Runner,Pynchme, jason,
Thank you for attempting to answer my question in depth.

Runner,
The thing is that homosexuals should not be regarded as ‘lawbreakers’ or sinners, mostly for the reasons that Pynchme gave. There is enough evidence to say that homosexuality has a biological cause. If one is a Christian, then you believe that God created everyone, including homosexuals, with the biology that causes them to be attracted to the same sex, right?
So why would a god create homosexuals, and expect them to either fight their natural (god-given) attraction to the same sex (meaning they’d have to live a lie) or to sin? I cannot see logic in that. It’s either illogical or cruel; as it would be awfully cruel to create homosexuals and then to forbid them to have homosexual relationships.
If you look at the links that Woulfe gave, in where he shows high suicide rates among gay teenagers, doesn’t that tell you that the judging and alienating of homosexuals should stop?

Jason84,
“people who do choose to live their life by the bible cherry pick the verses they like and don't like, and the ones they don't like they tend to just ignore. The bible is full of contradictions.”
Exactly; that is what I was trying to say to Richie after he said, “The good book says that we must take the whole book not just the pieces we agree with...”, because it is, in my opinion, inevitable that Christians cherry-pick from a book full of contradictions. It also shows that there are no moral absolutes, which is often claimed by fundamentalists.

“I think people who think they take the Bible literally don't take it so literally as to want to execute people.”
Agreed. What I would like to know is what kind of method fundamentalists like Runner use that helps them decide whether a part of the Bible is to be taken literally or metaphorically.

Pynchme,
Impressive crimes list!
Cursing a parent, homosexual acts….

Anyone know whether sex with a child not on the list of crimes, punishable by death?

Celivia

you write

'So why would a god create homosexuals, and expect them to either fight their natural (god-given) attraction to the same sex (meaning they’d have to live a lie) or to sin? I cannot see logic in that.'

Many people fight their natural urge to commit adultery or fornication. Some even claim a natural urge to have sex with kids or animals. The urges are only 'natural' because we are born with corrupt natures. Do you think cheating on your partner is okay because you have a 'natural urge to do it.

God neither created homosexuals or adulterers or liars. These are natural results of fallen man.

you write
If you look at the links that Woulfe gave, in where he shows high suicide rates among gay teenagers, doesn’t that tell you that the judging and alienating of homosexuals should stop?'

I actually think that all suicide is tragic. There is also a very high suicide rate among people who have multiple partners and those who take drugs. That is even more reason not to promote the behaviour. An honest look at deaths in custody will reveal many kill themselves as a result of unfaithful partners. Calling evil good and good evil does not prevent or decrease suicide. It actually increases it. The vast majority of people now condone homosexuality and the suicide rates still increases.

You also ignore the fact that I mentioned that the old testament law was given to the Israelites. The law for new testament believers serves as a tutor to lead people to Christ. We find out that we are all lawbreakers. A number of homosexual people I know are very nice people who are better mannered than many hetros. They are however along with fornicators and adulterers lawbreakers. They need to repent just like the rest of us.

Celivia: Thanks!

I just need to add something; I don't know how to discern whether someone is born with some sexual preference or not and if I did I wouldn't :) - I don't think it matters in a bio sense anyway.

There are bigger human issues - failings and the like; abuses against vulnerable people and children - to be concerned about. God knows what is in people's experience and hearts and I think he has provided us with enough range and variety (enough exceptions to any rule) to discourage us from making black and white rules and trying to press other people into some right/wrong categories. Judgment is not our job.

I found an interesting article that presents an example of the way in which we make an interpretation of historical text without understanding the context in which it was created; instead using our own as a reference point, and how that can mislead us:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MKY/is_3_29/ai_n11838798/?tag=content;col1

This is an interesting piece too:

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/11/25/proposition_8_religion/index.html

The interviewee raises a thought provoking idea about who functions as carers in his location and no doubt elsewhere in society (towards the end of the article). It reminded me of my caveman ponderings.

Runner,
"Many people fight their natural urge to commit adultery or fornication. Some even claim a natural urge to have sex with kids or animals. The urges are only 'natural' because we are born with corrupt natures. Do you think cheating on your partner is okay because you have a 'natural urge to do it."

No, I don't think that, but what I'm trying to say is that same-sex marriage is, just like heterosexual marriage, a matter between two consenting adults. The adults in the case of homosexual marriage just happen to be of the same sex.
So how could it be a 'sin'? They create no victim.

Sex with animals, children, or cheating on spouses is a different matter. Cheating on a spouse when in a monogamous relationship will hurt the other partner, and will break the confidence and trust within that relationship.
In cases like these, there will be victims.

Children are not old enough to give consent. That's why they need to be protected by law.

So... when you say, "They are however along with fornicators and adulterers lawbreakers.", you are quite mistaken. There is no reason to call them 'lawbreakers'.
Please understand that I am an atheist and trying my best to think from your religious perspective.
I am trying to find out, how you justify that oppressing homosexuals is the right thing to do, for I don't understand your logic. As I said, how can a relationship between two loving, consenting adults, be seen as an evil thing?

Yes Pynchme, agreed;
I don't care for what reasons people are attracted to the same sex.
I just wanted to find out whether Runner would look at it differently if he knew that there can be biological reasons.

Thank you for the two interesting links. I have read some of each so far and will go through the rest tomorrow, as they look like a promising and worthwhile read, I can imagine these ending up in my saved files!

@ runner

Most GLBT teens kill themselves because of self hatred, they cant accept themselves for who they are. According to the American Psychological Association, suicide is the number one cause of death for gay teens. Before I can even think of what to do or any plan of action to remedy this tragedy, the public at large has got to recognize and accept the fact that from 10% to 12.5% of the general population is homosexual. This is a fact that can be found in every country on earth and during every time period in history. And even more than that, the public must recognize and accept the fact that this homosexuality starts at birth or before the formative years and especially that it exists in young adolescents and teens. Only when the general public comes to terms with this concept can we even think of offering the trouble youth of the world a program of Suicide Prevention. How could we ever save someone from the hatred and fear that is driving them toward suicide if we will not accept the fact that the fear is real and exists in a portion of our youth as well as adults. To the contrary, men do not, at a pre- selected age, make a conscious choice to be gay, straight, or bisexual. It is not a choice. One does not choose to live in fear, rejection and in harms way just for the fun of it. At least not to the tune of 10% to 12.5% of the entire population. It is time for all of us to wake up and smell the dirt

Celivia

'I am trying to find out, how you justify that oppressing homosexuals is the right thing to do, for I don't understand your logic. As I said, how can a relationship between two loving, consenting adults, be seen as an evil thing?'

I don't consider not accepting same sex marriage as oppressing people who practice that behaviour. In my eyes the eyes of God they are no difference from the man and woman living together in sin. God simply designed one man to be with one woman in marriage. Yes for a long time he allowed polygamy but Jesus made it clear that it was never God's best. You are asking me to disagree with our Maker on what is right and wrong. I am sorry but His wisdom far exceeds that of any human being. Jesus words and teachings are miles above any human philosophy. I don't see this view as oppressing those practicing homosexuality any more than oppressing those who live together in sin (claiming to love and be committed to one another).

It is the gay lobby that is pushing the issue. Why should it matter so much to them that Christians disapprove of their behaviour. It is the gay lobby that is showing total intolerance in not allowing another view to their own. I hold no hatred towards those practicing homosexuality or fornication or adultery. In actual fact I pray they have a spiritual awakening but I refuse to condone what is evil.

You fail to acknowledge that some paedophiles also claim that they were born with genes that made them that way.