tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682222629887487594.post5678685513104794139..comments2023-09-20T07:01:22.404-04:00Comments on Mercy Not Sacrifice: The Same Theory At Work…?Cindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855877179982985307noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682222629887487594.post-14669468551408962272011-01-23T01:15:01.585-05:002011-01-23T01:15:01.585-05:00Looking forward to it, Sis. :) --rhondaLooking forward to it, Sis. :) --rhondaRhondahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08992957461968452919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682222629887487594.post-43499569822497208542011-01-21T06:24:46.750-05:002011-01-21T06:24:46.750-05:00rhonda...
I don't remember specifically the si...rhonda...<br />I don't remember specifically the situation but I do know I've seen several debates on Christian UR forums about homosexuality. It is such a hot button topic with so many strong opinions. <br /><br />I was never steeped in the church's teachings on homosexuality because I became a Christian quite late in life and they never really got their clutches on me. I was drawn to question the status quo right from the beginning.<br /><br />I specifically remember a situation in Tennessee shortly after I became a Christian. I worked part time in the evenings at Shoney's just for some extra cash. There was a waiter there named Wendell...and he and I became friends. Wendell was obviously gay..outspoken about it. He told me quietly one night that he had AIDS. He had it for ten years at that time. This was fifteen or so years ago and AIDS was not as treatable as it is today so he was doing very very well. He had neuropthy in his legs and some other aches and pains from it, but overall he was doing very well. I loved Wendell. <br /><br />Wendell was a kindergarten teacher when he was diagnosed. He was in what he thought was a monogomous relationship (that he later found out was anything but) and that's how he contracted AIDS. The doctor who diagnosed him told him he had to resign from his teaching position immediately or he would infect his students (again this was 25 years ago) so he did. Immediately. From that point on he survived by working at odd jobs like being a waiter at a run down Shoneys. <br /><br />So anyway...they hired a new couple there. Christians. One day in the waitress station...when Wendell wasn't there, the young woman started to talk about how Wendell offended her. That she was a Christian and that it just wasn't right etc. etc. I remember telling her that I was a Christian too and that I loved Wendell...and I forget what else I said. Not even sure why the situation popped into my mind. She stammered around a bit and said that she loved Wendall too. It was in that "love the sinner / hate the sin" kind of way. How freaking arrogant and pompous is that? <br /><br />But anyway...I have known many gays through the years. More gay men/couples than gay women. I'm sure I've known them, just didn't realize they were gay. And I've even seen people change their views...soften their views about gays. Some, however, can not get past the surface view of scripture and continue to feel it is one of the biggest abominations under the sun...while they continue to gossip about their neighbors...hog out at the Old Country Buffet...ignore the poor...cheat on their taxes...etc. etc. <br /><br />I'm posting a few links in another post that I came across the day after I made this post...came across by "happenstance." They discuss this very topic. The "gay awakening" in the church. What is that called when something like that happens? Serendipity? You may have seen one of them...I think it was on Huffington Post. I know you read there. <br /><br />Blessings to you rhonda...<br /><br />Cindi....Cindihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05855877179982985307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682222629887487594.post-27620409473870445402011-01-21T05:55:16.317-05:002011-01-21T05:55:16.317-05:00Hi carol...
nice to hear from you. What is that h...Hi carol...<br />nice to hear from you. What is that hokey saying about "denial" not being just a river in Egypt? I'll check out the article on wiki.<br /><br />Sometimes I think it is not just denial but refusal. If the inconvenience of the new belief is too great, sometimes I think we refuse to hear the truth. If the truth requires that we change our lifestyle, circle of friends etc. then it is oftentimes easier to just go with the flow. <br /><br />Which brings Carlton Pearson to mind and how changing his beliefs to UR totally turned his world upside down. And during that time of upheaval, those he preached against (homosexuals) were the very ones who ministered to him. I vaguely remember that he ended up with a church who had a lesbian pastor who washed his feet. <br /><br />Anyway...thanks again for the comment. <br /><br />Blessings....Cindi.....Cindihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05855877179982985307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682222629887487594.post-33986055647454767702011-01-19T19:56:30.936-05:002011-01-19T19:56:30.936-05:00Hi Sis,
Remember back, some years ago? I got int...Hi Sis,<br /><br />Remember back, some years ago? I got into quite a bit of trouble standing up FOR homosexuals--even on a Christian Universalist list.<br /><br />Amen to all you said here. :) --rhondaRhondahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08992957461968452919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682222629887487594.post-60093283946972819322011-01-19T10:39:50.839-05:002011-01-19T10:39:50.839-05:00GREAT post Cindi!!
I've been thinking about d...GREAT post Cindi!!<br /><br />I've been thinking about denial lately.<br /><br />I recently read Wikipedia's entry on "denial." I found it a great summary...straightforward cutting through any fog.<br /><br />Thanks again for a thought-provoking read!<br />~carol :-)onepersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10395600714257162622noreply@blogger.com