Christian response to homosexual marriage?

[bjs]

Should Christians in the USA support or oppose the legalization of homosexual marriage in their state?

I put this debate topic in this sub-forum because I’m not really interested in atheists’ opinions here, but I do wonder what Christians think.

On the one hand, we do not have to look far in our world to see what happens when people try to enforce their worldview on others. The result is always disastrous. I do not like the idea of Christians trying to legal enforce their worldview.

On the other hand, recent history has shown us that when gay marriage is legalized the right to oppose, or even abstain from involvement, is quickly lost. Opposing or abstaining from homosexual marriage is outlawed on the charge of discrimination. If gay marriage is legalized then we should expect, at the very minimum, that those who are morally opposed to homosexual action will still be required to act in support of homosexual actions if they wish to do business in their state.

I am unsure of the right approach. What do others Christians think?

[no1special]

[Replying to post 108 by KCKID]

I really do need to make a pertinent point. I’m not here to support or oppose heterosexuality or homosexuality.

That explains your user groups .

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 108 by KCKID]

I really do need to make a pertinent point. I’m not here to support or oppose heterosexuality or homosexuality.

That explains your user groups .

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[Goat]

[Replying to post 107 by Goat]

Can you show where Jesus said anything at all about Gay marriage or not gay marriage? I am not talking about the mistranlations and out of context quotes about 'men laying with men' in Leviticus either.. but words specifically attributed to Jesus.

No and He does not have to . He defines marriage as between a man and a woman .

Where does he define it as strictly between a man and a woman, chapter and verse. Let's look at it in context.

[no1special]

[Replying to post 122 by Goat]

Where does he define it as strictly between a man and a woman, chapter and verse. Let's look at it in context.

Matthew 19 for one . Every place in the Bible where marriage is mentioned includes a man and a woman as the couple . You show me one single instance where the Bible speaks of marriage of a same sex couple ( and is even condoned , let alone accepted or permitted ) and I will stand corrected . Fair enough ?

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 122 by Goat]

Where does he define it as strictly between a man and a woman, chapter and verse. Let's look at it in context.

Matthew 19 for one . Every place in the Bible where marriage is mentioned includes a man and a woman as the couple . You show me one single instance where the Bible speaks of marriage of a same sex couple ( and is even condoned , let alone accepted or permitted ) and I will stand corrected . Fair enough ?

No. It is not "fair enough." What you fail to recognize is that much of what is in the Bible has nothing to do with eternal or universal truths. That is the point of a new sub topic I've started:
viewtopic.php?t=27076

Whether it is about not "rounding" the corners of your beard or not wearing blended fabrics, these prohibitions only deal with temporal concerns; issues that are not universal moral issues. I submit that gender issues are in the same category.

The fundamental, or universal moral principle involved deals with promiscuity and the pursuit of sexual pleasure with no regard to a close personal relationship. The essential moral principle has nothing to do with gender. The essence of marriage is that two people have a loving, committed, loyal and exclusive relationship. Whether the two loving partners are of the same or different genders is irrelevant to the essence of the law, the relationship itself.

[GISMYS]

[Replying to post 10 by Danmark]

God's Word has very strong words of warning about the sick abomination of sexual perversion. Romans 1:24-32= God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

[KCKID]

[Replying to post 10 by Danmark]

God's Word has very strong words of warning about the sick abomination of sexual perversion. Romans 1:24-32= God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Well, I just love the way that so many Christians cherry-pick passages of the Bible and in so doing they conveniently leave out the vital parts that explain the passage in its entirety. This is not to mention, of course, that Paul is not God and therefore has no authority to make judgment on any other fellow human being ...regardless of their perceived 'sins'.

Anyway, what say we look at the ENTIRE passage that you cherry-picked, GISMYS so we can figure out what Paul is getting at?

Romans 1:21-27 King James Version (KJV)

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

It would appear that Paul is referring to those people within the early Christian Church who have rejected 'the truth' and turned instead to the worship of pagan idols and their associated practices. These practices involved - apparently - sexual orgies (as we today might call them) performed with sacred temple prostitutes to appease the gods. There is plenty of information available on the Internet if one wishes to delve into the topic of idol worship. Verse 23 of Romans 1 CLEARLY tells us that 'they' (those who rejected the truth for a lie) exchanged the glory of God for images made to resemble mortal man, birds, animals, etc. How come you missed that part?

Your post might be seen as 1. preaching and, 2. quite deceptive because of its glaring omissions. Romans 1 has nothing to do with homosexuality per se and certainly nothing to do with the topic. I've gone into explaining the 'clobber texts' of the Bible so often to people that I've become little better than a worn out vinyl record. Is it possible once and for all that the leaders of the various Christian denominations can explain these things to their flock so that "I" don't have the task of doing it?

The question was rhetorical. I'm even talking to myself these days . . .

Oh, by the way ...welcome to the forum!

[GISMYS]

[Replying to KCKID]

Believe God's Word there is no question that God's eternal living inspired(God breathed) Word condemns sexual perversion!== Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

[Danmark]

Should Christians in the USA support or oppose the legalization of homosexual marriage in their state?

Where States have recognized same sex marriage and accorded those lawfully married all the rights and obligations of married people, Christians should lovingly respect those marriages and the secular law on marriage, for we know thru Paul's Letter to the Romans that God has told us:

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good."
selah

[GISMYS]

[Replying to post 128 by Danmark]

Believers must think! Hitler was in total control and ordered the death of millions men,women and children do you really think it would be the right thing for you to obey Hitler's orders? NO! God makes the laws and God says sick sexual perversion is an abomination.