Richie 10

I guess most of what you said also applies to using contraceptives.

It is also a sin to consider any misdeed.

I also notice that the catholic countries in Europe have the fastest declining populations, so I guess as long as you confess you are OK.

richie 10, thanks for at least giving it a go. by comparison, dennie doesn't seem to have the courage of his/her bigotry.

to pick apart your answer:

>> My understanding of why homosexuality is a sin is

>>1. It does not produce life.

neither does playing backgammon.

more to the point neither does sex with a condom, nor oral sex, nor sex deliberately timed to coincide with the woman not ovulating. are any or all of these sins?

>> 2. It is an unnatural act.

what does this mean? how is it less natural than playing backgammon?

seriously, homosexuals seem to find homosexuality to be extremely natural. how else should one judge what is natural?

>> 3. Some homosexuals are that way as a result of RAPE by an ADULT male.

a) i don't believe you. you'll have to provide evidence.

b) even if what you say is true, so what? obviously the rape is sinful, but how does that have any bearing on judging later homosexual acts by the person who was raped?

>> 4. God loves the person BUT hates the sin because people with potential fall short of their destiny because of SIN.

irrelevant. why mention this, whatever its importance elsewhere?

it may say how a church treats the "sinner", but it does not say *why* the person has supposedly sinned.

5. Unbelief does not change sin and its effects , you only kid yourself.

again irrelevant. again, it gives no *why*.

richie 10, do you accept that you have given no argument for *why* homosexuality is a sin? do you want to give it another go?

Dear Bushbasher,
As to the rape it sure happened but over 30 years ago so I think it would be a bit hard to provide evidence now.
Every person has a concience . If you chose to ignore yours and believe Bs that is your choice for your heart knows the truth of right from wrong.

Denny,

(Yes, Jesus not only kept company with sinners...He loved them! Loved them enough to ask them ..for their own good...to 'sin no more')

Have you complied with the "sin no more" request Denny? FAIL!

As a card carrying, bible toting, Christian & Catholic aren't you failing the test you apply to others? "You cannot Judge others" (Matthew 7:1-5) "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone" (John 8:7) FAIL!

Why try to explain the Bible to us Denny - Are you qualified? Doesn't look like it to me! FAIL!

Is your church doing what you say Denny? Forget the "inclusionists' have a good look at the organisations you belong to. How many logs do they have in their eyes? Matthew 7:1-5 FAIL!

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25083343-3102,00.html

How can you ignore such things, and then ask to be taken seriously? Are you selectively critical Denny? FAIL!

Why do you insult Jesus by saying the Church is obliged to speak out as Jesus did? Where they are guilty, don't they cover it all up? FAIL! Revisit the links I showed you Denny!

Aren't you Christians amazingly hypocritical? FAIL!

Don't you sit silently by shaking your heads as crime after crime is covered up in your religious organisations and then speak out against homosexuality, pregnancy termination and condom useage? FAIL!

Where is the morality in that? Jesus had a bit to say on hypocrisy!

As this thread is called Catholic Belief I posted relevant articles regarding the Catholic Church... your answer - OP2 hates Catholics - Wrong - Sin - Do not bear false witness (Exodus 20:16)! FAIL!

Being a Christian isn't easy Denny, because when you sign up you actually are expected to do as Jesus told you to do!

Finally, John 14:6 Jesus says "I am the way, the truth and the life, no-one comes to the father BUT BY ME"! What does this say regarding the confessional?

Do you run the risk of Jesus saying to you - I left explicit instructions - your sins weren't forgiven, because you asked forgiveness, through a man, NOT BY ME?

Well done Bushbred!

Opinionated2,

Please note that priests in confession do not have the authorisation to forgive sin. They are merely there to give guidance for the sinner to bring himself or herself back into a state of grace. The Catholic rite of confession does not involve forgiveness by man, but by God. The idea is that, should you enter the confessional with the right attitude and the right contrition, you can receive guidance. Only God can forgive you and He will only do so if you are genuinely repentant. Obviously, nobody but you (and, if you believe such things, God) will know if you are genuinely sorry, so only you and God will know if you are forgiven and restored to a proper state.

Just clearing up because there seem to be a lot of people who have the wrong idea about confession. A lot of Catholics have the wrong idea, after all!

dear Otokonoko,
Repenance restores your relationdhip. It is imposible to restore any relationship without desision then action, Imposible without faith. 1st believe then action equals faith.Jesus is the high priest of our confession. 1st you must believe who he says he is then act upon that confession for if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord then you are saved for it is impossible to say Jesus is Lord and believe it unless the Holy Spirit is drawing
you. Sin is anything that separates us from Gods love and grace which we can never earn. Jesus paid the price on the cross and all we have to do to recieve our pardon is believe. MUCH to childish for sifisticated and arrogent men. I have no knowledge of the Catholic Faith but I know Jeaus through His word and the Bible with relationdhip.
I talk with him every day [pray] not in a structured way but as father and son. I love my children and that is how I know God loves me for it confirms the bible.