Cambridge, when you say your question is a reflection of my faith and my intelligence, I'm assuming that if I state a position that you don't agree with, you think I'm not intelligent? (smile) I didn't answer because to me, it's useless arguing about such trivial stuff. Nevertheless, you've asked again, so I'll try. The Bible states that in seven days the universe, and all of creation, was created. I do believe God created everything, and to believe that we all evolved from some swamp gas, now THAT takes a real stretch of baseless faith. I base my faith on something much more solid. God also says in his word that to God, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day to him. (BTW, the ancient hebrew used the word "thousand" to mean a really big ammount) So, wether I believe that it was a literal seven days, or millions of years, it dosen't matter. God created it. Period.
As far as myself, and others here, "using" the Bible for our own arguments, and taking the Bible literally, please show me where in the Bible it has any favorable opinion about homosexuality. Show me where it states that God says it's ok for a man to lie with annother man, as with a woman. If God has nothing favorable or even neutral, only unfavorable about any topic, what should we think is God's law about that topic? I'll say it again, why get mad at the messenger, when you're really mad at the one who wrote the message?
Oh, and since you brought up the drug user analagy..."What about drug addicts? Let them be happy and leave them alone, too? We need to care about one another". Please, oh please get this, if nothing else... Christians DO care about you and everyone else here. We DO care about those who are enslaved in the Gay lifestyle, who are believing the lies of the evil one. We care so much that we are compelled to give you God's message of love, of forgiveness, of salvation. God does love you, he loves everyone. You say this to be true, and it is. God also calls sin for what it is, sin. You either believe the entire bible, or none of it. You can't just believe the parts you want to.
Yes, you do have the right to not believe. You have the right to believe any writings, or none at all. GOD gave you this right, this free will, when he created you. To do otherwise would have made us all mindless robots. You will always have the right to reject God, up until the day you die. What you do not have the right to do is change the definition of marriage. God decided what that is to be. You do not have the right to take a lifestyle that is sin, and have society accept it as permissable. You do not have the right to bring this lie into the schools and teach our children that being homosexual is ok. No matter what the government may say.
The truth will always be ther truth, regardless of society.
Never said that I was a moral authority. I didn't come up with any moralaity on my own, I get it from the Bible. It's sad that you say the Bible is full of crap. Be careful with those kinds of statements.
To OMG....I think it's wonderful how you have unconditional love for your daughter. There are so many parents who don't show that to thier children.
To cambridge, just how did you know I was praying for a Dale Jr. win??????? (smile, already)
It seems that once again Christians are being acused of being biased, prejudiced, and hateful. Christians did not create morality, nor do we make the rules about what is moral and what is not. All Christians do is pass along the message, and my message comes from the Bible, the only word of God. If anything of what I or any christian says is not in the Bible, then please don't believe that person. If this message really offends you, then isn't your issue with God, and maybe your guilty conscience? When you CHOOSE this lifestyle, and CHOOSE to believe all the lies about it, then you also CHOOSE to go against the word of God. No one is "born" gay, God would never create someone to be something that he clearly states is an abomination.
I do, however, look forward to the festival next year, I'll see you there. Maybe i will also have a booth there. that is unless you discriminate....
About gay people believeing in God: The Devil also believes in God. (NO, I did not call gay people the devil) Saying you believe in God dosen't qualify you as a good or bad person.
Also: I do not own a gun, don't drink beer, but I do love doritos.
Stan: I'm with you on most of what you say, however remember, "Normal" is subjective to the society you live in. In some countries it's normal to kill for no reason. In some countries, it's normal for kids to be drug users and drink at any age.
I'm sure someday the morals of this nation will sink so low as to legalize gay marriage by federal mandate, just one more sign of the decline of the USA.
Further.....a homophobe is one that has fear of homosexuals. This is not me, I don't fear, I have a sincere desire that they would find the truth of thier chosen lifestyle.
I do fear that the God given institute of marriage will be twisted to mean something that it was never intended to be.
