Grant Aims to Expand Pro-Gay Churches

emersonian »

Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:48 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Definitely homosexuals should be welcome in church; making them feel unwelcome achieves nothing. However, these same churches should be the places where they hear about the unhappiness that this behaviour inevitably leads to. Threatening people with Hellfire achieves nothing, but people need to know that homosexuality leads to disharmony in the individual and in society, and taints the soul, putting us in peril. As someone who feels a certain degree of attraction towards men, I thank God that he has never permitted me to carry out these desires; I have never been placed in a situation where I have been tempted to carry them out. The Churches need to provide support to people with these inclinations. 'Has any man condemned you?' 'No, Lord.' 'Then neither do I condemn you.' 'Go, and sin no more.'

Presbyterian Network Caters to Concerns, Sparks Women Clergy Debate

emersonian »

Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:39 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

It's a bit confusing why female and gay ordination are lumped together...? There are examples of female leadership in the Bible, e.g. the prophet Deborah and the Christian Priscilla. There is no reason in Earth or Heaven why women can not serve God in every way that a man can. As for the oft-quoted passages from St Paul, it's known that he was very much a man of his time; we all admire him,[I know I do] but we should also recognise his historical context. The ban on female ordination originated in patricarchal societies. I'm actually a MAN, and it's not hard for me to see this. On the other hand, homosexual ordination is problematic because homosexual behaviour, unrepented of, is an obstacle towards communion with God. So perhaps we are talking about two semi-separate issues here?

Obama Suggests Jesus Christ Not the Only Way to Heaven

emersonian »

Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:31 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I recommend that we all check out Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise, particularly the essay on faith contained therein. I'm not citing him as an authority, but rather suggesting that there is some food for thought there that we all might benefit from contemplating, and THEN coming to an objective decision.

Obama Suggests Jesus Christ Not the Only Way to Heaven

emersonian »

Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:29 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 2

First of all, I strongly disagree with Barack Obama's pro-abortion policy, so I'm not an Obama partisan; but I think he has hit the nail on the head. It's easy to 'proof-text' and quote 'I am the Way the Truth and the Life' but really this is a nonsensical way to treat the Bible. St John's Gospel is very much focused on the Divinity of Christ as revealed in Jesus. Therefore the meaning of the text, when examined more objectively, seems to be, 'Those who follow Christ' i.e. who live according to Reason [Logos/Reason being another name of the Spirit of Christ] will be raised up at the last day. According to my reading, Jesus was NOT　saying that everyone from the other religions goes to Hell.