 Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 9:42 PM
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Well, here we go again, dealing with the high-calibre DISinformation put out by the homosexual activists and their myriad allies.
Please understand that:
1) homosexuality is in no way justified or permitted by Scripture. A lot of convaluted exegesis has gone into creating a "gay theology," but this is bizarre interpretation. Example: David and Jonathan were gay lovers. Paul's censor of it was only against pagan "temple prostitution," and not against "loving, committed relatioships."
2)homosexuality is not an in-born, genetic, or unchangable conditon. Yes, Anonymous, I am saying homosexuals can and do change. I know many who have! It is not easy, simple, or quick, but it does happen. Because some have tried and failed, they have concluded that this is immutable. This is tragic, self-defeating logic. How many times have individuals tried unsucessfully to quit smoking, only to have to start all over again? We're dealing with powerful addictive (nicotine) and behavioral (homosexuality) issues. No snap answers, but there ARE answers.
3) Homosexulity is caused by developmental issues in early years, often before people have conscious memories. Their sense of gender identity is damaged/misdirected/stunted, usually because of problems, dysfunctions, or absences of the parent of the same sex as the person in question. I.e., boys have had trouble with fathers, girls with mothers. Or lack of. Or abuse from. Or separation from. And so on. The homosexual, later, learns to use sexuality (gender identity) and sexual activity as a substitute for deep, non-articulated issues.
4) Here are two organizations worth checking out for more info. A long-established Christian organization is Exodus International., which has affiliates in many cities around America and elsewhere. A secular, psychologically-oriented organization is N.A.R.T.H. - the National Association for the Research and Treatment of Homosexuality.
Check these out at your leisure, and, if you have anybody you know who is homosexual, lovingly challenge them with the possibility that they have bought a false bill of goods from the gay-rights activitists. Nobody "chooses" to be homosexual (I hope) but it is the result of decisions: decisions and actions made by others (e.g. parents), one's own self (unconsciously), and, ultimately, by one's own conscious self. Ask that person to consciously consider what Holy Scripture really has to say in I Corinthians 6:9-11. Note especially that it emphasizes that, even in Paul's day, people were being delivered from a multitude of sins, including homosexuality!!
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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 12:00 PM
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You've chosen a topic here that is way too personal to discuss in such a forum. Religious scholars have debated it for years. No good can come from such a discussion -- only pain.
Individuals need to pray about this issue on their own and listen to what God tells them. This is indeed a frying pan topic -- a bee hive with NO HONEY. Those who post regularly have pretty much addressed their opinions on the issue in previous threads. If new readers want to see what the general drift of thought is in that regard, they can review the information pretty easily. New posters may have opinions they feel they'd like to add, but I feel it's a topic best left to the stirrings in one's own heart. God is a great, merciful and powerful guide, when allowed to be such. The flurry of human opinions sometimes can obscure that light -- and the devil loves to see it stirred up -- the more the better.
For the record, I had a very strong personal opinion on the topic until a close friend revealed their gay tendency and the accompanying pain and struggle within as a result -- not from being gay, but from the need to hide their feelings because of fear of losing family and friends as a result. They went through years of anxiety and sadness, mostly due to fear of being accepted.
Those of us who are former Christian Scientists and have dealt with extensive personal pain and sadness alone certainly wouldn't want to wish more of the same on anyone, ever. Please love these people, as they need so much love, and let God be the judge of them. Don't force them to hide from the world. How would they ever receive healing -- if healing is indeed required -- in such a state of thought?
If you do consider homosexuality a sickness or a sin, please also consider that shame and emotional pain can stand in the way of healing both. Lord knows we ex-CSers know that one, don't we?
Now, please don't dwell on this topic. Move on and plant the seeds of Christ. That's where you, my good friends, are needed and where you can do the most good!
-- Grace (whose not writing anymore, but still reading and feels too strongly about this topic and the direction of the thread to remain silent -- and who misses you and says hello! )
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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 4:41 PM
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Hello, I am new at this site, and want to thank you all for your comments.
