I would just like to point something out: Christianity was created to reform Judaism. If I am correct, Jesus was sent to the Earth to change what had been happening before he arrived. I consider these two periods of time (before Jesus, after Jesus) to be The Old Testament and The New Testament, respectively. Thus I personally do not understand why Christianity teaches lessons that are fundamental in the Old, but not New, Testament. Why follow the rules of Judaism when God sent His Son to create a new religion, the one true religion?
One such lesson is that homosexuality is a disgrace. I will not say that the New Testament does not mention homosexuality, in fact it is mentioned about four times, albeit among controversy. These passages are controversial because frankly, the Bible was not originally written in a language its contemporary followers can understand. Today's Christians are fated to read what other people have translated. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you pick up two different translations, you have two different Bibles. They might be very similar, but they are different. Another point I would like to mention is that Jesus never specifically says anything about homosexuality. The four or so instances it is touched upon among all 27 books of The New Testament is by a normal human being, who was also present in The Old Testament. And even then, like I said, the original message cannot be agreed upon. Simply put, it is lost in translation.
However, there is one thing that is consistent among all translations: the Word of Jesus. As a Christian, I choose to follow what He says. Yes, I know most will say "You can't pick and choose which parts of the Bible to follow", and I don't. I believe all of the Bible to be a source of guidance. But that does not mandate it is all Law. Again, there are those that will argue "But the Bible is God's Word, and God's Word is Law." In my opinion, the only true Word that is God's is what he says through Jesus and through the Holy Spirit. Do you ever get done praying and hear a little voice in your head saying "persecute the gays"? Probably not. And if you do, it's likely Satan.
God's word is Love. In 1 Corinthians 13:13, Jesus says "And these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the
greatest of these is
Love." To me, subjecting someone who you deem 'ungodly' to a life lived lesser than yours is not Love. It is not up to you who is a sinner; in fact, we are all sinners.So even if God truly mandates that homosexuality is a sin (I say if simply because we cannot know; we can only know and trust what He tells us directly, for through the mouths of men His word is tainted by sin), who are you to judge its practitioners?
Some will rebute with, "Marriage is a religious matter." Maybe it is, I personally will admit I haven't done enough research on that particular subject to say differently. But at this moment I will act with the belief that it is a right given only to the Children of God. Would you not say that anyone who is a Child of God deserves his blessing? Because my God, the Biblical God, says that everyone is his child. May I go further to say that if you do not believe that it is a right given to only the Children of God (i.e.
everyone) and instead granted to only the practicioners of a certain religion, than who should get married? I read earlier that marriage originated as a Jewish ritual. Is that to say that only Jews should get married? And since Christianity is a dederivative of Judaism, then by this rule, I guess Christians can get married too. So, only Jews and Cgristians. How do you know who is a Christian or not? You do not. I am a practicing non-denominational Christian and I am bisexual. Does my sin make me any less Christian? No. It makes me human.
Another thing I would like to say on the basis that marriage is a religious practice - Are we not, as followers of Jesus and His Great Commission, instructed to reach out to others and allow all into our hearts so that they may know the Love and Truth of Jesus Christ? Did you ever stop to think that if maybe we stopped judging and restricting homosexuals so harshly, they might have less of a distaste for Christians? (I am speaking in a very generalized manner here, I know not all Christians hate gays, and not all gays hate Christianity) Perhaps, by allowing them into our church, which marriage is a branch of, they will be able to know Christ.
Allow me to reference a passage from
this lovely article.
Finally, just following this passage (in chapter 2), Paul chastises his readers for any sort of judgmentalism on their parts: "Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things." (Romans 2:1) While Paul has harsh words for idolators, he seems quick to point out that judgmentalism is to be avoided. Paul seems to be saying that using his words to judge homosexuals (or anyone else) in our own day would be a grievous error.I see many Christians using their Bibles, this book which is supposed to be a symbol of acceptance, hope, and love, to condemn others as sinners, specifically homosexuals. And yet in that same Bible, Paul says not to judge. I may be guilty of referencing Scripture to condemn others in your eyes, and if I am, I plead forgiveness, to both God and you. I am not attempting to offend or condemn, it just pains me to see so many of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ hurting each other, and I wanted to share my viewpoint which I think can appeal to both logic and belief.
Please, read my words however you wish, all I ask is that you have interpreted them with an open mind, a mind which does not judge and does not condemn. I suppose that is all I have to say. If you find mistakes (I'm sure there are some, I cannot claim to be the most well-versed nor unbiased person), feel free to share it with me, so I may refine my statement until it is as perfect as humanly possible. Again, I simply request you point it out civilly, so I may further my knowledge.
But as is, I support gay marriage, I do not believe homosexuality is a sin, and I do my best to love every one of God's children, for we are all the same in His eyes, and He wants us all to be with Him in Heaven. And frankly, trifling with such worldly matters as marriage when we could be helping others find God is outrageous. So anyway. Thanks for reading.