Does Homosexuality Stem From a Failure to Bond with the Same-Sex Parent?

hardworker40 »

Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:45 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

You know what is really unatural? Living in a Christain vacuum.

Does Homosexuality Stem From a Failure to Bond with the Same-Sex Parent?

hardworker40 »

Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:44 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

No one will ever convince anyone who blindly follows the bible anything other than gays are going to hell. So why bother wasting your time with all of this? Be a living example for your Christ and be done with it. That is all you need do anyway to be a good Christian. I'm gay...had a dad and mom who loved me. I was an unplanned pregnancy, 5 years behind my older sibling. I knew i liked men by the age of 9, had no sexual abuse of any kind.....had my first kiss at 20 and it was amazing and pure. The only thing that has ever caused me grief over being gay is my Christian family members. Other than that, things are pretty normal (you guys will hate that I used that word, I know). Why can't you guys just let it go? It is like beating a dead horse. People are different than you...BIG DEAL.

Homosexuality: Misconceptions in Ministry

hardworker40 »

Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:41 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 2

I was raised Christian. I felt a lot of guilt about being gay in my early life because of my church and what the bible says. Then I decided to stop the madness. Ever since then, I have been better off. You can try to change a gay person
but it is like trying to change his eye color or make him write using his other hand. Imagine if someone tried to make you like the same sex for a moment. Unsettling, right? Well, that is what it is like for us to try and change. You may try, but you will never pray away the gay. The millions that were spent to defeat Prop 8 recently sure could have built a lot of schools in Africa or fed hungry mouths here at home. What a shame. The best thing a Christian can do is live an example with his own house. Others will respond more to that than anything you could throw money towards. Go ahead and quote scripture all day long. We are not going anywhere. The Pilgrims came here to escape religeous persecution. Funny here I am today trying to do the same thing so I can protect my future and the future of my children and my partner. Jesus save me from your followers.
Save your scripture quotes as I know all of them by heart.

Getting the Whole Story Out on Christians and Homosexuality

hardworker40 »

Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:11 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I never set out to change anyones mind here. I simply wanted to offer my point of view. It is obvious that most of you on here are Christian/bible robots who care more about imposing Biblical teaching on non believers than about liberty and freedom for all. Count yourselves blessed, and I am certain you do, that none of you are a minority in the U.S.A. because if you were then you might have more empathy. I wish the best for all of you. I will not be back here. I need all of my energy to run my fruitful life for the good of my beautiful family (the one you think is an abomination). buh-bye.

Getting the Whole Story Out on Christians and Homosexuality

hardworker40 »

Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:31 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

History does offer any number of court decisions and federal mandates that marked radical steps forward in the struggles of women and ethnic minorities. More fundamentally, the principle that Americans of all creeds and colors are protected against the tyranny of the majority is dear to anyone who bothered to pay attention in a high-school level U.S. history class. "The whole purpose of putting protections for minorities into the constitution is to protect them from the transient will of the majority," says Joseph Grodin, a professor at Hastings College of the Law. "And that's the whole purpose of judicial review."

This too will be the path of our right to marry. So one day, it will be protected. That is the beauty of our constitution. Time is on the side of eventual equality. The blacks had to wait, the women had to wait, and so to shall we wait. I will marry the love of my life as did my father and his.

Getting the Whole Story Out on Christians and Homosexuality

hardworker40 »

Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:13 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

Believer-
Well, all I can say is I have voiced my side here. I respect your opinions and views. Be a strong Christian example, by all means. But just remember that all families deserve protection in our nation, even ones that look different than yours. Please support domestic partnership at the very least. Civil rights are for all, not just some. As I said before, all minority groups have had to fight for equal treatment under the laws of the great nation. Not under the laws of the bible, but of this great nation. You should be thankful that we do not have a Muslim majority here or else you would walking be in my shoes. Be devout, but be fair. That may mean respecting the laws as they change over the next 15 years. My family is just as dear to me as yours is to you. You cannot fault me for standing up for that principle as an American. May the spirit of God always guide your heart and conscience.

