Christian Forums ...Why?

[KCKID]

For a few weeks I've been 'lurking' on another Christian Forum wondering whether or not to sign up. Since I generally choose my battles to fight - those that I have an interest/knowledge in or, indeed, those that I may be quite passionate about - I DO have a habit of coming on pretty strong from the get-go. This, quite naturally, irks the 'oldies' of the forum somewhat that someone no one knows dares to jump in and rock the boat with barely a 'how-do-you-do'. I may very well feel the same about a new kid in town questioning something that we 'old timers' have already pretty well established. But, I hope not.

While I don't know if I should, or even that I'm allowed to, mention the forum by name, I DID sign up to it so that I could respond to a specific post that really annoyed me. The thread is about homosexuality/gay marriage (naturally) and is, as usual, a hot topic. I should have known better than to put in my nickel's worth because most of the posts on the 41 pages of debate (well, it's hardly a debate) are hostile to homosexuality because 'God sez that it's an abomination' and that's that! It was just like the lamb among the wolves scenerio and, as said, I should have known better. But, this one particular post by an 'old timer' and very popular with the other religious zealots made the claim: "The Lord finds homosexuality/gay marriage to be reprehensible." I just couldn't let that lie pass without some kind of recourse. So, I asked of the poster to either present the scripture that states that Jesus finds homosexuality/gay marriage to be reprehensible or retract the statement. I also said that I'd respect him for retracting the statement which would be the right thing for him to do since such a scripture does not exist and that I'd raise the issue no more. Well, all hell has broken loose by the poster in question and his band of like-minded forum buddies. I'm a stone's throw away from being banned (not that I really want to stick around anyway) simply because I asked for scripture to back the claim or a withdrawal of the statement. Obviously, I have the guy backed into a corner ...I know it and he knows it.

Question/s: Why would such a reasonable question from me cause such a furore among professed Christians on a Christian Forum? I wanted scripture or retraction. The insults that have been hurled at me are SO unreasonable that they border on frothing-at-the-mouth hysteria. Have any of you experienced anything similar from such a band of merry men who tend to follow the leader and will resort to and continue to perpetuate lies rather than be seen to be backing down? Why is it SO important for some Christians on Christian sites to hurl their hate message at homosexual people (or those they consider to be 'their supporters') that they refuse to even CONSIDER other alternatives or interpretations of the scriptures that they use to do so? What kind of mentality is taking place among Christians when the term 'debate' is seen to be a threat?

Obviously, I have my own theories but I'd be interested in input from the rest of you as I'm always anxious to learn something new.

[100%atheist]

Incidentally, a little while ago I completed a response to post #20 from charles_hamm. I clicked the 'Preview' button and was told that I wasn't logged in. For some reason I'm logged out whenever I leave the site, even though I've asked to be permanently logged in. ANYWAY, I logged in and found that I couldn't return to or retrieve my response to post #20. It was gone. Needless to say, having spent about an hour constructing the post I was somewhat p----d off.

Why is there not a fail-safe device of some sort in place to prevent this kind of thing from happening? Anyway, charles_hamm, I DID try to respond to your post and, right
now anyway, I don't have the patience to begin again. Maybe later.

Not a problem. I've had the same happen to me.

This forum, technically, by large much better than many I have seen. But this same problem happened to me several times. Now I press Ctrl+A and Ctrl+C every few minutes if I spent more than a couple minutes working on a post.

[olso3827]

Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that homosexuality is not sinful, as has been discussed. Requirements that statements must be made from Jesus in order for them to be true nullifies the rest of the Bible and Jesus' support for the Word. To claim that things which Jesus didn't say are untrue is a means to rationalize behavior that conscience condemns but flesh endorses.

Also, I don't know where the notion that recreational sex is sinful came from, but Paul even says do not withhold sexual relations from your spouse (except for a time of spiritual devotion).

[southern cross]

Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that homosexuality is not sinful, as has been discussed. Requirements that statements must be made from Jesus in order for them to be true nullifies the rest of the Bible and Jesus' support for the Word. To claim that things which Jesus didn't say are untrue is a means to rationalize behavior that conscience condemns but flesh endorses.

Also, I don't know where the notion that recreational sex is sinful came from, but Paul even says do not withhold sexual relations from your spouse (except for a time of spiritual devotion).

The only "evidence" to suggest that homosexuality is "wrong" comes from religious books. So there is no EVIDENCE at all.

