Christian TV host announces he's gay

WOOHOO!! This is really incredible news...good for him! I continue to be so proud of my community!

Its up to him what his choice is. But publishing it is pretty wrong, in the sense that many children could be crushed (through disillusionment), confused, or angry. How are they suppose to be able to trust anything he has told them?

he's a bad christian, but a good person :)

ipod, children should be taught to be themselves not some illusion of what they should be. I'd argue he clarified things for a lot of little kids who know they're different and know that there's a way to be themselves.

Well put Jade. It seems to me that's the opposite of the norm.

ipodrulz says "Its up to him what his choice is. But publishing it is pretty wrong, in the sense that many children could be crushed (through disillusionment), confused, or angry. How are they suppose to be able to trust anything he has told them?"

To that I Say:

What kind of messed up freudian thought process is that?

I fully support gay rights, gay marriage, and gay pride. but technically, he isn't a true Christian. being gay and calling yourself a Christian is a bit like eating a rack of ribs and then calling yourself a vegetarian.

Thats ridiculous! Also, not logical. First of all saying you can not be a true Christian because you are gay is like saying you can not be a true Christian because you are a sinner.

That is what your faith is based around correct? Forgiveness for so called sins.

I guess we are all perfect and we never lie, get divorced, have sex before marriage, or lets go back to the days where you could still be an unclean person from a lady's period :) ooh don't sit there!

Come on thedismembermentplan come up with a better lame excuse to exclude people from your religion.

haha, come on aharvath, save your rhetoric. it's not my religion, first of all. secondly, your point is totally incorrect. being gay is a lifestyle, ok? it's conditional. it's something you always are, sleeping or awake, working or relaxing. to be gay is to be gay. all of the crap you listed are instances of sin. is telling a lie conditional? no. is getting a divorce conditional or a lifestyle? no. it's one action. it's one, individual action that someone is capable of regretting and asking forgiveness for. would I expect a gay person to ask forgiveness? no, they shouldn't. it's not like telling a lie or getting a divorce. it's just your condition. it's like being white, being black, being straight, being tall, being whatever. he is just being gay. of course you could be a true Christian and be a sinner. according to Christian belief, all people are sinners. but I hardly doubt this fellow is going to pray for forgiveness and repent for his chosen lifestyle. and should he? no! I fully support him, as I said. he should be proudly gay, and if he falls in love, he should be able to get married. but that doesn't change the fact that he's not a true Christian. like I said, it's like eating cheeseburgers every day and telling people you're a vegetarian. it's very simple.

Why isn't a human being conceived when two guys bone down? Is male on male intercourse not supposed to happen or something? The compatibility of the penis and vagina would lead my friend, whom is asking me this completely reasonable question, to believe that it should not happen. Fuck that, though. Right? People smoke cigarettes, drink and drive, enslave other humans. So what if humans indulge in some more incompatibility?

Don't try to paint your bias as open mindedness. This is not a forum for me to argue with your faith bias and homophobia. I was pointing out your flawed logic. Also, read a book or a newspaper, or maybe ask someone who is gay - it is not a lifestyle! That is why it is called a sexual orientation.

I would suggest you read the bible too, since it is not your faith, maybe you should take a deeper look. Maybe you would understand that you can be gay and be a Christian too.

I'm Just saying :D

aharvath, read again please...

aharvath, what the shit are you talking about? bias against what? I'm just saying that the Bible condemns homosexuality. this is a fucking fact, whether or not you're a Christian, you can open up the damn book and read it. you're arguing with me that its not a fact like I'm the one who wrote it! well, newsflash, I didn't write it. and fine, we can agree about terminology, you can say its not a lifestyle. what I meant was that its not one instance, like telling a lie, as you seem to think. being gay is like being black. its something you ALWAYS are. does that make sense to you? its a condition. it's a constant. if you are gay, then you are always gay no matter what you're doing, correct? it's a very simple point to understand. and by the way, I have read the bible. I'm 21 years old and 2 years ago I abandoned the religion that was taught to me my entire life. I went to church camp every summer, church every Sunday and Wednesday, bible study 2 times every week for 15 years, alright? I was taught the scripture and the old and new testament and its just simple a FACT that the Bible condemns homosexuality. I am no longer a Christian because I believe its mythological bologna and pretty much crazy talk, but that doesn't change the fact that the religion itself condemns homosexuality and so therefore I would argue that the gentlemen mentioned is not a true Christian. which ties right back to very simple analogy. "being gay and claiming to be a Christian is like eating a cheeseburger every day and claiming to be a vegetarian." if you engage in an act that your so-called "beliefs" condemn, such as eating meat and at the same time claiming to be a vegetarian, well then one could argue that you're bloody well not doing a very good job and following that belief system!

