This will be my last post due to the censorship on this site as well. The karma system here is nothing more than an excuse to be the china of the net. The only way you keep good karma is to be a clone and say what the majority say here and why are they the majority you ask? They are the majority because you can only read what the editors wish you to see and those they don't wish you to see have been modded down so low its off everyone's scope regardless of how mature, insightful, intelligent or right the post they have made were in the past. To put it simply if you don't say what they want you to say you will cease to have a voice here.
The only views that are allowed here are the Democrats view points... Republicans need not apply. The only way to fix/. is to abolish the karma system entirely.
If you think what I have said is wrong then in your world the earth would still be flat since the view that it was round would have been modded -4 troll.
"People need to wrap their heads around the idea that freedom includes the freedom to be a jackass. Some people have offensive views. They should be allowed to express them"
I completely agree but the very message system you are on is designed to silence those with unpopular views by way of the Karma system....
The problem is they DONT have the right. Sodomy is against the law in most states. They also DONT have the right to infringe upon the rights of others by trying to force feed their perverted sense of what they think is acceptable behavior upon the god fearing people of the world. The simple fact is they parade to try and gain acceptance for their perversions regardless of the fact that is not legal, morally acceptable or spiritually acceptable to the majority.
"Yes, and on the 8 million children without health care- you are silent. On the large population of our world that is starving- you are silent. I'm sure you don't approve of these things. But still, you are silent. Your attention is elsewhere."
That's because they don't pertain to the subject that was being discussed and irrelevant to the subject of homosexuality. They are only used to cloud the issue.
> Do as I have commanded you, By my words live and live more abundantly, Forsake sin in all its forms, > Sheep don't lay down with the wolves.
I know what this looks like. It doesn't involve demonizing human beings. I told you my grandparents were very conservative Southern Baptists. My wife asked them once why they didn't drink, why they didn't play cards, or dance."
Strange, I see the bible speak of dancing before the lord in celebration and praise to him. No idea where the card thing comes in. This sounds like they were off base from the start.
"They didn't tell her it was part of a war on sinful men and women. They never talked about "fighting a war on sinners."
You pervert my words. I said a war on sin not sinners. We all sin and the difference between Christians and sinners is that Christians admit the sin and ask forgiveness for it and take steps to not repeat the sin, lives within Gods will to change the sinful ways. A sinner on the other hand makes excuses for the sin, wallows in the sin and cares not to change.
" (These are human being you are talking about here!) I never heard my grandparents use your kind of language in my life. They told my wife their behavior was a symbol of solidarity and support for the alcoholics and gamblers who had destroyed their families and their lives. They did not separate themselves from the sinners and "war on them." Instead, they shared in their suffering. This is Christ-like."
Not exactly... He gave the message, offered forgiveness and told those that refuse it to depart from him. Jesus made no way for those that refused his message to enter the kingdom of heaven but rather they will forever burn in the pits of hell for their refusal of his gift. The message was simple, the ability to take his offer was given to all men with freewill and the right to refuse it a gift that all men have but there are consequences for traveling the wide path of sin. Jesus made no apologies for that. His gift was free to all but the when the message is passed and refused Christians are to separate themselves from those that chose sin over Gods ways. That doesn't mean not to help someone in need. That doesn't mean not to care for a person but it does mean not to be part of that person's sin and sinful ways.
"> Compassion for those that know sin and continue in it and refuse the truth of Gods word...never! I reread this over and over because I thought I had misunderstood you. By God's grace alone we are saved."
It doesn't say by Gods grace alone. You have to ask for forgiveness and turn from your wicked ways only then by Gods grace can you be saved. That doesn't mean you will never make another mistake but you sure have to ask for forgiveness for those mistakes to say in Gods will.
If you believe you no longer know sin, well, you are lost. I am just glad that God does not think as you do."
I never stated that, you are off track and by your referral to your wife's parents instead of your own faith it seems you are the one that is lost and blind. The fact you champion the cause of homosexual sin is also a clear indicator of your spiritual health.
"Honestly, if you think you do not sin, you need to go talk to your minister. It is such an outrageous statement it makes me wonder if you have simply been playing a devil's advocate with me (no pun intended.) I don't know what church you go to, but doesn't your service involve everyone asking for forgiveness every week? They are not just talking about things you did before baptism."
"He also tells us to know the false prophets by the rotten fruits that they bear."
