Good stuff as ever, Cat. However, as a compulsive gambler I have to disagree with you on your stance on gambling. A gambling compulsion (in my case and in the experience of almost every other compulsive gambler I've met - and that's a lot over the years, both Christian and other) is forever.

I have abstained from gambling for several years now but I am still a compulsive gambler. Never can I say "I'm cured now, so the odd bet won't matter" I am hopelessly addicted to gambling and can never risk considering myself "cured", not because I believe that God can't do it, but because I believe he wont. Why should He, after all? His grace is made perfect in my weakness so I boast all the more of my affliction etc etc.

The action can be overcome, same as BL actions can, but to say a gambling addiction doesn't qualify as a "can't be overcome" scenario? No, no no. Why do you think your addiction / compulsion / whatever you call minor attraction should be any different from anyone else's? I know people who smoked but gave up years ago who still consider themselves addicts. One guy said to me "it's been 24 years but I still think about it most weeks and the craving is still as strong as it was back in 1983 when I quit".

Or have I missed the mark and you're saying that a BL can be "cured" (and presumably become straight or asexual or something)? Remeber I'm not saying God couldn't do it, I'm just saying He doesn't (at all in my experience, and certainly, from the evidence of this board, not very often). After all, God could cure every ill, spiritual and physical and bring us all to perfection early if He desired (or could He?*) but He doesn't.

With love and respect in Christ

EMPIRE

PS We probably have a different definition of "doctrine" just to confuse things... lol

* comment / comeback / raging argument invited!