Some sins worse than others?

[CrossMaker]

Please note, the purpose of this thread is NOT to debate any aspect of homosexuality!

That said, why is it that some Christians react with more disdain towards some sins than others? Does the Bible not say that all sin is equal in the eyes of God? Does our social conditioning play a role in how we perceive certain sins?

Take the following examples:

1. A gay person
2. A morbidly obese person who overeats and doesn't take care of their body
3. An alcoholic
4. A heterosexual sex addict

I think most Christians probably see the obese person at church every Sunday, yet think nothing of their sin of gluttony, and of abusing the temple of their body.

They may see the alcoholic as a person who needs deliverance, but not a person who is disgusting or "living in dire sin".

The heterosexual sex addict, despite living a life of sexual sin, may have the full support of all of his brothers in the church who are happy to pray for him and hold him accountable so that he might be delivered.

But the gay person? Vile! Wretched sodomite! Disgusting sinner! Many Christians feel such disdain and aversion to it that they may have a difficult time even approaching the gay person, emphasizing instead the vile nature of his sins.

I have never heard preachers speak with such righteous indignation as they do when talking about homosexuals.

Why do you think this is the case?

[Literalist-Luke]

Any one sin will equally keep you out of heaven just as effectively as any other. A person who tells a white lie is just as vile a sinner as a mass murderer. The potential for mass murder lies within every single one of us, even if we don't get around to doing anything worse than a white lie. Don't even bother denying it. Without the Holy Spirit in you, every single person who ever lived is just as capable of committing atrocities as the Nazis were.

[CrossMaker]

Any one sin will equally keep you out of heaven just as effectively as any other. A person who tells a white lie is just as vile a sinner as a mass murderer. The potential for mass murder lies within every single one of us, even if we don't get around to doing anything worse than a white lie. Don't even bother denying it. Without the Holy Spirit in you, every single person who ever lived is just as capable of committing atrocities as the Nazis were.

Agreed. So why is it, then, that the church is more prejudiced towards certain types of sinners?

[mikebr]

Please note, the purpose of this thread is NOT to debate any aspect of homosexuality!

That said, why is it that some Christians react with more disdain towards some sins than others? Does the Bible not say that all sin is equal in the eyes of God? Does our social conditioning play a role in how we perceive certain sins?

Take the following examples:

1. A gay person
2. A morbidly obese person who overeats and doesn't take care of their body
3. An alcoholic
4. A heterosexual sex addict

I think most Christians probably see the obese person at church every Sunday, yet think nothing of their sin of gluttony, and of abusing the temple of their body.

They may see the alcoholic as a person who needs deliverance, but not a person who is disgusting or "living in dire sin".

The heterosexual sex addict, despite living a life of sexual sin, may have the full support of all of his brothers in the church who are happy to pray for him and hold him accountable so that he might be delivered.

But the gay person? Vile! Wretched sodomite! Disgusting sinner! Many Christians feel such disdain and aversion to it that they may have a difficult time even approaching the gay person, emphasizing instead the vile nature of his sins.

I have never heard preachers speak with such righteous indignation as they do when talking about homosexuals.

Why do you think this is the case?

Fear......................

[CrossMaker]

Fear......................

Fear of what, do you think?

[mikebr]

Fear of what, do you think?

That they may influence us or our children.

[CrossMaker]

That they may influence us or our children.

Ah, that it might be contagious.

Interestingly, when it comes to the morbidly obese, I think it is very rare that anyone feels the need to minister or address people in this state. Even though they are clearly in a state of sin and self-destruction.

[Ashley274]

My personal take on it is it is NOT looked on as a worse sin (homosexuality) I think it is because it is more IN YOUR FACE and political...lobbys etc with gay rights and agenda's..You do not see prostitute rights...or cheaters rights......liars rights etc.....Now if a huge grop of liars came out and said they want to lie alll the time and at work and on medical and job applications and sought laws to back it...I would be in the line against them...and yes I have done every sin their is....so it is not that I am better or projudice its because of the gay parades and lobbies....laws made for them etc

[ConqueredbyLove]

Please note, the purpose of this thread is NOT to debate any aspect of homosexuality!

