In response to the very misguided and hateful letter written by Tim Baker, I would like to offer some words of comfort. I'm really not sure why some people still advocate hateful agendas and directly attack groups of people behind the guise of religion. However, I would like to offer some advice to those that follow what the Bible actually preaches. In Mark 12 29-31, Jesus told us to love God first and love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus made it clear in the following line that there are no other commandments that come before these.
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God is Love
The fact of the matter is, God is LOVE. In every form of the word.I'm tired of seeing Christians sit in their seat of judgement like homosexuality is such a greater sin than Mr. Fornicator or Mr. and Mrs. Adulterer. Do we throw insults at the liar or the thief? And if you do, why? Why can't you understand that everyone is flawed and came into this world wrapped up in sin? Everyone has some issue they have to deal with. Pray for the world's salvation, but then take your hands off of it. You're not the Creator. Honestly, on Judgement Day everyone will be held accountable for their OWN sins. So why are people so concerned with gay marriages? If two people want to get married of the same sex, then why can't they? They have to be accountable for their sins...not you. So if (insert gasp) they wind up in hell as a result of their "marriage" or lifestyle, how does it really affect you? Are you going to somehow feel the residual heat from their condemnation? Why can't people be more tolerant and learn to discuss their opinions and feelings in LOVE without being hurtful and malicious? Why do we as Christians hide behind the bible to spew hate and insults? Not once in the bible did you see Jesus be mean or hurtful to someone even when He didn't agree with their actions. The bottom line is if you truely believe that marriage is between a man and a woman...believe it, maintain that belief, live your life accordingly, but your belief should not impede the lives of others who don't share that same belief. You can witness to a homosexual or other sinner (which actualy means you should be ministering to yourself btw) and impart the gospel of Jesus Christ on them, but it's their choice to take the words you have given them and apply it to their lives. Your soul will not be lost based on whether someone else got married or not.
Yay for Polly
Girl, we need to hear your voice here as often as possible.
Your words resonate with wisdom.
Scrap the word games and get right down to the heart of the matter. You could not have said it better.
You have more effect with your words than you know, and I think you will know, in Time. You can look back, knowing you made a difference for Christ and His Teachings.
Please add your input here as often as possible.
One addendum: Christ did get perturbed, when he overturned the moneychangers' tables, and called people hypocrites about the mote/log in the eye thing. He may have had the fire of indignation against hypocrites and money changers, but you're right, He was never intentionally mean.
God IS Love.
God created us in THEIR own image.
The Kingdom of God is WITHIN us.
Ye know NOT what manner of Spirit ye are of.
YE are the Temple of God.
Christ is the vine, we are the branches.
Is it not written, 'Ye are gods'?
Christ: I and my Father are ONE. I am in you, and ye in me. As the body hath many members, so is the Christ; each one members of one another.
We are ONE in Christ. Let's act that way, let's be worthy of that honour. Study His Teachings, absorb them into your heart.
What did He say about gay people?
My only problem is a matter of definition. Marriage has changed in definition over the years, David had many wives and whatever, Mormons used to have many wives. But the contemporary definition is man & woman, 2 of the same sex should still be able to draw up a contract for hospital visitation, inheritance & insurance rights, etc., but to change a current definition in order to demand/qualify for payments from a third party, is one bridge too far. I resist someone or a group forcing upon me a redefinition of a word for their own purposes, but if it really about 2 people in love wanting to consecrate that union, then have at it. But to say, 'I've married this same sex person, now give me benefits and payments'....well....I can't go there.
REALLY?
