Was it necessary to repeal DADT?

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Don't all sinners even pedophiles need unconditional love and support as well?

Of course they do. I was talking from MY point of view. With me having a young child I couldn't be close friends with a pedophile.

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Yes, I can understand why you feel that way. But I can also understand that some people feel very, very strongly about it.

Like I said, it's a very controversial subject, and therefore it stirs up controversy. Lots of it. Very strong opinions on all sides.

Absolutely, and that's why I'm participating in this discussion. I haven't been posting in a while....nothing really grabbed my attention. But this subject always does. It's critical that the Christian culture talk about this subject.

[Cindy]

It would do us all good to remember that there are souls that are dying in sin. Let us not be guilty of not showing the sinner that there is someone that loves them and forgives them. Jesus Christ died so all could be saved.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

Of course they do. I was talking from MY point of view. With me having a young child I couldn't be close friends with a pedophile.

Right, I wouldn't either.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Mr. Smith

When I said, "Exclusionary", I'm speaking of the "Christian Bubble" that Dan Kimball talks a lot about in his book, "They Like Jesus But Not The Church." It's the secluded, removed, separated world that those of us that have been raised in the Christian Culture often find ourselves in. It's in that bubble that we find it easy to remove ourselves from anyone that doesn't meet up to our code.

Yes, I understand what you're saying, and I agree that we have become WAY too exclusionary. I actually have very strong feelings on that subject. But, I don't believe that my decision to not attend a homosexual wedding has anything to do with being exclusionary.

The ironic thing is, most in "The world" would feel no obligation to take such a stand and show their disapproval and would simply go, attend, and support out of a motivation of love.

I'm not sure that's true. If I were not a Christian I would still be against homosexuality, and I still wouldn't attend. And the majority of non-Christians I know feel the same way.

But even if it was true, that's not really the point is it? We're discussing what a Christian should do, given the viewpoints found in the Bible.

[Tim Rutledge]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

I understand Tim's point, and agree with it to a point. If we fellowship certain things it can appear as approval. I once had a friend who was in a very adulterous relationship. One night he invited me over, I worked with him, and his roommate was my boss and they were having a cookout. I went and when I got there the woman (who also worked with us) who was married w/4 children was there. When I got there she left (thankfully). To be around them would easily have been seen as approving. I was asked about it because everyone knew I was friends with the male who was involved.

I was able to maintain a friendship with this man, even while rejecting his adultery. I did speak to him about it a couple of times, but he refused to repent, and justified his sin (as many people do). I nevertheless have remained friends with him to this day, though I'm not going to hang out with him very often BECAUSE of his lifestyle.

So in that sense I think Tims point has merit, to fellowship with them can be seen as approval, even if we don't attend it that way.

However to act appalled and not speak to them or be friendly and kind and show the love of Christ, I think would be grave error. I think that is where the argument comes in that homosexuality isn't any different that adultery, fornication, lying, theiving, etc. We should be friends of sinners, we don't need to hang out with them all the time-on their terms.

My best friend isn't saved, and lives one of the most immoral ungodly lifestyles of anyone I know. We hang out on occasion, and I have him come over to the house and eat sometimes. But we don't hang around each all day everyday, not because I don't love him, bu because our desires are polar opposites. I desire the things of God, and he desires the things of the world, and in that sense there is a disconnet. Sorry for the rambling, but again the issue isn't, loving the sinner. We should do that (I can't speak for Tim R and don't know if he agrees with my post or not).

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Don't all sinners even pedophiles need unconditional love and support as well?

What would you do if you found out a very close relative was a pedophile? (other than keep all children away from them!) Would you still show them love?

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Yes, I understand what you're saying, and I agree that we have become WAY too exclusionary. I actually have very strong feelings on that subject. But, I don't believe that my decision to not attend a homosexual wedding has anything to do with being exclusionary.

I'm not sure that's true. If I were not a Christian I would still be against homosexuality, and I still wouldn't attend. And the majority of non-Christians I know feel the same way.

But even if it was true, that's not really the point is it? We're discussing what a Christian should do, given the viewpoints found in the Bible.

I suppose it's an argument with no way to prove anything, but I'm not sure how you could say that you would be against homosexuality even it you weren't a Christian. Point is, at that wedding I attended, there were only three Christians present...me, my son who did the photography, and the "brides" mother. The remainder of the 20 or so, were not Christians. And yes, the couple had many friends from Christianity.

But yes, I think it has a lot to do with the point. These non-Christians seemed to have a better understanding of unconditional love than the people who's religion is based on unconditional love.

[houston]

preacher attends gay wedding with his libertarian friend who is drinking wine and prancing around in the bear costume from oz... somewhere in all that is a political cartoon.

[James Griffin]

Gotta bow out for a.bit. my turn to drive.