At school and at home people say that gay sex and marriage is wrong, does it say in the bible or is it just a bunch of bull-honkey? And how did the whole calling everything "Gay" come about, an example being is "Dude did you see that shirt is was like so totally gay"..What And Where did Gay become a every day phrase? Maybe I should come out from under the rock.
134650
People who say that the Bible obviously condemns homosexuality have not studied the sources very well. The simple historical fact of the matter is that many, many Biblical passages, including those which are now said to be about homosexual acts, have been interpretted and reinterpretted with the times to mean vastly different things. Add to that the fact that some translations of the Bible, such as the King James version, were rewritten in areas to fit King James' political agenda and you have one big mess. \n\nThe best way to understand the Bible is to realize that it was written thousands of years ago, and to try to interpret what it was supposed to mean during those times. Figures of speech and illusions to things that were common place and obvious back then aren't the same now. For example, many Biblical scholars agree that the old testament lines regarding "unnatural" acts between men had to do with condemning pagan rituals of the time that involved sex. Much of the old testament is dedicated to laws that would preserve Jewish culture and keep it separate from competing cultures in the area. Sodom & Gomorrah's sin was bad hospitality to travelers, NOT homosexual sex.\n\nAlso, eating shellfish and wearing fabrics made of two separate materials are considered abominations and called such in the same chapters of the Bible that condemn men laying with men. Christians are fond of saying that Jesus made the old laws obsolete, and yet they quote out of Leviticus to condemn homosexuals. What about the abominations they commit everytime they wear cotton/polyester or eat at Red Lobster? Those are easy to ignore, but when there's an easy quote to throw at gays, they'll use it.\n\nIf you're interested in a more scholarly interpretation of the Bible than what a few biggots would have you believe, please read "What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality" by Daniel Helminiak. He's not some random gay person who could be said to have an "agenda," he's a real Catholic priest.
336103
"everything a gay person does is gay because they are gay themselves" - I love that!! Does it extend to all the mundane day-today stuff too? ;)\n\n"gayness is not a sex act". I'm glad you included that. I get fed up with people saying homosexuality is wrong because gay couples can't procreate. Technically, my DH and I can't have children naturally - does that mean that our love is sinful too? When will people realise that relationships are about love and emotion and not just about sex?
33319
the funny thing is, the original text of the OLD testament didn't say anything about homosexuality being a sin either. the part that's commonly translated to say "a man should not lie with another man as he would lie with a woman, that is detestable" was originally mistranslated on PURPOSE when some homophobic church leaders got together to write the king james version...the original hebrew text translates to "a man should not lie with another man in a woman's bed, that is unclean". so basically there's no restriction on who can have sex with whom, just where they are allowed to do it.
389034
birdman,\nI think that one of the most influencial Gay people in all the annals of history is . . . . King James (Prince James) who was responsible for the translation of the King James Bible. He was about as Gay as anyone could be. \n\nIt's not like there weren't any bibles before that, there were. The Great Bible was the main bible of the time, but the King James became more used sometime after that. \n\nBut look at it's influence upon so many people, for so many years. I have no doubt that King James was a saved man, though Gay, and could quote verses and argue effectively with the clergy of the day. He would look forward to the chances that he got to do so.\n\nStrangely enough, those that are most strict with their condemnation of Gays, use the King James Bible, while saying proudly that they use the "inerrant word of God" the King James 1611 version. \n\nAnd they don't.\n\nNo. The 1611 King James Bible had the Apocrypha in it. The Puritans decided that it should not be in there, and so it was taken out.\n\nSo the Fundies that condemn Gays are:\n1) Wrong about the Bible.\n2) Wrong about condemning Gays, rather than presenting the Gospel to them\n3) Are using a Bible that was funded lovingly by a Gay \nking.\n\nI call that VERY influential!
649904
in the bible, God says no. if he wanted gay people, he wouldn't have created adam and eve, it would have been adam and bob, and eve and lisa. it just ain't natural!!!!
315083
Beats me. One of the biggest things that turns me off to Christianity.\n\nThe Bible does speak of homosexuality being wrong. I have a problem with that. \n\nBut, it also speaks of those who follow it loving others as themselves, and that he who is without sin should throw the first stone.
656991
My advice to you is don't listen to the Christians. They use the "unnatural" and "abomination" arguments so much they've lost all meaning. Homosexuality is not a sin. I, like you, know good people who happen to be gay. And to address your confusion with the logic behind the persecution, there is no logic.
455437
The whole gay maariage thing is so bothersome to most because the gay people want to get married in churches \nnot even taking into account the act in itself is one of the sins of the bible and marriage well the word itself has been throughout\nhistory as the joining of a man and a women.  I do believe most Religious doctrines are upset that the use of marriage is being thrown around like the word is not a sacred bond between man and women that the word marriage should only be used to describe that bond of two opposite sex period.  Gay people must realize that word is sacred and is defined in the bible and many other books that have been written outside of the church sector.\nUse coupling, use partnering.  Marriage/married is a sacred word so if people are making this choice in life to be commiting a sin in the eyes of GOD then they should find their own word to remark on there relationship.
