The 'gay vs the Bible' debate......

The equivalent today would be if the compilers of the NIV said, "Okay, we're going to write a new and better translation of the Bible than anything else available today. But we're not going to write it directly from the original texts, we're going to take this existing version that's sort of close and make a few corrections." To me, it's just not the same as starting from square one and coming up with something brand new that doesn't have a few decades' (or centuries') worth of 'influence'. But again, that's just my opinion.

I'm not one who gives something a free pass just because it's been around for a while. I think the KJV was probably the best version available from its release in 1611 to the latter 20th century. I just think that the NIV and NASB are better, more accurate translations. Discrepancies like the one I cited above, IMO, speak to that assertion.

 

Fred, I can't imagine what your life is like, nor can I imagine being beat up as badly has you have "in the name of God". I don't blame you for being passionate about this. You're going to believe what you're going to believe, and I respect that. All I can offer as response is that the rest of the country (and the world, for that matter) isn't all like the Bible Belt, and that the Religious Right isn't a true representation of Biblical Christianity. I promise you that.

There are more and better things, places, and people out there than what you have experienced. Please try to take some hope from that.

 

Dear Hasbeen,

Hi, it's me. Please found a seminary based on your philosophy and send your graduates out into all the backwoods of America to dilute the influence of half-literate fundamentalism. The nation you save may be your own! Thanks for your attention.

Yer pal,
E.

 

It's not like my life is bad HB. I've not been beaten up or even attacked for being gay. (Being 6'3", 220# helps.) As far as being gay and born/raised in the south, I have it lucky. I have a supportive family, even supportive extended redneck family members I never thought would be there if they found out.

It's just the ignorance and intolerance from a group of people who's name means 'Christ-like' who acts the exact opposite that irritates me to no end.

But you do make a vaild point- we're in the Bible Belt. Maybe it's just the mentality down here.

 

Are you thinking about converting to Christianity if he does?

 

Honest question, do you equate someone believing or saying that homosexuality is a sin with ignorance and intolerance or do you think that they have to discriminate against you in some way to reach that level?

 

I associate it with the inability to use their head or their heart to make decisions on their own.

 

How are you able to judge whether a person is making his own decisions or is simply repeating what he has been taught? Why does it matter how they reached their position? Is it not the position they hold that matters?

 

That doesn't make any sense Thelt, but I'll do my best...

1. Because I've been battling the brunt of this "But the Bible says...." stuff for 20 plus years. I live it every day and I see it every day. I think that makes me a pretty good judge.

2. It doesn't matter how they reached 'their position." Either they believe a 2000+ year old book that has translated by man as THE official word of God- bar nothing without looking into their heads and hearts or they simply follow the crowd- both are pretty stupid in my opinion.

 

So you believe that anyone who believes in the Bible as the word of God is not thinking for themselves and merely following the herd? That seems pretty closed minded to me. You lament those who are closed minded towards you but do not seem to extend an open mind to others.