tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post8863885690884288506..comments2023-11-02T09:54:07.236-05:00Comments on the grenzian: I Opposed Gay Marriage, and I RepentRobb Ryersehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701156780977117796noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-59340236557122009772012-07-11T19:06:58.397-05:002012-07-11T19:06:58.397-05:00I understand the rationale for the author's ch...I understand the rationale for the author's change of position. The question I have under this philosophy is: Will the same approach be applied towards polygamy, pedophilia, and other socially-unacceptable lifestyles? If not, what rationalization is there for the decision?Danny C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15848540376050996852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-75683892422193846622012-05-11T10:16:38.335-05:002012-05-11T10:16:38.335-05:00It all comes down to "God is Love". The ...It all comes down to "God is Love". The absence of Love in our judgements clearly shows the absence of God.Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03050888165113499608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-37407211241314613932012-05-10T17:33:08.419-05:002012-05-10T17:33:08.419-05:00@ jason, There are two parts to marriage. One is...@ jason, There are two parts to marriage. One is the legal/governmental side which has duties, privileges, and responsibilities attached to marriage. It's things like inheritance rights, medical power of attorney duties for one's spouse, the right and responsibilities associated with one's children - either biological children or adopted children. There are many more things like this that are valid things for the government to consider. <br />The other side is much more personal. It's what I call the real side of marriage.<br />As a gay man of faith living in Oklahoma, if God brought the right man to me as my spouse, I could get married to him in a religious ceremony now. I could not do that in the church I'm a member of, nor could my pastor be involved due to denomination rules so far as I know. But I know other pastors who are willing and able to do the ceremony. However, I would have none of the legal things that normally come with marriage that the government grants.<br />Some same gender married couples carry a number of legal documents with them at all times especially if they have children, and especially if those children are adopted. Some states ban homosexuals from adopting children. What if they are traveling in such a state and something happens where the child (children) end up in a hospital. Who decides who has legal custody of these children? How long will this process last? What happens to the kids during this process? Will they lose their kids? The same goes for medical power of attorney if one's spouse ends up in the emergency room. Will you have the right to make medical decisions for your spouse?<br /><br />I could go on.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05635878503820255597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-20964512197540515462012-05-10T16:45:07.429-05:002012-05-10T16:45:07.429-05:00Well said. May many eyes be opened because of your...Well said. May many eyes be opened because of your wise and loving words.Heather Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09704934737688716772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-68037142312349932242012-05-10T11:34:34.897-05:002012-05-10T11:34:34.897-05:00In my last post near the end it was to read... &qu...In my last post near the end it was to read... "a standard that ISN't arbitrary THEN and only Then can GRACE and Mercy be given" <br />Apologize for not missing those letters at first.<br />Peace my friends.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-59503384774365838382012-05-10T11:30:34.023-05:002012-05-10T11:30:34.023-05:00Gotta start off saying I love you and am praying f...Gotta start off saying I love you and am praying for myself and you are we engage together in our faith journey. I agree with what you have said about Jesus caring for and loving people. We have the responsibility to do the same. Jesus does not love us so much that He lets us continue in anything that harms us. <br />I have friends and family in the arms if much sin and harmful action... I love them and want them to become healthier. Just like I am growing and striving to become healthier. If I'm understanding your philosophy in this correctly we have to let any person simply continue to do whatever they want because they like it at that moment. Wow, my friend, that is so off (again if I'm understanding correctly.) <br />My culture that I'm in is becoming increasingly more violent so I should adjust my theology to allow for more violence? Really? Is this the principle we want to use? Or is there a measure that we use from one Greater than ourselves - a standard that is arbitrary THEN and only then Can GRACE and Mercy be given. <br />I love you all and trust that we will sharpen one another. And that Grace abounds because we are not afraid to admit when we are wrong and let others know as well. Honesty comes with truth... that Truth originates from the Lord.<br />Peace my friends.