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Monday, January 31, 2011 | 9:42am
SOUND OFF: Is Gay a Sin?
Religiously, Spiritually, Morally, Societally speaking… Is Homosexuality sinful?
@joelosteen @piersmorgan #Gay #homosexuality @PIERSTONIGHT @CNN
People ask me all the time what the major difference in political ideology among conservatives and liberals is. People can argue healthcare, taxes, size of government, foreign policy and spending but all that is covering up the real issue. Its about God. Conservatives are guided by a conservative view of the Bible doctrine while Liberals although often spiritual take a much more subjective approach. This can be illustrated perfectly in the various debates on tolerance of Homosexuality.
I for one consider myself to be a God-Fearing Christian. I’m not perfect, but I read the word and am beginning to STUDY it more. I pray every day and yet my views on many topics surrounding homosexuality MAY be completely different from Southern Baptist Evangelical Christians.
Just last week Piers Morgan whose assumed the Larry King slot on CNN (very well I might add) interviewed Joel Osteen, the senior pastor of Lakewood Mega-Church in Houston, Texas. His ministry reaches over seven million broadcast media viewers weekly in over 100 nations around the world.
Representing that large of a congregation, physical and virtual, the preacher went out on a limb and proclaimed homosexuality a sin in his conservative prospective.
“Yes, I’ve always believed, Piers, the scripture shows that it’s a sin.”
He clarified that his beliefs are in no way an attempt to gay bash. He like many who prescribe to his belief using the Bible as its reference citing scriptures like God’s displeasure with Sodom and Gomorrah. To use a real life application, Morgan followed by asking Osteen’s opinion on the recent adoption by Elton John and his partner via surrogate.
“Well, it’s strictly back to what the scripture says,” Osteen responded. “I can’t grab one part and say God wants you to be blessed and live an abundant life, and not grab the other part that says, you know what? You know, live that kind of life. So it comes back to the scripture. I’m not the judge. You know, God didn’t tell me to go around judging everybody.”
Homosexuality is a very sensitive but hot topic especially in Hip Hop these days and one I believe will boil over especially once more of its leaders are either exposed or chose to come out of the closet. The truth is that Hip Hop has always been a very Homophobic breeding ground. However, some would point out that it is these same cultural tastemakers that infused this air of machismo and homophobia that have done so in effort to hide their own sexual preference as a method of self-loathing and/ or attempt to get the witch hunters off their scent. But the fact remains, Hip Hop is a haven if not an open one for Gay. But is Osteen correct? SOUND OFF: Is Homosexuality a sin?
FILED IN Editorials, Need to Know, News, TV
I too am a Christian, although I am (at best) non-denominational and (at worse) a heretic.
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One of the problems with using the Bible (or any religious book) as a source is that there has been artificial selection applied before it was ever compiled.
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For example, we can say “the bible says that homosexuality is a sin”, but we overlook the fact that any pro- homosexual text would have been purged long before the bible was ever compiled.
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The books of the bible reflect, instead, the fundamental beliefs of the men who first compiled it. Any books that didn’t agree with their beliefs (like the alleged book of Mary) would have been banned and purged from the record.
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It could also be argued that mankind is exactly as God wanted it. You can’t, on the one hand, believe that God is all powerful and all knowing; and then argue on the other hand that the universe (and mankind) is anything other than EXACTLY the way He wanted it.
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I’m not saying that God is pro-murder and pro-hate; but I do argue that man is not born guilty; that man does NOT enter this world with a debt incurred by Adam and now payable by us.
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Above all else (in my mind), God must be fair. If the police walked into your house and arrested you because your great-grandfather stole a loaf of bread, they would be laughed out of the courts. And yet we are willing, when it comes to our soul, to accept an unearned and unpayable guilt.
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Which brings me to homosexuality. In conversations with openly gay friends, I am convinced that it is something you are born with. People don’t wake up one day and say “I think I will be gay”. There are no armies of homosexuals who “convert” the unwilling.
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And if it IS something you are born with… how can you assign moral guilt to the homosexual? Are you going to say that a homosexual is (by the very fact of their nature) damned? Are we going to say that because of a freak of nature the homosexual is destined to be celibate and single in this life and damned in the next?
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Consider this: If we are going to believe the story of the garden, we have to also believe that God did not want us to have the knowledge of good and evil. Yes, it has been argued that the lesson of the garden is about disobedience; but before that… why did God not want us to eat the fruit of the tree?
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The essential lesson of Christ is one of forgiveness, of brotherhood, of NOT judging others. As Christians I think we have a duty to mind our own business on this subject.
Malcolm you just dropped a gem on me.
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“For example, we can say “the bible says that homosexuality is a sin”, but we overlook the fact that any pro- homosexual text would have been purged long before the bible was ever compiled.
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The books of the bible reflect, instead, the fundamental beliefs of the men who first compiled it. Any books that didn’t agree with their beliefs (like the alleged book of Mary) would have been banned and purged from the record.”
