Christianity and Homosexuality

[TJ in Oregon]

1. I think that to be a true Christian you must be inclusive of all people and suit to the times. I don't think that shrimp-eaters should be banned from Christianity because the bible states that eating seafood is a sin. I am not a Christian so I cannot speak for myself, but this is really my main beef with religion of taking text so seriously that you cannot adapt to the times.

Ah, the ol' shrimp/shellfish/clothing from mixed fibers argument. Despite getting used shockingly often, the New Testament actually says what aspects of the Mosaic Law should be followed universally and which are simply practices meant for Jews, or at least clear enough to say without hesitation that it's okay for Christians to eat shrimp and that "unlawful marriage" (according to Acts and the Council of Jerusalem) should not be practiced by Christians.

[TJ in Oregon]

One thing about modern American Protestantism is that denominational lines often have little to do with beliefs at this point, so you get orphaned congregations and institutional leadership with wildly different views. Non sola scriptura (or High Church Anglicanism) Protestantism seems vague to the point of lukewarmness. If the denomination's teachings don't come from Tradition, scripture, or a magisterium, then where do they come from?

I can be quite certain that if my pastor came out of the closet and announced he had a male lover, he'd be sacked immediately (maybe other dioceses would be too incompetent to do anything, but I have no doubt about the Diocese of Madison ). Undoubtedly there would be people who are angry, but the Church should follow its own teachings. It almost seems too obvious to be said.

[TJ in Oregon]

Some gay people do end up in happy, loving heterosexual marriages; I know some. For others, celibacy may be better. Love is a complicated and many dimensional thing that cannot simply be reduced to sexual attraction. All of them whom I know discussed the matter with their fiance before marriage. Many women may not react well to that discussion. Marry a saint, even if you are sexually attracted to her. Better yet, be a saint, as every Christian is called to be.