New Podcast I did on Sermon Audio: “Gay Christians”.
I cover the question, “Can someone pursue a lifestyle of homosexuality, yet still go to heaven if they say they believe in Jesus?” … this is a sensitive subject and I try to approach with humility and trust in God’s wisdom, not my own.
[The first 8 minutes or so I read an interview with a prominent Christian leader who believes that someone can pursue homosexuality without remorse and be a genuine Christian, so this one's a little longer than the last one.]
Why is it SO impossible for people to not call homosexuality a “lifestyle”?
It’s not a lifestyle, and anyone who call it that, is using the word ignorantly as well as offensively. There is no excuse for that. None at all.
It’s not a hobby, it’s not a calling, it’s not a habit or vice. Anyone who is taught to believe it’s in any of those categories is wrongly doing so, and calling it by names as if to denote that, is as well.
So all over the place with the way you want to define it, except correctly.
On the one hand, you’ll call it a mental illness, but you don’t call bio polar disorder a “lifestyle.”
On another hand, you’ll call it an addiction, but addictions have social, physiological and clinical results, and sexual orientation doesn’t.
You don’t call heterosexuality, a “lifestyle”, and you don’t define the vices, habits or clinical disorders of heterosexuals as such either.
If you’re going to use misnomers, mis identification and pejorative language about something, you lose credibility. And deserve to.
A few people here got offended by any comparisons to the injustices against gays, with the injustices against people of color and women.
Yet, here you all are, using offensive, and inaccurate definitions of sexual orientation and comparing it to paraphilias, disorders, and mistreatment of other people.
So those of us with a specialized education and social experience on this, you really better care about how you frame the definition of something so important.
You cause a lot of innocent people a great deal of trouble because you don’t.
Okay, then.
Then you should have no objection to people saying that same-sex sodomy is a sin. After all, it has absolutely nothing to do with homosexuals, since the prohibition applies equally to homosexuals and heterosexuals. And what about defining marriage as between one man and one woman? It applies equally to homosexuals and heterosexuals, so it does not have anything to do with homosexuals.
There is a difference between a religious definition and a legal, clinical, social, criminal or medical one.
We ignore religious definitions of sins, because it’s too broad, blurred, unscientific or qualified by result, intentions or potential.
There are sins, defined by religion, that are no longer considered bad, unhealthy, criminal or dangerous, and necessary.
They can be in fact, supportable for the well being of an individual AND society.
So your point wouldn’t be an accurate one for the purposes of social and civil law. Or human progress, especially.
I can delineate the definitions if you really wanted.
Depends on your attention span and interest in the truth and reality about that.
So God’s gets really ticked off when heterosexuals have oral sex? Interesting what puts a bee in His bonnet. Apparently, gathering sticks on the Sabbath used to make Him so irate that it could get you a public stoning. On the other hand, slapping your slaves around doesn’t really phase Him so much (Exodus 21:20-21).
Weirdo.
When the subject is religion, religious definitions apply.
If I were to discuss Islam, religious definitions would be front and center.
@shoesthrower, and no,defining marriage to one man/one woman does NOT apply equally to het and gay people.
ONLY het people have an interest in marrying someone of the op sex, and are allowed to.
A gay person has only interest in marrying someone of their mutual gender and orientation and are not.
Your rationalization sounds cruelly like those racists who said that God almighty didn’t intend race mixing because that’s why we were all on different continents. A black person had the same right to marry as a white person did they just had to marry within their same color.
We’re ALL from the same continent. Africa.
And we’re ALL the same race too.
But a willfully ignorant racist wouldn’t want to know that.
The same way a person willfully ignorant about sexual orientation doesn’t want to know the truth or facts either.
There are some matters of human progress that have occurred since the Bible was written. You’re using a computer, and I’m assuming you heard that there are other remarkable inventions that have furthered our knowledge of many things.
So embracing the benefits of it all for yourself, while willfully deciding that gay people cannot, is cowardly and eventually makes anyone look stupid.
It’s one thing to have faith in God, it’s another to have so little, that you want to punish another person with the very progress you benefit from.
Gay people, after all, have existed and been a stable and universal constant through all human life and history.
Religious belief and it’s purpose and application, not so much. It’s the religion that deserves to be challenged on that order, not homosexuality.
But that’s a logical application, and apparently logic is anathema here.
As we all know, county clerks have gaydars to make sure they do not issue licenses to opposite-sex couples where one or both partners are gay.
You really get off on being obtuse don’t you? This is about the COUPLE, precisely because a clerk can only discern their relationship in a limited way. What’s the point of a couple getting married that isn’t attracted to each other where it matters?
A clerk can only ASSUME it’s a hetero couple if an op sex couple shows up for a license. But since the orientation isn’t discernible at face value, then the point is, that a gay couple or ss couple would be the BANNED one.
ONLY effecting gay people in the most profound way and the point for getting married to begin with.
So I ask you again: what’s the point of a couple getting married, that isn’t attracted to each other where it matters?
And what’s the point of denying a couple getting married who ARE attracted to each other where it matters, and within the same restrictions required for all COUPLES?
call me crazy but am I the only one who finds the rainbow flag which represents homosexual pride as a backdrop to the Cross of Christ and a symbol of hundreds of years of Christian persecution offensive? I have been to a ‘gay friendly’ “Christian” church where there was no cross to be found anywhere but a huge rainbow flag hung from the rafters and leading the congregation was a lesbian. Needless to say I did not return..go figure
@Davide
I would SERIOUSLY recommend that you take a look at the email I sent you via the “Contact Davide” tab on your blog page before you make any future comments on Matt’s blog or your blog for that matter.
Your latest comment on this blog makes no sense when you consider the information I address in my email to you at ‘hardboiledcatholic’
Thank you.
@Davide: Really? You got into a huff about that? Without asking why there was no cross or offering to help get one?
That was enough for you to not return? Do you case places like that just to give yourself something to cite as Christian persecution?
I wish there was a way for you, any of you to spend a day at my job. Professional and volunteer.
It would be a good way for you to get over yourselves.
mike i can not sign onto that email account. What is your email
@Davide
So you state that you attended services at a gay affirming church. Why? What business does a Roman Catholic man, like yourself, have at a “Gay” church service? Afterall, according to you, their teachings are faulty since it is not Roman Catholic and their sacraments (if any) are invalid.
