Replies to '06/06 "I'm Gay, OK?"'

First of all, the REAL WORD OF GOD, which is Jesus Christ, said that those who believe in him will enter heaven. John 3:16. When he was asked by the clerist what to do in order to gain salvation, Jesus said nothing about gays not entering heaven. In Matthew 25:41-46, he says how we treat our fellowmen is how we will be judged by him. In Luke 10:26-28 he says that we are to obey the commandment, "Love God with your whole heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself" and if we do this, we get eternal life. Simple!  

Second. Which translation are you using that says "homosexuals" will not enter the kingdom 1Cor 6-9-10. The word "homosexual" first of all was not even invented until the 18th century. When Paul wrote his letters he wrote in ancient Greek and the the CLOSEST Greek word  you can find to match our modern english word for "homosexual" is "paiderasste."  But Paul does not use it. WHY? Instead Paul uses the Greek words "malakoi" and "arsenokoitai." These have been mistranslated by modern Bibles like the NIV, as "homosexual,". This is incorrect.  

In CORRECT versions they are translated as "catamite" and "men who lie with boys". Just to give you a little historical perspective, prostitution and pedophilia was commonplace in Greek and Roman culture. And by all means it should be condemned. If Paul wanted to say "homosexual" he would have used the Greek word for homosexual. Simply put, this scripture does not condemn gay people nor committed gay relationships. And even if Paul WANTED to condemn gay people or committed gay relationships remember.....
 

Third The letters of Paul and others are not laws but guidelines and HIS views and HIS advice on how faith should be practiced, how families and the early church should arrange their affairs. They were letters addressing a specific people at a specific age within a specific context. So for example Paul did not speak out against the atrocities of slavery but he urged slaves to be obedient to their masters in Titus 2: 9-10. Does that mean it was wrong for slaves to rebel and seek freedom? Paul also reflected the perception of women as lesser creatures who had to be taught and should not seek to lead. Read 1 Corinthians 14: 36-36 and 1Timothy 2:11-15 and tell me if this is still applicable to our time and what we have learned so far as a human society? You should also know that the early apostles often DISAGREED amongst themselves on many things like this. Peter for example, did not always see eye to eye with Paul's writings and said so in 2 Peter 3:16. He called Paul's writings "difficult to understand" and things for the "unlearned and unstable to wrest unto their own destruction."  

This is why it is SO IMPORTANT as Christians for us to concentrate on CHRIST! Not the sermons and letters of anyone else. If we do we fall victim to the SAME fundamentalism and sectarian bickering. Are you a Christian or a Paulian?