tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post5601871391238858013..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Counting on KindnessTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-10746584064468146412009-12-08T01:45:56.879-06:002009-12-08T01:45:56.879-06:00Welcome to Straight-Friendly, Kevin. We're hon...Welcome to Straight-Friendly, Kevin. We're honored and grateful to have you join our discussion. And I personally take your comment in the kindness with which it's intended.<br /><br />As a newcomer, you may not realize that everyone who frequents S-F respects the beliefs and opinions of others. Therefore, we resist every impulse to debate issues that none of us is qualified to judge. We don't condemn nor do we conform. We accept. And we do this to maintain S-F as a safe place for people of every persuasion and orientation.<br /><br />Thus, I accept your right to believe whatever you prefer, even though my personal experience as a gay man and God's Word leads me to believe otherwise. I didn't choose to be gay and since being gay significantly raises one's potential to experience discrimination, hostility, and isolation, it's hard for me to imagine why anyone would. <br /><br />Furthermore, if same-sex affection were a choice, it's logical to assume its frequency would vary widely from culture to culture and era to era. In more tolerant places and times it would be more prominent; in more threatening ones, fewer would choose it. But we know this isn't the case. The gay-straight ratio has proven consistent across generations and around the world, which tells us it's not a choice. It's a fact of life.<br /><br />So where does this leave us as believers? Well, if homosexuality isn't by choice, then it's no different than heterosexuality--an innate characteristic. And since we believe we are God's handiwork, we credit Him with choosing who's straight and who's gay. Surely none of us is so bold to charge Him with wrongdoing or error. <br /><br />By faith, I accept my orientation is given by God to serve His purpose, in my life and in the world. It's a blessing, not a choice. And since He's honored me with this, it's my responsibility to honor Him with a life that pleases Him by doing what He created me to do, being who He created me to be. That's the choice each of us--straight or gay--must make; that's the choice that counts.<br /><br />I empathize with your wish we'd be "a bit more 'normal' in life," Kevin. But it also concerns me. God neither created nor called us to be "normal." Our making and His mandate call for us to reflect His presence in the world. And because He loves every person He made without condition, we must do the same. Pushing conformity to manmade norms seriously muddles His reflection, because it promotes hatred and exclusion. We let Him judge; we earn His favor by obeying His commandments to love others as ourselves. That makes all of us "normal."<br /><br />"Normal" behavior is what you want. Equal acceptance is what I want. But what God wants from both of us is all that matters.<br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to comment so kindly. You're more than welcome to share your views here any time, provided they're meant to uplift and accept others who come here. In deference to them, I take full responsibility for the site's content and regretfully withhold any incendiary or condemning comments aimed at anyone. Call me crazy, but that's what seems best to do.<br /><br />Blessings, my brother,<br />Tim<br /><br />PS: I'll take the love and peace, but pass on the hair grease--too messy for an old goat like me!Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-32210342282476834352009-12-07T23:07:35.964-06:002009-12-07T23:07:35.964-06:00R u crazy?? or what? I mean that in the kindest wa...R u crazy?? or what? I mean that in the kindest way. Being gay is a choice & is not observing anyone except ones selves wants. We need children to be born. We need to be a bit more "normal" in our life. Just my thought on the gay choice that some make. Love, Peace & Hair grease - KevinAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03970198861455668088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-34744676211547294872009-01-29T07:21:00.000-06:002009-01-29T07:21:00.000-06:00Mariah/Byron, how right you are: it's not much har...Mariah/Byron, how right you are: it's not much harder to be kind. Sometimes it's actually easier; sometimes we have to go out of our way to be cruel or insensitive to others. And the benefits are ALWAYS so much sweeter.<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for your thoughts (and KINDNESS in sharing them!).<BR/><BR/>Blessings always,<BR/>TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-38807824916582648122009-01-28T19:47:00.000-06:002009-01-28T19:47:00.000-06:00We'll say "ACK" to each other when we see someone ...We'll say "ACK" to each other when we see someone not being nice. Always Choose Kind. We believe it's not much harder to be kind, and the benefits are so much sweeter.Edgingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597064540550982614noreply@blogger.com