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Debate: Why does God care if we worship Him or not? Is it His ego?

2009-05-07T18:52:13Z

ISharma:

I just thought it was strange that He would care whether or not we go to church and worship Him when He is all powerful. Surely He would just be happy with us living good lives and not require us to worship and believe in Him in order to get in to heaven when we die.

:I find this question mostly offensive. The Devil believes in God but no way will Heaven accept the Devil. 'He is all powerful' think about it. God could have destroyed us all for our sins and started over but God loves us more than we know. We are alive thanks to God, we are here for God. It has nothing to do with ego and everything to do with love. --[[User:Jpatt|Jpatt]] 10:59, 6 May 2009 (EDT)

:If we suppose ourselves to know the mechanisms of God, then why would it be still God? The answer is, we can't, and we probably are not supposed to know how God works. [[User:FrankK|FrankK]] 19:02, 6 May 2009 (EDT)

Sorry, I am not trying to be offensive here. I am not questioning whether or not God is worthy of our praise and worship, the magnificence of His creation clearly demonstrates that He is. I merely have trouble with the idea that God would demand from us recognition of His great deeds, why would he be looking for anything in return from us when we were created, except for us to go about life in a just way. Why would God need our worship and praise when He knows Himself that He is right and doesn't need us to convince Him? His actions are selfless and out of love for us. Claiming that He cares about whether we worship Him or not implies that He acts not out of love for us but out of a love of being praised.
[[Category:Debates]]
:That is blasphemy. The Bible is clear that we are to praise the Lord for his love and creation. Do not presume to know the mind of God, for that is hubris. [[User:ISharma|ISharma]] 14:52, 7 May 2009 (EDT)

Overcoming homosexuality

2009-05-07T18:48:04Z

ISharma: Undo revision 661073 by TheBluejay (Talk) removing uncited assertions

[[Image:St Paul Preaching.jpg|right|thumb|250px|St. [[Paul]] defends his preaching (Giovanni Ricco)]]
'''Overcoming homosexuality''' is definitely possible for those who wish to abandon [[homosexuality]], and the testimonies of [[ex-homosexuals]] attest to this matter. Today people still report overcoming homosexuality and becoming heterosexuals or celibate through their [[Christianity|Christian]] faith. In 1980, a study was published in the ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' and eleven men participated in this study. The aforementioned study stated that eleven homosexual men became heterosexuals "without explicit treatment and/or long-term psychotherapy" through their participation in a [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church.<ref>E.M. Pattison and M.L. Pattison, "'Ex-Gays': Religiously Mediated Change in Homosexuals," American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 137, pp. 1553-1562, 1980</ref> The results of this study are not surprising since Christian faith has shown itself to be effective in combating drug addiction. For example, Christian group [[Teen Challenge]] reported the following:
{{Cquote|Teen Challenge claims of a 70% cure rate for the drug addicts graduating from their program attracted the attention of the U.S. Federal Government in 1973. Most secular drug rehabilitation programs only experienced a cure rate of 1-15% of their graduates. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, funded the first year of this study to evaluate the long term results of the Teen Challenge program.<ref>http://teenchallengeusa.com/studies2.php</ref>}}

Teen Challenge has a number of studies that indicate the high effectiveness of their drug treatment program compared to other programs.<ref>http://teenchallengeusa.com/studies.php</ref>

Many people do not understand the [[Causes of Homosexuality|causes of homosexuality]] so they mistakenly believe that overcoming homosexuality is not an available option. However, the the [[Apostle Paul]] offered great hope to those who wish to overcome homosexuality when he wrote the following:
{{cquote|Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were [[Justification (theology)|justified]] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." - I Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)}}
==Testimony of an Ex-Homosexual Pastor Darryl L. Foster==
[[Image:Pastorfostergso1_op_444x600.jpg‎|right|thumb|200px|Pastor [[D.L. Foster]]]]
Pastor [[D. L. Foster]], an [[Ex-homosexuals|ex-homosexual]], states the following regarding overcoming homosexuality:
{{cquote|Former homosexuals joyfully point to one definitive Scripture that mentions them and the redemptive process they are embracing: "Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites ... will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" ([http://nasb.scripturetext.com/1_corinthians/6.htm 1 Cor. 6:9-11]).

When I met and married my wife, Dee, almost 12 years ago, she and I both were clueless about what my post-homosexual life would be like. As painful as my past sin was to me, my wife was not the cause of my change; rather, she was the fruit of my change...

