I'm married with 3 children and I can honestly say I've never been attracted to another woman. I'm just NOT. But I don't necessarily think it's WRONG, it just doesn't apply to me. The same way some people go to church every day. I don't do that. Others exercise every day. I OBVIOUSLY don't do that, although I definitely SHOULD. Some people choose to homeschool their children, again, not for me. Do I think it's "wrong"? No. Can I give you reasons why *I* wouldn't do it? Absolutely. And yet, there are hundreds of thousands of people homeschooling their children. I was raised Catholic. I have friends that are Lutheran, Baptist, even some that are agnostic. But that doesn't make me love them any less. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, but it's just that, THEIR BELIEFS! As long as you don't try to MAKE me agree with you, then I'm fine with it. I know a lot of people are quoting the Bible and saying it's Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve. (BTW, that cracks me up every time I hear it). But ask yourself this question: How long ago was it that people were quoting the same Bible to justify slavery? And unequal rights for women? Unfortunately, it wasn't that long ago. Can you imagine where we'd be today if that was still going on?
When you are in a position of power or in the public eye, don't be surprised about people getting pissed off at you when you make a statement about something that people are so passionate about. No matter what your position is, you're not going to have 100% agreement from the rest of the world. So you need to be prepared for that if you want to make a stand. And don't play "victim" when people start going off on you. If that's how you feel, fine. Stand up for yourself. But then don't expect a pity party from the backlash. At least not one from me.
Another thing: The people that are using religion as justification for it to be "wrong", really irritate me, and here's why. Don't go around preaching about how good and how great God is, and then say that He doesn't love someone because of their beliefs. Do you NOT see a problem with this? Because *I* do. A MAJOR PROBLEM. If you want to talk about God and Jesus, consider Jesus for a moment. He never turned ANYONE down. He was a friend to sinners, (and let's face it, we're ALL sinners), lepers, even those that betrayed Him, i.e. Judas and Peter - He never stopped loving them, and He even forgave them. So why wouldn't God/Jesus do the same for Gays? Do you really think He'd accept someone that BETRAYED Him, but NOT accept someone just because they're gay? Seriously. I don't see that happening. And I have a hard time with "Christians" condemning anyone just because they are gay, or black, or a different religion. Doesn't sound very CHRISTIAN to me.
Last thing: I have 3 children. Do I think any of them are gay or will "become" gay? Now, no. Maybe? Who knows? But do you think if they did/were that I would love them any less? They're my CHILDREN! I will love them NO MATTER WHAT. And aren't WE GOD'S children? God loves UNCONDITIONALLY. He loves more than we do. He accepts more than we do. He forgives more than we do. Aren't we supposed to "model" ourselves after Him? If YOUR God preaches hate, unforgiveness, and judgement, then I'm sorry, but we must not believe in the same God. Because MY God doesn't. MY God preaches love, forgiveness, and acceptance. And personally, I like MY God better.
Posts
11 comments:
For me, it's not a gay/not gay issue. I have friends that are gay. Is it for me? Nope. But it's their life not mine.
For me, it's a right to free speech issue. This guy has the right to state how he feels. Do people have to agree with him? Nope. But is this any different than a company that applauds gay rights? They get positive press for standing up for the underdog. This guy should be accorded the same consideration.
The thing is, people in this country want SPECIAL rights for whatever cause they believe in or whatever minority they belong to. They don't want EQUAL rights - they want SPECIAL just for them rights. It's ok to have the "negro college fund" but let someone start a "white college fund" and every minority in the country will be throwing a fit about discrimination.
Just my 2 cents...
I agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But then don’t play victim when people don’t AGREE with that opinion; esp when you’re a public figure. My other problem is if he had come out in SUPPORT of it, MOST of the same people that are DEFENDING him, would likely be CONDEMNING him.
I think that there is so much rhetoric that it is hard to have an adult conversation about this topic. The media, politicians and others in power these wedge issues to divide us. They create controversy because it generates money. The general public likes it because they don't have to think about complex issues. The talking head does it for them. In all this is a sad commentary on USA society at the moment. That we will let these talking heads dictate how we think. Sad indeed.
Wayne, next time I will have you write my post, because you said it better in 6 sentences than I did in my whole post. Well said. VERY well said. And I totally agree with you 100%.
You're right, Mich... everyone is hyped up about this because many people have very strong feelings. As a Christian, and as someone who does not believe in gay marriage (which is what Chick Fil-A stated they were against), I have to say I hate all the problems this has caused.
I don't believe in gay marriage either. The Bible does teach that it's wrong. As a former pastor I can give you a number of verses that support that statement. But Amy said it very well, too. It's not about gay rights. It's not about whether or not anyone believes that homosexuality is acceptable or not. It's about free speech.
If someone who supports gay marriage has the right to say openly that they support it, then those who oppose it should have the same right. It's in our Constitution.
I think both sides need to chill and realize what is really being said.
People get very emotional and take things out of context.
I agree that a lot of it is about Freedom of Speech. And I'm all for Freedom of Speech. I'm just saying that if he'd come out FOR gay marriage, a lot of the same people who are supporting him, would be condemning him.
He can say whatever he wants and believe whatever he wants. But I don't have to agree with him. It doesn't make ME wrong, anymore than it makes HIM wrong.
I want my kids to listen to me and study all the time and do their chores. But of course they don't. But I still love them. And I still believe that God loves and accepts EVERYONE. No matter what.
Shell, I totally agree. And that's basically what I'm saying. You're entitled to your opinion. And I'm entitled to mine. Just because mine may or may not be the same as yours, doesn't make me a bad person. We're just different.
You're absolutely right, Mich... and the issue of you being able to agree or disagree is what the freedom of speech is all about. :o)
This whole bruhaha is both fascinating and frustrating to watch from afar. Iagree that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and, to some extent, to be able to state those opinions openly.
What is fascinating is that this is still such an issue in the United States. My quality of life has not changes since Canada agreed that marriage equality was the correct way to proceed. In fact, it hasn't affected me at all. It has however, allowed countless people in and around me to finally join their lives together, to be given rights that heterosexuals take for granted.
So I see this whole thing as less about free speech and more about how the rights of one group are being suppressed by a religious group . . . something that many Westerners frown upon in Middle Eastern countries.
Jenn
Can I get an AMEN! You just wrote down everything in my head, bullet point by bullet point. Well said.
Post a Comment