[EKY Sportster]

EKYSportster, I couldn't agree with you more ... in your first paragraph!!! But, you're missing the point!!! POINT=Christians and churches and even our government using certain verses of the Bible to support their beliefs on the hot topic of the time. Example being in my last post about interracial marriage and now, this discussion thread! People were just as adamant about interracial marriage back then as people are today about gay marriage. I remember it well...and it wasn't just a few churches either. It was every main stream religious organization that had their doors open. I can't remember which TV evangelist it was, Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson, but one of them even was on their show and even apologized to the people and admitted he was wrong in being against interracial marriage and for using the Bible as the pillar of their beliefs. Another thing that happened when the New Testament was written is that what is known as the Holiness Code was no longer applicable to the modern day Christian...would you agree with that?

You may say "it's only a civil union anyway" but it means the same thing. I agree, I don't want same sex couples calling it marriage, I don't...but because the words are different, don't make the meaning any different. In Vermont, the Civil Union allows state tax benefits, and many more things, in Massachusetts, they call it marriage and it equates to the same benefits.

You have to do MORE than "... just have to read the Bible in the context of the quote and make your own determination". While reading and studying, you have to pray and ask God for understanding. You need to know and understand the context the ORIGINAL text! Personally, I think that is where many of our misinterpretations originate. We are so keen upon taking whatever beliefs our church has, whatever our pastors say as being gospel, instead of getting into the Word ourselves and letting God speak to us.

There you go Cheerdad!! That is exactly the point that needs to be made. The Bible hasn't changed, it is the way the church or churches want to interpret it! You can take anything out of context and use it anyway you want. But that doesn't mean that is what is being said in the actual document. Same applies to the Bible! That is what I meant by read it! Don't just go by your pastor's view, your church's view, or take a snippit or verse and use it the wrong way.