Scoreface, you revealed in the Avery thread how a tragic incident in your life led you to your faith and understanding of Salvation. I think it's terrific that you were able to find peace and contentment out of what undoubtedly was a difficult time in life and wish to share this source of comfort and enlightenment with others.
Where you lose me, and I believe many others on this forum, is where you enter under the pretense of a discussion or conversation, when in reality you arrive with a sermon, albeit very open to feedback and comments by anyone requiring further clarity.
Your beliefs are rooted entirely in your interpretation of the Scriptures you have adopted as truth. And while it is no crime to be confident in your position, you dissuade your audience by refusing to examine their position fully or fairly. And why would you? Your word is God's word, of which you have no doubt or desire to debate, for His is the truth of which you are certain.
To put it in a sporting metaphor (as this is a sports message board) you always have the home court. Others are invited to participate, but on your turf, with your refs and your rules.
Just so you know where I'm coming from, I grew up in a religious family, and graduated from a Christian University. I have friends and family that cover a wide spectrum; conservative, liberal, Christian, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic, etc. And I'm a homosexual.
So naturally it pained me a little to see you enter the Avery thread trumpeting your opinion as the Word of God. Again, there's nothing wrong with being confident in your interpretation and arguing your position. But don't delude yourself into thinking you're engaging anyone. You stick to home court. Your "discussions" are presented as fact and include homework for your readers (
Read Romans 5, discover the story of Sodom). You have assumed conclusions based entirely on your canon, with apparently no influence from differing opinions. And the most egregious to me personally was in post # 175 where you said this in reference to same-sex couples:
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Originally Posted by Scoreface
The parents think (blinded by the god of this world) that they were born this way, when in fact it was a choice.
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I have no idea where you found the moral authority to stake this claim. Yes I realize you quoted Romans that shed light on human's inherent sinful nature. And more links to Scripture that labels homosexuality a sin. And then more Scripture that shows God has granted us free will. And from that you have concluded that homosexuality is a choice. Not even a distinction between the act and the orientation. Gays are gay by choice. For so it is Written. No regard for testimony from biologists, psychiatrists, or actual homosexuals. Of course not, because they're not Scripture, of which you've been bestowed the divine interpretation. Home court.
But you show yourself a caring person, lamenting the dismissal of Sportsnet's Damian Goddard for exercising free speech as you state in post #164:
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Originally Posted by Scoreface
It's just an atrocity when a person speaks against such an issue they are being persecuted but when someone speaks the other way, it is all fine and ok
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I would reserve a word like "atrocity" for persecution such as the current anti-homosexuality bill of Uganda (a primarily Christian country) that seeks the execution of all discovered homosexuals, the "save our children" campaign of the '70s (spearheaded by Christian advocates) that sought to appeal an ordinance that prohibited sexual orientation discrimination and further deny homosexuals their human rights, or the mass murders of the pink triangle in Nazi-Germany.
These people use Scripture just like you to support their claims. As did those who persecuted people of different color or gender. Interpretations differ and evolve. You wonder why you have faced so much backlash for some of your propositions:
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Originally Posted by Scoreface
Why am I scorned when I share my views but anyone else is free to share theirs? They're not only my views, but God's, since they're backed by Scripture. What do you have to back yours?
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Everyone speaks for themselves. Everyone gets to share their opinion. But you claim to speak for a Higher Power... the Ultimate Power. And you ask people to engage you in discussion. How exactly would they do that?
You found Salvation, and you want others to join you in this experience. That's fantastic.
I would suggest your method of enlightenment is counter-productive. Because although you seek to share the word of God, your pompousness serves as an indignity to those who may be receptive of the message you wish to convey.
I know personally I've always been most inspired by those who let their faith do the talking, not those who talk for their faith.