I suppose my biggest issue with regarding Evolution as truth is that our understanding of it is constantly changing.
the math behind a million years old world, and the math behind say a 20,000 year old world, can both work out given the correct context. but the fact remains that truth is truth. and we haven't found it yet, frogs have a sticky goo on the tongue, and another enzyme in their mouth that makes it non-sticky. (notice my mind dazzling technical terms =D) natural selection does not account well for this sort of mutation, pointing toward a creative designer. Similarly giraffes have a sponge in their brain so they don't pass out when getting a drink of water.
Paul was indeed, much like all of us, an imperfect man. and I would agree that the extreme right takes too much stock in his teachings over those of Jesus. It seems pretty obvious that something happened, to the disciples after the death of Christ, they were a leaderless, pathetic group, who by all accounts were defeated(not just biblical accounts but also secular Greek contemporaries wrote of the radical change in this group of ineloquent people during that time) this is the basis for which I believe in Christ as savior. Paul did say some very important things in his writings (after he stopped killing and persecuting Christians from a Jewish perspective) the most important of which was that it the salvations was a gift of god and not something we earn.
random side note, I know. but I just thought it would be good for you to know where I'm coming from in my faith. now as for the teaching against homosexuality, even discounting pauls teaching, it doesn't take much looking to find the old testament teachings on it. Now, in regards to the law, the purpose of the law was essentially to illustrate the need for Jesus, and Jesus himself said he was there to fulfill the law not to abolish it.
However that being said, I can agree with you that the government should not be making laws regarding marriage, banning it or allowing it for any type of couple gay straight or otherwise. Now, the severe right wing folks would chastise me for this, but in my opinion it isn't the Job of the government to make rules like that. and there should be no special benefit alloted to those married or not married via taxation or otherwise.
It bothers me on a fundamental level that marriage has in some context, grown to no longer imply what it is I share with my wife. we hold ourselves to a different moral standard than some other folks do. Note I'm not judging anybody here, I said DIFFERENT for a reason, biblically speaking I see nothing wrong with Alcohol, or even getting drunk on occasion which would certainly ruffle some church tail feathers, but I really don't mind letting the feathers ruffle. In the same way our beliefs about marriage and sex as proscribed as we understand it by God, have been very beneficial in our relationship. largely because it has helped us to be less selfish, and to put each other before ourselves. if nothing else that is the key teaching that drives my faith, and the reason I try to be open minded. from all evidence I can see, Jesus was telling the truth. If I am to believe that, then through faith in his sacrifice is the only method of entry into a relationship with God, which is something that I desire not just for myself but to share with everyone around me. and really, Paul and everyone else can bugger off as long as that goal remains intact.
And Deepoer we go.
I suppose my biggest issue with regarding Evolution as truth is that our understanding of it is constantly changing.
the math behind a million years old world, and the math behind say a 20,000 year old world, can both work out given the correct context. but the fact remains that truth is truth. and we haven't found it yet, frogs have a sticky goo on the tongue, and another enzyme in their mouth that makes it non-sticky. (notice my mind dazzling technical terms =D) natural selection does not account well for this sort of mutation, pointing toward a creative designer. Similarly giraffes have a sponge in their brain so they don't pass out when getting a drink of water.
Paul was indeed, much like all of us, an imperfect man. and I would agree that the extreme right takes too much stock in his teachings over those of Jesus. It seems pretty obvious that something happened, to the disciples after the death of Christ, they were a leaderless, pathetic group, who by all accounts were defeated(not just biblical accounts but also secular Greek contemporaries wrote of the radical change in this group of ineloquent people during that time) this is the basis for which I believe in Christ as savior. Paul did say some very important things in his writings (after he stopped killing and persecuting Christians from a Jewish perspective) the most important of which was that it the salvations was a gift of god and not something we earn.
random side note, I know. but I just thought it would be good for you to know where I'm coming from in my faith. now as for the teaching against homosexuality, even discounting pauls teaching, it doesn't take much looking to find the old testament teachings on it. Now, in regards to the law, the purpose of the law was essentially to illustrate the need for Jesus, and Jesus himself said he was there to fulfill the law not to abolish it.
However that being said, I can agree with you that the government should not be making laws regarding marriage, banning it or allowing it for any type of couple gay straight or otherwise. Now, the severe right wing folks would chastise me for this, but in my opinion it isn't the Job of the government to make rules like that. and there should be no special benefit alloted to those married or not married via taxation or otherwise.
It bothers me on a fundamental level that marriage has in some context, grown to no longer imply what it is I share with my wife. we hold ourselves to a different moral standard than some other folks do. Note I'm not judging anybody here, I said DIFFERENT for a reason, biblically speaking I see nothing wrong with Alcohol, or even getting drunk on occasion which would certainly ruffle some church tail feathers, but I really don't mind letting the feathers ruffle. In the same way our beliefs about marriage and sex as proscribed as we understand it by God, have been very beneficial in our relationship. largely because it has helped us to be less selfish, and to put each other before ourselves. if nothing else that is the key teaching that drives my faith, and the reason I try to be open minded. from all evidence I can see, Jesus was telling the truth. If I am to believe that, then through faith in his sacrifice is the only method of entry into a relationship with God, which is something that I desire not just for myself but to share with everyone around me. and really, Paul and everyone else can bugger off as long as that goal remains intact.