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Question: Should homosexuals be allowed to join a church? |
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Answer: Yes. There are too many verses in direct support of this to list them all [1] [2] [3]. One could just as well name the entire Bible. The more contentious question is this: Is homosexuality sin? How would it compare with other sins, such as gluttony [4] [5] [6] [7], for example? Is homosexuality a sin, or not? We may debate the many arguments, but the Bible does indeed say that it is clearly a sin [8] [9]. The only Bible-based objection is the claim that David practiced homosexuality. This claim is not only extraordinarily weak, but also notably irrelevant, so this quickly becomes a non-issue, if the Bible is taken as authoritative. Is homosexuality a preeminent sin? There are certain sins that are separated as particularly offensive [10] [11] [12] [13]. A comparison of these lists with our own behavior leads us all to conclude as Paul observed, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God … ". Isn't this the direction of scripture? Obviously - very obviously - anyone that believes they are superior in some way because they are not homosexual has missed the entire gospel. On the other hand, anyone that declares homosexuality is not a sin must do so apart from the Bible. The questions are not so difficult. We only have to be logical and consistent. Has there ever been a preacher who refused over-eaters from the congregation? If so, that preacher could make a case for consistency in blocking homosexuals, but not a case for logic. The answers to questions regarding homosexuality are clear and easily supported whenever the Bible is taken as authoritative. |