I won't put words in your mouth, don't put any in mine. I do not hate you, I am not spreading hate. I am called to love all of God's created people, that means you too. God loves you. He loves you so much that he sent his son to die for you. I pray you will accept this and believe it before it's too late for you. One final thought, then I'm done here.....I am supposed to tolerate you and your lifestyle, and yet you cannot tolerate my views, and instead insist that i am spreading hate? Something about a pot and a kettle comes to mind. Rather than me pushing my views on you, aren't you pushing your views on me, and trying to change the country that was based on the bible? I guess I feel it's time for Christian people to stand up to the lies of the devil here in the USA. After all, the only thing necessarry for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. (oh, I NEVER called you evil, just the lies that Satan has caused so many to believe.) You are in my prayers.
To left, It's not my truth that I hope to spread. I have no message other than the one God has given to us all. See, I'm not coming up with anything on my own. I credit everything to God. As far as hate, the only person God hates is Satan. God does hate lying, but not the liar. as Jesus says in Matthew 5:37 "But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." In other words, Lying comes from the devil, who is real and alive on this earth. He is the one who has lied to you on so many levels that you want to reject the truth of God.
Here's another truth, ...sin will always be sin, no matter what society says. I am a sinner, you are, we all are. Don't believe the lies that Satan has led you to believe.
I'm sorry if some Christians may have used the "in your face" style of talking to you, maybe even the bad "turn or burn" way of preaching. Christians have done some horrible things in the past, some continue to do them now. This just goes to prove that no one, no human being ever born, except Jesus, has ever led a sin-free life. We ALL need God, we all need salvation, or we face hell when our life ends.
From a few posts ago...about the "God" issue not applying. God is very relevant, more than you know right now, I'm afraid. The Bible is the most scrutinized, and yet most accurate historical document in all of human history. The truth will never change just because someone chooses not to believe it. Right and wrong never change with society, only opinions change. I suggest to you to not take a few verses of the Bible and use them for your argument, but rather take the entire book for it's meaning. You seem to know some of it already, I urge you to read the whole book.
It's intresting to read all the comments from the people of the area on this issue. In keeping with that, I'll add mine too. First, the issue of God has been brought up. God calls us to love all of the people he created, not just the ones we agree with. On this , I'm hoping we can all agree. Now, while Jesus loved EVERYONE, he also pointed out thier sin whenever needed, but did that in a loving way. He also stated that he has not come to abolish the old law, but to fulfill it. Throughout the old testmanent, homosexuality has always been called a sin, an abomination, and basically a bad thing contrary to what God created us to be. Jesus, the only son of God, continued this when he stated that "Man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one." Thus, the new testament also has many refrences to homosexuality being a sin. It is no more a sin than adultry, murder, lying, cheating, stealing,...and the list goes on. (Thank God that he sent someone to save us from all of our sins.) All I'm saying is that, in Jesus own words, "He without sin, let him cast the first stone". In other words, it's ok to spread the message, but not to be judgemental. It's not our job to condemn anyone. Leave that up to God. As a Christian I am called by God to spread HIS word, not mine, and am only a messeger. Some may want to classify this as spreading hate,...but try think of it this way. You have a friend who is involved in a behavior that you know is going to do harm to him, and not good. This friend honestly believed that he's not doing anything wrong, and he thinks you hate him because you're trying to teach him that what he's doing is not good. He thinks you hate him, when in fact you have such a love for him that you must tell him the truth, no matter if it hurts him or not. All Christians, are called to have this kind of love for all people. So, if you're bothered, hurt, or angered by this message, aren't you really angry with God? And if you really truly want to know the truth, all you need to do is sincerely ask God, and he WILL let you know. Pray.
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
Matthew 7:6
June 17, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
Cambridge, when you say your question is a reflection of my faith and my intelligence, I'm assuming that if I state a position that you don't agree with, you think I'm not intelligent? (smile) I didn't answer because to me, it's useless arguing about such trivial stuff. Nevertheless, you've asked again, so I'll try.
