Indeed sin is sin. No argument there. All will be excluded from heaven.

One man prayed, "Give me neither poverty or riches." His prayer expressed his wishes that in poverty he would not steal, nor riches that he would forget God.

In the old days, which it seems that I know more of, I remember a poor man that went hunting and shot squirrels out of season. He was hauled before the judge that had compassion on the man in his transgression when he leared that the poor man had many children who were hungry. The judge gave the man a little probation only and then sought to find the man some help that his children could eat.

Homosexual sins are not on this level. There are degrees of sin.

I think we are on the same wavelength here. :friend

Brother Strange- Many (not all) homosexuals were raped and molested as young children or teens. It messed up their normal development. I am profoundly sad for them. :cool:

This is true...the majority of homosexuals, bi-sexuals, and Lesbians were molested as children and never knew how to develope 'natural'/normal attachments to the opposite sex. This is especially true if they were molested or abused by a father or mother, or someone in a position of authority over them.

As Chaplain in a county jail I had the responsibility to host an abuse support group in the local jail. There were 15 in the group, all women. Most claimed to be either bi-sexual, Lesbian, or they weren't sure who they were or weren't attracted to. The stories they recounted were histories of abuse by fathers, grandfathers, uncles, friends of the family, boyfriends, and husbands.

As a counselor I have counseled Lesbians, homosexuals, bi-sexuals who spent many years dancing in strip joints/adult bars and restaurants because it was their way to get even with the opposite sex who had control over them when they were children when they had no control over themselves. Many enjoyed leading the opposite sex on and leaving them unfulfilled or humiliated, or broke [financially] to make up for the times they felt helpless and unable to protect themselves. They felt betrayed by the adults who were supposed to care for them and protect them.

We have lists, I know of lists, of Catholic and Protestant clergy who have engaged in pedophilia behavior...some protected by the church, and others prosecuted and jailed. As in the case of molestation and rape..we know only of what is reported and there are as many, if not more of unreported cases. You can trace the abuse through the familes of many of those who have hypersexualized behaviors, as well as homosexual, bi-sexual, and Lesbian lifestyles.

Just as sin is manifested in sickness and disease, it is also manifested in sinful sexual behaviors. Because sin entered the world...through Adam [one man] so redemption entered the world through Jesus Christ. Thank God for the plan that saves us from inherited sin, as well as those sins that have attached themselves to us individually.

Thank God for those of us that did not grow up being molested, abused, and unprotected and unloved as some...and it behooves us to show grace and mercy, love and not hate, patience and unconditional positive regard for those who have not been as fortunate as ourselves.

Blessings, Rhoni

It doesn't really help after they've lived through all that molestation etc., when they come to the church looking for help after they've tried in their own way and failed, to have us look at them and proclaim them reprobates or anything huh?

Just trying to give some perspective...

We can be so cruel to people who come with needs...we can be so haughty, so self-righteous to those who don't look like we look, talk like we talk, or have the same upbringing as we have had...reminds me of a song from back in the day..."What if God was one of us..."

Jesus please help me to have "My Father's Eyes"!

In Jesus name, Rhoni

Amen. :praying Sometimes I think a lack of compassion shows a lack of strength....a fear that we may get caught up in something similar if we show compassion. There is always a danger in ministry, but there may be a much greater risk in not ministering.....

BrotherStrange

From one "oldtimer" to another, you are right on and I for what it's worth, I agree.

I need to go but I wanted to say that I agree with your post. There are spirits attached to these sins, and we who minister must stay prayed up, humble, and anointed. I have had to leave homes of some of my clients and rebuke the spirits that tried to attach themsleves or buffet me...but I feel more fear to neglect the ministry that God has called me to by not caring and showing compassion.

It takes special people to minister to special groups of people. There are many people that I am not equipped to minister to, but others in which I am very effective with. I ask God's wisdom in helping me to know my strengths, weaknesses, and biases...and I never want to do harm to anyone...for this reason I have to refer others out to those more qualified/equipped.

I do think that homophobia is caused by fear that it is hitting too close to home for some...just my opinion.

Blessings, Rhoni

Rhoni

I try not to respond to your posts, but I do believe that this is one of the most ludicrous statements that I have ever read.

It's right up there with "He/she must have a problem with ________ because he/she preaches about it all the time".