Comments on: Should gay civil partnerships be blessed in Christian Churches?

By: Anita

Anita — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:36:37 +0000

@Lisa, “If it's impossible for me to be open about how I feel without being judged I can't help thinking how much worse it would be for someone who is gay.” That's a really excellent point.
So I guess we have to hold, “Do not judge” and Jesus's command to love and compassion, in tension with respect for the inspiration of Scripture and what Scripture appears to say on the subject if one reads it “straight,” as it was meant to be read. By straight, I mean reading it as if Paul etc. meant what they wrote, literally, not as an allegory for Rome, or referring to pedophilia etc.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:39:19 +0000

Thank you for this post. I just stumbled across it and found it really encouraging. I have been thinking a lot about Christian attitudes towards homosexuality lately yet it is something I can't really discuss with anyone as the evangelical Christians I know are very dogmatic and judgemental on the issue. If anyone disagrees or even questions them they doubt whether that person is a Christian. I'm not completely sure what I think yet- still working it through- but I agree with what you say and really appreciate that you are more open-minded about it.
If it's impossible for me to be open about how I feel without being judged I can't help thinking how much worse it would be for someone who is gay.
Whether people were right or wrong in what they did Jesus always showed love rather than judgement.

By: Anita

Anita — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:08:21 +0000

Thanks, Jo, Jenni and Carol.
I can't help feeling that Jesus would reach out to any gay person who showed up in his church with the same love, compassion and interest as he would reach out to me, or the woman at the well, or the woman caught in adultery. And for me, and the latter two women, while being compassionate, interested, loving and protective, he gently moves us onward and upward.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:25:14 +0000

Hi Anita,
I love your heart. Mercy always truimphs over judgement.
I agree with what you said about scripture; sadly to say, too often (I)have used scripture as a weapon against others. The word of God has many purposes, one being that it is a weapon, but this weapon is mainly to fight against principalities and powers that fight against us (in the heavenlies, which is right here!)
I love what Beth Moore says about it (she uses the reference scripture of Peter drawing his sword in the garden),
"We use the Word of God as a weapon against those we are trying to reach and cut off their ear, they don't want to hear what we have to say" (because we have tried to do the job of the Holy Spirit?)
She also says we could be the biggest obstacle to those we want to come to Christ not doing so,
"Maybe they are afraid they will turn out just like us!"

Jesus told the pharises, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice".
This tells me that no matter what sacrifice I make, if not done in love, it misses the mark.

May we all have mercy on each other,
Carol

By: tootallburd

tootallburd — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:50:45 +0000

A balanced and interesting post. Much to think about.

By: jo rosenblum

jo rosenblum — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:39:01 +0000

Thank you Anita ,
you've expressed yourself beautifully on a complex topic,
I am blessed by what you've had to say.