Joe,

I am not suggesting that the Bible preaches
hatred. As a matter of fact I gave a link and
pointed out that it is open to interpretation.
Perhaps you could read what I post before
commenting in future? Thank You.

The hatred in this discussion is not coming from
me. Yet I am being singled out for criticism.
No one else is. I wonder why that is?
But perhaps I'm the one being the adult here?

Foxy you will not find it hard being the adult [your usual position] in this discussion
Would like to see the pedophils in the Church get the spotlight rather than imaginary views someone has been deprived of his rights to worship a phantom that never existed
Unforunatly pedophils did and still do as Churches still, try to cover them up

Dear Belly,

There's a lot of heat being generated as a result
of the Bible verse being bandied around by
everyone from sports heroes to journalists to
many others saying that certain people will go to
hell unless they repent. But what if the Bible
verse they so casually quote is being misinterpreted?

Are the journalists doing their job properly?
Why aren't church leaders and theologians saying,
"Hang on a minute your translation from Greek to English
just may not be correct?"

We need to bring in some balance to this heated debate by
emphasizing the and reflecting on the appropriate edges
of our freedoms. When does freedom of speech tip over
into hate speech?

Surely, you need to think before you post or speak.
If you find yourself preaching bigotry, intolerance
or hatred you need to take responsibility - you can't
excuse it by saying you read it in a book.

I can still recall the Sunday Sermon that I walked out of
in a leading Cathedral in Los Angeles a few years ago
because of the bile that was being spouted by the parish
priest. I felt so strongly that he was causing me to sin
just by listening to him. I was having such bad thoughts.
So I walked out into the sunshine.

ALTRAV,

If people never said anything that would not offend someone, nothing would ever get said. People whine about being offended or hurt - or, more usually, some virtue-signaller does it for them - simply to shut up people, to stamp out dissent. In reality, most people are not that pathetic, and don't have an attack of the vapours everytime someone disagrees with them.

This whole issue is really about who gets the right to call sin sin. I see it as the greatest act of love ever that Christ paid the price for sin. Many have turned from being adulterers, liars, drunkards, homosexuals etc. The apostle Paul was warning the believers not to be deceived into thinking you can go back to these lifestyles after being forgiven, cleansed, sanctified. This is clear consistent Christian teaching.

Some interpret this as love and some on this forum as hate. Why can't we agree to disagree? Issy obviously interprets God's invitation to turn from sin and receive forgiveness as love. Others are offended that our Designer gets to tell us what is right and wrong.

I can assure you that Rugby Australia, ANZ or Qantas have absolute no qualifications in determining good and evil.

Dear Loudmouth,

You write;

“Are you suggesting that, to point out 'sins', as surely the Bible urges, is to preach hate ?”

Is highlighting the fact that the Bible represents Jews as Christ killers and spawn of the devil preaching hate?

You seem not to think so.

Dear runner,

You write;

“I can assure you that Rugby Australia, ANZ or Qantas have absolute no qualifications in determining good and evil.”

Oh claptrap.

The majority of Australians voted to do the moral thing and allow gay marriage in this country. They recognised it because they were not tied to a religious doctrine that tried to tell them they were sinners for doing so.

You might get to sit there and dictate what you think your brand of faith constitutes a 'sin' against God but you sure as hell don't get to lecture the rest of us on morality or good and evil. By your own words and actions we have that far more covered than you will ever be likely to.