Same-sex couples

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Hi Chris, first let me say that my personal belief is that whatever the Bible says can be trusted over all other opinions. Second, I'm also confident the Bible is clear in its condemnation of homosexual activity, both male and female. Personally, I've always thought of male-male sexuality as highly distasteful. Were the Bible to say it was OK, though, I'd need to change my view. I have know several gay guys reasonably well since I became a Christian, I treat them in a respectful and kind way, while being willing to share that I suspect their sexuality is not good for them. Their sexuality is no worse than my own selfishness, cowardice, pride and lust. I relate to people as fellow-sinners, and share with all my own relief that God will save us both from continuing in sin, and from suffering the eternal consequences of it also. I also share freely my belief that the most important sin is not our behaviour, but our attitude to God.
Well, all that is probably no surprise to you, but I just want to be honest about the kind of ideological framework I'm coming from. Let me clarify that I was not arguing that same-sex couples are evidence that the Triune God is three male divine persons. Nor was I arguing that masculinity in the Trinity justifies same-sex couples either. I was simply setting a context that would allow the English language to demonstrate the same clarity as the Greek text of John. On reflection, perhaps a better example would be this. Say I have a dog. Then I say, "it is a German Shepherd. It eats a lot, but behaves well. He is my best friend." The normal and adequate pronoun is it, however, when I use he, I finally reveal the sex of my dog. It's not quite as good as the other example really, because he carries no real surprise in the way that saying, "my mother ... he" does. The Greek is almost that surprising, but it's just an illustration.
Finally, to address your question directly, I believe male-female relationships to be earthly reflections of both the love of God for his people, and for the love between Father and Son. Because the Son is eternally in submission to the Father, so it is that woman are in submission to men (1 Cor 11:3). As Father and Son love the church, so husbands are to love their wives; and as the church submits to God, so wives are to respect their husbands (Eph 5). Male-male or female-female sexual relationships actually attack this pattern and as such are pictures in this world of our rebellion against God (Romans 1:18ff).
Well, that's my answer, rather boringly orthodox. ;) Cheers Chris. Alastair Haines 09:03, 13 May 2007 (UTC)Reply

AfD nomination of Mishpachah Lev-Tsiyon

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An article that you have been involved in editing, Mishpachah Lev-Tsiyon, has been listed for deletion. If you are interested in the deletion discussion, please participate by adding your comments at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Mishpachah Lev-Tsiyon. Thank you. Drumpler 03:50, 3 October 2007 (UTC)Reply