As we have the massed ranks of intelligence here (and the Senor is probably lurking), may I ask a question about this triangle of love?
It is how I would understand the message of the New Testament and I have no interest in the old testament further than it being a rather boring epic - give me Homer and Virgil any day.
My question is about the concept of exclusive love in a long term relationship. I do understand that there is a big difference between sexual love and non sexual love (may be a little blurry), but doesn't this exclusivity present a trap in that you may feel that you are giving all your love and obeying your god to your partner and family, and forget to transcend this love to your wider neighbours?
Is this why priests were initially celibate? Or was that just to concentrate their love to God with the flock coming second?
I have always been fascinated by the monastic tradition in that it locks the most devout away from the third element of the triangle - but then the original ascetics felt that they had to prepare themselves for the second coming - but now we have time, how do we compromise this love of god and all others - is there may be just one love - or I am vereing to Buddhism here?
Sorry to ramble, I am sure you understand my questions. :smile:
Dolf buddy - ditch that old book and find love. :wink:
The medieval church believed that sex was only for reporduction purposes only. Therefore, priests couldn't marry because all sex was sinful, but God forgave sex for the purpose of procreation.
Now this is nowhere to be found in the Bible. Not even a hint. But it still skews the thinking of many Chrsitians to this day. And it affects laws on the books such as sodomy laws etc.
Sex is best expressed as an act of ultimate and intimate love between two people who truly love each othe and are totally committed to each other.
But then there is sexual experimentation which is very common in teens. And it isn't some terrible evil. It can be dangerous to be sure. And kids can get burned badly by casual sex and sex with people that they thought they loved and the other person was just using them.
But we all know this is true. Many of us look back on some of our past relationships and find that they were learning relationships. Perhaps the relationship we are in now woudn't be going so well if it hadn't been for that prevous relationship.
There is some misunderstanding here about one Christina doctrine. And that is this. If a person thinks it is wrong for Him to do something, then it is wrong.
The word sin is so loaded that we have problems using it. If a guy is totally straight and had absolutely no interest in guys, what point would there be for that person to go and have gay sex? Not much.
The only real wrong would be if the other person was hurt by your actions. I suppose you yourself could be hurt as well. If you have a wife at home and the mariage crumbles because of what you did, certainly you have been hurt.
But we must remember where God is in all this. When we are hurting or have been hurt, God is there to help mend our wounded spirits, not tear us down more. God is in the restoration business, not the destruction busienss.
God said that when our sins are forgiven, he remembers them no more. They are wiped from his memory. This is from the Old Testament when the word sin was more thought of in the plural sense. But still, that is quite a statement. I can't do that. I can forgive, but I can't wipe it from my memory. Not really. It is still there. God completely forgives and forgets our faults and failures. God only remembers the best there is about us.
The straight world has no idea what gays have been through. The teen years are hell for a gay guy. and no matter how noble a gay person is in his actions or relationships, there are those who would still condemn the gay guy to a hot eternal Dante's hell. The clsoet gay has it rough enough, but the gays who are willing to admit to the community that they have a guy partner, really catches hell.
I knew when I was in elemenary school what my preferences are though I tried my best to deny them. And my life would be better if I were straight. I am not.
Thank God that God is the judge and not other people. Jesus said he who is without sin caste the first stone when confronted with the woman who had committed adultery. Jewish law said stone her. Jesus said Where are those that condmen you. The woman replied that have left. Jesus replied. Neither do I condemn you.
To those of you who are gay and Chrsitian. Stnad firm in your faith. The homophobia in other people is their problem. Let them deal with it.
It is between God and me and God and you. No other person enters into this relationship. God has a one one one relationship with each individual.
Stronzo and so many others here. God loves you and so do I.
And thanks to all for so many kind words said to and about me. I appreciate it so very much. Spread the love.
Freddie