Dan complains that saying that homosexual relations are wrong or that transgender is wrong is harmful and, therefore, hate. He complains that I don't acknowledge that or correct any of my commenters who don't acknowledge that. The problem is -- and I'm not talking about the problem with Dan, but the problem with this view -- that the fundamental premise is confused. Here it is: "We are right." Okay, that's not sufficient. "We are right and where the Bible says otherwise the Bible is wrong."
There is this notion that the sole basis for any morality is "do no harm." The problem with that, of course, is defining "harm." On a surface level, for example, sticking a needle in a child's arm causes "harm" as evidenced by her screams of pain, but the doctors and the adults know that this harm is short-term, but the long-term effect is beneficial. You are preventing that child from contracting a potentially deadly disease. So "harm" as a measurement of morality is problematic because humans, as a race, have a hard time obtaining or allowing sufficient data to determine "harm." "Gay" or "transgender" are examples. "You harm them when you tell them they're wrong" may be true in the sense that it hurts their feelings (and the ramifications of hurt feelings), but if the Bible means what it actually says -- "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 6:9-10) -- then clearly the real harm would be in not attempting to spare people from missing the kingdom of God.
Look, let's do a thought experiment. Let's say that it is actually true that God's Word is true and what it says in the Bible is real. That's really where we diverge, isn't it? Christians take God at His Word (like Christ (John 17:17)) and seek salvation for those they encounter. Telling anyone they're a sinner is "harmful" in the sense of causing some pain -- no one wants to hear they're sinning -- but it is real love to seek to save the lost and it is actually hate to simply make them feel better about being lost. Jesus came for that purpose (Luke 19:10). We should continue it. Enabling sin is not loving or harmless. If God's Word is true (because God is true), surely it's obvious that urging people to repent and come to Christ is not "hate" or "harm." If one accepts God's Word.
10 comments:
It's confusing to me that making irreversible alterations to one's perfectly functioning body (which result in a body with non functioning parts) is considered to not be harmful.
You are correct in stating that the problem is defining harm. Especially as harm encompasses a wide range of things, many of which are actually beneficial.
Just the process to pretend to be someone of the opposite sex cause GREAT HARM. Harm to the mental health, irrevocable harm to the body and harm to society.
Male homosexual behavior can cause great harm to the body for the receiver, let alone the harm caused by the STDs HIV, etc.
These are just examples of physical harm but the spiritual harm is much worse.
I have yet to hear a good argument as to how these behaviors aren't harmful, in and out of themselves, regardless of their eternal ramifications. Yes, allowing someone to continue in sin according to God leads to eternal harm, but we also believe that God knows what is best for the proper functioning of our bodies, and if He says something is wrong, it isn't just an affront to His holiness, but it is bad for us temporally as well.
Glenn,
Years ago I wrote extensively on the harm inherent in any lifestyle that frequently practices anal sex. I quotes all sorts of medical experts and the statistics for diseases etc, somehow that harm isn't bad.
I agree that the interpretation of “harm” is the essential issue here (and of “love” vs. “hate” as well). A medical doctor pledges essentially to “Do No Harm,” yet he/she will jab with needles (as you point out) and worse, i.e. cut away diseased tissue, organs, limbs, etc. I really can’t understand the mindset to which you allude of someone like Dan, who apparently will not submit his way of thinking to the authority of God’s Word--(I find as a new creature in Christ, I need to do that on a constant basis)--yet he is a follower of Christ? It is really not very difficult even for the casual observer to determine that indulging in homosexual behavior and/or “transgender” illusions does harm. Even if I could not see that, however, I choose to believe God’s word regarding what is harmful for me--since He created me and the world in which I function--rather than accept the devil’s lies--since he hates God and wishes harm upon His creatures.
David,
So many of those behaviors are physically and mentally harmful, yet somehow exempt from the harm standard of morality. I suspect that we'll see a wave of harm unless we as a society get a handle on the entire "gender" issue as well as some others. I also suspect that the harm folx will have plenty of excuses why the future harm isn't their fault.
Those pushing the transgender ideology as good due to the harm not assenting will do have to ignore the actual harm proclaimed by the medical community on the effects of the drugs and surgeries, and more importantly, the harm cause on those that detransision.
David,
Absolutely. I've been seeing evidence that the whole trans/suicide narrative has been exaggerated, and that the majority of children who say that are "trans", end up moving past those feelings as they grow older. The fact that Europe has backed off seems like a good sign as well, although the "trans industrial complex" will fight anything that cuts of the big money to be made.
I'm told by an actual seminary graduate and therefore expert theological scholar (*cough*) that the Holy Spirit has told some people that LGBTQ+++++ people are cool, so we need to get with the program. Somehow, I've failed as one who strives to be a Christian in good standing (with the Lord) to have not been granted this epiphany. Woe is me. Has anyone else here been so privileged?
As opposed to, say, the writers of the Old Testament or Paul or such who were told by the Holy Spirit the exact opposite? Yeah, I didn't get that memo, either, but most of us aren't privy to the elite world of "special knowledge" granted to those folks (and warned against by Scripture).
Post a Comment