DISQUS

Absolutely. Thank you for showing your support.

I agree that the synchroblog is a better idea but at the time Bridges Across started (when I was there) there weren't any blogs :)

I am glad you love the book. I don't see much difference in what Wendy is doing to other similar efforts done in the states in the past. That's not a criticism at all but I have seen a number of efforts to get dialogs like this get going over the years.

This is different in facilitation though. I think it is the first Synchroblog. But Bridges Across did something very similar but used discussion forums. They did that because it was 1997 and before blogs were around.

I pray this has a tremendous and positive impact.

"Love Revolution" Sounds like a Lenny Kravitz song. I could get into that.

Just say no to pride. That works.

I am sorry you had to go through all of that but I like that you showed that there is an appropriate time for "iron to sharpen iron" (another scriptural principle.) We are called to edify and "make disciples."

I hate that some get on ego power trips ... or whatever. I know that is probably a temptation for all of us but when the relationship has some level of mutual trust, or the Lord impresses (truly) on someone to approach another in error, if it isn't done in love and complete humility ... it's not loving or helpful but just a "clanging gong."

I don't condone spiritual manipulation but I do believe proper Christian discipleship and the ongoing work of the Spirit to use The Body to facilitate sanctification.

Thank you for sharing your stories.

I thought you were being mean about their clothes and appearance. You are also assuming that the whole of scripture treats food and sexuality as the same. When we know that the New Testament shows the fulfillment of the Law by Christ opened the door to all food consumption but still calls for sexual purity.

And again, you lump everything into a simplistic talking point. If a man has repented from sexual addiction and he has taken a bunch of planks out of his own eyes and sees patterns I may not be able to see myself ... you bet he has every right to point out my moral compromises or failures. Especially if I asked him too.

The scripture is a metaphor but in real life, no one is perfect or morally superior but if we didn't call each other on our stuff there would never be any real personal growth, just emotionally stunted hedonism OR oppression by the ones who hold power.

Just my humble opinion as derived from reading that scripture in context.

Oh and thank you very much for saying the post was insightful. I appreciate that.

Grace and peace to you too.

The result of this generalizing statement is to make those of us who don't believe that homosexuality is condition to be overcome feel as though we are somehow out of the “true Christian club” because of where we stand on this issue, that we are not “really” saved. I am sure that this is not your intent, but in the same spirit that you offered your word of caution about the “love the sinner, hate the sin” line, I wanted to let you know how these kinds of statements are heard by “the other.”

Hi Ryan, I appreciate that and point taken. At the same time to imply that it is an unfair generalization... I don't know that it is. Christians, in general, do feel that way. A few of us don't but in general I would say a vast majority do.

So while I do think it is a fair generalization, I can see your point that some would feel left out of the whole (even though the assumed worst of "he thinks I am not saved" would be a wrong in my case.) I could nuance the statement to say "most Christians" and will do so in the future.

Thank you Peter for sticking around and joining in on the topic.

... So, the problem is, if I don't believe you “love” me, all I hear is the “hate” part.

and I would say that all or nothing approach is just as unhelpful. You being a Christian... why would another person have to prove they love you in order that they not be judged as hateful by you?

I think it is loving (for either side) to not only state but defend what they believe if that is what they truly believe is what's best. You don't stay silent when someone you love is engaging in what you consider to be a problem.

On point number two, I agree with you except I don't think they are there to evangelize. I think they see themselves as a prophetic type of witness that only states "Truth" and don't really think they will actually lead someone to the Lord. But also, fellow Christian, your last sentence on this point is out of line, unnecessary and pretty judgmental. Just sayin' :-)

On point number three - I don't think that is true at all. I think that is probably true for you and a lot of people like you but good grief, my friend Rateb, a Muslim, told me to my face that I was going to have a miserable life and burn in hell for blaspheming Mohammad (he asked my opinion and I said I thought Mohammad was a false prophet ... well... he asked.) There are Gay Christians who believe I am going to be one of the surprised "faithful" on judgment day that get cast in hell because I never really knew God.

I learned this at a 12 step program, that if you approach life on an equal footing with others, than opinions are opinions and they only have the power you grant them. I don't see my opinions as superior or inferior. I do believe they reflect God's will and intent but if you prove me wrong ... ok. After Sixteen years and 11 months I haven't run across anything that has changed my mind and you changing yours isn't a question of superiority or inferiority ... its a question you have to take up with God (if you want too.) The problem with superior and inferior mindset is that both sides can say that about the other and that really isn't the point.

The point is God is God, He has His way and we are either in line or we aren't. You think you are, I think I am and we both answer to Him alone.

And, there is no sugar coating, the scriptures say:

Matthew 7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but u do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

If you notice that last verse it says that once you stop acting like a hypocrite and take care of your own issues "... then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

What if the person telling you "your wrong" actually has taken care of their own stuff and stands in righteousness to call you on your speck? Are you over focusing on their assumed log as an excuse to hold on to your speck?