And while we’re at it:
You state that you voluntarily entered into a ‘gay friendly church’ but rather than taking offense at that church’s pro-gay teachings you chose rather to take offense that there was a rainbow flag in lieu of a cross on the wall.That’s like being seated in a filthy restaurant and instead of complaining about the unclean environment you rather complain about the tiny salt shaker missing from your table. Which is of more concern? The cross missing from the wall or the pro-gay theology?
So, in conclusion, what you are alluding to is that you would RETURN to that pro-gay church and attend it’s services provided a cross is placed on the wall even though you are a supposedly staunch Roman Catholic who is against same-sex relationships.
Davide, like, whatever.
@ matt, great audio and cool pic on your new main page
@mike, i sent u email check spam folder. Thanks
@Davide
I sent you the same message to 2 of your email accounts: one at “hardboiledcatholic” and the other at “italianbuckeye85″.
Why is this a challenge?
I just received an email from you prompting me in the subject line to send my message to another account but there is no email address in the subject line and I’d prefer not to click on the email and open the message.
Why is this not a seemless process of transmitting emails? Check your “italianbuckeye” account.
“Can someone pursue a lifestyle of homosexuality, yet still go to heaven if they say they believe in Jesus?”
– Can someone be divorced and remarried and go to Heaven? If you take the Bible at face value, then no, they can’t. (Luke 16:18, Matthew 5:32, Matthew 19:9).
– Can someone buy and sell human being as slaves and even beat them and still go to Heaven? The Bible says … YES. Exodus 21:20-21.
What do you mean “pursue a lifestyle of homosexuality”? Does it not matter whether someone is extraordinarily promiscuous and actively seeking to infect others with HIV or if they’re monogamous and with a single partner for 20 years? These distinctions don’t seem to matter to anyone.
Just ignore those troublesome verses. Why is there no campaign to outlaw divorce??
For the same reason there is no campaign to outlaw idolatry.
Because the bible says you can have a divorce, only when there has been adultery, but there is no excuse for homosexuality. Homosexuality is as bad as laying with an animal, and the bible is very clear. Stop making things confusing when the bible is so clear.
Just because you don’t like something the bible says doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
Jessica, I think it’s fair to say that when a Christian sounds off like you just did, it’s impossible to think you have deductive reasoning, or critical thinking skills. There is some obvious selective, inconsistent and hypocritical behavior of many people of faith.
Especially when it comes to all of us ordinary mortals and Christians and the benefits of the deductive reasoning, logic and courage of others.
I’m trying to be civil, and respectful to this blog and everyone here.
But, there are young people who depend on me. You can’t lie to them, you can’t say one thing with a smile on your face, and commit seriously hostile passive aggressive acts against them that adversely affect their lives under cover.
Gay people are as innocent of their sexual orientation as heterosexuals are.
Jessica, there was a time when white people seriously thought the same of sex between people of different colors. Black sexuality and black males in particular were painted with the same broad brush of having no sexual restraint or morals, maturity or capability of social success.
Blacks weren’t any better than animals, nor to be considered with any more intellectual parity than children.
And white people convinced themselves, and blacks that the Bible told them so.
This is what makes your comment so offensive, this is what makes you and anyone else who thinks the same, little more than unforgivably ignorant.
And, I’ve been chastised for making comparisons to the black struggle with gay people’s situation and even WHITE PEOPLE have taken offense, that me, a black woman would do that.
I have my historical, political, legal and social contexts AND FACTS straight. I’ve LIVED it personally.
Biblical times, just like media in OUR age, could be distorted with gravitas and personal opinion.
There is hardly any way of vetting the Bible for the truth about anything. Those people THEN, hardly knew or could do, what we do now.
How many damn times do I have to tell you people that I’ve been raised with a Biblical education too?
That I know it as well as you think you do?
The difference is, I don’t try to USE IT AGAINST A FELLOW HUMAN BEING.
And I’m not so phony as to think that just studying the Bible, and the CHOICE of becoming Christian, is a character reference, or license to abuse people by denying them what I get to have and protect me these days, without restriction.
Thank you James. That’s exactly my point, religious definitions are too broad, contradictory, conflict with modern life.
And conflicts with human, scientific and medical progress.
There are no distinctions between what is dangerous or threatening to human life and liberty, and what isn’t.
There have been objections and offense taken if comparisons of INJUSTICE are made that parallel of have much in common with injustices against other groups or minorities.
But wrongly and inaccurately, homosexuality is compared to vices, habit, anti social and threatening behavior, to crime and mental or emotional incompetence.
So how is that right or fair?
No one DOES answer that. Not ever.
In the meantime, a lot of damage is being done to the ability for gay people and their intents, purpose and humanity to be known fully and openly.
There can be no credibility in a situation where only ONE side demands and forces itself into every situation. And has for so long, they don’t want to believe any other kind of life, or information exists.
You’d think some Christians had bought and paid for God and Christ, and OWN them, therefore they are always right and never wrong about anything. And they use a Bible like a license of supremacy.
Regan – hope I haven’t joined this conversation too late. Your voice on this blog is an island of sanity – I admire the self control and intelligence with which you argue.
@TAPMAN: No not too late at all. Hope you get an email that you got a reply from me. Lately, the most prominent anti gay organizations have banned and deleted dissenting comments from their websites and Facebook pages. Quite the hypocrisy since these are people telling the world that it’s Christians and so on who will be silenced, censored or persecuted for speaking out against homosexuality (or for ‘simply’ being pro traditional marriage).
In the last year, the POLITICAL and legal shift has been interesting. Especially stacking up the defenses of discrimination against gay people. The panels who sit before legislative or judicial bodies, argue much like they do here.
They are non credentialed, especially in sociology, psychiatric or law. Most use religious based beliefs, and those opinions that are not, recite long discredited, distorted information or non existent powers in civil law.
After a fashion, they sound ignorant, selfish and animus motivated, not so legitimately concerned for anyone’s civil rights but their own.
It’s impossible to not be hypocritical, contradictory and baseless.
Always bad rationale to effect civil law.
Thank you for you compliment. Please write again.
HI Matt, thanks again for your very encouraging words.
Your sermon was absolutely correct. It is so refreshing to find another person who has come out of the homosexual lifestyle (sorry Regan but its definitely a lifestyle choice) and who sticks to the word of God rather than trying to twist everything in the Bible to make “gay okay” with God.
I am simply amazed at your revelation in such a short time. Truly the Holy Spirit has been your teacher rather than man. Thank you for having the guts to stick by the word of God even though it opens you up for hateful words and being misunderstood.
