Dealing With Homosexuals

[fan4sure]

Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

I've been thinking about this for a while and have attempted to start a thread asking for help, but have backed out of it several times. I know our Father hates the sin, but loves the sinner, I know what the scriptures say, have them all underlined, bolded and committed to my heart. This is what I need to know and have decided to ask you all for your thoughts.

Homosexuality is so blatantly in your face these days and it's considered to be "chic" or "in" to be gay. If you speak out against it and go to the scriptures to make your point, you are called a bigot and hater. Everywhere you go you are surrounded by homosexuals and you can't avoid having to interact with them in your daily life. My hairdresser is gay, at the hospital/Dr.s office, etc.

Once my husband and I were in a popular home decor store and I was buying items to put on the Christmas tree. There were several gay couples (men) shopping too. I bumped my husband, putting some glittered pieces in my cart, and got glitter all over his shirt. He was mortified and grumbled at me under his breath while frantically trying to brush the glitter off his shirt. He stuck to me like a shadow and was rushing me to get out of the store. This is one of those times I laughed so hard tears ran down my legs!

Supporting Chic-Fil-A day on her facebook page my daughter was flamed by her supervisor for "judging others" and claims to be a Christian while supporting gay marriage and has gay friends coming up for a visit and wants her to meet them.

I've only been to this hairdresser twice but am thinking of changing salons. He doesn't discuss his private life and doesn't flaunt his gaydom, but there is no denying his lifestyle. How do you all handle everyday situations and are we to avoid interacting with gays? I guess the fact that I don't feel comfortable going there is my answer, but there are other areas in life you can't avoid. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

[IlovemyJesus]

I have struggled with this for years and then it hit my family hard when my younger brother came out. I've still struggled and prayed God would show me how to behave, what to say and in general how to show kindness to him. You see when homosexuals "come out" they throw a lot of stuff out to you and tell you that you either accept them and their lifestyle or you are no longer family. I love my brother and I want to be a part of his life, but then again if he is living in absolute denial that his lifestyle is sin, I don't. At first my brother and I had it out, but then God put it upon my heart to show him love. So I did, but I also made it clear that I did not agree with his lifestyle and there would be boundaries. (Him living in another State helps.) I have other people in my life that are homosexuals and I treat them with kindness. I've read many books since my brother came out and there are many stories about people in that lifestyle that have come to know Jesus because a Christian didn't shut them out and showed them love. As long as your hairdresser is behaving as a professional and isn't flaunting his lifestyle or trying to convert you to his way of thinking, I think you can continue going to him. I would be praying and praying and praying the whole time I was in his chair for God to rescue him from his life of sin. It might be the only time someone has prayed for his salvation. The times we live in are tough, but our God will carry us through...

[Acts5:41]

God does not want us to run away from, or judge, homosexuals.

I have evangelized at least a couple dozen homosexuals, and ride infrequently with a paratransit driver who is changing genders. I treat them the same as anyone else.

Do you like the way he does your hair? Just think, he has to talk to you while he does your hair. What a great opportunity to share your faith! Talk about what God has done for you. Leave it at that. If he has questions, answer them as best you can. Give him a Bible for Christmas, with another gift.

To repeat, I treat gay people the same as anyone else. Earlier this year, I met a lesbian friend of Ron's while waiting at the coffee shop. She had just had a bad breakup, and she cried on my shoulder. I was happy to console her. She has a good heart and Jesus died for her. All I said, during an almost hour long conversation, was "Well, I'm a Christian and you know what the Bible says". I did tell her I would be praying, she was thrilled to hear it, and I gave her a big hug as she left.

Does this make me a lesbian? No. But, to the best of my ability, I am going to love everyone God made. They have an obvious sin, one we can see. Straight men don't have an obvious sign that says "I am a porn addict" or "I gamble". Women don't have obvious signs that say "I gossip" or "I am envious". We are all sinners. The only separation: saved and unreached.

