Is being attracted to another man considered gay? (souls, hell, Baptists)

[grew-up-3rd-culture]

No. Is having any sexual relationship w/ another man gay? Yes. Your thoughts.

[Pathwalker]

How do you define "gay"? Is it simply the sex act itself? Or do you not believe that a man can genuinely be attracted to another man on an emotional level, without any sexual involvement?

[grew-up-3rd-culture]

Originally Posted by WCRob

How do you define "gay"? Is it simply the sex act itself? Or do you not believe that a man can genuinely be attracted to another man on an emotional level, without any sexual involvement?

Remember, it's important to put the contents of our conversation into a Biblical context instead of a societal context b/c the two contrast even though they both talk about the same issue, but only one will get our souls into heaven.

Biblically, a man should not "lay" w/ another man in the same way a man "lays" w/ a woman. Lay means having sex w/ a woman the way he has sex with a man. This answers your question about the act of being gay.

To answer your second question, in studying the Bible myself, it's perfectly normal and even healthy at times to have affection for another man. Evidence of this is all over the Bible most specifically the relationship btwn Johnathan and David in the Old Testament.

What do you think?

[jeffncandace]

So by your definition only the type of sex someone has determines their sexuality, not their internal desires?

[TravisW]

Affection is different from sexual attraction.

[Willys]

Originally Posted by grew-up-3rd-culture

Biblically, a man should not "lay" w/ another man in the same way a man "lays" w/ a woman. Lay means having sex w/ a woman the way he has sex with a man. This answers your question about the act of being gay.

You mean like baptists do? You know, baptists don't fornicate standing up for fear someone might think they're dancing?

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by grew-up-3rd-culture

Remember, it's important to put the contents of our conversation into a Biblical context instead of a societal context b/c the two contrast even though they both talk about the same issue, but only one will get our souls into heaven.

Biblically, a man should not "lay" w/ another man in the same way a man "lays" w/ a woman. Lay means having sex w/ a woman the way he has sex with a man. This answers your question about the act of being gay.

To answer your second question, in studying the Bible myself, it's perfectly normal and even healthy at times to have affection for another man. Evidence of this is all over the Bible most specifically the relationship btwn Johnathan and David in the Old Testament.

What do you think?

In a nutshell, here's what I think... the passage you refer to (and others) are up for interpretation, and most likely have little to do with homosexuality. And personally, I don't care if someone's gay or not - which most people here should know by now, lol.

[Padgett2]

Once again, we need to look at the times when those scriptures were written. It was not uncommon for men in the army to not have women available for montha or even years. Sex occured between men. When women were around, they preferred women. This was not the type of gay behavior that we see today.

Shepards had sheep or cattle. It does not mean that they were not attacted to women.

Men are often much more comfortable in the company of other men. They think alike, they are interested in the same things. They seek each other out for companionship. This does not always imply a sexual attraction.

If you look at the ditzy women as portrayed on TV, it's no wonder that men prefer other men for companionship. Companionship, yes, sex, no.

[bigthirsty]

Originally Posted by grew-up-3rd-culture

No. Is having any sexual relationship w/ another man gay? Yes. Your thoughts.

Yes.. because I don't believe that physical action is the defining moment. I believe that either you are.. or you aren't. Whether or not someone acts upon the feelings is different..

JMO though.

[Pathwalker]

I've already talked about this subject until I'm blue in the face, so if you want to read my more in-depth comments about it, you'll have to do a search using my name and the subject matter.

Nevertheless, to sum up: In today's society, the term "gay" is generally the same thing as saying "homosexual". However, it's possible to be gay and not have sex with anyone. Your sexual orientation is classified, in general, as being homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual. If you're homosexual, your emotional, psychological and physical attractions - as well as your sexual desires - are directed toward a person of the same gender, whether you have sex with them or not. Likewise, with heterosexuality, your desires and attractions are directed toward the opposite gender. With a bisexual, it's the same thing except your attractions and desires are directed toward either sex.

A person can be homosexual - such as myself - and not have sex with anyone. I, for example, have not had sex with anyone in 15 years. But I'm still homosexual. I'm still gay. My inner desires and attractions are still directed toward the same gender.

So there is a difference between WHO you are, and WHAT you do.