Getting the Whole Story Out on Christians and Homosexuality

hardworker40 »

Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:22 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Ender says that he is a Christian first. And that his nationality is irrelevant to God as is my form of government. Ender, that sounds like the extremists we are fighting in the Middle East right now. I do not understand how you do not see that. I am not saying you are going to kill anyone, but the mindset is similarly rigid and unyielding and un-American in my opinion. Put yourself in my shoes. I do not even think you can.

Getting the Whole Story Out on Christians and Homosexuality

hardworker40 »

Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:19 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Sorry, I am having trouble with my postings coming through completely. Here is one more try.

Ender- When it comes to this country and making decisions about the rights of my fellow Americans, then yes country and constitutional ideals about freedom are on my mind above God AT THAT POINT. God reigns my heart and home. Principles of personal freedom and liberty reign this country. It is that very freedom that allows you to worship as you choose freely and follow the path of your own heart. These are beautiful things indeed. So you should follow your convictions as you see fit. I have grown up in a fine Christian home with a mother and a father and 2 siblings. I have been raised in this country (OUR country). I have been taught your values and the importance of marriage and then am denied the right to form my own family because folks do not think I should do that. I respect your freedom to worship and live your life how you choose. However, democracy is for voting our leaders to office and not for limiting civil rights. If a person votes a certain way because of his/her religious beliefs, to the detriment of another persons civil rights, then I am sorry, but those people are not embodying the American spirit. In my opinion, those people are no better than religious extremists who dictate that the world should bend to his/her own personal view of what his/her bible or torah or Quran says God wants. You will never find me voting against your freedoms. I would defend your rights to the death. You are my American brother. As your rights go, so go mine.
Ender says, “I am a Christian first. My nationality is irrelevant to God as is my form of government.” Ender that sounds like the extremists we are fighting in the Middle East right now. I do not understand how you do not see that. I am not saying you are going to kill anyone, but the mindset is similarly rigid and unyielding and un-American in my opinion. Put yourself in my shoes. I do not even think you can.

Getting the Whole Story Out on Christians and Homosexuality

hardworker40 »

Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:16 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Sorry, I am having trouble with my postings coming through completely. Here is another try.

Ender- When it comes to this country and making decisions about the rights of my fellow Americans, then yes country and constitutional ideals about freedom are on my mind above God AT THAT POINT. God reigns my heart and home. Principles of personal freedom and liberty reign this country. It is that very freedom that allows you to worship as you choose freely and follow the path of your own heart. These are beautiful things indeed. So you should follow your convictions as you see fit. I have grown up in a fine Christian home with a mother and a father and 2 siblings. I have been raised in this country (OUR country). I have been taught your values and the importance of marriage and then am denied the right to form my own family because folks don’t think I should do that. I respect your freedom to worship and live your life how you choose. However, democracy is for voting our leaders to office and not for limiting civil rights. If a person votes a certain way because of his/her religious beliefs, to the detriment of another persons civil rights, then I am sorry, but those people are not embodying the American spirit. In my opinion, those people are no better than religious extremists who dictate that the world should bend to his/her own personal view of what his/her bible or torah or Quran says God wants. You will never find me voting against your freedoms. I would defend your rights to the death. You are my American brother. As your rights go, so go mine.
Ender says, “I am a Christian first. My nationality is irrelevant to God as is my form of government.” Ender that sounds like the extremists we are fighting in the Middle East right now. I do not understand how you do not see that. I am not saying you are going to kill anyone, but the mindset is similarly rigid and unyielding and un-American in my opinion. Put yourself in my shoes. I do not even think you can.

