A Dawg's eye view

"Whether or not the sexual act is a sin is up to the individual to decide"

IF someone doesn't believe the Word of God as absolute truth, you'd be right. Otherwise, you'd have to admit that GOD decides.
Rom.1:26-27 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.”
Leviticus 18:22 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable (abomination.).
Leviticus 20:13 'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.."

Clearly & quite simply, God calls it sin. So anyone partaking in this lifestyle is committing continual sin just as if he were committing adultery or fornication... all choices.
2. yes, homosexuals are everywhere... sinners are EVERYWHERE (since we all are sinners). So are thieves & liars, but it's all irrelevant. God says it's still sin.
3. Most importantly, yes, we ALL can believe however we choose - but be ready for the consequence of rejecting Jesus Christ as Savior through grace and grace alone. For rejecting his Word which as being all truth. We have been given free will to believe!!! - or "come to our own understanding".

You're referring to 'ritiual' laws given to the Jews to follow... Christians live under the age of grace and there's no need to follow many of the restricts. As for the 'eating laws', actually they're still accurate in that those are scavenger animals and not good to consume, although NOT forbidden.
Reject the truth if you chose... homosexuality activity is clearly stated to be sin.

NO, Paul did not "support suppressing slaves".. what is taught, is that we are to respect whatever 'lot in life' we're given. The slaves were not to rebel/hate/kill their owners. (slaves was the way repaying a debt for stealing, etc. since there were no jails. They were also given in wars). No where did he say slavery was good, although we are called to be slaves for Christ, correct?

What did Jesus say?? Are you a believer? Do you not KNOW that ALL the Word is inspired by God Himself? WHO do you think God is, if not Christ??!! Mercy!
He has spoken; it is finished.

You must not accept the fact that WE live in another dispensation, which we do.
Grace.. we live under grace, His grace. Does that mean we can steal, rape, murder because of it? Sin is STILL SIN.

I don't usually continue 'these' conversations either with those who have made their own decisions not based on Biblical truth. My 'interpretation' comes from study of the original languages, involving the study of words as they were used/written. 'grace' given knowledge, available to all who truly desire it.

Obviously, you will not be able to accept that homosexuality is sin, since you're rejecting the truth, as it is clearly given by God Himself.

"My 'interpretation' comes from study of the original languages, involving the study of words as they were used/written"

Interesting Char- you understand Greek? Roman? Hebrew? Very cool! I have a new found respect for you. Very few people even learn one language never mind the multiple languages the bible was originally written in.

What does this say? "Penso que você não é inteiramente sincero em sua afirmação que você estudou a bíblia em sua linguagem original"

Shouldn't be that difficult for you, having all that knowledge and all.

The practice of homosexuality is clearly sin. That one can be forgiven for sin is obvious. That homosexuals will be punished anymore than adulterers, fornicators, drunks et al who are Christian is untrue. I do not support the sin, but I do support the sinner.

DDawg, there is a certain lifestyle among gays. Perhaps you don't ascribe to it - good for you. But at minimum you'd have to agree that there is a subculture among homosexuals.

Well Scotty as much as we usually disagree, you actually get it. "The practice of homosexuality is clearly sin." Although I don't necessarily agree with that statement, you at least have seperated BEING a homosexual from PRACTICING homosexual sex, or at least thats what I think your saying. I do wish people would stop comparing it to adultery, fornication and drunkeness, but I'll at least concede the point that you are seperating the "sin" from the sinner.

And I do agree there is a kind of "subculture", but there almost has to be with the religious and social stigma attached to being gay. Many unfortunately give in to that. I have in the past, but have outgrown it.

And your translation is close enough, but I was hoping Char could answer that. So thanks for the spoiler LOL!

Char could answer what??

I said, partaking in homosexual acts IS a sin, not just being one.
I agree scotty, God doesn't look at degrees of sinfulness, ppl do, although, He does call homosexual acts an "abomination".

Dawg, you lose 'points' for being a smartass. I didn't say I 'knew' ALL the languages personally, I said, I've studied in them (or that is what I was trying to express). Understand the difference..
I had a Doctor of Theology who taught from the original languages (Greek & Hebrew.) It makes a great deal of difference to be exposed to such in depth studies. Example: You have the opportunity to learn, that in the original, dead Greek language, there a 4 kinds of "if" 's ... and only one means "since". Therefore, when Satan is tempting Jesus, he said " IF (translated SINCE) you are the Son of God..." , NOT "IF (translated MAYBE/POSSIBLEY) you are....". That makes it most clear that he KNEW Him to be the Son of God.
You can continue to reject the truth as taught in the Bible (clearly, it's sin), but you are held accountable for being given the truth.

I won't both both to discuss this any further since it seems fruitless endeavor for both.

what a cruel joke that would be for God to create me gay then say having sex is a sin. being born gay is NOT a sin and sex is healthy between two loving adults. my Bible says nothing to the contrary. it is ironic that the ones who call us promiscuous are the very same ones who won't allow us to marry. my partner and i have reciprocal living wills and reciprocal duralble medical powers of attorney so that the "holier than thou" cannot interfer with our wishes. God Bless.

Soctty, could you please show me where in the bible its states, as you say "clearly" that men and women are not born gay. Thank you. The good news is that we can all celebrate our common Savior, despite our differences in biblical interpretation.

OH, my last paragraph meant a gay man marrying a straight woman, or a lesbian marrying a straight man. That is a sin. Not one is doing the other a favor by doing that.

Your various intepretations of the bible is the very reason why there are so many preachers and denominations. Remember, in the last days, there will be many false prophets, proclaiming that they are the ones and they speak the "truth." Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Protestant, Catholic... so many!

I believe, that only GOD will have the real and TRUE interpretation of his message. We are man, and because of our own motives and needs, we will interpret the bible our own way.

This is why I really do not bother to argue anyone's point when it comes to the bible. Some will be arrogant, some will be ignorant, some will know, some will be clueless. Some will say "I know this" -- based on what? whom? when?

And it goes on and on...