amigo2@ihuxq.UUCP (John Hobson) (02/11/84)
(Note to readers of net.motss: the article which this answers is in net.religion) David Norris says: >> But I wonder about those who believe that they have to give >> up treasured beliefs and loves to accept Christ. What kinds >> of judgements, loves and values do you think you will have >> to give up? You don't have to give ANYTHING up to become a >> Christian; God wants you the way you are. The hitch? You >> will find that, as you grow closer to God, you will give up >> some things you never thought you would. >> >> I have found this to be a common reason to reject Jesus, but >> I don't think it holds much weight. If you cherish a >> particular value, God may not ask you to give it up. If you >> believe God will ask you to give it up, you must search for >> the reasons behind such a belief. >> >> Let's take a case in point, a value that might be disputed. >> Homosexuality is a good one; I think we can agree that we >> disagree, anyway. A homosexual knows that, if he accepts >> Christ, he will be asked to give up his sexual preference. >> Let us also assume that he sincerely believes that there is >> nothing wrong with homosexuality. What reasons might he >> have for not accepting Jesus? There are many superficial >> reasons: [ SEVERAL LINES OMITTED ] >> 3) fear that a real God will ask him to give up his >> lifestyle >> To me, this is the only argumentable answer. But it implies >> that the person is making a free choice to reject God. I >> suspect that this is rather rare. Since I am sub-human, I >> have probably left out some other reasonable responses to >> this question. Seriously, do you *really* believe that >> others are sub-human to cast aside his own values, if God >> asked him to? This implies a relationship with the >> Almighty, and would make the individual super-human, not >> sub-human, don't you think? David, I'm sorry, but I don't follow you. You say in the first paragraph "You don't have to give ANYTHING up to become a Christian; God wants you the way you are", in almost the next breath you say "A homosexual knows that, if he accepts Christ, he will be asked to give up his sexual preference." This is certainly giving something up, expecting perpetual celibacy (for someone who is not sexually attracted to women). What if, as you say, we "assume that he sincerely believes that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality." Then he would be going against his beliefs to reject homosexuality. This would make him different from what he truly is, but you say that God wants him as he is. It would be also be hypocritical, which God most assuredly does not want. It may (or then again it may not) surprise you to hear that there are many men (and women) who are gay and believe themselves to be sincere Christians. I am speaking of those who do not give up their homosexual lifestyle, but try to live it in a loving and Christian way. As far as your third reason for not accepting Jesus goes, I think that what I have just said is an answer to it. I would add a fourth reason, far more cogent: 4) anger that a loving God would not accept homosexuals, but condemns them for something over which they have no real control, i.e., sexual preference. John Hobson AT&T Bell Labs Naperville, IL (312) 979-0193 ihnp4!ihuxq!amigo2