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.

Now, I respect fully that you do not evangelize your POV on others. I suppose I might argue, however, that the cause for political action is only due to the inequity of legal rights. Even if you don't approve of homosexual behavior, do you think it is fair that the state doesn't allow gay people the same rights (marriage) as straight people? Certainly lots of people do things you don't approve of -- people drink and gamble etc. -- but do you think they deserve fewer legal rights?

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.

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.

You can go on telling yourself you're not homophobic and you treat everyone "with great dignity." But when you oppose marriage....what is that? How is that treating other people as God's children? How do you square that as a "lifestyle choice" or a cause for political action?

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.

Anonymous wrote:It is easy to point out people who are different and attack them.

You missed the point

It is easy to point out people who are different and attack them.

Anonymous wrote:If my religion taught me to hate, I'd be looking for a new religion.

Of course, I grew up in a middle class Jewish home where I was taught to question everything. So I have the skills to do that.

I think a broader issue is the religions that ask you follow without asking any questions.

The religion is not teaching people to hate. You must not have the skill to read and decipher what the religions do teach.

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 could have written the exact same thing as above. And the rest of my family is this way too, so, I guess, + about 10.

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.

Anonymous wrote:i think it's complicated. I'd like to say that i think everyone should be able to believe what they want and I will tolerate their beliefs and not judge them. However i think certain beliefs cause harm to others and that is not ok with me. If you think homosexuality is wrong and that is how you feel based on your religion or internal moral clock or what have you then i think that is fine. However, if you treat homosexuals differently and don't want to give them rights or verbally abuse them or in any way hurt their feelings then i think that is wrong and I judge you for that ( and can't help it). I guess i feel like " i tolerate you as long as you tolerate others." However that just isn't how it is. We all think/feel differently. I guess I agree more with your husband. I think we should teach our children love and tolerance and that we're all different…. not that some people are wrong based on a sexual preference.

I'm sure i just talked in circles here!

I agree. However, the parents are not always teaching their kids intolerance, some are just telling their kids that homosexuality is a sin. To me, that is the beauty of having children, you can teach them what you think is right.

If my religion taught me to hate, I'd be looking for a new religion.

Of course, I grew up in a middle class Jewish home where I was taught to question everything. So I have the skills to do that.

I think a broader issue is the religions that ask you follow without asking any questions.

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.

i think it's complicated. I'd like to say that i think everyone should be able to believe what they want and I will tolerate their beliefs and not judge them. However i think certain beliefs cause harm to others and that is not ok with me. If you think homosexuality is wrong and that is how you feel based on your religion or internal moral clock or what have you then i think that is fine. However, if you treat homosexuals differently and don't want to give them rights or verbally abuse them or in any way hurt their feelings then i think that is wrong and I judge you for that ( and can't help it). I guess i feel like " i tolerate you as long as you tolerate others." However that just isn't how it is. We all think/feel differently. I guess I agree more with your husband. I think we should teach our children love and tolerance and that we're all different…. not that some people are wrong based on a sexual preference.

I'm sure i just talked in circles here!

i don't get yor question

then why do we call these people out as unethical?

I am an athiest myself and have no opposition to a gay lifestyle. However, I am also not judgemental of people who have a great belief in their religious teachings. As long as the beliefs don't harm me directly in any way, like embarrassing condescending public tirades against any group, including gays.

But my question is more about people like my husband, who insists that religious Christians are unethical when they teach their own kids that homosexuality is wrong. I don't get how anyone could be so judgemental as to want to cross over into someone else's life to fix their religion.