Oh, and by the way, the transgendered guy was happy to get a Bible. You'd be surprised.

[fan4sure]

God does not want us to run away from, or judge, homosexuals.

I have evangelized at least a couple dozen homosexuals, and ride infrequently with a paratransit driver who is changing genders. I treat them the same as anyone else.

Do you like the way he does your hair? Just think, he has to talk to you while he does your hair. What a great opportunity to share your faith! Talk about what God has done for you. Leave it at that. If he has questions, answer them as best you can. Give him a Bible for Christmas, with another gift.

To repeat, I treat gay people the same as anyone else. Earlier this year, I met a lesbian friend of Ron's while waiting at the coffee shop. She had just had a bad breakup, and she cried on my shoulder. I was happy to console her. She has a good heart and Jesus died for her. All I said, during an almost hour long conversation, was "Well, I'm a Christian and you know what the Bible says". I did tell her I would be praying, she was thrilled to hear it, and I gave her a big hug as she left.

Does this make me a lesbian? No. But, to the best of my ability, I am going to love everyone God made. They have an obvious sin, one we can see. Straight men don't have an obvious sign that says "I am a porn addict" or "I gamble". Women don't have obvious signs that say "I gossip" or "I am envious". We are all sinners. The only separation: saved and unreached.

Oh, and by the way, the transgendered guy was happy to get a Bible. You'd be surprised.

That's very good advice and I so appreciate it. I had just begun to wonder if by patronizing a gay hairdresser if, I was in a way, supporting the lifestyle? I always try to picture what would Jesus do and while I know he went out among the poor, downtrodden, sick, and all of us sinners, he didn't support a sinful lifestyle. And I appreciate any other pearls of wisdom, those of you wiser than I. care to share.

[Acts5:41]

Well, what if you knew your doctor was a porn addict? I don't see it any differently. All of us are sinners, so, whenever you give an unreached person money, you are patronizing a sinful lifestyle.

In my case, I have to take the driver I get. So, I do. And, since they are stuck with me, too, they get witnessing.

I don't see myself as wise by any reach. I just go to James 1:5

[Rei]

As a young person surrounded by the rise of this movement, I can say that the 'activists' pushing this are some of the meanest, most ruthless people I've ever seen - fighting straight out of their emotions, with no solid moral ground but what sounds good, it's totally understandable that they'd fight for this. But we are of a different sort - we believe in the Bible, it's solidity as the supernaturally authored Word of God, and because of that, we have to stand up for what the Word of God says about God's feelings on homosexuality. Plain and simple. This cultural phenomenon IS The Bible VS. Society. That's how it is - the only objection we CAN raise to homosexuality is, 'God said it!' so I hope we're all well-educated on the solidity of the Word of God AS the Word of God so we can feel confident where we stand.

That being said, I think it can be a little more intimidating to us than it should be. In Minnesota, we're about to have a vote on the Marriage Amendment - Yes for One Man and One Woman, No for everyone. Recently, someone took me aside at work and asked me what I'd vote for and why.

I had the opportunity then to explain why I was voting yes - because I believe in the Gospel. And because I believe in the Gospel, I believe Jesus is God. And God has spoken. And yet, the issue is inflated - homosexuality is just another sin. In the eyes of God, by all rights, your sin is just as disgusting as the blatant homosexual's. The power of what Jesus did on the cross SAVES. By grace through faith, all of our sins are washed white as snow. From lying, to stealing, to homosexuality, to rampant heterosexuality. The end. Spread the good news.

[Chaya]

I don't think your daughter, or anyone for that matter, should have their boss as their FB friend.

[IMSAVED]

I work with many homosexuals.I do not shun them.Homosexuality is a sin.It is their chosen lifestyle.God's forgivness is available to homosexuals as it is to other sinners.God asks us as believers to love one another.Although I do not endorse their sinful lifestyle.

[fan4sure]

I don't think your daughter, or anyone for that matter, should have their boss as their FB friend.

