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BELIEF WATCH

Love Thy (Gay) Neighbor

By Lisa Miller | NEWSWEEK
Oct 22, 2007 Issue

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  • Posted By: lcw30340 @ 12/16/2007 7:14:58 PM

    Comment: It's just this simple. . . . Christians CHOSE their faith, and whether or not the same was acquired via childhood experiences or parental guidance, or later via their own independent decision, it is still . . . JUST a . . . CHOICE. Rewind any of said lives to the beginning, shuffle the cards a little, and instead have the person born in, say, Iran for example. Guess what? Now they will CHOSE (or else have the decision made for them) to be . . . yes . . . a Muslim (of the Southern Baptist variety, almost certainly).

    Extremely ironic it has always appeared to me that the ones who made the choice, to march against me (while holding, directly in front of them, whatever particular sacred book they happen to subscribe to) have so vehemently called my homosexuality a "choice". None of them (and, moreover, no one, anywhere) is born a Baptist, a Muslim, a Mormon, etceteras. Someone had to teach each of these individuals (or, in some cases, coerce them to subscribe to) their particular "faith". Conversely, no one, except perhaps God herself, "taught" me to be gay. It was just there . . . from the beginning. No book, or church, or teacher, or Ayatollah was necessary, and I had absolutely NO CHOICE in the matter.

  • Posted By: sashaflynn9 @ 12/16/2007 12:56:44 PM

    Comment: I think it is unfair for the people's comments that I have read, to generalize the Christian people. Not all Christians dislike gay people. I for one am a Christian, and I am heterosexual, but I love gay people. I do not discriminate against gay people because it is not my job to judge, therefore I show love to everyone that I can. I believe that is the Christian way. It is true a lot of Christians try to justify their biases by blaming their religion, but in my opinion, it is really their own insecurities that make them discriminate against anyone: whether black, gay, or straight. The point is, there are still GOOD CHRISTIAN people out there, and you are just becoming apart of the "discrimation crew" by generalizing us Christian as being anti-gay.

  • Posted By: sashaflynn9 @ 12/16/2007 12:56:06 PM

    Comment: I think it is unfair for the people's comments that I have read, to generalize the Christian people. Not all Christians dislike gay people. I for one am a Christian, and I am heterosexual, but I love gay people. I do not discriminate against gay people because it is not my job to judge, therefore I show love to everyone that I can. I believe that is the Christian way. It is true a lot of Christians try to justify their biases by blaming their religion, but in my opinion, it is really their own insecurities that make them discriminate against anyone: whether black, gay, or straight. The point is, there are still GOOD CHRISTIAN people out there, and you are just becoming apart of the "discrimation crew" by generalizing us Christian as being anti-gay.

  • Posted By: davemclv @ 12/11/2007 9:24:13 AM

    Comment: To all you so-called christians out there..... Jesus NEVER said anything about gay people. Try to find anything written in the gospels about it. You won't!!!!!!!
    Christians used to discriminate against black people not so many years ago, now didn't they? Now you have a new group to discriminate against. You're all a bunch of hypocrites and I for one am sick of listening to you.

    • Posted By: jackie2544 @ 12/17/2007 17:11:29

      Comment: Davemclv,
      You're right....it is none of our business what goes on in your bedroom and we are not here to judge you.
      Most christians are loving, caring individuals who dont judge. However, if we disapprove of it we have a right to because there are scriptures in the bible that speak out against homosexuality. And I really am sorry that you have run into the hypocritical, "holier than thou" christians...I cant stand those types either.

  • Posted By: davemclv @ 12/11/2007 9:22:03 AM

    Comment: I am a gay person and I have a few straight christian friends. I don't necessarily approve of their lifestyle, but hey, who am I to judge??????

  • Posted By: davemclv @ 12/11/2007 9:21:10 AM

    Comment: So who says that christians should approve or disapprove of any lifestyle. As far as I'm concerned it's none of your business what I do in my bedroom. I don't care what you do, why do you care what we do? I don't think Jesus would approve of christianity today. It's not what his message was. You're not following Jesus, just your own biases and opinions and discriminating against anyone is a SIN!!!!!! You christians just don't get it do you?

  • Posted By: Gurlonamission @ 11/18/2007 9:12:39 PM

    Comment:
    I am a Christian and I have gay friends. My friends know where I stand and what I believe and I know what they believe. They know that I don???t agree with their lifestyle, but that I love them. Christians should show love to people in the way they talk with people, gay or straight, by the way they act toward them and pray for them. Christians can love because Christ first loved us. Unfortunately some people who say they are Christians are not, and give Christians a bad name. There are also some people who probably are Christians, but have not ever taken the time to get to know and SHOW love toward their gay neighbor, and that is shame because Christians are called to love EVERYONE!!!!! Christians are not perfect, just forgiven. But there is no excuse for not showing love the ways God has commanded us to. So anyone who is a Christian out there should STAND UP, and show love the ways God has commanded us to. So that our gay neighbors will know they are loved, but they are not living the way God has intended and come to know God???s love for them, turn from sin and live for Him. Jesus loves gay PEOPLE, but He HATES homosexuality because it is a sin, it is not what God has intended for our lives. Jesus LOVES the sinner, but HATES the sin.