And by your own fruits your are found out. Satan's message: do as thy wilt, compassion for anything that you want to do, whatever feels good, do it.
Gods message: Do as I have commanded you, By my words live and live more abundantly, Forsake sin in all its forms, Sheep don't lay down with the wolves. Translation: don't accept sin with compassion in any form.
"I think we can say the same about ideas. What fruits have come from this fixation on homosexuality? "
It's a war on sinful men (and women) that seek to corrupt with vulgar, sickening perversions, not a fixation.
"A country that in the media and in the voting booth seems more concerned with the 2% of its population that wants civil marriage"
Man has a choice to turn from his wicked ways and live by Gods plan or suffer for it. All it takes is the acceptance of one rotten fruit to taint an entire orchard. I am very sorry for you that you will accept sin and champion its cause. I on the other hand will continue the fight with the facts in hand and my foot firmly on the rock of truth as I noticed you have no retort. Homosexuals have a choice: turn from the sinful and wicked ways of perversion and ask for God forgiveness or forever burn in the fires of hell upon their death. Compassion? Sure for those that turn from the sin. Compassion for those that know sin and continue in it and refuse the truth of Gods word...never! Only the fires of hell await those that reject truth.
"I do know that Jesus doesn't explicitly mention homosexuals."
He didn't have to. It had already been mentioned over and over before he came and he stated that he didn't come to do away with the old laws but only to free us from the chains of death through forgiveness for those that turn from the wicked ways.
"He doesn't "heal" people of homosexuality" Tell that to the thousands upon thousands that have turn from homosexuality and admitted their sins and ask for healing of their addictions and found it.
"Actually "nature" would tend to imply that homosexuality is perfectly natural."
Your proof?
" The "un-natural" part of "gay marriage" is actually the marriage bit, since this is something which no other creature on the planet does."
Your point? This applies how?
The bible is VERY clear about a man lying with a man, no if and or buts about it.
"Presumably you mean Leviticus 18:22. Nothing makes this rule any more important than the large number of rules enumerated in the Torah. Unless you are an Orthodox Jew you probably break several of these a day anyway."
Mankind shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination(sin)
It doesn't get much more clear than that! You assume way too much with your probablities.
I guess you missed the part where the homosexuals tried to molest the angels and had an entire city was destroyed due to their sinful ways.
"Is the issue with the Angels homosexuality or rape?"
The angels weren't homosexuals and both are sins.
Note that Lot is apparently perfectly ok with the mob raping his (virgin) daughters and a few paragraphs further on Lot's daughters drug and rape their father.
"Paul's references to homosexuality can be understood within the cultural tapestry in which he lived to not be referring to a "modern", monagomous homosexual relationship."
That simply isn't true. Here is why: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therfore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ( Matt 5:17-19
"exodus 21:17: And he that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death. Leviticus 20:9: For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall surely be put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him. Leviticus 20:13: And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:27: A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them."
To put it simply, those laws still apply to man and only the fact we no longer have to die here on earth to pay for them has changed. Jesus died for our sins so we didn't have too. He gave us another way. He didn't do away with those laws or change them so they no longer are considered sinful. Now having that said, when a man becomes aware that what is doing is sinful and continues his actions then he will die for that sin. The death is a spiritual one not a physical one due to Jesus' gift of his life.
"I'm not exactly sure what "curseth" means, but I have been pretty disrespectiful of my parents growing up. So have a lot of other people. "
Have you ever ask your parents for forgiveness for those things? That's all that God requires of us also since Jesus gave his life so we didn't have to die for the sin anymore.
"Should we start burning witches again as well?"
That's a whole new can of worms. Their actions were not just nor correct in the eyes or laws of god after the death of Jesus. They acted in mans feewill and sinned with those actions by murdering those people. The actions of a few do not condem the whole.
"Again, the Bible is a huge book. The question is what one focuses on. Jesus tells us that the most important commandments are to love God, and to love each other. "
The most important yes but it doesn't say never to become angry with sinful behaviors that attack the fabric of mankind. In fact Jesus himself became angry and threw some men out of the temple for selling trinkets and trying to turn a profit in the house of god. Its perfectly fine to be angry but the control over it so you don't sin while angry is the real trick.