541378
Joanna,\nYou ask a genuinely thoughtful and, I think, respectful question.  You deserve a likewise, respectful answer.  I don't know your age, so I can't determine how much experience you may have talking about or hearing different views on the subject of   people's sexual orientation.  I've had many years of listening to the rantings of religious conservatives (granted, usually through the media) who have at various times claimed that: gays deserved AIDS as it is God's punishment for immoral behavior; gays and lesbians should not be allowed to teach school, providing a negative role model for kids; homosexuality is sinfully perverted, no different than pedophilia, or any number of other criminal behaviors; public signs of affection between same sex partners is somehow more disgusting and socially aberrant than straight PDA's; etc, etc, etc, etc, ad nauseum.\n\nIf gay people and those who know, love and support them and their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have a hard time having a "talk" with religious conservatives (Christian or otherwise) it may be because there often seems to be a condescending, 'holier than thou' attitude to these discussions.  We're told that "I love homosexuals, but hate their lifestyle", or "God made us all equal, but we must overcome our urges to sin"!  Ugh, it's depressing, frustrating and frankly insulting coming from someone who isn't gay and hasn't lived through the threats, intimidation and sometimes physical violence perpetrated on gay people.\n\nWe sometimes feel like the 'last acceptable minority' to single out to disparage and scapegoat.  Sorry, Joanna, but you asked the question, and I want you to know the answer from my perspective.  I'm a spiritual person, who believes deeply in my connection to God, the divine, and it's awfully offensive to have to hear people with no greater moral compass than I, and often I think, much less, offer pronouncements on my soul's fate.\n\nThat you've "never heard anyone say 'I HATE gays'...", doesn't sound very convincing to me, I'm afraid.  It does speak volumes about 'how' we hear what we hear, and what we 'want' to hear at times.  Trust me, it's being said, in many ways subtle, sometimes with sweet, sweet kind tones.....but make no mistake about it, the intention IS there.\n\nI wish we could have had this discussion in person; I certainly don't mean to offend you, and I hope I don't come across that way, but I do emphatically want to stress that when you, or anyone talks to a gay person about their life, lifestyle, etc. you are treading on something so fundamental, so private, and so much about who they are as a person, that you can't help but stir their deepest feelings.
628184
lol, yeah, i saw that comment too. people say the weirdest things, don't they?\n\ni also saw today a christian defend his right to condemn homosexuality, yet at the same time have the right to watch lesbian porn. He made this statement: " Woman on woman sex is a normal part of heterosexuality. Man on man sex is not."\n\nso, yeah, people say the weirdest things.
667554
I haven't read other responses yet, but I don't want to forget anything, so I'm gonna rush into my response.\nYou brought up some great points.  I think the main fact that you brought up is that our (when I say "our" I'm speaking for Christian conservatives b/c I can) beliefs have progressed for the better.  When you grow from being a child to an adult, your views of the world change.  The same thing can be said for collective thought.  I think that's a GOOD thing though.  It shows that we're changing for the better in many ways.  Thanks for letting your readers see how far we've come.\nOUR opinions aren't the last word.  You've just shown that.  However, from a Christian perspective, God's word IS the last word.  It (and HE) doesn't change.  Of course you can say that the God of the OT was a big meanie and the God of the NT was way nicer, but that's another discussion altogether.  In this respect, it's not wrong to say that the rules haven't changed.  Our UNDERSTANDING of the rules have.  The more you learn, the more you realize you don't know.  Cliched, but oh so true.  \nThe people who used (some still do) the Bible as an excuse to hate and abuse people of different color were NOT actually Biblically based.  They misunderstood (or intentionally so) the whole tribes thing & took that to mean different races.  Again, they weren't actually Biblically based.  People who say homosexuality is wrong and use the Bible to support that belief aren't taking the Bible out of context (in my opinion).  \n\nI can't speak for the bigoted stuff you mentioned like wearing sheets & crusading.  That's not a part of Christianity.  It's a part of retardation (no offense to mentally challenged people).  \n\nLike I said, your point is a valid one.  Opinions have changed, and they probably will again.  That doesn't mean we should just all not have opinions for fear that they will change.  There ARE fundamental truths, so it's important to hold fast to them.
358449
I think your right.  Christians have this outright hatred (something else Jesus condemned) for homosexuality, but turn a blind eye at 'traditional' sex outside of marriage.  The apostles said that if you can't remain unmarried and pure at heart then get married.\n\nI think the message of Christianity and Jesus has been wildly distorted.  And, its a lot simpler than most Christians would have you believe.
