Methodists vote to keep stand against same-sex relationships

After an emotional debate, Methodists at a national legislative meeting Thursday upheld the denomination's policy that same-sex relationships are "incompatible with Christian teaching."

Delegates at the General Conference voted by about 60% to 40% against softening the language on homosexuality in their Book of Discipline, which contains church laws and doctrine. The meeting is held once every four years, which means the policy won't come up for a conference vote again until 2016.

Advocates for gay and lesbian Methodists gathered in the convention hall wearing rainbow stoles and protested the vote by singing and interrupting the meeting. Some cried when the vote tally was announced. Methodist leaders briefly shut down business in response to the protest.

With just under 8 million U.S. members, the United Methodist Church is the largest mainline Protestant denomination in the country, with a significant and growing membership of more than 4 million overseas. However, the number of Methodists is shrinking inside the U.S., while expanding in African and Asian countries where the church is theologically conservative.

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Jim

How does this stuff even come to a vote in the first place? Homosexuality is an abomination stated by GOD himself. Now I know the doctrine of demons states other wise. But if you truly are a Church of Christ, then no way should this be allowed or even discussed at all. But to have 40% of the delegates that claim they are Christians voting for something that is without any doubt what so ever against GOD's laws is totally astounding. Do these leaders not realize that by their acceptance of homosexuality that they are helping to lead their parishoners astray into damnation? The Church has to come out of the world. Only in America, is this allowed to any real extent, the African part of the Church disallows it, why are the Methodists here so hell bent on allowing it? Only reason is, is that we are truly in the last days.
- Robert De Leon
  
  Jim:
  You are absolutely right!
  To condemn sexual behaviors from same gender people it doesn't require a vote. The act is condemned by itself.
  Robert.
  - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
    
    Yes, yet you understanding part of objective morality does not change a fact that you deny the True God who is the source of that objective morality.
- Linda F.
  
  I agree, Jim. The fact that these people felt that they needed to vote on something that God has already clearly condemned, is sad and disheartening. What part of, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination," do they not understand?!
- Evermyrtle
  
  Exactly what I was thinking, there should always have been a standing against this abomination to GOD. It was called an abomination at least 6,000 years ago, i n HIS WORD. TO think they had to take a stand, there must have people who did not KNOW anything about GOD'S WORD. This abomination is mentioned throughout the Bible.
- keyboardshark
  
  Great post, Jim. I was thinking of writing my own response to the article, but you said it so much better than I could have.
- Maurice
  
  We are absolutely in the last days. This is evidence of the apostasy that is going to occur in the last days, along with other occurances. Some of the UMC do not take the Bible literally, so it is hard to debate them with the Bible. If it goes against what they feel, they say you can't take it literally. I know. I attend a UMC that takes this stand.
- All4Jesus
  
  You think that is bad, our church voted in an anointed pastor to replace the one retiring only to start seeing changes not voted for by the congregation including making the youth room look like the inside of a niteclub and having smoke come out on Good Friday service. I took my family out during "worship" service when I noticed colored lights blinking and pastor's wife had on a short dress that got shorter when she raised her hands & one of the lead worship had on an even shorter dress.
millergroup2

@Jim

You just took the words from my mouth. The only reason for a vote, is to consider a compromise. Churches are really going to have to stand their ground in these last days. Many will be ridiculed and hated for it too. This will separate the men from the boys, so to speak. Christians prepare yourselves. It is going to get really nasty soon. But we have the promises of God's word to rely upon. Stand firm, and fight the good fight.

Matthew 24
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
- far2right
  
  "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled" (Mat 24:34).
  
  This is history.
Evermyrtle

GOD leaves nothing in doubt about the things that HE hates and expect us to honor HIS teachings.

Romans 1: 21 Because that, when they knew GOD, they glorified HIM not as GOD, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
24. Wherefore GOD also gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves;
25. Who changed the truth of GOD into a lie, and worshiped ans served the creature more than the CREATOR, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26. For this cause GOD gave them up into vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another'; men with men working that which is unseemly, ad receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28. And even as they did not like to retain GOD in their knowledge,GOD gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;;
29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30. Backbiters, haters of GOD, despiteful, proud, boasters,inventors of evil things, disobedient of parents.
31. Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32. Who knowing the judgment of GOD, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but HAVE PLEASURE IN THEM THAT DO THEM.
- Maurice
  
  That last part of the 32nd verse pretty much condemns those that support this perversion. In my opinion, if we are to love the sinner, we are to try to help them get out of their sin, not encourage them to continue in their sin.
  - Evermyrtle
    
    You are right, but for the "GRACE OF GOD" that is exactly where we would be, completely lost. It is our duty as Christians to get through to these people and somehow get it through to them that there is a better way with GOD . We are all sinners. I believe the big difference, is that we know that we are sinners and can work on getting the sin out of our lives. We should always be ready to help when we can. If we do that GOD will show what to do or what to say. We only need to listen to HIM.
far2right

There you go There you go again, Zionica editor.

