Replies to '06/06 "I'm Gay, OK?"'

 
      I'll stick around and answer these questions (every one that you proposed in your post), although I am guessing you probably won't like many of my answers. :)

     If you believe that God thinks homosexuality is wrong (and clearly you do), and you believe as a Christian that its your job to completely follow the word of your Bible, then you are correct, it is not for you to say that Homosexuality is right when you believe God says it is wrong. You have adopted your path and lifestyle, and that is complete obedience to the Bible. If that is the life that makes you happy, then I wish you every luck in it and am glad you have found your place in life.
     No, I certainly don't believe that I am wiser than God. But I do believe that God gave humans Free Will, and the minds with which to think for ourselves. And with my Free Will, I have come to the conclusion that the Bible is not a reliable source that can be literally applied to modern life, nor is it free from the limitations of the humans that wrote and translated it. And so I must use my god-given Free Will to decide what is right and what is wrong, and I put faith in God that he has steered me in the right direction.
      No, I do not believe I know better than God. See my above answer for a more detailed explanation.
       I don't believe that God thinks homosexuality is wrong. I believe he predetermines one's sexual orientation, whatever that may be, and whether they choose to accept who they really are, or deny who they really are, is up to them. I believe God appreciates love in all of its true forms, and understands that homosexuality causes no one any harm.
       I do not believe that adult siblings should be allowed to marry. Inbreeding can cause serious genetic repercussions over the long term (and sometimes in the short term). Beyond the genetic aspect, incestuous love breaks down the necessary boundaries that exist within families, and eventually lead to the breakdown of the family. Love exists in many forms, and incestuous relationships blur those forms into an unrecognizable jumble, which poses a serious threat to society as a whole.
       Personally, I see no problem with three people all getting married. I think that the number of people that would willingly enter into these kind of relationships in our society is relatively slim, and provided that all three people understand what they are doing and enter into the relationship willingly, I don't really see a problem. It certainly would not be my choice, but I don't see any reason why they couldn't. I think that unrestricted polygamy as a whole is a dangerous concept, again because of the genetic repercussions of it in the long term, but I see no reason why three consenting adults should not be able to enter into a marriage with each other.

For the record, I don't believe a single person that has posted hates homosexuals. I think the problem arises from the basic fact that you see their homosexuality as a sinful act. They see it as a part of who they are, and when you say you hate the sin, they see it as you hating a part of them. I understand that you believe its out of love, but they may not see it the same way, because they may not have the same beliefs as you. Whether you recognize it or not, you are forcing your beliefs on another person and asking them to follow the same standards that you adhere to, because you see them as the truth. I think everyone here understands that you believe homosexuality is a sin, and thats your right to believe it, but it is also their right not to believe that, and to not feel the need to defend their lifestyle to you or anyone else.

I hope I haven't offended anyone, that certainly is not my intention.

What about the separation of church and state?  And freedom of religion?  I am not going to enter into a discussion about what your interpretation of the bible should mean to me, because I am entitiled to my own interpretation and my own faith, as is everyone.  In fact, why do you feel that I should be a christian, anyway?  I am an American, and that should be enough.  So, please don't waste your time quoting the bible or preaching to me.  I am afraid that you will have a hard time convincing me that christians should judge others or hate people because they do not believe what you believe.  This is not a discussion about whether the bible condones or accepts homosexuality.   

  

However, laws are written and amended to provide for the freedom and liberty of all citizens, not just the ones that are congruent with the bible, as you (or anyone) interprets it.  That is why we all vote, to voice our opinions.   You can find many laws nowadays that do not reflect the biblical era scripture, and vice versa.   This is 2005 A.D. 

  

Just to entertain your questions, no, I do not believe that siblings should be allowed to marry simply because their children would likely be mentally retarded.   That is not to say that I bear any prejudice against mentally handicapped persons, only that it is tragic and unfair to take those kinds of risks.    I feel the same way about pregnant mothers who smoke or do drugs because it puts the baby at a very high risk for birth defects.  Maybe siblings could marry, provided they cannot bear children.   (Come to think of it, maybe we should have a few more criteria for normal heterosexuals to have children while we're at it.) 

  

If three people want to get married, move to Utah and have a nice life.  It sounds complicated, but to each their own.   Maybe we could allow that, since it is their wish and let's face it:  it's their life.  In fact, why not 4?   Why do you care so much?   

  

Maybe the problem you have with these 'alternative' arrangements is the word "marriage" itself.  Does this undermine your mainstream normal heterosexual marriage because it is described using the same word?  Then, why don't we just use another term for anyone in the "other" category, like  "civil union?"   That way, normal heterosexual married couples can distinguish themselves as special and your God will certainly see that they were right by Him.   Those in the "other" category will be dealt with accordingly.   But at least we could have a place in this world where we can love another human being and spend our lives together legally "united." 

  

I am going to go out on a limb here, and assume that you have children.  But, even if you don't, what are you going to do if one of your kids comes to you one day and tells you that he/she is gay?  Will you quote biblical verses until they grow out of it, or send them to a therapist until they are cured?  I am sure it would devastate you and that you would pray for them, but then what?  Would you be able to accept them for who they are and how they live?  Would you be there for them with love and acceptance, and try to understand their lifestyle?  Or would you have even created a loving, accepting environment for your kids to come to you with anything that they were struggling with and talk to you about it?   Would you tell them that they are not living the way God wants them to live and never speak to them again?   Would you have them arrested or committed to a hospital, or just otherwise put away? 

  

I would like to know what you would do in that situation, where it is personal.  It is a lot easier to simply say that if you fit into the "other" category you are wrong, and continue to condone intolerance toward that which we do not understand.  The point here is this:  intolerance and hate do affect real living, breathing people.  Decent, law-abiding people that pay their taxes and are good to their neighbors.  You should be careful about judging people based solely on their sexual preference, or whether God condones the way they live.