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- Jul 12, 2005
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Apostle13 said:Why Alaska?
I assume you mean as a place to settle for a while? I came here for my brother who was going through a difficult time in his life. I had just been laid off from my job at The Body Shop corporate headquarters in Wake Forest NC and had a sizeable savings and some time to kill. My brother was stationed here at Elmendorf AFB and was not feeling so good about life at the time...and it was more convenient for me than anyone to come and be close to him. The plan was that I would come here and spend a month or so, then move on to South Korea for a month of travel and finally back home. I got waylaid by the beauty of this place...to see the mountains fall off directly into the sea is something. To take a flight out of here in June and see the green fade into white glacier and then back to green again as you hit Fairbanks is breath taking. Plus, I like to hunt and fish...salmon runs are the best for fishing and to bring down a moose is indescribable to one who hasnt experienced it.
I neither condemn nor condone homosexuality... While the scriptures are quite plain Old and New concerning this matter... The bible also states: We are to "continue working out our own salvation with fear and trembling" ... And yet this is in a context of obedience. (Philippians 2:12)
Considering your faith, I am curious do you often/sometimes feel a rift between God and yourself?
It is truly not for me to know the mind of God, and I would never seek to alter the doctrine of the Church. However, I do separate the two agendas and I must disagree about the new testament being clear on homosexuality. If you follow the original greek texts' references to homosexuality, you see that the word malakoi is used in almost every case. That word refers more to the effiminate male prostitute than it does to the homosexual act or lifestyle. Yes, you may call it grasping and ungodly justification if you wish, but after all, you did reference Philippians 2:12.
Even the old testament has its ambiguities. Jonathan and David did not seem to have the most platonic relationship when you really look at it. Remember, when Jonathan tossed the spear into the field to send his servant away...
41 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. 42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city. 1 Samuel 20: 41-42
Other translations have said that they grabbed eachothers thigh and fell into the field. The strange nature of their relationship is further confirmed with David's very first psalm, which was written to Jonathan after David heard he fell in battle...
25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. 26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 2 Samuel 1:26
So you see, the ambiguities shown in even the relationship of our David, Goliath slayer, and Jonathan give me some comfort and reassurance that I may not be so condemned of God after all...
How do/would you deal with religious persecution regarding your sexual preference?
I dont actually. Everyone is free to believe how they wish so long as they allow me the same freedom. I do, sometimes, feel a bit alienated from the Church, but I never feel alienated from God.
Seems you are well versed in scripture... Is this because you feel that God has placed a higher calling on you?
Absolutely not. I am just a guy who happens to have an interest in the scriptures and all the meditations they inspire. A calling toward the priesthood is a task I know I would fail at and so, out of respect for my God and my Church, I would not try to aspire to.