In contrast to recent signals from the White House, statistics show that public support for gay marriage has been steadily increasing in recent years. Across America, people are more accepting of the LGBT community than ever before. And it's not just atheistic city-dwelling millennials driving this trend the rate of acceptance is up throughout society.
A recent study on same-sex marriage conducted by the Pew Research Center shows just how fast the tide has turned, and the numbers might surprise you. Notably, even conservative Christians are not exempt from the shifting sands of public opinion.
Gay Marriage, By the Numbers
Within the span of just a decade, there has been a dramatic reversal in public acceptance of gay marriage (see chart at right). In 2007, only 37 percent of Americans were in favor. 10 years later, and that number has climbed to 62 percent.
Religious divides do remain, but they are no longer as prominent as they once were. According to the study, a whopping 85 percent of non-religious Americans approve of gay marriage. As one might expect, support among Christians is much lower than that. However, it is steadily rising. One striking example: 35 percent of evangelical Protestants now support same-sex marriage. It may not seem like a lot, but in 2007 that number was just 14 percent meaning support has more than doubled in the past 10 years.
What's Causing the Shift?
This obviously begs the question: what's changed? For decades, Christianity has taught that homosexuality is a sin. This belief gave rise to all manner of treatments for the "condition" among them the highly controversial practice of conversion therapy.
There are plenty of Christians who still think in these terms, but it's clear which side has the momentum. Church leaders are changing their tones, as are their parishioners. Harsh rebukes and harmful treatments have been replaced by messages of tolerance and admonitions of cruelty.
A key factor driving this trend is younger Christians, who are generally more open to gay marriage than their older counterparts. For example, Pew's research shows that among have evangelical Protestants, age plays a huge factor in their opinions. 51% of evangelical millennials believe society should accept homosexuality, while only 33% of Baby Boomers and 20% of the Silent Generation believe the same.
Is the World Burning Yet?
Whether people approve of it or not, gay marriage has now been legal for over two years. So, how have things gone? Has the institution of marriage crumbled under the weight of all the "sinners" now taking their vows? Have our nation's children suffered permanent harm? Is society unraveling? These were just a few of the arguments made in opposition of same-sex marriage. Thankfully, we seem to have avoided these apocalyptic scenarios. 
Perhaps that has also played a part in growing acceptance among Christians. Once it became clear that the fire-and-brimstone predictions were off the mark, some people may have decided it was better to live and let live.
Moving Forward
It seems clear which direction society is moving on this issue. However, there are plenty of interesting questions to consider. For example, how will we look back on this issue 30, 40, or 50 years from now? Will it be viewed similarly to the Civil Rights movement? Or differently?
What do you predict?
84 comments
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Christophe
So much hate.
Listen, I'm a guy and I can't imagine having sex with another guy. Being gay is not a choice for me. God made me straight. I know qyure a few homosexuals and they don't have a choice either. God made them gay. I'm not going to question His decision.
One day God will judge each and every one of us. I'm not so arrogant as to know what his judgement will be concerning homosexuals. Nor do I really care, I'm more interested in removing the plank from my own eye, than telling people about the splinters in theirs.
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Katrina
First let consider what the sin is here, if it the love between gays then Christ himself is the greatest of all sinners because he loved his disciples and man kind in general far more than any two humans could love each other regardless of their gender. If it is the sexual act itself then husbands who require such acts from their wives and vice-versa are just as sinful as the gays. If the marriage bed being holy means these acts are holy by marriage then any sex act regardless of its degradation would be holy as long as it was done in the marriage bed. These are of course my understanding of our word only for myself, I cannot judge any person for I am not God but I strive instead to love all as God loves them. If asked my personal understanding on these things this is my answer. If asked to marry I now refuse all, my understanding of marriage is for procreation and multiply and subduing the earth. We have accomplished this so now marriage is no longer needed instead chastity and submission of our whole body to God for fasting and prayer to his will be done. Again these things are mine for myself I do not by any means ask any person to up hold the standard I have required of myself. My prayer for all is that our LORD open up inside of each of you his standard for your purpose in his will and that you each follow your own purpose.
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Minister Raymundo
Christians may be more tolerant but does God see it that way? Our church promotes to do what is right. Same sex marriage, transgenders and homosexuality are not right. Very simple: If your junk hangs, you're a man. By the process of elimination, the only sex left is woman. Simple, right? I'm sorry but in nature, I don't see animals of the same sex staying together and "mating" for life. I don't see a male dog or cat act like a female and try to mate. I don't see a female bird of paradise have the same plummage as a male. Nature got it figured out. Why can't we? I do not believe in the bible so y'all can't say I get this from there. Just common sense. Remember to do what is right and everything will be clear.