Yes, we had this discussion, and at the time my daughter friended her on facebook they were just co-workers. After several months the lady was promoted and became my daughter's supervisor. She has since unfriended the person.

[Acts5:41]

I don't think your daughter, or anyone for that matter, should have their boss as their FB friend.

I do. He's a big Farmville player.

I don't do politics on my wall, I just talk about my life, evangelism, etc. Tell people I am praying for them, etc. He already knew about the Bible handouts anyway.

[angelka71]

That's very good advice and I so appreciate it. I had just begun to wonder if by patronizing a gay hairdresser if, I was in a way, supporting the lifestyle? I always try to picture what would Jesus do and while I know he went out among the poor, downtrodden, sick, and all of us sinners, he didn't support a sinful lifestyle. And I appreciate any other pearls of wisdom, those of you wiser than I. care to share.

I look at it like this...what if you are the only Christian your hairstylist comes in contact with? What if you were sent to him to plant some seeds that will later produce beautiful, spiritual fruit? Why not pray for the Lord to open and soften his heart and to bring an opportunity to share Christ with him? Many homosexuals have stereotypes of Christians...they believe we are bigots and full of hatred. How refreshing would it be for his mind to be changed because of your kind and loving attitude toward him?

I know this may be a controversial thing to say but it has been my experiance that most (but certainly not all)of the homosexuals that I personally have known have been sexually molested as children...I think they are some of the most wounded and hurt among us and very often turn to drugs and alcohol to self medicate. No matter what society tries to teach us, homosexuals are the vast minority and our knee jerk reaction to them (though we now keep it to ourselves) is that they are strange, and even gross which is extremely hurtful to them. Many of them were treated as outcasts as children for being different and some were even picked on or even bullied. On top of all of this, many believe that God has rejected them and this belief comes out in all kinds of strange ways...many are atheists or agnostics, many embrace strange pagan beliefs, some believe in a "higher power" but reject the one true God, and some have outright hatred for anything to do with Christ and His followers.

I so understand your desire to not support their lifestyle and I do not support it either. My point is not to excuse their sin, but to share that I believe they are wounded, lost and confused individuals who need Christ and His love. I believe Jesus wants us to share that with them.

[fan4sure]

I look at it like this...what if you are the only Christian your hairstylist comes in contact with? What if you were sent to him to plant some seeds that will later produce beautiful, spiritual fruit? Why not pray for the Lord to open and soften his heart and to bring an opportunity to share Christ with him? Many homosexuals have stereotypes of Christians...they believe we are bigots and full of hatred. How refreshing would it be for his mind to be changed because of your kind and loving attitude toward him?

I know this may be a controversial thing to say but it has been my experiance that most (but certainly not all)of the homosexuals that I personally have known have been sexually molested as children...I think they are some of the most wounded and hurt among us and very often turn to drugs and alcohol to self medicate. No matter what society tries to teach us, homosexuals are the vast minority and our knee jerk reaction to them (though we now keep it to ourselves) is that they are strange, and even gross which is extremely hurtful to them. Many of them were treated as outcasts as children for being different and some were even picked on or even bullied. On top of all of this, many believe that God has rejected them and this belief comes out in all kinds of strange ways...many are atheists or agnostics, many embrace strange pagan beliefs, some believe in a "higher power" but reject the one true God, and some have outright hatred for anything to do with Christ and His followers.

I so understand your desire to not support their lifestyle and I do not support it either. My point is not to excuse their sin, but to share that I believe they are wounded, lost and confused individuals who need Christ and His love. I believe Jesus wants us to share that with them.

I think it's only fair for me to share some background with you all. I allowed myself to be drawn into a discussion on a message board with a gay man. He knew I'm a Christian and started asking questions. When we got to the point that he said "gays are born this way, we can't help it," I told him that God doesn't make mistakes and there is a reason that two men or two women cannot procreate. If God made them that way then why do Lesbians still have a cycle every 28 days? Why do they have to misuse the body, not the way it is intended? I said you never see two female cats or two male cows trying to mate together. Only humans get it wrong.

