Interviewer: But like other religions, that similarity in thinking means there are limits to how modern this church will get. What happens when some of his young recruits reveal they are gay?
Steve Chong: What we do is the same as with anyone who is struggling with any sin, we would walk with them, we would validate how they are feeling, we would move them towards to living how God would want them to
Interviewer: Which is between a man and a woman?
Steve Chong: Yes.
This is just for anyone who stumbles across this and is confused why I have a distinction between saying homosexuality is a sin, and saying that verbally or physically abusing a homosexual person is wrong.
Basically the general thinking goes like this:
1. Homosexuality is a sin
Romans 1:26-27
"26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."
2. Everyone is a sinner
Romans 3:10
As it is written: there is no one righteous, not even one
3. Christians believe in loving everyone. Loving thy neighbour does not mean beating up thy neighbour. And everyone, regardless of religion, is your neighbour.
Luke 10:25-37
The Good Samaritan Parable:
A traveller (who may or may not be Jewish[1]) is beaten, robbed, and left half dead along the road. First a priest and then Levite come by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan comes by. Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, but the Samaritan helps the injured man.
Jesus: Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?
Teacher: The one who showed him mercy.
Jesus: You go, and do likewise.
There are many verses that prove this point better, but this is just the first that sprung to mind.
Most (if not all) conservative Christians in Sydney believe that homosexuality is a sin, but that does not mean we should treat it any differently to any other sin, including sex outside of marriage. We should continue to love everyone regardless of what sin they have committed.
Therefore, physically or verbally abusing someone for their sexuality is wrong. However, are we in part responsible for it?
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