Re: Shapes of a Wedge

No.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alexanian, Moorad" <alexanian@uncw.edu>
To: "Don Perrett" <donperrett@genesisproclaimed.org>; "Robert Schneider"
<rjschn39@bellsouth.net>
Cc: "ASA Discussions" <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 3:50 PM
Subject: RE: Shapes of a Wedge

> What next bestiality? Moorad
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu on behalf of Don Perrett
> Sent: Wed 6/9/2004 2:59 PM
> To: Robert Schneider
> Cc: ASA Discussions
> Subject: RE: Shapes of a Wedge
>
>
>
> Bob wrote:
> This is all beside the point that men in African cultures maintain close
> bonds with other men, often including sexual relations. But these
> relationships are not conceived in terms of western sexual identities. I
> recall the story of a native of Great Britain living in a homoerotic
> relationship in an African country with a man who was a native of that
> country. Their relationship was accepted in the man's family and
considered
> acceptable. However, when the couple moved to England and the African
found
> himself labeled with our western language as a homosexual, he became quite
> indignant. He simply did not conceive of himself in such terms.
>
> This phenomenon is far more complex than we westerners realize, and
appeals
> to common interpretations of certain biblical passages in the abesence of
> any experience with same sex relationships among friends or acquaintances
do
> nothing to lead Christians to give serious thought to the whole matter.
> Claiming that the Bible condemns homosexuality and that settles the issue
is
> in my view a cop-out.
>
> Bob Schneider
>
>
> Don:
> So does this mean that if it is culturally acceptable then it is
acceptable
> to God? If so then what does one say to a culture that allows sex with
> children? Or other African practices, such as genital mutilation? Should
> we also accept this? Just because it is acceptable to one does not mean
it
> must be accepted by all. What others do is for God to judge. I for
myself
> choose otherwise. I do not condemn those who sin, for I am also a sinner,
> but I will not accept the fact that they are not sinning solely because
> someone else says it's ok. Show me where in the Bible it allows it and I
> will believe.
>
> Don Perrett
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John W Burgeson" <jwburgeson@juno.com>
> To: <mtharp@exammaster.com>
> Cc: <asa@calvin.edu>
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 4:42 PM
> Subject: Re: Shapes of a Wedge
>
>
> > >>How can any Christian advocate gay marriage when the Bible (both old
> > and new testament) so clearly speaks out against it? I understand that
> > you are not personally advocating that position, but you don't seem to
> > see such a position as contradictory to the Word of God. Please
explain.
> > >>
> >
> > Lots of material on my website, page 2, section 10, on all sides of the
> > issue. Some people here get bent out of shape when I mention this stuff,
> > so I will not go over already plowed ground.
> >
> > The issue (#1) of whether ALL same-gender intimacy is sin is one issue.
> > The issue (#2) of Gay marriage is another issue. I have a position
> > statement on the first issue on my website, written after a several
years
> > study in 2001; it is still my position.
> >
> > I have not (yet) taken a position on #2, Gay Marriage, although I think
> > the arguments for permitting it are strong ones -- yes, "conservative"
> > strong ones. There is at least one argument against it which still gives
> > me pause; it is a variation of the so-called "slippery slope" logic.
> > Briefly stated, if I can approve Gay Marriage, on what grounds can I
> > still oppose polygamy? I have not (yet) worked through this.
> >
> > In any event, the Bible does not speak at all to either issue, except by
> > strained interpretations. The material on my site will explain why I do
> > not see scripture as speaking "clearly" on either issue. There are quite
> > a number of Christian scholars, clerics and lay people who argue this
> > point quite better than I can. Is Paul, in Romans 1, speaking of ALL
> > same-gender intimacy, or only of the kind he clearly knew about, acts
> > which took place in a pagan temple between men and children?
> >
> > One of the neatest example of this is a debate between Tony Compolo and
> > his wife, who hold differing views on issue #1. A link to this debate is
> > on my website.
> >
> > Scholars Wink and Mauser have written position papers on issue #1, each
> > on a different side. Worth reading them both; links on my site.
> >
> > The issues are not easy. The temptation to just "believe what one has
> > always believed" is great. I started there; I know.
> >
> > Best
> >
> > Burgy
> >
> > Today's quip: They told me I was gullible -- and I believed them.
> >
> > www.burgy.50megs.com
> >
> >
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>
>
>
>
>
Received on Wed Jun 9 16:10:52 2004