Homosexuality Or Legalism--Which Is Worse?

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I experienced the darkside of legalism. I've seen it destroy many good men. They either became the monster legalism creates or they walk away from God.

Legalism is a spirit of oppression. That's why Jesus was harder on the pharisees than the prostitutes. He realized the oppressive nature of legalism. That's why he told the prostitue to sin no more. He couldn't find a pharisee to accuse her once the tables were turned.

Originally Posted by pelathais

I think we can see that its very human for us to try and protect and justify ourselves and our behaviors. I've known gays who were tormented by the need to justify themselves.

Is this "self justification" something you see also in "legalists?" (I tried to show that possible link earlier). Maybe the real link is that both are human beings. Perhaps both groups include people that we've cared for and who have hurt us.

We all have practiced the "love the sinner but hate the sin" with gays, alcoholics, drug addicts and 'garden variety sinners.' We know what the tension is like when you open yourself and make yourself vulnerable to someone who will probably dissappoint you and all of your prayers for them.

Can you translate that experience into one in which you are dealing with a "legalist?" It's difficult because they profess to be "saved." You must make yourself just as vulnerable and be ready to be just as hurt. Only difference is that after they have trode upon you, the legalist will then often climb into a pulpit or into some other place of authority and announce how that it was "God" who just walked all over you.

I think a religious movement has matured when the greatest number of its adherents recognize this kind of error when it happens; and they stop supporting the structures that abuse.