Like I said this isn't the forum, but that is the worst wacko argument you just put up. I thought you said this wasn't your religion now all of a sudden you are an expert? Seeing how you are "no longer a Christian because I believe its mythological bologna" kinda discredits your response.

And when arguing a point maybe you should exclude using inappropriate words, it makes you look well not so good.

Just because you went to church camp and studied the bible 15 years oh and I forgot "was taught the scripture" does not make you the constituent to actually talk for all Christians.

I know many Christians that would say it is perfectly fine to be both gay and a Christian.

When you argue the logic of a vegetarian eating meat as comparable to being gay and a Christian, you are wrong .

1. You choose to be a vegetarian not gay.
2. The church has fluidly changed "sins" such as the idea of getting married after a divorce.
3. The bible condemns many many things people do everyday and continue to do are they not Christians? By your standards most people would not be a Christian, actually no one would since the bible condemns a bunch of things people do everyday, but still consider to be Christians...such as pre-marital sex!

My point being your interpretation is not the only one, and certainly not a majority of the populations.


JADE_AZUL16 Sorry I was going to mention, that the response was not to you, but I will point you out as an example since you said "hes a bad Christian, but a good person"

you don't understand what thedismembermentplan is trying to communicate.

i believe you twist his message... not willingly though, maybe it's just your low IQ

but how can i type this and not come across as offensive?

hmm...

i am really not trying to bash you or nething, maybe you just need to improve your comprehension skills

No I understand he is saying, you can not be a Christian because you are gay. I am not twisting anything. I am just arguing basically that his analogy is wrong.

He is saying that because a person is Gay and since that can not be changed about a person, they can not be a Christian.

He points to the bible by saying that God condemns gays. True.

However, you can still be a Christian and believe in Christ, the bible, and God.

I don't know why you would but I am pointing out that you can be A Christian and be Gay.

Do you understand jade_azul16?

I love how I have such a low IQ, that I revert to personal attacks. :D I'm just saying!

there!! there's your point!!
you don't consider his analogy to be appropriate,
why type everything else and waste your precious time?

it all comes down to the ol' good war between the letter of the law, and the spirit of the law

you guys basically have the same opinion about being gay, you just have different perspectives

both right, btw

what he is trying to say comes down to -you can't be gay AND a good (or in his words, true) Christian-

but he never says you can't BE a christian....

why someone would embrace a religion that demeans and calls you an aberration is totally beyond me... but then again people are free to choose

i was hesitant to post the "low IQ" part, as i knew it would probably provoke you to react in a deffensive stance... but i left it there just for the fun of it

i do think you need to improve your reading/comprehension skills though, it will save you a lot of misunderstandings in the future...

peace and love
(seriously)
Jade

aharvath, alright, my apologies for using expletives. I know this isn't a forum but I just need to address your points.

1. I'm not pretending to be the all knowing, all perfect Christian who speaks on behalf of all Christians. I'm just stating that it's a fact that the Bible condemns homosexuality, which I see above you've agreed to.

2. it's not my religion. I was raised a Christian and the only reason I told you that was because you said "you need to read the Bible" like I was just a ignorant person who didn't know what I talking about. but I do know what the Bible says about homosexuality. I apologize if you took my response as sounding elitist, I just meant that its been spoon fed to me my whole life. I am now an agnostic, I do not know and do not care if there truly is a God and certainly do not believe in the dogmatic stuff about heaven, hell, Jesus being the son of God, the miracles of the Bible, etc. so that's why I say its not my religion.