"What's more, so much of what I seem to hear (which is not everything) seems to focus heavily on how terrible people commiting homosexual acts are. I can understand parents being scared that their kids can "catch" homosexuality. I personally believe that homosexuality will turn out to be biological- I frankly think that my own heterosexual attraction is quite hard wired in my brain- and that this is nothing to fear, but I can understand the concern, and I don't think that in this case the term "homophobia" is appropriate."
Homosexuality is a choice just like any other. You either chose to have sex or you don't. It's the same for abstence before marriage. Not the popular view but the correct one for many, many reasons.
But for example, this is not what you chose to focus on in your post, at least. You focused on how homosexuals should have to go back go being ashamed for the entire way that they live their lives! This was your first line. Text is a difficult medium, and perhaps
It was not that long ago in our country when if a person chose to practice homosexuality he had to be careful to hide it. If news of it got out he would be ostracized in one way or another, because our society viewed homosexuality as something extremely shameful.
Gradually, however, homosexuals have become increasingly open about their lifestyle, describing it in more positive terms ("gay") and defying anyone who would dare to even suggest that it is in any way improper. Such is the societal "progress" which our generation has witnessed.
Regularly, homosexual demonstrations are given the wholesale endorsement of the news media. People who abhor the practice as immoral are dubbed "homophobics" as though they now should be the ones in hiding. So now the evil of homosexuality has been surpassed by the evil of "homophobia." To be opposed to homosexuality has become the sin rather than the homosexuality itself. It is no longer enough for homosexuality to be legal -- it must be given moral approval.
I find all of this both morally wrong and personally offensive. Homosexuality is socially destructive, contrary to nature and, more importantly, contrary to the law of God. It is wrong in every way, and decent people should not have to hide that fact. To pretend that evil has become good does not change the fact or render the evil any less wicked. It is not that we are afraid of homosexuality ("homophobia"), but we do not apologize for being opposed to it.
Now we cannot approve of the personal violence against homosexuals which the media has been reporting. (By the way, what the media will not report is the many more acts of violence by homosexuals against those who have spoken out against their sin -- a trend growing by the day.) But neither should we be forced to conform to immoral ideals, "politically correct" though they may be. We resent being frowned upon as unreasonable or unenlightened because we insist on proven standards of decency. Opposition to homosexuality is not shameful -- it is homosexuality that is shameful, as are all forms of immorality.
The prophet Isaiah and the apostle Paul both warned of the days to come in which evil would be paraded as good and good as evil. That day has come: the ethical ideals of our society have become so warped that moral vice is openly defended against virtue.
Moreover, decent people must refuse to be pressured by it all. We must not allow an immoral minority or even a majority to dictate to us what our standards will be.
Moreover, God's law has been proven best and safest. I dare anyone to deny that the present AIDS epidemic would be unheard of today if men and women had simply obeyed the law of God. The social diseases and social breakdown which our generation has witnessed have not come as a result of moral decency but as a result of immoral indecency. This fact remains unanswerable.
Shame and sin can only be defined by God. A degenerate society may seek to call good evil and evil good, but still it is they who bear the shame; we do not.
The first reference to homosexuality in Scripture is in the infamous account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. The wickedness of the men of that city is obvious and is of such a severe nature that it brought divine destruction upon the entire city. Both Peter and Jude make reference to it and describe the sin of homosexuality as " ungodly, lawless, unnatural and extreme immorality" (see 2 Peter 2:6, 8; Jude 7).
In Leviticus 18:22 and 24 homosexuality is described as an "abomination" and "defiling." It is reprehensible and unclean.
In Leviticus 20:13 it is again described as an "abomination" but here as one worthy of the death penalty!
An incident similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah is seen again in Judges 19. Again the sin of homosexuality is described as "wickedness."
In 1 Kings 14, 15, and 22 the removal of male prostitutes from the land of Israel is viewed as a sign of much-needed spiritual reformation.
"a more sophisticated reading is quite neutral on homosexuality"
Don't you mean a more perverted view as in homosexuality itself? Any time someone pretends to be something they are not it's a clear perversion. A lie, a cheat, a wrong! A man is born a man and a woman born a woman not to pretend to be the other. Homosexuality is a perversion of nature. Simply put, unintended, inferior movements of mans freedom of choice that lead to sexual deviates.
The bible is VERY clear about a man lying with a man, no if and or buts about it. I guess you missed the part where the homosexuals tried to molest the angels and had an entire city was destroyed due to their sinful ways. If you are going to read the bible do so as help to lead your life in the right direction not to pervert its words to suit your views on clearly sickening ways of sinful men.
