after_the_rain333
Yes, the belief that “Everyone is a sinner Jesus died for our sins that those who repent will be forgiven” is what I was taught is the core belief of Christianity.
As for how that affects the way people live their lives, I think it is hard to say whether it has a positive or negative effect, probably some mix of the two.
It is good that people feel they don’t have to be perfect and that it is normal to make mistakes sometimes. But there also seem to be some people who use that belief to justify making no effort. As well that core belief, most religions contain preaching that, although presented as the word of God, is mostly aimed at making for a harmonius society, and Christianity is no exception. As far as I know, it officially contains the ten commandments from the Old Testament and also concepts such as “Love thy neighbour as thyself”. There are plenty of people who claim to be Christians whose lives are pretty far away from the teachings of Jesus. Being greedy and scewing people over to make ever more money. Bribing politicians. Hating your neighbour because he’s black. There are plenty of examples.
So how does that work with being gay, or at least with having gay sex? It’s the requirement to repent that makes it complicated. As a Catholic, does one have to go to confession and confess to the priest every time they have given or recieved a BJ? Then, afterwards, go home and do it again?
I am not suggesting for a moment that someone who is gay should try to change to fit in with a religion but maybe the “everyone’s a sinner” argument doesn’t fully address any conflict?
