I never know what to make of pictures like this.

I appreciate that it's tame--the exact content of it isn't a problem--and I don't know leo or zip so I'm not addressing them in this regard--but it always confuses and upsets me when people who profess Christianity don't seem to have a problem with those who have same-sex attraction choosing to act on it rather than to offer up their crosses to Christ.

I'm not accusing you personally of this, nor am I saying that we shouldn't be as Jesus to other people--treat them as people first, not as sinners first--but there's a difference between that and giving scandal by condoning (or appearing to condone) their sins.

Again, I'm not necessarily rebuking you--I don't know your exact relationship with them or attitude toward the subject, what little I do know is shallow and therefore much of what I might guess is prejudicial and therefore not something to listen to--and I appreciate that the content of this picture is tame--but it's frustrating when I see a picture whose content I'd like to favorite but then I find out the intended subtext behind it and I can't. There's nothing at all wrong with two people, even people of the same sex, holding hands in and of itself, unless it would scandalize others. And it is a well-drawn picture.

And God bless you for gathering funds to help someone in need!

Hmm, well, I should probably reply before someone reads your post and flys off the handle, as people usually do when it comes to things like this.

First off, I know a lot of gay/lesbian people, a few of whom are in relationships. I've also seen that they're wonderful people, regardless of who they're attracted to. I don't believe someone's sexuality should define who they are; it may be a part of them, but its not all there is to a person. Just like there's a lot of parts to me (as I've been showing in my In My Head comics), but that doesn't mean that any one part should be taken to define who I am.

That being said, I realize that this is a touchy topic for a lot of Christians. I, for one, am outright appalled at the treatment people professing their love for Christ enact on those who live a life-style that they don't agree with. I won't stand for it, that sort of hatred towards our fellow man is outright wrong, and there's no biblical principle for it. I believe we should bring people to Christ before trying to alter how they live, or how they act. We're only human, we can't change someone's mind or the way they behave. Its not our place to, and I think a lot of people get caught up in "Oh, stop sinning then we can work something out." Jesus never did that, he helped sinners before anything else (check out the beginning of John 8 for an example of this).

Now, I'm not going to try to force someone to think or believe something one way or the other. That's just asking for trouble. But I will say that drawing a nice picture for someone that I've befriended, and who is trying to help me raise money to help someone in need? I see nothing wrong with that. Its not porn, its not anything like that. I understand your position on this, but I'm not sure this is the place to point it out, but then again, that's just my opinion.

Thanks regardless for your comment, I appreciate it!

Thank you very much for that consideration, I appreciate it. Yes, I know full well that they do--I used to be one of them.

I know some myself, and some of them are as well. And you're right about that. No, it shouldn't, and I don't intend to let mine define who I am. In fact, the only reason I disclose it is to follow Saint Paul's advice to be all things to all people. That is, I'm sort of bisexual myself, but I'm not going to act on that, God willing. And I know I don't want anyone to define me by something that is only one facet of who I am, especially one that I don't want to identify with--nor do I want to do the same to anyone else.

You're right to feel that way--and indeed, where this issue is concerned, that's the one thing worse, when those who profess Christ so adhere to the Truth that they forget His command to love neighbor in so doing. And I have to be careful because, having Asperger's Syndrome, I'm vulnerable to that very thing, and I don't want to do that to other people. I don't fear hating them or treating them like garbage--I'm not that type--but I fear forgetting the real people made in God's image and likeness because of my attempt to adhere to what Jesus gave us rather than try to redefine it and thereby follow a religion of my own making and attribute it to Jesus, thereby taking His Name in vain. You're absolutely right--Jesus hung out with prostitutes but didn't condone their prostitution thereby.

God bless you! No, if you don't believe by your own choice, you're not really believing, and God doesn't want hypocrites. If He wanted people to do right because of being forced, He could do that Himself. Well, I wasn't sure, but I figured I might as well take the risk. There is no love without risk to yourself--selfish love isn't true love. I do appreciate what you were going for here, absolutely. I'm just a little concerned about giving scandal because I take that very seriously. That's the worst thing we can do to someone else, and I don't always know what the best thing to do is in that regard (or not to do).

In any case, I'm glad you do still appreciate my comment! I'm glad I've gotten to know you even as little as I have--I first found out about you from the FW Adventures webcomic but it's rare that I get to know the artists of webcomics outside of forums for those comics.

For the record everyone, I will NOT have anyone insulted or harassed on any of my pages or artwork. You will be warned, and summarily banned if that warning is ignored. Its possible to discuss things in a civil manner without resorting to insults or threats.

Please keep that in mind when/if you reply to things on here. Thank you!

You draw the cutest freaking things ever. It burns as nicely as that warm sunset there.

Oops! You posted just a few seconds prior to me! Just FYI I wasn't talking about your post. XD

Bahaha, no worries, timing is a thing!

I don't particularly care for the above comment. I love this nonetheless

Thank you again, and good luck to your friend!

Such a nice and tender moment. <3 Great job!

It really has absolutely nothing to do with this picture, but in relation to the above comments...
I went to a nondenominational church for a number of years, and I was surrounded by a group of wonderful, loving, caring people, strong in faith. They showed me nothing but love and kindness, even regardless of my sexuality. They didn't speak against it, never tried to change it, nor were they ever offended by mine and Leo's love. They welcomed all, preached the greater picture, and never tried to nitpick "faults." One can't draw a line and define all Christians.

That aside.
Me and Leo really love this picture, Forest. I'll admit, I was having a bit of a rough day yesterday until you and Leo surprised me with this. So, it was definitely a welcome surprise that put a big smile on my face. Thanks for being awesome, Forest...for me and your friend~ ^^

I'm glad you found love and kindness from those people. That's the most important thing--and we need not to make the perfect the enemy of the good even while we must also always strive for perfection and let Jesus take us the part of the way we cannot travel ourselves.

Thank you also for being charitable in your comment. God bless!

(And I'm also glad that you were cheered up after a rough day.)