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David Atkins
We must remember that the Bible is not God--God is God. The earliest apostles understood this. Acts Chapter 15 describes the amazing Jerusalem Council, where the apostles carefully considered whether every detail in the scriptures must be obeyed--or not. They saw that Gentiles were leading God-filled lives without following Jewish law. And so, the apostles decided that portions of the Bible which are incorrect or no longer applicable need not be followed.
Our LGBTQ brothers and sisters who are living God-filled lives are living proof that the Bible is not always correct--or, if you wish, is being misunderstood.
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Termitus Excitus
Wow. This thread can be very mean and narrow minded. Not all, but a great deal of the comments are in judgement of others. I thought Coexist was the goal.
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Jim D.
How about this? If you don't like gay marriage, don't marry a gay person. There. Problem solved.
Okay, go ahead and argue. I'll respond later.
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Bill Fox
Hitler would have loved to have gay marriage, with registered licenses, before he came to power, of course.
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angel
Perhaps, could be where his spyhillis came from.
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Jay
Ever notice that it's the ones who protest the loudest against gay people are the ones caught with their pants down cheating on their wives with men?
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angel
To be fair, I often find it's the leader's who become corrupt. I believe most of the follower's are merely following the leadership of the leader and they follow what they are taught. Since it's not illegal to kill people, brainwashing is the next best thing. I'm not necessarily talking about the religion, but more the interpretation of it and,of course, the money. People need something to believe in and come to this religion for many different reasons but for many of the leader's. I think they often start out pure, some with good intentions, and some not, but I have seen some who gained to much power and money, that it went to their heads and they literally sold their souls for the business. Many preach about the word of God, especially tithes, yet they failed to teach them about Jesus's dispise for the pharassee's for turning the church into a christian swapmeet. It's no different today, bookstores, coffeeshops, swimming pools for the kids, and $25,000 for seminaries. Gigantic TV's and expensive production equipment and then selling it back to their people. It's crazy, apparently Jesus thought so to. But each also gives back to what the people seem to want, at least some of it. But on an individual level, each person has to decide for themselves what they believe and what that means to them.
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Rev Robert
Unfortunately there are some very prosperous ones in the world, but let us remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Our reward will be in the Kingdom of God
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James
We stand back and allow it to happen because it is sin. We understand they are sinning, feel pity for them, love them, and pray for them to see. But condemning them to hell is not our job. Just know and understand why their lives are not prosperous and strange things are applied to their lives.
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angel
But how do you know their lives are not prosperous? What is your interpretation of prosperous?
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Robert Martinez
Rev. Roger, you are right. I will never understand that kind of life style my self. scripture tells us do not judge for you will be judge. scripture also tells us the lord loves everyone, even gay people but you must turn away from the sin. when a man and a man lay together, what comes out of it. Nothing filth. same thing with a woman and a woman. to the lord that's an abomination. but when a woman and a man lay together families are created, something that the lord blesses. there is no thing as transgender. you are either a man or woman.....That's It!!!! my nephew's high school they installed a transgender bathroom, which I find incredibly stupid. these kids are only having sex in the bathrooms. my niece also goes' to this high school, what message is that sending to her. buy it's o.k. people might find my words to be naïve, but when we go before the lord one day, try arguing with him and see what happens.
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Jac
If they are having sex in the restroom then they are also having sex in closets, handicap stalls, and empty class rooms. Providing a safe space for those who don't fit the majority rule does not equate encouraging sex in youth (they will find a way, that's what young people do)... its the availability and lack of education of the emotional and physical risk involved in sexual behavior that allows them to feel comfortable with using such a place for sex at their age. And sex is not an evil thing but is something we should treat with caution like most things that have consequences but they aren't taught that. Also the lord gives us all our trials, have you ever thought that a transgendered person might really be a woman in a mans body because the lord gave them that as a trial, and their journey is becoming who they actually are in the inside without succumbing to the pain of the hate and ill treatment of others that forms who god intended them to be.There's grace in finding yourself without succumbing to the poison of others hate. Same for being gay or any other LGBT+ person, their trial is to be able to love despite the hate given them and despite their own spiritual leaders abandoning them instead of showing them the love that Jesus would have given them. They become more than you by being above your judgement, and maybe that was their trial by god and their entry to love/heaven.
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Terry Williams
Christians should follow the teaching of Christ. The enemies of the Lord are very sincere and will do their best to seem Godly so beware Brothers be ye not deceived. The road to enlightenment is very narrow. Just let me know how to find it...Live long and prosper
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Just a. HEBREW
just read the scriptures...
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Rev. Roger
I will never understand the gay lifestyle, but feel everybody should have equal rights. I feel they should have all the rights, that a man and woman has as a married couple, But semantics is the issue. Marriage was given to us by God, between a man and woman according to the bible, but the bible also gave us, " Judge not lest ye be judged". I think we need to try to love one another and be a little more tolerant. God will decide what was right or wrong when we get there.
