I know many very nice gay people. Many gay people, given the choice would not be gay, so being gay is not a chosen lifestyle.
Those who use the Bible to justify the belief that being gay is a lifestyle choice should read Anthony Venn-Brown's book, I think it's called "A Life of Unlearning". I've only read portions. Jesus himself never talked about homosexuality. Other Biblical passages that condemn homosexuality are open to interpretation based on the original Greek words used.

Anthony Venn-Brown was a former Assembly of God Pastor. He did a lot for that church including helping to establish the "Youth Alive" ministry. Yet all this time Anthony Venn-Brown was gay. He now has a ministry to the gay & lesbian Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians, and their supporters. (It is estimated that 60% of Pentecostal Christians actually are supportive of the Gay Christian groups, but are forced to keep quiet). Note, I am not gay, but a supporter of the gay Christian movement. Before coming back to me and saying "There's no such thing as a gay Christian", please, take the log out of your own eye first.

Dear SPKOUT,

Welcome to the Forum, and Thank You for sharing
your concerns with us about your sister and nephew.
She's a very brave Lady, as is her son.

My heart goes out to
them both. I can't even begin to imagine
the shock of realizing that his deep personal feelings
are often despised by some people in our society.

It's unimaginable that someone would have to spend
a lifetime denying who they are. I am glad that this
issue has been resolved and that your nephew has come
out of it as a well adjusted young man.

Over the past decades there have been substantial
changes in attitudes towards homosexuality, and gay
men and lesbian women are now able to pursue their
lifestyles with relative freedom, we now have laws
to guarantee their civil rights.

What I don't understand is the narrow-mindedness of
some people. Surely they can't realize the pain
they cause to others? Because, when it comes right
down to it, we all are somebody's child, parent, cousin,
co-worker, teacher, neighbour, friend, or fellow student.
Our sexual preference should not be any one else's
concern.

Good People,

Maybe we should look at the bible for some guidance on this matter. Not that the Bible is any kind of authority on anything not already known.

Let’s take the King James version of 1 Samuel 20:41 and the dalliance between Jonathan and David.

“And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place towards the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.”

Even biblical scholars do not suggest the ‘exceeded’ was in relation to sports etc i.e being exceedingly good as something.

Daddy, (Saul) was not amused, for in those dark and ignorant days, same-sex-orientation was frowned upon as it was not understood. Some people today still don’t understand it (Or refuse to) and even suggest celibacy is the answer. Yeah right!...very sensible and obtainable. Just turn off one of the most powerful drives in humans; sexual attraction and its fulfilment.

David

Spkout,

I hope that your sister and her husband’s relationship improves as does the relationship between your nephew and his father so that he can trust his father like any son should be able to. Would it be a safe bet that his revelation to his father was anticlimactic?

Gibo,

“Gay and lesbian folk, at some time or other, made the free will personal choice to be gay… decided that it was a good idea to do what his/her conscience had told them not to do.”

That is easy to say but have you ever been in that situation and had to make the choice? Do you know how hard it might be? You probably have people in your Church who used to identify as ‘gay’. Perhaps you should probe further than their stiff upper lip admissions ie. the usual “When I think about it I have to admit it was a choice.” Ask them what it was like for them as a vulnerable teenager rejected by their peers for their difference with no religious ideals when the issue first arose and how hard it was to avoid doing “what their conscience told them not to do” in an environment which insists that they are unchangeably born that way if they experience same sex attraction.

Steel Mann,

I also know some very nice people identifying as gay but am nevertheless surprised by your post. I have never previously encountered a Pentecostal who would be supportive of a group that rejects the idea that expressing same sex attraction is a sin. Indeed it would be a safe bet that others I have encountered would not relate to any assertions of ambiguity in scriptural condemnation of homosexuality any more than they would relate to the Christian swinger’s group’s reinterpretation of the condemnation of adultery. In light of that experience, which I concede may not be representative, I am naturally skeptical. Contrarily if I read a similar statistic relating to people identifying as Catholics it would be less surprising. Who estimated that 60% of Pentecostal Christians hold that view and on what basis?

Spkout,
There is an old folk tale about a child who was perceived to have a severe difference.
Each night the child’s mother dreamt of the child struggling up a steep hill with others all carrying different sized knapsacks. Only her son’s seemed much bigger. Each night it seemed his burden seemed to get bigger and each night he struggled just that little bit more.
One night incensed that his burden was bigger than everyone else climbing she asked “Son why is your burden bigger than everyone else?”
He turned and sadly answered “mother this burden is to carry all the tears that others have cried for me”
She never cried over his differences again nor did she have that dream again.
And he was happier.

Moral: Cry not for others differences. At best it may not be a problem to them at worst they don’t need to carry your disappointment too.

Be thankful if he’s OK with the knowledge.

Cheers Examinator Ant

Mjpb.
I appreciate conflict within.
Its not always easy as you have said but its better to resist the sin now than pay for it later.

Check out Mary K Baxters revelation of hell.

If we all had a wholesome vision of the great war on earth be would be better off for it.

Ephesians 6:12-18 if youre interested.