To Regan- I lived the homosexual lifestyle for 15 years. I was out, and had “Christian” boyfriends while calling myself a Christian as well. Was I saved then? Only God knows. Are they (still actively engaged in homosexual behavior while declaring Christ) saved? Only God knows.
But what I do know is that lifestyle was very bad for me. What I can clearly see is that it is also bad for them. What I do know is that the word of God says our top priority is to LOVE GOD (Deut 6:5- Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength) and that the proof of our love for God is to obey His commandments (John 14:15-”If you love me, you will obey what I command.) What I do know is that back then I did not KNOW God, but now I do (or am getting to know Him).
What I do know is that just saying the name of Jesus doesn’t save you. Matt 7:21- “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
It doesn’t matter if its a vice, a lifestyle, a choice, a behavior. It doesn’t matter what you call it or compare it to. All that matters is that God loves you and wants you to love Him in return. Anyone that loves Him will want to please Him and to make Him happy (just as you like to please anyone you love). What pleases Him is our faith and trusting Him enough to obey Him because you understand that He truly loves you. And that because He truly loves you, all His commands are for your own good or for the good of others.
“Sorry, Regan but it’s definitely a lifestyle choice.”
And yeah, it DOES matter if it’s a vice, lifestyle, a choice, a behavior. It DOES matter what you call it or compare it to.
Because in the real world, it’s just us folks and real people doing bad things to gay people based PRECISELY on their bad judgment calls about what homosexuality is and gay people are.
A lot of younger gay people are inculcated with believing that their lives INEVITABLY are going to be lonely, promiscuous, drug fueled, disease ridden and no one will like or trust them.
THAT kind of messaging to them, and their straight peers is creating the pathology, not curing it.
If you fell right into that trap, or think you did, or feared doing so because of being gay, there is a hard push coming from religious teaching that refuses to take responsibility for the pathology or struggle for gay people.
Indeed they believe the struggle has nothing to do with that teaching, but homosexuality itself.
I’m not gay, I won’t argue that I know anything about how it feels to be so.
However, I am a woman. I’m a black woman. I know about struggling with people taught prejudices about ME, that have been unfair and damaging to my whole life.
I recognize the same thing happening to my gay family. I recognize the danger in it, and the harm it’s caused. Even for empathizing, and trying to explain that, I’m catching flack here.
So yeah, CORRECTLY defining and comparing and CORRECT context ARE vital to the truth, otherwise how is any real and meaningful work against greater harms and more accomplishment, especially in social progress going to get done?
I don’t like to engage in the flattery here. There is nothing to congratulate. I don’t congratulate very light skinned blacks passing for white. Everyone IS born with a sexual orientation, applauding the claim of changing from gay to straight is as ridiculous as applauding someone for going from heterosexual to asexual. It’s not an ACCOMPLISHMENT, it’s an orientation.
What IS impressive, are those gay people, who committed to being themselves at great risk, who helped others learn about who they are, and what homosexuality really is. Young people who stand up for their gay peers, who intervene on behalf of a gay kid’s physical safety. It’s those gay people who are teaching the world the truth about it, who are proud they accomplished what they needed to despite the challenges against it.
“Lifestyle choice”.
Considering the source of who forced THAT definition, it has no weight whatsoever.
It can be very tough to be gay. And some gays are a lot TOUGHER.
It’s tough to be a woman. Some women are tougher than the naysayers around them.
I could say something very unflattering to you about what you did and how that looks when I’m surrounded by some VERY tough, brave and highly intelligent people that outclassed those who have been against them. Some of them aren’t even adults. I just met a 15 year old straight ally, all of 4’11 and fiercely intelligent about what SHE thinks about homosexuality.
Man, she’s got you dusted all kinds of ways from Sunday.
“All that matters is that God loves you and wants you to love Him in return. Anyone that loves Him will want to please Him and to make Him happy (just as you like to please anyone you love). What pleases Him is our faith and trusting Him enough to obey Him because you understand that He truly loves you. And that because He truly loves you, all His commands are for your own good or for the good of others.”
Delusional
Regan; great stuff, but you might as well be talking to asparagus.
Dear Regan,
If I am hearing you correctly your position is as follows, please correct anything I have wrong. You understand as a black female what it is like to be put down or talked about or have false negative assumptions made about you (which is common for homosexuals). You love a person or people who are homosexual. As part of that love and concern you want to support, love, and protect that person or people and therefore that mindset transfers in your heart towards all homosexual people. I appreciate that. It is absolutely the correct point of view. To support and love others. In fact, from a Biblical standpoint we are all called to support and love all people, even our enemies, but especially those who are weak or oppressed. I know and love thousands of homosexual people. I myself lived as a homosexual for 15 years. No one has a stronger desire to support and love homosexual people than I do. So in that we are in complete agreement.
Having said that, the question becomes how do we properly support those we love and even those we do not know, as God commands us to do? In this case specifically those dealing with same sex attractions?
For myself, I have tried what you are now trying, and I found that it did not/ does not work. “Affirming people” only brings them deeper into the lie and bondage of homosexuality. I see this clearly in my own life and in the lives of other homosexuals I know. In the beginning coming out seems like freedom. It seems like truth. It seems like “now I am finally who I am”. There is a sense of relief and perhaps even joy. It may seem like an exciting new world. But this only lasts for a while. It is the same with all sin. For a while adultery may seem exciting and fun. For a while stealing can seem fulfilling. For a while doing drugs or getting drunk seems fun. For a while lying may seem to be an easier or more effective road of handling situations. But eventually lies turn into a mess and perhaps beyond our own control (compulsive lying). Eventually drinking and drugs become destructive and even out of control (addiction). Eventually stealing gets us caught. Eventually adultery is destructive to relationships. And eventually, homosexuality exacts a terrible price.
In my own life I morphed over the years from being a moral person concerned about others to a nasty person who used others for my own ends. I went from being a monogamous person to being the cheater. I went from being someone looking for true love to an online sex addict and pornography addict. None of this happened overnight. It was subtle and did not really emerge until 8-9 years of my “out and proud” homosexual life.
When did things get worse for me? When I went to “affirming secular counseling” that told me it was okay to experiment sexually, after all that was just self-expression and “who I was”. When I was “fighting the good fight” of all the homosexual causes. When I was leading a group of teenage homosexuals and trying to “support and affirm” their “right” to live a homosexual lifestyle.
If you don’t believe the homosexual life is bad for people as it was bad for me, please look at the secular research on the subject. You will find that homosexuals die earlier, have much more sexually transmitted disease, more alcoholism and drug use, more of certain types of cancer, more depression, more suicide…in other words, in a general sense, homosexuality is bad for most people over time.
