Ziondaddy - Do what thou wilt. You have not quoted the entire rule. This is from the Wiccan Creed. (I am not wiccan but have been taught the law of harm none / the rule of three; a very similar commandment). Here is the entire phrase: Do what thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law, save you harm none. Now let's analyze that. Harm none. Means, absolutely, unequivocally none. Including s...more

Ziondaddy - Do what thou wilt. You have not quoted the entire rule. This is from the Wiccan Creed. (I am not wiccan but have been taught the law of harm none / the rule of three; a very similar commandment). Here is the entire phrase: Do what thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law, save you harm none. Now let's analyze that. Harm none. Means, absolutely, unequivocally none. Including self. Including people who harm you. There is no pray and get out of jail free card. What you do, you must be responsible for. What actions you take, you must be willing to accept the consequences of now, today, this instant.

I do not believe in Satan as you do. Because I know the history of it and I have be educated in what it really is. Satan, as a cloven footed, pitchfork carrying, horned creature is actually the demonized god of nature in an ancient religion.

Now to your fear of people holding hands and kissing - I have no problem with mild public displays of affection, straight people do it all the time. :) ANY outrageous displays however, I also do not like. I

As for acceptance, I don't care if you accept me or not. I would just like you to leave me alone, to make my own decisions, to protect my family as I see fit, to worship God as I wish, to follow my beliefs as I see fit. I think many gay people feel this way. This is not about acceptance or tolerance, it is about control of a minority. That is my opinion anyway.

Peace and Blessings to you Ziondaddy.less

In the end Walt, prayer is the only way to be sure about this. Not one of us are in your shoes, and only through talking to God can you find the right path for you. God will lead you into whatever way he wants you to go, wherever he will use your talents best. Have faith. Step out on Faith. And know God is guiding you. :)

Do people choose to be religious? Do you all remember when you choose to be christian? And religion is protected by law, it is a right to be whatever religion you wish. Even a satanist is protected, and they choose to be that. So whether something is innate or chosen, it matters not in many respects. Because both innate and chosen things can and are protected by law. Peace.

DP, while I agree 'sin' as in the concept of doing evil deeds can be a trap and can cause great pain, I do not see sin everywhere you do. So, I do not believe being gay is a sin and I believe God doesn't sees it as a sin. :) But I get that many Christians do see it that way, and respect that belief even if I disagree.

HO, I disagree with you. Speaking as a person in a committed relationship, it is most definitely not about sex. But how do I convince you of this? I cannot. So all I can say is can you show me where your information comes from which causes you to believe or solidifies your opinion that homosexuality is just addiction to sex? I would like to see how you came to your opinion. Perhaps then I ca...more

HO, I disagree with you. Speaking as a person in a committed relationship, it is most definitely not about sex. But how do I convince you of this? I cannot. So all I can say is can you show me where your information comes from which causes you to believe or solidifies your opinion that homosexuality is just addiction to sex?

I would like to see how you came to your opinion. Perhaps then I can address the error in it, or perhaps I will be persuaded. I will keep an open mind.

Peace.less

Actually, the movement for equality started at the same time as the Civil Rights movement did. And who is forcing you do accept anything? No one is. Do people who are prejudice against another person based on race have to accept that race? no they don't. Do they still speak out against people they don't like... yes they do. Soooo what legal thing is in place or would be in place that would ca...more

Actually, the movement for equality started at the same time as the Civil Rights movement did. And who is forcing you do accept anything? No one is. Do people who are prejudice against another person based on race have to accept that race? no they don't. Do they still speak out against people they don't like... yes they do. Soooo what legal thing is in place or would be in place that would cause your rights as a citizen of this country to be harmed? Free speech protects your dissents, freedom of religion protects your worship... your marriage is still protected, you still have legal and spiritual rights bestowed upon you by the civil courts and your church respectively. :) this is why I do not understand strangers getting involved, on purpose, in other stranger's lives. Why do you care what my everyday decisions are? Did anything I decided to do today affect you? and how would you know?