The Bible states that in seven days the universe, and all of creation, was created. I do believe God created everything, and to believe that we all evolved from some swamp gas, now THAT takes a real stretch of baseless faith. I base my faith on something much more solid. God also says in his word that to God, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day to him. (BTW, the ancient hebrew used the word "thousand" to mean a really big ammount) So, wether I believe that it was a literal seven days, or millions of years, it dosen't matter. God created it. Period.
As far as myself, and others here, "using" the Bible for our own arguments, and taking the Bible literally, please show me where in the Bible it has any favorable opinion about homosexuality. Show me where it states that God says it's ok for a man to lie with annother man, as with a woman. If God has nothing favorable or even neutral, only unfavorable about any topic, what should we think is God's law about that topic? I'll say it again, why get mad at the messenger, when you're really mad at the one who wrote the message?
Oh, and since you brought up the drug user analagy..."What about drug addicts? Let them be happy and leave them alone, too? We need to care about one another". Please, oh please get this, if nothing else... Christians DO care about you and everyone else here. We DO care about those who are enslaved in the Gay lifestyle, who are believing the lies of the evil one. We care so much that we are compelled to give you God's message of love, of forgiveness, of salvation.
God does love you, he loves everyone. You say this to be true, and it is. God also calls sin for what it is, sin. You either believe the entire bible, or none of it. You can't just believe the parts you want to.
Yes, you do have the right to not believe. You have the right to believe any writings, or none at all. GOD gave you this right, this free will, when he created you. To do otherwise would have made us all mindless robots. You will always have the right to reject God, up until the day you die.
What you do not have the right to do is change the definition of marriage. God decided what that is to be. You do not have the right to take a lifestyle that is sin, and have society accept it as permissable. You do not have the right to bring this lie into the schools and teach our children that being homosexual is ok. No matter what the government may say.
The truth will always be ther truth, regardless of society.
June 17, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
Thanks for bringing some humor, Gypsy.
June 12, 2009 at 1:31 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
Never said that I was a moral authority. I didn't come up with any moralaity on my own, I get it from the Bible. It's sad that you say the Bible is full of crap. Be careful with those kinds of statements.
To OMG....I think it's wonderful how you have unconditional love for your daughter. There are so many parents who don't show that to thier children.
To cambridge, just how did you know I was praying for a Dale Jr. win??????? (smile, already)
June 12, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
It seems that once again Christians are being acused of being biased, prejudiced, and hateful. Christians did not create morality, nor do we make the rules about what is moral and what is not. All Christians do is pass along the message, and my message comes from the Bible, the only word of God. If anything of what I or any christian says is not in the Bible, then please don't believe that person. If this message really offends you, then isn't your issue with God, and maybe your guilty conscience? When you CHOOSE this lifestyle, and CHOOSE to believe all the lies about it, then you also CHOOSE to go against the word of God. No one is "born" gay, God would never create someone to be something that he clearly states is an abomination.
I do, however, look forward to the festival next year, I'll see you there. Maybe i will also have a booth there. that is unless you discriminate....
About gay people believeing in God: The Devil also believes in God. (NO, I did not call gay people the devil) Saying you believe in God dosen't qualify you as a good or bad person.
Also: I do not own a gun, don't drink beer, but I do love doritos.
Stan: I'm with you on most of what you say, however remember, "Normal" is subjective to the society you live in. In some countries it's normal to kill for no reason. In some countries, it's normal for kids to be drug users and drink at any age.
I'm sure someday the morals of this nation will sink so low as to legalize gay marriage by federal mandate, just one more sign of the decline of the USA.
June 11, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
so, there's something wrong with eating a bag of Doritos????
June 10, 2009 at 10:47 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
Further.....a homophobe is one that has fear of homosexuals. This is not me, I don't fear, I have a sincere desire that they would find the truth of thier chosen lifestyle.
