Author Wants Southern States To Secede Over Gay Rights, Name New Country 'Reagan'

[AnnaMaria 68]

If every human were as forgiving and understanding as Christ was, then there probably wouldn't even be a Current Events section of the forums here other than to praise, congratulate, or teach, and therefore we would have no where to pass these incredibly boring hours of our life discussing our opinions on such matters.

Be thankful.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

If every human were as forgiving and understanding as Christ was, then there probably wouldn't even be a Current Events section of the forums here other than to praise, congratulate, or teach, and therefore we would have no where to pass these incredibly boring hours of our life discussing our opinions on such matters.

Be thankful.

Truth.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If every human were as forgiving and understanding as Christ was, then there probably wouldn't even be a Current Events section of the forums here other than to praise, congratulate, or teach, and therefore we would have no where to pass these incredibly boring hours of our life discussing our opinions on such matters.

Be thankful.

Christ wasn't perfect. He was as flawed as everyone else.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm pretty sure that "trying to get around the word filter" is a violation of the TOS, is it not?

Thanks, Doc.

Seriously, what's the point of comment like that?

It's like you're still in high school or something. Grow up!

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Christ wasn't perfect. He was as flawed as everyone else.

Please enlighten me on this statement.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Please enlighten me on this statement.

He's been subject to 2000 years of mythology. The historical person is far removed from what is written about in religious texts.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

He's been subject to 2000 years of mythology. The historical person is far removed from what is written about in religious texts.

Ok. Your comment is more opinion based rather than factual. Got it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Ok. Your comment is more opinion based rather than factual. Got it.

Well I would say that's given really...

Why do you have a problem with that?

Edited October 24, 2014 by Hail Ming!

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

If this were to happen, I would definitely remain in the south. Do I have an intolerance towards homosexuals? Not particularly. It's their life choice and they can do as they please, but let's look at how things are being approached these days.

Holy wall of text. I got this far.

How can anyone think it's a choice. As if someone wakes up one day and says. hmm let me be gay so I can hide my sexuality, be ridiculed, and attacked. Choosing to be gay, would be like choosing to be black in 1790's Georgia.

Edited October 24, 2014 by The Nature Boy

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Well I would say that's given really...

Why do you have a problem with that?

No. It is your opinion.

[ChristinaG 91]

It doesn't. It simply denounces the practice altogether. Doesn't mention food at all. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah comes to mind. As do passages from Leviticus:

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

If you are quoting Leviticus in this conversation, you are saying that you are either:

(a) conducting your life entirely by the word of Leviticus... such as like stoning adulterers and brides who are not virgins, and executing a married couple for having sex during the woman’s period

or

(b)

You cherry pick the "good soundbites" and you yourself are as hypocritical as all the others!

"Gay Rights" is not about abolishing the religious beliefs of the sheeple.... it is about not shunning & discriminating against others! You don't "believe in" or condone gay marriage - fine, then don't marry someone of the same gender as you. But what gives you the "right" to deny that for someone else?!

The fact that this debate is still raging just pisses me off!!

Or is it? I grew up in a region where the shape of my facial features meant that, when my friends went into stores, I was followed, had my jackets and bags taken from me, was questioned and sometimes asked to wait outside when shop keepers claimed a fictional cap on the number of students allowed in the store that varied based on how many of my Anglo Saxon friends were there wanting to go in. They did not make it outright impossible to shop there. They just made it increasingly difficult for me to do so until I finally resorted to having my friends buy me what I wanted and not shopping at all. I was often even left at home for grocery shopping by my mother to make things easier.

But they held a strong, deeply held belief that people who looked like me were drunken thieves. So I guess that what they did is okay, by your books? I mean, it's their beliefs and it's the will of a region, right?

Shall we allow laws that prevent two unrelated, unmarried adults from living in a house with children to whom they are not both related ? This, by the way, is an actual thing. There were, and may still be, municipalities which, in the US, have worked so hard to prevent homosexuals from being legally able to live in their towns that they passed this bylaw. But no one is trying to make homosexuals leave their homes, right?