Now some people will say homosexuals have all those difficulties because society doesn’t accept them or support them. But I lived in NYC where its completely fine, even chic, to be gay. I felt no condemnation. I suffered no prejudice. I have HIV, but honestly, if I were heterosexual and as many partners as I wound up I surely would have had herpes or something else.
So why was living a homosexual life (the reason I say it is a lifestyle) bad? In essence, because the homosexual culture removes all standards. There are no guidelines. Without standards each person does what is right in their own eyes. For some that is monogamy, for others cheating, for others open relationships. Each couple defines their own standards. You can do X with someone else but not Y. You can do it with someone else but only if I watch. The list of possibilities becomes endless, because there is no standard.
The Bible, however, gives us a standard. Sex with only one person. Sex only in marriage. Sex only between male and female.
Without a standard for behavior homosexuals (myself) fall prey to our own sinful natures. Without consequences or standards we become increasingly more sinful. For some that may be sexual expression, for others lying or drugs or whatever. In my case it was sex and lying both.
The reason God says not to do certain things is because He has all wisdom and knows the outcome of those behaviors. He knows that lying, stealing, and other sins have a terrible price for the individual and a residual price on others. Not only that, those things separate us from Him who is perfect and Holy. All of His commandments are just, and right, and good for humans if we will just trust Him.
This is why I say the homosexual life was bad for ME. I see that it is obviously bad for many I know and love. Research shows its bad for many I do not know. Where is any sign that it is good for people? I can’t find any. Not in secular society. And not in the Bible.
I find it interesting that you think that a non-homosexual 15 year old’s view of homosexuality has more weight than someone who LIVED AS AN OPENLY ‘PROUD” HOMOSEXUAL PERSON for 15 years!!!
The point is that I LIVED for 15 years accepting and believing every single LIE that that 15 year old is “standing up for”. I stood up for those things. I hosted gay fundraisers. I threw political parties for candidates who would support those LIES. I was in GLADD. I was in the Human Rights Campaign. I hosted a a group of teenagers struggling with homosexuality to “support” them just as you are claiming the “gay heroes” do. I put myself at great risk being openly out in my workplace in the 1990s and early 2000s when it wasnt so accepted in my profession. People called ME when they wanted someone to help them with these issues. I was the gayest of the gay!!!
I get it that you want to support the homosexual people you love. I am glad you do support them. I support ALL of the homosexual people that I love, and I know thousands. I don’t condemn them. I don’t tell them they are bad or awful or unworthy. I just love them. They see me now and they think I’m in a “phase”. Or like Katty above they think I am “delusional”.
Delusional??? Because now I have encountered God and KNOW that He is real??? Maybe that is delusional. Maybe I am completely crazy and God isn’t real and I have made Him up in my mind. But if thats the case I would rather be delusional. As an out homosexual person I had lots of fun but was never satisfied in my soul. Being satisfied in my soul so outranks sex (even with someone I loved) that its beyond words.
Delusional??? Talking to asparagus??? Because I looked over my 15 years of homosexual life and didn’t like the person I had morphed into and was honest with myself that it was bad for me when I WANTED it to be okay/good/accepted/wonderful for me?
Who is being honest here? Have you taken the time like I have to evaluate your life and take steps to change those things that aren’t good or that bring you down? Have you gotten to the bottom of the barrel and almost died twice and been so out of control of your life that you surrendered EVERYTHING to God to see what He can do with you?
Are you satisfied in your soul? Do you have perfect peace with yourself and with God? Or is there still something missing? Maybe you are like I used to be. For 30 years I claimed to be a Christian but I never KNEW Him. I just did what I wanted to do. I was the Lord of my own life. Now He is the Lord of my life. The result is just what He promised. I lost my life (died) that I might gain it and live for Him.
Having lived both places I can easily say its better to die. Better to give up my own desires and do what God says. He truly is wisdom. My life is so much better now. Its not perfect and I am not perfect. But now I know I am living in God’s perfect will for me. Its not about rules. Its not even about what the Bible says. Its about a relationship of love with Him that gives me perfect peace in my heart. If that is delusional then I praise God that I am delusional because I live in the peace that I don’t see in the lives of many around me.
So what is the proper way to support the homosexual? Love them! Care for them! Support them! But speak the TRUTH in LOVE. Love never fails. God’s word is the truth. The truth will set them free. It is not our job to “convince” or convict anyone—that is the Holy Spirit’s job. Our job is to love. But part of love is discipline. Part of love is rebuke. And part of love is to tell people honestly that homosexuality is not good for their bodies (look up the secular research on how bad anal sex is for the human body) and certainly not good for their souls. The CHOICE is up to them. Like all people, everyone must CHOOSE- die to selfish desires and follow Christ, or do whatever they want to do with their lives. This issue is no different from any other temptation.
1 Cor 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
LOVE them! But do not endorse the lie that they are a “gay person” or the lifestyle. They are just HUMANS struggling with temptation like everyone else. “Affirming” will lead them straight to destruction and ultimately hell. Just love them and pray for them. God will do the rest.
Bill, that’s one of the best posts on this site (along with Matt’s)! Well done, well said! …and thanks for the shared insight!
Bill, thank you. For taking the time. I want to impart something, that has something in common with being black and black sexuality, and where I find that what you’ve been taught to believe about being homosexual, is that falling down had something to do with your orientation. Heterosexuals fall down also. And that falling down isn’t a part of political policy, nor used as a means to place them in an inferior social position because of it.
I understand why it would seem that among gays, there isn’t as much restraint, not the same kind of consideration of sexual responsibility.
Consider this: when a group has no value to greater society, they are not taught, trained, supported or given the same tools in order to understand their sexual responsibility in the world.
Gay teens are not allowed to share their feelings, or needs without risking something negative occurring in their lives. They cannot be open about relationships in the formative times they need it the most.
Black teens, in many ways, have the same problems.
And popular media certainly doesn’t help by overly sexing up imaging, without relationships.
One thing in particular that’s important to point out: males don’t get pregnant. Gay sex doesn’t allow spontaneous conception. Most people, without the spectre or risk of pregnancy, tend to be a lot more active than others.
Men are less emotionally connected to sex as females are.
Our cultural cues, and who they direct value to, and the consequences of that, are resultant in less moral rudders, less integration with the dominant culture, and less ability to participate in the kind of social structures that help everyone know the same values mutually.
Blacks and gays and the pathologies there, are a tragic confluence of not having the same opportunities.