Our responsibility as Christians is to pour love out without measure on those who struggle to overcome homosexuality. Compassion was the hallmark of the Chief Shepherd, and as His disciples, we should be characterized by it too as we encourage them to embrace the freedom Christ offers.<ref>http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=9019</ref>}}

==Testimony of an Ex-Lesbian Jeanette Howard Regarding Overcoming Homosexuality==
Below is a portion of a testimonial from the ex-lesbian Jeanette Howard in regards to her overcoming homosexuality:
{{cquote|Growing up, I felt strangely alienated from other girls. But I couldn't identify with boys either. I didn't seem to belong anywhere. Who was I, anyway?

"Jeanette, stand in front of the mirror every morning and thank God that He's made you a woman." This challenge came from a teacher at the Bible school I attended as a young Christian. What a ridiculous task! I thought, but reluctantly agreed. The next morning I got up and struggled to look at myself in the mirror. Try as I would, I could not acknowledge myself as a female....

Then came a breakthrough during a retreat in February, 1989. "You have believed a lie", [[God]] told me, "but I'm going to change your name". From now on, He showed me, I was to be called "woman". This was God's intention for me from my conception.

In faith I received my new name. Almost immediately I felt a weight fall away from me. In amazement, I looked around at the other women. No longer did I feel distanced from them; we were united by a common bond in Jesus Christ.

That day, the wall I had erected as a child came tumbling down. I entered into my rightful role as a woman of Christ. I felt as though I belonged-at long last.

As I have entered into my identity as a woman, God is healing my views on men. Now I see them as having a major role in my life. We complement each other, and I realize now that my life has been enriched because of them...<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/stonewall/pages/jeanette.html</ref>}}

==Testimony of Ex-Lesbian Luanna Hansberger==
Ex-Lesbian Luanna Hasberger stated the following regarding conquering homosexuality:
{{cquote|I prayed every night for years that God would undo the mistake He had made: "God, please make me a boy."

Most of the people who knew me when I was growing up would probably have a hard time believing what my life was like during my twenties, when I became involved in the seemingly hopeless morass of a lesbian relationship...

My friends encouraged me to contact Regeneration, a local ministry which reaches out to those seeking a way out of homosexuality. Thus, in January 1981, the healing process was accelerated.

When I first came to the ministry I was extremely shy and introverted. I bounced back and forth between a masculine and a feminine identity...

The friends I first shared with continue to be a great help and support for me. That support has carried on literally from around the world as they have moved about with the military. At the end of March 1985, I got out of the Army to go to work for Regeneration. During the time since entering full time Christian service, I can really see the changes the Lord has made in me. Through Him I can now not only accept, but rejoice in, my femininity. I am now joyfully preparing for marriage. I praise the Lord for the work He has done in my life. When I was born female, God didn't make a mistake!<ref>http://www.stonewallrevisited.com/pages/luanna.html</ref>}}

==Concerned Women of American Regarding Overcoming Homosexuality==
The organization [[Concerned Women of America]] states the following regarding overcoming homosexuality:
{{cquote|Homosexual behavior can be conquered, as evidenced by the thousands of people who have completely given up the lifestyle...

If homosexual behavior [[Homosexuality and Genetics|were thought to be inborn]], Scripture would not have said, "Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another." (Romans 1:[http://scripturetext.com/romans/1-26.htm 26]-[http://scripturetext.com/romans/1-27.htm 27]). The clear implication is that the homosexual acts were deliberate choices.

If homosexual behavior were thought to be unchangeable, Scripture would not have said, "And that is what some of you were [past tense]. But you have been washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:[http://scripturetext.com/1_corinthians/6-11.htm 11])<ref>http://www.cwfa.org/articles/3456/CFI/cfreport/index.htm</ref>}}
==Christians and Helping Others in Respect to Overcoming Homosexuality==
[[Image:Mark_copeland.jpg‎|right|thumb|200px|Pastor [[Mark A. Copeland]]]]
Pastor Mark A. Copeland states the following regarding Christians helping others in regards to overcoming homosexuality:
{{cquote|BE READY TO ASSIST THOSE WHO DESIRE TO OVERCOME HOMOSEXUALITY

Even as Jesus was quick to receive sinners and to lead them to the way of righteousness and life
everlasting, so should those who claim to be His disciples. Again, the challenge will be to do it in the
proper way.

