Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:
One of my lifelong friends from high school (gasp, over 35 years ago) is gay, and came from a very religious family. His dad was musical director at a large church here in town. My friend and I used to have long discussions about religion when we were in high school - he trying to convert me, and me resisting. Although he was gay, I didn't know it, and he was (as I learned later) trying very hard not to be.
Finally, when he got to be about 35, he gave up trying and came out. (I knew something was up when I got a "Happy Holidays from Santa" christmas card instead of a "Celebrate the light of Jesus" christmas card - but I digress). His family was in agony, and for years told him he was going to hell and rejected him. They treated him horribly. In the meantime, he developed what was to become a longterm relationship with a nice guy. His family wouldn't allow his partner into their home.
After several years of this, his father became very ill and was a few months away from dying. My friend's partner is a nurse, and volunteered to take care of the father while he was dying (despite the family's rejection of them both). Eventually, faced with no alternative, the parents relented. The partner moved in and took care of the father right up until his death. After that, the rest of the family changed their tune, and welcomed them both into their lives.
sad story. If I found out that a family member of mine were homosexual, while I may not approve, I would not bar them from my life nor would I bar the person they chose as their partner. My family is my family I love them no matter what they do.
Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:
I cannot believe that my friend and his partner are sinners. I think they are saints. And if there is a God, he better not send them to hell. If he does, he is an evil God indeed.
I believe we are all sinners in one way or another. As for whether or not homosexuals go to hell, that is up to God and not me to decide. But if God were send them to hell just for the sin of homosexuality, he'd have send all of us to hell because, again, we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.