Are there any marital counselors in the Asheville, NC area who know a method of ( I hate to use the word but...) de-programming a former C.S. person. I am trying to keep my own view of the scriptures fresh and alive as well, so I'd be remiss if I didn't feel the need to be "de-programmed" myself on some scriptural misinterpretations. As you know every spiritual twist and elevation reside here so I need sound advice.
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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 5:37 PM
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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 6:43 PM
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Dear Anonymous Friend Looking for Counselling,
The Holy Spirit will guide your steps, your heart and your mind. Ask Him first and keep asking. Many so-called Christian counsellors have not been in CS and won't be able to deal with much besides their view of your challenge. I didn't realize what incredible resources were available to me by just reading about former CS right here at this website. I encourage you to hang in there, keep praying, and know that I, for one, am praying for you to find the answers you seek.
God bless you,
HisDy
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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 8:16 PM
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Grace,
It's kind-hearted of you to want to tolerate and affirm people. But in this case, sorry, I have to say it isn't right. "Speaking the truth in love" is not aways a comfortable position to be. Scripture is clear: homosexual offenders cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven, no matter how creatively or oddly the term "offenders" is misinterpreted. Check my link to I Corinthians in my post above. Also, check out this passage from Revelation It's been a while, but I recall that the word for (sexually) "impure" has the route of porno which included all sexual activity outside of marriage.
Incidentally, the references to "sorceries" can also apply to people who practice Christian Science. This may seem like a stretch to some, but just as they "protest too much" about the CS affinity to mesmerism, CS, as an attempt to control or "tap in" to spiritual power, is a subtle, but sophisticated, occultic practice.
It would be more polite to tell people to just listen to their inner voice. But we want to remember that "the heart of man is deceitful beyond understanding." It needs correctly interpreted Scripture to be convicted of sin. Sorry if I sound harsh. Check out Isaiah 30..9-11 Regarding your friend, suggest that he should consider whether he has bought a false bill of goods, if he is investing his spiritual stock into a fraudulent investment plan. It may look good, and feel good, but the Bible tells us that There is a way that seems right to a man and straight before him, but the end of it leads to death.
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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 8:44 PM
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You've chosen a topic here that is way too personal to discuss in such a forum.
Grace,
I share your concern about discussing this topic on the CW forum, as it falls outside the stated scope of the forum.
Like you (and many others who post here), I have friends and/or loved ones who are engaged in the homosexual lifestyle, and I treat them with the same love and respect that I treat anyone else even though I disagree with their lifestyle, both for biblical and social reasons.
I prefer to keep the issue private and not to cause my friends any pain. But, unfortunately, society no longer has the luxury of keeping the issue private. An activist segment of the homosexual community has chosen NOT to keep the issue private. In demanding legal status for same-sex marriages, they have sought to redefine one of society's most basic institutions and have demanded legal sanction for their lifestyle (legal sanction goes WAY beyond simple tolerance and the philosophy of "live and let live"). That has huge implications for society as a whole and, therefore, demands that we all think about the issue.
With that said, I agree with you that we should turn our discussion elsewhere on this forum.
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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 8:54 PM
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For God's sake, fH, lay off the gays. Grace is right. This forum is not here for you to express your so-called expertise on homosexuality. You are obviously obsessed by the subject. We know how the Scriptures read. There's no need to cite every one of the references. Gays also know what the Bible says....so it's up to them to take the appropriate steps. I, for one, do not want to hear any more from you on the subject.......period.
I believe that born-again Christians are so obsessed (again) about the human body and how it operates (or how it should operate) that homosexuality drives them nuts. It's enough to send some of us back to Christian Science.
Nyoka
I had to return with my extra keys so thought I'd say hello.
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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 9:55 PM
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Hi Everyone! Dear anonymous if you are looking for a place for "cult" type de-programming you might want to contact the site "Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center." You can check it out online, Maybe they would know of a place closer to you. Hope this helps you out!
Have a super day all & God Bless, Pamster
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Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 10:37 PM
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