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-55355509894775303122012-05-10T11:30:31.139-05:002012-05-10T11:30:31.139-05:00Also Robb is awesome and I am proud to have him as...Also Robb is awesome and I am proud to have him as a friend and "Narrator"Dogearedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13061747465061989757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-46165952223479267062012-05-10T11:28:01.297-05:002012-05-10T11:28:01.297-05:00Jason, you sound just like my husband. :) I agree...Jason, you sound just like my husband. :) I agree that the government has no place in marriage to begin with and I'm an Evul Librul ;) It confuses me a lot that many people are so very Anti-Big Government and yet they turn around and want the government be all up in their marriages and bedrooms which is to say they demand that the government have control over OTHER people's marriages and bedrooms. <br /><br />Nanc--you post a Bible verse and we can guess what you mean by it, but it would only be a guess. Can you explain why you personally feel it is relevant? And why you personally feel it is applicable to our government? I really would like to hear how you feel because my guesses are often off-base. Just ask my husband.Dogearedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13061747465061989757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-82355578196395586932012-05-10T11:01:34.820-05:002012-05-10T11:01:34.820-05:00Robb you brought tears to my eyes. You are so huma...Robb you brought tears to my eyes. You are so human and real and transparent. I seem to have evolved to the same place also and I find it so hard to hear others condemn. I miss you and Vintage.Michelle Rollerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13131906393212407576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-8553677143086278292012-05-10T10:42:59.246-05:002012-05-10T10:42:59.246-05:00I think starting from a place of humility and rep...I think starting from a place of humility and repent for things in the past is a great place to start and I agree with almost everything you said, but can I offer another perspective?<br />I think far too often we are stuck at looking at the issue from only two sides and we don't take the time to step back and think if there is another option. I don't condemn nor judge those that are homosexual, it's not my job but God's and Jesus didn't condemn them but rather loved the sinners. However, neither do I have to endorse political or social movements to grant "marriage equality." By doing so we are accepting that rights are granted to us by the state and not from our Creator. Marriage is not a function of the state. If Christians were serious about upholding the sanctity of marriage they would tell the government to butt out of marriage, and also stop getting so many divorces (hard to take the sanctity argument serious when the divorce rate is nearly identical within the church as outside of it).<br /><br />We don't expect the government to legislate adultery, lying, gluttony much like you said. However, neither do we endorse government programs that say these things are ok. Government simply doesn't involve itself in them. Marriage was the same until the late 1800's when marriage laws were introduced to keep blacks from marrying whites. More marriage laws are not the answer, in fact the opposite is true.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15127811599746684418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-12244769786932983022012-05-10T10:21:28.259-05:002012-05-10T10:21:28.259-05:00Thank you for being humble, loving, and REAL.Thank you for being humble, loving, and REAL.ANNIE COPPOCKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04355090339079518364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-68339583304071688722012-05-09T21:06:16.886-05:002012-05-09T21:06:16.886-05:00Matthew 7:13-14.Matthew 7:13-14.nanchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06235727996512231557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-56132226169595315512012-05-09T19:23:21.625-05:002012-05-09T19:23:21.625-05:00"Even further, just because I accept the Bibl..."Even further, just because I accept the Bible as authoritative for my life, does that give me the right to expect others to do the same?" I don't remember when it happened, but a number of years ago I started to ask myself this question. Looking at the world with this perspective really changed my entire worldview. I am a far more gracious and loving person as a result...including towards the LGTB community.<br /><br />I've known a number of people from high school and college who were gay. In fact, one was my best friend through high school. Its no surprise that they have no love for Christians, God or the church. As a mom, I often wonder what it would be like if one of my own children were gay. Will they have to walk away from the church because they've been demonized by Christians? Or will they be a welcome part of a community of loving Christ followers? Figuring out their sexuality would be a big enough struggle...I certainly hope they could do so surrounded by a strong community of believers. This is all hypothetical since my kids are still very young. But, if this is something my family never deals with, I will still be part of the change that I believe Jesus came to bring.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02802735137126269213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9007160.post-40449275891802110652012-05-09T19:13:16.073-05:002012-05-09T19:13:16.073-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.jandcwedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16239680735374883529noreply@blogger.com