Homosexuality Or Legalism--Which Is Worse?

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Wait a minute my father was an atheist, and so were a large majority of his friends. He and his crew would have told you that it was more an experience with religious people as a whole. You are looking at the bug on the leaf by insisting that conservative, standard preaching Pentecostals have a large number of people adversely affected by their group.

I have not said that (in bold above). I have said that "legalists" have "gone the wrong way." See below: your comments about "balanced..."

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

I would go further that in the time we are living in people are saying that all religion is adversely affecting the world as a whole. With failures like Juanita Bynum, Randy and Paula White, Jimmy Swaggart, and Jimmy Bakker the liberal Charismatic movement is not winning any roses. I believe as the stock market continues to overheat and mortgages are blowing out left and right, and more financial problems continue to slam into this country we shall see people returning to a more stable Christianity.

You are correct about the failings you cite, and I hope you are correct about the "returning to a more stable Christianity..."

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Will I lose my daughters if I tell them they can't hang out down in Fort Lauderdale city?

I can only guess that this is not the place that I would want my daughter to hang out either... But giving that guidance to young people is not "legalism." You are constructing strawmen and then knocking them down- and I agree, knock those guys down. But getting back to "legalism..."

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Please, this is about relationship with the Holy Ghost and getting into the Word of God. People want the Word, and they fall in love with the Holy Ghost. This is about the persuasion of the Lord drawing all men nigh. I don't have to reinvent the wheel, I just need to hit the streets everyday and keep doing Bible studies and baptizing people who WANT to change their lives. We can't make anyone do anything, all we can do is preach the Word and let God give the increase.

What you describe here is the antithesis of legalism. You are talking about a real faith held in one's heart.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

That would not be correct, because anyone from a motocross racer to the woman who collects Hummel figuriens when you love something you become fanatical about it, and when the elders help with leading and teaching with balance, everyone is happier.

Becoming "fanatical" about your relationship with Jesus Christ is not "legalism." Legalism happens when the relationship is lost or marginalized and the person then grinds down on their own particular set of standards or rules to try and enforce their own cultural views.