MOMania

By Lauren

July 24, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this

My children go to a very open and progressive private school and I know that there are “out” kids in the high school and they are very open and accepted by their friends and families. This is as it should be! My children are still quite young and don’t have any friends who are identifying themselves as gay or lesbian…yet. I know it will happen, though, and I am preparing my kids for it. I teach them that sexuality is natural and that homosexuality is not wrong or shameful and that we love and respect people of all types, not just the ones who look and act like us. My kids have several friends who have two mommies or two daddies and they don’t see anything wrong with it. It’s just another family to them. In fact one day one of my daughters said “‘so and so’ has two mothers. It is so great having one mother, can you imagine how great it must be to have two of them?” She was only about 5 when she said that I was so proud of her. I have three children and should one of them be gay I would love and cherish her no less. If you have children you better be prepared for the fact that the may be gay and you better be prepared to accept and love them. It is a real possibility and if you can’t handle it and can’t get past any hang ups you may have then you are not worthy of being a parent. The love a parent gives a child should be unconditional. I think it’s great if the youth of America feels they don’t have to hide who they are anymore. BTW, the big sinner in that mentioned news story was the psychopathic hatemonger who shot that poor child, not the child who came out.

By Jesse's Girl

July 24, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this

This subject is so very close to my heart. A few of my piano/vocal students have chosen me as their confidant. When the first one one came out to me…he was 15 and I was so uncomfortable…it was almost painful. He knew I was a Christian and that the chances of me agreeing with him or backing him up were slim. But as he spoke and I felt the pain he had been through; my heart was softened. I counceled him the best I could and even spoke with my own pastor and mentors. They all said the same things I was feeling…its not my place to judge him. He came to me for a reason and to show him anything bt love and support would have been a betrayal.

Since then, I have encountered a dozen or so teens in my life that have chosen me as their sounding board. Again, I am not comfortable with this. I do not Biblically agree with homosexuality. However…if I have to reconcile evolution and creationism and accept them both…which I do, its called faith…then I must accept that there are people who are born gay. I also think there are those who make a conscience choice to live that life. But that is truly another blog for another time.

I have never tried to “turn” anyone from homosexuality. Its not my job…and I wouldn’t anyway. When these kids come to me, I just listen. The only true councel I give is that they must find a way to tell their families before they find out on their own. I’ve seen it end well and I have seen it end tragically. There needs to be someone in the schools or in their lives they can come to BEFORE they decide to come out to the general pop. They need some guidance…on how to handle it, not how to rid themsleves of it.

I probably will not join this blog anymore today. This topic is going to bring some mighty evil comments. I will not allow myself to get all riled up about another’s ignoramce and hatred. But y’all have a wonderful Thursday. Be nice to someone today…

By Kathy

July 24, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

This is also near and dear to my heart. My brother has been “out” since 1997. He waited until he was 23 before he told our family. I have never really asked him, but I think the reason he waited so long to come out is because he did not want to deal with any ridicule that might come his way in high school. It is so sad that teenagers that who realize that they are gay have to hide or be ashamed of who they are because of others who are ignorant and fearful of anything different. Parents need to be having tolerance/acceptancediscussions at home when children are young so that when they get to school, they have an open mind and can understand differences (this goes for ANY handicap, difference preference that anyone may have). School systems should also be providing some sort of training to their staff (especially counselors) about teaching tolerance to children and helping a child deal with the struggle that goes along with coming out.

By jct

July 24, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

If I had my own magic wand this is what I would wish:

Schools would be able refer parent to resources in the community such as PFLAG. Parents, no matter how understading, need places where they can go and find out ‘what does this mean for my child.’

For youth, 13 and above, letting them know about resources such as Youth Pride, where they can participate in social programs without fear. Youth Pride also provides a lot of programming on health, self esteem and workshops on various topics.

I wish parents (and by extension schools) taught respect. Respect for differences. Respect for self.

Not everyone is going to accept you. Humans are tribal and what to surrounded by folks who are like them. That being said, that does not mean that I have to be disresptful to someone who is not like me.

We have told our son that there will be people who not accept you for one reason or another - you hair could be too short/long, you could be perceived too tall/short or host of other arbitrary issues.

As a two mommy household, I don’t necessarily expect or need your acceptance. I’d rather have your respect that the family that we have made is just a valid as your family. If acceptance comes from that, cool. If not, respect my famil as much as I respect yours.

By Jenne

July 24, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

I am a openly lesbian woman and the mom of three intelligent, hard-working, kind young adults. All three are straight and all have straight, gay, lesbian, and bi friends. Their friends are also from diverse ethnic, social, and religious backgrounds. I am proud to have raised my children to be good citizens who practice the American ideal of “liberty and justice for all.”

I am happy to see that many kids in the younger generation feel safe enough to be themselves and come out. I regret that so many people in this great country still hate people who are different in any way from themselves. It is especially tragic when this hatred is driven by religious fundamentalism, since all major religions teach first and foremost to love your fellow human being and God. We are all of us, gay and straight, black, white, brown, old, young, rich, poor, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, created in the image of God; and we would all do well to set aside our narrow minds and love our fellow human beings.

