@JGoldman10,
JGoldman10, yes, the New Testament condemns homosexual intercourse; but homosexuality is not the only sin. There are
many different kinds of sin. Homosexuality should not be singled out as if it's the leading sin. What about covetousness, for example? Who needs to be reminded that there are many people who are covetous?
Incidentally, homosexual intercourse is not the only sin called an abomination in the Bible. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven sins that are called abominations: "(h)aughty eyes," "a lying tongue," "hands that shed innocent blood," "(a) heart that devises wicked plans," "feet that run rapidly to evil," "a false witness who utters lies," and "one who spreads strife among brothers." How interesting ... None of these seven sins is sexual in nature.
There is no verse in the New Testament that says gays should be ostracized in society. (Discipline of members of the church is another matter.) The New Testament does not contain blueprints for an American Taliban. The church is a spiritual institution, not a political one.
I used to have a gay friend before he died as a result of contracting the AIDS virus. He was one of the nicest guys I ever knew, and he never got fresh with me because he respected me.
Not many years ago there was a former professional football player named Esera Tuaolo who "came out of the closet" not long after he had retired from the NFL. He admitted that he had been gay ever since he was a very young boy. Tuaolo was contacted by a former teammate who told him that he believed homosexuality was wrong but that he
would still be Tuaolo's friend. Tuaolo understood and respected his friend's point of view -- which would have been mine, had I been in that situation.
JG, what you must understand is that some young people find themselves with a homosexual predisposition
through no fault of their own. I have no idea what causes this disposition, but that's beside the point. Hate the sin, yes; but don't hate the sinner. You should feel compassion for those in difficult situations. How does the old saying go? "There, but for the grace of God, go I." I know this sounds like walking on a tightrope and that it strikes some as being condescending, but I'm convinced this is the scriptural attitude to have towards others in sin.
Regarding the issue of wet dreams, I'm convinced that no scriptural argument can be made against them. Having wet dreams is totally beyond the guy's will power. He has absolutely no control over them.
Yes, a scriptural argument can be made against masturbation by citing scriptures that command Christians to keep their thoughts pure; but citing the death of Onan in the book of Genesis (which has already been dealt with in this topic) is
not a sound argument.
I didn't want to wade into this mess; but I thought I should present another point of view, which I believe to be scriptural and which I expect to be attacked by people on both sides. As for me, I'm too preoccupied with my own sins and shortcomings to look down on others and to post statements that will not make any difference to people whom I already know don't believe in the Bible. I had humility (low self-esteem, really) imposed upon me a long time ago, even
before I became a Christian.
