Evangelical leader quits after gay sex allegation

[shinerbock]

Well, if you cheat on your wife with a man, in my book, you're a crappy person. If you have sex for money and then go to the press about it, you're probably not of the highest moral level either. Granted, we all have faults, we all fail, but some do it on a larger and more damaging scale.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I wouldnt be surprised if it was him. I just hate when people act like these people represent conservatives, or even evangelical Christians. Believe it or not, most Southern Baptists don't like Jerry Falwell, and don't condone bombing abortion clinics. The media and others have done a good job equating "evangelical" with "fundamentalist" (in the radical sense). A more realistic portrayal of a evangelical leader, and one who is more conservative than the average evangelical Christian, is Dr. James Dobson.

The biggest problem is, these people (Falwell, Dobson, Haggard, et al.) say that they represent the Christian conservatives. And very few people stand up to them to say "No, you don't." So, when they get caught doing something hypocritical, it ends up making all evangelicals and fundamentalists look bad.

And, not to harp on you, but your earlier comment: "Despite the truth of the matter, he won't be able to effectively lead the church." I believe going back to my Bible studies, the big JC led his group pretty effectively when he was being accused of all kinds of things. I think if I were a preacher, falsely accused of something, I would go to the "WWJD" question and follow his lead.

[shinerbock]

Don't group those people in with Dobson. He's a little too strong for my tastes sometimes, but he's not a "God hates fags" type of person. I'm an evangelical Christian, and I don't know anybody who respects Falwell on any level.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Well, if you cheat on your wife with a man, in my book, you're a crappy person. If you have sex for money and then go to the press about it, you're probably not of the highest moral level either. Granted, we all have faults, we all fail, but some do it on a larger and more damaging scale.

So, cheating with another woman is okay? And, no, you did not explicitly say that, but it was implied.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Well, if you cheat on your wife with a man, in my book, you're a crappy person. If you have sex for money and then go to the press about it, you're probably not of the highest moral level either. Granted, we all have faults, we all fail, but some do it on a larger and more damaging scale.

So, does that part I've made bold mean that you're stating an opinion -- or are you the moral leader for all of us?

[shinerbock]

Delt, most everything I said is opinion, I don't see what your deal is.

Lane, no cheating on your wife with a woman is pretty crappy as well, it just happens to be more personally revolting when its with a man...I imagine it wrecks families even worse as well, but you're right, they're both terrible.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I would suspect that a gay prostitute fits many people's definitions of "filth".

Probably even most peoples opinion. Even mine. But not everyone.

And, is a "gay" prostitute morally worse than any other prostitute?

Both are sins. Where in any religious teaching are levels of sin defined?

Or are we talking opinions again?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Where in any religious teaching are levels of sin defined?

Catholicism.

See also: Mortal and Venial.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Delt, most everything I said is opinion, I don't see what your deal is.

"He's filth too."

That seems pretty declarative to me.

The guy may be filth -- but that's not for me to decide -- but that's an opinion.

[shinerbock]

This is a damn message board. Do I really need to preface everything with "this is my opinion"?

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Don't group those people in with Dobson. He's a little too strong for my tastes sometimes, but he's not a "God hates fags" type of person.

He's not? In my opinion, Dobson is pretty hateful.

[shinerbock]

I've always thought Dobson to be one of those, "God loves you, but homosexuality is a sin", type people. If he's said really hateful things, I don't think I've heard them.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

This is a damn message board. Do I really need to preface everything with "this is my opinion"?

I think it's wise to do that when it is one.

[shinerbock]

Well, you'll get over it.

[RACooper]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I've always thought Dobson to be one of tose, "God loves you, but homosexuality is a sin", type people. If he's said really hateful things, I don't think I've heard them.

Oh yeah Dobson is an enlightened preacher alright

I'm sorry but anyone who preaches the natural role of the woman/wife is subservient to the husband or father; or preaches that homosexuality is "curable"; or can preach all about sexual morality and homosexuality being a sin - then turn around and defend Foley... somes across as either a hyprocrite or a throwback.

Either which way though, he's a fundamentalist; and I don't trust nor like fundamentalists of any stripe or flavour - faith should be approached with an open heart and mind, not closed ones.