I believe first of all that God created everyone in the way that He wanted the to be and that He loves all of His creations as they are.
So Hitler, rapists, murderers, drunk drivers, adulterers, porn addicts, etc?
If God created everyone the way that He wanted them to be, then why did He need to send Jesus? If that is the case, then why are we constantly admonished in the scripture to repent and turn to God in faith?
How can you justifiably determine what qualifies as a "homosexual act"?
Can you tell the difference in desiring your neighbors new John Deere lawn tractor and walking over and stealing it?
Let me ask you this, do you think that humans should act on every desire or impulse they have?
My guess is, you said no. Have you ever felt like hitting someone, yet thought better of it and resisted the urge. For resisting this 'natural' urge, are you better or worse for it?
What about a boy or man. (Hetero or Homo) If they have natural urges, should they run to the internet and feed those lust or resist? If they resist are they better for it? Both would be better for it.
So, by this example we can see that NEITHER homosexuality and heterosexuality are right based on 'natural' urges. Inclination, natural or coerced is not justification for behavior.
-Homosexuality is absolutely a choice in this regard. Everyone, and I repeat everyone
chooses what to do with their sexual organs.
People who cannot control such things are mentally ill or sociopaths, and I doubt anyone here, including you, are saying that homosexuality is such.
What is so inherently bad about homosexuality?
Engaging in homosexual behavior has many dangers and repurcusions. There are studies on such. Of course the homosexual community is active and vocal and will argue against such findings. There are also societal implications that I will cover later. I guess we could ask the same thing about a number of issues. What is inherently wrong with lying?
Our job as Christians is to spread God's love to the world.
Define God's love.
Plus we do live in a world that is not without sin. Everyone is a sinner. Even if you do for whatever reason believe that homosexuality is a sin, who are you to judge them?
When you say, 'everyone is a sinner,' aren't you making a judgment? of course. And a right one. Based on what God's word says. You are taking God at His word. Substitute homosexuality for say, adultery. Even if you believe adultery is a sin, who are you to judge them?
Who are we to judge them? In one sense, the ulitmate sense, no one. I don't think anyone here would say they are qualified to sit in God's seat. However, we are instructed on how to judge rightly.
We need to make sure we are using the word judgement the same in all senses. Example: If someone has good judgement are they acting in agreement or opposition to God's Word?
For me this is a complicated issue. Outside the church, I don't think the Christian really has a lot they can or should do in regards to the biblical aspect. I do think they have an obligation to work within the bounds of their society and government, as a citizen. This is where most abuses occur. As a Christian it is not my place to enfore or coerce my faith or religious tenets onto anyone. As a citizen, it is my right to promote sound ethics that apply to all in that society. So, my reasons for opposing gay marriage at the politcal level is different than opposing it within the church. Christians are to judge INSIDE the bounds of the church. We are commanded in scripture to do such.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se ... ersion=NIV Homosexual acts are one of many issues that should be judged within the confines of the church. And they should be handled no differently than any other. This is where the church fails as they make a big deal out of homosexuality but ignore many cases of adultery.
At the secular level, homosexuality still has issues. As a married parent, I see the normalization of homosexuality having negative repurcusions to the fabric of our society and the institution of marriage. Marriage has a definition. And marriage has a valuable role in building and supporting a scoiety. And to include same sex people under its banner has real repurcusions. So, within that framework, I can vote, campaign, protest, etc. That doesn't mean I am forcing my religion on anyone. Not anymore than campaigning against drunk driving.
Unfortunatly this is where the right wing fundementalist start their vitriol. Beleiving that the Bible is a co-founding document of the USA, they believe it is there Christian duty to publically thump it over the heads of homosexuals.
Personally, if it were not for such a militant homosexual agenda today, I wouldn't give it much thought. But because the homosexual community is wanting to force me to abandon my moral ethic, then I will respond within all my legal rights. This movement doesn't seek to be tolerated, but wants to force me to say it is normal. And to teach my children such against my will, while using my tax dollars.