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Rev Robert
But he also said " if you cannot judge amongst yourselves how can you judge in the kingdom of God"
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REV. TOM SCHMIDLE
I AM REV. TOM SCHMIDLE I AND SAY IT IS ABOUT TIME WE EXCEPT ALL IN OUR CHURCHES. REV. TOM
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Reverend Robert
Believe you mean "accept". Too many are already excepted to our organized religions.
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JOHN MAHER
the BIBLE is JUST that, a GUIDE, a POST or COMMENTS, BELIEFS of MANY PERSONS, IT IS NOT the WORD of GOD.............DUMP the IGNORAMUS COWARDLY CRIMINAL TRAITOR tRUMP, GOD is GREAT, so is the US of A...........
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Dennis Williams
The Bible is my guide on these matters. It is stated very clear that marriage is between a man and a woman.
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angel
But why? Why does God say this? If you truely believe this is what God say's, then should we not try to understand why? If your only answer is because the bible say's so, then your faith is not in a God but in a book, a book made by many different beliefs long after Jesus died, and ironically, Jesus never wrote a word of it. It all falls on the shoulder's of his apostles who , ironically to, all had different interpretations of what Jesus or God said. So how do you know this is what God really wants? Does God actually have a gender, or is he a spirit with no gender and Jesus turned him into a man? I'm just curious. I hear people talking about their beliefs yet not really understanding why they believe it.
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MICHAEL SPINELLI
I think whats going on is the construction of a smooth paved road to hell. This wrong.
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rabbi jim
Stop the persecution of gays, idiots! If you don't approve of them, just ignore the subject and keep your mouth shut. Remove the splinters from your own eyes before trying to remove them from others. If you want to persecute someone, persecute the Muslim terrorists! But, start with yourself, first. Have a blessed day in this wretched society, Sholom
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JOHN MAHER
HOORAY RABBI JIM, FORKED TONGUE COMMENTERS, IGNORANT VILLAGE IDIOTS ALL,.......DUMP the IGNORAMUS COWARDLY CRIMINAL TRAITOR tRUMP and HIS WHITE SUPREMISTS ALL, GOD is GREAT, so is the US of A
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Rabbi Mark
So tell me again what Torah says about the subject Rabbit. I read Hebrew also, and that is not what I read.
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Felix
Can we persecute terrorists from other religions too? I mean...It's only fair ?
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angel
If heaven means joining a spiteful, hateful, judgemental God and you all are a reflection of him, his children, Yeah, I think I will pass. Your heaven sounds like hell to me and I think I would rather stay put!
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Ray
So why are you even on this page?
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angel
Because this site is for everyone, not just christians.
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Liz
So it's your choice to go to hell, not God's. In reading your comment I felt your hateful, judgemental & spite. You will one day be standing before the white throne judgement of God, and he will allow you to read my comment and he's going to remind you that you chose to go to hell, he's not forcing himself on you. You will stand there wailing and nashing of teeth and be sent to the very place you of your choice... hell. I think your a very foolish individual for stating this, however, I honor your freedom to choose.... let it be everyone's right to choose heaven or hell, but let's find it in our hearts not to hate either side... Christ says to love everyone, he'll decide on all our choices.... Jesus does love everyone, but he isn't forcing you to choose him, you'll always have that freedom to choose. Whatever way you choose, may God Bless you and hopefully, you'll be tolerant of us as you want us to be of your ideals, hate, spite and judgements....
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angel
Alright, well, let me ask, why do you follow him?
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Alan
May I answer this question? I follow Him because He loves me. I love you because He loves me. If you say you hate me, you can't stand my beliefs, my opinions or the sight of me, I love you anyway...remember that. My love for you is not contingent on how you feel about me. I will be praying for you.
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Felix
? So you're saying that God is going to have these comments on hand in heaven for us to peruse when we're standing before "the white throne"?
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Ray
I'm still trying to figure out what right I have, that they don't ? But I only have a pocket Constitution to go on. Maybe you have the teachers addion with all the answers ?
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Ken
I find the idea of anyone questioning the rights of others ridiculous to the 9th degree.... no one has the right to infringe apon the rights of anougher ...we all have the right to happiness
Please let's grow past all our insecuritys and allow others the same rights that you enjoy
One day they will look back in wonder at our ignorance of those that lived at this time
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John Maher
AMEN PASTOR KEN FERGUSON, AMEN, DUMP the IGNORAMUS COWARDLY CRIMINAL TRAITOR tRUMP, GOD is GREAT so is the US of A
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Rabbi Mark
Well, I can see that BOTH you and pastor Ken are well read in Scripture, NOT. As for me and my house, WE will follow the God of Abraham, Isaac,and Jacob!
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Alan
Pastor Mark, well said sir. God bless you and keep you. See you in paradise brother.