And the real issue boils down to the fact that people have to deal with their own "stuff" in the end and others either need to humbly earn the right to speak into each other's life as well as humbly evaluate whether they receive the other person's testimony of what is True and Good.

Ok ... it only seems to be getting worse.

Ok ... it only seems to be getting worse.

I was wondering ... it was starting to irritate me. Thanks for addressing the issue.

Glad you liked it. Thanks for weighing in on such an important topic.

I know... I think there is something about the new theme that makes it easier for older posts to be found. It's kind of fun.

The legitimate question you ask is:

So what you are saying is that because gays do better, as a group, than the average American, then they cannot claim Civil Rights protection?

The gay community wouldn't be doing better as a group if they weren't already enjoying the full exercise of their Civil Rights. The evidence proves that the gay community doesn't need special protected class status because, as you conceded ... they are doing better than the average American.



As for the rest of your hateful rhetorical flourish ... that can speak for itself.

Well... I do have a right to freedom of speech ... and others ask for my opinion or come to my blog on their own accord.


You know ... like you did.



People can do whatever they want but as long as it is an issue of public discussion I do have a "right" just like they have a "right" to express what we think sex "should" be. That's not nutty, it's called living in a democratic society that believes freedom includes and survives because of free speech.



Thanks for coming by and commenting.

At first I thought your comment was spam because of the name you chose to post under. I was surprised to hear that you identify as gay and are so at odds with "gay culture." I was only surprised in the sense that you posted publicly. Given your beliefs it doesn't surprise me you would want to post anonymously but still ... it takes some moxy to post what you did.


I think there are a lot of people who think like you do. I hear from them privately or see them as I travel around some of the conservative gay blogs.



But now I want to get out of my silly musings and ask, if you would be so kind, what do you think would help "gay culture" to be more diverse, active socially and compassionate toward people they disagree with?

Is there any movement on fixing this plugin so I don't have to logout and log back in for every new facebook connect comment?

synch comments with Facebook feed?

Have the facebook and Disqus profiles combine or synch?

Fix the safari problem?

Is there any movement on fixing this plugin so I don't have to logout and log back in for every new facebook connect comment?

synch comments with Facebook feed?

Have the facebook and Disqus profiles combine or synch?

Fix the safari problem?

Thanks for saying it isn't personally about me but as a guy and as a guy who used to be gay and as a guy who used to be gay who still has feminine affectations ... it is about me too.
Not all guys who identify as gay have feminine characteristics. There is a wide spectrum. And the reasons for it are multi-causal. Temperment, how they learned to communicate, possible gender ambivalence or detachment, definition of masculine may be wrong or simply different than yours ... so much. The danger is in reducing a man to his appearance and qualities that irritate instead of seeing him for all that he is.
I know quite a few men that the world would dismiss as "queens" or still "queeny" even if they have turned away from a gay worldview. Some of these men are more of a "man" than their critics.
I had zero definition of what was masculine or not until after I became a Christian and realized that there was a purpose for God creating gender. My feminine characteristics were because I was surrounded with and only communicated with women for the first 9 or so years of my life. Plus, again, I had no counterbalance in a Dad or peers. When I was gay I hyped it up to get attention but now that I am not I can still be a ham but I hope not in a negative way.
I may die with my affectations still around and I am quite ok with it.

One friend compares it to having an accent after learning a new language. That's simplistic but bears witness with my experience.

Thanks for saying it isn't personally about me but as a guy and as a guy who used to be gay and as a guy who used to be gay who still has feminine affectations ... it is about me too.

Not all guys who identify as gay have feminine characteristics. There is a wide spectrum. And the reasons for it are multi-causal. Temperment, how they learned to communicate, possible gender ambivalence or detachment, definition of masculine may be wrong or simply different than yours ... so much. The danger is in reducing a man to his appearance and qualities that irritate instead of seeing him for all that he is.

I know quite a few men that the world would dismiss as "queens" or still "queeny" even if they have turned away from a gay worldview. Some of these men are more of a "man" than their critics.

I had zero definition of what was masculine or not until after I became a Christian and realized that there was a purpose for God creating gender. My feminine characteristics were because I was surrounded with and only communicated with women for the first 9 or so years of my life. Plus, again, I had no counterbalance in a Dad or peers. When I was gay I hyped it up to get attention but now that I am not I can still be a ham but I hope not in a negative way.

I may die with my affectations still around and I am quite ok with it.

They haven't responded to the last three or four help items I put in. Facebook connect wouldn't work. Never heard of anyone using it beyond their comments here. Could always go back in the future but right now ... tired of having problems, offering feedback and no help or response.

Testing some of the plugins :)

I agree with all of that and pray that the Holy Spirit will foil the plans of the jerk who sent the letter AND that they would get caught AND justice brought.

I guess I should pray for the <s>jerk</s> disturbed person too ;)