aunts and uncles.... I can not find any reason for this blip on the screen of love. I have decided for myself that it is a huge mistake that many religions have made.
DISCUSSION TOOLSET
Like I said, what if you love to condemn?