The way I see it is that God's genetics and cell mechanics makes people whatever sexual orientation they are so why wouldn't HE want them in the pulpit?
that's so true. ive always thought about this. after all, it does say he created us- and that we're in his image. and if he's perfect, how could he create something imperfect? all things should be perfect.
but i would think its odd to have a homosexual pastor. id think he must have missed a few verses.
This is why my "church" is out in my backyard garden. God knows there is no judgment there.
Many churches are full of people who are gathered together because they interpret the Bible together and support each other in that interpretation. This is why I don't go to church. I think church tends to fraction society.
that's so true. ive always thought about this. after all, it does say he created us- and that we're in his image. and if he's perfect, how could he create something imperfect? all things should be perfect.
but i would think its odd to have a homosexual pastor. id think he must have missed a few verses.
The just who is the "imperfect"? Only God knows who is perfect. Could it not be the homosexuals are the perfect and the heterosexual who is imperfect?
I have some close friends who are homosexual males, and a sister who is homosexual. Some of the most "rounded" personalities I've ever had the fortune to know. From what I've seen people who are not totally pegged to one side or the other of the sexuality spectrum tend to be more creative and intelligent. Just my observation over 50 or so years.
I'm liberal in that I don't have a problem with gay relationships.
However, I don't believe that gay leadership is appropriate for the church.
Inclusiveness is accepting all. It isn't accepting all leadership.
I didn't write the Bible so I don't have to take responsibility for its content. However, the content is pretty clear on this issue.
Accepting/loving gays is totally within the realm. But asking someone to be a leader who is involved in something that is against the basic principals is like asking the governor of S. Carolina to give the sermon on fidelity on Sunday.
...But asking someone to be a leader who is involved in something that is against the basic principals is like asking the governor of S. Carolina to give the sermon on fidelity on Sunday....
Infidelity is something chosen, homosexuality is not so you are comparing apples to oranges. Would be more logical to compare someone with Down Syndrome being in the pulpit; Down Syndrome and Homosexuality; or Turner's Syndrome and Homosexuality.
The just who is the "imperfect"? Only God knows who is perfect. Could it not be the homosexuals are the perfect and the heterosexual who is imperfect?
well I am not saying that homosexuals are imperfect and heterosexuals are perfect. what i was saying is that on the premise that god created all life, and he is perfect, there could be no imperfection. imperfection cant exist. that would apply to homosexuals, heterosexuals, transvestites, cross dressers, etc. all life is his creation and since He is perfect, so would his creations be perfect- in whatever form He chooses to make them.
well I am not saying that homosexuals are imperfect and heterosexuals are perfect. what i was saying is that on the premise that god created all life, and he is perfect, there could be no imperfection. imperfection cant exist. that would apply to homosexuals, heterosexuals, transvestites, cross dressers, etc. all life is his creation and since He is perfect, so would his creations be perfect- in whatever form He chooses to make them.
As I know the story from the bible, homosexuality was a curse placed on a tribe for their behaviors.
I do not feel a homosexual should lead any group of people concerning Gods teachings as the bible also says homosexuality is an abomination to God.
I have no problem with gays but not as a spiritual leader or church leader.
I just can't go to that kind of church as I have read the bible and know what God says about it. God may love everyone but some people are not allowed to teach Gods word.
more on homosexuality and being "born gay"
Homosexual desires are examples of the sin nature that all people are born with (Romans 3:23). While gay temptations may be very strong, they are not exempt from God’s law. God gives us the responsibility to resist our sinful desires, and not allow them to rule over us (Genesis 4:6-7, Romans 6:11-14). He gives us power and healing through the Holy Spirit so we can live as truly changed people, and not just pretend to be so (Romans 8:11-13, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Claiming people are born gay is attempting to justify sin. Using that rationale, people such as liars, hypocrites, thieves, child molesters and cannibals could also claim they "were born that way."
oh i did not know that. where is that story exactly? It would make sense since homosexuality is genetic suicide. interesting way to knock out a group.