    I know I personally fail in my attempts to love the ways God has called me to A LOT, but I know I am forgiven by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and knowing that is enough to keep me going, keep me loving. Sometimes that means loving those who don???t love you back. Love. What is Love? Most of the world does not understand this concept, and, I have not fully grasped it yet, what I do know is that God is teaching me how to do it and what it is. How could someone so perfect and Holy love a sinner like me? We are so unworthy of the way God loves us, but He does, and He proved it by the price His Son, Jesus, paid for us. He gave everything, His life.
    How can I after I have been used, abused, hurt and rejected by the world find it in me to love? The only way any of us can really LOVE, is to first know the love of Christ. Praise be to God. For His love for me, and the ability He has given me to love.
    1 John 3:16
    ??? We know what love is because Jesus Christ gave His life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters.???

    Whoever reads this, if anyone reads this, I pray you will know God???s love for you.

  • Posted By: gayandproud @ 11/02/2007 6:46:33 PM

    Comment: Is there a reason

  • Posted By: gayandproud @ 11/02/2007 5:54:20 PM

    Comment: Enter Your Comment

  • Posted By: westsamoa2005 @ 10/29/2007 3:21:57 AM

    Comment: There is confusion between love and obedience. An understanding of what God has called us to do. IF Christians believe the homosexuality is a sin then celebrating or participating only encourages that sin. It seems to me that we are more focused on trying to show love rather then discernment. Don???t confuse me in saying that I don???t like gays but that I do not encourage their lifestyle as I do not encourage that of a thief or murderer or adulterer. A sin is a sin. Homosexuality is listed along with others such as murder, idolatry, adultery and others. There is no sin greater than another. A sin is a sin in the sight of God. All separate us from our Lord. All grieve him. All sin has led to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. To say that we must love is true. Christ???s love has allowed us to love others that have fallen, for we all have fallen short of the glory of God. Yet, that does not mean that because he loves us that we continue in our sin. He died that we may be free of our sin and the world we live in is saturated by it. To say that we love and would take that love to show support even with the best intentions still encourages the sin. A sin is a sin and we ALL have sinned, me being the worst. I take God???s love as a gift of grace that despite all of my wrong doing he still loves me, BUT that does not free me to do as I will. He bought me with a price and with that price I no longer live but he lives within me. I must rid myself of everything that would displease him even if I think it is ok. The point here is that we belong to Christ, so we must obey what he has instructed us to do. Like the prostitute that was about to be stoned because of her sin which was very evident to everyone, since they were sentencing her to death, which rightfully so was the consequence for such action according to the law. Yet, Christ pointed out that if anyone there was without sin let them throw the first stone. Since no one had thrown a stone, Christ had highlighted the very fact that everyone is imperfect and who are we to judge if we have not dealt with our own sin. YET, and don???t miss this part, after Christ had told her that he found no one that would stone her, he told her to get up AND ???sin no more.??? He acknowledged all our needs for a savior because the law was there to condemn and point out our faults, but Christ came to take our place under that Law that we may be set free. He knew that mankind needed love to show that we are sinful, but also that after we have seen our sin in light of HIM, that we would not continue in our sin. In short I point out that Christ has died for us ALL, but that does not mean we should be encouraging the sin no matter how we feel. Our devotion is first to God.

  • Posted By: lovejusticepeace @ 10/27/2007 1:18:24 AM

    Comment: Its a blasphemeous title !
    But not suprising.
    The US is Sodom.


    (myself unworthy to judge being one of the chief sinners.)

  • Posted By: #1 Juan-ton @ 10/26/2007 1:09:44 PM

    Comment: What kind of title is that?
    Juan-ton

  • Posted By: bdjaha @ 10/25/2007 10:13:25 PM

    Comment: Why must christians choose between being a christain and loving gays? Your article claiming a new notion. Isn't a new notion to Christians. A true christian loves gays, loves all people. We are lumped all together by media and others in theysame way you hate people being lumped all together. You want us to know not all blacks are the same. You want us to know not all muslims are the same. You want us to know not all gays are the same. But you insist that all christians are the same. You become a part of what you dispise. You teach gays all christians hate them. Christ taught tolerance and love for all of man kind. A christian loves everyone and is tolerant of everyone. I do not beleive abortion solves the unwanted pregnancy and unwanted children in this country. I do not believe it is the best means of birthcontrol or of solving these problems. I do not judge people who choose this path. I love them. Please let me have my opinion and do not lump me, a christian, with people who bomb clinics. I do not beleive that gays should have a heterosexual marriage, which is based on a man and a woman. Why do they want to do this? That does not mean i do not love gays. I would love to see their union be recognized civily and by law as a "loving person union", a partner union. Do not lump me, a christian, with those who think a gay person has no rights, should not have the advantages of life with a long term partner. There are many Christians who feel as Daly does, if one of my children were gay....i'd love them. So as a christian i recognize that all gay's are christs children. And i love them. This is the teaching of the bible and christs teaching. To say otherwise is not a christain. So you see all the worlds problems would be solved if we truely lived as christ and by his word. Love would cure the world! LOVE U!!