By John

July 24, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

What an interesting topic. I didn’t even figure out that I was definitely gay til I was at least 19, and I know it takes some folks longer than that. I will say this though - it was NOT a choice. So many Christians (and I, too am a very faithful Christian), come to a conlusion that it is a “choice”. Why would anyone CHOOSE to be gay? Especially in middle school when kids will make fun of you for having funny eyebrows, not to mention being gay! It’s just flawed logic. Granted, we make choices every day about how we live, and what activities we will participate in - but we certainly do not have the luxury of choosing our sexual orientation. It is what it is - and I promise if you just accept it, homosexuality will not threaten society, families, Christianity, or anything else that you hold dear (at least not anymore than heterosexuality does!).

By DB

July 24, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

When I hear about middle-schoolers “coming out”, I must admit, I wonder if it is a revelation to them regarding their sexuality, or if it’s simply part and parcel of the sorting out of their sexual identities. Good grief, many of them haven’t quite hit puberty, yet, and already they are expressing sexual preferences? I can see a kid getting confusing signals, and perhaps concluding they are gay without having any concept of what “gay” means. Embracing this confusion and reinforcing it seems a bit precipitous at this age.

My children know what “gay” means — or, at least, they think they know. As my daughter mused one day, “It’s hard enough to find a nice guy of the opposite sex — it must be almost impossible to find one of the same sex!” We’ve had interesting discussions where we talked about the drawbacks of promiscuity for both gay and straight people, and what makes people tolerant or angry.

I would HOPE that parents would be teaching tolerance and acceptance, but the fact remains that there will be some parents for whom homosexuality remains a sin and, as such, will be unable to accept it, period. The rest of us muddle along as best we can — not quite understanding it, but not willing to condemn one of God’s fellow creations for something that is a part of them.

By jc

July 24, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

These gay kids need to find the Lord.

By First Time Mom

July 24, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

It must be so hard on these children to a) figure this out and b) find a confidant to speak openly with and get counsul. My heart just goes out to them. Of course parents should teach tolerane and acceptance but so much of our generation and the ones before are unaccepting that it might be expecting too much.

But on the question as to do schools have a responsibilty…I just don’t know. I think schools should teach acceptance of all people…race, religion, handicap so I guess they should teach acceptance of sexuality as well.

I don’t know if things have changed in recent years but I never knew the school counselors or that they even existed. I htink they should be more available to the children so that the students have confidence in them and will come to them with issues like this.

And of course there should be training for the teachers and staff!

I agree with Lauren that if my son came to me and told me he felt he was gay I would love him just as fiercely as I do now. My heart would break in sympathy for all the pain he might go through with said lifestyle not being accepted but maybe it won’t be that bad by the time he is of age. Either way he is my son and I love him and I hope that he would confide in my about anything and everything!

By First Time Mom

July 24, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

DB~you have a good point. I had a good friend in High School that told me she had a sexual dream about me and she was scared she was gay. I asked my mother about it and she said that it is normal for adolescents to get “crushes” on peers that they greatly admire and would like to be like. I went back and told my friend what my mom said and she was hilariously relieved as she didn’t feel sexual towards me in awake life at all and she didn’t want to have to try! She and I are still friends and she is most definitely not gay.

My father also told me that he had a “crush” on a senior boy that he admired when he was a freshman. The boy just had all of the characteristics that my father wanted.

Could these children be “misdiagnosing” themselves?

By Reality Check

July 24, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Straight people are that way because they know what gets them off, gay people are the way they are because they, too, know what gets them off. We all know what gets us off at a very young age…younger than most of you are willing to admit. Getting off is a natural function of the human body. God does not exist, when we die, that’s it…..so enjoy yourself however you see fit!

By Son

July 24, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

I knew I was gay in first grade. Ok, I didn’t know what gay was but I knew I preferred boys that early. In my household, (southern baptist republican), gay was not a word mentioned, other adjectives were used instead. As I progressed through school, I knew I was different. I felt that I was shameful though, a disgrace if I told anyone or even acted on those feelings. I tried to “butch” myself up, trying to join the football team, big mistake! I tried a girlfriend, another mistake. I was teased in school, called all sorts of names. Finally, a few years after I graduated, I told my parents. My mother cried, my father took me to have prayers said over me and tried to have me exorcised, I am not kidding!

Fast forward 14 years and I have a wonderful relationship, about to celebrate our 12 year anniversary and my parents and I have a better understanding of each other.

I am a little jealous and at the same time proud of the kids today because it is a more accepting time and place. True, there is a long road ahead but at least today kids have a multitude of people to talk with and maybe we will get to a point where John and Steve can go to the prom without it being a headline on CNN.