3. there probably are Christians who say its OK to be gay and Christian but since the Bible does in fact condemn homosexuality, they would be living in sin (according to the Bible, not me!) when you use the example of a lie/divorce/theft/etc. you're talking about one single act of sin which you could of course repent for. but if you are gay, doesn't it seem that you're just continually sinning if the Bible condemns being gay? (again, I do not agree with discriminating gays or anything of the like, I'm just saying what one religion says)

and lastly, my vegetarian analogy is not saying you choose to be gay. however, you choose to be a Christian, correct? it's a personal choice that you make to belong to a religion. so, I guess what I'm saying is, why would you belong to a religion that condemns what you always are as a sin? it's like being black and belonging to the KKK. it's backwards. and yes the Bible condemns many things that many people do. and yes, I believe many people are not Christians. many are just hypocrites. a true Christian would sin, yes, it happens to all of us. but they would truly make a conscious effort to avoid sinning and live a good life and to serve others and if they do sin, they would certainly ask forgiveness from God. people who roam around constantly lying, cheating, stealing, killing, and then say "well I'm a Christian, God will forgive me" that's not being a Christian. that's being a hypocrite, which is what Jesus warned of. surely there are way way more hypocrites than true Christians.

Just to put to rest the idea that Jade_Azul16 thinks that I can not comprehend.

"being gay and calling yourself a Christian is a bit like eating a rack of ribs and then calling yourself a vegetarian."

That means, you can not be Gay and A Christian.

And thanks thedismembermentplan, I know what you are saying though.

p.s. Oh when I 'm talking about divorce, I was mentioning that back in the day, in the Catholic Church, you would be living in Adultery if you got remarried after a divorce, which would be the same as being Gay well in terms of living in sin.

As is its all how ya want to see it. Christian or not, gay or straight, how you want to interpret things.

aharvath, I'm glad you understand, and I also understand your points and where you're coming from. it's easy to get ruffled about topics like this because unfortunately there is so much ignorant hate being put on gay people in the name of religion. well then, sweet deal. again, apologies for the cuss words. I get a bit heated in debates. its my vice.

again, aharvath, you don't find the analogy to be appropriate

it comes down to that...

if you think my comment is too offensive i can edit my post...

that is if you want me to...

honestly that was just me having some fun at your expense... forgive me for that

it's fun to push people's buttons sometimes...

no real harm being done,

disculpame, y en serio vuelve a ingles 101


as you can see, i'm a fun lover, already used the word 4 times!!

:D

Azariah,
embrace the faith, not the religion :)

I think Azariah Southworth did more good than he knows, or that we can realize yet. He's showing his viewers, fellow Christians, and the public in general that it's possible to believe in the Christian God and be gay at the same time.

Where's the conspiracy that he had this planned all along? Infiltrate a christian network, gain the trust and support of its viewers, and then rock their homophobic world. Sounds possible...

"What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Does scripture condone or denounce the behavior? Is the scripture clear? There are varying opinions on what the Bible says about homosexuality and same-sex relationships, and the best way to understand where the conflict comes from is to learn more about the specific scriptures being debated.
Will Homosexuals Inherit the Kingdom of God?

One of the most greatly debated scriptures regarding homosexuality is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10:

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? 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." (NIV).

While the scripture may sound clear, the debate actually surrounds the use of the Greek word that this particular version of the Bible translates as "homosexual offenders." The term is "arsenokoite." Some say that it is a reference to male prostitutes rather than to two committed homosexuals. Yet, others argue that Paul, who wrote the passage, would not have repeated "male prostitutes" twice. Even others argue that the two root words in arsenokoite are the same terms used to prohibit any premarital or extramarital sexual relations, so they may not refer to homosexual relations alone.

However, even if a person believes that homosexuality is a sin based upon this scripture, the next verse does say that homosexuals can inherit the kingdom if they come to the Lord, Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:11 - "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (NIV)

Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 are also debated among denominations and scholars.

Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." (NIV)

Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." (NIV)

While many Christian denominations and scholars believe these scriptures clearly condone homosexuality, others believe that the Greek terms used were meant to describe the homosexual behavior present at Pagan temples.

There is a lot of different responses to the question, "Can a homosexual be a Christian," because there are several conflicting beliefs out there about homosexuality. Not even the various Christian denominations can agree upon whether or not homosexuality is a sin. Most of the debate has to do with interpretation of biblical principles and scriptures.