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Liz
John~ Really? What's Trump got to do with this? He was the choice of the people, he's the first "real" President this Christian Nation has had in a long while. Although you're entitled to your opinion, why the name calling? Are you insecure with your choice and your beliefs? You disagree with him or others? That's ok, but try to be a bit more tolerant of those with other opinions differing from your own. To each his own, but no need to name call.... God Bless...
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Minister Mandy
Actually, Hillary Clinton was the people's choice by several million votes, however we were overruled by an antiquated voting system called the Electoral College. Just look it up. America was actually founded to give ALL people religious FREEDOM, so they could worship as they pleased. So many of our ancestors have sacrificed & gave their lives for that freedom & conservative Christians want to undo it. Some of the founding Fathers weren't Christians. Some were Atheists, some were Deists, etc. It isn't RIGHT to make laws based on one religion's beliefs!That is IGNORANT & selfish thinking! How would you feel if someone told you you couldn't be here anymore because you were raised in the Muslim faith? If you want to live in a country that makes all of their people practice one religion, then perhaps you should move somewhere in North Korea.
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James
I don't care what people do in their own homes. I just don't want to know about it. There is plenty wrong with being gay, divorce, etc. All sin but one are the same. But some things breed disorder and chaos. To each his own punishment in this place. Just don't ask me to provide, protect or be happy about things I don't like. And don't try to force it on me or my family. Sexual preferences are not a right to have special rights.
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Thomas Thunderhorse
I personally don't have any qualms about anyone being gay. However, as a believer in the Holy Scriptures, I do believe GOD and His word does not allow me to condone marriage of gay couples. I do have family members who are gay, and I love them deeply, but my love for them does not mean that I condone what they do. I do believe that being gay has a lot to do with demonoc possession or obesession. However, that is just my thoughts and beliefs. GOD bless you all.
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Rev. John D. Partin
James, then, don't you or your family be who you are in public because nobody other than other closed-minded people like yourselves want to know anything about all of that or see it! There is plenty wrong with all of your lives, too, even if you don't see or admit to it! Your lives breed disorder and chaos for other people, too! Keep all of that in your lives in your own place and away from other people because they don't want to see or know anything about it, either! What you think that gay people should do is also what you and your kind should do! What is good for the goose is good for the gander and one standard for all, instead of a double or more multiple standard, as you and some other people might prefer. Have your own in your own place, but don't expect other people to be happy about things that they don't like or pay for it! Don't force your things on other people, either! You see how following your ideas about this would divide all of us into a million different camps, instead of bringing us together and helping us to understand and relate to each other better. But you're right and you should keep to yourselves and gay people should keep to themselves and nobody have anything to do with anybody other than their own kind! Welcome back Apartheid and all other segregations and divisions!!
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Robert
it is a perversion the gay life style it is not natural in that they can not procreate
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angel
Tell that to your friend's daughter who is sterile and can't bear children. Imagine being judged just for the sole fact your reproduction parts don't work! But yet, noone judges the woman recently who did bear a kid and 11 years later killed her and stuffed her into an empty freezer! Yeah, something just ain't right about that!
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Reverend Robert
It is a waste of time to be concerned about individuals who cannot or do not procreate. Be concerned about the children born to a legal marriage or born out of wedlock that are abandoned by their parents. Grandparents (Christians, Jews, Budists, Muslims) across this great Country are raising their grandchildren. Some will grow up gay, some may become Ministers, some may commit crimes, but they still are all created by the same God and deserve to be loved by all the other creatures created by that same God.
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Liz
Sir~ I'm worried about you and your comments. We are our brothers keepers. We should worry about all whether they procreate or not. Jesus wants us to contend for the faith. He allows us all to choose our path to heaven or hell. You should know you are either with God, or against him. Some of the most misaligned comments come from Pastors, Reverands etc. How you preach will be how your judged, if you don't care, leave your congregation so they don't get a blase' attitude too. Christians are to live everryone, only God will decide who to love & forgive.... we need to let everyone choose their own way... hopefully, they'll choose Jesus and get his gift of grace.... God be with you Reverand, may you read and reread your Bible to better direct your flock to Jesus.... God Bless
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Andrew Hill
WAKE UP! The world is unravelling before our eyes, it's time to focus on the Christians who desire to fallow the word of the book, and not the ways of the sodimites..
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Alan
again, Liz, well said. We need to continue to pray for these misguided souls. The Lord Jesus will separate the wheat from the chaff. He knows his flock and we know His voice. Keep following Him and all will be okay. We know how it all ends and I will see you in paradise on that day. God bless you and keep you.
