Why does God condemn homosexuality as a sin?

First, I'd like to argue that homosexuality is harmful. Plenty of types of sexual sin is harmful. First off, while it's spread through heterosexual relationships as well, the AIDS epidemic would not have been nearly as severe if not spreading like wildfire through the homosexual community.

But ultimately, it's the fact that God created sexuality for a specific purpose--not only as a tool for reproduction, but also to strengthen the bond of a husband and wife in a single monogamous relationship. Straying outside of these boundaries causes problems, not just physical, but mental and emotional as well. You don't have to look far on the internet to see how desperate people get to find that sexual release when they are not in those kinds of boundaries. And yes, I speak from experience.

Additionally, there is no genetic inclination for one sexuality or another, it is about development of one's sexual identity through their youth. Some were abused as children. Others were exposed to sexuality or pornography at a young age. And others still simply were brought up in an environment where homosexuality is considered acceptable. But either way, it is not genetic, nor is it acceptable to God just because a culture says it is.

For homosexual Christians, it's important to understand that we all have sinful urges--I've had the urge to put a few people in the hospital in my day--but just because you have the urge does not mean it is acceptable to act on it. But it's not acceptable to bottle it up inside and deny it either--they must accept that it's there, and only then can they try to live a healthy, righteous life. You can't solve a problem you don't acknowledge exists.

Lastly, I do not believe in projecting my religious worldview on those who do not share my faith. Because of that, while I don't support homosexual marriage any more than I support unmarried cohabitation or premarital sex, I don't go out of my way to forbid it outside my religious community either. Doing so only puts people on the defensive and is counter-productive to Christianity's evangelical mission. Jesus didn't go around banging on doors to get people to listen to His Gospel, He taught those who came to Him. "He who has ears, let him hear," as He said.

/r/Christianity Thread