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Well...several recent events have led me to believe that we need this discussion, because I need input and advice from people who know the truth of the matter, and I think that this is something we are all going to have to deal with in our lives as this world becomes ever more warped and twisted.

I'm talking about dealing with people who think same-gender attraction is okay (to put it lightly).

This is a subject that I really dislike dealing with. In fact, I find it easier to just pretend it doesn't exist. But sometimes we can't do that.

So I think we need to figure out how to help these people.

You see, a few days ago I replied to a journal entry of an associate who outlined his plans to attack the community of artists of...erm...questionable morality on an art site I'm a member of. I meant to support his favorable moral views on a site where, sadly, far too many aren't exactly on the strait* and narrow path, but, in fitting with my rather thickheaded ways, I inadvertently made it sound like I was supporting his attacks and aggressions.

So for the past few days I've been getting several very angry messages from site users who were among the ones offended.

Now, I knew that in writing a positive comment to this kid I'd be standing up to a deluge of scathing insults and offenses, but really, that's what everyone has to deal with when they stand up for the light in a world that's becoming increasingly overwhelmed by darkness. So that wasn't what got to me.

What did get to me was really the miserable state these people are in. They all seem so bitter, so angry, so quick to blame God, to curse Him, to convince themselves that He doesn't exist because their lives have been terrible (really, I'm surprised it hasn't occurred to them that maybe at least some of their problems may be their own fault...but that's human nature, I suppose). I even got a serious threat to my own safety (of course, I don't have any information on my location on that site so it couldn't be carried out).

Now I understand how Enoch must have felt. My heart feels like it's about to break because of the wretched state these folks are in. Now I know, if only in the smallest degree, what God's sorrow for the sins of the entire world must feel like.

So I guess what I'd like to discuss is, how can we help these people? How can we reach out to them and somehow let them know that even though we don't condone their actions or moral views, they're still important and God is there and loves them?

And how can we heal our own hearts when they've been wounded by grief over how low our spirit brothers and sisters can descend into the devil's snares of moral permissiveness--and their sheer, inhumane hatred towards those who dare suggest that their way is not the right way?

*Yes, it is strait, not straight. The idea is that the path is very thin and even one wrong step will take you off of it--after all, there's only one right way to do things, and that's the Lord's way.

Exactly. By foregoing God's great and eternal laws of chastity and morality, no matter how you try to justify it, there will come a time for you when you wake up and realize just what a fool you've been--and often that time comes when the consequences of your transgressions have caught up with you in a serious way.

How about people who are affected emotionally by the negative actions of others? Not people who are directly affected, but friends and family members who are feeling heartbroken and helpless because they know better but their wisdom is shunned and treated as foolishness by those who are too caught up in their own pride and self-absorption to think that perhaps their way is not the way that's best for them?

you can pray that their hearts will be softened to what you say and that they will listen to you. but the best you could do is be a friend who doesn't judge.

Well, I gtg. I hope you can find a solution. I probably wasn't much help...

i'm going to go to. i have a headace from whacking my head with my flag last night. and it really hurts. see yah.