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Minister Mandy
I can't procreate either because God made me infertile! Does that mean I'm a perversion too? Also, there are many animals in the world that are homosexual. Did they choose to be gay? Who created the gay animals? Are they going to hell? Christians are supposed to be followers & imitators of JESUS CHRIST, whom in all of the Gospels, NEVER mentions being gay is a sin. He was loving & kind & never judged anyone, even people living in blatant sin. He did however get EXTREMELY upset with the religious leaders of the day for leading His people astray. The verses that mention homosexuality were either in the Old Testament or written by the Apostle Paul, whom ironically never married, didn't care for women & travelled with many young men, i.e.- Silas, Timothy, etc. Hmmm.? What do secretly gay ministers do to cover up their gayness??? They bash gays & go on & on to create a distraction from themselves! Christians need to go back to basics & Read Matthew through John (The Gospels) ONLY, over & over & over & see what the Jesus I read about, really is. Every word of the Bible ISN'T God's Word. Also, the versions of the Bible we have now have been translated so many times, there's no telling what it really said. All I know is that JESUS said to obey 2 commandments, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul & strength & to Love your neighbor as yourself." He said, "if you obey these 2 then you will meet all the others." If Christians would actually follow Christ's example & love people & help meet their needs, perhaps Christians wouldn't be looked down upon. Do you think when Jesus fed the 5,000, He omitted everyone that was gay???? It's time to for the Body of Christ to "stop picking at your neighbor's eye splinter & pull the LOG out of their own!"-Jesus I feel that the church needs to beg God's forgiveness & start trying to make positive changes in people's lives.
Why do you think church attendance is at an all time low? Because people are tired of being told what to think. We're tired of feeling bad about ourselves every Sunday. Jesus died for EVERYONE! No one is better than anyone else. TIme to WAKE UP Christians! It's time to act like Christ!-
Alan
oh my, where to begin in response to your drivel ...homosexual animals? or who created gay animals? That is easier to answer and let's begin there since that is where you begin. God created animals. Animals do not fall under the Law and therefore animals do not sin. Animals do not have a soul - and no matter what Hollywood says, all dogs do not go to Heaven nor do they go to hell. and the same goes for all animals. On to the next topic - Christians and their following and imitating Jesus - A Christian is by definition a follower of Christ, not perfect as Christ is, but a person who follows His example and His teachings. We all are sinners and following Christ Jesus doe not make us perfect. And Jesus "never mentioning being gay is a sin", is incorrect. Sin is sin no matter what the sin and all sin leads to death. Jesus never once dismissed sin or validated one's sin. He came to save us from our sins. He did this by showing us love. True, Jesus did get irritated at the religious leaders of that day and at the desecration of the Temple of God by the money changers. However, He did not abolish the Old Testament he used it to teach. The whole Bible is used as a guide not only the Gospels. Jesus did come to save us, but He will also return one day and on that day He will judge the world. On to your next part where you denounce the Bible as being the inspired Word of God - The Bible in whole is the inspired Word of God and every translation has been carefully transcribed by educated people. Before the use of written language it was passed down verbally. The Bible has been proved and reproved time and time both by theists and atheists alike, no errors can be found...only slight variations due to language barriers and dialects. The message is still holding true as it has always been true. Truth does not change. It has been factually and historically proven over the centuries and its truth will hold to the End of Days." All you know is that Jesus said to follow 2 commandments" - If you follow those commandments then you will be keeping the 10 Commandments, this is true, but it isn't as easy as you seem to think. If you love God with all your heart, your mind and your soul then you will have understanding of God's love for you and from that understanding you will find it easier to love everyone just as He loves you. In fact, by loving others you are exhibiting the love that you have for God. By your own admission you do not love God. And by your actions you do not love everyone just as He loves you. I'm not quite there myself yet, but I am working on it. I have been working on it for 24 years and I have much more to learn. Christians will always be looked down upon by this world - that is what we get for following Christ. He was rejected and we will be rejected because we follow Him. See - Matt. 8:34, Luke 4:28-29, John 1:11, Luke 17:25 Church attendance is low because people are worldly and they follow after their own understanding. See - II Timothy 3:1-5, for more understanding. Finally the last point you were attempting to convey - concerning the Church begging for forgiveness and start trying to make positive changes in peoples lives. It begins with each person and you are one of us are you not? The change needs to start with making the choice to follow Christ, but you can't follow who you do not trust. Start by trusting in Him who came to save you. I am sorry that you are unable to have children of your own. Even Sarah was barren and God did promise her a child, Gen. 17:19, and so you too may in faith also have a child of your own. Adoption is also an option. For God has His chosen people and He has also adopted me, a Gentile, into His family. So too do you have the choice to adopt a child into your family. And love that child as God loves you. Amanda, I will be praying for you in this matter. I love you. God be with you and you with Him.