I simply cannot beleive what I am readimg here. Did you even think to research your information(opinion) before you started typing? Back up a few pages and see where marriage came from and you will also find the original and only true definition. Marriage as we know it was started in the HOLY BIBLE as a holy union between one man and one woman, giving an oath before GOD to be as one flesh and spirit. Faithful to each other and to GOD for all of their lives. This was not a legal union so that you could use someone else's insurance or death benefits. People don't get married for financial reasons, they get MARRIED to become one in GOD's eyes and to bear children to increase the earth and GOD's kingdom. There is but one reason it is called HOLY MATRIMONY. A HOLY GOD INTENDED IT TO BE THAT WAY! You do whatever you feel is right, I will pray for you to know what is right, and may the Holy Spirit reveal right to all who ponder this debate. May the Love of Christ find you with an open mind and a open heart!
God is Gay
And everytime you see a rainbow it means Jesus is having gay sex.
Offensive? No more so than the idea that hatred, love, or anything of substance has any kind of Divine Inspiration. All your gods are nothing more than tooth fairies accepted by adults. It's just so much easier to live with yourself if you can say, "because god said so," instead of actually using the little bit of a brain you have to defend your own convictions.
moreofthesame....
You are pathetic, and I feel sorry for you.
Please don't...
I don't need your pity. I am free of the stupidity that the herd relies on to rule their entire lives. I'm here to live and to support and enjoy my fellow humans for the time I have and no magical man in the sky can dictate what I do or how I do it. I'm free. Save your pity for those who have wasted their lives on a blind bet that they just won't win.
Gay marriage
It is apparent you do not understand neither do you want to understand true christanity and scriptures. There is nothing nor no one in this world including God that can change your mind and heart to what you have already decided is right as a gay person and God is a liar.
God is exact in that marriage is between a man and a woman. Since you are so smart with scriptures why didn't you read Genesis 2:21-24 where it say a "man and a woman".
The world is populated because of a man and a woman. Please tell me how a man on man and woman on woman can keep the world going. It can't! The world will cease to be in lest than 110 years vs thousands of years with a man and woman cohabitating together.
It's easy to point fingers at the Church. But first you must become the Church. Any one can quote scriptures but every one can't abide by them. You are the one that can't abide by the Bible. So stop pretending you are a christian.
I wouldn't worry about heaven and whether there is no marriage there. With your attitude you want have that to worry about. Plan your visit else where. Read more at: www.ppartymovement.com or www.ministriesofchrist.org
Photocopies of a dogma
In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. There is a difference between the words that try to relate a Pure Essence of Teaching, and the Word, which is the Teaching Itself. Don't get bogged down in the English phrasing, there is more to the Word than words. Connect with the Essence, let it speak to your Heart, then you see how those that are so sure of their interpretations ignore the Teaching that now we see as through a glass darkly. Dogma handed down is like photocopies of faith; or cloning, each generation one chromosome thinner. Disregard the photocopies of dogma, go straight to the Source. The Kingdom of God is Within you.
this establishes nothing -
There will be no gay people in heaven; 1 Corinthians 6:9. Or any other type of sinner.
What do you make of the punishment meted out against Sodom & Gomorrah, Mr. Gullette? Genesis 19. A mistake on God's part?
Homosexuality is a sin, plain and simple, and therefore in God's eyes there's no such thing as "gay marriage." He established marriage in the garden of Eden, and it's only valid between a man and a woman. Sorry, but those are the facts.
facts, he says
according to your silly little book, JohnH, all have sinned and come short of the glory of god. Sure, they have to ask for forgiveness to get Jesus Wonka's magic ticket, but still, all have sinned, agreed?
If being homosexual is a sin, and sin can be forgiven, then umm...yeah, there will be sinners in heaven and OH NO, that would mean homosexuals could get in too as long as they are washed in the everlasting gobstopper juice or blood or whatever nonsense...
There is nothing factual about anything to do with the bible other than those things that were plagerized from actual historical documents from the time that actually documented the happenings of actual people and things and left out the tooth fairy, elmo, jesus and all the other beloved story book characters.
Grow up and quit leaning on god to defend your own hatred. Have an idea of your own for once.
I sincerely regret that there is no hell to which people like you should go.
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