*deep breath*

Y'all are gonna hate me for this one, but..

Though its strange to you now, homosexuality is an integral part of nature and God's creation. 20-30 years from now, Christians will stop thinking about what gay men are doing in their bedrooms, and re-focus on what Jesus thought was important.

There is much, much more to the Bible than a verse decrying Roman pederasty, and the Levitical "health manual" - valid for it's time - is in desperate need of an update. We don't stone our children to death for back-talking anymore.

It's time for Christians to make like the Jews with their Torah, and ask WHY the Bible mentions homosexuality, *in context*, and IF those reasons are still valid for our time. Then get back to the important issues Jesus repeated hundreds of times, instead of something an apostle vaguely mentioned once.

This is of course, my own opinion - Christianity obsessing over gay sex is frankly rediculous, and a waste of valuable time.

Hmm.. 5 of you, 1 of me. *cringe*

An 'open' fellow, who often brings the boy-friends around, once became very offended at me for believing in all the bible says. He went on the offensive and with a passionately angry look in his eyes quoted "A man shall not lie with another man!!!!" He told me how sick it made him, being told that by his "angry Christian father" and how wrong it was etc etc etc.

Being myself, on a better day perhaps, I patiently and calmly heard him out. Him and I had always gotten along, but now he was tearing into all my ignorance and hatefulness that surely possessed me to believe in all the bible says. He was very upset at me and accused me of some pretty heavy crimes. When he was done, or perhaps when he saw that I was not being moved, I then explained that we are all sinners. I explained that sexual immorality was very common today and few give any regard for it, but that in knowing personally what it is like I told him of the harm it had done me. I explained what it was like to be blind to such things, the suffering involved and the painful beauty of waking up to what was going on. I spoke of the freedom Christ offers, to break the chains even of those kinds of desires. I spoke of a better life. Yet I refused his attempt to judge me and I left no judgement on him. Rather boldly I told him that if he looks to what is good, right and true, he may find himself changed one day.

I don't know if that was the best way to handle it, but that is how I handled it. He stayed away from me for a while but, with each kind greeting or well wish or whatever it was, we now get right along again. A few times he's been 'in the mood' for a heart-to-heart talk, but then stops at the last moment. I don't know what he wants to talk about but I do know he knows I am there for him as a child of God.

The point I'm trying to make here is that no matter how hard people or society come after someone for being a Christian, when we stand firm on the Rock and hold fast to the Light, not only is it impossible for us to be toppled, but others will see this and give glory to God. It is in God's hands.

I wish I could more so optimistic like Dbiddy.... eventually I hope.

But anyways, I agree. The only thing is, for many generations of the world, this is the norm. It won't surprise me if, 20 or 30 years down the road, opinions that homosexuality is 'wrong' or 'weird' will be considered archaic and narrow-minded thinking. This issue is going to be a huge block for many people coming to Christ, and I think Satan is using everything in his power to turn this generation and those that follow it against Christianity because of/thanks to this issue alone.

I...hope that makes sense. As much sense as a 1 a.m. post can.