I believe that gay-ness is genetics just as woman/man are. When I was kid I knew of a guy that I can tell he might/would be gay. My cousin who I knew for a long time had the same characteristic as that guy, my cousin is gay when he became an adult. He tried and had a girlfriend, but I guess eventually being gay is where his heart's are, because he was meant to be gay. Some will make us believe that being gay is of chosen lifestyle, not so, I believe that those who are "straight" then later had sex with a man, is still gay but by a lesser degree. Every parts of the world and race have gays in them, from advance to the primitive cultures, why deny them the same rights that you and I have. If they wish to marry, why is it any of your business, why does it bother you. If one wishes to worship a "god", why deny them the same privileged that you have of the freedom of religion. If you don't like the idea of gays marrying one another, then don't marry one, simple as that.
wwws - exactly. I remember a gay person saying once "Did I get to vote on your marriage?" - I forget who it was, but it's a great point.
If you're sexual preference is determined before you are born, then your supposed god made them like that. Why does god make people that are sinners before birth? Makes no sense, just like anything else in the bible, IE why does god make horribly disfigured people or people with extra fingers or heads or limbs. I have a word for people with this belief, it's called a bigot.
If they are born with it and strictly follow that path eventually over time they would become extinct - perhaps why other creatures seem far less prone to the behavior. If it is a choice as it must be the participants rights as a minority should be recognized by them as with everyone else. Just that not everyone and in fact the majority may indeed not care to participate and need not be harassed in many cases by a minority view.....the choice being what it is.
Some people are that way, life goes on. We would not be extinct because SOME people are gay; right now the world is overpopulated - consider that, please. Gays don't harass heterosexuals - bigots harass them.
I think what PHPGator was saying was that he wouldn't personally treat a gay person as inferior or discriminate against them in any way just because they are gay. His religion sees it as a sin and he accepts it as such but he doesn't hate people for committing a sin no matter what the sin is, especially if it doesn't affect him personally in any way. Only the racist/bigot Christians who were pre-disposed to be that way anyway are like that not all of them. Some of them choose to hate the sin and not the sinner. I can respect that.
George I think you're reading a lot into what he said in terms of what he actually meant. You're assuming he wouldn't hate a murderer, a child killer, a paedophile, etc. when in reality most of us hate these people - to not goes against evolution.
I hate it tremendously when people post such derogatory, stupid and baseless comments without making any attempts to verify their facts. I am a devoted Hindu myself and would love to see you prove your point by showing me adequate proofs to honour your words. Homosexuality is, without a doubt, a seriously controversial topic in Hinduism. But if you look closely it has been depicted extensively in sculptures, paintings, religous books etc. and this has been the case since the Vedic Times (600 BC) The reason homosexuality was illegal in India is because of the colonial British Laws and also owing to the fact that we Indians refrain from discussing our sexuality as openly as our western counterparts. But the Delhi High Court clearly stated that this violated the fundamental law of personal liberty and hence Homosexuality was decriminalized in India. The youth has been terribly misled when it comes to anything that even remotely touches religion. When Deepa Mehta's film Fire which showcased a romantic relationship between two Hindu Women released in India - there was a terrible outrage. But the reason for this was NOT homophobia, rather the reason cited was that the movie was against Indian Culture. Also, the ruling party at that time - the BJP which happens to be a HINDU NATIONALIST PARTY had clearly refused to BAN it. Have you heard the story of King Bhagiratha? You'd have to go through the Krritivasa Ramayana for that. Here's a quote from the wiki for you... Even the Kamasutra - (I believe this is everyone's favorite topic) - And the Sushruta Samhita (a very important Hindu Medical text) - Gays, lesbians and bisexuals are perfectly natural people. I interact with them on a daily basis. The counter lady at the McDonalds I frequent is dating a woman who works in the same building as me. And both these woman are some of the best people I know. I've relied on them with my best kept secrets and they listened and helped me as much as they could. When talking to them, messaging them, answering their phones - not once does their sexuality strike me. I've known this couple since two years - and when homosexuality was decriminalized in India - I spent the night with them painting the town red. I have to confess - the couple knows very well on how to have a great time. Does this relate to their sexuality in anyway? No! People have their own preferences. I might like a white color dress and you may find it simply boring. It's all in the genes and it's not a mistake, a sin or a mental disease for that matter. It's time people like you grew up. /rant
Obviously this is going to turn into the age old debate of "were homosexuals born as a homosexual?", which I would rather not get into just because it will lead to no where. This is probably something we may disagree on. However, for the record, I don't believe you are "born gay". I believe we all naturally struggle with things, primarily because of the way our mind works and the things we have encountered from the time we were born. It is the result of us being born into sin as a descendant of Adam and Eve. For example, I wasn't born a drunkard. However, had I had parents who were, had been subjectively exposed to it, had I found myself partying on a regular basis, there is potential that I could have ended up as a drunk due to my sinful nature. However, I don't drink alcohol at all, my parents never drank, so I never had the urge too. I have tasted it, I don't like it, it's not that I think drinking in and of itself is a sin. Still though, I think homosexuality is just like any other sin such as that. It is something that they struggle with, not that they are born with. I don't fault people who struggle with things, but they are just like anyone else and require a repentant heart to be saved.
This is exactly right. Jesus didn't hate the people, he hated the sin! He hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors (thief's essentially during this time period). He didn't approve of their sin, but he certainly wanted to lead them in the right direction. Christians who think they are somehow superior to anyone else has a very dangerous mentality. We were all under sin at one point, regardless of what sin that might be. We all need a savior in my eyes.
That's why I am a Atheism. I want to decide what is right and what is wrong myself. Not from some "books" by unknown writers.
The Bible says that God created man and woman - nothing "in between", and each of us belongs to the sex opposite to us as our partner. Although the rules are clear, I don't think homosexuals should be treated negatively, even in church. I've got gay and lesbian friends who are really good people.
If you study the history of religions you'll find that there comes a time when middle class men take over. When this happens they adjust, censor and add elements to liturgy and practices which serve their own purposes and big themselves up in the hierarchy. The history of Christianity offers the best examples of this.
No we don't. We know who translated some of them. Some people reckon King James wrote the Bible and some others think that Jesus Christ wrote them both are completely wrong.