Homosexuality Or Legalism--Which Is Worse?

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I too agree that the question is a little far out in that it is a bit like asking "Would you rather drink a nice big gulp of sewage from house A? Or a tiny little sip from house B?" We're basically asking whether a BIG gulp is worse then a small sip and what constitutes what.

But going to the meat of the question, I'll stipulate that the "BIG gulp" is better represented by legalism. BOTH sins tend to be of a blinding nature and thus very hard for the sinner to see what they are doing is wrong.....

Even if they are highly illustrative, your metaphors stink!

[RandyWayne]

Just like OUR septic tank..... Good Lord.

[tv1a]

Here's the problem

1. Preaching standards is not universal. If by standards one means the preaching of a dress codes were that important, than there would be an universal guide. The way it is now one can go to any number of churches and find a different ''standard" in each congregation.

2. Standards ultimately boils down to the personal tastes and interpretation of the pastor. If he doesn't want television, he'll preach find a Biblical principle to preach against it. If he says internet is okay, he'll find another principle to justify it.

3. Legalism kills a move of God quicker than a Nagasaki Nuke.

4. This is a topic about legalism, not conservatives or liberals. If you want to label legalists go ahead, but we know conservatives who are not legalists. Too bad there aren't enough of them.

Originally Posted by Amos

It was a stretch when it was originally said and it is a stretch now. A massive one.

We live in a time when the very worst sin a man can commit is preach standards; legalism has been set up as the ultimate monster, worse even than gross sexual perversion.

Tell me, you guys on the other side of this issue...would you rather see your son going to an Ultra-Con church, or being a homosexual?

That ought to make it a little easier to dial in on.

A lot of things are fun to theorize about.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Amos

On another thread, tv1a and RandyWayne are promoting the idea that legalism is worse and more difficult to overcome than homosexuality.

What say ye?

I think they are both wrong and sinful and damning to hell! oloroid Just kidding.

I think that is tough to overcome both. I overcame legalism. It can be done! I know people that overcame homosexuality. It can be done too! Though sometimes it is easier to talk to Homosexuals cause they understand that everyone is different whereas the legalist do not understand how anyone can be different than them.

[ILG]

I think legalists are very much at risk for sexual sins. Unrepentant legalists are sinners of the worst stripe....and I think sexual sins are often bred out of it. But there are many who practice a form of conservativism that may have some legalism....but they are living what they believe with an honest heart. I think there is a big difference.

[tv1a]

Where were you at the beginning of this thread? Some people have a hard time not taking this as an attack on conservatism. The discussion is about legalism not conservatism.

Originally Posted by ILG

I think legalists are very much at risk for sexual sins. Unrepentant legalists are sinners of the worst stripe....and I think sexual sins are often bred out of it. But there are many who practice a form of conservativism that may have some legalism....but they are living what they believe with an honest heart. I think there is a big difference.

[RandyWayne]

Tell me, you guys on the other side of this issue...would you rather see your son going to an Ultra-Con church, or being a homosexual?

I see Amos is great generator of deep thoughts.

For ME it is like asking, would you rather see your son sitting in the court of King Herod or sitting under the teachings of a Pharisee? Neither are good, constructive, or desirable by any stretch, so the question is, What is worse?
Well, again it goes back to the point made many times in the New Testament that the pharisees were the only ones that Jesus got truly angry with. Most likely because they were supposed to know better!

[Brett Prince]

Originally Posted by ILG

I think legalists are very much at risk for sexual sins. Unrepentant legalists are sinners of the worst stripe....and I think sexual sins are often bred out of it. But there are many who practice a form of conservativism that may have some legalism....but they are living what they believe with an honest heart. I think there is a big difference.

This is a good post.

[tv1a]

Good point made again.

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I see Amos is great generator of deep thoughts.

For ME it is like asking, would you rather see your son sitting in the court of King Herod or sitting under the teachings of a Pharisee? Neither are good, constructive, or desirable by any stretch, so the question is, What is worse?
Well, again it goes back to the point made many times in the New Testament that the pharisees were the only ones that Jesus got truly angry with. Most likely because they were supposed to know better!

[RevDWW]

I think that legalists and homosexuals are different in that legalists are trying to serve God but a homosexual is serving themselves.

Would you rather have someone who serves God and may go overboard in their concept of standards, or have a someone who's only real concern is serving them self?