jayfox said:Ok, I am very much in the minority here but here goes -
I am a committed, Bible believing Christian. Now in many ways me saying that is like Tuby coming out except that I dont expect to receive the commendations that he is receiving for his way of life, rather quite the opposite. Although I am a Christian I still enjoy basically everything in life, like a beer for example, as much as the next bloke, much like Tuby. I can honestly say that it really doesn't change my way of living that much from non-christians except that I will try to avoid any actions that I believe God considers wrong or sinful. Having said that it clearly says in the Bible that homosexuality is a sin, therefore I can't condone Tuby's actions. This doesn't make me think any less of him, rather, it makes me feel more compassion towards him. It took courage for him to come out here and admit it. I believe in loving the sinner, not the sin. I should also make it extremely clear that I am absolutely miles away from being perfect. No person in the world is perfect and that's why we need a saviour. What I believe is that I am not perfect, just forgiven. And the only way to receive forgiveness, and eternal life, is if you belive that Jesus is God's son, who died on the cross and rose again on the third day to save us from our sins.
Tuby, you said that you can't help the way you were born, well I believe that everyone gets tempted to do things that they shouldn't, and it's just whether you act on those temptations or not. I get tempted every day and sometimes I fail and sometimes I don't but the wonderful assurance I have is that if I am truly sorry I am forgiven no matter what I have done. This assurance is open for anyone who chooses to put their faith in Christ.
Phillip Yancey is a great author who once wrote "There is nothing you can do to make God love you more. There is nothing you can do to make God love you less".
It can be difficult to openly state your convictions jayfox, so kudos for that, and for anyone prepared to state their convictions, as long as they are not personal attacks or what is generally considered offensive or rascist. This is a forum for debates of all kinds. You shouldn't assume you're in a minority though.
I generally try and live my life according to the Bible also, though I don't take everything literally. I'm not going to go around taking an eye for an eye, or cutting off my hands or plucking out my eye if they offend me.