 Posted Saturday, June 26, 2004 10:32 AM
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A Christian Science Teacher who is a lesbian and recently went to Massachusetts to marry her partner, was disciplined by The Christian Science Board of Directors:
http://www.news-press.com/news/cape/040624lesbian.html
It is my understanding that in recent years, gay Christian Scientists have felt that the Board of Directors had become welcoming and more supportive of gay students of Christian Science. But at the same time there were rumors of increasing protest from those Christian Scientists who felt that homosexuality was not something to be tolerated or encouraged among Christian Scientists.
Now gay Christian Scientists appear to be feeling that the Board of Directors has suddenly changed course and a great deal of progress has been undone.
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Posted Saturday, June 26, 2004 11:16 AM
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| At least now we know TMC isn't playing footsy with the Outeds, even if it means losing 15-20 percent of its membership (that's left).
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Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 10:37 AM
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| Should gay people be allowed to marry?
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Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 11:15 AM
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Anonymous Monday, June 28, 2004 10:37 AM,
Should gay people be allowed to marry?
Based on my understanding of the Bible, marriage can only be between one man and one woman. Therefore, my answer is no. From a secular point of view, however, I'm challenged to justify that answer (apart from the Bible) in spite of strong personal feelings against homosexual practices.
Do Biblical prohibitions against homosexual activity still apply? We discussed this issue in the "Abominable Practices or Misdirected Inspiration?" thread:
Leviticus 18 provides a specific list of unacceptable sexual practices. Romans 1:24-28 indicates that homosexuality was still considered an abomination in the New Testament.
. . . Paul also discusses sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.
If the Biblical prohibitions don't apply to the New Covenant, why not? I don't think we ever got a direct answer regarding the homosexual perspective.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 11:31 AM
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I have a question. Is there any way that you can be in CS and practice homosexuality without being a total hypocrite? Those still in CS who would participate in such things, it would seem to me, are making the ultimate submission to mortal mind. They are saying, in effect, that they must submit to the illusion of being attracted to the same sex, because they cannot overcome this physically through CS.
Am I on the right track here, or off base?
John
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Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 11:34 AM
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| In Christian Science there is the thinking that someone can be healed of homosexuality. Also, the same has been said more or less by Christian faiths. But, I've never ben able to figure out what that means. Does a homosexual become heterosexual? If a woman lusts after a woman or a man after a man, does then a man lust after a woman or a woman after a man?
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Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 12:37 PM
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Anonymous Monday, June 28, 2004 11:34 AM,
. . . Does a homosexual become heterosexual? If a woman lusts after a woman or a man after a man, does then a man lust after a woman or a woman after a man?
The original question was whether gays should marry. The issue of lust is another issue though certainly related and also clearly defined in the Bible. I'm not sure there is a significant difference between homosexual and heterosexual lust when considered in the context of Matthew 5:27-28.
What we're ultimately considering are the practical implications of not commiting adultery.
I think John has a very good point regarding CS and homosexuality, if one considers it something in need of healing. When defined as sensuality, any sexual practice could be considered hypocritical in a belief system that considers matter and human sense unreal.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 1:10 PM
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Still confused. Sorry. If lust in both Homo and Hetero are essentially the same issue what does it mean re: the nonacceptability of homosexuality. If homosexuals or heterosexuals have sexual desires should the heterosexual express those desire while the homosexual supress them?
Also, I'm not sure what this has to do with Adultery.
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Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 1:43 PM
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Anonymous Monday, June 28, 2004 1:10 PM,
While homo and hetero lust are each expressions of adultery, I hesitate to define sexual desire as lust.
1 Corinthians 7 provides an excellent discussion of this issue. Paul says that, in his opinion, it is better to remain single. He goes on to say, however, if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.
I have single Christian friends who believe they were called to be single and remain celibate. Most of my friends, however, are married. I suppose it seems easy for us to say be celibate or marry. There are support ministries for single Christians as well as ministries to reach out to gays. I wish I better understood how those ministries respond to questions like these.
As to what this has to do with adultery, sorry that issue is so obvious to me that I struggle to answer your question in a way that I feel doesn't offend. One perspective on it that I wish I had had even when I was growing up is that we should remain faithful to our spouses throughout our lives even before we meet them.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 2:15 PM
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| Based on my understanding of the Bible, marriage can only be between one man and one woman. Therefore, my answer is no. From a | | | |