That said, why is it that some Christians react with more disdain towards some sins than others? Does the Bible not say that all sin is equal in the eyes of God? Does our social conditioning play a role in how we perceive certain sins?

Take the following examples:

1. A gay person
2. A morbidly obese person who overeats and doesn't take care of their body
3. An alcoholic
4. A heterosexual sex addict

I think most Christians probably see the obese person at church every Sunday, yet think nothing of their sin of gluttony, and of abusing the temple of their body.

They may see the alcoholic as a person who needs deliverance, but not a person who is disgusting or "living in dire sin".

The heterosexual sex addict, despite living a life of sexual sin, may have the full support of all of his brothers in the church who are happy to pray for him and hold him accountable so that he might be delivered.

But the gay person? Vile! Wretched sodomite! Disgusting sinner! Many Christians feel such disdain and aversion to it that they may have a difficult time even approaching the gay person, emphasizing instead the vile nature of his sins.

I have never heard preachers speak with such righteous indignation as they do when talking about homosexuals.

Why do you think this is the case?

I could weep with joy and relief at your post...You understand!!! Thank you so much. I am crying tears of relief that someone understands...

Bless you, so very much!!!!

[mikebr]

My personal take on it is it is NOT looked on as a worse sin (homosexuality) I think it is because it is more IN YOUR FACE and political...lobbys etc with gay rights and agenda's..You do not see prostitute rights...or cheaters rights......liars rights etc.....Now if a huge grop of liars came out and said they want to lie alll the time and at work and on medical and job applications and sought laws to back it...I would be in the line against them...and yes I have done every sin their is....so it is not that I am better or projudice its because of the gay parades and lobbies....laws made for them etc

Maybe if Christians were walking around with picket signs that said "God hates liars" then liars would be more in your face.

[JesusReignsForever]

Sin is sin no matter if your gay or you stole some bubble gum. I think people pick out certain sins more than others depending on what age group there speaking to...or fear.
But sin is sin no sin is bigger than any other.

[Ekeak]

1. God hates sin.
2. God hates abominations.

[CrossMaker]

My personal take on it is it is NOT looked on as a worse sin (homosexuality) I think it is because it is more IN YOUR FACE and political...lobbys etc with gay rights and agenda's..You do not see prostitute rights...or cheaters rights......liars rights etc.....Now if a huge grop of liars came out and said they want to lie alll the time and at work and on medical and job applications and sought laws to back it...I would be in the line against them...and yes I have done every sin their is....so it is not that I am better or projudice its because of the gay parades and lobbies....laws made for them etc

You don't seem to understand of the meaning of "equal rights".

Having equal rights isn't about the freedom to do "whatever you want". It's about having the same rights as the majority of society. The right to get away with lying on a job application is not a right afforded to anyone, hence it does not fall under the umbrella of "equal rights". The right to trade sex for money is not a right afforded to anyone either; it is illegal. Giving that right solely to prostitutes would be a special right, not an equal right.

Why do you believe gay people are more "in your face" than other sinners? Just because a minority of them are loud and politically active? If you ask me, obese people are much more "in your face". I see them everywhere, demanding extra room on airplanes for the same price, raising obese children, and making health care more expensive. I also see retail stores devoted to making clothes big enough for them, and TV shows and movies celebrating their "beauty" -- is that not "in your face" ?

(Please note the satire in the above paragraph -- I am only making a point )

[ConqueredbyLove]

My personal take on it is it is NOT looked on as a worse sin (homosexuality) I think it is because it is more IN YOUR FACE and political...lobbys etc with gay rights and agenda's..You do not see prostitute rights...or cheaters rights......liars rights etc.....Now if a huge grop of liars came out and said they want to lie alll the time and at work and on medical and job applications and sought laws to back it...I would be in the line against them...and yes I have done every sin their is....so it is not that I am better or projudice its because of the gay parades and lobbies....laws made for them etc

Don't you realize that reaction is due to their fear of us...that have so condemned them over and above all other sinners?

For their reaction, partly, is a reaction of fear, to protect themselves from a judgemental Christian community who has judged them worse than other sinners.

And, we have.....one cannot deny it....

[mikebr]

1. God hates sin.
2. God hates abominations.

But God loves sinners and abominators.