Karma: a way in which to silence those with an unpopular viewpoint regardless if the view is correct and just.
It is extremely simple to solve this problem. Make it illegal for corporations to even speak to our representatives in any shape form or fashion! Make it's a federal offence for a corporation to give money to our representatives! Make one fund and split it all evenly among all those running for office. Take back our country from the big corporation, crooked politicians and those that seek only to profit from the American people by extorting us with our own representatives in our government. Fund this all how? Publicly with the billions of dollars we will gain when the mega corps can no long bend us over and make us take it.
Shame on you Exxon and others for your record profits when gas was at its highest in history and the nation was hurting.
I applaud EFF for atleast trying to slap the mega corps and drawing attention to this ever growing problem.
"disgust with your narrowminded idiocy"
Homosexuality has been examined and found disgusting, perverted and blight upon the world as a whole. That's nothing close to narrow-minded or idiocy. It is just good old simple truth in a world that lacks the ability to know right from wrong at its present stage.
"You sir, need to let go of whatever misguided hatred is causing you to insult people"
I spoke only truth and facts not insults. I address things as they are and not as perverted deviates wish them to be. I do not stand against a person but firmly against a group that has chosen a perverted set of rules to live by and now wishes to force those upon the world.
"Freedom of speech applies to EVERYONE"
This had nothing to do with freedom of speech. It's about simple common decency in public. There are things that should not be discussed in public arenas. Freedom of speech has limits.
"I applaud the GLBTs who decide they are going to be in a parade and risk the wrath of your pathetic ilk"
Since when is standing against perversion, immoral ineptitude and indecency wrong? Oh I know, since those such as yourself came to believe that what's good is bad and what's bad is good... This is yet another perversion.
"To compare GLBTs to bank robbers and child molesters"
There are no degrees of sin, sin is sin regardless the action. Wrong is still wrong no matter how you color it, package it or attempt to make it socially acceptable.
* what they do is against the law and they can't get out in public with it
So is this in many, many, many parts of the world...
* they are not proud of what they are
So are rapist...
If you're going to live a lifestyle that is against nature, sinful and basically sick to the majority of the world then keep it to yourself and you won't have problems.
the same books you are refering also tells you that people are not allowed to judge this, it is Gods business....and homosexuality is known behavior among other species on this planet so it is not unnatural....and why do you think you are "the majority" ?
I never mentioned a book but now that you have:
The bible which is the book YOU refer too tells Christians to know the enemy and stand firmly against them. Good has been at war against evil since day one. The bible very clearly states that homosexuality is a sin. No if, ands or buts about it.
The majority? Statically it's a fact that is available in more than a few places... look it up.
I sleep with girls and I'm a guy... If you really need to remind yourself of it, you probably are a gay who do not have the courage to accept it.
You think you are cute with this statement but really you are just was warped and sickening as those you uphold but thank you for proving my point. If gays are so proud and comfortable with what they do why do they feel the need to try and shove it down throat of the world?
I sleep with girls and I'm a guy, I sleep with girls and I'm a guy, I sleep with girls and I'm a guy...
Now wasn't that unnecessary? So are sexual deviates screaming in public that they perform perverted acts. If you're going to live a lifestyle that is against nature, sinful and basically sick to the majority of the world then keep it to yourself and you won't have problems. I don't see bank robbers and child molesters running around making guilds or having parades...
It is time to abolish both parties. Neither has the answers yet they both have been bought out by big business. It is also time to make it illegal for anyone (I speak of lobbyist for big businesses that buy laws) other than the people of this country to influence our senators and congressmen. It is time we the people are represented as was intended by our forefathers instead of this perverted systems of he who pays the most for a vote.
As long as there are parties there will be divisions. As long as there are parties there will be massive corruptions, lies and mudslinging.
Instead of two parties make each congressman and senator vote as he is told by those in his area for which he is elected. When he or she stops doing as they are paid to do they are removed by popular vote that can be called on by the people for the people and of the people. Term limits of 2 terms as the president is held to is also a much needed change. The system is plagued with complacent lazy men who collect a pay check and don't show up for work due to being out on their new yacht paid for by the big business that now controls their hand in our government.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time
Slashdot Mirror
it was all down hill with a stiff wind behind them and someone pushing the whole way. =) The gas was running the radio....LOL
This will be my last post due to the censorship on this site as well. The karma system here is nothing more than an excuse to be the china of the net. The only way you keep good karma is to be a clone and say what the majority say here and why are they the majority you ask? They are the majority because you can only read what the editors wish you to see and those they don't wish you to see have been modded down so low its off everyone's scope regardless of how mature, insightful, intelligent or right the post they have made were in the past. To put it simply if you don't say what they want you to say you will cease to have a voice here. The only views that are allowed here are the Democrats view points... Republicans need not apply. The only way to fix /. is to abolish the karma system entirely.
