One thing I find unfortunate is that being Christian is correlated with following certain rules, and even taking on certain politaical positions. Christians to many people are known for not dancing, not drinking, not smoking (cigarettes or otherwise), not having sex before marriage. Chrisitans to many people are also known for opposing liberal politicians, opposing gay marriage, opposing abortion.

     I believe its time to repair that image and we can start by going back to the very early church. Because the Christian church was composed of Jews who were closer to the original religious tradition (Jesus was a reformer of Judaism primarily, not a pioneer of a new religion), and Gentiles who are God-fearers but not adherents to Jewsh tradition, a controversy arose. The Jewish Christians, who are the original bearers of God's revelation, wanted the Gentile Christians to comply with Jewish tradition. The reasoning is that Judaism is Jesus' tradition and they ought to follow.

     The leaders of the church met to discuss this controversy and we need to heed their wisdom in dealing with this situation. The church made a statement that Gentile Christians should not be burdened with Jewish tradition (Sabbath laws, food laws, etc.). Christians are not under law, especially since all people are violators of the law, and the Jewish people are not any better at it. However, they upheld three rules- not eating food offered to idols, not eating strangled animals (which is related to prohibition of eating blood), and not indulging in sexual immorality.

     I submit that the apostles upheld this rules guided by the principle of maximum freedom, and respect of the conscience of believers. Also, they touched three issues that were probably the most disturbing to the conscience of the people in the church (other issues there was a consensus already). Food sacrificed to idols, according to Paul, was an issue that is decided in the conscience, but he also said that the "stronger" conscience (eathing that food is ok) must submit to the "weaker" conscience (eating that food is idolatry). The prohibition of eating blood is a longstanding taboo among Jews and probably some non-Jews (life is in the blood and ought not to be consumed). The apostles upheld the two prohibitions out of respect for the connotations of that practice. The final upheld the stance for sexual morality. The apostle Paul upheld sexual morality strongly that he chastised some Christians for tolerating sexual immorality in their midst. What is it about sexual morality that's different? Maybe its because its dangers are more subtle but it has destructive consequences. A sexually promiscous person may look good to us, as opposed to the greedy rich person, but his lust is damaging to himself and his relationships (with God and with people).  

     So what should we do about controversies in the midst of believers? The attitude of the Christian spiritual guide should be to give wisdom but give maximum freedom. A person in coming to Christ must not be asked to give up his identity. A person who likes to dance should be guided in being proper but should feel freedom to flourish in what he loves. However, out of love, the believer must be asked to be sensitive to his "weak" brothers. In issues touching the moral law, the spiriual guide must stand strong for God's creational standards. The limiting of sexuality to one man and one woman committed to each other is a creational standard.