And the very thing that does exacerbates these problems, is the consciousness of religious teaching.
It’s you and your fellows being set up to fail, and when failure occurs somewhere, then those who’d be satisfied you fail and disappear, have accomplished their aim.
The sad part is, you agree you deserve to disappear and should.
And they are the ones with the most political and social power to coerce that situation.
And there are yet less and less rudders for the emerging younger gay people, and the problem recycles itself.
I’ve argued with members of faith communities about sex ed in schools. I have mentioned that young people are mostly taught the bio mechanics of sex, but where there is a failure is helping them with RELATIONSHIP and EMOTIONAL confusion. Gay kids are completely left adrift with this, if not denied any help at all. And most of all, the parents of all children should be required to take a seminar adult level class about the same. So they are better prepared to care for the needs of their children. But faith communities want to do things in ways that are part of the problem. I got slammed for suggesting that parents can be clueless, and themselves very bad at relationships and wouldn’t be a proper guide for their children. So, I’m sorry Bill. Faith communities have had their turn, and screwed up. And badly. And don’t deserve to keep doing it without being challenged. The roots of the problems within the gay community, have cousins among blacks. And what appears to be sexual irresponsibility among blacks, is a political issue too and always has been. It was one of the factors to try and prove blacks weren’t fit to integrate, or even marry each other.
Bill, what I know and what I’ve observed are these common and cruel denominators. What distresses me, and what I fight, is someone telling us we have no more value, or any more sexual restraint, or can make no more societal contribution than animals.
Where we differ (sadly to me), is you agree with them and I tell people like that to kiss my ass.
But I won’t let you or the others off the hook, that the gay young person coming up, trying to find their way, with a much better shot than you had, will have their burden (and mine) made heavier because of you.
Homosexuality is WRONG, plain and simple! They say that God made them this way, but I ask you why would God create you to make love or have sex with someone in the area where we excrete waste? The God I serve does not make those kinds of errors. The anus was not built for that type of friction! This proves that the act of homosexuality is deviant and falls under the spirit of LUST! Sex was created my God for a Man and a Woman for procreation; two women cannot procreate nor can two hairy men! It’s nasty!! As Christians or should I say as disciples of Christ we are to love the homosexual not condemn but I will not support or validate the lifestyle CHOICE that they have made. And those of you who profess to be followers of Christ but support or condone homosexuality you are just as guilty as they are because you know the truth and you would held accountable!!
Well, Jackie. Once again, you’ve reduced homosexuality to a graphic and unnecessary biology lesson. Except you’re the ignorant person who is trying to teach it.
1. Men’s apparatus is used for pissing as well as seminal extrusion. That’s the thing about being human. We have the gift of more creative ways of overcoming the limits of life, and enjoying other possibilities. We are FAR more than just men and women, we are variations of that and respect for that, is what will truly achieve the best that human life has to offer.
2. It’s not against the law, nor is it unnatural to NOT procreate sometimes. With over 7 BILLION and counting people on this little planet, procreation is hardly the problem.
If you’re willing, or able to learn something about the more complex aspects of human life, I’d be happy to let you in on it. But it’s not hard to see there are too many people scared of handling more than what they are told to.
The Biblical cultures didn’t accomplish the Hubble, walking on the moon, Mars rovers (go Curiosity!), mapping the genome, discovering DNA, heart transplants or iTechnology. Nor did they accomplish abolishing slavery, women’s liberation, the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Our culture produced a great deal more than they did.
Gay folks have entered the 21st century right along with everyone else.
So why act like they don’t belong here, and shouldn’t have a say in the very things that affect them the most?
Most here keep talking as if they are saying something new, innovative, different or that hasn’t been heard before.
After all my years working in forensic criminal analysis. Homosexuality is NOT a problem in our species.
It’s those who feel nothing about the harm they cause, and those more committed to being scared and ignorant who are.
Wow Jackie! Delusional ignorance mixed with bigoted hatred.
Jesus must be so proud.
So if God didn’t create gay people, what are they? Spawns of Satan?? (Oooh! cringe in fear!)
I know plenty of women who love anal sex. The size is just right. You should try it!
Vital bodily fluids there Dr. Strangelove. Last I checked, urine (waste!!) goes through the same penis that all those sacred sperm travel through.
With your superior knowledge, you should go be a missionary somewhere and annoy the locals. Just take a boat because you know if God had meant man to fly he would have given him wings. Or a Jetpack. Or something.
Regan, you rock!!
@Jackie
Hi Jackie,
I see both your point as well as Regan Ducasse’s/Katty’s point.
Woud you say that little children are innocent and pure in heart, generally speaking? (Yes? Good.)
With that said, how many little children do you see getting squeemish when they see a man or a women kiss? Little girls think kissing is “yucky” and the boys think they will get “cooties” if they kiss a girl (I know I did). But eventually these pure little ANGELS grow up, hormones kick in and before ya know it they are not only kissing the opposite sex on the lips but even inserting their bacterial infested tongues down the throats of the opposite sex. Talk about nasty; a true cesspool of transmittable disease! And this is HETEROsexual people we are talking about; forget the gays.
Little innocent children believe babies come from mama’s tummy through her belly button and the doctor “buttons-up” mommy after she delivers. But before long these pure little ANGELS grow up, hormones kick in and not only are they tongue locking but the boys are now thrusting a urine laced organ into an area of the girls bodies that is literally just inches away from where she defacates. Does that sound exactly “romantic” to you? Nasty! These are HETEROsexual people we are talking about; forget the gays.
Pure innocent children believe babies originate from a cute stork dropping babies down a chimnee but when these pure innocent ANGELS grow up, the boys are releasing DNA material into girls from an organ that also releases foul liquids from the boys body. Sound appealing? More like appaling! These are hetero people we are speaking of.
I remember my reaction when I discovered the truth about how babies were really made when I was a little innocent kid. I was utterly disgusted! I remember thinking how nasty it was that a man and a women would desire to exchange nasty flem during the whole french kissing process. Gag! What is so alluring to a women that she would invite a man’s organ used for URINATION into her body? *vomit* And while we are at it; what does a man find so alluring that he would wish to put himself inside an area where foul smelling blood gushes out monthly?These are hetero people we are speaking about!
So my point is this: I am not arguing whether or not sex between hetero couples or same-sex couples is good or bad. I am just saying that you may wish to provide a more substantial argument if you wish to win the minds of those who disagree with you on “gay issues”.
Capeesh?!