If you think what I have said is wrong then in your world the earth would still be flat since the view that it was round would have been modded -4 troll.
You seem to be ignorant to the fact that the acts that make homosexuals gay are illegal in 85% of the US.
"People need to wrap their heads around the idea that freedom includes the freedom to be a jackass. Some people have offensive views. They should be allowed to express them" I completely agree but the very message system you are on is designed to silence those with unpopular views by way of the Karma system....
The problem is they DONT have the right. Sodomy is against the law in most states. They also DONT have the right to infringe upon the rights of others by trying to force feed their perverted sense of what they think is acceptable behavior upon the god fearing people of the world. The simple fact is they parade to try and gain acceptance for their perversions regardless of the fact that is not legal, morally acceptable or spiritually acceptable to the majority.
"Yes, and on the 8 million children without health care- you are silent. On the large population of our world that is starving- you are silent. I'm sure you don't approve of these things. But still, you are silent. Your attention is elsewhere."
That's because they don't pertain to the subject that was being discussed and irrelevant to the subject of homosexuality. They are only used to cloud the issue.
> Do as I have commanded you, By my words live and live more abundantly, Forsake sin in all its forms,
> Sheep don't lay down with the wolves.
I know what this looks like. It doesn't involve demonizing human beings. I told you my grandparents were very conservative Southern Baptists. My wife asked them once why they didn't drink, why they didn't play cards, or dance."
Strange, I see the bible speak of dancing before the lord in celebration and praise to him. No idea where the card thing comes in. This sounds like they were off base from the start.
"They didn't tell her it was part of a war on sinful men and women. They never talked about "fighting a war on sinners."
You pervert my words. I said a war on sin not sinners. We all sin and the difference between Christians and sinners is that Christians admit the sin and ask forgiveness for it and take steps to not repeat the sin, lives within Gods will to change the sinful ways. A sinner on the other hand makes excuses for the sin, wallows in the sin and cares not to change.
" (These are human being you are talking about here!) I never heard my grandparents use your kind of language in my life. They told my wife their behavior was a symbol of solidarity and support for the alcoholics and gamblers who had destroyed their families and their lives. They did not separate themselves from the sinners and "war on them." Instead, they shared in their suffering. This is Christ-like."
Not exactly... He gave the message, offered forgiveness and told those that refuse it to depart from him. Jesus made no way for those that refused his message to enter the kingdom of heaven but rather they will forever burn in the pits of hell for their refusal of his gift. The message was simple, the ability to take his offer was given to all men with freewill and the right to refuse it a gift that all men have but there are consequences for traveling the wide path of sin. Jesus made no apologies for that. His gift was free to all but the when the message is passed and refused Christians are to separate themselves from those that chose sin over Gods ways. That doesn't mean not to help someone in need. That doesn't mean not to care for a person but it does mean not to be part of that person's sin and sinful ways.
"> Compassion for those that know sin and continue in it and refuse the truth of Gods word...never!
I reread this over and over because I thought I had misunderstood you. By God's grace alone we are saved."
It doesn't say by Gods grace alone. You have to ask for forgiveness and turn from your wicked ways only then by Gods grace can you be saved. That doesn't mean you will never make another mistake but you sure have to ask for forgiveness for those mistakes to say in Gods will.
If you believe you no longer know sin, well, you are lost. I am just glad that God does not think as you do."
I never stated that, you are off track and by your referral to your wife's parents instead of your own faith it seems you are the one that is lost and blind. The fact you champion the cause of homosexual sin is also a clear indicator of your spiritual health.
"Honestly, if you think you do not sin, you need to go talk to your minister. It is such an outrageous statement it makes me wonder if you have simply been playing a devil's advocate with me (no pun intended.) I don't know what church you go to, but doesn't your service involve everyone asking for forgiveness every week? They are not just talking about things you did before baptism."
I never made such a statement.
> He stat
"He also tells us to know the false prophets by the rotten fruits that they bear."
