Michael Baier wrote:
>>I suppose by now, many have already stopped reading the Off Topic posts.
>>But I'm going to give this a shot anyway.
>>
>>My Bible study group is doing a study on Human Sexuality, which is one of
>
> the
>
>>topics of interest in my religious sect (ELCA), which has put off voting on
>>any issues
>>for a couple of years in order to do more studies.
>>
>>For the purposes of discussion in my group, I would appreciate any
>>responses to a
>>series of questions (these are mine, not any official survey).  Please
>>respond privately to
>>avoid this becoming another lengthy thread.
>>
>>Thanks for any input you would be willing to give.
>>
>>Is homosexuality a sin?
>>Is it a choice, or a biological condition?
>>In your church - could/should a homosexual person -
>> - attend
>> - receive communion
>> - teach Sunday School
>> - participate in worship, either in choir, or by reading lesson for the
>
> day
>
>> - dispense communion
>> - be a minister, or lay assistant
>>
>>What is your response to Leviticus 18:22 - You shall not lie with a male as
>>with a woman; it is an abomination.
>>
>>What is your response then to Exodus 35:2 - Six days shall work be done,
>>but on the seventh day you shall have a holy Sabbath of solemn rest to the
>>Lord; whoever does any work on it shall be put to
>>death.
>>What should we do with doctors, nurses, police, firemen, or that waitress
>>at the cafe where you
>>ate after church?
>
>
> Paul,
> what about the minister/priest at church?
> He is getting paid and therefore working on Sabbath when at church and
> holding the mess, right?
> Does that mean that the priests and ministers are among the biggest sinners?
>
> Whoever wrote these books was not a very logical person and therefore not
> much of these books makes much sense IMO.
>
> Michael

Well, you addressed your question to Paul but posted to the group so
I'll take the liberty of posting an answer :-)

See verse 5 below.

Matthew 12
1   At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his
disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.
2   But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy
disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
3   But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was
an hungred, and they that were with him;
4   How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread,
which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with
him, but only for the priests?
5   Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the
priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
6   But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
7   But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not
sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
8   For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
9   And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
10   And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they
asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they
might accuse him.
11   And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that
shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will
he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12   How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful
to do well on the sabbath days.
13   Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he
stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
14   Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how
they might destroy him.
15   But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great
multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

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