Comments on: Jesus Loves You. Here’s a Condom.

By: Scott M

Scott M — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:05:01 +0000

As someone who has witnessed what the lack of understanding and an “abstinence only” approach does to people and a country, I am all for handing out condoms. Uganda, where I served the Lord for the past 7 years is a dismal failure in the light of telling people to keep in their pants.

I think morally you are obligated to prevent suffering. Even if the suffering is the result directly or indirectly of someones sin.

By: Rachel B

Rachel B — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:04:13 +0000

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-WybvhRu9KU&h=ca60e694b0017db6772f1da5f7c596f6

By: Shai E

Shai E — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:03:34 +0000

Here Steve, have a condom.

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:31:30 +0000

You know, you all make sense! As I read one letter, I think, “Yea, you’re right!” Then I read the next, and think, “Hmm, maybe they weren’t so right after all.” The bottom line is, we have to follow our heart, not our theology! So many times in the Gospels, it says, “And Jesus moved with compassion…..” I think we need to be “moved with compassion” also. No one, at least not any caring Christian, delights in seeing the effects of sexual disease. If there’s a way to prevent it…pardon me, there are some folks who justify non involvement by saying the “sinner” has reaped what he has sown…. but I think for those of us who are just too dumb to know God’s judgment when we see it, we should be moved by hearts of love, the love that God put there in the first place.
Yes, I, too am having a smile over Steve picking through condoms, church or no church!
Ah, but getting back to the original question….each of has to search our own heart and ask God for the answer for him or herself…involvement? or no involvement? and above all…not condemn or judge those Christians who do not agree with us.

By: Barbaraa A

Barbaraa A — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:34:32 +0000

I’m just picturing you in a church sanctuary – stained glass windows, carved wooden pews, plush carpets – rifling through a bucket of neon-colored, scented condoms. Funny. Funny.

I am a theology-lite individual living in a predominantly black urban neighborhood with several active black churches and very high teenage pregnancy and HIV rates.

Kudos to your pastor for not succumbing to traditional thought and conventional pressures. It’s just such action that might bring back the “prodigals” like me.

By: Steve Schmidt

Steve Schmidt — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:53:39 +0000

Hey all. I really love the dialogue going on here. Lots to think about. But, I have to say, the more I think (and pray!) about it, the simpler this becomes.

Jesus never avoided doing something because of how it might look, what people might think, or because it offended people’s religious sensibilites. He never ran from doing the right thing because of the controversy it might stir up. He didn’t have an image problem. So, for me at least, it all boils down to 2 simple questions:

Will giving out condoms save lives?
And is saving lives something important to God?

If yes, then that settles it for me. And asking whether it is appropriate in a church, or whether Christians should be involved, becomes moot. As my pastor originally pegged it, it’s a matter of doing the loving thing.

By: Thomas G

Thomas G — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:43:38 +0000

Right On Steve! I believe your Pastor understands Christ’s genuine message and his true intent for how we behave towards others who might not be walking in his light.

By: Harvey F

Harvey F — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:43:16 +0000

The thing is we have taken God out of to many things and look what is happening, people are dying, kids are shooting kids and how do you think that is affecting the heart of God. His creation, the ones He has created are dying. God is reaching out to the hopeless, dying, world with His love through his body and who are we to tell God how to reach the people He is wanting to reach. Never underestimate Jesus because He will always prove you wrong. People are going to do what they want to do whether we like it or not. Why not give them something that can save a life and allow us to share the love of God with them so they can live another day.

By: Angelica D

Angelica D — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:42:42 +0000

Thanks for the chance to “think” about god in this way. i was sharing this idea w/ my husband tonight and it lead to yet another interesting conversation about god. im sure he appreciates us thinking of him and bring fresh ideas to the table! ———- Sent from AT&T’s Wireless network using Mobile Email

By: Lisa H

Lisa H — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:42:14 +0000

IMHO not a good idea