Gay Marriage - poll added

[6thGen]

6thgen, a few questions.

Do you have any gay/lesbian relatives or friends? Think real hard on this one.

Yes. Don't take this the wrong way, but anecdotal evidence doesn't change core beliefs. Doesn't at all mean that I don't associate with or befriend homosexuals.

Does the church you attend allow you to read the bible or is it read to you in a foreign language that you don't understand?

I have a NKJV Bible and the church I attend is a-ok with that.

Having said that I'd like to address a few points.

Homophobia = The fear of being gay, not the fear of homosexuals.

I in all honesty cannot even begin to listen to or offer credibility to a person who states they are christian and then quotes verses from the old testament to admonish or damn gays/lesbians. Flat out can't deny it unless you were there that Jesus never said anything for or against homosexuals. I personally believe that if it was truely as big a deal as some make it out to be he might have found a moment in his time on Earth to bring it up. If you are a christian than you follow the teachings of Jesus hence the NEW testament. If I'm going to hell for lying with a man as with a woman then you best put down that oyster, shrimp cocktail, poly cotton blend, or make sure you know exactly which fields those crops your eating are grown in; otherwise we'll be debating this in the same place for eternity.

Here's some fun reading as well http://www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.com/

As to the issue of not knowing any gay people in school, I can assure you, you did. Unfortunately it may not have been a matter of them coming out later in life, fact is that gay/lesbian teenagers have the highest rate of suicide. A very good friend of mine killed himself because he couldn't reconcile it. He was a football player, honor student, and Eagle scout. In his suicide note he stated and I quote, "It hurts to much to go on. I know that suicide is a sin, but so is being gay". That statement will forever be blazened in my mind. His parents were more disturbed by that than the fact that their only child was gay.

As to the issue of PDA's, get over it. Me and my other half aren't going to neck in the amphitheatre at Seaside, but I might just hold his hand. If your child says something explain it. Believe it or not most children will take something as simple as sometimes a man and a man or a woman and a woman fall in love. 99% of the time it stops there, some people seem to think that a child still in the age range to believe in the stork suddenly wants to know about sex. It generally also means that they have just been given the most tolerant and accepting statement a child could ever hear in regards to this issue. It's not going to get them excited about trying it or thinking about it. If it does, guess what, you've got a gay/lesbian child.

See my point in #111. You have me confused with Fred Phelps. Sorry about your friend.

To the issue of family can only be a mother, father, and children. Phooey. I have plenty of friends that I consider family. In addition there is no evidence that having gay parents leads children to become gay. In fact they generally turn out straight. I happen to know several gay couples with children and most are grown and straight. They are perfectly normal, functional, contributing members of society. Should we start a list of folks who had two heterosexual parents that didn't really turn out all that great, that's gonna be lengthy and I'm pretty sure that this board has a word limit per post.

There isn't enough evidence to determine, and it's still a social experiment. Again, I'm just asking that the experiment be legislated by the people, not determined by judges with no Constitutional authority to do so.

 

[Gypsea]

What a depressing thread to read.... no wonder the US is in the mess it is with issues of morality being constantly debated. Trying to convince someone who thinks homosexuality is immoral is a dead end task and I admire those of you trying to do this - best of luck!

OOPS, I guess this thread goes down hill from the posts on the first couple of pages. I hate to hear that.

 

[Miss Kitty]

What a depressing thread to read.... no wonder the US is in the mess it is with issues of morality being constantly debated. Trying to convince someone who thinks homosexuality is immoral is a dead end task and I admire those of you trying to do this - best of luck!

OOPS, I guess this thread goes down hill from the posts on the first couple of pages. I hate to hear that.

No disrespect ladies, but IMO, if we never hear what the opposing view is thinking, how can we ever try to understand our fellow man? I applaud many of the posters on this thread that have shared their thoughts...many of which are very honest about how they were brought up thinking that homosexuality was an "abnormal lifestyle" and have since had experiences that have allowed them to grow and change old attitudes.

 

[ASH]

Ash, you seem like a very level headed guy, but get over the theory that every gay man is checking you out. If they are take the drink and compliment and politely explain that your not gay. Oh, let me know if this scenario ever actually happens. ;-)

Uhhh....not exactly what I said. I don't think any gay guys are looking at me and if any are, I don't want to know. No big deal.

If anyone feels a need to look behind them to see if a guy is "checking them out".....I think that would fall into the definition of homophobic.

 

[Rudyjohn]

OOPS, I guess this thread goes down hill from the posts on the first couple of pages. I hate to hear that.

No Gypsea, it's still all good. We've been given the opportunity to learn from the positive and negative opinions. Maybe, just maybe, someone will learn something from this thread! This IS the process...
.

 

[scooterbug44]

What, you don't believe that your friends are completely immoral and in violation of God's laws? ;-)

 

[30ashopper]

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morality

I believe homosexuality is immoral.

"conformity to ideals of right human conduct"

iiiiish. shiver.

I would bet you are not a believer in evolution either? Just a guess. I believe "morality" or "moral conduct" is a byproduct group self preservation. It is not defined by a book, it's defined within us in ways we do not yet understand. Homosexuality on the other hand is simply mother natures way of experimenting. It's as natural as heterosexuality, and has nothing to do with "right human conduct".

 

[hnooe]

Ok, I am done here--this thread has now caused this 50 plus year old SoWal gay man and his partner of 14 years to tie the knot! Whew!. Mr "FQ" and I are getting two tickets to San Jose in late August, after 14 years we''ll be "married."

Suddenly it is more than a piece of paper. I don't care if Fla. or the U.S Government recorgnizes the document or not, we are taking a stand. (and if Charlie Crist should decide to come out of the closet he too can come to my Fla. reception. I still hope Miss Kitty will be one of my "groom's maids!") Invitations to follow for the Florida reception....

Thanks you Sowal for helping me make the "leap." I admire everyone for expressing their well thought out opinions--this is a WONDERFUL country!

 

[30ashopper]

Ok, I am done here--this thread has now caused this 50 plus year old SoWal gay man and his partner of 14 years to tie the knot! Whew!. Mr "FQ" and I are getting two tickets to San Jose in late August, after 14 years we''ll be "married."

Suddenly it is more than a piece of paper. I don't care if Fla. or the U.S Government recorgnizes the document or not, we are taking a stand. (and if Charlie Crist should decide to come out of the closet he too can come to my Fla. reception. I still hope Miss Kitty will be one of my "groom's maids!") Invitations to follow for the Florida reception....

Thanks you Sowal for helping me make the "leap." I admire everyone for expressing their well thought out opinions--this is a WONDERFUL country!

A female friend of mine married her partner after 10 years in Vermont. The relationship fell apart two years later and now they are permenently married in that state and can do nothing about it. My point - don't do it for political reasons and make sure the marriage doesn't have negative effects on your relationship. If you're happy now, what do you gain? All you succeed in doing is giving California a little tax revenue, which I think is one of the main reasons they pushed for this in the first place.

 

[scooterbug44]

Woo-hoo!!!

There had better be a Sowal reception and let us know where the registry is so you can enjoy ALL the benefits of marriage!