  • Posted By: christened @ 10/25/2007 1:05:12 PM

    Comment: I am a Christian who has been all over the place on this issue. I know what the Bible says, and I certainly know what the right wing conservative movement says, I know what the media says, what Hollywood throws in our face every day, adn frankly, I just don't think ANY of it is the big picture. Jesus came to earth and loved those who hurt, those who were ostracized, those who were misunderstood, unaccepted by their own kind...How many of us Christians have taken the time to sit with a Gay man or woman and just listen without judgement or an agenda of trying to change who they are? Seriously, I don't think many have. And that's probably why there is such hatred on either side of this issue. I know, I hear Christians say they love all people, they just hate the sin. Well, that's a nice thing to say, but what does our behavior actually tell of our true feelings? We petition, OUT publicly those who are caught, we gossip, judge, and hold our kids out of public schools because God forbid they meet someone with worldy values who might somehow make our child gay! I am so sick of the whole thing. I had an opportunity a few years ago to meet a gay man who was so sensitive and sweet. And he hurt so deeply. he hurt because he was unaccepted by his family, and his lovers family. It was Christmas and he wanted to go spend that time with his lovers family. He was scared because they'd treated him as if he were Satan himself in the past. And he just wanted to be with people he loved and he wanted to be loved. (isn't that what we all long for at Christmas). I prayed a lot about this man because I was confused by what the church had taught me and I knew that the Bible says homosexuality is a sin, and yes, i do believe that to be the truth. But, as i prayed, God reminded me of my own vulnerabilities and how easy it is for me to slide into sin. But, my sins are more easliy hidden. God made it clear that this man's pain was not unlike that of mine, going with my husband to his family's Christmas celebration. They are sweet, but I'm of a different religion and there is always that rub and discomfort. But, nothing so harsh as what this man faced every day. I prayed that this man would feel God's ;love and that those he found himself around on the holidays would be kind and gracious to him. When we got back after the holidays, i asked him how did it go. He said that it had been so much better than ever before and that there had seemed to be some forgiveness and understanding that wasn't there previously. I then told him I'd been praying for just that. And he was blown away! Now, that's how God works. Through His Holy spirit, we are able to do so much more in this world than through our own closed mindedness and fear. Come on christians, let's get to the work of Christ!

  • Posted By: ohai @ 10/22/2007 10:33:08 PM

    Comment: Gay people are so gay, which is why their gay, their just gay. Its wrong, the bible says so. And dont throw the whole stoneing your wife thing in my face. Infact I would. If she cheated on me that is, shure I love her, but I have my pride.

    • Posted By: bdjaha @ 10/25/2007 22:16:03

      Comment: u know what, ur just ignorant, which should never be confused with being a christian. unfortunatly it happens.

  • Posted By: skd500 @ 10/21/2007 1:10:45 PM

    Comment: It is my firm belief at this time, in the world, love comes to us in many forms......there is enough inbred hate in the world and in our country..........if two people love a selfless love, one that gives and cares for the other partner ahead of themselves, who acknowledges, cares for them without concern of chagrin and dismay from the public sector, and is willing to stand for that love, beyond all material things, then let no man break that bond and let it be celebrated........I don't think it is our right to judge any example of true love, and if it is created with intent to love, and show love, it should not be held back by constrains of society because society looks down on it.........society has the problem.......why should we condone and allow hate and demoralize love?

    I think it is meant to be celebrated, and although I am a woman preferring men, I would gladly bless and attend any rite or celebration of love, whether it be a marriage of a man and woman, or one of two men, or one of two women.....let not love be shrouded in hate, there's enough of that going on in the world right now....thank you for allowing my opinion.... wishing you all peace and love, skd500-Stephanie

    • Posted By: bdjaha @ 10/25/2007 22:17:38

      Comment: your response is correct. i believe the article was implying that if you are a christian you cannot love gays. which i find to be as narrow minded a comment as the infraction.

  • Posted By: shinny206 @ 10/15/2007 10:21:18 AM

    Comment: THe study Lisa refers to in this article what just released in a book entitled unChristian: What A New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. Check out the site for the book http://www.unchristian.com

  • Posted By: shinny206 @ 10/15/2007 10:19:25 AM

    Comment: The study Lisa mentions was recently released in a book entitled unChristian: What A New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity And Why It Matters. Check out the site that was just launched for the book http://www.unchristian.com

 
 
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