Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Revised and Updated : Positive Christian Response, A

Rating:
Summary: compassionate, but lacking
Review: As an evangelical Christian who believes that acting on homosexual desires is a sin, I approached this book with some trepidation. I knew that I would be challenged, but I also knew that it is our responsibility as Christians to fully understand and to examine our beliefs. I too have been repulsed by the way in which gays have been singled out for condemnation and hatred within our society, and how the church has been frequent accessories to that condemnation. Where is the love we are to be known for? Perhaps, I thought, we all have it wrong and need to accept that we have erred in our Biblical interpretation of sexuality. After a careful read, though, I can say that I was not persuaded. If you are inclined to accept their conclusions, then you will miss the false analogies, straw man arguments, word-mincing, hearsay, appeals to emotion and fallacies of arguments that sustain the flow of the book. Scholars and groups who seem to possess agendas are also not very convincing when appealed to as authorities. It all makes for a powerfully articulated opinion, but it absolutely fails when read with discernment. I also think the authors do some disservice to the debate. There are some pretty extreme examples of anti- homosexual behavior in our society that are cited throughout the book, and I am angered by them too. But the overall impressions with which the authors cast those opposed to homosexuality becomes shameless. Nazi references notwithstanding. In the end, it was the chapter on scripture that was interesting but not persuasive. There do seem to be alternate ways to look at some scripture to justify the words homosexual Christian, but after going into example-after- example of their case, I realized it took more faith to believe in their creative interpretations than to believe in literal scripture. Scriptural gymnastics was a phrase that came to mind. In the end, if the authors agree that sex outside marriage is a sin, then it should make the Biblical case for gay marriage. I wouldn't suggest this book to a Christian as an introduction to thinking about homosexuality. You have to have some sense of maturity in the topic to deal with authors who suggest that if you don't agree with them, or if you lack personal involvment with gay people, then you are lacking the compassion and clear-thinking the discussion requires. To that extent, I found the book condescending.

Rating:
Summary: Nice try, but flawed
Review: I doubt this book will convince anyone who is not already predisposed to accept its agenda.

Rating:
Summary: Hopeful. Intelligent. God-fearing. Compassionate. Wise.
Review: I have a girlfriend and I love the Lord. The two are not mutually exclusive. This book has helped me through a lot of pain. The authors have many insights. I would encourage anyone who is struggling to read this book and also feel free to contact me. I would love to chat. I am open to any doubts, questions, etc.

Rating:
Summary: Hopeful. Intelligent. God-fearing. Compassionate. Wise.
Review: I have a girlfriend and I love the Lord. The two are not mutually exclusive. This book has helped me through a lot of pain. The authors have many insights. I would encourage anyone who is struggling to read this book and also feel free to contact me. I would love to chat. I am open to any doubts, questions, etc.

Rating:
Summary: THE book to read on Christianity and Homosexuality
Review: If you know of someone who is gay or are yourself struggling with reconciling your faith with your sexuality, this is the book to read! The authors cover many subjects around the issue of homosexuality and christianity in a concise and thoughtful manner. This along with Mel White's Stranger At The Gate, are the two books that have been most helpful to gay and lesbian Christians and have served to compassionately communicate the gay christian perspective to those in the church who believe homosexuality and christianity are exclusive of each other. Thank you Letha and Virginia!

Rating:
Summary: THE book to read on Christianity and Homosexuality
Review: If you know of someone who is gay or are yourself struggling with reconciling your faith with your sexuality, this is the book to read! The authors cover many subjects around the issue of homosexuality and christianity in a concise and thoughtful manner. This along with Mel White's Stranger At The Gate, are the two books that have been most helpful to gay and lesbian Christians and have served to compassionately communicate the gay christian perspective to those in the church who believe homosexuality and christianity are exclusive of each other. Thank you Letha and Virginia!

Rating:
Summary: Nice try, but flawed
Review: Overall, the book is informative, spiritually and mentally, about homosexuality. It shows that one's sexuality and one's walk with Christ need not be mutually exclusive, and in many cases, CANNOT be mutually exclusive. For homosexual christians, the book shows the unconditional love of Christ, regardless of sexuality. For non-homosexual christians, the book is an inspiration on how they should "love" all their brothers and sisters in christ, regardless of sexuality. (That is why I said this is a must for all christians, and I would recommend it on the book shelves at all churches, too).

Rating:
Summary: A must read for all christians.
Review: Overall, the book is informative, spiritually and mentally, about homosexuality. It shows that one's sexuality and one's walk with Christ need not be mutually exclusive, and in many cases, CANNOT be mutually exclusive. For homosexual christians, the book shows the unconditional love of Christ, regardless of sexuality. For non-homosexual christians, the book is an inspiration on how they should "love" all their brothers and sisters in christ, regardless of sexuality. (That is why I said this is a must for all christians, and I would recommend it on the book shelves at all churches, too).

Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best book written on this subject.
Review: There are some excellent books out now which quite strongly refute the conservative fundamentalists' misinterpretation of the Bible and Christianity, but this may well be the best of all. It speaks not only of Biblical meanings and intents, but also of real people's lives. It introduces the reader to the reality of how many churches' antiquated (and even anti-Christian) positions on homosexuality destroy the souls and lives of many people who would ordinarily be sitting in their churches every Sunday, were it not for their lack of understanding of the issue. The information is all here. It awaits anyone who is ready to read it. Mel White's Stranger at the Gate: To Be Christian and Gay in America is an excellent companion piece to this book, as are the works of Bishop John Spong and Daniel Helminiak.

Rating:
Summary: Another fine "Must read"!
Review: When my husband of 20 years began having an identity crisis problem I found the information in this book to be helpful in dealing with his feelings of homosexuality. Infact it was none other than the gentleman next door that was causing my husband's problems. We did infact split in the end but the split was much cleaner than it might have been had I not found this book. There is an arizona resource helpline that also assisted me and recommended this book, they can be reached at 1-480-987-3979 or 1-480-831-6200, at the later number ask for Vicki.