Getting the Whole Story Out on Christians and Homosexuality

hardworker40 »

Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:53 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Ender and believer (and anyone else who cares to understand another point of view),
I am not trying to change your minds about gay people I am only trying to bring to light that we too have rights on U.S. soil outside of your church and your personal religious convictions. It does not REALLY matter who voted for the bans. It was simply a blow for equality in the U.S. (civil rights are for everyone, even people you may not agree with or personally like). I would be fine with domestic partnership that would guarantee all of the same protections and rights as marriage. Unfortunately no one is willing to even throw us a bone there either. I would not expect nor ask a tax paying, law abiding heterosexual person to unite for life with a member of the same sex and start a family. Why would he/she ever do that? Why should I be afforded any less with the person I am in love with for 10 years now? This is why we stand up and fight for the equal treatment under the law as many groups have in the history of this nation. Nothing is ever just handed to a minority group. So be it.
Ender- When it comes to this country and making decisions about the rights of my fellow Americans, then yes Country and constitutional ideals about freedom are on my mind above God AT THAT POINT. God reigns my heart and home. Principles of personal freedom and liberty reign this country. It is that very freedom that allows you to worship as you choose freely and follow the path of your own heart. These are beautiful things indeed. So you should follow your convictions as you see fit. I have grown up in a fine Christian home with a mother and a father and 2 siblings. I have been raised in this country (my country that I love). I have been taught your values and the importance of marriage and then am denied the right to form my own family because folks don’t think I should do that. I respect your freedom to worship and live your life how you choose. However, democracy is for voting our leaders to office and not for limiting civil rights. If a person votes a certain way because of his/her religious beliefs, to the detriment of another persons civil rights, then I am sorry but those people are not embodying the American spirit. In my opinion those people are no better than religious extremists who dictate that the world should bend to his/her own personal view of what his/her Bible or Torah or Quran says God wants. You will never find me voting against your freedoms. I would defend your rights to the death. You are my American brother. As your rights go, so go mine.
Ender says, “I am a Christian first. My nationality is irrelevant to God as is my form of government.” Boy, Ender that sounds like the extremists we are fighting in the Middle East right now. I don’t understand how you do not see that. I’m not saying you are going to kill anyone, but the mindset is similarly rigid and unyielding and un-American in my opinion. Put yourself in my shoes. I do not even think you can.

Getting the Whole Story Out on Christians and Homosexuality

hardworker40 »

Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:53 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Ender and believer (and anyone else who cares to understand another point of view),
I am not trying to change your minds about gay people I am only trying to bring to light that we too have rights on U.S. soil outside of your church and your personal religious convictions. It does not REALLY matter who voted for the bans. It was simply a blow for equality in the U.S. (civil rights are for everyone, even people you may not agree with or personally like). I would be fine with domestic partnership that would guarantee all of the same protections and rights as marriage. Unfortunately no one is willing to even throw us a bone there either. I would not expect nor ask a tax paying, law abiding heterosexual person to unite for life with a member of the same sex and start a family. Why would he/she ever do that? Why should I be afforded any less with the person I am in love with for 10 years now? This is why we stand up and fight for the equal treatment under the law as many groups have in the history of this nation. Nothing is ever just handed to a minority group. So be it.
Ender- When it comes to this country and making decisions about the rights of my fellow Americans, then yes Country and constitutional ideals about freedom are on my mind above God AT THAT POINT. God reigns my heart and home. Principles of personal freedom and liberty reign this country. It is that very freedom that allows you to worship as you choose freely and follow the path of your own heart. These are beautiful things indeed. So you should follow your convictions as you see fit. I have grown up in a fine Christian home with a mother and a father and 2 siblings. I have been raised in this country (my country that I love). I have been taught your values and the importance of marriage and then am denied the right to form my own family because folks don’t think I should do that. I respect your freedom to worship and live your life how you choose. However, democracy is for voting our leaders to office and not for limiting civil rights. If a person votes a certain way because of his/her religious beliefs, to the detriment of another persons civil rights, then I am sorry but those people are not embodying the American spirit. In my opinion those people are no better than religious extremists who dictate that the world should bend to his/her own personal view of what his/her Bible or Torah or Quran says God wants. You will never find me voting against your freedoms. I would defend your rights to the death. You are my American brother. As your rights go, so go mine.
Ender says, “I am a Christian first. My nationality is irrelevant to God as is my form of government.” Boy, Ender that sounds like the extremists we are fighting in the Middle East right now. I don’t understand how you do not see that. I’m not saying you are going to kill anyone, but the mindset is similarly rigid and unyielding and un-American in my opinion. Put yourself in my shoes. I do not even think you can.