You routinely change the titles of articles from the secular media.

You could easily have cast this move by the Methodists in a positive light instead of making them to look intolerant like USA Today did.

How about the headline, "Methodists Remain Obedient to God's Decree of Marriage Exclusively Between One Man and One Woman"?

Next you will be casting pro-life people as intolerant, hateful anti-abortionists.

You are disgusting.again, Zionica editor.
- Linda F.
  
  Try paying closer attention next time, far2right. The title that you are referring to is the original title of the article that the Zionica editor is referring to. The next time you're tempted to throw out baseless and false accusations in regards to an article that is referenced by a Zionica editor, try clicking on the part that says, "Continue reading at http://www.usatoday.com." It's not as though you're incapable of seeing that part. After all, you're certainly able to read an article's title long enough to criticize a Zionica administrator!
  - Linda F.
    
    Or, rather, try clicking on the part under the article that begins with, "Continue reading at," and then ends with the original host of the article. Learn to pay closer attention.
  - iheartagw
    
    Hello, you need to pay closer attention.
    
    My quote, "You routinely change the titles of articles from the secular media".
    
    Zionica changes the titles of secular articles.
    
    Pay attention and you would know this.
Bobseeks

It is good news that the Methodists stood against the sodomite perverts. It is bad news that 40% of the delegates see no problems with the pervert's GOD-hating, Bible denying behavior.
http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11

It would be fitting if the tradition that arose from the Wesleys stemmed the tide of gay rights in the church. May God illuminate their "gay" minds and hearts as we declare His Word.
Michael Payne

When you throw out the Law of God, what have you left? Lawlessness and ones own understanding on ethical issues. Remember the Lord who is great and terrible and fight! We have been given truth, but we must believe. We have become theological weaklings and need to stop sipping milk and be prepared for every philosophical argument that rears its head against the knowledge of God. We must do more than curse the darkness, we must light candles. Things have been horrible many times in history, but we must remember that we can't walk by site. The enemy does not have the victory, but will we be like David against goliath, Joshua and Caleb against mighty enemies, Nehemiah when surrounded by massive enemies. Will we believe the enemies propaganda that even a fox will topple our feeble wall? Or will we be strong and courageous! The gates of hell will not prevail brethren, ADVANCE!
Kenneth

I am pleased that the "modern" Methodist rejected the homosexual juggernaut. They have already strayed from Biblical teachings by ordaining women as pastors and elders…….and agreeing to the 'non gender' stuff about taking male and female references out of their hymnals. Maybe they finally saw the holy light of reason.
- Bobseeks
  
  We can hope that they not only come to a stop in their headlong rush towards lieberalism, but that they will turn around and head back towards Biblical teachings.
JDB

Good for you, Methodists! My PCUSA church voted to leave the denomination on this issue. The problem is old-fashioned 'syncretism,' that is mixing differing ideas, even contradictory ideas to fashion beliefs. See below for more on syncretism:
http://www.bing.com/search?q=syncretism&qs=n&…
- msjallen
  
  Yes, JDB, syncretism is trying to mix the spiritual way of life with religion. They are like oil and water, they don't mix.
  Heb 4:12 -For the word of God is alive and powerful sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
  Our churches need to stay true to God's Word and not just teach the parts that won't upset their congregation.
  - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
    
    Kind of like synergism of mixing man's "almighty free will" and asserted conditional salvation offered by "god" begining to be "accepted and activated" by a sinner. Same thing yet you hold to that idol.
Stephen

Wow, how liberal can you get that it takes a vote to decide on whether or not you will allow God to be true and every man a liar!!??
Nancy Sternberg

The fact that even they have to vote on it is evidence that Methodists have gone downhill.
ounbbl

Yes, how does this thing ever come to a vote in the Church?

