" I am the L-rd your G-d who rescued you from the land of Egypt... gods besides Me you should not know, and there is no Saviour but Me" (Shemot 20: 2 & Hoshea 13: 4) . A Sephardi discussion on Orthodoxy, the world, notes, essays & other pedantic musings
Monday, 26 May 2014
Thought for the day- ecumenical
Hi All,
For once, I actually agree with a Bishop of Rome on something :
If only the pope was a bit more cleverer when it came to the middle east. His insane trip to the security barrier has left a bitter taste here in Israel.
Yes, it infuriates conservative traditionalist RC's, but this guy is as cunning as a fox. If you go and read about this, he was deliberately vague, so everyone could feel they got something out of it. Reading the Damian Thompson article which you've posted on, underlines the point there.
God tells us that homosexuality is sinful, abominable, and unnatural (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:8–10). But if I were to be honest, sometimes homosexual attractions can seem natural to me.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this may be your dilemma as well. You see what God has to say about homosexuality, but your heart doesn’t utter the same sentiments. God’s word says it’s sinful; your heart says it feels right. God’s word says it’s abominable; your heart says it’s delightful. God’s word says it’s unnatural; your heart says it’s totally normal. Do you see that there is a clear divide between what God’s word says and how your heart feels?
So which voice should you believe?
There was a time in my walk with Christ where I experienced a lot of temptation about falling back into lesbianism. These temptations caused me to doubt God’s word. My temptations and desires began to become more real to me than the truth of the Bible. As I was praying and meditating on these things, God put this impression on my heart: “Lucy you have to believe that my word is true even if it contradicts how you feel.” Wow! This is right. Either I trust in his word or I trust my own feelings. Either I look to him for the pleasure my soul craves or I search for it in lesser things. Either I walk in obedience to what he says or I reject his truth as if it were a lie.
The struggle with my homosexuality is a battle of faith. Is God my joy? Is he good enough? Or am I still looking to broken cisterns to quench a thirst only he can satisfy? That is the battle. It is for me, and it is for you.
The choice is yours, my friend. I pray you put your faith in Christ and flee from the lies of our society that coincide with the voices of your heart — a heart that Scripture says is wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Run to Jesus instead.
There is an agenda here - homosexual activists plan on recruiting your children into their lifestyle; how they're undermining traditional marriage; and how they will eventually criminalize any public criticism of homosexual conduct. (It's already happening in Canada where the gay agenda is well advanced.)
Every time I meet someone from Israel they’re like, “You should come to Tel Aviv! It is full of Jewish lesbians!” and I’m all, “Yesssssssssssss” before I realize my Hebrew is limited to “shalom” . But one day I have to visit Tel Aviv, anyway.
I am a lesbian. I don't know why, but I am sexually attracted to other women. I have never been attracted to a man. In fact, I find them repulsive. I don't hate men and I have many male friends, but I cannot have sex with them.
I didn't choose this, but I am still human. I work, pay my mortgage and my taxes and do all the things that other people do. I don't think that I should be thought of as something less than a heterosexual.
When Australian politicians, Russian presidents, Archbishops and Muslim clerics make public statements about my sexuality it really hurts. They should try to understand that people are not clones.
I don't want to get married, but if I did I don't see why I should be discriminated against purely on the grounds that I have desires for women. The argument that the C of E should resist gay marriage because Africans don't like it is insane.
Until a few decades ago there was a broad consensus in all the Christian churches that homosexuality is sinful (as well as all heterosexual sex outside marriage, including masturbation), that wives should obey their husbands, cover their head in worship and there is a good scriptural basis of all of these beliefs. Whether Christians should abandon their traditional beliefs which they claim are revealed by God for a more contemporary political correctness is for them to debate. For those who recognize Christianity for the misguided human construct that it is whose basic assertions about the world are simply untrue, we should ignore Christian beliefs and use our own sense of morality to define our attitudes.
Hi, Well if you go and look at the 'about', you will see LGBTQ is one the themes I'll be writing about here. I wouldn't call my posts propaganda though.
"I am a lesbian. I don't know why, but I am sexually attracted to other women. I have never been attracted to a man. I don't hate men and I have many male friends, but I cannot have sex with them.
I didn't choose this, but I am still human. I work, pay my mortgage and my taxes and do all the things that other people do. I don't think that I should be thought of as something less than a heterosexual."
But surely forcing celibacy with no alternative outlet is clearly not going to work. As a hetrosexual married woman, I couldn't take the thought of being celibate and I don't think it is natural or normal (I'd say the more sex, which of course has to be more than just casual quickies,the better).
Hi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this; it is indeed cool that Pope Francis is wanting to be inclusive of LGBTQ Christians!
Sophie
You are softening your Roman Catholic fans, such as I, for the post about his disgraceful antics in Israel?
ReplyDeleteThis proves that Francis - like all popes- are the antiChrist! A Christian cannot endorse sodomy or Dyke couplings! It is clearly against God's word!
ReplyDeleteIf only the pope was a bit more cleverer when it came to the middle east. His insane trip to the security barrier has left a bitter taste here in Israel.
ReplyDeleteHi Bro,
ReplyDeleteI agree!
No comment....
ReplyDeleteHi Soph, yes that's right. If only he could get Israel right, then he'd tick a lot of ecumenical boxes!
ReplyDeleteFrank has yet to realize that the more "with it" he makes the Church the more irrelevant he makes the Church.
ReplyDeleteRoman Catholic fans? I dunno how we manged that one!
ReplyDelete'Frank', oh that's brilliant !
ReplyDeleteJust wait until Happy Jack gets onto this thread....
ReplyDeleteYes, it infuriates conservative traditionalist RC's, but this guy is as cunning as a fox. If you go and read about this, he was deliberately vague, so everyone could feel they got something out of it. Reading the Damian Thompson article which you've posted on, underlines the point there.