And by your own fruits your are found out. Satan's message: do as thy wilt, compassion for anything that you want to do, whatever feels good, do it.
Gods message: Do as I have commanded you, By my words live and live more abundantly, Forsake sin in all its forms, Sheep don't lay down with the wolves. Translation: don't accept sin with compassion in any form.
"I think we can say the same about ideas. What fruits have come from this fixation on homosexuality? "
It's a war on sinful men (and women) that seek to corrupt with vulgar, sickening perversions, not a fixation.
"A country that in the media and in the voting booth seems more concerned with the 2% of its population that wants civil marriage"
Man has a choice to turn from his wicked ways and live by Gods plan or suffer for it. All it takes is the acceptance of one rotten fruit to taint an entire orchard. I am very sorry for you that you will accept sin and champion its cause. I on the other hand will continue the fight with the facts in hand and my foot firmly on the rock of truth as I noticed you have no retort. Homosexuals have a choice: turn from the sinful and wicked ways of perversion and ask for God forgiveness or forever burn in the fires of hell upon their death. Compassion? Sure for those that turn from the sin. Compassion for those that know sin and continue in it and refuse the truth of Gods word...never! Only the fires of hell await those that reject truth.
"I do know that Jesus doesn't explicitly mention homosexuals."
He didn't have to. It had already been mentioned over and over before he came and he stated that he didn't come to do away with the old laws but only to free us from the chains of death through forgiveness for those that turn from the wicked ways.
"He doesn't "heal" people of homosexuality" Tell that to the thousands upon thousands that have turn from homosexuality and admitted their sins and ask for healing of their addictions and found it.
"Actually "nature" would tend to imply that homosexuality is perfectly natural."
Your proof?
" The "un-natural" part of "gay marriage" is actually the marriage bit, since this is something which no other creature on the planet does."
Your point? This applies how?
The bible is VERY clear about a man lying with a man, no if and or buts about it.
"Presumably you mean Leviticus 18:22. Nothing makes this rule any more important than the large number of rules enumerated in the Torah. Unless you are an Orthodox Jew you probably break several of these a day anyway."
Mankind shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination(sin)
It doesn't get much more clear than that! You assume way too much with your probablities.
I guess you missed the part where the homosexuals tried to molest the angels and had an entire city was destroyed due to their sinful ways.
"Is the issue with the Angels homosexuality or rape?"
The angels weren't homosexuals and both are sins.
Note that Lot is apparently perfectly ok with the mob raping his (virgin) daughters and a few paragraphs further on Lot's daughters drug and rape their father.
This applies to the subject being discussed how?
"Paul's references to homosexuality can be understood within the cultural tapestry in which he lived to not be referring to a "modern", monagomous homosexual relationship."
That simply isn't true. Here is why: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therfore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ( Matt 5:17-19
"exodus 21:17: And he that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 20:9: For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall surely be put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
Leviticus 20:13: And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Leviticus 20:27: A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them."
To put it simply, those laws still apply to man and only the fact we no longer have to die here on earth to pay for them has changed. Jesus died for our sins so we didn't have too. He gave us another way. He didn't do away with those laws or change them so they no longer are considered sinful. Now having that said, when a man becomes aware that what is doing is sinful and continues his actions then he will die for that sin. The death is a spiritual one not a physical one due to Jesus' gift of his life.
"I'm not exactly sure what "curseth" means, but I have been pretty disrespectiful of my parents growing up. So have a lot of other people. "
Have you ever ask your parents for forgiveness for those things? That's all that God requires of us also since Jesus gave his life so we didn't have to die for the sin anymore.
"Should we start burning witches again as well?"
That's a whole new can of worms. Their actions were not just nor correct in the eyes or laws of god after the death of Jesus. They acted in mans feewill and sinned with those actions by murdering those people. The actions of a few do not condem the whole.
"Again, the Bible is a huge book. The question is what one focuses on. Jesus tells us that the most important commandments are to love God, and to love each other. "
The most important yes but it doesn't say never to become angry with sinful behaviors that attack the fabric of mankind. In fact Jesus himself became angry and threw some men out of the temple for selling trinkets and trying to turn a profit in the house of god. Its perfectly fine to be angry but the control over it so you don't sin while angry is the real trick.