Peace.less

HO two things come up when reading your post. One the song from Fiddler on the Roof, Tradition. :) Second, preference - as if choosing a soul mate, or partner was a matter of preferring for example like preferring blue pants to black. Preference suggests a willingness to endure the non-preferred thing. Which in the case of most people who are gay, is just not so. They don't prefer to be gay, ...more

HO two things come up when reading your post. One the song from Fiddler on the Roof, Tradition. :) Second, preference - as if choosing a soul mate, or partner was a matter of preferring for example like preferring blue pants to black. Preference suggests a willingness to endure the non-preferred thing. Which in the case of most people who are gay, is just not so. They don't prefer to be gay, they just are gay.

But even if someone chooses to be so, they would/should be held in the same category as religion in the sense that most choose their own religion, and one cannot be targeted for that choice, if they are the person perpetrating the negative action can and will be held accountable for religious intolerance. We have religious freedom, religion being a choice and not innate; and laws which demand equal treatment despite religious differences - why not equality and equal protection for gays and straights?

And as far as only room for one tradition in this nation, I beg to differ. There are already thousands of traditions in this nation. My religion has doesn't have a 'marriage' definition like Christians, and that is our tradition. What you are actually suggesting is that for you, there is no room for any other tradition but christian tradition. :) And in order for us to continue to be the Democratic Republic we are diverse traditions, cultures and peoples must be allowed to co-exist.

Blessing to you.less

This is a well written article. I agree, one must fill oneself with the spirit of God in order to be balanced. :) Side note: There is one aspect of christianity's view, however, I don't understand, the completely masculine nature of God. There is no room for women in God, even the spirit. Perhaps someone can help me understand why that is. :) Peace and blessings.

I see now. Thank you. We were defining the word differently. Gotcha. :)

Warning is one thing, but restriction of will is another. :) OF course, if you feel I am heading in a bad direction I respect you warning me, but if you don't allow me to use my free will, then I think it is not loving at all, but controlling. Does that make sense?

DP I am not sure I would say religion, but worship. Worship fills the spiritual need to connect with God. :) Religion just came out of people with common worship coming together to create a group.

God loves us all. We all are exactly as we should be with the potential to always be more. We should concern ourselves with our own path and not the path of our neighbors, unless they ask. But my prayer is this: Who ever fears, let them have courage, who ever is suppressed, let them find strength, who ever is harmed, let them find healing, wherever evil is committed, let light shine upon it...more

God loves us all. We all are exactly as we should be with the potential to always be more. We should concern ourselves with our own path and not the path of our neighbors, unless they ask.

But my prayer is this:
Who ever fears, let them have courage, who ever is suppressed, let them find strength, who ever is harmed, let them find healing, wherever evil is committed, let light shine upon it. May the love of God cover us all. :)less

I disagree with your natural law comment downtime, I think God not only works through natural law, I believe God created natural law. Just because we don't understand something doesn't mean it is supernatural or outside natural law - it is just a revelation we have not grasped yet. :)

Good Article - and I have to agree the enemy of a faith or anything really is indifference. My group stresses knowledge of both our traditions and of those around us. It is important to be a part of a community but also know what you are a part of. I don't see how anyone can be a part of a community and be ignorant of its beliefs. Seems strange, but looks like it is happening all over.

Druidism has been around since before christianity came to Britain. They were the religious leaders of the Celts both in Britannia and Gaul, and highly regarded. I am glad to see that now, despite thousands of years and a history filled with persecution they are being recognized. And Chicago, to become a Druid depends upon what tradition you would choose - each one has different requirements f...more

Druidism has been around since before christianity came to Britain. They were the religious leaders of the Celts both in Britannia and Gaul, and highly regarded. I am glad to see that now, despite thousands of years and a history filled with persecution they are being recognized. And Chicago, to become a Druid depends upon what tradition you would choose - each one has different requirements for becoming one of the priesthood. To practice however, anyone can do, though it is best to have a mentor.less

I agree we should all be allowed to have equality. I wear my star out and proud and would defend you wearing a cross and an muslim woman wearing her headscarf (hijab I think it is called). Expression of religion is a good thing, it opens the door for conversation.