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Rev Robert
Great discussion Alan. I don't know if I could keep as calm as you have on this post. Until we can all agree that the word as written is irrefutable and unmistakable as stated the " inspired word of God" it is next to useless to debate what is sin and what is not. God is not the "author of confusion" and it is only by study and prayer can it truly be understood. The idea that God is a benevolent grandpa is about as far as we can get. Lest we forget the destruction he has rain upon the earth and it's inhabitants. He has destroyed sinners without mercy. From the flood to a man who was joyously dancing unto the Lord and touched the Ark of the covenant. Disobedience was not tolerated. It is through mediation by our Lord and savior Jesus Christ that we have any hope. If the Bible says a man isn't to lay with another man then I would have to think that would not be pleasing in Gods eyes. Is it a sin? Probably. Is it forgivable? I can't say. The word states that God will forgive whom God will forgive. Hopefully our mediator will be by our side at the time of judgment. As to the person who stated that the bible was written 500 years ago better check up on his Greek and Hebrew as the word was around way before that. Bless you Alan and as stated we must keep up the good fight. Evil abounds.
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Larry Copeland
Satan is increasing his followers in such a simple way only Gods fowellers have figured it out and are staying away from the easy way to Hell
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angel
I agree, satan has increased his follower's and they are all in the church! Hate, judgement, lack of love,. Yes, satan has definitely left his mark and it started with Christianity!
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Liz
Christians still live the sinners, christians are sinners. All Christians want is to live their beliefs, are they vocal? Yes, but so are the LGBTcommunity. You honestly believe they aren't hate mongers? If you want conversations, let converse, but you don't want Christians to have their voice you just want what you want. Where's the equality in that? Honestly, I'm a christian with a gay brother, we love each other and have differing opinions, it's ok not to agree. Don't let "your" hate be because I have a difference in belief or opinion....
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angel
They can have their voice, just as I can have mine right now. Why are you getting so defensive? I wasn't even referring to you. I was commenting a reply Larry. So why interject yourself into a comment not meant for you? Just because your a church goer doesn't mean this is a personal fight against Liz. He had his opinion, and I have mine, perhaps you should wave the banner towards someone who cares!
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Nick
God forgives you no matter what you do you can kill steal and be gay and he will forgive you wen you die god will ask you if you repeant you will go to heaven i will quote in my own words from what it says in the new testament that god says to be abel to go to heaven in this case comitting big sins who ever belives in the lord and his words of teachings and what he did for us wich was die on the cross for are sins ( read the 5 last words i said he died for are sins so we can be forgiven and be abel to go to the kingdom of god with him no matter what you do all god ask is to repeant your sins and you will be with the lord) and if you are reborn again your ticket to heavenis open even if your gay im a minister who's bi sexual i like women and men so basically im gay and straight we Americans who are gay or bi did not just one day say o i want to become gay we where born that way thats why some peope call it bi qerouse we dont know yet tell we are older and done all kinds of stuff to figuer out what we are its not a choice its decide when we are born if being gay is so bad then why has god not killed any gay people why cause he understsnds we humans are so qerouse and it is not are faults god gave man kind free will when Adamn and Eave disobeyed god remember in geniuses it says my qoute again ( Then god spoke to Adamn and Eave [ You can eat from any tree but the tree of knowledge so how ever eats it shall gain knowledge of good and evil and will die] what i mean about that is they had everlasting life with god in the garden of Eden and lost it when they sind but most of all the 2 bigest points in my discussion not argument or say your wrong and your bailiffs cause thats yourse not mine im my own person just like you but any way murder is in the 10 commandments but not being gay also one of Jesus decibels was a murderer and i have had heard gods voice and he has saved my life from death so many times i have dreams of seeing him but cant see his face i have had dreams of god saving my life in Armageddon he has answered my prayers the day i ask them and hes let me seen my garden angel in a dream and i could barley tale but i belive my garden angel is a women so this is what i believe that just cause im gay and straight dose not mean im not going to go to hell but going to heaven so that's what i believe so hopefully this can make you sit back and think about it cause all of what i said i strongly believe the holly spirit has helped me explain the whole concept of being gay sinful and it is bad and evil
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Christopher L Wood
I don't invision a liberal left in heaven. There's are no two sides to any sin. God doesn't make mistakes, God is the word and the word is with God. It boiles down to this, if before God you repent, than you have deceived yourself and the kingdom you desire for choosing that path. Sins of the flesh have led you astray, your greatest sin is turning your back to God words. Pray for guidance repent and sin no more.