I don’t care how you all try to explain it or justify homosexuality, the Bible clearly states it is WRONG and unnatural. Society’s morals and standards may change but God does not. God did not make anyone homosexual. That’s just an excuse to continue in sin. What about the former homosexuals that have repented and been delivered from this SPIRIT? I guess they are crazy and delusional as well. They have accepted the TRUTH and the TRUTH made them FREE! Oh, a penuis was meant to enter the vagina that’s how babies are made. A man’s penis is for a woman not another man!
@Jackie
I hear you Jackie. I really do.
The whole point of my last responsse to you was that the whole sexual intimacy ‘process’ between a man and a women is pretty nasty in terms of an exchange of flem, sweat, saliva, urine, blood, foul odors, etc. etc.
Your initial argument you used was that somehow ‘gay’ sex was nasty and ‘straight’ sex was clean. In my opinion sex is pretty nasty no matter who is doing it. (Truth be told, I LUV sex but that doesn’t make it any less gross regardless of if I’m with a women or a man)
Therefore, I was just suggesting that you may not wish to use anal intercourse as your driving point to prove that ‘gays’ are wrong. You have a better chance at sticking to what the Bible says as opposed to referring to the actual sexual aspect of it.
Take care.
Of COURSE you don’t care. Because you can let God take the rap for the abuses that people do to other people.
Gay people were here before any religions organized themselves around misogyny and it’s extension, anti homosexual sentiment. Gay people are universal to ALL human life and history, and they are a constant and stable to the same. Religious belief is not. Religious conflicts have killed millions in the world, where the neutral attribute of homosexuality has not. Gay people aren’t trying to convert anyone to BE homosexual, but just to accept homosexuality as a variant on gender and orientation, the way there are millions of other things in Creation that are natural and varied.
Clearly it’s MEN who have tried to force gender into narrow definitions and the person of a certain gender into inferior status, opportunity and treatment. If anything, homosexuality and gender variance are equalizers. With gender variation there is less aggression among men, less people are endangered and gay people possess the same qualities of intellect, creativity and courage and compassion as anyone else. There is an opportunity for gay people, or homosexuality to empathize and understand both essentials of men and women at one time.
The aggressive way in which gender has been enforced, has been brutal to females and gay people. Who are THE most violated, repressed and threatened of all humankind. Some religious teaching got it right, that the gender variant are mysterious, but have much to offer in that regard of how male and female relate to each other.
And some faith communities got it VERY wrong, and gay people to this day are paying for it with their lives, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Christians have had their turn, and screwed up very badly in many ways other than the deplorable treatment of gay people. So when modern times, and more intellectually honest and open social integration changes all that, FOR THE BETTER…that is what should happen.
It’s advocating justice for those who have been denied it, and knowing the difference between a threat and an ally, that is important here.
And a gay person shouldn’t have to be able to contribute on condition of not being gay at all.
There is a difference between real and imagined social harms. And gay people are not it.
Dear Regan,
Thank you that your posts to me remain civil. Unfortunately the undercurrent of most of your posts is anger. Anger, not love.
The Good News for YOU— your viewpoint is currently taking over the USA and the world. In the short term YOU WILL WIN!!! You don’t have to fight Christians because you are winning already and it is GUARANTEED.
The Bible predicts it. David Wilkerson made very interesting and shockingly detailed predictions back in the 1970s when he revealed such things as gays would be OUT in church leadership in the future. He wrote that prophecy before all the psychologists turned to your point of view. We are now seeing those things come to pass.
Just so you understand, David Wilkerson was a hard-line conservative Christian (the type you seem to hate so much). But he acted in LOVE and started Teen Challenge in NYC, you may have heard of it. It has helped countless people with drug and alcohol problems. He had not a glimmer of support for homosexuality when he predicted gays would be in church leadership and denominations would promote homosexuality. But he said it anyway because he heard the TRUE voice of God, which is never wrong.
You are correct that most of Christianity throughout history has acted badly. The reason is simple. They know ABOUT God but they do not KNOW God Himself. Just as I know ABOUT President Obama but I dont KNOW him personally. I BELIEVE that he is the President of the USA even though I dont KNOW him, but him being president doesnt directly impact my life on a one on one basis. I cant call him if I need a friend or get in trouble. “Christians” do the same with Jesus. They try to “call” Him, but He doesn’t hear or answer because they don’t know Him or His phone number. He won’t take their calls because they haven’t repented and are still in rebellion to Him. So they have no access to God, just as I have no access to President Obama.
I had this experience for 30 years, calling myself a “Christian” but only knowing ABOUT God. The result?? I did lots of horrible things – lying, stealing, mistreating others, you name it. But when I actually MET God, it changed everything. Now to do bad things has become the more difficult task. The sad fact is that as in all things, the bad acts of the many obscure the good acts of the few.
So, you will get your “gay marriage”. You will continue to see more and more of society accept and affirm homosexuality. More laws will go into place giving gays not only equal but superior rights over others in some vain attempt to “make up” for gays suffering. More and more “Christians” will be active homosexuals or proclaim that it is not a sin. You may even see “gay Christians” performing miracles such as healings or other wonders. But that does not mean that God supports it, because the Bible predicts such things.
The Bible also predicts something else. That all people will one day stand before God to give an account of their life. Only those that truly love Him and know Him will enter into His presence for eternity, because eternal life is KNOWING HIm. All the others have rejected HIm in this life and therefore judge themselves. Yes, this includes many who call themselves Christians. What a gentle God!!! Although He has the right to judge us all He abstains from that right and let’s us be judged only by His words, giving us time to REPENT and be forgiven rather than immediately face the consequences of our sins.
The Good News for me, and other Bible-believing Christians, in the end We Win Too!!!
So we both get to win for a period of time. And we both get to lose for a period of time.
You and your viewpoint get to win in the short term, which is your focus anyway so that should make you happy. You dont believe in God so you are only concerned about the here and now. But those who stick to the truth of God also get to win. Our victory is comparable to a last second touchdown or goal to win the game when we have trailed miserably the entire game.
God bless you Regan. I can see that Christians have hurt you. They have hurt me too. But don’t confuse people with God. I know you are doing what you believe is right in your own mind and I respect that you are a tough lady and a fighter. So few people stand up for ANYTHING, so that is a great character quality God has placed in you. He made you so special, and even online I can see a glimmer of the beauty God gave to only you. Even though we have only “spoken” online these few times, I thank you for showing me some of your own inner beauty. So even though you despise people like me who won’t budge on the word of God I pray that God will bless you.
What a beautiful testimony, Bill.