Paul's instructions to the Galatians can serve as good beginning:

"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Ga 6:[http://scripturetext.com/galatians/6-1.htm 1]-[http://scripturetext.com/galatians/6-2.htm 2])

In a spirit of gentleness we need to be able to show them how, and to provide the encouragement they will
need along the way.<ref>http://christianlibrary.org/authors/Mark_A_Copeland/hom/hom.pdf</ref>}}

==Television Show Cuts Message of Christian Who Overcame Homosexuality==
[[Image:StephenBennett.jpg‎|left|thumb|150px|[[Stephen Bennett]]]]
The organization [[Concerned Women of America]] states the following regarding an instance of [[Homosexuality in the Media|how the media and covers ex-homosexuals and the homosexuality issue]]:
{{cquote|[[Stephen Bennett]], a former homosexual and Christian recording artist who runs a ministry to free people from homosexuality, saw his testimony cut from an appearance on The Ananda Lewis Show, a syndicated TV talk program that airs on [[WB]], [[NBC]] and [[CBS]] affiliates. The program in question aired on Tuesday (February 19, 2002) in several markets.

Not only was any mention of [[Jesus]] dropped from Bennett's six-minute segment, but he charges that the show had a misleading caption on the screen while he and his wife Irene were featured. The title read: "Says he and his wife pray daily that he doesn't revert to being gay."

This gave the impression that Mr. Bennett had told them he was still struggling with homosexuality. But Bennett, who left homosexuality behind when he accepted Jesus Christ years ago, had said during pre-interviews that he was completely healed and had no homosexual temptations. He said that neither he nor Irene told anyone on the show that he was struggling...

"I just can't get over how this completely misrepresented me," Bennett told C&F Report. He said he knew that the show's lineup would be lopsided, but, "they completely lied about my story" by leaving out how he overcame homosexuality.<ref>http://www.cultureandfamily.org/articledisplay.asp?id=450&department=CFI&categoryid=cfreport</ref>}}

==Criticism==
Some people who claimed to have overcome homosexuality have reverted back or continued to dabble in aspects of the homosexual lifestyle. However, the same can be said of any sin. For example, people with illegal drug use problems who leave that lifestyle can later relapse and start taking illegal drugs again.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==See Also==
*[[Ex-Homosexuals]]
*[[Teenager Homosexuality]]
*[[Homosexuality]]

==External Links==
*[http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/hom/hom_06.htm Homosexuality - A Christian Perspective - Helping Homosexuals To Overcome]

{{homosexualityb}}
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

Teenage homosexuality

2009-05-07T18:47:48Z

ISharma: Undo revision 661074 by TheBluejay (Talk) reverting immoral change

'''Teenage homosexuality''' is almost an unknown phenomenon, although invariably portrayed as fully-fledged homosexuality by advocates of the [[homosexual agenda]], regardless of the wishes or needs of the underaged youth affected. This is an important issue given that how a person develops and behaves early in life can have profound effects in later life. For example, it is important the teenagers have knowledge about the [[Causes of Homosexuality|causes of homosexuality]]. Also, given the existence of [[Ex-homosexuals|ex-homosexuals]], if a teen has already engaged in [[homosexuality]] or is a homosexual, there is certainly hope in regards to [[Overcoming homosexuality|overcoming homosexuality]] since the best evidence indicates that [[Homosexuality and choice|engaging in homosexuality is ultimately a matter of choice and so is leaving the homosexual lifestyle]]. In addition, teenagers and parents should be aware of the [[Homosexuality and Health|negative health effects of homosexual activity]] in regards to teenager homosexuality. For example, in 2006, the noted pediatric journal ''Journal of Adolescent Health'' published a position paper entitled ''[[HIV]] infection and [[AIDS]] in adolescents: An update of the position of the Society for Adolescent Medicine''. <ref name="adhealth">[http://www.adolescenthealth.org/PositionPaper_HIV_Infection_and_AIDS_in_Adolescents-update.pdf Position Paper: ''[[HIV]] infection and [[AIDS]] in adolescents: An update of the position of the Society for Adolescent Medicine''Journal of Adolescent Health 38 (2006) 88–91]</ref> The paper stated : "Among adolescents and young adults with HIV or AIDS, most infections are acquired by having sex with HIV-infected men."(see: [[Homosexuality and AIDS]]).<ref name="adhealth" /> In addition, the ''Journal of Adolescent Health'' declared:
{{cquote|As of December 31, 2003, almost 38,500 cases of AIDS had been reported in adolescents and young adults 13–24 years old in the United States of America. Previous studies demonstrating that the risk of AIDS increased with the age at infection suggest that a large proportion of people developing AIDS in their third decade of life became infected with HIV as teens.<ref name="adhealth" />}}

