It seems you are considered a bigot if you don't agree with someone's lifestyle. Open-mindedness has become the new blanket term for "everyone's okay no matter what they do." Am I the only one that thinks that morals should still have play in society? I don't agree with the homosexual lifestyle. I don't agree with people who have tatoos and excessive piercings all over their bodies. If everyone can do what they like, where does it end? What if I were attracted to my cousin, would it be okay for me to have sex with her? Would it be different if she were my step-sister instead? I look at what society was like say 50 years ago (I'm only 24, but doens't mean I can't tell from learning history). I don't think we've progressed at all. I think we've turned into a society where sin is cloaked under the cover of "being open minded." Sorry if it seems like I'm on my soap box, but i'm going to apologize or anything. Am I the only one out there that thinks this?
203245
You are confusing two separate issues:  being open minded is a different quality from being amoral.\n\nOpen mindedness is a form of humility. (Remember, that's one of the classical virtues)  It means that you don't assume that you know better than another person what is right for them or for their culture.  It is especially important in a globalized world where people from many cultural backgroungs intermingle.  Keep in mind that things like tatoos and piercings are considered normal in many cultures. Likewise, the degree of separation for "normal" sex varies between cultures, with first degree cousins being at a very reasonable distance for some. (Even in the Bible)  Being open minded merely means that you accept that others may have different standards.\n\nHowever, this is distinct from saying that you do not have your own standards.  Even an open-minded person can --and should-- have personal beliefs.  For you to believe that it would be wrong for you to have multiple piercings or homosexual sex shows that you have a good grasp on your own priorities.  You should know and be able to vocalize your own beliefs.\n\nThe line between "having strong beliefs" and "being a bigot" or "being close-minded"  comes when you try to force your beliefs on other people against their will.  For example, I believe that it is wrong to eat meat which comes from factory farms because the degree of cruelty at those institutions is so severe. However, I would probably not attempt to force people to become vegetarian against their will, or discriminate against them for refusing to follow my beliefs.  \n\nA while ago Europe and America both made the decision to support religious freedom.  This stopped the religious wars between Protestants and Catholics. The modern ideal of "being open minded" stems from that ideal, by recognizing that all morality (even that of an atheist) is essentially the same as religion. Just as people should have freedom of religion, they need to have freedom of moral belief, inasmuch as neither treads on the rights of others. (e.g. No human sacrifice, and no murder....)
187196
Go with how you feel. Are heterosexuals that way because of a choice they made, I don't think so. That would be the same for homosexuals, I'm sure, not a choice, but something "inbuilt" from birth.
494485
"t seems to me that people who don't believe in God, should have no problem with that kind of behavior."\n\nThis sounds like you're saying that if God didn't tell you "no, no, dear child, don't have sex with animals" that you'd think it was fine and dandy.\n\nThis is so patently stew-pid an argument, you must be a loyal watcher of Fox "News" channel.\n\n\nEDIT FOR ADDITION:  Awww, aren't you cute?  OK then.  Expanding the definition of marriage to include single-sex couples would both be a benefit to the individuals involved AND to society.  There is ample evidence that people who live in stable, committed couples are healthier, happier, and wealthier than those who are single. Gay marriage is a good idea because it will benefit not only the gay couple but their families, friends, neighbors, and taxpayers whose burdens to care for the gay partners singly would be greater.\n\nSex with animals would NOT benefit society. And I dare say it wouldn't benefit the animal part of that practice.\n\nBeastiality and gay marriage present very different issues. Each should be evaluated on its own, not treated as if one is a necessary extension of the other.\n\nAnd there's this wonderful thing called ethics, which is a way to determine if something is right or wrong *without divine authority*.  It works quite well.
349851
Sorry, there are no authorities about this.\nThere are only opinions based on religion.\nAnd oddly, the religious differ a great deal.\nI've seen hard line conservative Christians say that it was OK, and I've seen very liberal Christians say no way.\nSame with Jews.\nFor me, I have some gay friends, some lesbian friends, and what \nwhat they do has no effect on me.\nLive and let live, as it should say in the Bible.
503734
I'm a lesbian in a committed long term relationship (over three years and counting!) and of course I wish it were legal.  The only argument against it is a religious one and since marriage is a legal institution and not a religious one, that shouldn't have any bearing on the subject.  Besides which, just because the majority of people feel what I do in my personal life is not for them, does not mean they should be able to make decisions control what I do and feel in my personal life.  This has happened in the past with races and cultures and the majority of people controlled what (for example) the African Americans could and couldn't do (segregation, voting etc.) and we now recognize this as wrong.  I'm hoping that we can overcome this one day as the other races have.
657055
I think your viewpoints are very healthy.  What I believe is very similar to you.  I think we should question everything and use our God given free will to logically find the truth.  Never fall for what someone else tells you to believe simply because they claim to have the one true word of God.\n\nGay people-  I'm Gay.  I have control over my actions, but not my emotions.  I've never been romantically attracted to any females, and can't understand how I could be.  If there is a God, He/She/it made me this way, just like God made me male, white, brown hair, brown eyes, etc.\n\nMuslims- I think of Muslims the same way I think of Christians.  Most are alright, but when they become extremists no good can come from it.\n\nAtheists- Well, there is no proof of God, but there is no lack of proof either.  You can believe what you want to.  I believe in something, but many would not call it God.\n\nPremarital sex- Well, I can't get "married" so, I'm fine with it, however, I think that there should be some sort of commitment going along with sex.  I don't think Promiscuity is a good idea, but those practicing it have their own free will.\n\nAbortion- I'm divided on this issue.  In one respect it's taking a life, but a life in terrible conditions is no life at all.  I'm not really sure.\n\nPeople not of your religion- I'm fine with it.  I have friends of all sorts of persuasions, Wiccan, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian.  Never met a Muslim though... I'd like to.\n\nPeople dating out of their religion- I'm fine with it.  As long as the two are in love, and get along on a basic personal level, religious issues shouldn't become a major part of choosing a partner.
