If your religion tells you that homosexuality is wrong

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think for me its the blatant hipocrisy. The Bible condemns a lot of things, but because this thing makes you uncomfortable, its what you choose to focus on.

I don't believe homosexuality is a choice someone has made, so to me, its the same thing as using religious convictions to justify racism, sexism, classism, etc. You're faulting and condemning people for something they have not chosen, and you're teaching your children hate.

But many of the people who believe that homosexuality is wrong also preach and believe that all the other sins of the flesh are wrong too: premarital sex, promiscuity, gambling, alcohol, drugs, etc.

How about divorce (and remarriage)? Jesus said in cases other than sexual immorality, it's a sin. But churches remarry people all the time.

Not all churches. Catholics don't.

[Anonymous]

Remember Sodom and Gomorrah

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think for me its the blatant hipocrisy. The Bible condemns a lot of things, but because this thing makes you uncomfortable, its what you choose to focus on.

I don't believe homosexuality is a choice someone has made, so to me, its the same thing as using religious convictions to justify racism, sexism, classism, etc. You're faulting and condemning people for something they have not chosen, and you're teaching your children hate.

But many of the people who believe that homosexuality is wrong also preach and believe that all the other sins of the flesh are wrong too: premarital sex, promiscuity, gambling, alcohol, drugs, etc.

How about divorce (and remarriage)? Jesus said in cases other than sexual immorality, it's a sin. But churches remarry people all the time.

what about infidelity? That was also called out as being a very bad sin.

The problem with all of this is that people have decided to pick and choose what they want other people to aspire to while ignoring the flaws in themselves. There is a great pic somewhere on the internet of a guy with a tattoo of the quote in Leviticus that states homosexuality is wrong, but in that same chapter it also forbids getting a tattoo.... doh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience as a non denominational, Bible believing Christian, I like OPs point. It can't be unethical to believe that homosexuality is a sin. I oppose homosexual marriage, too.

I don't hate gay people. I keep my views to myself and beyond not joining a church that would allow gay marriages and/or allow an openly gay clergy member and voting against marriage equality, I am not out there openly protesting...anything.

My religious beliefs include treating all people with great dignity. We're all God's children, etc. I'm not homophobic (I do hate that word) and have no "fear" of homosexuals, I just don't support homosexuality as a lifestyle choice, cause for political action, etc.

I respect your for being brave enough to express your opinion. I believe you have a journey to goodness like everybody else.

But, I have a question. You said, you would not join a church with an openly gay clergy member. But would you join a church with a fat clergy member even though gluttony is a sin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think for me its the blatant hipocrisy. The Bible condemns a lot of things, but because this thing makes you uncomfortable, its what you choose to focus on.

I don't believe homosexuality is a choice someone has made, so to me, its the same thing as using religious convictions to justify racism, sexism, classism, etc. You're faulting and condemning people for something they have not chosen, and you're teaching your children hate.

But many of the people who believe that homosexuality is wrong also preach and believe that all the other sins of the flesh are wrong too: premarital sex, promiscuity, gambling, alcohol, drugs, etc.

There is much more fervor behind the condemnation of homosexuality, with little attention shown toward much more important things; charity, selflessness, honesty, etc. Its been a long time, so forgive me, but I'm pretty sure the Bible also has a lot to say about passing judgement ("judge not, lest ye be judged", "let he who is without sin throw the first stone"). If you're going to throw bible verses at people and judge them, you ought to make sure your own house is in order first.

[Anonymous]

A lot of religious people (not all) support bans on rights like same sex marriage. Would these same people support bans on rights of gluttony? Premarital sex? Divorce? Gambling? Shellfish?

For some reason, they believe the right to make your own decisions only applies to the decisions THEY want to make - not the decisions of ALL people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of religious people (not all) support bans on rights like same sex marriage. Would these same people support bans on rights of gluttony? Premarital sex? Divorce? Gambling? Shellfish?

For some reason, they believe the right to make your own decisions only applies to the decisions THEY want to make - not the decisions of ALL people.

Anything having to do with sexuality will get people to be more emotional. So the other vices that you mentioned will not be as great a place in peoples minds.
That is OK. If we respect the rights of others and their religious beliefs, we should tolerate their disapproval of homosexuality.

