Actually going off the Bible, God actually didn't give us free will and actually punished humans for getting free will. Eve was tempted by a talking snake (which some say was Satan and I've heard some also believed it was a previous Goddess, but I can't seem to find too much on that anymore.) Still free will wasn't something that was seen as a good thing in the Bible and humans were ultimately punished for getting it and thrown out of the Garden of Eden.
As for the statements about homosexuality, to my knowledge they are part of the Old Testament. It's always seemed rather odd to continue to follow them, but yet find it ok to eat shellfish, pig's meat, allow women to enter Churches when they are on their period or after birth, and so many other rules that no one follows from the Old Testament. The New Testament has some debated quotes that hinge entirely on how one translates the Greek text, but ultimately vaguely talk about homosexuality. Basically entire notion of the Bible to discourage homosexuality, but ignore other rules is rather debatable onto itself.
I am not trying to disrespect you, but the entire notion that Homosexuality is a sin needs to also bring up the argument as to why homosexuality is singled out, but the rest of the rules are ignored? It's always come off as rather odd that it's ok to eat ham, but not ok to be homosexual when they are both mentioned in Leviticus.
Bonus fact: My fursona's name (and username) is from the Bible.
In the Bible, God created the Earth, and man in his own image. He intended for man to live forever, and created the Garden of Eden to house them. He created Eve to accompany Adam, and gave them free will, stating that the only thing they couldn't do was eat from the Tree Of The Knowledge of Good and Evil. Eve was looking at the Tree one day, when Satan, in the form of a snake (In Christianity, there is only one God, Satan was a fallen angel). He tempted Eve and lied to her, in order to get her to take a bite. She did, and in turn gave it to Adam, who took a bite as well. At this point, God saw what they had done and was angry. He cursed the two, banishing them from the garden for listening to Satan. Satan received eternal punishment as well, but it was too late. Sin had already entered the world.
That's the story of the Beginning in my own words, referenced from the NIV Bible.
As for the content and not current sinning standards, eating ham and all the sacrifice and ritual rules were eliminated when God sent his One and Only Son to Earth to die for all of our sins. After He did, the eating ham and such rules were no longer necessary. Homosexuality, along with the other basic rules and Laws stated in the Old Testament, are still in place because Jesus dying on the cross did not affect those laws directly. Sorry for the long reply.
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And even if you don't understand, or don't like why they are the way they are, does that give you permission to tell them that they are living life is in any way incorrect?
I guess this is what I'm trying to say: We don't believe in homosexuality, but we don't publicy shun people who do. We might talk with people about their life choices or ask them why they do it, etc., but telling them that they're sinning makes people angry and doesn't help anyone.
Sicklyboy
Psionic Roshambo
The Real Jdbye
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