In light of new scientific information it seems particularly cruel and indeed immoral to allow anyone or any institution to use ignorance against homosexuals to promote their agenda. In addressing some of realities of modern homosexual life we must conclude that it is the anti-socialization of homosexuals that is largely to blame for the damaged emotions which has led some to adopt unhealthy and unsatisfying lifestyles and not homosexuality itself. How much one's sexual orientation influences lifestyle is uncertain but we do know that our religious-based and heterosexual-orientated society has a very long history of repressing, abusing and discriminating against the homosexual and that this is the genesis of most of the problems. Which is why the supposed change of heart among some Christians needs to be critically examined.
Today we are seeing some Christians no longer willing to single out homosexuals for special condemnation and are even going as far as to apologize for how the Church has treated gay people in the past. Some are acknowledging that the Church has done a good job of hating the sin but a bad job of loving the (homosexual) sinner. These Christians are giving themselves a lot of credit for being more tolerant, humble and compassionate towards the gay community than their 'brothers and sisters' where in past. While this approach is certainly better than before- it is in no way a real and significant change. This has nothing to due people actually coming to a realization and finally accepting the facts. It is more like a religious re-branding - primarily due to society's changing attitudes towards homosexuality and the fact that fewer people are willing to put up with their old bigoted, hate-mongering approach that the Church has had for so many years. Despite the new and improved rhetoric they still believe and teach that homosexuality is immoral. If Christians were truly sorry they would say something like- "What the Church taught about homosexuality in the past is completely wrong. We were ignorant and I'm sorry."
Of course, Christians should apologize for how their church has treated gays and lesbians, but forgiveness implies realizing your mistakes and seeking to make amends. If they are still promoting the same old lies and refusing to acknowledge the scientific facts which clearly expose their wrong headed position, then they have not earned any forgiveness and their approach is completely self-serving. Unfortunately, many well-meaning open-minded people have been hoodwinked by the church's new marketing strategy.
The fact is that many Christians will never accept scientific findings which flatly contradict their 'holy book'. Even when confronted with the new information about homosexuality these Christians will still insist that it is the acting on homosexuality is the sin or moral failing even if having the sexual desire itself is not. But consider this- if it were a mental disorder or biological defect -the result of the Fall as some Christians say, then why doesn't the Bible clearly say so and why would God order people be put to death because of their mental or physical defect?
Christians are good at periodically changing their positions just enough so that people will still take their claims seriously (even without any proof). The problem they have today is that their long-standing position on homosexuality is far too well known for them to simply tweak it or ignore it.
Their belief that homosexuality, like every other 'defective' thing in the world today, is the result of the wrong actions taken by the very first man and woman ever created by God, shows us the root of the problem. If Christians are willing to ignore the evidence we have that clearly supports human evolution then how can they be expected to render any credible judgement on the matter of homosexuality? The 'gay problem' really is a faith problem for the Christian -which may be why it is such a big deal to them. If they concede that homosexuals are born and that it's not a choice or a sin then they will lose their credibility.
The Christian belief system is based on a 'holy book' created by the state religion of a long gone empire. Most of 'facts' in this so-called holy book have either never been corroborated or have been discredited. Additionally, the religious 'conversion' and being 'filled with the spirit' experiences have both been confirmed as psychosomatic experiences - a form of religious hypnosis - a mental state that is induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a series of preconditioning instructions and suggestions delivered, knowingly or unknowingly, by parents, teachers, preachers, friends, witnesses, even the media (including books, TV, music and films), etc. -in person or self-administered (autosuggestion).
Some people are more susceptible to religious-hypnotic induction than others -usually because of their upbringing/social conditioning. Studies have shown that people are particularly vulnerable to religious hypnosis in times of confusion, directionless, stress or trauma- as are people who suffer from low self-confidence and low-information or inexperience. The irony is that most homosexuality is caused by nature, whereas religious belief and experiences are caused by nurture.
Today we are seeing some Christians no longer willing to single out homosexuals for special condemnation and are even going as far as to apologize for how the Church has treated gay people in the past. Some are acknowledging that the Church has done a good job of hating the sin but a bad job of loving the (homosexual) sinner. These Christians are giving themselves a lot of credit for being more tolerant, humble and compassionate towards the gay community than their 'brothers and sisters' where in past. While this approach is certainly better than before- it is in no way a real and significant change. This has nothing to due people actually coming to a realization and finally accepting the facts. It is more like a religious re-branding - primarily due to society's changing attitudes towards homosexuality and the fact that fewer people are willing to put up with their old bigoted, hate-mongering approach that the Church has had for so many years. Despite the new and improved rhetoric they still believe and teach that homosexuality is immoral. If Christians were truly sorry they would say something like- "What the Church taught about homosexuality in the past is completely wrong. We were ignorant and I'm sorry."
Of course, Christians should apologize for how their church has treated gays and lesbians, but forgiveness implies realizing your mistakes and seeking to make amends. If they are still promoting the same old lies and refusing to acknowledge the scientific facts which clearly expose their wrong headed position, then they have not earned any forgiveness and their approach is completely self-serving. Unfortunately, many well-meaning open-minded people have been hoodwinked by the church's new marketing strategy.
The fact is that many Christians will never accept scientific findings which flatly contradict their 'holy book'. Even when confronted with the new information about homosexuality these Christians will still insist that it is the acting on homosexuality is the sin or moral failing even if having the sexual desire itself is not. But consider this- if it were a mental disorder or biological defect -the result of the Fall as some Christians say, then why doesn't the Bible clearly say so and why would God order people be put to death because of their mental or physical defect?
Christians are good at periodically changing their positions just enough so that people will still take their claims seriously (even without any proof). The problem they have today is that their long-standing position on homosexuality is far too well known for them to simply tweak it or ignore it.
Their belief that homosexuality, like every other 'defective' thing in the world today, is the result of the wrong actions taken by the very first man and woman ever created by God, shows us the root of the problem. If Christians are willing to ignore the evidence we have that clearly supports human evolution then how can they be expected to render any credible judgement on the matter of homosexuality? The 'gay problem' really is a faith problem for the Christian -which may be why it is such a big deal to them. If they concede that homosexuals are born and that it's not a choice or a sin then they will lose their credibility.
The Christian belief system is based on a 'holy book' created by the state religion of a long gone empire. Most of 'facts' in this so-called holy book have either never been corroborated or have been discredited. Additionally, the religious 'conversion' and being 'filled with the spirit' experiences have both been confirmed as psychosomatic experiences - a form of religious hypnosis - a mental state that is induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a series of preconditioning instructions and suggestions delivered, knowingly or unknowingly, by parents, teachers, preachers, friends, witnesses, even the media (including books, TV, music and films), etc. -in person or self-administered (autosuggestion).
Some people are more susceptible to religious-hypnotic induction than others -usually because of their upbringing/social conditioning. Studies have shown that people are particularly vulnerable to religious hypnosis in times of confusion, directionless, stress or trauma- as are people who suffer from low self-confidence and low-information or inexperience. The irony is that most homosexuality is caused by nature, whereas religious belief and experiences are caused by nurture.
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