smooth

thanks KMA for going through this with me. In the spirit of full disclosure, I grew up episcopalian, drifted over to fundamentalism, rounded it out with a strict application of judaism and popped a cherry on top in the form of marrying the daughter of a pastor from the most fundamental version of lutheranism (WELS) and card carrying christian coalition.


I read a bit of greek and hebrew, self taught, so no grand credential. but I'm up on my fundie doctrine is my point. the weird verbage isn't so much that I'm not versed, but my own weird hang-ups about using christian discourse in an effort to not participate in its dissemination.

that out of the way:


what I should say to make it more clear is:

According to the modern version of salvation, god gives humans a choice to seek repentance and salvation. He doesn't stop people from sinning. in fact, he allows it for a variety of reasons depending on who is asked. Such as, to prove his glory, to give you a chance to understand his grace, or love, or because of free-will, or due to the notion that you can't be punished unless you have a choice to follow him but choose not to.

Any or all of those reasons are explanations for why sin exists in this world according to the overarching evangelical worldview (not that it's monolithic). But the basic point is, for some reason, sin exists even though god could just eradicate it right now.

but he doesn't. and jesus didn't. and so I wonder where christians come up with the notion that they have a moral obligation to stop other people from sinning.

I can understand abortion--because then they rely on the fact that they have a moral obligation to end killing of innocent lives (don't anyone jump on this, please, I realize various contradictions that may play out in real life).

But how does homosexuality come into play? For example, in all cases of homosexuality in the new testament, people were cast from the community and presumably from salvation. fine. but paul didn't go around proclaiming that christians should support legislation to govern the behavior. in fact, he and jesus explained just the opposite--that this world was to be left to the sinners while the believers should concentrate on spiritual affairs before the coming.


now I'm not adhering to the notion of an all inclusive religiousity. I realize people can point to places where it is acceptable and demanded to excommunicate (either violently or symbolically) the sinner.

but there is no moral requirement for them to engage with the state to stop people from sinning. so keep in mind that this is only in regards to homosexuality.

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