Chris Enstad nominated this beauty:
"The Lord laid it on my heart..."Which is a euphemism for: This is something I want to do.
I grew up in a home in which, while faithful and Christian, we didn't talk a ton about faith. In fact, most Christian euphemisms were new to me when I went to college and got involved in an evangelical ministry. It seems to me that liberal Protestants have far fewer insider euphemisms -- that's probably because we're more "worldly" and "secular" (read, not residing in a Christian ghetto).
So I don't remember my parents ever blaming "the Lord" for one of their decisions, good or bad. It would have probably seemed highly anti-intellectual to them to do so.
Thus, it surprised me a bit when I started hearing people talk about their decisions, big and small, were directly influenced by the God of the Universe. And by that I don't mean that they brought biblical reasoning to bear on their decisions, but that God deigned to whisper in their ear about what they should do.
Of course, I don't mean to say that I believe in a non-interventionist God. I actually turn to God for aid in many decisions, big and small. But I can't say that I ever felt God actually stir my brain juices, which is what it always seemed like when someone used this phrase, "The Lord laid it on my heart," or something like it.
What's really most odious about this phrase is when it's used to justify something that's otherwise unjustifiable.
So, let's hear it: When have you heard (or used) this euphemism?
Thus, it surprised me a bit when I started hearing people talk about their decisions, big and small, were directly influenced by the God of the Universe. And by that I don't mean that they brought biblical reasoning to bear on their decisions, but that God deigned to whisper in their ear about what they should do.
Of course, I don't mean to say that I believe in a non-interventionist God. I actually turn to God for aid in many decisions, big and small. But I can't say that I ever felt God actually stir my brain juices, which is what it always seemed like when someone used this phrase, "The Lord laid it on my heart," or something like it.
What's really most odious about this phrase is when it's used to justify something that's otherwise unjustifiable.
So, let's hear it: When have you heard (or used) this euphemism?
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Well, I think the other thread has just about put an end to any desire I have to participate in these discussions, at all.
Tony, I know you don't like to interfere, but this is getting to the point where people are being attacked even for their names - see 'unbiblical'.
You may want to moderate these somewhat? (That was a weak attempt at saying please.)
James,
I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I agree that there are plenty of couterfeits and fakes out there. But you're severely limiting the activity of the Creator of the universe, who is free to do and act however he pleases, whether or not that freaks you out. God is very much alive and active today, if you are willing to see.
Why is it that, wherever you go, Panthera ALWAYS writes about homosexuality and marriage? He always sneaks it in there, and, no matter what the subject is, he manages to manipulate the conversation around to those things. Everything he writes revolves around those things. It's no wonder, then, that we must respond, and, thereby, take a thread away from the subject. It's not OUR fault, rather HIS.
Mr. Incredible,
You grant me too much power, if I might quote one of your favorite expressions.
Do, please continue to participate, regardless of me. I can't think of any single person here who has done more to illustrate the claim of gays and transgendered that we really are under attack from a segment of the conservative Christian community. Anyone who spends anytime at all reading your posts will have their eyes opened to just exactly what many really mean when they talk about God's love. Only, the last time they heard such affirmations, it was in German. The Endlösung was, however, the same goal.
To further clarify the non- or sub-human charge, frequently on B'net's boards, gay people are referred to as, or gay relationships are compared to (and I quote):
"plants", "rocks", or "bicycles" (see under "marryin' a ..."), "beastialists", "necrophiliacs", "rapists", "child-molesters", "sons of Molech", "Satan's minions", "worse than terrorists", "evil" (see also "evil for all eternity"), "diseased", "sick", "in need of a 'cure'", "scum", etc.
Almost all of these charges come from self-described "Christians". How they follow the example and teachings of Christ, namely to love one another and to do to others as you would have them do unto you, escapes me.
But Panthera is absolutely correct. You/they both see and treat gay people as less than human.
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