Brad Pitt Rocks!
Out of context: Reply #43
- Started
- Last post
- 58 Responses
- gramme0
I agree with a few things you're saying, BRNK. I too take issue with people who ignore large parts of their so-called holy text in order to reconcile their beliefs and their lifestyle. Another way to define what you describe is idolatry, i.e. putting personal comfort/agenda above God. We all do it in some way shape or form from time to time (since there isn't such thing as a perfectly Christ-like Christian), but some "Christians" are more brazen or misguided about it than others. Oddly enough, I think of fundamentalism as an aberration as well, though some would see this as semantics. In the early 20th century, fundamentalism in Christianity was synonymous with orthodoxy, i.e. believing the Bible to be the inspired, infallible word of God, and all that follows thereafter. Afterwards, some (but not all) adherents of fundamentalism retreated from society out of fear and misunderstanding. They proceeded to build hedges of extra-biblical law around their communities, and before you know it they had wandered far afield. So, these days fundamentalism is a dirty word to many orthodox Christians, myself included.
I wholeheartedly agree with your second paragraph. I will caveat that Jesus' message was about peace, but not a "let's all agree with each other" kind of peace. In fact, to that point he even said that he "came to bring the sword." In context, this doesn't mean Jesus or his followers did/should advocate violence, but it's merely Jesus saying that his ideas were radical, would piss people off, and that many of his followers would die for their faith.
I agree that some beliefs are harmful to the world, such as your examples of pedophilia and racism. I have said here before though, and I think it bears repeating, that (at least in the case of Christianity) people are to blame for atrocities committed in the name of Christ, rather than the other way around. I know Ghandi said something like "I'd like Christ more if people actually acted like him", but in truth one does find, without looking too far, Christians who are kind, humble, patient, and generous people. These people have become this way because of the life-changing power God exerts in the lives of those who belong to him.
About the specific issue of homosexuality. Where's the gay gene you mention, BRNK? Last I heard, it was yet to be found. I'm no scientist, so it's possible you know something I don't. BTW even if there is such a thing, it doesn't change the way I see things. Scientists have found a genetic disposition to alcoholism; and while that explains how some people end up as alcoholics, no one in their right mind considers it to be an excuse. So if we follow your argument about civil rights to its logical conclusion, then genetically-driven alcoholism should also be sanctioned by society, maybe even given a tax break or two, simply because going against one's genetic bent in some areas is surely a high crime.
To that end, I'd still contend that whether there's a gene or not, homosexuality is a degradation of the kind of relationships which were originally intended for mankind. You could even look at it from a naturalistic standpoint, since male and female physically fit together, but male/male, female/female, it doesn't work quite so well... although I believe of course that gender is much more than skin-deep.
- Hey gramme, did you get my email?TheBlueOne
- Yessir, I did. It was a doozy! I plan to reply soon. :)gramme
- alcoholism is harmful to society... gay marriage is not...SigDesign
- gramme - i've read and agreed with a great many things you've said on this site -> but this intellectual rationalisation for homophobia isn't one of them.lukus_W
- homophobia isn't one of them.lukus_W