This is what i thought homosexuality was according to religion. but i find it interesting that something created by god can be flawed.
Homosexuality is a judgment from God.
Homosexuality is not a typical sin that cultures face like theft, lying, or murder, but it is apparently a very symbolic sin through which God reveals His anger. The Apostle Paul described homosexuality as what happens when God gives up on a nation's normal idolatries: "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful" (Rom. 1:26,27).
God does not make sinners - He makes people, and people choose to sin. God created man in his own image , but that has nothing to do with God creating homosexuals, because God is not a homosexual. God is in fact heterosexual, and therefore anything created in his image would also be heterosexual, not homosexual.)) We are placed on the earth with agency, or the ability to act for ourselves. God does not force anyone to do anything. The way you are is the way you have decided to be. Does God make people sin? No. He teaches us why we should not sin. So why would God make someone be homosexual? In the Bible we read the account of when He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Why? Because they were all sinners and it was better for them to die then to continue sinning and making themselves worse. So what was their sin? The Bible says that it was two main things: Homosexuality and Bestiality (also called Sodomy, receiving its name from this biblical city). So if God destroyed those cities for being homosexuals, why would He make people homosexuals? He doesn't. It's your choice, and he wants everyone, including homosexuals to repent and return to Him.
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there is lots more about it, you'll have to do your own research as the bible mentions this subject many times.
God does not make sinners - He makes people, and people choose to sin....God does not force anyone to do anything. The way you are is the way you have decided to be. Does God make people sin? No.
but i thought you said there was a story about god cursing people with homosexuality b/c of their other sins. that sounds like he made them gay by cursing them, like giving them the plague. If he gave it to them, like a disease, then wouldn't that be making them do something?
yes there is a story about that... he left the homosexuals of sodom to their own ways...
which is a curse, as they never would know God.
He left them to their own wicked ways.
You can read more about it... and if you look up homosexuality in the bibles index you will see over and over, God does not like it.
back to the point of this thread, as I do not want to get into a discussion about my personal feelings about gay people....
is this:
I am not going to any church that has leadership by gays.
period.
I don't see anyone who can read the bible can !!!
You have every right to choose the church you want to attend. If you aren't going to be comfortable, you shouldn't go.
Having attended a small town church with a gay pastor with my family for the last four years, I can tell you it doesn't make a whit of diiference. He was an interim pastor. He was dynamic, inspiring, compassionate and humble. He liked to challenge perception, but it was about matters of faith, not sexual orientation.
Our church is Congregationalist, so as Leahdrous pointed out, the congregation makes all of it's own decisions about the church. It has been looking for a settled pastor for most of the time the interim pastor was in place. The previous settled pastor was an absolutely wonderful woman who contracted cancer and had to step down. Our congregation consists of folks that have lived in town all their life, veterans, widows, families - just some remarkable people. It's not a congregation of hippies or progressives is what I'm trying to get across. It's an active group of people that do outreach, bible studies, and has wonderful childrens programs. The church installed a settled pastor 2 months ago after a grueling 3 year search. Our new pastor is a woman, and it so happens, is gay.
Her orientation, or views on sexuality simply don't register in what she has to share regarding her relationship with God, or the engaging and thoughtful sermons that she has delivered. If someone can bring you closer to God or your faith, why wouldn't you want to hear what they have to say?
I grew up Catholic. I'll never forget as a kid, one of our priests stuttered. There were those that were appalled by having to endure services delivered by him, and those that were in awe of his commitment. You feel how you feel, and do what you do.
I'd suggest you stand to lose absolutely nothing by attending a service with your friend, but declining to join the congregation (if that is the expectation)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leahdorus
I think the more liberal churches are the ones who embrace having gay and lesbians in the leadership roles. These are also often the churches who don't interpret the bible literally; they leave things more open-ended and let the congregation make up their own minds about things.
I think it's great that more churches have gay and lesbian ministers - they are people too and they should not be barred from a career they feel strongly about.
Re: new church= homosexual preacher/ pastor 