You’re entire comment was enlightening but the above quote was very Profound. Made me think…but you’re absolutely right. Where are the books of the bible written by women? I mean its beside the point but it does point to the text be an in perfect source to be quoted as law. (Oh God don’t strike me down if we’re wrong.)
You have to look at the fact that women were not allowed to be educated nor allowed to equally contribute in many arenas during the times in which the Bible was written and compiled. If a woman could write a particular book of the Bible it would have most definitly be ommitted….she would probably be killed or at least punished.
And how Godly is that? Maybe they needed a WWJD bracelet.
And that is the reason I dont claim any religion. Religon does not come with a tamper proof seal. It’s a weird equation of what’s written, what’s complied, what’s translated, what’s believed, and what’s passed down….
When I go before God I will be accountable for all of MY sins. He is going to lay them out for me to see and I will not be able to pretend lapses in memory. No matter how we spin “The Word” remains clear. To be gay or not to be gay is your issue. To fornicate or not to fornicate is your issue. To steal or not to steal is your issue. To perform adultery or not to perform adultery is your issue. I have my own issues and do not (try not) to judge any man. My job on Earth is to love my fellow man as Jesus loved all – sinners and saved. I will leave the judgment in the capable hands of God.
I’m not sure that answers the question tho. Please elaborate.
yes it is listed as a sin.
Very insightful comments by all…one of the problems, I think, is that people pick and choose what sins to condemn (and which ones to overlook-especially when they condemn them) If, in fact, God condemns homosexuality, (as it says in the Bible), He also condemns fornication, stealing, bearing false witness, etc. Yet, the same people who yell and scream and carry signs against homosexuality conveniently forget about the other sins (of which they are also guilty)…I live my life day by day, making the best decision I can make at any particular point during the day. I do what is right according to my sense of right and wrong, which is rooted in my personal relationship with God…I don’t judge others or throw stones at their decisions regarding their lives. I certainly don’t like it when others throw them at me…
Ok so I guess that’s the point that’s made by the Nation thus far that those that condemn Homosexuality are in essence judging others which is what God tells us not to do. So in telling others what is sinful and what is not essentially is sinful in and of itself.
I don’t know if it is sinful in and of itself to judge others (if the bible tells us to not judge); I do know it is poor judgement and shortsighted (especially if we don’t want to be judged).
I guess I need to read more bible huh?
Judging perhaps a sin, however I think the bible asks that we hold each other accountable to keeping God’s word.
I also have to cosign that comment Malcom made; For example, we can say “the bible says that homosexuality is a sin”, but we overlook the fact that any pro- homosexual text would have been purged long before the bible was ever compiled.- WOW!!! If not true, it sure is logical…..
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Bibically, homosexuality is a sin. answers the question. Since the fabric of what is moral or immoral is mostly based on biblical reference and text, by default homosexuality is also immoral.
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My question for anything bibically regarded as a sin is, if someone finds happiness, and peace within a “sin”, should one sin and be happy, or should one not sin and be in conflict? Now I’m not talking about murder or anything vile. I’m talking about, for example, “honoring thy mother and father”, and how vague the word “honor” is. What if keeping honor means delving further into sin? Maybe I’m over thinking it, I always do……
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Back to Malcolms response, I also dont think ones sexuality is choice. I think something inside them that tells them to gravitate to on side or the other. What IS a choice is how one chooses to manifest their sexuality. I am one who does like flamboyant or stereotypical behavior in any shape or form….
I’m guessing you mean does “not” like flamboyant…. right?
Whoa, yes indeed!!!
Correction: I am one who does NOT like flamboyant or stereotypical behavior in any shape or form….
Is Gay a Sin?! No. Growing up in Church and hearing other reasons for it being condemned usually boil down to the fact that homosexuality is often spoken as a lifestyle choice instead of being who the person is. That is a huge and fundamental mistake, it’s a mistake that some people still believe today but most people know it’s not a choice.
We have to modernize our thinking with some issues. Of course homosexuality would be listed as a sin in a book written thousands of years ago when everyone thought that they were choosing to live that life, but we should all know better now.
The “sins” associated with people living a lie have more complications then people being who they are.
But are we as believers (speaking to those who are) to reject the text as having the power we’ve been taught to believe it has? Or is it instead those who are interpreting it who are flawed?