Well....as you can see, you cannot convey tone in the written word so I may have come across as not compassionate. The person got very angry, told me off, and exited. I have to say a few months later this person came back onboard and apologized to me for questioning my Christianity and said it just never set right with him for the way he spoke to me and left the conversation.

And I do understand that we all sin, some of our sins just are as obvious as others. And I do know that in God's eyes sin is sin no matter what color it is. I appreciate all the responses.

[NoProvision]

I think it's only fair for me to share some background with you all. I allowed myself to be drawn into a discussion on a message board with a gay man. He knew I'm a Christian and started asking questions. When we got to the point that he said "gays are born this way, we can't help it," I told him that God doesn't make mistakes and there is a reason that two men or two women cannot procreate. If God made them that way then why do Lesbians still have a cycle every 28 days? Why do they have to misuse the body, not the way it is intended? I said you never see two female cats or two male cows trying to mate together. Only humans get it wrong.

Well....as you can see, you cannot convey tone in the written word so I may have come across as not compassionate. The person got very angry, told me off, and exited. I have to say a few months later this person came back onboard and apologized to me for questioning my Christianity and said it just never set right with him for the way he spoke to me and left the conversation.

And I do understand that we all sin, some of our sins just are as obvious as others. And I do know that in God's eyes sin is sin no matter what color it is. I appreciate all the responses.

Sis is sin but some types of sin are more devastating than others particularly if we begin to base our identity on them. It blinds us to our need of repentance.

[I love Jesus]

My pastor said these wise words: "homosexuals are not your enemies. They are your mission field."
I get my hair done at an inexpensive hair salon. Two of the ladies that work there are Muslim. I treat them with love and kindness. They give me a great haircut. I've had my hair done also by gay men before. As long as they do their job and give me a great cut..no harm done. It is my job to treat them with love and respect. Jesus died for them too.
All unbelievers should be treated with Christian love and we should share the gospel with them when possible. We may be the only advertisement for Christianity that they ever meet. We need to be salt and light to them.

[carol1948]

My pastor said these wise words: "homosexuals are not your enemies. They are your mission field."
I get my hair done at an inexpensive hair salon. Two of the ladies that work there are Muslim. I treat them with love and kindness. They give me a great haircut. I've had my hair done also by gay men before. As long as they do their job and give me a great cut..no harm done. It is my job to treat them with love and respect. Jesus died for them too.
All unbelievers should be treated with Christian love and we should share the gospel with them when possible. We may be the only advertisement for Christianity that they ever meet. We need to be salt and light to them.

Amen.

[Kliska]

God does not want us to run away from, or judge, homosexuals.

I have evangelized at least a couple dozen homosexuals, and ride infrequently with a paratransit driver who is changing genders. I treat them the same as anyone else.

Do you like the way he does your hair? Just think, he has to talk to you while he does your hair. What a great opportunity to share your faith! Talk about what God has done for you. Leave it at that. If he has questions, answer them as best you can. Give him a Bible for Christmas, with another gift.

To repeat, I treat gay people the same as anyone else. Earlier this year, I met a lesbian friend of Ron's while waiting at the coffee shop. She had just had a bad breakup, and she cried on my shoulder. I was happy to console her. She has a good heart and Jesus died for her. All I said, during an almost hour long conversation, was "Well, I'm a Christian and you know what the Bible says". I did tell her I would be praying, she was thrilled to hear it, and I gave her a big hug as she left.

Does this make me a lesbian? No. But, to the best of my ability, I am going to love everyone God made. They have an obvious sin, one we can see. Straight men don't have an obvious sign that says "I am a porn addict" or "I gamble". Women don't have obvious signs that say "I gossip" or "I am envious". We are all sinners. The only separation: saved and unreached.

Oh, and by the way, the transgendered guy was happy to get a Bible. You'd be surprised.