It's not matter of a choice of life style; as shown up by militant gay agenda, it is not even just a rights movement of a particular group of people. It's a changing the world upside down (- really meaning of perversion) away from God ordained order of nature, humanity, and human sexuality. It's power struggle. Human evil against God's goodness, as Adam and Eve chose to take the fruit for acquiring the power (knowledge) of deciding right and wrong (not good and evil) on their own apart from God, heeding the voice of their Self through the Satan.

Ref:
…. http://vimeo.com/28050503
Sexuality in a One-ist World
…. http://vimeo.com/27315889
Fatherless
Gordon

Perhaps the decline has bottomed out?!
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  People younger than 30 are as much as 40 percentage points more supportive of gay marriage than people over 65. As the older people pass on and the younger people take control of the society, you will see gay marriage become commonplace.
  - Joe Anzilotti
    
    People younger than 40 are as much as 60 percentage points more supportive of using smart phones to complete the tasks that normally use real neurons as compared to those over 50. As the older people pass on and the younger people take control of the "society", you will see using of the "smart phone" become commonplace in replacing use of the brain, which most of us never had to begin with. You are a good example of the lack of brains of which I speak.
    - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
      
      Joe, you continually show yourself as the king of the Luddites.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Sure, but you know I am right Jeff.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        About what, that technology is evil?
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        He did not say anything of the sort dumboid Dod-xon. As usual you are constructing a straw man for yourself for your pretentious kicking and pathetic "victories" in your delusional and schizophrenic mind of a slave.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Humpty, you are the king of babble as you demonstrate almost daily.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Sure baboon legends enthusiast :)
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        I am grateful for your pearls of wisdom Dod-xon. Like this one here:
        
        '"Freedom of religion is the as freedom from religion"
        ~ Jeff Dixon in "The Atheist at the Breakfast Table" thread: http://bit.ly/ISJCbL
        
        :)
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Jeff, Despe is correct. I did not say technology is evil. However, follow me now, many of the folks who use it, e.g. you, are evil and misuse it to beat a band. Don't let the goads hit you on the way out.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Joe, you are constantly complaining about technology. You find it completely evil.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        You are incorrect in both sentences, of course. If I were you Jeff, I would stop making up stories and plain lying. I use technology daily and do not have a problem with utilizing it. I have never stated anything about it being "completely evil." It is really a shame what you do. And you do it with other data as well, including Biblical data. You ought to be ashamed. Needless to say I am not surprised, and neither is Despe when you pull this rubbish all the time. Lying repeatedly without compunction will sooner or later destroy you Jeff. It is guaranteed.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Yes Joe Dod-xon the baboon theorist is given over as in Romans 1:26
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Despe, it looks like Jeff went through there and voted us down on every count without saying anything! Funny, sort of like Allure, who apparently was caught playing on his computer at work and probably has been reprimanded. What a group of flakes.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Yes, Joe. Dixon gets a kick of things like that… :) I wanted to share with you a golden nugget of wisdom from our atheist here:
        
        '"Freedom of religion is the as freedom from religion"
        ~ Jeff Dixon
        
        Isn't that deep Joe? :)
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Despe is that the actual quote? If so there appears to be more than one problem with it. You know, through my life, one thing I noticed about the folks that are under a delusion of some type or another by Satan, they have the following in common: they will not admit to any type of error whatsoever; furthermore, their reasoning, they will argue, is ALWAYS without fault. Jeff fits right in here quite nicely. Anyone else, the run of the mill if you will, including believers, are willing to listen and admit error when it is appropriate. Another interesting characteristic of the folks captured in this delusion is their vexing vehemence about their untenable positions.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Yes, Joe this is actual quote from Jeff's response to Randy who posted about 9 hrs ago and Jeff shared this pearl of wisdom about 5 hrs ago. Follow the shortened link and you will see it for yourself…
        
        '"Freedom of religion is the as freedom from religion"
        ~ Jeff Dixon
        in "The Atheist at the Breakfast Table" thread: http://bit.ly/ISJCbL
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Here is the full quote:
        
        "Freedom of religion is the as freedom from religion. Without one, you cannot have the other."
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Referencing to the unfathomable deepness of atheistic thought and mind as presented by our resident mortgage philosopher Dod-xon:
        
        '"Freedom of religion is the as freedom from religion"
        ~ Jeff Dixon
        in "The Atheist at the Breakfast Table" thread: http://bit.ly/ISJCbL
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      " You are a good example of the lack of brains of which I speak."
      
