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way. However, many will tell us that they were "taught this is very wrong." And this inner self is a part of the homophile, something that Jesus did not condemn, even though the Old Testament is very strong in the statements against these actions. Christ said he came to teach us a new law and had these things been obnoxious to him he would most certainly have lashed out against them.
Let us look into the incident of the Centurion's "servant" as is related in two of the Gospels: St. Matthew VIII, verses 5-13, and again in St. Luke VII, verses 2-10. This records one of the miracles the Savior performed in healing the Centurion's servant. St. Matthew uses the Greek word "pais"-meaning a youth. This word was so often used in relation to the youthful lover of a Roman soldier, especially an officer of the armies. Even the Centurion, knowing the hatred of the homophile by all the Jewish authorities, said that he was not worthy for Christ to enter under his roof-still, Jesus said: "I have not found so great a faith, no not in Israel." Take this and the fact that not once did Jesus make a statement against any homophile practice, how then can a Christian stand up and condemn what Christ did not?. Only by misinterpretations and the jumping to conclusions by early zealots who were troubled by "scruples."
Many who are so roundly condemned by ministers and priests have come to feel that religion is against them. Not CHRIST'S RELIGION! Even though many biased ideas follow the narrow teachings of those who twist things to follow their own interpretations, as one can see by the many variations in the statements of Saul of Tarsus who became Paul.
We are taught that it is wrong to become angry, yet Christ became so in the Temple forcing the money
changers to flee. He forgave many their transgressions, but never once did he forgive the homophile because he did not condemn them. Those who do so should remember that they may be one day subject to judgment for a lack of understanding of the truths of Christ.
According to the manner of thought in his day, Jesus ate with publicans and sinners, being described as "a glutton, a wine drinker and a friend of sinners," as is related by St. Luke VII, verse 34. Then, why is it that today so many churches literally "throw out" one who is a homophile, or anyone, for that matter, who fails to conform to a narrow point of view? Jesus, the Christ, was not one to do that! And, such is not the Christiantity of Christ! So, there is not one true reason from Christ that a homophile should live with guilt.
We all know that David's love for Jonathan was greater than his love for a woman, as is related in II Samuel Chapter I verse 26, and we see where Christ healed the Centurion's lover. So, why should the homophile live with guilt? It is time for us to have a re-evaluation of interpretations.
For guilt let us substitute positive faith, a true knowledge of love for God, and then we will all see where we stand in our love for our fellow beings. Saint Thomas tells us in the Gospel recently uncovered in Egypt, but long known in India: "If you will have cast off the mantle of shame, when you shall be naked without having shame, when you will be two in one body-Then you will know the nature God gave you." Let us all replace that "Guilt" by knowing ourselves, possessing happiness and refrain from things that are foreign to our natural traits, knowing ourselves for wherever our innermost true pathway may lead.
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