- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
mikegriffith1 wrote:
In other words, this isn’t simply a matter of what the Church teaches but also what the Bible pretty clearly teaches on marriage and homosexuality.
A specific social issue of our time being “clearly” taught by the Bible is an oxymoron, in my opinion.We should realize the current interpretations of the ancient scriptures are really what is meant, not what was originally intended by the authors or what was understood or taught in the past, and that Church teachings on matters can and have changed in the past (such as misunderstanding the curse of Cain and how that impacted church teachings for decades, which has now changed).
That is what causes many to go through faith transitions…what seemed like clear cut teachings supported by scripture, were shattered, and the individual has to re-build faith and belief with a new paradigm. Sometimes God wants us to go through that, so we can overcome poor interpretations of ancient scripture and break through to more loving approaches which more closely reflect His gospel teaching, also referred to as continuing revelation.
Often individuals are able to see this sooner than the institution can write an essay about it to help correct popular misunderstandings.
I support the Church’s policies regarding gay marriage. I think they might be right for the organization now. I am not in a position to know one way or the other, so I support those who are in such a position. The policies aren’t what I want, personally. I hope they change in the future. If they do, I will support the changed policies and those who make them.
Those two positions are not mutually exclusive; they are not contradictory; they don’t make me any less faithful than anyone else.
I also support the church’s position on gay marriage for the church. Outside the church I believe it is a political issue, and I believe it best the church stays out of such things. In other words, I have no problem with the church being opposed to gay marriage for its membership and not condoning or performing such marriages for its members. What other churches do and what the government does is entirely up to them, however. It’s not our church’s responsibility to tell them what to believe or what to do (or not do). And just for clarification Mike, and agreeing with Heber, the scriptures are not all that clear on the subject.
DarkJedi wrote:I also support the church’s position on gay marriage
for the church. Outside the church I believe it is a political issue, and I believe it best the church stays out of such things. In other words, I have no problem with the church being opposed to gay marriage for its membership and not condoning or performing such marriages for its members. What other churches do and what the government does is entirely up to them, however. It’s not our church’s responsibility to tell them what to believe or what to do (or not do). And just for clarification Mike, and agreeing with Heber, the scriptures are not all that clear on the subject.
I look at it like alcoholism. We adamantly preach against using it, but we are not out pushing for prohibition. To me that smacks of taking away free agency. Actually I would state it more bluntly, “it is a unfruitful proposition to force others to not partake of alcohol when they desire to do so.” Same with sex before marriage. If someone is sleeping for years with someone and even living with them, they can get married in the morning and baptized in the afternoon. Does that mean we agree with the sex outside of marriage – no. But I don’t see the church talking about changing laws to make such behavior outlawed – nor asking it’s members to donate to political groups to do so either.And from what I understand, President Monson said that we can disagree on political issues and not be in opposition to the church. Mitt Romney was Gov of Mass when they passed the law allowing gay marriage. At least that is what I understand.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.