Boycott of Chick-Fil-A

[Warrior4God]

I think the issue is that if being heterosexual or homosexual is a matter of upbringing, what defines one as having more worth than the other?

We could say we use the Bible as our moral compass but that isn't going to fly with people who don't believe the Bible. If we want legislation passed because of what the Bible says then sooner or later we can look forward to all sorts of other faiths coming forward to legislators with their own demands, based on the books they regard as holy.

From the perspective of survival of the species it is clear that homosexuality isn't going to work very well on the basis it will never produce offspring. So whether we regard homosexuality as being down to genetics or upbringing makes little difference - it still isn't going to produce offspring. By the same argument celibacy is a bad decision, as is a couple choosing not to have children for whatever reason.

If survival of the species is the primary driver of whether a behaviour pattern is good or bad we end up with all sorts of what we could call sexual immorality being promoted. For example, if I am infertile it makes sense to let another man sleep with my wife in order to produce a child and at least one of us can propagate our genes; if a man is strong and intelligent it makes sense for him to impregnate as many woman as he can to ensure plenty of strong offspring.


So from the perspective of survival homosexuality is an evolutionary dead end, as is celibacy and the choice to be child-free. From a moral perspective we can say we regard something as morally unacceptable and someone else can say they regard it as morally acceptable, at which point you hit deadlock. Therefore, from the perspective of someone who does not regard the Bible as having any significance to their life, why is homosexuality a uniquely bad thing?

As Christians, we don't get to decide what is moral and what isn't. That's decided by God. It's irrelevant what we personally believe are good and bad things and the reasons for each being called good and bad. Again, God gets to make that call. He's the Creator. Why is that basic concept so difficult for many Christians to understand? Even if we don't fully get to understand God's line of reasoning for why He considers some things good and some things bad, it doesn't change the fact that we're still obligated to obey Him. We can question. We can debate. We can plead for God to change His stance on matters that we disagree with Him about. All of it is futile.

[Warrior4God]

How does disagreeing with someone's lifestyle turn into hating them? I disagree with your stance but don't hate you either.

It doesn't but using the word "hate" sure often makes one feel uncomfortable being called a "hater," doesn't it? Maybe it even causes some people to "re-think their view" so that they'll possibly come around and not be a "hater" anymore. That's not emotional manipulation...is it?...

[keck553]

It doesn't but using the word "hate" sure often makes one feel uncomfortable being called a "hater," doesn't it? Maybe it even causes some people to "re-think their view" so that they'll possibly come around and not be a "hater" anymore. That's not emotional manipulation...is it?...

I don't think there is a problem with a little self examination or prayer for God to reveal your heart to you. We can get very defensive when we are accused with terms like this. But in the end the truth will not change. That's because the truth comes frm God. We can't ignore that to please someone.

[tango]

As Christians, we don't get to decide what is moral and what isn't. That's decided by God. It's irrelevant what we personally believe are good and bad things and the reasons for each being called good and bad. Again, God gets to make that call. He's the Creator. Why is that basic concept so difficult for many Christians to understand? Even if we don't fully get to understand God's line of reasoning for why He considers some things good and some things bad, it doesn't change the fact that we're still obligated to obey Him. We can question. We can debate. We can plead for God to change His stance on matters that we disagree with Him about. All of it is futile.

It's not a difficult concept at all. Why is it such a difficult concept to understand that people who don't believe in God don't care what the Bible says, they don't care what we say our God says, as far as they are concerned what we say our invisible sky friend says is utterly irrelevant to them.

We choose to obey God. Those who do not believe in God may or may not live in a Godly way, although one would assume that if they did it was through luck rather than active decision.

Put another way, as Christians we do not regard the cow as sacred and therefore regard the Hindu prohibition on eating beef as irrelevant. Why are we so surprised when an atheist regards the Christian prohibition of homosexuality to be irrelevant?

[tango]

It doesn't but using the word "hate" sure often makes one feel uncomfortable being called a "hater," doesn't it? Maybe it even causes some people to "re-think their view" so that they'll possibly come around and not be a "hater" anymore. That's not emotional manipulation...is it?...

Not really, if someone calls me a hater for disagreeing with them it just makes me think they don't have a coherent argument.