179762
sex is meant for procreating, anything else is an abberation?  Well how does that fit in with a couple who may not be able, for medical reasons, to have children?  Are they not allowed to have sex?  Are they looked upon by christians in the same way they look down on gays?  it makes no sense, there are too many loopholes in your interpretation of the Bible.\nI like gay people
49852
I am a straight man.  I have had many gay friends due to my involvement in theatre.  I do not hate homosexuals.  I am also a Christian and I know lots of people who hate homosexuality.  I don't understand why it is singled out as THE sin to hate.  I have told Fat christians that I think gluttony is a sin.  I have told rich Christians that greed is a sin.  I have then asked them why their sin is less of a sin then a homsexual's sin.  I have asked these questions many times in many adult Sunday School classes.  Needless to say it doesn't make me real popular.  So now to your question.  I think a lot of people hate homosexuals simply because they are told they should.  The Christian right is constantly bombarding us with the message that homosexuality is the number one threat to the family unit.  Of cours this is stupid.  Divorce, infidelity and not spending time together are the biggest threats to the family units I know about.  When a Christian tells me that homosexuality is a sin.  I always agree that the Bible does say that a man shouldn't lay with another man.  So by the letter of the law it is a sin.  But then I ask them if they have had to fight off strong urges to sleep with members of the same sex?  They always respond NO!  Then I say isn't it odd that most of the other sins in the Bible hold some temptation for us, but this one, if we are heterosexual holds none?  I then ask them if gay marriage was legal and the gay couples got the same tax breaks and property rights as straight couples would you be tempted to turn homosexual?  Of course they say NO!  Then I zing them with "So why do you suppose that of all the sins listed in the Bible we straight Christians spend so much time and energy focusing on the one that doesn't tempt us and never will?  Isn't it possible it's a convenient way to not deal with issues that DO effect us?  Isn't it possible that it's just a way to feel superior and holy without ever having to do anything but look down on others who are different than us?  100% of the time they then answer: "The Bible says homosexuality is a sin."  This one issue is truly one of the reasons it is hard to stay active in church.  When you KNOW people are judging and being blind and feeling so secure and right about it, it can drive you crazy.  Even when I tell them that I have watched gay friends die horrible deaths of AIDS without adequate medical care because their life partner of many years could not get them on a "family" insurance plan, it makes no impact.  Now having said all of that I would like to share with you some things about the current attitude in our society that makes me dislike the Gay Rights movement.  As a heterosexual Christian male, I am judged and hated before I even have an opportunity to share who I am.  As a straight male, I get sick of being told by effeminate men what is style.  I resent being almost always portrayed in the media as not as smart as gay men, not as in touch with our feeling, not as capable of expressing emotion.  I think on any given night on television there is a lot more straight male bashing then there ever was gay bashing.  There I got it off of my chest.  This is the longest answer I've ever written.  I wonder if anyone will actually read it all the way through?
597243
why do people assume that calling somebody 'gay' is a bad thing?\n\nit's the same as calling somebody 'straight'. i never saw anybody get offended by that...\n\nmore importantly: why would YOU pressure somebody to come out of the closet? In this ignorant world coming out of the closet is a hard thing to do, unfortunately. I have a number of gay friends who had to go through the hard period right before coming out, and had to live with the condemnment of people after they came out.\n\ni'm not easily offended by questions, but this one is just way out of line.
81379
There is a website called christiangays.com that has a chatroom.  I don't know if you get into religion.  I've never chatted there myself, so I don't know much about it.\n\nTo the person above me: being gay is not a sin even according the the Bible.  Participating in gay sexual acitivites is what the Bible has a problem with, but I have my own theories about misinterpretations in the Bible.
231684
Where does it say in the Bible that sex is only for procreation? It says sex outside of marriage(between a man and a woman) is wrong. And I don't think that bd/sm..D/s is wrong or they are devil worshipers. Again as long as it is with your wife or husband. I am truly sorry that you have dealt with Christians like you described. Please know that A) not all Christians are like that and B) the Christian faith does not teach to be Judgmental.  I know that there are a lot and I mean a lot of Christians that are judgmental. They are wrong! But, also know that we are not supposed to be judgmental but at the same time we are not supposed to be open to all things. We hate the sin not the person. For example: I do not hate people that are homosexual. I don't look down upon them like I am better than them or anything like that. I don't gay bash. Homosexuality is a sin just like any other sin. I have my sins to deal with that are no lesser than theirs.  However I am not going to accept homosexuality as a life style any more than I would accept murder, child abuse, alcoholism, or lying as a lifestyle.  They are all equally bad in the eyes of the Lord.  I do pray for those people as fervently as I pray for my own sins and ask God with help in my own sinful urges.\n\ntosmith