"What's more, so much of what I seem to hear (which is not everything) seems to focus heavily on how terrible people commiting homosexual acts are. I can understand parents being scared that their kids can "catch" homosexuality. I personally believe that homosexuality will turn out to be biological- I frankly think that my own heterosexual attraction is quite hard wired in my brain- and that this is nothing to fear, but I can understand the concern, and I don't think that in this case the term "homophobia" is appropriate."
Homosexuality is a choice just like any other. You either chose to have sex or you don't. It's the same for abstence before marriage. Not the popular view but the correct one for many, many reasons.
But for example, this is not what you chose to focus on in your post, at least. You focused on how homosexuals should have to go back go being ashamed for the entire way that they live their lives! This was your first line. Text is a difficult medium, and perhaps
It was not that long ago in our country when if a person chose to practice homosexuality he had to be careful to hide it. If news of it got out he would be ostracized in one way or another, because our society viewed homosexuality as something extremely shameful.
Gradually, however, homosexuals have become increasingly open about their lifestyle, describing it in more positive terms ("gay") and defying anyone who would dare to even suggest that it is in any way improper. Such is the societal "progress" which our generation has witnessed.
Regularly, homosexual demonstrations are given the wholesale endorsement of the news media. People who abhor the practice as immoral are dubbed "homophobics" as though they now should be the ones in hiding. So now the evil of homosexuality has been surpassed by the evil of "homophobia." To be opposed to homosexuality has become the sin rather than the homosexuality itself. It is no longer enough for homosexuality to be legal -- it must be given moral approval.
I find all of this both morally wrong and personally offensive. Homosexuality is socially destructive, contrary to nature and, more importantly, contrary to the law of God. It is wrong in every way, and decent people should not have to hide that fact. To pretend that evil has become good does not change the fact or render the evil any less wicked. It is not that we are afraid of homosexuality ("homophobia"), but we do not apologize for being opposed to it.
Now we cannot approve of the personal violence against homosexuals which the media has been reporting. (By the way, what the media will not report is the many more acts of violence by homosexuals against those who have spoken out against their sin -- a trend growing by the day.) But neither should we be forced to conform to immoral ideals, "politically correct" though they may be. We resent being frowned upon as unreasonable or unenlightened because we insist on proven standards of decency. Opposition to homosexuality is not shameful -- it is homosexuality that is shameful, as are all forms of immorality.
The prophet Isaiah and the apostle Paul both warned of the days to come in which evil would be paraded as good and good as evil. That day has come: the ethical ideals of our society have become so warped that moral vice is openly defended against virtue.
Moreover, decent people must refuse to be pressured by it all. We must not allow an immoral minority or even a majority to dictate to us what our standards will be.
Moreover, God's law has been proven best and safest. I dare anyone to deny that the present AIDS epidemic would be unheard of today if men and women had simply obeyed the law of God. The social diseases and social breakdown which our generation has witnessed have not come as a result of moral decency but as a result of immoral indecency. This fact remains unanswerable.
Shame and sin can only be defined by God. A degenerate society may seek to call good evil and evil good, but still it is they who bear the shame; we do not.
The first reference to homosexuality in Scripture is in the infamous account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. The wickedness of the men of that city is obvious and is of such a severe nature that it brought divine destruction upon the entire city. Both Peter and Jude make reference to it and describe the sin of homosexuality as " ungodly, lawless, unnatural and extreme immorality" (see 2 Peter 2:6, 8; Jude 7).
In Leviticus 18:22 and 24 homosexuality is described as an "abomination" and "defiling." It is reprehensible and unclean.
In Leviticus 20:13 it is again described as an "abomination" but here as one worthy of the death penalty!
An incident similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah is seen again in Judges 19. Again the sin of homosexuality is described as "wickedness."
In 1 Kings 14, 15, and 22 the removal of male prostitutes from the land of Israel is viewed as a sign of much-needed spiritual reformation.
The prohibition in Deu
"a more sophisticated reading is quite neutral on homosexuality" Don't you mean a more perverted view as in homosexuality itself? Any time someone pretends to be something they are not it's a clear perversion. A lie, a cheat, a wrong! A man is born a man and a woman born a woman not to pretend to be the other. Homosexuality is a perversion of nature. Simply put, unintended, inferior movements of mans freedom of choice that lead to sexual deviates. The bible is VERY clear about a man lying with a man, no if and or buts about it. I guess you missed the part where the homosexuals tried to molest the angels and had an entire city was destroyed due to their sinful ways. If you are going to read the bible do so as help to lead your life in the right direction not to pervert its words to suit your views on clearly sickening ways of sinful men. Karma: a way in which to silence those with an unpopular viewpoint regardless if the view is correct and just.