ReplyDeleteGod tells us that homosexuality is sinful, abominable, and unnatural (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:8–10). But if I were to be honest, sometimes homosexual attractions can seem natural to me.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this may be your dilemma as well. You see what God has to say about homosexuality, but your heart doesn’t utter the same sentiments. God’s word says it’s sinful; your heart says it feels right. God’s word says it’s abominable; your heart says it’s delightful. God’s word says it’s unnatural; your heart says it’s totally normal. Do you see that there is a clear divide between what God’s word says and how your heart feels?
So which voice should you believe?
There was a time in my walk with Christ where I experienced a lot of temptation about falling back into lesbianism. These temptations caused me to doubt God’s word. My temptations and desires began to become more real to me than the truth of the Bible. As I was praying and meditating on these things, God put this impression on my heart: “Lucy you have to believe that my word is true even if it contradicts how you feel.” Wow! This is right. Either I trust in his word or I trust my own feelings. Either I look to him for the pleasure my soul craves or I search for it in lesser things. Either I walk in obedience to what he says or I reject his truth as if it were a lie.
The struggle with my homosexuality is a battle of faith. Is God my joy? Is he good enough? Or am I still looking to broken cisterns to quench a thirst only he can satisfy? That is the battle. It is for me, and it is for you.
The choice is yours, my friend. I pray you put your faith in Christ and flee from the lies of our society that coincide with the voices of your heart — a heart that Scripture says is wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Run to Jesus instead.
Homosexuality is a disorder.
ReplyDeleteThere is an agenda here - homosexual activists plan on recruiting your
children into their lifestyle; how they're undermining traditional
marriage; and how they will eventually criminalize any public
criticism of homosexual conduct. (It's already happening in Canada
where the gay agenda is well advanced.)
Hi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteJewish lesbians are truly hot !
Every time I meet someone from Israel they’re like, “You should come to Tel Aviv! It is full of Jewish lesbians!” and I’m all, “Yesssssssssssss” before I realize my Hebrew is limited to “shalom” . But one day I have to visit Tel Aviv, anyway.
I'm sure he'll love it :)
ReplyDeleteFrancis is a heretical anti-pope for his endorsement of homosexuality, which clearly goes against Church doctrine and teachings.
ReplyDeleteNice one Hannah!
ReplyDeleteI can't see how The Holy Father is an anti-pope? Can you explain that?
ReplyDeleteI don't think Francis actually did, if you look at what he said at the time. It's been misreported by the media big time.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm a big fan of this blog. And I'm a gentile Roman !
ReplyDelete"Homosexuality is a disorder"
ReplyDeleteI beg to differ & I'm not into agendas, so you have no need to worry about that.
Hi there, I disagree. I don't feel that I have a dilemma at all. But thanks for sharing your POV.
ReplyDeleteI am a lesbian. I don't know why, but I am sexually attracted to other women. I have never been attracted to a man. In fact, I find them repulsive. I don't hate men and I have many male friends, but I cannot have sex with them.
ReplyDeleteI didn't choose this, but I am still human. I work, pay my mortgage and my taxes and do all the things that other people do. I don't think that I should be thought of as something less than a heterosexual.
When Australian politicians, Russian presidents, Archbishops and Muslim clerics make public statements about my sexuality it really hurts. They should try to understand that people are not clones.
I don't want to get married, but if I did I don't see why I should be discriminated against purely on the grounds that I have desires for women. The argument that the C of E should resist gay marriage because Africans don't like it is insane.
Until a few decades ago there was a broad consensus in all the Christian churches that homosexuality is sinful (as well as all heterosexual sex outside marriage, including masturbation), that wives should obey their husbands, cover their head in worship and there is a good scriptural basis of all of these beliefs. Whether Christians should abandon their traditional beliefs which they claim are revealed by God for a more contemporary political correctness is for them to debate. For those who recognize Christianity for the misguided human construct that it is whose basic assertions about the world are simply untrue, we should ignore Christian beliefs and use our own sense of morality to define our attitudes.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Christian. That is my faith. I am a lesbian. That is my sexual orientation. I make no apology for being either.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Really meant a lot to me as a Jewish lesbian.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that (:
ReplyDeleteIs it me or has this blog become nothing other than a propaganda tool for LGBTQ issues?
ReplyDeleteI agree the tag line should be 'relentless Charedi bashing, promotion of the homosexual agenda and other pedantic musings'
ReplyDeleteI'd also add 'ignorant propaganda for Israel and its lies.'
ReplyDeleteAs a gay man I'm getting same sex married next year.
ReplyDeleteI don't give a flying fuck whether the Pope or anyone else approves or not.
Hi, Well if you go and look at the 'about', you will see LGBTQ is one the themes I'll be writing about here. I wouldn't call my posts propaganda though.
ReplyDeleteLOL! How funny. If it were true.
ReplyDeleteRubbish.
ReplyDeleteHi Sophie,
ReplyDelete"I am a lesbian. I don't know why, but I am sexually attracted to other women. I have never been attracted to a man. I don't hate men and I have many male friends, but I cannot have sex with them.
I didn't choose this, but I am still human. I work, pay my mortgage and my taxes and do all the things that other people do. I don't think that I should be thought of as something less than a heterosexual."
Thanks for sharing this (:
Hi
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
Comments have been deleted. Where really bad?
ReplyDeleteBut surely forcing celibacy with no alternative outlet is clearly not going to work. As a hetrosexual married woman, I couldn't take the thought of being celibate and I don't think it is natural or normal (I'd say the more sex, which of course has to be more than just casual quickies,the better).
ReplyDeleteYes it is just you.
ReplyDelete