The battle is fierce and running strong in America’s society over how much the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community has been discriminated against and how to bring justice to those who have denied them their rights. One of the most vehement opinions, according to social media, is that Christians are a group of devoted bigots who are intolerant of anything related to homosexuality.
First, let us set down what the Bible, which gives the best outline of what Christianity should look like, says about homosexuality.
It is a sin.
There is no way around this, though many try. It is important to understand that it is as great a sin as adultery and lust. Sometimes it seems that to Christians it is the worst sin, but it is not. Even greater is that there is ready redemption, waiting for those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.
I understand that some Christians go about opposing homosexuality with bad intentions. Comments, posts, articles, etc. come from a place of hate rather than a place of love.
No person is perfect.
No Christian, no Muslim, no atheist has all the answers or lives without bias. It is best to understand what is expected of Christians and to study that, rather than hone in on the opinions or actions of a person who represents those beliefs, but is naturally biased.
Biblically, Christians are called to abhor sin. Homosexuality is a sin. Therefore, Christians are called to abhor it and any other sin by working to remove the patterns of sin from their own lives. On their own, Christians are just as guilty as a non-believer. It is only once they have accepted the ransom (the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) that they are free from the punishment. But what does the Bible say about how Christians are supposed to treat non-believers? Should they hold them to the same standards?
The answer is more complicated than it seems.
The simple answer is, “yes” because Christians need to understand and acknowledge that any sexual sin is against the nature of God, so condoning and demonstrating support of sinful actions is not right. The apostle Paul says that every person knows that there is a God, no matter what religion or non-religion they’re brought up in. It is those who refuse to acknowledge this who are then “given over” to sinful acts and a closed mind. Christians are not called to damage non-believers with hateful acts and anger. They are instead called to stand up for what the Bible deems right and to firmly acknowledge that any sexual sin, including homosexuality, is against God’s character.
I would like to mention how there is a surprisingly unsubstantial amount of response to the irony that those who are calling for acceptance attack anyone and anything that poses opposition as simple as an opinion. That demonstrates a mentality of exclusivity rather than acceptance, wouldn’t you say? To see, hear, and watch a group of people who claim so fervently that they are fighting for equality and acceptance furtively attack anything they view as a threat should spark more questions than support.
