[Neon Genesis]

Speaking as a gay man, I think the difference between accepting homosexuality and accepting something like pedophilia is that a child is incapable of consenting to sex. Homosexuality doesn't hurt others but rape and pedophilia do because the person who engaged in them didn't consent, but I think it depends on how one defines acceptance. Does it mean accepting their actions or accepting the person that wants to change while not endorsing the actions of their past? If we mean the former, I don't think it's dogmatic in itself to set limits to inclusiveness where it's reasonable but I don't see it so much as setting limits to inclusiveness as much as I see it as making sure people are safe and protected from harm. It's sort of like the question of should we tolerate homophobia or racism or other harmful actions. I think it's an oxymoron to tolerate intolerance and likewise I also think it's an oxymoron to tolerate harmful acts.

At the same time, I think if someone had a dark immoral past but served their time and is willing to change, they should be accepted while we also make the precautions of keeping people safe from harm. It's like in the early church, Paul was an ex-murderer and used to persecute the church, but he changed his way and he's since been accepted almost universally by the majority of Christians, but people still have difficulty accepting other people with dark pasts that are willing to change. But even in the early church, Paul was not automatically trusted and people showed caution before accepting him because of his past actions towards the church. I know 1 Corinthians 6:10-11 has been abused in the past to justify gay conversion therapies, but I think it still makes a powerful point on different issues.

Quote

Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, 10thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

This post has been edited by Neon Genesis: 21 October 2009 - 10:50 PM

[Neon Genesis]

Edit: I accidentally clicked quote when I meant to edit. Sorry for this.

This post has been edited by Neon Genesis: 22 October 2009 - 12:41 PM