Was it necessary to repeal DADT?

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

One being "reprobate" for attending? Nahh, I think not.

But "promoting" perhaps so. It does give a sense of legitimacy to the event it'self and as others pointed out before, attendees are considered celebrants of the event.

So glad Jesus showed us a better way. I am not afraid of gay cooties. Worse than my gay and ex-gays friends I even have gasp Muslim friends.

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

With calmness, level-head, rhetoric toned down for a minute.....

You honestly don't see how people could see it that way? You said yourself that it was a tough decision for you, that you had to think about it quite a bit, you knew it was controversial. So does it honestly, sincerely surprise you that others don't just jump on the 'oh, yeah, that's great!' bandwagon? Seriously? That other people could have thought about it just as sincerely and come to a different conclusion than you did? That they could feel that attending the ceremony would indicate approval of what was going on?

This is an extremely controversial topic. Everyone seems to be in agreement that homosexuality is a sin, but how we deal with all of the issues involved, the people involved.... all of that is extremely controversial. Which means it's going to stir up controversy. Which means that people are going to think your decision was very wrong, and you're going to think that them thinking that is very wrong.

So can you sincerely say that you don't understand why they think your decision could look like approval? (even if you disagree?)

No, no, no, I never said it was a tough decision. Not at all. It was a very easy decision. When they asked me if I would perform the wedding, I said that I needed time to consider. I never hesitated attending the wedding.

No, I'm not surprised that people don't jump on the bandwagon when I consider where they're coming from and the lifetime of exclusionary religion.

But when I consider the reality of it all? Yes, it's amazing to me that the very movement that was founded on the efficacious, unconditional love of Jesus Christ, could have produced so many that are so far removed from the core principle of the movement.

As Erwin McManus says, "The greatest enemy to the movement of Jesus Christ, is Christianity."

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.

(Just thought I'd throw this in). I will never try to be nice or sympathetic towards the disgusting perverse lifestyle of homosexuality.

in 2-20 years "real" Christians will be being incarcerated for preaching against the sodomites.

And?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

So glad Jesus showed us a better way. I am not afraid of gay cooties. Worse than my gay and ex-gays friends I even have gasp Muslim friends.

Amen, me too. Some of my closest friends are unbelievers, or have quite different beliefs than I.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

Sorry this is hard to do on my phone.

Jason I have no doubt you are a good man. It does seem you resort to suggesting Smith myself et al are somehow prompting sin. Also troubling is the implication that the degree of compassion shown toward the unregenerate by Smith et al is somehow inappropriate. I recognize many would not be comfortable doing what he is but that does not make him immoral or promoting sin. To the contrary I see it as fulfillment of the Christian mission.

Attending a gay marriage with gifts is "christian mission"??? If one couldn't attend in good conscious would they be not fulfilling the christian mission?

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

You don't see how some people could feel very strongly about it - feel that attending the wedding is paramount to promoting the lifestyle? Even if you don't agree that it is?

It's not the disagreement for attending that's so difficult...it's the harshness of the condemnation that is do hard to process.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Mr. Smith

WOW!!! Great statement!! In the story of the prodigal son (which really was about the older brother's reaction, not the son that ran away), the father "Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." That was BEFORE his son said anything, before he knew his son had changed and was sorrowful for his actions.

"While we were YET SINNERS....".

Wow!!! I love grace!!

Notice the father didn't follow his son to the swine pit to show love and support.

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

With calmness, level-head, rhetoric toned down for a minute.....

You honestly don't see how people could see it that way? You said yourself that it was a tough decision for you, that you had to think about it quite a bit, you knew it was controversial. So does it honestly, sincerely surprise you that others don't just jump on the 'oh, yeah, that's great!' bandwagon? Seriously? That other people could have thought about it just as sincerely and come to a different conclusion than you did? That they could feel that attending the ceremony would indicate approval of what was going on?

This is an extremely controversial topic. Everyone seems to be in agreement that homosexuality is a sin, but how we deal with all of the issues involved, the people involved.... all of that is extremely controversial. Which means it's going to stir up controversy. Which means that people are going to think your decision was very wrong, and you're going to think that them thinking that is very wrong.

So can you sincerely say that you don't understand why they think your decision could look like approval? (even if you disagree?)

I can readily understand disagreement. I can also readily understand how many could be uncomfortable taking that position. I cannot understand how it can be attacked as reprobate and promoting the lifestyle. Especially since the original premise was support of repeal of DADT a POLICY decision made by a governmental organization

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Notice the father didn't follow his son to the swine pit to show love and support.

"Gotcha"?? Alrighty then.

The son didn't invite him to the swine pit, there's no indication the father knew where it was, when the son left home, he wasn't in a swine pit, and the son was celebrated before the father knew he was repentant.

Gotcha?

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Attending a gay marriage with gifts is "christian mission"??? If one couldn't attend in good conscious would they be not fulfilling the christian mission?

1 Corinthians 8:1-7
The weak should NOT violate their conscience