PEOPLE USE RELIGION AS A SCAPE GOAT TO DENOUNCE ANYTHING THEY THINK IS “EVIL” OR “WRONG”, AND ITS MAINLY THE TWO HARDCORE FANATIC SECTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM, WETHER HOMOSEXUALITY IS RIGHT OR WRONG, IT HAS EXISTED LONG BEFORE THE BIBLE WAS “WRITTEN”, AND THE MAIN PEOPLE THAT PRACTICED HOMOSEXUALITY WERE PEOPLE OF “SOCIETY”, THE EASIEST WAY TO CONTROL PEOPLE IS THROUGH FEAR, FEAR THAT IF YOU DONT DO THIS OR THAT, ‘HELL’ WILLBE YOUR END, ARENT WE LIVING IN HELL ALREADY?, WHAT IS THE TRUE RELIGION?, EVERY NON WHITE RACE HAS BEEN FORCED TO BELIEVE IN A RELIGION THAT THEY DIDNT ORIGINALLY PRACTICE, EVEN WHITES BEFORE CHRISTIANITY EXISTED WERE PAGANS, SAME GOES FOR EVERY RELIGION FOR THE EXCEPTION OF BUDHISTS, A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I HAVE SEEN GOING TO CHURCH ARE HYPOCRITES, UNDER THE ROOF OF GOD THEY’RE ALL “SAINTS”, AS SOON AS THEY LEAVEM THEY FORGET WHAT THEY PRAYED FOR AND CONSIDERED SIN AND START LIVING “WRONG”, TO ME, AS LONG AS YOUR BELIEF IN WHATEVER GOD YOU PRAY TO IS STRONG, THATS ALL THAT SHOULD MATTER, PEOPLE SHOULD STOP TRYING TO FORCE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN WHAT THEY DO AND SEE THINGS THE WAY THEY DO, THAT IS WHAT MAKES HUMANS WHAT WE ARE, IMPERFECTIONS AND DIFFERENCES, IF WE ALL THOUGH, LOOKED AND ACTED THE SAME, IMAGINE WHAT A BORING WORLD WE WOULD LIVE IN, TO EACH HIS OR HER OWN.
You never really answered the question you just spouted your opinion in regards to religion. Your comment(s) are just now viewed as angry used to incite an argument between people. You should be a politician the way you didn’t answer the question. As for this gayness being a sin, the Bible and Quran state it’s wrong. From an anatomical standpoint, it’s wrong. From a virology standpoint, AIDS. And from my viewpoint, it’s just disgusting.
But like you said, Champ, to each their own. But consider this…SHIT ON YA DICK.
LOL That’s nasty!
LMFAO, BUDDY, U ONLY READ WHAT U WANTED N ASSUMED WHAT ISNT, BY NO MEANS AM I A POLITICIAN, IF U LET A BOOK DICTATE UR LIFE, SO BE IT, IM JUST SAYING THAT PEOPLE, SHUD LET PEOPLE B, IF WHAT THEY DO, DOESNT AFFECT U DIRECTLY OR CAUSE U STRESS N SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, THEN Y THE FUCK SHUD ANY1 WORRY, IF JOHN N TIM R BLOWIN EACH OTHER N FUCKIN EACH OTHER IN THE ASS, Y SHUD ANY1 CARE, IF MARY N SONIA R EATING EACH OTHER OUT N FUCKIN EACH OTHER WITH DILDOS, WHO CARES, AS LONG AS PEOPLE DONT FORCE U 2 BELIEVE IN SOMETHING U DONT, THEN LET THEM B N NOT LET BOOKS TELL U WHATS WRONG OR RIGHT, PEOPLE SHOULDNT USE RELIGION AS A COP OUT 4 THEIR IGNORANCE, OH YEA, LMFAO BOUT THE SHIT ON YA DICK COMMENT, C’MON DUDE, 4REAL?! ROTFL!!!!!!!!!!!, SOUNDING OFF FRM THE LAND OF INFIDELS, FALSE DEMOCRACY N HYPOCRACY
One thing I’ve always wondered about the homosexuality debate is, in the same book and chapter in the bible where it says that man shall not lay with man, it also says that brother shall not lay with sister (I’m para-phrasing). However if we are to believe the bible whole-heartedly then we must also believe that God only created Adam and Eve and we are all decendants from them; meaning their children had to reproduce with one another. So my question is, when did incest become a sin? When was it just no longer acceptable and included in the bible with homosexuality and beastiality and other such sexual “perversions”. Not that I’m condoning ethier incest or beastiality, just something I’ve always wondered…
Good question, Mike L. When Cain was put out of the garden for killing Able, he went and reproduced with a woman who lived outside of the garden!
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Gen 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
Gen 4:17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch…
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what?! how is that? at that time, there were only supposed to be his parents and his brother…
if GOD ATTEND 4 the same sex 2 b together he would hav made only 1 sex im not gay bashing just lik gays want there rites y is it when u speak out against it u homo phoic or u hate gays i dont hate them lik JESUS said luv the sinner hate the sin he made2 sexes 2 b fruitful an mutiply 2 men or 2 women cant produce nothin
at the same time sin is sin if i go out an steal a candy bar my sin is jus as great as a gay person sin gay ppl an all ppl that sin even myself it is a choice wer GOD only creation that has a choice everything else GOD created does exactly what its suppose 2 do so please dont say it is not a choice we hav our on freewill
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