This would not surprise me. Miracles have happened in response to worshipping icons of Saint Mary . God allows these things to happen to test us, so we can prove to ourselves and to others whether we are truly loyal to Him.
Same-sex sodomy has the same chance of getting people into Heaven and saving them from eternal damnation as worshipping icons of Saint Mary.
So, worshipping Saint Mary is like same-sex sodomy? Kinky
Really Bill, you’re going to scold me about anger? You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to judge on that.
Understand this: you’re being condescending and you’re NOT helping.
Know why?
Because I’m the one getting their hands dirty, that’s why. I have to deal first hand with the aftermath of people doing horrible things to other people, and it takes a lot of passion to not only give a shit about it, but DO something. Something substantial and effective.
I can’t lie to the young people who depend on me. Especially the gay kids, some of whom have had to endure some form of threat from their own family. And sometimes all young people try to make sense of all the lip service they hear about love, but the actions of those whose lips it comes from, manifest in a whole other way.
I remembered something that Gene and Erica need to hear. I got scolded by those two about how offensive they thought it was that I compared the struggle of gay people to that of blacks.
Well, it’s an undisputable FACT that Coretta S. King, Rep. John Lewis, Julian Bond, Andrew Young, and Mildred Loving, all of whom were in the trenches of the movement, think otherwise.
So what do Gene and Erica know, that all those venerated people, didn’t or don’t?
Are Gene and Erica offended at them too?
See what I mean by the train some of you missed?
“…gays will not only have equal rights, but superior rights over others…”
Bill, conjecture carries no weight. Your comment has the taint of playing victim, and that’s a weak thing to do.
I’m unmoved by your back handed flattery, and assuming I despise you. That’s also very weak Bill. And no, I don’t confuse people with God, another condescending account on your part.
Can’t you carry on a conversation without doing that?
You keep deciding I don’t believe in God, no matter what I say. What, I have to say it, and mention God all the time? How many times is enough? How many is appropriate to satisfy you? Who decides when enough is enough? So, I have to pass a piety test here?
How DOES one do that, exactly?
Because I don’t see how mentioning God all the time is a test of goodness and character. So I don’t do it.
And hammering a person with piety, isn’t because I don’t believe in God,
I don’t care to hear the hard sell about God FROM a mortal like you, as if God can’t do it in God’s time.
I know about David “the Cross or the switchblade” Wilkerson. I read all of his books.
I know about working with at risk youngsters.
My father was a juvenile probation officer. Some of those at risk boys lived with my family from time to time. I take after my old man, in that I’m very strong with my kids and they trust me. The same way they trusted him and for a very good reason. He never threatened them with God, or the Bible and neither do I. There are ways of being effective without that.
You aren’t listening. This isn’t about only some Christians, but those who have been in the position to bully, and keep doing it, and hiding behind piety and rectitude to do it. Men have given me a hard time my whole life because I’m never in any traditional or conventional places where women typically are. Let alone black women. But the angry black woman is a common, negative stereotype too. And you bought right into it, didn’t you.
And you confusing angry with strong, passionate and effective, well…of COURSE you would.
I don’t harm young people with my work. I know the history of harm towards gay young people that faith communities have done and continue to do, yet won’t admit they are doing.
And that, certainly is NOT God’s work.
regan, you rock.
Call out this phony piety for what it is. It gives them license to hate “the other”, all in God’s name; of course.
Hey Katty. Thanks. It’s just that I think that the responses here are either weak, or too simplistic. And most of all, repeating Scripture or asserting that the Bible is “The Truth” or “The Word of God” it’s not new.
I’ve heard it all my life.
A lot of people have.
But as I’ve said before, religious communities are resistant to challenge, questions, curiosity, change, individuality and they conflict with human progress in just about everything.
Most of all, they are responsible for creating and enforcing some very unrealistic and rigid standards around gender and sexual orientation.
There is no reason to tolerate or allow a bullying factor go unchallenged. There are some Christians who consider themselves persecuted for being challenged and questioned and their sense of being misunderstood or not accepted is a rather hypocritical claim.
And a teaching moment of how they are treating others, yet don’t accept it,is lost on them.
And considering their other claims of being people more studied in ethical and sound morality, such a teaching moment, shouldn’t be.
You are right, Regan, I had no right to scold you for your anger. Your anger is justified, so in your mind that makes it okay. And naturally, scolding you only brought out in you more- ANGER for the world to see.
It always amazes me. The ultra conservatives say stupid and mean things. Then the ultra-liberals like Regan say stupid and mean things in return. Both sides can’t see the log in their own eyes, nor or they capable of self-control.
So I won’t address you anymore Regan, because you are unable to respond without anger. Of course you hate the Bible, but the Bible commands me “for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” (James 1:20). The Bible also tells me, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6) But instead the Bible tells me to “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18) and to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28)
So I address this to our other readers.
A brief description of Regan and some steps she will have to go through which is useful for all of us to learn from, since we are all human.
Regan was abused as a child. She was also mistreated and put down for aspects beyond her control such as being dark-skinned, female, and overweight. The result is that she created a tough skin and determined that she would protect and fight for others that they might fare better in the world than she. So, much to her credit, she tries to be a positive influence and stand up for others. This gives her a sense of purpose and direction for her to work her bitterness and anger and un-forgiveness.
Unfortunately, she has made the mistake that many of us make, which is to blame our problems on others. When we blame others (or God) for our problems (and for the problems of those we are trying to protect or support) we place ourselves in a very precarious position, because we never have closure and our issues will continue to manifest in various ways to our detriment.
In Regan’s case, in a few years she is going to have terrible cancer. This will not be from God, but merely a physical manifestation of the festering wounds in her soul. At that time Regan is going to face the choice that all of us must face at least once, if not many times in our lives. Will she harden her heart yet again and continue to blame others and God for her condition? Or will she repent of her own failings, forgive all those who have hurt her, and find peace with God by accepting Jesus as Lord?
I faced a similar choice at one point in my life when I got HIV and almost died. I was very angry at God. I blamed Him for “making” me homosexual and then punishing me for it. I made the wrong choice. Instead of softening my heart and turning to God and all He has to offer, I went even further from Him and blamed Him for all my problems. The result??? Things got much, much, much worse for me. Because of my hardened heart I became an online sex addict and used people for my own means. I became so addicted to porn I literally could not stop myself, not even at work. I lied, used people, and stole. I became the cheater in my relationship. In short, once I faced that adversity and hardened my heart to God I became a sinner without conscience. I who once was completely monogamous (for 8 years before I found out I had HIV from my cheating boyfriend) and didn’t understand why anyone would talk to a stranger online became everything I never thought I could ever be.