      Right Joe, perhaps it is those baboon DNA Dod-xon received from his baboon ancestors as he believes…
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        Despe, can you believe this kind of reasoning that Jeff is addicted to? It is truly difficult to comprehend.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        He is a slave trapped in his enslaved mind Joe.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Joe, you have shown repeatedly that you comprehend nothing.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        At least he knows English language and has far more extensive vocabulary than you will ever have as evidenced in his understanding of a word "goads" and you learning its meaning at the tender age of 50…
        :)
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        '"Freedom of religion is the as freedom from religion"
        ~ Jeff Dixon
        in "The Atheist at the Breakfast Table" thread: http://bit.ly/ISJCbL
        
        No need for comedy channel… Thanks Jeff.
  - Joe Anzilotti
    
    Jeff, simply put, you are a tool of Satan.
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      Yes he is and the dullest and the dumbest one too.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        And yet another proof for that…
        
        '"Freedom of religion is the as freedom from religion"
        ~ Jeff Dixon
        in "The Atheist at the Breakfast Table" thread: http://bit.ly/ISJCbL
  - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
    
    Does not follow Schizoid Dod-xon. Homosexuality and pedophilia was rampant in ancient Greek and Roman societies and if your shenanigan of assertion would be true by now we all should be gay and pedophiles. The reality and logic thankfully is different than your insanity and craziness.
    - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
      
      You are have no idea what reality and logic are, Humpty. I never said more people are being born gay, I said young people are more accepting of them. I know you do not comprehend words very well. It is a sad limitation you face.
      - Joe Anzilotti
        
        ????? Jeff. Despeville is saying nothing about people being "born" gay! What in the world is the matter with you? Do you even try to understand what you read? As I said you are a willing tool of Satan.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        Dumboid Dixon it is the same thing for I was speaking in both terms of accepting or being gay moron. no difference for the historic argument presented. The fact is that rampant tolerance and allowance of homosexuality in ancient societies was not transferred forward in any semblance of any progression that you hope for in your terrifying dumbness and idiotic shenanigan of stupefying proportions you host and feed in your feeble schizophrenic mind.
      - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
        
        '"Freedom of religion is the as freedom from religion"
        ~ Jeff Dixon
        in "The Atheist at the Breakfast Table" thread: http://bit.ly/ISJCbL
        
        You gave my diaphragm a serious workout today Jeff. Thank you very much. :)
jjjohanson

Careful children, you sound like your judging there…
let's not forget our commandments…judging others is in itself a sin as is murder, or homosexuality.and we are so graciously reminded, to God, whether you are a murderer thief or as in your argument a homosexual, then you all burn, period, no middle ground, no debate.
- http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
  
  That is an empty rhetoric Sir that does not withstand the biblical scrutiny. According to this popular abuse of Matthew 7in the land leavenjellycalism represent by you one has no other option but assume that Apostle Paul "burns" because he did much and plenty of "judging" and he was not trying to be a pillow to everyone…
  
  One of so many proofs:
  
  " You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified!"
  ~ Galatians 3:1
  - jjjohanson
    
    so what you are saying is that God will only punish some sins, or rather sins done in his name?
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      No, you know exactly what I said and that is that you misrepresent Matthew 7:1 in light of which according to you Apostle Paul has to be condemned as per example of Galatians 3:1
  - jjjohanson
    
