Parbar West:
I think pastors - and congregations - ought to take a consistent stand across the board. Homosexual or heterosexual cohabitation, homosexual or heterosexual promiscuity - they ought to be dealt with in a similar manner. If a pastor expects a high level of commitment prior to administering the membership vows, he or she can't turn a blind eye to heterosexual cohabitation and single-out homosexual practice. If a pastor opens the door to heterosexual cohabiting couples with the thought that God will deal with them later, he or she ought to take the same approach to homosexual couples. This discussion assumes that the pastor agrees with the church's assertion that homosexual practice in incompatible with Christian teaching, and that fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness is the Christian norm.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
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3 comments:
No problem with consistency here.
The whole thing rests on our ability, or even our willingness, to define "sin". Co-habitating couples, whether homo- or hetero-sexual, consider themselves to be "in love" and, after all, is "love" not what Jesus is all about?
We have become too narrowly focused on homosexuality because this is the issue that keeps getting thrust into our faces IN OUR CHURCHES. This is not one of those issues where we can live and let live because this is not what liberal advocates want. However, because this single issue is so high-profile, it commands our attention.
But Parbar is absolutely right. Christ's message has to be consistent, or it is lost on the seekers. Confusion and chaos reign supreme in the world and, well, they can get that anywhere; no need to come to church for it.
I think Michael makes a valid point about whats thrust in our faces. The problem lies in how the two different groups view this where hetero couples for the most part just want to be left alone. Homosexuals seem to want community wide approval and for everyone to say homosexual activity is normal and acceptable. this helps them to rationalize what they know is wrong. People do this naturally no matter what their sin is lying, stealing, cheating. Everyone can come up with examples I'm sure, Cheating on taxes, they tax me too much leaving something under the cart while shopping and not paying they charge too much , and so on. Personally I find the idea of refusing admittance as a member to anyone repugnant we all have sins some we won't admit to but how do we reach someone if we exclude them.
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