Pastors Preach Prop. 8 as Moral Issue

hardworker40 »

Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:05 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 2

last time!:
Be a shining example for Christ while being a great American too. Otherwise, are we any better than the Muslim extremist countries that enforce religious law on the masses????
Think about it. I know that the gay issue is important to you. But they are your American neighbors. If you do no think drinking to excess is right, then do not drink. If you do not like fowl language, then do no spew it. If you do no like gay stuff, then do not do any of it. The bible says that adultery is wrong, but it would be crazy to try and criminalize it in this country. It is a private matter. You may not agree with who someone falls in love with or why, but it is wrong to try and make it illegal because you disagree because of your religious belief, right? That would be tyrannical.

Pastors Preach Prop. 8 as Moral Issue

hardworker40 »

Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:04 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

One more try!:
Be a shining example for Christ while being a great American too. Otherwise, are we any better than the Muslim extremist countries that enforce religious law on the masses????
Think about it. I know that the gay issue is important to you. But they are your American neighbors. If you do no think drinking to excess is right, then do not drink. If you do not like fowl language, then do no spew it. If you do no like gay stuff, then do not do any of it. The bible says that adultery is wrong, but it would be crazy to try and criminalize it in this country. It is a private matter. You may not agree with who someone falls in love with or why…but it is wrong to try and make it illegal because you disagree because of your religious beliefs…right. That would be tyrannical.

SBC Head: Love the Homosexual, Hate OUR Sin

hardworker40 »

Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:54 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 1

You would serve Christ better to clothe and shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, cure the drug addict, care about the prostitute, comfort the ill...than to waste time on trying to change people that are fine the way they are. As an adult gay man, I can look back and know now that all the guilt and confusion I felt was proir to having a real relationship with God. Once I was free from a judgemental and self-righteous community of "Christians" I grew up around, my life made sense and God true power took over. There is nothing amiss in my heart or mind now. I thank God for sending me a remarkable and loving relationship 10 years ago. One day, we will marry in this great country. Because this is the land of the free.

Pastors Preach Prop. 8 as Moral Issue

hardworker40 »

Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:39 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

Continued from last comment:
Be a shining example for Christ while being a great American too. Otherwise, are we any better than the Muslim extremist countries that enforce religious law on the masses????
Think about it. I know that the gay issue is important to you. But they are your American neighbors. If you don’t think drinking to excess is right, then don’t drink. If you don’t like fowl language, then don’t spew it. If you don’t like gay stuff, then don’t do any of it. The bible says that adultery is wrong, but it would be crazy to try and criminalize it in this country. It is a private matter. You may not agree with who someone falls in love with or why…but it is wrong to try and make it illegal because you disagree because of your religious beliefs…right. That would be tyrannical.

Pastors Preach Prop. 8 as Moral Issue

hardworker40 »

Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:37 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Hey, folks...in case you didn't know it: this great country is not a theocracy. Also, all people in this great land have rights, like it or not. Thank heaven we can openly worship and speak freely about our faith, right? This country is founded on Christian principals (be kind, respect each other, don't kill each other) and not on what the bible says constitutes as sin. Thank Heaven, or we would have all been stoned to death by now.
In America, passing any type of legislation that separates, classifies or strips any law abiding group or class of people (large or small) of equal rights is wrong and very un-American.
Be a shining example for Christ while being a great American too. Otherwise, are we any better than the Muslim extremist countries that enforce religious law on the masses????
Think about it. I know that the gay issue is important to you. But they are your American neighbors. If you don’t think drinking to excess is right, then don’t drink. If you don’t like fowl language, then don’t spew it. If you don’t like gay stuff, then don’t do any of it. The bible says that adultery is wrong, but it would be crazy to try and criminalize it in this country. It is a private matter. You may not agree with who someone falls in love with or why…but it is wrong to try and make it illegal because you disagree because of your religious beliefs…right. That would be tyrannical.

