[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge

I respectfully disagree. Sin needs to appear to be exceedingly sinful.

I agree. However, wisdom is justified of her children. Offensive words will offend and odds are you'll loose your listeners because all they'll remember is the offensive words you used, not the gospel you preached. You can address certain subjects in a way becoming a man of God, and perhaps some subjects should be addressed in a format where children aren't present and such can be discussed with frankness among adults.

The words queer, fag and pervert are perfect descriptions of sodomites.

Sorry, I disagree. The terms "queer" and "fag" are pejoratives and are terms unbecoming a man of God. I wouldn't expect him to call a bull-headed woman a "b-tch" over the pulpit, nor would I expect him to call someone an "a-hole". They are perverts, that's fine. One could call them "sodomites", it's a biblical term (though technically the term "sodomite" is used specifically for male temple prostitutes). One could even call them "abominable" or their lifestyle an "abomination", for it is. However, the terms "queer" and "fag" are pejoratives I don't want my son hearing or using, especially from hearing a man who is supposed to be a man of God. I told my wife then and there, the first time I hear our son say something of that nature I'm teaching him NEVER to use those terms again... and then I'm going to personally show the pastor that he has no right treating my son's ears like a garbage can. Preach the TRUTH...don't preach hate. Preach the TRUTH, don't teach my kid to curse. Address sin and teach us to hate sin, but don't slander sinners and teach us to hate people. Some men need the backbone to draw a line with pastors like this. When I told him what I thought, I did so using some very stern words explaining what I thought of it, he turned white and apologized. Had he even tried to justify himself I would have given him a father's message he would have never forgotten. This is my son we're talking about. He can teach his kid to talk like that and treat people that way if he likes. But don't DARE teach my kid to act like that.

I do see where your coming from.. I just totally disagree.

I honestly don't think you see where I'm coming from yet. I do think you'll understand after reading the above portion of this post. And... I'm willing to wager you'll even agree with me.

Queers don't want sympathy they want acceptance.

Every sinner wants acceptance. Welcome to a fallen world. Point is, they're people. Sinners. We're still here to minister to them, love them, and preach to them... while also underscoring the danger and seriousness of their sin. I assure you, you're not going to save a sinner by calling them a "queer" or a "fag". And I'll go as far as to say that if you have visitors who are straight that happen to have an ounce of class, the moment you use terms like that, they'll be offended at the fact that you said them over the pulpit in a church... and they'll most likely not come back. How many souls did that save? Oh, you might get some hate filled redneck shouting in the back who has a secret homosexual fetish... but he's probably a Grand Wizard in the local Klu Klux Klan... hate and slander are his forte.

What ever happened to preachers who had honor, dignity, and class; who were gentlemen that you wanted your kids to emulate? Holiness is more than dress codes. True holiness also manifests itself in Christian conduct.

The fact of the matter is... too many men want to preach whatever will inflame the crowd... but they don't want to own up to what they say or be responsible for the words they use. We should preach truth, but a lot of responsibility comes with that.

No offense intended here, I just hope you see my point bro.