[Anonymous]

If we respect the rights of others and their religious beliefs, we should tolerate their disapproval of homosexuality.

Yes, they have the right to think and say what they want. They have the right to float their opinions in the "marketplace of ideas".

At various times throughout history the Bible, as interpreted by mainstream American branches of Christianity, has been used to justify slavery and anti-miscegenation laws, as well. And there are white supremacist groups in the US even today who argue that the Bible does not permit inter-racial marriage. They have the right to believe what they want, but the tide of cultural evolution in this country has passed them by.

Just as they have the right to believe what they want, the rest of us have the right to ignore them or hold unfavorable opinions of them for their opinions. Respecting their right to have their own position is not equivalent to respecting the position.

As demonstrated by a recent Harris poll (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/mid/1508/ArticleId/1353/Default.aspx), a significant (but fortunately shrinking) percentage of Christians in this country do not accept the Theory of Evolution. They are entitled to have that opinion, just as I am entitled to consider that opinion ignorant. I do not have to respect their opinion in order to permit them to hold their own opinion.

[Anonymous]

People's INTERPRETATION of the Word varies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of religious people (not all) support bans on rights like same sex marriage. Would these same people support bans on rights of gluttony? Premarital sex? Divorce? Gambling? Shellfish?

For some reason, they believe the right to make your own decisions only applies to the decisions THEY want to make - not the decisions of ALL people.

Anything having to do with sexuality will get people to be more emotional. So the other vices that you mentioned will not be as great a place in peoples minds.
That is OK. If we respect the rights of others and their religious beliefs, we should tolerate their disapproval of homosexuality.

Are you willing to tolerate their acceptance of slavery? Or their disrespectful treatment of someone who comes from a lower caste than they do? Or their belief that women should not be educated or own property? These are/were all supported by various religions. Also, what if their children turn out to be gay? Is it okay for them to reject their children?

Look if someone is, say, my neighbor and I see them every morning on the way to work, I will smile and say hello. When we stop to pass the time of day, I will talk about the weather. Even if we get into a deeper conversation, I will avoid talking about politics. But if they say something to me personally in support of slavery, justifying poor treatment of Untouchables, outright saying that God did not intend women to have an education or work outside the home, or that homosexuality is a sin, you're goddamned right I have the right to judge them, whether I tell them directly or not.

If you can be consistent and say that you will never judge anyone who uses their religion to justify any intolerant view, then I can at least respect you for that even though I don't agree. But if it's only about homosexuality, well, I can't respect that. My kid's gay. I've seen what she's gone through and I would never wish parents like the kind you describe on a gay kid. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of religious people (not all) support bans on rights like same sex marriage. Would these same people support bans on rights of gluttony? Premarital sex? Divorce? Gambling? Shellfish?

For some reason, they believe the right to make your own decisions only applies to the decisions THEY want to make - not the decisions of ALL people.

Anything having to do with sexuality will get people to be more emotional. So the other vices that you mentioned will not be as great a place in peoples minds.
That is OK. If we respect the rights of others and their religious beliefs, we should tolerate their disapproval of homosexuality.

Are you willing to tolerate their acceptance of slavery? Or their disrespectful treatment of someone who comes from a lower caste than they do? Or their belief that women should not be educated or own property? These are/were all supported by various religions. Also, what if their children turn out to be gay? Is it okay for them to reject their children?

Look if someone is, say, my neighbor and I see them every morning on the way to work, I will smile and say hello. When we stop to pass the time of day, I will talk about the weather. Even if we get into a deeper conversation, I will avoid talking about politics. But if they say something to me personally in support of slavery, justifying poor treatment of Untouchables, outright saying that God did not intend women to have an education or work outside the home, or that homosexuality is a sin, you're goddamned right I have the right to judge them, whether I tell them directly or not.

If you can be consistent and say that you will never judge anyone who uses their religion to justify any intolerant view, then I can at least respect you for that even though I don't agree. But if it's only about homosexuality, well, I can't respect that. My kid's gay. I've seen what she's gone through and I would never wish parents like the kind you describe on a gay kid. Sorry.

What if someone said that their religion frowns on premarital sex, and they live by that, does that bother you? These sex rules usually come as a package with little wiggle room to pick and choose. They are usually strict rules for the more religious people. Would you call someone unethical for deciding not to have sex before marriage.