Would being gay be more acceptable if it weren't for religious beliefs?
342409
no, people just use religion as a cover for their bigotry. if it weren't for religion, they would just find something else to fall back on.
1064338
I agree it may be easier in the sense of dominate and passive issues that men and women face. In as much; it can be equally challenging if not more worse because of cultural limitations. Gays generally don't show openly affection to each others as their counterparts. Gays, are not allowed to marry; which in itself can cause all sorts of family problems if the other becomes sick. Gays are not allowed as much as straights in regards to health benefits and insurance. Gays aren't afforded the same courtesy that heterosexual get on a daily bases. These facts commingled with the challenge people have in general relationships can make being in a gay relationship very hard.
1028554
Of course not. God gave people free will. Politics caused the Senate to reject a ban on gay marriage
831794
So therefore I imagine you are not dangerous to homosexuals (you support gay civil marriage for homosexuals), not dangerous to women (supporting their right to choose not to have their bodies enslaved), not dangerous to medical advances (supporting all medically supported stem-cell research) and not dangerous to educational achievement (supporting the teaching of evolution in science classes). If, in fact, you fail to fully support these on religious grounds, your Christianity is dangerous....to me personally, and to society at large.\n\nADDITION:\nYou do not know me. If you say you "love" me without knowing me, you cheapen both the definition of love and the experience of it. And you remain a danger to me because you refuse to allow me to marry, you enslave my sisters, and you promote ignorance over knowledge.\n\nSpare me your love and provide instead the right for people to live without your imposed religious dogmas.
383230
Well being straight, I do not know what it is like to be attracted to someone of the same sex.  However, if it does happen, I would think that you can't control it.  If your religious believes are really strong, and you really do NOT want to "Be gay"  well then do what you gotta do.  Realize that you can't really turn off you attraction.  Maybe you can be single for the rest of your life.
937065
I really don't know. I think its more because everything will change so dramatically ... like paper work and stuff... and everything will have to be 'politically correct' about everything... they just don't want to bother.\nI believe in God and I believe in the bible... but Im not gay.. I don't really understand it... I don't believe its a choice... so I can't judge on this decision.
92093
Of course I'd accept you. Being gay doesn't make you any less of a person. I would treat you the same way as I would anyone else.
132300
You will find if you dig a bit deeper in history than the current right-wing religious norm, homosexuality has existed as a natural state since the dawn of time and has often been a celebrated and more "enlightened" state of existance.  Whether this is true or not is up to you personally to decide, not your neighbors or family.  You could easily find a way to suppress your "gayness" through religious or philosophical means, but deep down it won't make you any less gay and the dichotomy of living a lie will have severe consequences on your long-term mental health.\n\nStart reading everything you can get your hands on, both the "religious viewpoints" and the secular (don't make any decisions without exploring both points of view).  Its ok to be gay, don't be a cliche...
503993
Maybe not the best place to ask for non glib answers...\n\nWell, firstly you'd need do your research for yourself, if the bible defeniately says, in your opinion, that it's wrong to act on those desires.  It also might be important to think about whether it says it's wrong to be gay, ir just wrong to act on it.\n\nIf you believe it says it's wrong to act on gay feelings, and you are a committed Christian, then I guess you will have to stick with it, and try to get some proper help on how to deal with the feelings you have.  \n\nDon't run out and marry someone though.  No point pretending to like women in that way if you don't.  You'll just have to go without sex.  There are worse things that could happen you know.\n\nYou can't fit religion around what you feel like doing.\n\nWhich is one reason why I'm not religious.\n\nAnd i'd like to add...the bible may mention that it's wrong to have gay sex, but the ten commandments says you can't lie, and how many people go around lying without getting hassled by supposed forgiving chritians for it.  It's a rather hypocritical subject really that gets blown out of proportion.\n\nOne of the postings above had this to say of those with gay feelings..\n\n"They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided"  \n\nAnd good christians could do well to remember this.
622956
You know I am a strong christian, but I don't shun science and common sense. Being gay is not a choice. It's just not, if you ask almost any gay guy or girl, they would say they would not choose to be gay, because who in their right mind would choose to be made fun of, shunned and hated? No one.
486741
I am not sure...\n\nChristianity that allows for support of the gay lifestyle will also be a Christianity that will allow for unbelief.\n\nIf a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination . . . (Leviticus 20:13) \n\nFor this reason (i.e. their refusal to acknowledge, thank and glorify God) God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameful acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error. (Romans 1:26-27) \n\nDo not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral (or fornicators), nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals (or sodomites; literally those who have coitus, or who sleep, with men), nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
75381
Legally, yes. Your religious beliefs do not matter in the eyes of the law. From a religious standpoint it could be problematic.
349054
No.  I am a heterosexual in favor of equal rights for gays and lesbians.  The fact is that the Christian Right enjoys favor in Washington right now, but if we really were as we claim a nation that separates Church and State, gays would be allowed every privelege heteros have, including marriage.  There are plenty of liberal churches who marry gays-- why aren't their theologies driving public policy and law? \n  It is insecurity and ignorance that keep people from allowing gays equal rights... but the times they are a'changin'...
1123784
I am Mormon which of course is a very strict religion. Regardless of what they tell me is wrong I have to believe that if God did not want there to be homosexuals in this world then the idea would never have been placed in anyone's head. God has total control as he made this world. If it is totally unacceptable then why do these things exist. We are taught not to judge as we will be judged later. If we treat those people unjustly just becasue of sexual preference then God will judge us harshly for breaking his rules. Homosexuals and Every other person in this world has the right to follow and obey God's commandments so why should they not be allowed in a church.
654198
I don't know, no one has come forward and announced he or she was gay. They would be welcomed in our church, but the church would hope the individual would change their lifestyle, since it is against the bible.
89399
Yes I believe so. God also tell us that homosexuality is wrong so being peaceful does not excuse this.
612210
Wouldn't that be ironic considering what the church thinks of gays?