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Alan
Nick, you poor misguided soul, God does not change. What God hates in the Old Testament God also hates in the New Testament. The Ten Commandments are given to show us our sin and our need for salvation. It is like a mirror, a mirror can show me if I have dirt on my face or if I have a stain on my shirt. The mirror will not clean the dirt off my face, I have to do something about the dirt. The mirror will not clean the stain off my shirt, I have to do something about the stain. The 10 Commandments show me my sins, it doesn't forgive me of my sins. I have to make a choice to do something about it. I have to turn to Christ Jesus to clean me and forgive me, but it takes my repentance and my faith. Christ Jesus did not abolish the Ten Commandments when he gave us a new covenant; to love the Lord God first and to love others as He loves us. Christ Jesus fulfilled the Ten Commandments with this new covenant. By loving God first and foremost we will find that our love for others will grow and we will see our keeping of the Ten Commandments is easier. We will be honoring our Mothers and Fathers, we will not steal, we will not covet, we will not lie, we will not murder, we will not bare false witness, etc., etc. Our understanding of God's love for us will be exhibited in our love and kindness toward others. This does not mean we are to be accepting of sin in others' lives. Our commission is still the same - to spread the Good News of Christ Jesus to all the world. And, Nick, we cannot help others if we ourselves are still reveling in our own sins. The change must be lived I our own lives so the example we are called to be is not hypocritical of the Word we share. Looking at II Timothy 3:1-5, we are told that these times we are in now are perilous and we are to flee from the worldliness of such people (like yourself), not to be accepting of their ways. I do not hate you Nick, I love you. I do not judge you, Nick, that is Jesus' job. I do question your education and your knowledge of the Word of God. I do question your beliefs. I will tell you that your perception of things is skewed because of your sins. I will pray for you Nick.
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David Atkins
God does not change, but our understanding of God changes all the time. The earliest apostles understood this. Acts Chapter 15 describes the amazing Jerusalem Council, where the apostles carefully considered whether every detail in the scriptures must be obeyed–or not. They saw that Gentiles were leading God-filled lives without following Jewish law. And so, the apostles decided that portions of the Bible which are incorrect or no longer applicable need not be followed.
Our LGBTQ brothers and sisters who are living God-filled lives are living proof that the Bible is not always correct–or, if you wish, is being misunderstood.
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John Owens
Just a side note: the Apostolic Council also determined that the Gentiles were to abstain from fornication.
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Christopher L Wood
The bible is very clear on the subject Sodom and Gomorrah is testament to that. I'm oppose to that union, gay marriage has no purpose in the Christian faith.
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E
Aman Brother
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Don
Leave them be, Let GOD sort them out! Just like we did about 47 years ago
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Alan
God does not do the sorting ~ that is Jesus' job.... and at that time it will be too late for them who have not turned from their sins. It is our commission now to preach the Word and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are all sinners. I myself, by the standards of the 10 Commandments, am a liar, adulterer, a thief, a barer of false witness, a covetous slanderer, a murderer, and a blasphemer bound for Hell. But it is through the blood of Christ Jesus that my sins - all of them - have been forgiven. By His death on the cross, my debt was paid and those past sins erased, by His resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God He is there to intercede for all my future sins, and when He returns as He promised He will, I will be taken to live with Him in Heaven for eternity. THAT is very good news! There is nothing I can do to save myself, salvation is a gift from God. But in accepting that gift, by faith in Jesus, my life needs to reflect my faith so I may not be a stumbling block for others whom I share the Good News. None of us go a full 180 on the first moment we trust in Jesus. However, in that first moment we ARE given all the blessing of Salvation. Just like when we started the first day of school, we did not have all the knowledge we would attain by the last day of school - it is something we gain day by day, through instruction, study, and practice. You say "leave them be". Jesus says, "go and make disciples".
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Rev. Ian T. Lombardo
It also says in the bible that you shall not adorn yourself with gold, eat pork, wear mixed fabrics, have tattoos, and cut your hair among other things. So in reality, we're all sinners.
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Just a. HEBREW
Words well written and all due respect. However the laws and agreements was only unto the House of Israel, The Israelites not all other Nations.
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Alan
yes, Just a., The Mosaic Laws were given only to the chosen people of God, but through Christ Jesus even Gentiles are brought into the fold. I'm not saying all the laws apply to everyone - should the 70 year old convert who was never circumcised go through the ritual? Should the Gentile refrain from eating pork after accepting the gift of Salvation? These are all addressed by Christ Jesus as he preached to the masses in and away from the temple. I agree with you that the Mosaic Laws do not apply to Gentiles, but the Ten Commandments do apply by way of showing us that we are in need of salvation. The Law cannot save us it can only show us that we need saving. The Rev is correct, we are all sinners. I agree with you both, however neither of you expound on how we can be saved. That is the most important message we need to convey to people after they acknowledge their sinfulness. None of us can keep the law perfectly which is why we need to know how to be saved from our sin and the debt we owe. Only through the sacrificial Lamb of God are we saved, it is not of ourselves. His grace and mercy saves us. That message is the Good News. I love you guys, God bless you both.
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John Owens
Both of you have been taught and believe a lie. When the Israelites left Egypt, there went out with them a mixed multitude of people of other nationalities. The law was for everyone who lived among them, Israelite and foreigner alike. In Isaiah 55 it says the Sabbath applies to everyone. All those commands as far as the criminal law and the moral law (not the sacrificial) were PERPETUAL, for all generations. In Hebrews 4, it says there remains a keeping of the Sabbath for the people of God. The Savior in His kingdom shall rule all nations and the Law shall go forth out of Zion. "From one Sabbath Day to another and one new moon to another shall all flesh worship before Me." "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people."