    Either way, Paul was stopped, in the middle of a road, by a pillar of light that blinded him, he was then required to go to the very same people he persecuted and ask for healing… stop me if i'm getting it wrong, a bit rusty on my bible stories..
    after which, he, being of the "Pharisee" school of thought begins firing off teachings with his mind only changing in terms of the doctrine he taught.
    now from all the other parts of the new testament, pharisees were often brought across as overbearing, overzealous ( no.. i wasn't going to say bigots.. :-) ) teachers of the law who tried to be holier by overdoing the laws God had provided them with. this same teacher wrote each and every verse that refers to homosexuality in the new testament (even common sense dictates that you should have at least three different sources to prove a point, so unless Paul got "god-inspired" by three different gods, you have one man's word, and even as God inspired as it was all i ask is that you give me 1 verse not written by paul or anyone in paul's circle of friends that refers to a similar topic that paul has written on.. remember God inspired.. :)
    Old testament verses, again tread carefully, Sodom and Gomorrah weren't destroyed for homosexuality, they were destroyed for being inhospitable to God's servants. God has killed people through out history for much less than looking at his chosen ones the wrong way, how do you think the people who purposefully refused to offer shelter to his angels, plus in the end tried to subject them to a humiliating form of "conquest" ( see ancient wars and how a soldier completely asserted his authority over a defeated foe while simultaneously breaking him also <a href="http://www.google.co.il/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=the%20law%20of%20the%20desert%20hospitability%20to%20guests&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CE0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2 Fwww.crivoice.org%2Ftravelers.html&ei=rwCnT9TONMnK8gPQq7nLBA&usg=AFQjCNF9Bph5SVbxoXuGH-1HtMznwSJmTg)" target="_blank">http://www.google.co.il/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=…" target="_blank">Fwww.crivoice.org%2Ftravelers.html&ei=rwCnT9TONMnK8gPQq7nLBA&usg=AFQjCNF9Bph5SVbxoXuGH-1HtMznwSJmTg) what they were basically saying was " you are not welcome here strangers, we don't want you, we will show you how much we hate you, then when we are done, we will dispose of you" now when you threaten God's messengers you pretty much threaten God, that being the case, you just thumbed your nose at the Big Guy back in the day when Grace hadn't come into the world yet… :))) my dear man, you got cut down faster than wheat during harvest, and as if that wasn't enough, He then punished your children, and your children's children, down to the 5th generation, then and only then was his anger sated… (yeah, I know… for someone who preaches a Gospel of Love, he sure has a bloody past… a past he is wiping clean with the new doctrine of love Jesus wasn't just a new start for human kind, i believe he was a new start for God as well… He created something with his bare hands, gives it free will and because it didn't do what he wanted it to do, he started smiting … then he saw this wasn't working out, i mean, would you rather creatures that worshiped you because of the beauty and the awe you inspired in them or would you rather creatures that worshiped you for the simple reason that you were their version of the boogieman? God is both evil (as we define it as humans) and good, it was not a cleansing of the land, that is what we call genocide nowadays, it wasn't righteous anger, it was anger, it wasn't plagues, it was torture, and fine he may have been justified in all these things, but the fact that he was willing to actually do these things, that he would use his power against his creation ( don't give me discipline bullcrap, discipline is when you spank a child, not wipe out half a nation with poisonous snakes) he was a bloody , vengeful, Angry God and through Jesus, hi think he found a way to experience love, in the old testament he expected this that or the other, but it wasn't till the new testament that
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      Hmm, this does not address my point at all.
  - jjjohanson
    
    sorry if i went out on a tangent there, let's narrow the argument down you broadened it a bit too much.
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      Indeed.
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      So this carpet bombing with verses below evasion is coming back from your "tangent" to the actual question?
      No, it is not. You are evading and manipulating even more now… Sad. Honesty. Honesty. Honesty…
  - jjjohanson
    
    and before we continue…
    Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 512 helpful votes
    
    Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
    
    Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 459 helpful votes
    
    Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
    
    Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 300 helpful votes
    
    There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
    
    Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 275 helpful votes
    
    A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
    
    Psalm 34:13 ESV / 266 helpful votes
    
    Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
    
    James 3:2-10 ESV / 244 helpful votes
    
    For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. …
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      Shouldn't we stay in the Scripture and arguments presented that were not answered or addressed by you at all before you venture out all over the Bible? Here they are again:
      
      "Do not judge so that you will not be judged."
      ~ Matthew 7:1
      
      and:
      
      " You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified!" ~ Galatians 3:1
      
      How do you reconcile those in light of your claim of: "judging others is in itself a sin as is murder, or homosexuality.and we are so graciously reminded, to God, whether you are a murderer thief or as in your argument a homosexual, then you all burn, period, no middle ground, no debate."
      
      Is Apostle Paul according to you guilty "judging as in itself a sin of murder, or homosexuality" or is he not? Explain why either answer of yours.
  - jjjohanson
    