19 out of millions.
It is extremely simple to solve this problem. Make it illegal for corporations to even speak to our representatives in any shape form or fashion! Make it's a federal offence for a corporation to give money to our representatives! Make one fund and split it all evenly among all those running for office. Take back our country from the big corporation, crooked politicians and those that seek only to profit from the American people by extorting us with our own representatives in our government. Fund this all how? Publicly with the billions of dollars we will gain when the mega corps can no long bend us over and make us take it. Shame on you Exxon and others for your record profits when gas was at its highest in history and the nation was hurting. I applaud EFF for atleast trying to slap the mega corps and drawing attention to this ever growing problem.
off topic anyone?....
"disgust with your narrowminded idiocy" Homosexuality has been examined and found disgusting, perverted and blight upon the world as a whole. That's nothing close to narrow-minded or idiocy. It is just good old simple truth in a world that lacks the ability to know right from wrong at its present stage. "You sir, need to let go of whatever misguided hatred is causing you to insult people" I spoke only truth and facts not insults. I address things as they are and not as perverted deviates wish them to be. I do not stand against a person but firmly against a group that has chosen a perverted set of rules to live by and now wishes to force those upon the world. "Freedom of speech applies to EVERYONE" This had nothing to do with freedom of speech. It's about simple common decency in public. There are things that should not be discussed in public arenas. Freedom of speech has limits. "I applaud the GLBTs who decide they are going to be in a parade and risk the wrath of your pathetic ilk" Since when is standing against perversion, immoral ineptitude and indecency wrong? Oh I know, since those such as yourself came to believe that what's good is bad and what's bad is good... This is yet another perversion. "To compare GLBTs to bank robbers and child molesters" There are no degrees of sin, sin is sin regardless the action. Wrong is still wrong no matter how you color it, package it or attempt to make it socially acceptable.
* what they do is against the law and they can't get out in public with it So is this in many, many, many parts of the world... * they are not proud of what they are So are rapist... If you're going to live a lifestyle that is against nature, sinful and basically sick to the majority of the world then keep it to yourself and you won't have problems. the same books you are refering also tells you that people are not allowed to judge this, it is Gods business. ...and homosexuality is known behavior among other species on this planet so it is not unnatural. ...and why do you think you are "the majority" ?
I never mentioned a book but now that you have:
The bible which is the book YOU refer too tells Christians to know the enemy and stand firmly against them. Good has been at war against evil since day one. The bible very clearly states that homosexuality is a sin. No if, ands or buts about it.
The majority? Statically it's a fact that is available in more than a few places... look it up.
I sleep with girls and I'm a guy... If you really need to remind yourself of it, you probably are a gay who do not have the courage to accept it.
You think you are cute with this statement but really you are just was warped and sickening as those you uphold but thank you for proving my point. If gays are so proud and comfortable with what they do why do they feel the need to try and shove it down throat of the world?
I sleep with girls and I'm a guy, I sleep with girls and I'm a guy, I sleep with girls and I'm a guy... Now wasn't that unnecessary? So are sexual deviates screaming in public that they perform perverted acts. If you're going to live a lifestyle that is against nature, sinful and basically sick to the majority of the world then keep it to yourself and you won't have problems. I don't see bank robbers and child molesters running around making guilds or having parades...
Gawd knows they need all the help they can get!
It is time to abolish both parties. Neither has the answers yet they both have been bought out by big business. It is also time to make it illegal for anyone (I speak of lobbyist for big businesses that buy laws) other than the people of this country to influence our senators and congressmen. It is time we the people are represented as was intended by our forefathers instead of this perverted systems of he who pays the most for a vote. As long as there are parties there will be divisions. As long as there are parties there will be massive corruptions, lies and mudslinging. Instead of two parties make each congressman and senator vote as he is told by those in his area for which he is elected. When he or she stops doing as they are paid to do they are removed by popular vote that can be called on by the people for the people and of the people. Term limits of 2 terms as the president is held to is also a much needed change. The system is plagued with complacent lazy men who collect a pay check and don't show up for work due to being out on their new yacht paid for by the big business that now controls their hand in our government. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time
Its a real shame they never get the chance =( /cry =)