"Dumb questions"? I thought Jesus understood the Pharisee's questions to be full of guile. The question I am reminded of is one Jesus asked in Matt 21:24-27. Jesus used questions as a rhetorical device to draw listeners into intelligent thought and discussion. See also 21:40, 22:20, 22:42, etc. It's part of Christian tradition as well as Hebrew widom tradition.
Since you choose not to answer, I'll share my answer with you.
Yes, hermaphrodites are definitely called to chastity. Any person who feels they might sin because of their sexual activities should refrain from those activities. Sexual congress is only the <i>privilege</i> of consenting married couples. Christian marriage is exclusively a male/female arrangement. I do not deny that male/male or female/female couples can share a meaningful love or lives together. It is not the love that grants license for sexual activity. God grants this license exclusively within the context of a marriage.
Hermaphrodites are genetically ambiguous, there is discussion as to their gender identity within the medical community. I wouldn't suggest a web search on the topic, as you're likely to get some links to truly horrible pornographic sites unless you have a really good filter (in which case you might not get the information). A good medical text from a library can clarify.
Re: Gabi. Her web site wasn't listed on the posting. My concern was that <u>the posting listed only her letter, and from that letter it appears her only crime is to be angry</u> with the attitudes that resulted in her son's death (and yes, her son's rape as well).
Her site at http://www.youth-guard.org/gabi/ doesn't promote the Christian view on homosexuality - but she's not claiming to be a Christian, either, and she's not encouraging people into the homosexual lifestyle that I can see.
I am certain Mart hates sin. That's good, that's fine. But we cannot let our hate for sin overshadow our love for our brothers and sisters. The level of negativity isn't just a "turn-off"... it masks the love we are called to share and show. Posting a list of "People who promote homosexuality" is a public shaming technique - I don't agree with it, but I can understand it. What I wondered was, "Where is the compassion that Jesus showed?" I see on this web site <u>no</u> compasion for Gabi (who BTW is willing to engage in a positive dialog, especially when it regards reduction of hate crimes.) I very little compassion in the rhetoric of Marty's web site... to my reading it comes across as "change, and then we'll love you." I think it shoudl come across as "We love you, but there needs to be change."
That isn't being liberal with sin. That's holding the line against sin while loving the on who is ensnared.
I would suggest the same compassion with someone who is overeating - a sin much more common in America that homosexuality. I don't see listed any sites listed for shame since they promote overeating and greed - but I can find more references in the Bible that this over-indulgence is a sin than I can against homosexuality. (i.e., like Amos 4:1) This doesn't mean that we shouldn't hold the line on this issue. But there are other issues, too, and in the worldwide picture, I think hunger and greed are effecting more peoples lives and more people's walks with Christ. This doesn't mean that I will stand outside McDonald's and list the names over everyone who buys a "supersize" meal on my website as being overindulgent. To me, these two situations are analogous.
-Roger