[Tex]

Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that homosexuality is not sinful, as has been discussed. Requirements that statements must be made from Jesus in order for them to be true nullifies the rest of the Bible and Jesus' support for the Word. To claim that things which Jesus didn't say are untrue is a means to rationalize behavior that conscience condemns but flesh endorses.

Also, I don't know where the notion that recreational sex is sinful came from, but Paul even says do not withhold sexual relations from your spouse (except for a time of spiritual devotion).

The only "evidence" to suggest that homosexuality is "wrong" comes from religious books. So there is no EVIDENCE at all.

Homosexuality is no more wrong than being born deaf, blind, sick etc.
You have no choice but to except your reality. However, only homosexuals wish to stay as they are.

[olso3827]

Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that homosexuality is not sinful, as has been discussed. Requirements that statements must be made from Jesus in order for them to be true nullifies the rest of the Bible and Jesus' support for the Word. To claim that things which Jesus didn't say are untrue is a means to rationalize behavior that conscience condemns but flesh endorses.

Also, I don't know where the notion that recreational sex is sinful came from, but Paul even says do not withhold sexual relations from your spouse (except for a time of spiritual devotion).

The only "evidence" to suggest that homosexuality is "wrong" comes from religious books. So there is no EVIDENCE at all.

You are correct in saying that the only evidence is from religious beliefs, but that is what we are discussing here - whether or not the Bible dictates that homosexuality is sinful, which it does. So you are free to believe what you will. I will though mention that the nature of families and child development does provide evidence that homosexuality would be an improper way to live. You will surely disagree with that statement, but it will only be to defend what you have already determined to be true.

[AdHoc]

So did this person on the other forum (which shall remain unnamed) refuse to post scriptural evidence for their belief?

If so what reason did they give for denying your request?... Or were you met with silence?

[PhiloKGB]

Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that homosexuality is not sinful, as has been discussed. Requirements that statements must be made from Jesus in order for them to be true nullifies the rest of the Bible and Jesus' support for the Word. To claim that things which Jesus didn't say are untrue is a means to rationalize behavior that conscience condemns but flesh endorses.

There are far more laws and rules in the OT than any Christian concerns himself with. Even the most cited of those rules -- the Ten Commandments -- are regularly ignored by the very folk who think it of critical importance that they be displayed in every courthouse and school-hall. Whether because of something Jesus said or didn't say or whatever, there must be some reason why Christians so blatantly cherry pick which OT rules still apply and which don't.

[Baz]

I don’t see why there isn't more emphasis on the real cardinal sins.
I suppose looking too close at; greed, gluttony, sloth, pride and the like are just too close to home for a lot of people. Dare I say especially in some areas of the USA.

[AdHoc]

Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that homosexuality is not sinful, as has been discussed. Requirements that statements must be made from Jesus in order for them to be true nullifies the rest of the Bible and Jesus' support for the Word. To claim that things which Jesus didn't say are untrue is a means to rationalize behavior that conscience condemns but flesh endorses.

There are far more laws and rules in the OT than any Christian concerns himself with. Even the most cited of those rules -- the Ten Commandments -- are regularly ignored by the very folk who think it of critical importance that they be displayed in every courthouse and school-hall. Whether because of something Jesus said or didn't say or whatever, there must be some reason why Christians so blatantly cherry pick which OT rules still apply and which don't.

If you believe what the Bible says, then Christians are to be led by the Spirit and are not under the law of Moses.

No cherry picking required... Unless its a cherry on top of sunday instead of saturday.

[Ooberman]

Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that homosexuality is not sinful, as has been discussed. Requirements that statements must be made from Jesus in order for them to be true nullifies the rest of the Bible and Jesus' support for the Word. To claim that things which Jesus didn't say are untrue is a means to rationalize behavior that conscience condemns but flesh endorses.

Also, I don't know where the notion that recreational sex is sinful came from, but Paul even says do not withhold sexual relations from your spouse (except for a time of spiritual devotion).

The only "evidence" to suggest that homosexuality is "wrong" comes from religious books. So there is no EVIDENCE at all.

Homosexuality is no more wrong than being born deaf, blind, sick etc.
You have no choice but to except your reality. However, only homosexuals wish to stay as they are.

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard - equating sexual attraction with sickness or faulty sensory organs.
Apparently, homophobes are born too, and this one doesn't want to change...

What a maroon.