Pastors Preach Prop. 8 as Moral Issue

hardworker40 »

Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:36 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

Hey, folks...in case you didn't know it… this great country is not a theocracy. Also, all people in this great land have rights, like it or not. Thank heaven we can openly worship and speak freely about our faith, right? This country is founded on Christian principals (be kind, respect each other, don't kill each other) and not on what the bible says constitutes as sin. Thank Heaven, or we would have all been stoned to death by now.
In America, passing any type of legislation that separates, classifies or strips any law abiding group or class of people (large or small) of equal rights is wrong and very un-American.
Be a shining example for Christ while being a great American too. Otherwise, are we any better than the Muslim extremist countries that enforce religious law on the masses????
Think about it. I know that the gay issue is important to you. But they are your American neighbors. If you don’t think drinking to excess is right, then don’t drink. If you don’t like fowl language, then don’t spew it. If you don’t like gay stuff, then don’t do any of it. The bible says that adultery is wrong, but it would be crazy to try and criminalize it in this country. It is a private matter. You may not agree with who someone falls in love with or why…but it is wrong to try and make it illegal because you disagree because of your religious beliefs…right. That would be tyrannical.

Pastors Preach Prop. 8 as Moral Issue

hardworker40 »

Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:35 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Hey, folks...in case you didn't know it… this great country is not a theocracy. Also, all people in this great land have rights, like it or not. Thank heaven we can openly worship and speak freely about our faith, right? This country is founded on Christian principals (be kind, respect each other, don't kill each other) and not on what the bible says constitutes as sin. Thank Heaven, or we would have all been stoned to death by now.
In America, passing any type of legislation that separates, classifies or strips any law abiding group or class of people (large or small) of equal rights is wrong and very un-American.
Be a shining example for Christ while being a great American too. Otherwise, are we any better than the Muslim extremist countries that enforce religious law on the masses????
Think about it. I know that the gay issue is important to you. But they are your American neighbors. If you don’t think drinking to excess is right, then don’t drink. If you don’t like fowl language, then don’t spew it. If you don’t like gay stuff, then don’t do any of it. The bible says that adultery is wrong, but it would be crazy to try and criminalize it in this country. It is a private matter. You may not agree with who someone falls in love with or why…but it is wrong to try and make it illegal because you disagree because of your religious beliefs…right. That would be tyrannical.

Getting the Whole Story Out on Christians and Homosexuality

hardworker40 »

Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:05 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

It's one thing for the churches to insist on their right to define the sacrament of marriage for their own members. But it's quite another for them to insist that they have a right to define the relationships of people outside their communities.
Also, having kids is not an exclusive element of marriage, and to try to equate marriage to children is ludicrous because sex is not the basis or sole end goal of marriage. Also, if you think being gay is a choice, then I ask you this: If you claim that you never made a choice to be heterosexual (that you just "are"), then what gives you the right or authority to declare that homosexuals CHOSE to be homosexuals?
Finally, gay men and women can and do have children. In Florida, where adoption is illegal for gays, a judge has just declared that law unconstitutional in November of 2008 adding that the prohibitive law is not in the best interest of children in need of a loving home. (Love is not exclusively Christian, by the way). Same sex couples have children of their own, either through a surrogate mother, artificial insemination or adoption (these are options that many heterosexual couples use). They have created families. It is a human path to fall in love and start a family regardless of what kind of package you arrived in on this earth. Once a family is in your life, it is only common sense to want to protect that family.
As a U.S. citizen, I personally feel insulted when I am faced with state and federal legislation that tells me I am not allowed to create and protect a family of my own. A record number of Gay U.S. citizens hold public offices presently. Gay U.S. citizens are doctors, lawyers, mothers, fathers, soldiers, police and firemen. But above all of this criteria.....Gay U.S. citizens are just that: U.S. CITIZENS. That alone should be enough to ensure that they too have the right to be protected from bias, be it religious or otherwise, and allowed to follow the path of the human heart (i.e. fall in love, get married, have a family, grow old together).

I would not expect nor ask a tax paying, law abiding heterosexual person to unite for life with a member of the same sex and start a family... Why would he/she ever do that? Why should I be afforded any less?
This great country, founded on Christian principles (respect your neighbor, be kind, don't kill anybody) and not the bible or church dogma, is a place for all of us...even people you may not agree with.
God Bless America!