Why wouldn't I? First, it's not a life style. My wife and I have a dog and a cat, joint bank accounts and a home in planning to move into a son as this visa mess is sorted. We like to snuggle on the couch and watch movies and cook delicious food. How does that diet from a heterosexual marriage? Note, please, before you say 'sex' that you do not know what happens in our bedroom anymore than I know what happens in any other couple's bedroom. There is a great diversity of human sexuality. Some people are into things that seem strange, like bringing food into the bed. It's not my thing, personally, but it's not my place to judge and I'm honestly not interested. Why are those who are against marriage equality so interested in the bedroom habits of same sex couples?

Second. Same sex relationships being acceptable saves lives. When you have a social climate that dictates that loving someone of the same sex as yourself is bad, teenagers kill themselves rather than come out. Parents send their children to abusive camps that call themselves schools under the guide of changing the child or saving the family the shame. Children find themselves on the streets when their parents kick them out. Only a small percentage of teens are gay. A much, much higher percentage of gay teens are homeless. It is disproportionate.

Are anti equality activists in favour of teen homelessness?

What you refer to as activists discriminating is honestly just activism. These are the tactics of both sides. When you want people to listen to you, you kick up a fuss. You talk to the media. You seek support for your side. You make petitions. This is all part of something called protest. Protest is important to the forward motion of society. It is also always condemned by the status quo. You can see examples of similar villainizing throughout all of human history. Look at the writing of Jonathan Swift, in his modest proposal. If that isn't demonizing the ruling class through satire, I don't know what is.

Do I condone death threats and vandalism? Absolutely not. Do I deny that these things happen? No. But it is important to remember that, just like only a small minority of those calling themselves Christian protest funerals, activists who commit acts such as this are a tiny minority. Perhaps one or two out of thousands. I do not condemn all Christians for the actions of a few. Why are all gay activists condemned?

Then why are divorce rates higher in states where a higher proportion of people define themselves as Christian?

It can end.

I have to ask. You speak of forcing ideology on people. On how the majority not wanting something should make it not happen. When has the will of the majority ever been meant to oppress the minority? Because that is what happens when I can't get health insurance through a person I am legally married to, as a small example . The will of the majority is oppressing me and that's not what democracy ever intended to happen. That way lies a great number of things in American history that I'm sure you would rather were not revisited.

**standing ovation**

BEST post I've had the pleasure of reading

(( hugs ))

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

No. It is your opinion.

Yes, I know it is my opinion.

I'm asking why you feel the need to point it out rather than perhaps say, "I don't agree because I think this..."

That would be a discussion.

So far all you have done is rubbish what I have said without providing any sort of reasoning and without any respect for the idea that I am entitled to an opinion.

I'm not too surprised that this happens on VJ, but I am kind of surprised that you would do it.

[ChristinaG 91]

oh and if the ultra-conservative states want to break away and be their own little backward community, that's okay.... the other states that recognize equal rights, well we will let you join up with us here in Canada.... we've had equal rights (at all levels of government) for just over a decade now and we're doing just fine, thank you

((oh and for the super-religious, it was the United Church of Canada that spearheaded the equal rights legislation here! That's right, a CHURCH!!))

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Yes, I know it is my opinion.

I'm asking why you feel the need to point it out rather than perhaps say, "I don't agree because I think this..."

That would be a discussion.

So far all you have done is rubbish what I have said without providing any sort of reasoning and without any respect for the idea that I am entitled to an opinion.

I'm not too surprised that this happens on VJ, but I am kind of surprised that you would do it.

I wanted to see if you had something factual so I could learn from you. Since you do not, there is nothing for me to learn. This only.

Many people say Jesus existed and there is proof, but proof of God is hard to find. To believe or not believe in Jesus and God is a personal choice and it is done blindly. I would rather do so and learn that I was right than not do so and learn that I was wrong. Some things are just common sense the bible talk about. Don't commit adultery. Why not? You will hurt the person that loves you dearly. Thuh! Don't steal. Why not? Because you didn't work hard for the item you stole, someone else did. However, my personal choice to believe in God or Jesus does not make me shun anyone who do not believe in nor follow the Christian religion. And if I approve or disapprove of someone's life choice will not make me shun them either. Whatever bed they choose to make will be the bed they lay in, not I.

Does this answer your question?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm not disputing the existence of Jesus - I simply saying that there are probably a lot of differences between the historical person and the idealised version of him that is central to Christian beliefs.

It is possible to believe that the guy existed and understand the values he stood for, without believing say, that he turned water into wine by magic.