I do fear that the God given institute of marriage will be twisted to mean something that it was never intended to be.
I won't put words in your mouth, don't put any in mine. I do not hate you, I am not spreading hate. I am called to love all of God's created people, that means you too. God loves you. He loves you so much that he sent his son to die for you. I pray you will accept this and believe it before it's too late for you.
One final thought, then I'm done here.....I am supposed to tolerate you and your lifestyle, and yet you cannot tolerate my views, and instead insist that i am spreading hate? Something about a pot and a kettle comes to mind. Rather than me pushing my views on you, aren't you pushing your views on me, and trying to change the country that was based on the bible?
I guess I feel it's time for Christian people to stand up to the lies of the devil here in the USA. After all, the only thing necessarry for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. (oh, I NEVER called you evil, just the lies that Satan has caused so many to believe.) You are in my prayers.
June 8, 2009 at 10:17 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
To left,
It's not my truth that I hope to spread. I have no message other than the one God has given to us all. See, I'm not coming up with anything on my own. I credit everything to God. As far as hate, the only person God hates is Satan. God does hate lying, but not the liar. as Jesus says in Matthew 5:37 "But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." In other words, Lying comes from the devil, who is real and alive on this earth. He is the one who has lied to you on so many levels that you want to reject the truth of God.
Here's another truth, ...sin will always be sin, no matter what society says. I am a sinner, you are, we all are. Don't believe the lies that Satan has led you to believe.
I'm sorry if some Christians may have used the "in your face" style of talking to you, maybe even the bad "turn or burn" way of preaching. Christians have done some horrible things in the past, some continue to do them now. This just goes to prove that no one, no human being ever born, except Jesus, has ever led a sin-free life. We ALL need God, we all need salvation, or we face hell when our life ends.
June 8, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
From a few posts ago...about the "God" issue not applying. God is very relevant, more than you know right now, I'm afraid. The Bible is the most scrutinized, and yet most accurate historical document in all of human history. The truth will never change just because someone chooses not to believe it. Right and wrong never change with society, only opinions change. I suggest to you to not take a few verses of the Bible and use them for your argument, but rather take the entire book for it's meaning. You seem to know some of it already, I urge you to read the whole book.
June 8, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown Pride sponsors first street fair downtown
It's intresting to read all the comments from the people of the area on this issue. In keeping with that, I'll add mine too. First, the issue of God has been brought up. God calls us to love all of the people he created, not just the ones we agree with. On this , I'm hoping we can all agree. Now, while Jesus loved EVERYONE, he also pointed out thier sin whenever needed, but did that in a loving way. He also stated that he has not come to abolish the old law, but to fulfill it. Throughout the old testmanent, homosexuality has always been called a sin, an abomination, and basically a bad thing contrary to what God created us to be. Jesus, the only son of God, continued this when he stated that "Man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one." Thus, the new testament also has many refrences to homosexuality being a sin. It is no more a sin than adultry, murder, lying, cheating, stealing,...and the list goes on. (Thank God that he sent someone to save us from all of our sins.) All I'm saying is that, in Jesus own words, "He without sin, let him cast the first stone". In other words, it's ok to spread the message, but not to be judgemental. It's not our job to condemn anyone. Leave that up to God.
As a Christian I am called by God to spread HIS word, not mine, and am only a messeger. Some may want to classify this as spreading hate,...but try think of it this way. You have a friend who is involved in a behavior that you know is going to do harm to him, and not good. This friend honestly believed that he's not doing anything wrong, and he thinks you hate him because you're trying to teach him that what he's doing is not good. He thinks you hate him, when in fact you have such a love for him that you must tell him the truth, no matter if it hurts him or not. All Christians, are called to have this kind of love for all people. So, if you're bothered, hurt, or angered by this message, aren't you really angry with God? And if you really truly want to know the truth, all you need to do is sincerely ask God, and he WILL let you know. Pray.
June 8, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. permalink suggest removal