The debate on this question comes mostly from what many Christian denominations deem necessary for being a Christian. In many cases the Christian must believe that God desires a relationship with him or her, admit that he or she is a sinner and put the sin in the past, believe Jesus died for his or her sins, and accept Jesus into his or her heart.

The reasoning behind many denominations lack of acceptance regarding homosexuals has to do with whether or not that particular denomination believes homosexuality is a sin. Some people believe that homosexual behavior is a sin, and one cannot be a true Christian if he or she is willingly sinning against God. However, others believe that we all continue to sin and homosexuality is no different. Still, some denominations do not see homosexuality as a sin at all, and regardless of sexual preference, all people are welcome to become Christians.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." (NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:11 - "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (NIV)" from About.com

I think it's pretty awesome that this guy had the courage to come out. I personally would never be a part of a religion that condemned me for who i was....

The dismemberment plan, humans wrote the bible, humans are not perfect, as it says in the bible. There can be flaws and always will be religion is a choice for people no where in the bible does it say you can not be apart of the religion if you are homosexual, which i expect you would know if you are so educated on christianity. I believe homosexuality is not a choice. But FACT: RELIGION IS

as a musician whose spent time in nashville , i can tell you that the christian music industry is very , very gay - producers , mixers , musicians , promoters , etc. - most of them are in the closet or very discreet - while i'm not a christian , and hate christian music passionately ( the complete hypocrisy and "don't ask , don't tell " , anti gay double standard , not to mention how much it sucks and how fake it is in fronting like it's a real genre when it just apes whatever's popular , ad nauseum ) , i respect this guy for finally coming out - though whatever happens to his career he deserves , for being in the christian music industry to begin with .

I think it's sad that just because he's gay people don't think he can be a true Christian. Would God really want him to suppress his happiness his whole life?

That is sad, sad to see how people twist the Word of God to make it fit their lifestyle, for their convenience.

Real followers of Christ love the sinner but condemn the sin. Yes, we are all sinners but when Jesus enters your heart his "blood cleanses the sin". When we sin, because no one is perfect and everyone sins, and you come to Him with an honest heart He forgives you, that's why he died.

His love covers over a multitude of sins. It's not something anyone can determine, whether a person is forgiven or not, because only he sees the innermost of a man and knows whether you are being sincere in your prayer.

ttttttpppppt

Save the World, discard religion.

i always smile when people are deciding whether or not other people may belong to a certain religion - how about you let the fellow decide for himself?

everyone has his/her own religion, and sexual preference really doesn't change anything about that.

in the christian belief, homosexuality is a sin. as are numerous other things.

christians are called however to be mirrors of the father and forgive sins, its what they do. so the fact that they don't condone it is no surprise.

its hypocritical in how they react thats irritating because they do not practice what they preach.

homosexuality is not a black or white subject. growing up in seattle and knowing hundreds of homosexuals through acquaintance, work, school etc i've seen all sorts of struggles people have or dont have with it

some people choose, some people can't, or dont have the will to. i've known christian men to come out of the closet at 40 and strive every day to be straight but can't understand why it doesnt work. i've known unreligious men who've said no more and had no more homosexual urges henceforth.

its dependent on the person. so whether its a state or a choice, doesn't matter, because as a "sin" its to be forgiven just like any other.

there are other "sinners" out there who are in a state of sin they can't control. psychopaths, serial killers, torture murderers, have an inherent drive to satisfy something in them that they get from killing, torturing, what have you. they are in a state of sin, not simply a choice of sin

now there is a difference between gay christians, and gay christians who believe its ok to be a gay christian, meaning they've given up their fundementals to suit their needs.

gay christian churches are hypocrits. a gay christian who still believes in the fundementals taught by his religion is not.

i was raised a christian but have studied the other major world religions in the last few years to make up my own mind on the matter and have come to the conclusion that christianity is the closest and has most merit however the religion itself is so lost its hard to say it with any sort of pride. the faith is about a relationship with jesus christ and god the father, not a religion where stupid things are done because some denomination interprets it differently or uses its name for personal gain or does a lot of the crazy stuff the catholics and presbyterians and episcopalians and the list goes on...

good ol religious debates

This is very brave of him; despite any kind of religious connotation he's done something that has not only empowered himself but others in the same situation within the Christian community.