    James 1:26 ESV / 220 helpful votes
    
    If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
    
    1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 184 helpful votes
    
    For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
    
    Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 169 helpful votes
    
    Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
    
    Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 139 helpful votes
    
    Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
    
    Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 129 helpful votes
    
    A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
    
    Psalm 141:3 ESV / 122 helpful votes
    
    Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
    
    Matthew 12:33-37 ESV / 108 helpful votes
    
    “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
    
    James 3:10 ESV / 101 helpful votes
    
    From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
    
    Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 96 helpful votes
    
    When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
    
    Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 68 helpful votes
    
    For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
    
    Psalm 37:30 ESV / 66 helpful votes
    
    The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
    
    James 3:11 ESV / 64 helpful votes
    
    Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
    
    Titus 3:2 ESV / 58 helpful votes
    
    To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
    
    Psalm 39:1 ESV / 56 helpful votes
    
    To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
    
    Matthew 15:11 ESV / 46 helpful votes
    
    It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
    
    Proverbs 10:18 ESV / 42 helpful votes
    
    The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
    
    1 cor 13:1-13
    
    1 Timothy 4:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes
    
    Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
    the above verses are on teh tongue and not only its power for both good and eveil but the fact that it is not a tool given to us by God that should be used lightly, this extends to language and as such words.
    
    let's be civil, no name calling, a point of view is exactly that, a point of view. not a life or death situation, I'm jewish and with my religion we argue out the scriptures, if you don't agree with me calling me " the dumbest and dullest tool in satan's toolbox" isn't going to evangelize your case as far as being an example worth following goes.
    i would suggest you apologize to whomever you were rough with as the words you spoke were not only degrading but absolutely unChrist-like and despite the fact that i'm not christian made you unfit as a representative of Christ. .and Joe Anzilotti shame on you for encouraging it, just because the internet gives us the veil of anonymity among ourselves doesn't mean that God has no idea what goes on when you type.
    Christ taught with love and respect, he only used force on three occasions in his life, when he was working in his earthly father's house, when he drove out the peddlers from the temple, and when he carried his cross,.
    
    another verse on the "empty rhetoric" of matthew 7 is your man paul in 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 (somehow, he believes he doesn't judge)
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      Your carpet bombing with Scriptures taken out of their context will not cover up the simple truth that you have no answers to your assertions and cannot explain your dichotomous views. Here it is again what you desperately try to avoid and cover up due to your lack of understanding translating to your lack of answering:
      
      "Do not judge so that you will not be judged."
      ~ Matthew 7:1
      
      and:
      
      " You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified!" ~ Galatians 3:1
      
      How do you reconcile those in light of your claim of: "judging others is in itself a sin as is murder, or homosexuality.and we are so graciously reminded, to God, whether you are a murderer thief or as in your argument a homosexual, then you all burn, period, no middle ground, no debate."
      
      IS APOSTLE PAUL "UNCIVIL" and "NAME CALLING" and should he apologize to heresy and falsehood embracing Galatians?
      
      YES or NO and SHAME ON YOU if you continue to avoid giving the answer to this question preferring Russian roulette with the Bible and carpet bombing with verses while violating their immediate contexts…
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      Answer the question and stop your Scriptures violating carpet bombing with verses… Honesty. Honesty. Honesty.
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      "Do not judge so that you will not be judged."
      ~ Matthew 7:1
      
      and:
      
      " You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified!" ~ Galatians 3:1
      
      How do you reconcile those in light of your claim of: "judging others is in itself a sin as is murder, or homosexuality.and we are so graciously reminded, to God, whether you are a murderer thief or as in your argument a homosexual, then you all burn, period, no middle ground, no debate."
      
      Is Apostle Paul according to you guilty "judging as in itself a sin of murder, or homosexuality" or is he not? Explain why either answer of yours.
- Tommy
  
  I don't have to Judge. The disciples told judgement for the homosexuals. Read Jude 1:7. God's word is thy judgement. Lev 20:13
Richard

jjjohanson,

Sounds to me like the next thing you will be condemning God for having "judgmental" laws in His Word. If you had ever read the bible you would understand what the text you quote really means. Get someone who knows Gods Word to help you.
Tommy

Man, these freaks are abomination and evil. Which are the filthy homosexuals. I have notice on libs news or other news casts. If you speak against homosexuals or hurt their sissies homosexuals feelings? They block your freedom of speech. These polls are phoney and lies. Who support same-marriage. Because, they don't let Americans have freedom of speech to say? They are against homosexuals. The libs, the Demotards, Obama, and the homosexuals are afraid, you will join the anti-gay people. Which I'm proud to be against homosexuals. Also, I believe Obama is a bisexual homosexual. I seen his but buddy named Larry on you tube, a while ago. Obama never denied this or their was investigation on Larry and Obama. It's like, Larry was pay off to keep his mouth shut. The News casts never investigated. If this was true? Sounds to me? A cover up. Obama is the key of this abomination in America.