Matthew wrote:> Why is this one so important.?
Because our culture has been working so hard to normalize it and claim that there is nothing wrong with same-sex intercourse. The church is not preoccupied with homosexuality; the culture is, and they are frustrated that the church refuses to change its stance.
And that's a stance, by the way, that is reinforced in the New Testament, not just in ancient Levitical law for the Jews. Homosexual behavior has been prohibited since the dawn of Christianity, and that will not change. It is a rule that must still be followed.
> There are a few of the 10 commandments (adultery, coveting,) that people who are welcomed in your church have committed.
People who have had same-sex intercourse and who currently have same-sex attraction are always welcome in the church. But like all sinners, they must agree to leave their sinful life. They have to stop cheating on their wives, they have to stop having sex with someone they're not married to, they have to try and stop coveting.
Seriously, have you seen Donald Trump? Donald Trump gained more support from christians and christian leadership than any other politician in history. It's hard to believe that christians really care that much about adultery given this fact.
As for homosexuality, you can like it or lump it but morality is moving forward with or without you and with or without your religion. People aren't going to start believing that gay people shouldn't have to same rights that you do or that gay people are committing an evil sin. Your side lost. Your side lost for a reason. Your side couldn't offer up an argument other than religion and it makes me feel icky. Gay marriage is here to stay. The fact that your side wanted for it to be illegal rather shows that your side still wants a theocracy. That your side doesn't really believe in live and let live when you have a chance to encode your religion into law.
All of this being said, I would like to take this opportunity to plead with you and christians in general to do something. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make as big a deal of this going forward as possible. PLEASE make it clear how your belief system says that a man loving another man sexually and a woman loving another woman sexually is abominable as often as possible especially when when talking to people who are considering being a christian but aren't sure. PLEASE make sure that people know exactly what the new and ESPECIALLY the old testament (with an emphasis on leviticus and deuteronomy) says about homosexuality. PLEASE make this a key part of your religion and please preach and remind people of the words of the bible (especially deuteronomy and leviticus) on this issue as much as possible. This is not just a request for jimwalton, this is a request for all christians and christian leadership. Watch where following this advice gets you with converting millennials to your way of thinking.