Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!usc!apple!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jchale@attmail.att.com (Jeffrey C Hale) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: homosexuality Message-ID: Date: 20 Jul 90 06:29:47 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 27 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu [I commented that the PCUSA does not ordain ordination of homosexuals, and explained the implications of this. Because of the nature of the presbyterian form of government, policies on ordination affect not just pastors but most active church members. Mike Siemon commented: > I find that horrifying. You are saying that gay men and lesbian women > can have no full part in your church unless they deny themselves or > (what you *will* have, since you insist on it) become hypocrites? Do > these so easily excluded Christians have any voice at all? > Do you also debar moneylenders from participating in your church? --clh] Michael's choice of words in the above posting couldn't have been chosen better, in my opinion. To say that homosexuals must deny themselves is to agree with Jesus' own teaching. In fact, ANY disciple of Chirst must deny himself/herself in order to truly follow Christ! We each have two choices when we're confronted with sinful desires from whatever source: Say YES to self (and deny Christ) or say YES to Christ (and deny self). The on-going attitude of willingness to deny ourselves and our natural passions is the core of discipleship (not salvation, mind you, but discpleship). "Then He said to them all: 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'" Luke 9:23 Jeff Hale