What to do, what to do...

[acresofhope]

I really struggle sometimes with how to moderate some of my communities. I try not to judge other people, and I guess I do a good job of that most of the time. Sometimes, though, I wonder if I'm being a fluff-bunny about it because I'm afraid of being viewed as judgmental.

Example...recently, on another blog site, someone requested to join my gothic Christian community. On her profile, the girl said she's bisexual, and in one of her posts, that she's looking for a girlfriend. Now granted, I can't say if this girl is a Christian or not...but it bothers me. I don't say that from a judgmental standpoint at all. I used to be the same way. I gave up my bisexual lifestyle because I know God views it as sin, and I just couldn't take that dark cloud hanging over my relationship with Him, and I don't see how any other Christian could do that, either. Same with any other sin, whether homosexual sin, heterosexual sin, lying, cheating, stealing, coveting (ow, my toes!)...it's all the same to God, and it should eat away at us until we can't do those things anymore.

The reason I struggle with this so much is I realize we all (Christians) have freedom in Christ, and that we don't have to obey. The only problem is, I don't see how anyone could know Christ and not want to.

Needless to say...I've yet to come to a decision about the girl.

Comments

[iransofaraway.livejournal.com]

I think it's perfectly ok to not accept this person into the group. You can love someone, without having to accept or excuse their actions, especially if they're not in line with His will.

I would just love on this person, but explain to them why you can't let them join. Or perhaps let them join, but still explain (in a loving way) why you are conflicted in the decision. Honesty is very important. Use verses to back it up, etc

[silverlightstar.livejournal.com]

Well...I took care of it (both on LJ and GJ) as soon as I logged in.

Sometimes, we can't be afraid to be judgmental since we're not supposed to be of the world (since we belong to Christ). Either we stand up for Christ and be a bright light for Him or be meek in Him and be a dimmer lightbulb; no matter what, we're still considered judgmental because the world hates anyone and anything associated with Jesus.

There is a difference between struggling with sin (I can think of someone right now struggling with homosexuality.) and openly embracing it. The person that requested membership appeared to be the latter, which is not something to look up to.

I would Accept her but..........

[donna-piccola.livejournal.com]

Hmm It's a tough one. I'm trying to think of what I would do.
I think I would make it clear to her that homosexuality in any form is a sin and I would make it known to everyone in the community that you feel this way,and stand up for what you believe in, however I dont know if I would ban her or tell her not to join. If she causes problems (arguments/starts debates about her lifestyle or starts flirting with the other women on there) then I would probably inform her that it was a christian community, and that that kind of behaviour was not accepted.

See, the truth is, on LJ/internet, nobody really knows what is going on in everybody's lives, anyone can hide who they really are and say they are a christian.

So - that's just my advice. I would accept her into the community and be warm to her, however I would make it very clear that any bad behaviour would not be tolerated =)