I'm not saying it is totally logical to believe in God, but it is totally ILLOGICAL to believe in an inconsistent God who has one set of rules for one group and another for other groups, or one set in one era and another in another era.
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Paul Buckley Sachs
To Christopher L Wood
The Bible is very clear on a great deal of things that you have done and that you and your friends do often. There are other parts of the Bible that are very clear "He who is without sin cast the first stone." Thank God for Jesus and His teachings to "Love one another as I have loved you," I we could "not sin" we would not need Jesus. Read other parts of the Old Testament and look at "the Law" Then read what Jesus has to say about people who use the law to get their converts. - Matthew 23:15. God Bless You
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angel
I don't think people are fighting to make it a part of the Christian faith, just the right to be able to marry who they choose without getting a bunch of BS for it! What if your child grew up and told you they were gay and would turn away from who they were, would you walk away? You remind me of my mother right. My transgendered daughter recently told her she would be transitioning. She has known for 7 years she is transgendered but help out hope that one day God would change her. Reality has finally hit. And of course, she blames me because I had her baptist ed in the church when she was young and I didn't raise her right. And now she has to chose. Or, at least in her mind she does because she is the only one who doesn't want to accept it. So what do you do? Is it all or nothing and walk away, or do you continue to love the person anyway's? Only each individual can decide are the definition of acceptance is and where that boundary lies within themselves.
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CJ
Before you start saying the Bible is clear about Sodom and Gomorrah, you are right. However the Bible is also clear about what the sin of Sodom actually is not. You need to reread the story through the lens of what the prophet Ezekiel writes 2500 years later. This is also authoritative scripture. Ezekiel 16:49 explains, "'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy."
That is the sin of Sodom, and there is no reference to homosexuality. Sadly too many Christians blindly quote story this without having done due diligence to studying the Word of God. Not only are they in error, they cause continued harm to the body of Christ through their ill-informed understanding of Scripture which is often based on rhetoric that they have been taught rather than which they have studied in depth.
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John Owens
Just an FYI:
that passage in Ezekiel really doesn't have anything to do with the actual cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Eternal One is referring to the House of Israel (the northern 10 tribes, aka Israel, aka Samaria) as Sodom and the House of Judah (Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, aka the Jews) as Gomorrah.
It is a figurative way of saying how far from righteousness they were at the time it was written. I'm not saying that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were not guilty of those things, but it does not say those were their ONLY sins. The sins of lack of hospitality and generosity would hardly warrant God walking into the city to look for Himself or send angels to do so, nor would those two traits have caused them to want to have physical relations with Lot's visitors, and prefer them over two females.
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Liz
It's easy to be politically correct. God is the same today as he was yesterday and tomorrow. He stated it is sin to lay a man with a man and a woman with a woman. Christians are following Jesus, not man kinds views which are based on Satan, No one wants to be hateful, but just in the Word. Why is it we, as Christians are called intolerant, haters & those with a different opinion are deemed right? We are not advocating hate, we are advocating the word of God. God's word is above any man made law, let us continue to agree to disagree and be less politically correct.
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Gail Ann Myres
Best comment I have seen on this site.
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angel
Because your to busy taking offense to opposing views that you fail to listen to a word anybody say's.
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Jim D.
You are called intolerant and haters because you are intolerant, and you hate. I don't know and don't care if those with a different opinion are right or wrong.
By the way, God didn't say squat. You read that in a book that was written 500 years ago by a collection of men.
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Alan
misguided and misinformed as you are, Jim, there are facts and historic evidences backing up every part of scripture. There are books by atheists and theists alike which will educate you on the history of the Book you so easily dismiss and the One God who inspired every word therein. ~ there is still hope for you and I will be praying for you, Jim. with love, Alan
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Alan
Thank you Liz. You apparently study the Word of God. It is discouraging to read comments that are both grammatically incorrect and scripturally incorrect. Yours is a breath of fresh air in this politically correct sewer.
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Rev. John D. Partin
Liz, you have no proof that those prohibitions of homosexuality in the Bible actually came from God and not just from the men who wrote the Bible and put their words into "God's mouth" to "sanctify" and "justify" them and impose them on other people much easier. Neither does anyone else. Advocating hateful words that were put into "God's mouth" certainly is advocating hate and not God's true words of love. God isn't a homophobe or bigot and so any bigotry or homophobia in the Bible came from man, not God!
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If someone claims to have found love and wishes to celebrate it before God, only one has the right to judge their sincerity. Extrapolating from his conduct during his ministry 2000 years ago, I think that we have strong reasons to believe that his policy would be to extend the covenant to absolutely as many as possible.
And to clear up a common confusion: "sexual immorality" is to use sex for a purpose other than to express love for your partner. It is to use sex for control, for self-idolization (i.e. - to expand your part of the gene pool), for security, or for political power.