667501
So, according to the other Christians' answers, it is ok for married people to enjoy sex, sex isn't only for procreation, but sex is created for two people who love each other, but sex ouside of gay marriage is wrong? If the only argument against homosexuality is "the Bible says so." The Bible says a lot of things, do you accept them all equally?  Paul also says women shouldn't wear their hair braided or wear jewelry, do you abide by that? If not, then does that mean you are judging some things as applicable and other things not? What is the basis of that?\nTHINK PEOPLE!
87693
I don't think anyone wants to be gay. I really don't think that a person would want to be rediculed and shunned by society and alienated by their family and friends. I honestly think that that's just the way that they...just like ppl are heterosexual. People can't help who they are attracted to. And I think that society should be more accepting of gay ppl...after all they are ppl too. I support the gays and I am with them in their struggles. I think that I may be attracted to girls as well. And what the hell is wrong with that.
154854
Homosexuality is wrong and shouldn't be praised.  I know we all have choices, and unfortunately, some of us make wrong ones.  Not agreeing with homosexuality doesn't mean I "hate". I just disagree with it, and I'm allowed to express it just like someone who agrees with it does. \n    I've been hit on by many gays, and I even have gay friends.  So, I'm not unaccustomed to it. I had a gay brother and uncle and both passed away from the disease called aids.  Now, like I said, I have gay friends.  We can  chat, laugh, joke, etc but, whenever they got serious and asked me how I felt about homosexuality I told them, I don't agree with it. I explained to them that you can love a person and still hate what they do. Lastly, one of the things that really bothers me is how "some" gay people use "race" to support their beliefs. They often paralleled their persecutions with the persecutions blacks have had. Being gay is a "choice" and if need be, can be concealed. Being black or white is "not a choice" and cannot be concealed. Stop using "race" a crutch for a choice situation.
303935
Once again political correctness steps on the rights of the majority so as not to offend the minority. We have so many so called " Do-Gooders " who think everything should be fair and equal, that they don't stop to realize that instead of fair and equal they're biased in another direction. I'm not EVEN a smoker and it baffles me as to why someones "right " to not see someone smoking or possibly smell smoke in an open air facility, overides the smokers " right ' to smoke. Who determined this ? I'm not a Christian, Catholic or Jew...but why is it that these religions can openly be taken pot shots at...while we have apologists for fanatical Muslims ? Why does a homosexual couples " right " to expression of public affection override my " right " to NOT want to see expressions of homosexual public affection ?As far as I'm concerned when it comes to these Liberal " Let's make everything fair by taking away tradition " Jerks ...F*ck Em !!! They'll have to pry my Santa, Nativity scene, Easter Bunny, Kwaanzaa Candles, Star of David, American flag and .44 Magnum out of my cold,dead hands!!!!
665987
Peoples personal sex lives should be kept personal.  I DONT WANT TO KNOW.  If they are gay and flaunt it, they're just being ignorant.\n\nHeterosexuals don't do it so I have no reason to dislike them.  If I KNOW your gay then guess what?  If I don't know it, then heck, I'd probably like you too.  Figure it out and shut up!\n\nedit: I have to disagree with 'tobeornottobe'. Actually according to the Bible it IS a sin, but it IS natural.
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.
636446
I just saw an article today in the paper that said men's sexual preference is decided before birth. I did not read the whole article...but if a baby comes out of the womb and sees good window treatments he is gay...just kidding. I dont think you should categorize that evil is done by most straight people and good by gays. I have seen a little of both from both sides... I don't think sexual preference has anything to do with the good that you do- that is an individual thing that comes from the heart not your groin. Just be happy with who you are and if you think you were born gay then so be it. Why is important to debate it? You will never change other opinions who are homophobic.
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?
532409
Yes I know someone who know longer chooses the homosexual lifestyle and they follow Christ.  Two actually.  A woman and a man.  The fell in love, got married, and have 2 kids.  They did not turn heterosexual, though.  Think of homosexuality like alcoholism.  That might make some mad, but that is the best analogy I can give.  If you are a follower of the Bible, certain things are wrong.  Just because you have a desire doesn't mean you should act upon it.  Homosexuals are just hurting people, many have poor if any relationship with their fathers and some were sexually abused as children.
136311
Well, if you feel that way, then you're a bigot. I'm gay, and I can advocate for the fact that it IS natural, because I'm gay, and I WOULD know, unlike you. The issue with homophobia, is that straight people try to make stupid assumptions (It's a choice, it's not natural) when in reality, they have no CLUE because they're not gay themselves. We were born this way, we're PEOPLE like everyone else, and we too, do get offended. So please, save your bible-thumping bigotry for someone who cares. I would also like to point out that for every homophobic person answering this question is a gay/lesbian teenager commiting suicide right now because of the CRAP and TORTURE you put them through. Those of you calling yourselves adults/christians should be ASHAMED. GOOD DAY.
20687
homosexuality and swinging and two diffrent activites.\n\nIs it moral to be homosexual?  That would depend on your religious views.  If two people love eachother, then really I don't see anything wrong with it.  I think a homosexual relationship can be 100% moral.\n\nSwinging i also think can be moral, as long as all people involved understand.  I think you are actuall getting more into the issue of plural-marrage.\nI think a plural-marrage can also be totaly moral, if everyone is a adult, and agrees to the union.\n\nIn my view, I think you can be moral and be homosexual and a swinger.  If you are up front about it, everyone is a adult, and it is 100% consenual.