I'm not sure that I'm really adding anything that hasn't already been stated, but here are some thoughts:
Of course homosexuals can go to heaven. If any of us can, surely homosexuals can as well. There is no sin that exists that was not redeemed by Christ's action on the cross.
Rather, it would seem that your question is more - "Is homosexuality a sin?"
It's rather hard to ignore what the Bible seems to suggest on this question - both in Leviticus, but also in Romans and 1 Corinthians - that it is, in fact, sinful. However, the Bible also takes a strong view on any sex outside of marriage, regardless of whether it's homosexual or heterosexual, that this is also, in fact, sinful.
I think to claim that homosexuality is different because people don't choose whether they are homosexual or not brings to light much of our societal views, more than an accurate understanding of what the Bible says. Most heterosexuals don't choose to be attracted to the opposite sex, and yet they have to deal with lust and sexual temptation just as much, and are even encouraged to engage in it by television and music. Homosexuals are not exclusive in being born with a desire to do something that the Bible says we shouldn't. To claim otherwise I think takes a very biased view of the Bible. The Ten Commandments take much greater issue with lying than with homosexuality (which is not even mentioned), and all of us lie. Jesus himself, who never mentions homosexuality, has greater issue with people who show anger toward on another an judge each other.
The point I'm trying to make here is that the singling out of homosexuals as a sinful group apart from the rest is more of a societal one than a Biblical or Christian one. Our society embraces heterosexual sex (specifically casual sex outside of marriage) as the norm, and anything else, especially homosexuality, as deviant. This same society that says you are a freak if you are a homosexual, also says you are a freak if you graduate college as virgin. Think about that. Even that which the Bible holds up as righteous is treated with disdain in our culture.
The struggles that we are having as a country accepting homosexuals is not paralleled in the Bible to the same degree. "ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." No where does it follow that up with, "and homosexuals have fallen even further behind than that! The persecution that homosexuals undergo within our society is something that actually seems incredibly contrary to Biblical and Christian ideals, and especially those of Jesus.
That is not to say that actively engaging in a homosexual lifestyle completely okay, but it should be given the same regard as one who actively engages in a sexual lifestyle outside of marriage. The moment that we start according homosexuality more attention and using it as a means of persecution or special distinction within the church, that is when we get into trouble.
I would say that regardless of where you stand on the issue, you would be hard pressed to claim that the issue of homosexuality is one that justifies more of our energy than loving God and loving our neighbors. It is something that should not be completely disregarded, but rather given its proper proportion of our attention.
And as a last bit of overt personal opinion (if I haven't given enough of that already) if ever one was to claim that the homosexuality issue we are going through was not primarily a political and cultural one, I would counter that divorce is a far greater threat to the "sanctity of marriage" on both
a Biblical and sociological scale than homosexuality is, and yet we hardly acknowledge that. I'm not saying we should start persecuting divorcee's, I just think we need some perspective before we start doing things "in the name of God" that He didn't really call us to do, all the while neglecting the things that we are called to.
Okay, send me angry responses...NOW!
- Tyler
Hey Jesus, you're so fine. You're so fine you blow my mind.