Robert-I, please don't underestimate the impact of your advocasy here.

Naturally the debate from either side is going to be passionate and emotional. However, I think your contribution for me personally, while not moving me from my own position on the issue itself, has had a HUGE impact on how I handle the issue.

I illucidate as follows:
1. I have learnt to not be dogmatic on my view. The position you take is both thouroughly considered and supported by your reading of Scripture. What is often seen as very black and white from people on the anti-gay side of things is actually NOT so black and white. Also the fundamentailst position is equally fraught with holes in it's exegesis and there is little acceptance of that from their side.

2. Real people in real loving relationships, under real persecution, with a real love of God are facing these issues. Above all one must treat these people with REAL love and REAL respect. The issue and the discussion of it must never override that love and respect.

3. We have no place to judge another man's servant. All Christian's belong to God and must answer to Him and Him alone, by their own conscience and understanding. I have learnt to be more open to a loving fellowship with those who have a very different view from myself and to be comfortable to call them brothers (which for someone having come from a very fundamentalist background has been a radical shift).

4. Just because we disagree on some very significant points... does not preclude agreement on very many other significant points. I have said it before, many of your insightful posts have gone a long way to shaping my views on pedophilia and the dynamics of Christian relating.

These are no small points that I see.... and I'm inclined to think that (whilst we both internally grate against the other view in one way or another) the decision to discuss in loving respect... is made by both sides, so that we truly have oneness in our otherness. Praise God! This place would not be the same without you. I believe God speaks out through all the voices here.... even in our disagreements.

Blessings and much love
Cat.