The aforementioned public health care fiasco certainly had an effect on the teenage population in the United States and [[Adolescent AIDS and Medical Community Negligence|there was a considerable amount of medical community negligence]] which contributed to this health care fiasco. In 2007, a journal article abstract for an article in ''The American Psychologist'' stated that "gay and bisexual male adolescents and young adults in the [[United States]] have been disproportionately impacted by the HIV pandemic" and that gay and bisexual adolescents and young adults in the United States have had "steadily increasing rise in their [[HIV]] infection rates".<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18020756?ordinalpos=34&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Sex isn't that simple: culture and context in HIV prevention interventions for gay and bisexual male adolescents, The American Psychologist, 2007 Nov;62(8):803-19]</ref>
==Teenager Homosexuality and Older Homosexuals Preying on Vulnerable Youth==
The pro-homosexual publication ''The Advocate'', in 1992 made the following admission in regards to homosexuality and HIV infection in American youth:
{{cquote|Gay boys and straight girls who are having sex for money, shelter, love - they are at risk. And our community, the gay and lesbian community - and I particularly fault gay men here - has done nothing to try to help our youth. Gay men view these boys as recreational toys to be used. I have heard many stories of HIV-positive men having unprotected sex with boys. They don’t think it matters.<ref>''America's Worst Kept Secret - AIDS is devastating the Nation's Teenager and Gay Kids are Dying by the Thousands'', Victoria A. BrownsWorth, ''The Advocate'', March 24, 1992, page 41.</ref>}}
[[Image:AIDS_virus.jpg‎|thumbnail|right|225px|Stylized rendering of a cross-section of the [[Human Immunodeficiency Virus]]]]
In 1991, the medical researcher Kruks reported the following in the ''Journal of Adolescent Health'' regarding homosexuality and HIV infection among youth:
{{cquote|Gay male street youth, as well as non-lesbian female street youths, seem to be particularly vulnerable for emotional as well as sexual exploitation...

These relationships are often extremely damaging for a number of reasons. The "sugar daddy" usually presents himself to the youth in a loving caretaker role. For a street youth who has a past history of rejection and/or abuse, the promise of being loved and cared for is a compelling one. However, these relationships in many ways have similar dynamics to incest.

Many gay youths coming to YSD [Youth Services Dept. of Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Service Center] for services have long histories of being involved in a succession of "sugar daddy" relationships. Each of these is a cycle of falling in love, believing that life will now be wonderful forever and that this older adult truly loves the young person, discovering that in fact it is just sex that the adult wants, feeling the impact of one more betrayal, and ending up on the streets again. The whole cycle last an average of 1-2 months, and the youth often becomes extremely [[suicide|suicidal]] at the end of each cycle.<ref>http://fathersforlife.org/dale/heartbea.html</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1772888&dopt=AbstractPlus Kruks, G. (1991) Gay and lesbian homeless/street youth: Special issues and concerns. Journal of Adolescent Health. 12: page 518]</ref>}}

In 1995, the medical journal'' Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine'' stated:
{{cquote|Another group at high risk for HIV infection is young men reporting sex with other men....Many young gay men tested in homeless youth centers reported exchanging money or drugs for sex, which may place them at high risk for HIV infection. Young men who are homeless or runaways who barter for sex with same-sex partners may not consider themselves gay and thus may beyond the reach of prevention messages targeting the gay community.<ref>[http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/149/5/521 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Volume 149, May 1995, page 527]</ref>}}

==Time Magazine Report on Teenager Homosexuality and Liberal Media Bias==
John Cloud is a homosexual activist who writes for [[Time magazine]] and wrote the October 10, 1995 cover story for Time Magazine which was entitled “The Battle Over Gay Teens.”<ref name="tradvals">http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2460</ref> The article was a typical example of [[media bias|liberal bias]] in regards to the [[Homosexuality in the Media|media coverage of the homosexuality issue]]. Specifically, John Cloud’s article rendered a positive portrayal homosexual teenagers who are establishing networks of Gay Straight Alliance clubs on campuses all over the United States.<ref name="tradvals" /> According to the Traditional Values Coalition, most readers of Time magazine were unaware of was that John Cloud is a homosexual who had previously written for the [[liberal]] Washington City Paper in Washington, DC. about his visit to a "homosexual sex orgy club in Washington, DC."<ref name="tradvals" />

==See Also==
*[[Causes of Homosexuality]]
*[[Homosexuality in Schools]]
*[[Greek Homosexuality]]
*[[Homosexuality]]

==External Links==
*[http://www.probe.org/faith-and-sexuality/homosexuality/helping-teens-understand-homosexuality.html Helping teens understand homosexuality] by [[Probe Ministries]]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10693645?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed Sexual risk behaviors of Gay, Lesbian, and bisexual youths in New York City: prevalence and correlates, ''AIDS Education and Prevention'', 1999 Dec;11(6):476-96.]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{homosexualityb}}
[[Category:Homosexuality]]
[[Category:Sociology]]
[[Category:Psychology]]
[[Category:Medicine]]