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

Absolutely not! Sexual feelings, may begin early; but lust is most definitely beyond the normal 6-year-old mind. Even in cases of sexual abuse at an early age, what the child desires--indeed NEEDS--is unrelated to sexuality. A child needs acceptance, love, & nurturing.

 

Yes, you're right about the ad. Let me clarify:

My main reason for posting the personals ads aimed at both men & women was not to instigate sexual relationships, but to develop friendships in an area where I knew no one except a few family members--a point which I included prominently in those ads. (BTW, I've closed both those ads because I've made all the friends I have time for--none of which involves any sexual relationship at this point).

Yes, I AM open to sexual relationships with either gender, because I don't believe there is anything wrong with that. I honestly believe that occasional temporary sexual relationships between friends can be very positive experiences. I have had a few such relationships with men that were mutually comfortable--where the sexual aspect was fleeting, but the friendship remained. I know some people can be comfortable with more impersonal sexual encounters, but that just doesn't get it for me. I don't care to be physically intimate with anyone without any intimacy on any other level.

I have never, thus far, had a sexual encounter with a woman. And throughout most of my life I have never been conscious of being sexually attracted to women to near the degree that I have been to men. However, I have occasionally felt some sexual attraction to one or another particular woman. I don't consider myself a true bisexual--one who could be both sexually & romantically satisfied with either gender. If I had a life-partner, I would want a man as that partner.

Despite my past relationship mistakes, I would not now pursue a sexual relationship with either a man or a woman simply for the thrill of it, nor at the risk of causing anyone emotional pain. I am a passionate person in all respects, including sexually; but not a thoughtless or heartless one. Other aspects of my relationships with people are more important to me than sexual attraction. However, I would not hesitate to enjoy a mutually pleasing encounter with either a man or a woman who was also someone whose company I enjoyed on other levels as well.

I hope that clarifies where I'm coming from.

 

To sort of echo a point, I think it depends on by whom the person is afraid of getting caught. If he is afraid of being arrested, that's one thing. If he refrains because of a fear of judgment from God, I think that's something else. Fear of God's judgment is a healthy thing, spritually speaking.

Of course. What right or even privilege do I have to condemn someone else? My charge as a Christian is to welcome, respect, love, and share the Gospel with anyone and everyone I meet, while constantly striving to live in such a way that when people see me, they see the influence of Jesus in my life. No more, no less.

Agreed. However, I have personally witnessed the nature -- the very core of personality -- change dramatically. I've seen three instances in my family alone (my father and both of my grandmothers) of change so extreme, they each became different kinds of people. In each case, it took a traumatic experience to affect those changes, but it did and can happen.

Agreed. And I tend to think that it's a both/and situation, not an either/or. Though it may be subconsciously, even men are looking for some level of bonding in any relationship -- even if it only lasts for one night.

 

Excellent point--I can see where you're coming from on that; though with my set of spiritual beliefs, it's more a matter of "fearing" my own judgment of myself & knowing that doing something I know to be immoral would damage my character. (By knowing something to be immoral, I mean both the things generally agreed by almost everyone to be immoral as well as those things that are individual parts of my beliefs).
A person who fears God's judgment, though, still may dwell on the temptation instead of making a real effort to get past it, even to the point of giving in with the intention of asking forgiveness afterwards.
Gets a little dicey trying to analyze it, but very interesting.

 

That's very true. However a God-fearing person will sometimes dwell on the temptation while making a real effort to get past it, too. From a Biblical point of view, Romans chapter 7 offers a very good discourse on this situation.

 

I am not a recovering anything. I am a new creation, in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, s/he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Therefore, even though homosexual sin is part of my past, it no longer defines who I am. Yes, a good-looking guy will present a challenge. But I am not a homosexual. Nor am I a "recovering" homosexual. I am an EX-homosexual. I am a sinner saved by the love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, power, riches and strength of God, and the Blood of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. Plus nothing else. When I see a good-looking guy, I can say, quietly, to God, in prayer, and not out loud, "GOOD JOB, DAD!" I also pray for him.

I love you all

 

Wait a minute..... hold on... A "good-looking guy" is a "challenge"? You basically mean you have to make yourself not be attracted to men???

You've got some major issues to deal with bud. Best of luck.