From:  (Nigel B. Mitchell)
Newsgroups: aus.religion,aus.religion.christian,nz.soc.religion
Subject: Re: London Gay Bar Bombed
Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 09:30:40 GMT


In answer to the question:
>> > why on earth would this be of interest to anyone here?
>>

I wrote:
>> Two obvious reasons:
>>
>> 1. Because those of us who are Christians should have compassion towards the
>> victims of suffering and oppresion.
>>

boydman wrote:
>So this is the love your neighbor line right. And these are the victims of
>suffering and oppression? 

yep.

>SO i would assume that the person who posted this has
>posted many hundred posts about other peole suffering and oppressed as well? 

Not that I have seen. Andy's particular concern is for those who
suffer and are oppressed because of their homosexuality. The fact
that other people also suffer and are oppressed does not change
the fact that some people suffer and are oppressed because of
their homosexuality, and the rhetoric of some Christians is a
direct cause of this in many cases.

>
>> 2. Because Andy, who brought this matter to our attention, believes (with some
>> justification)
>
>Really?

Yes, really. And you are proving his point, as others have done
before you. Some Christians are incapable of speaking to a
homosexual person or about homosexuality without lapsing into the
language of hatred and oppression, in which implied violence is
only just below the surface. 

>> that the rhetoric of many Christians about homosexuality deliberately foments
>> such persecution and violence, and he challenges us to justify, and preferably
>> cease, this sin.
>>
>
>Bla' Bla. How about "we love the sinner and detest the sin" instead of your making
>excuses for their inability to control an unnatural desire instead.

Are you arguing from a Christian POV here? Are you a sinner? Do
you think you are better or worse in God's eyes than anyone else?

Do you believe in your heart everything Jesus ever said about
homosexuality?

>And stop blaming Christians okay. 

When Christians stop using the language of bigotry and hatred and
violence against homoseual people, there will be no need to blame
Christians. Of course, acknowledging the sins of the past is a
good place to start.

>Would you please include Jews and Moslems in
>this, or are you too afraid. I know this is A.R.Christian, but we are meant ot be
>all inclusive aren't we?

What are you trying to say? That other religions are just as bad
as Christianity in respect of their treatment of homosexual
people? Maybe you are right, but that does not excuse Christians,
does it?

>> I think it is an important and worthwhile topic for both of the above reasons.
>>
>>
>
>Hardly, just another closet apologist if you ask me.

Now what do you mean by that? Are you describing yourself or
someone else?

cheers

N+

Nigel B. Mitchell