Quote From: a31g49Why is it so hard for so many on this site to understand that not everyone is a christian and not everyone is a born again christian.
I happen to be Native American and am proud of my heritage-- ethnic and spiritual. My culture doesn't condem people for living how they are made. We don't believe we own our children-- meaning we can not chose their path for them-- we can only guide them.
We have nothing in common with fundamentalist christians when it comes to belief systems. Many in my community have embraced a spirituality (christianity) which DESTROYED our culture and way of life. It's a very sad thing. But I suppose when you are confronted with "Convert or die" many do choose to accept the conquerers way of life.
So, when you all start going on and on about what your god wants from all people of the earth, all I can do is shake my head at your ignorance. For isn't that what you do when you are confronted with traditions different from your own?
I believe the Earth is the mother of us all, and that we are destroying our mother. Can't you hear her screams? But do I tell you SUV driving, 6000 square foot house living, polluting non-bleievers that you our murdering our mother? Isn't that more important that who someone loves? No, I don't. Not generally, anyway.
My tribe has a cultural history of accepting all among us as brothers and sisters. Including those who do not fit into traditional gender roles. Including those who are attracted to those of the same sex. It's all around us on mother earth. All mammal species show same sex attraction. While it is not the norm, it is not unnatural.
You do not get the right, because you call yourself a christian to comdemn people who believe other than you do. And you sure don't get the right to make the laws that affect us all according to your religion.
You surely do not have the right to impose self-hatred and self-loathing on people being true to their born selves.
I'm so thankful I live in a part of the country where I do not have people like the visitors on this board trying to convert me to their religion.
And all of this judgement day stuff is a little confusing. I remember that less than 20 years ago, that kind of reasoning was only used by doomsday cultists like Jim Jones or David Koresh. It's frightening to me how many seemingly sane Americans have fallen into the doomsday cult mentality.
I could really get into the jesus rhetoric if more pople who claimed to be christians quoted the Sermon on the Mount insteas of leviticus.
I am not gay, but I have had the pleasure of knowing many gays, lesbians and transgendered people throughout my lifetime. I am the richer in spirit for it.
And I almost for got. For those illogical people who claim that god doesn't make mistakes? What about people born transgendered? In the US, the birth rate of people with ambigous genitalia (intersex) is about 2% of live births. So those people are not mistakes? I don't believe they are and according to your logic, you shouldn't, either. But then that doesn't fit your worldview of two genders and strict gender based societal roles.
I long for the day we all get past out superstitious knee jerk reactions to those who are different. I am hopeful though. It was only a little over a hundred years ago that the official US government position on my people was 'the only good indian is a dead indian.'
Maybe someday the attitudes I'm seeing here toward those who are gay/lebian/bisexual/intersex/transgendered are just as abhored by mainstream society.
I might have to do some prostelytizing of my own, if I had to face this type of self-righteousness on a daily basis.
(Original Air Date: 10/19/05) Sexual orientation used to be something kept hidden from family and co-workers, but now more and more people are "coming out" and finding acceptance. Anjela says her mother and sister don't support her sexual orientation, and feel she can't be Christian and gay at the same time. Can they reconcile this touchy issue? Then, two men debate whether a person can go from gay to straight, and parents of a 4-year-old boy fear their son's desire to play with dolls and wear heels means he'll grow up to be gay. Are they overreacting to his wishes to be a princess instead of a prince? Talk about gender and gay issues here.
