There's a saying "some people's minds are so open that their brains fall out" maybe that sounds a bit harsh - but are we really supposed to tolerate Everything?!
We see a person's heart through their actions. And, yes, a person Is defined by their actions. That people are Not their sexual preferences. Well -- actually they Are.
When we see a man and woman walking down the street with kids -- it's obvious that their sexual preference is heterosexual.
And when you see two guys walking down the street holding hands -- chances are that they are 'gay' -- same thing with women -- they would be lesbians. It's just the way 'it' works.
Being 'judgemental'? No. Just being observant. Crossing the line would be making 'snide' remarks to them as we walk by them. Or using body language towards them.
Sexuality choices / preferences only becomes a problem when the same-sex people decide to be Vocal about their choice. They decide that the rest of society needs to acknowledge their choices.
There is nothing 'natural' about homosexuality. If there Was, there wouldn't be a problem. It's sort of biologically obvious that men and women were made to 'come together' to produce 'family' which is how society continues on.
Family is obviously God's plan Because He made us male and female.
You and I have different definitions apparently when it comes to the idea of “open mindedness”. Personally, I believe that to have an open mind means to be able to listen to what other people share, and being open to trying to understand other people's perspective. Having an open mind doesn't necessarily mean that you have to accept everything. In fact, it may be better for people not to be so quick to accept everything their told, that way, there will be room for open discussion that may or may not lead to compromise.
You say that "people are Not their sexual preferences. Well -- actually they Are." But I have to respectfully disagree. I am a straight female, but I'm not
just a straight female. I am also a Christian, sister, a daughter, a friend, an artist, and so much more. The same is true to people with different preferences. But, sadly, many don't see it that way. People in the LGBT community try to push this idea that their sexual identity is the core of their personhood, which is ridiculous, but I know that you would agree.
Also, a person is not solely defined by their actions, but by a series of actions that occur through a span of time. You may not see a difference in that, but I do. For example: If I were to drink a cup of wine at dinner, would that make me an alcoholic? If I were to read the Bible, would that make me a Christian? Not necessarily. If two girls were walking down the street holding hands, does that mean that their in a sexual relationship? No. I hold hands with my girlfriends all the time, and one of my friends is very clingy. I wouldn't be surprised if someone were to assume, based off of their observations, that my friend and I were in a relationship. However, what you observe and what is the truth are often times two different things. Let's take your own examples for instance:
A man and a woman walking together with children. You observe and deduce that they are married and are in an outing with their kids. But what if in reality the woman is actually married to the man's sister, and the man and woman just happen to be in laws walking with the man's children? Or she could be having an affair with the man, and she's just tagging along with the man's kids. Both are very real possibilities, but you wouldn't think that because you have already observed, and already
judged the strangers' appearances as normal.
I won't reiterate how your second example between two men and women is faulty since I feel like I've already illustrated through my relationship with my friends.
And being judgmental isn't just making "snide remarks" as you put it. People make judgments all the time based off of what they observe, but, I say again, not everything is what it seems to be. That's just how people are, and we can't help it. If you see two men walking down the streets, they could either be friends, brothers, cousins, in laws, or married. My question is, what does that have to do with you? Why is someone's personal life so important that you have to take a minute to stop what your doing, look at what
they're doing, and
observe, "yeah, they're gay". And? So what? Okay, the Bible says it's a sin, but that's pretty bold of you to think that the two men in your hypothetical situation are Christian, much less care about what the Bible says is a sin or isn't.
"Sexuality choices / preferences only becomes a problem when the same-sex people decide to be Vocal about their choice. They decide that the rest of society needs to acknowledge their choices."
No. They decide that the rest of society needs to
respect their choices. I'm sorry, but the only reason why gay pride parades are still a thing is because people like you can't
respect that there are grown people in consensual relationships that you don't agree with,
workplaces are still hostile towards these people for their sexual orientation in some states, and not to mention that there are still
places where being gay is punishable by death. Do you think this is how Jesus wants us to treat people of like this, regardless of what they believe? Do you think that Jesus wants us to point our fingers at other people's sins and make that the focal point of their personhood? Last I checked, Jesus was a man who
received sinners and even ate with them, and that was because sinners were naturally drawn to his light, and He welcomed them. That is why I choose to remain silent on these issues whereas many would stand on top of a soapbox and repeat the same five verses on homosexuality over and over again. This is why I choose to share my testimony only when people ask me to. That is why I don't share my beliefs unless asked, because, believe it or not, people do ask me why I'm so happy, or why I have so much energy, or why during times that are bleak I still have a smile on my face, and I tell them it's all thanks to my faith, and from there we make conversation. I try to keep an open mind, and I understand even before the conversation that it's not my job to change their minds, only to share how I changed mine.
You're right. There is nothing natural about homosexuality. Just like there is nothing natural about eating excessively, or spending day after day being lazy, or getting excessively drunk, etc, but I don't see Christian's standing on top of a soap box excessively quoting scripture against gluttony, laziness, or drunkedness. Why? Why do Christian's put so much emphasis on homosexuality specifically, and constantly insist that it's unnatural, and that these people need to change.
"It's sort of biologically obvious that men and women were made to 'come together' to produce 'family' which is how society continues on." It's also sort of biologically obvious that not everyone can have children. There are many women who are barren, or men who are impotent. Does this mean that they are going against God because they can't 'come together' to produce 'family'. Who is anyone to say that these people are exempt from this rule but people of same sex aren't. Also, there are plenty of same sex people who find a way to have kids, either by adopting or through ***** donations, so they are technically advancing society, but I digress.
You say that you're not being judgmental, and that you're just being
observant. But just because you're not being vocal about your remarks on these people, doesn't mean that you're not being judgmental. Also, your quickness to label people based off their actions and preferences distracts you from what it really important, which is the fact that God loves them, and requires us to love
everyone and treat
everyone with respect.
You're a Christian, and that's fine. I'm a Christian, and that's swell. Some of these people aren't Christian by choice, and that's their decision between them and God. Some are Christian, which is, again, between them and God. Who are you and I to point our fingers and tell them what they already know? Isn't it our job to spread the Good News and direct others to Jesus? How can we expect to accomplish anything if all we're doing is sitting around on a forum talking about how these people are sinners, deviants from today's society? We're can't.
I hope that you realize just how harmful this way of thinking is to, not only these people, but to other Christians who are trying to reach out to these people and make them brother's and sisters in Christ, not an enemy of the church and a deviation from God's family plan. Because this way of thinking gives Christians a reputation as people who carry shotguns loaded with Bible verses, who are ready at any moment to smack you over the head with a Bible and say "God loves the sinner not the sin" and try to kick people onto the straight (pun not intended) and narrow. Not everyone is like that, and we're not called to be that.
I hope you have a nice day, and please message me back if I maybe said something that didn't make sense or if I missed something.
Also, when you said "It's just the way 'it' works," would you please clarify what 'it' is? Is 'it' society? Homosexuality? Or something else? I'm afraid Im not too clear on what you were trying to say here.
