I believe in God and I am thoroughly puzzled that God would make somebody homosexual if it is such a horrible sin. Additionally, why is it that such a small percent of the population is affected by this 'sin?' We are all, to some extent, tempted by greed, lust, sloth, etc. All of us commit these other 'lesser' crimes, some more than others. Why would only a select few be the perpetrators of such a sin? I have struggled since my adolescence to be straight, and do not understand why I cannot be something that is supposedly the right way to be. If being homosexual automatically elects us for hell, why would God make a few people destined for hell from birth? Keep in mind, that for all of the other sins (that I can think of), we all possess/commit them to some extent. I need a solution for this homosexuality dilemma. (Thank you for reading and/or answering such a long question.)
Well, I didn't have to open the above link to know what it would say.
Your question was extremely eloquent, and very valid to question these things.
In all fairness, I gave up on religion (at least my religion, Catholicism, anyways), as I did not agree with many of their outdated views. They continue to ban homosexuality, rating it as a sin, and continue not to allow women priests.
Being gay myself, I know, as you know yourself, that this is how you are made. This is who you are. No amount of praying or trying to be anything else is ever going to change that.
Deep down, I think we all know that this is how God made us. Infidelity, murder, greed, all easy to see how they are sins - they are perpetrated and can be redeemed... but wanting to be in loving relationships with members of your own sex - I could never understand how sinful that is.
I know this is how I always was, I know that there is a lot of good I do in my life, and I try to lead a good and honest one, by being kind to my fellow human beings, respecting them, and overall trying to do some good. The fact that I want to spend my life with a man instead of a woman - well I am positive that if I'm going to hell, it won't be because of this - how can it possibly?
The people on this earth who say we will go to hell, have not personally died and witnessed where straight and gay people go after they die. Hence they have no authority to tell us what will happen to us in an afterlife, and your guess is as good as theirs.
At least you know this is who you are - do not fight it, live a good and happy life, try to do good and live a moral life - one that you will be happy and fulfilled with, not one you will be miserable in and struggle to overcome something that is not overcomable. And know that while some will think you are sinning, there are others who are sure you are not. Its all opinion anyway.
No quoting bibles guys, the law of the bible is more strict than what is being practiced now anyway - statements such as slavery being acceptable are clearly wrong in this day and age, so why can people selectively discard these statements but hold onto its thoughts about homosexuality?
Too many youths are depressed and sometimes commit suicide due to society's inacceptance to gays. This has got to end. It's been a long time coming.