ACTUAL news: House of Lords vote 390 to 148 in favour of gay marriage

[FlyingJesus]

To turn your attempt at an argument around, if the church needs to pander to the whims of the ignorant and intolerant in order to keep its flock then that is the true meaning of standing for nothingness, especially if such "moral" standings have absolutely no theological basis. Being wrong for a long time doesn't make it right, and no amount of "just because" will make any view seem logical or worth holding

[Inseriousity.]

some viral letter to some anti-homosexual american tv show host who also used the Bible to justify their prejudice. Theology isn't fixed or exist in its own bubble, it reacts to human problems with a sacred context, often to legitimise terrible views that have no place in a modern society and so it is important that the theology moves forward or they will be left behind when human problems change.

Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

[-:Undertaker:-]

To turn your attempt at an argument around, if the church needs to pander to the whims of the ignorant and intolerant in order to keep its flock then that is the true meaning of standing for nothingness, especially if such "moral" standings have absolutely no theological basis. Being wrong for a long time doesn't make it right, and no amount of "just because" will make any view seem logical or worth holding

I don't understand why it is 'intolerant' to oppose homosexuality? Christians can certainly think of homosexuality as wrong or undesirable but be perfectly friendly to homosexuals. The debate really boils down to whether Christians should accept homosexuality - something that the vast majority of them don't for a variety of reasons that extend out of biblical texts or even Christian cultures/traditions and values.

But again, i'm not actually debating it whether it's right or wrong in my eyes - i'm simply making the case that it's absurd for the Church to be going against what its membership believe in the vain attempt of attracting social liberals like yourself to the flock when it's never going to happen. To borrow a phrase from Powell, it's like watching the Church (and Conservative Party) heap up its own funeral pyre.

some viral letter to some anti-homosexual american tv show host who also used the Bible to justify their prejudice. Theology isn't fixed or exist in its own bubble, it reacts to human problems with a sacred context, often to legitimise terrible views that have no place in a modern society.

Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

I have read all of that before and it doesn't convince me, I view Christianity as maybe even more so cultural than what it says in the Bible. The Bible is full of silly things, but that doesn't mean every stance taken by the established Church (England or Rome) is wrong. Often morality is best found through practice, backed by the Bible.

[GommeInc]

Pleasantly surprised by this result! Didn't realise the Lords were in touch with the people

You would be amazed. They knocked back any internet based snooping laws where the Commons naturally were in favour. Our elected politicians are worse than our unelected politicians, it seems Thank Christ we have the House of Lords and the Queen, the House of Commons is filled with imbeciles.

Quite a big result from the Lords, though. Personally I think more pressing matters should be dealt with, like same-sex couples being allowed to adopt which I find more important than a ceremony filled with pomp, but that's just my views Hopefully with marriage comes adoption.

[Aiden]

You would be amazed. They knocked back any internet based snooping laws where the Commons naturally were in favour. Our elected politicians are worse than our unelected politicians, it seems Thank Christ we have the House of Lords and the Queen, the House of Commons is filled with imbeciles.

Quite a big result from the Lords, though. Personally I think more pressing matters should be dealt with, like same-sex couples being allowed to adopt which I find more important than a ceremony filled with pomp, but that's just my views Hopefully with marriage comes adoption.

cant sam sex couples adpot? what

[FlyingJesus]

it's absurd for the Church to be going against what its membership believe

Not nearly as absurd as it is for their membership to have beliefs against real Christian teachings...

[peteyt]

Great news

[Ardemax]

You would be amazed. They knocked back any internet based snooping laws where the Commons naturally were in favour. Our elected politicians are worse than our unelected politicians, it seems Thank Christ we have the House of Lords and the Queen, the House of Commons is filled with imbeciles.

Quite a big result from the Lords, though. Personally I think more pressing matters should be dealt with, like same-sex couples being allowed to adopt which I find more important than a ceremony filled with pomp, but that's just my views Hopefully with marriage comes adoption.

I totally agree! Come on Lordies, there are pressing issues that need to be pressed