Re: So are you not a Christian anymore?

As I said before, I'm going through a tough time faithwise at the moment. Surfice to say that I passionately love Jesus - I'm just not so sure about the church!

And if you want to do a bit of theology:

Remember when you read the bible, you are reading a translation. I'm no linguistic scholar but I'm reliably informed that the words translated as "homosexuality" in the condemnatory passages are actually quite specific - the practices they condemn are homosexual rape, which was often used to humiliate captives or enemies (Guantanamo Bay anyone?) and using little boys as prostitutes. Hardly a wholesale condemnation of love between two men or two women!

When Jesus told the crowd that anyone who looked at a woman lustfully had already comitted adultery, or when someone was angry they had already comitted murder, my understanding is that he was speaking against those who like to go around saying they're not as bad as other people because they haven't done anything TOO bad, and standing in judgement over others. He was saying "Don't try saying that you're better because you haven't comitted a physical act of adultery - if you've thought it, that's just as bad!". In other words, sin is sin, we've all messed up and we all need help from above!

A few quotes - the first is from Bryn Hawarth's adaptation of a wel known song, the others are from Jesus himself:

"I'm a sinner, everybody sins, but I've got a friend in Jesus!"

"Judge not, lest you be judged!"

"Do to others as you would have them do to you - that is the law and the prophets!"

Please don't think I'm being overly agressive or defensive about this - it's just a topic that is very close to my heart.

If you haven't already, please read some Adrian Plass and Phillip Yancy :-)

:-)