Re: boylove & sexual encounters (LONG)
Submitted by Derek on September 07 2000 02:37:13
In reply to boylove & sexual encounters (LONG) submitted by Splash! on September 05 2000 01:03:45
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Splash, Thanks so much for the reply, and the latter comments. It's great stuff. In fact, I've never heard many of those arguments. In the past, I've only heard boylove said to be wrong by first showing that homosexual relationships are wrong and then deducing that since boylove relationships are homosexual, they too are wrong. On the other hand, you addressed the issue directly, giving a good argument against boylove relationships without fooling around. I've spent many a day reading and studying the Bible to death, trying to understand God's thoughts on homosexual (not specifically boylove) relationships. On one hand, God wants us to share our love with each other; on the other, Paul seems to imply that homosexuality is sinful. On one hand, there's no obviously homosexual relationships in the Bible that are good. On the other hand, there's no homosexual *relationships* (consenting sex between two of the same sex) at all. There's no doubt that rape is wrong, and lust, and adultery, and all that... So, now, since there's no example or reference to homosexual marriage (except that between David and Jonathan, but there's no indication that sex was involved in that "marriage"), I can only believe that God did not intend men to marry in the way that a man and a woman marry. But there are many things that make me think that God does desire for there to be some sort of homosexual intercourse. 1) The bible talks occasionally about homosexual activity, it seems, but it always seems to avoid addressing the issue directly. For example, the bible does not say "don't have sex with a man", it says "don't lie with a man as one lies with a woman." That verse by itself makes it nearly impossible for me to believe that God opposes all homosexual activity. Now, clearly he opposes some, but he was careful to qualify his words somehow... (not sure how) 2) I can't imagine that God made me this way just to torture me. There must be some reason. Could that reason not involve sex? yes... but then why do I desire sex so strongly? 3) God has not given me a conviction on this issue, even after nearly two years of prayer. I'm torn between my church and my Bible, in essence. I just can't find a way to interpret the Bible in a reasonable way that allows me to agree with my church. So, then, I'm stuck. I know that sex shouldn't happen outside of marriage, I know there's no gay marriage, and I'm pretty sure that homosexuality is cool with God. There's only one possible explanation I can find that would allow these to not contradict: homosexual sex is not sex. This thought disturbs me, but I always try to keep an open mind towards spiritual things, and not take with my any preconceptions about the nature of things. Sex is a part of marriage that demonstrates love between a man and his wife. Outside of marriage sex is adultery, or idolatry. But since there's no such thing as a homosexual marriage, homosexual "sex" must be a casual thing that good friends do (for fun? pleasure? whatever). So, therefore, homosexual activity is fine as long as you don't confuse it with heterosexual marriage activity. As you can see, that doesn't make much sense. Basically, I can't convince myself that homosexual activity is wrong, but I also can't imagine any situation in which it'd be acceptable or appropriate. Sigh. To all those who are trying to figure this out: keep it up! Don't get discouraged! Share your thoughts with others, especially people you trust in your church. Share with us, too, so that we might be able to understand God's will for our lives... Thanks again Splash, perhaps I'll comment further in the future. You had all sorts of good stuff to say. -- D |
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