Do people really think like this?

[Nate Hunter]

I'm christian, but I don't read from the bible.

That's like saying "I'm a pervert, but I don't have sexual thoughts." or "I'm a drunkard but I don't drink booze." How can you call yourself a Christian if you do not read the book upon which that faith is based? Perhaps you accept that the Christian teachings are positive and good guidelines, but unless you meet with a group of Christians regularly and read the Christian Bible, I don't think that really counts...

But I'd like to not have this turn into a purely religious debate. For what it matters, I am a Theist, and generally speaking I would accept the label of "Christian" both from how I was raised as well as my own personal soul searching. However I do not accept "standard" conservative doctrines.

On the matter of abortion, I am pro-choice, both before AND during pregnancy, up to a certain point. My family believes that the only right time to make the choice is before the woman becomes pregnant.

On the matter of sexuality, I don't care whether you are attracted to men or women or animals. I will not go so far as to say, "This is the way God made you." I still believe that God made us to have rich emotional relationships with other humans regardless of gender, but that His intent for sexual behaviour was for reproduction. As a society we have reached the point where we can choose to engage in it for pleasure as well, and I hold nothing against homosexuals for several reasons.

For the first, I am bisexual, although my tastes are primarily heterosexual. I know that the human body is a beautiful thing regardless of gender, and can be sexually appealing regardless of the same. For the second, I am of the stance that people who choose to embrace a homosexual lifestyle leave a narrower field of competiton for heterosexual, or primarily heterosexual, people. I don't mean this only in the fashion of "more gay guys means less guys fighting for women", but that by being able to embrace their sexuality we allow heterosexuals a better chance to know themselves.

For the third... it is a choice, and I believe that God gave humankind free will, to accept or reject his ways, and that whichever they choose, he loves THEM, even if he despises what they have chosen to do. I will at no point interfere with someone's choice beyond expressing my opinion for their consideration. If you have chosen that you are homosexual and wish to embrace that life, my words can do only so much to attempt to change your mind...

But keep in mind that no matter what you may think, and what scientists may try to do to prove it acceptable... homosexuality, like any sexuality, is a choice. It can change over the course of your life, so don't assume that just because of where your sexuality lies now, you will never be any different. If I had done that I would be disgusted with myself for what I am.

As you said, Takatofan: To the Christian faith, God is love. Anybody who hates what God has given to us or another is not loving, and is not of God. "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (1 John, 4:7-8)