The good news in my case. After 15 years of “out and proud” homosexual living which from years 8-15 was outright debauchery, I looked at my life and realized it was a total mess and I hated the horrible person I had become. I could think of only one option to pull me out of my complete mess of a life. I had to give God a chance.
So I did, and 5 years later I have never been healthier and happier. I am celibate and happy, and people like Regan absolutely HATE that. Why? Because rather than seeing the incredibly drastic turn-around of my life as good, they make crazy assumptions like I hate myself for being homosexual or I am brainwashed or delusional or I am just fooling myself or that I am celibate because of the Bible. To be clear, most of my homosexual friends think along the same lines about the dramatic changes in my life. They see the changes but they won’t give God credit.
What they won’t listen to is the fact that I did not leave the homosexual life because of God. I left the homosexual life because it was incredibly BAD FOR ME! I didn’t leave because I was scared to go to hell. I didnt’ leave because the Bible says so. I thoroughly enjoyed my homosexual life. All my relatives had affirmed me and my relationships. I wasnt discriminated against or bullied. I was out at work and yada yada. But I was never fulfilled. I never had peace. And my once moral character slowly slid and then took a full plummet off a cliff. It was bad for me, so I left it.
I am not claiming to be heterosexual. I don’t condemn anyone else. Everyone has the right to make their own mistakes and their relationship with God is just that, between them and God. I don’t say this has been easy. Not having sex was incredibly hard for a long while, but gets easier with time. What makes it easier day by day is how unbelievably GOOD God is. KNOWING God is real and that He actually likes me (even when I mess up) changes everything!
My life as a homosexual was bad for me. My life surrendered to God has been good for me. Can I say that every homosexual will have my experience? Of course not. But I can certainly say this. Every homosexual friend I still have makes my heart break. The reason is not because they are homosexual, the reason is because they don’t know God. Most of my homosexual friends claim to be Christian. But none ever go to church or rarely read a Bible because they don’t understand that church and Bible reading can be fun and enjoyable and fulfilling! They dont understand that spending time alone with God each and every day will bless their lives more than they could ever imagine. They dont understand that God’s commands are GOOD FOR EVERYONE, not meant to be a burden.
I prayed for a man with liver cancer and he was healed. I prayed for a lady who had heart attack and stroke and she was out of hospital the next day. I prayed for boy in coma 3 weeks and he woke up 15 minutes later. I prayed for a lady who lost her kids to Guatemala and 3 weeks later they were returned to her without even a phone call after we prayed. I prayed for a mother and daughter and their relationship was restored. I prayed for a ladies swollen knees and they were healed. I prayed for a man unemployed 18 months and he got a job the next day! Does God answer all my prayers? Of COURSE NOT! I prayed for my Aunt and she died. I prayed for other people and they died too. But most of the unanswered prayers are selfish and vain and not in my own best interest anyways. I trust that He knows best, so whatever He answers is good for me.
So back to Regan. Her day will come when she has the decision like I had. I hope she doesnt make the same mistake I did. I pray that her heart softens when it happens and she RUNS to GOD instead of away from Him like I did.
God loves Regan even though she doesnt trust or love HIm. So will all of you who believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior join me in praying for Regan???? She thinks I am her adversary, but even though she is against me I am FOR HER! Even though she will probably be angry at what I write and call me even more names, I forgive her, because I know she can’t help it.
Lord Jesus, I thank you for this opportunity to pray for Regan, a woman I would never have known about if it werent for this website. I thank You and praise You that You designed her and gave her gifts of intelligence, perseverance, and a caring heart. Lord I know that Regan is not ready now and will reject this prayer now, but God I am asking You to soften her heart in that day that she discovers cancer. I am asking You to then remind her about this long gone blog post and that You predicted her cancer. When she remembers, Lord, please comfort her and let her experience Your great love for her. She doesn’t know You or understand how You can bless her, but when that day comes, show her mercy. Draw her close to You. AMEN.
Okay Bill, you’re just bound and determined to assume I’m angry, and then you make a judgement call. And however wrong, it evidently doesn’t matter.
I’ll speak for myself, and state the facts, thank you.
1. I’m not overweight, never have been. I’m tall, slim, and athletic from being a dancer and serious athlete my whole life. I’m cafe au lait with light freckles across my nose. Haven’t been abused in such a way as to make me angry or bitter at anything. Just empathetic to other people who have been. I don’t make mention of my experience to be a victim, but to be an advocate.
2. I’m not ultra liberal. I’m rather conservative, actually.
3. I never said anything mean and stupid here, especially not to you. And for the record, I don’t have anger ‘in my mind so therefore it’s right’. I am an effective educator and advocate regarding civil law, advocacy and justice. It’s not a matter of ‘in my mind’, but what’s in the law, and the defamation that poisons civil discourse.
4. I don’t hate the Bible. I hate how it’s used as an instrument of abuse towards other people, specifically the gender variant. Know the difference.
5. I haven’t made nearly the mistakes you have. Not even close. And your screed, it’s meaner and more stupid than anything I’ve said so far.
I trust God, love God…and praise God for the beautiful things around me, that people have accomplished and the joy of living in such diversity and variance.
I just don’t always have faith in human beings and what THEY do WITH God. And there is no reason to. That doesn’t make me hate God.
The sad part is, I shouldn’t have had to say that, or explain it or justify such a thing to the satisfaction of you or anyone else here.
You all using piety or claims of it as a character reference, doesn’t make a lot of sense.
What you DO, is always going to matter more.
I OWN my words, and what I do.
And that is still a big difference between myself and the majority here. I don’t make God OR the devil take the weight for what people do, or what I do.
And so what?
Giving a sermon, throwing shade and then bailing, doesn’t bode well for trusting that you really know how to have a conversation without doing any of that.
Thank you Bill. In my exchanges with her, I have always been polite.
Wow, by the time I reach the culmination of comments, the subject of Matt’s blog has been obliterated in my mind! One might even envision the massive agglomeration of rhubarb, certainly tedious to say the least and at the most sparked on by the devil. There are so many auxiliary fields of discourse to follow. It must become exhausting, repetitive, and capacious to invent new comments that so meticulously reiterate what was just said.
Tapman, I also appreciate Regan’s sanity in this sea of superstition. Sadly, logic and true belief will never get along.
Matt,
could you post my comment? It went to moderation for some reason.