Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
I don't see anyone as being "unloving or unspiritual" who takes a strong stand against something like this. I do have issues with the way we speak about them though. Sometimes I think we're far too venomous and hateful in our words.
You'll notice in the writings of Paul he was concerned with the lifestyles of the church. Paul didn't lead a crusade to reform Rome. In fact, when Christianity because political it opened the door for the statist mess of Constantinism and Romanism.
As for what I think about the show... I haven't seen it. Odds are I'd not watch it. But if I did...depending on how they depict the gay parents, I might find it repulsive, I might not.
To me it's a matter of being a realist. Think of it like this: What do we advocate...having the STATE take children from loving parents who are gay just because many of us find their lifestyle unacceptable? To me that's unacceptable. Preaching against lifestyles that we believe are sinful in our churches is expected. Our families living according to their religious convictions is perfectly in order. Fighting to protect OUR rights is a necessity. However, fighting to control others that we don't agree with in free country... that I cannot accept. Treating anyone like a second class citizen based on a very private and personal matter such as this is unacceptable to me as an American who believes in freedom. In my opinion, fighting for my freedoms and liberties is combined with fighting for theirs. Liberty is Holy... even if men use said liberty for things that are sinful or unacceptable to us.
I've not seen the sitcom. I don't know if it's perverse or just offering a humorous depiction of an aspect of American life many of us disagree with.
Now, it sounds like you're wanting to back peddle a little. Two adults living together outside of marriage is more than a tragedy... it's a "sin"... just like same gender couplings. I think the vast number of these arrangements between unmarried men and women do more to undermine marriage than a marginal section of our society coupling. What does shacking up teach millions of American children day in and day out? It would almost be better if the kids were raised in a gay household where the people were "married" or in "civil union". At least it illustrates a binding legal commitment between intimate partners. If anything we as a culture should expect that ANYONE living in an intimate relationship be legally bound and responsible for said relationship. We don't downgrade this to a "tragedy" or just an "age-old problem".
Brother, Jeff... we all fall miserably short in areas of modeling behavior at times. Just keep in mind, some households with living arrangements we don't agree with do better than we do.
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Sigh.
Who has been venemous and hateful? We are being clear about what we believe regarding homosexuality at a time when our generations are getting mixed signals. This TV show is not the only one portraying homosexual behavior as normal and acceptable -- try ER, Will and Grace and Desperate Housewives to name just a few.
There's a difference between a monarchy and democracy, in your argument about Paul's crusade against marriage. That aside, this thread was not even about that. It was about a television show depicting same-sex couples as parents under the guise of "modern family." I'm happy to debate with you what the Christian response should be in matters of civics, where we all have a duty and responsibility in this great republic, but that wasn't the point of our opinions on this thread.
You might find it repulsive, you might not? How about see it as God sees it. Do you think he finds it beautiful? Has he changed His mind on blatant sin? And don't just point to other sinful activities (yes, I used the word tragedy, which refers to a death, spiritual death, which implies sin, I wasn't back-peddling in the least or "down-grading" it) to justify the one we are talking about. That's childish logic. Let's be clear, Christians believe the best environment for a child is in a God-fearing home, with two married adults, one mom, one dad who also love the Lord. That there are other forms that don't match this, is in no way a justification of this perverseness that apparently has warped your worldview as well. Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. Love them. But don't stop calling sin for what it is. The apostles certainly were never afraid to do so.
I'm sick of this idea of holding to the claim of "realist" when we are dilluting our own Christian ideas and maxims. God's design was not just for the sake of random religious rules, they are the maxim for one's health and for a robust society. We can't prosecute or have the state take same-sex couples children (to inject a political angle), but I most certainly can cry aloud when that once "alternative lifestyle" is being pushed in the homes of families everywhere as innocent, cute and cuddly. It's poison!
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