In which I no doubt am preaching to the converted

[conuly]

I'm not a Biblical scholar. I don't even know that much about Christianity. I do, however, have a vague idea that somewhere in the New Testament Jesus says "the most important rule is that you love each other". I can think of several quotes which follow that theme of loving one another. Unfortunately, I can't cite chapter and verse.

I *can*, however, tell you where the most commonly quoted verse in the Bible comes from. And it's not the New Testament. Yes, it's that one that may or may not mean that God Hates Gays (thank you, crazy person!), and it's right by the verses that say God Hates Shrimp and God Hates Mixed Fabrics. Nobody worries about those, I guess.

Now, here's a problem. Either God is a hypocrite, or somebody is mistaken about what God really cares about. Or maybe God changed his mind. That's possible, isn't it? Well, if God can change his mind, wouldn't it be more reasonable to follow his more recent (not to mention explicit) commandments instead of the older, vaguer ones?

Comments

[stejcruetekie.livejournal.com]

Actually, I would have thought the most commonly quoted verse was John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

Or maybe Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd.... That would be in the Old Testament.

The Golden Rule is found in Matthew 22:37-40- He said to them, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and firt commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

As a Christian, we're called to love everyone. That's why, for example, I can't fight in a war - that would be killing my neighbors, yes? And it's why I don't hate gays - I have quite a few openly gay or bisexual friends, and they're some of the coolest people I know.

But, as a Christian, I cannot support their homosexuality. The bible is fairly clear on this topic, in BOTH the Old and New Testament. (And forget that Sodom and Gomorrah verse, that's the weakest of them all, I don't know why it's cited so much). Some people try to interpret the verses differently - I think you have do to some serious re-interpretation to come out with something that allows or even promotes homosexuality. If you're going to go that far, why not just re-interpret the whole bible? Hell, just throw it all away!

Like I said - I have gay friends. They're awesome. But I can't support that particular aspect of them.

[ladytalon.livejournal.com]

I only ever see Leviticus cited, lately. What verses in the New Testament are against homosexuality? I am genuinely curious, if not Christian.

[marveen.livejournal.com]

I believe Paul wrote most of them, which in my eyes makes them automatically suspect.

(Paul's writings occasionally directly contradicted the teachings of Christ.)

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

You beat me to it!

::Rcovering Catholic here.::

I second the suspectness of Paul's writing. He just never seemed like a very pleasant fellow. Ever.

[fjorab-teke.livejournal.com]

Good post...and I'm similar in my view of homosexuals. I figure that if they're not hurting others and are consentual, it's none of my business. I don't promote or particularly agree with what they're doing, but I'm not going to "damn" them for it. I see it as a disorder and not a choice, but it doesn't make the person any less human or less worthy of love and respect. They have rights just as we all do. It's not my place to condemn them for it, since I am also admittedly "unclean" in my humanity in other ways. I feel the government should allow them rights though and stay out of "unusual" consentual relationships that don't harm others. Government-sanctioned marriages weren't in the Bible evn for straight couples.

I try very hard to love people even if I don't like them. I try to see the good and the reasons for their worse aspects, though sometimes someone's annoying or outright repulsive qualities make it so that I'm better off not being around them to endure the unnecessary torment.

Jesus didn't come to nullify the old laws: he came to strengthen them, but not in the way we immediately think of that statement. If someone lives life in a way that shows love for "neighbors" and for God, that is what I feel is most important. I also easily tolerate and understand those who don't believe in God but do make a sincere effort to love and respect others. Hatred, intentional crassness, violence, and general nastiness are qualities I try to avoid in myself and in others.

I'm a little wary of Paul, but he was certainly on the right track. If the 10 Commandments say it and Jesus says it, I try my best to follow it. The rest I take as historical, symbolic, and with a conscience-winded grain of salt since people aren't perfect -- including those who wrote and compiled the books in the Bible.