By CP

July 24, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Should the schools be talking about sexual identity and tolerance just as they have taken on teaching about other sensitive topics? Should parents be teaching tolerance or acceptance at home?

Since I don’t have teenagers yet (give it another 6 years) I haven’t had to talk with them about sex in anything other than general terms. But as far as the schools go, I think if the public school system is trying to promote tolerance, they could do that by focusing on just respecting others’ differences. Not forcing others to accept it but to respect others whether we agree with them or not.

I definitely feel strongly about the issue of homosexuality since I had 2 family members that were gay, my father died over a decade ago now and he was gay. And as much as I loved him & still respect him (I was definitely a daddy’s girl,) I could not now agree with the homosexuality. I still have friends that are gay & love them but there’s more to a person than just who they find attractive &/or sleep with.

Loving someone does not mean that you have to accept or agree with everything they do. I love my kids unconditionally and nothing they could ever do would change that, but I have to say I would be disappointed if down the road they declared they were gay.

I know I’m taking an unpopular & definitely un-P.C. point of view but that’s what I believe. And like Jessie’s Girl, I know there’ll be more stupid comments on here so I’ll probably not post anymore today either.

By barbara wawa

July 24, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

Is my poop gay cause it came out?

By abc

July 24, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

Christianity and Islam both teach that homosexuality is a terrible sin; Buddhism is a bit more lenient. In issues of morality so closely tied to religion, the schools have absolutely no business teaching the children anything. Leave that to their families, and if they’re religious, to churches.

Personally, I view homosexuality as a very undesireable quality. I’m as tolerant of people’s homosexuality as they are about my less than desirable qualities. Support by churches of homosexuality is completely misguided. I consider homosexuality to be sexual immorality and a sin (as the Bible says), but that’s not to say it’s any worse than greed, thievery, and others. Obviously, churches should not endorse nor condone gay marriage or other union, any more than they’d endorse and condone known criminals or obvious greed. Now, what about the churches that show obvious greed? Ah, different topic!

Sexuality is a hot button for people, they tend to overreact. Of course, God knows all about it, as with everything.

By mb

July 24, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

*By jc

July 24, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

These gay kids need to find the Lord.*

And unicorns. They should find unicorns.

By asdf

July 24, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

You’ve got to be kidding me.

By RD

July 24, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

I am 45 years old and knew I was gay at the age of 13. I wish I had had the support of school counselors, clubs and organizations to help me get through the process.

My family is strict Southern Baptist so that has been a huge issue also.

To those struggling with this, please know that it definitely is not a choice. No one gets to choose his or her sexuality.

Also, it is not a moral issue. A man can die a 90 year old virgin, but if he was gay, he was still gay.

It is a biological issue that a person is born with. For that reason, society needs to be more accepting so these teens don’t commit suicide.

By Mike

July 24, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

I find myself caught up in this whole accept/reject/hatred situation surrounding gay teens. I am a 19 year old guy who has recently been toying with the “Am I gay?” question. While I am fairly certain I’m not 100% gay, I do have a certain fondness for other guys. This led me to talk to a few close friends about it. Not really “comeing out” but just discussing the situation.

The people I sought to tell, accepted anything and accepted me in any form. I knew they would, it’s in there character. A few of my other friends/family found out that I didn’t intend to, including one of my closest friends from high school. He is a few years younger then me, 16, and his reaction was not good. He eventually and reluctantly “said” that everything is ok. I’m still working that one out.

My sister, who is 17 called me nearly crying. I wouldn’t have expected this type of reaction from her but she was very not accepting. While she said she would still love me because I’m her brother, she said that being gay was just not right.

So I’ve experienced both sides of the spectrum. I never had to deal with any prejudice in high school because know one knew, including me. I had pondered the thought of being gay before but I never dwelled on it. It really wasn’t important. I was too busy making friends, and yes I even had a girlfriend that I really liked.

While this subject hasn’t been the definition of my life, I can still relate. I recently was taken out to a gay bar/night club by a group of friends, gay and straight, and my initial reaction when I walked in was, “this can’t be a gay bar.” It looked like a bar full of people, it looked NORMAL. It was just a bunch of people drinking and dancing and socializing. The people there were so friendly and the gay friends I went with are so kind and sincere. I had to look around and say to myself, “what possibly have these people done to deserve all the hatred and disrespect they get from certain people?” It just doesn’t make sense.

By Not too long ago

July 24, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

It is so empowering to me to see all of these young people feeling safe and confident enough to come out of the closet. I graduated high school in 2004 and at that time i did not feel comfertable coming out to my family and friends. now, i am 22, i graduated from a catholic college, i work at another catholic college and i still am onl out to my close friends and brother. Why is it that these young children have no problem coming out and i still do not have the confidence to tell my own mother who i know would accept me. I am very proud of these young people and wish them the best of luck in their lives. These kids are an inspiration and i think i will be able to tell my mother the next time i see her.

By Numbers Guy

July 24, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Lord almighty, Theresa, when you decide to pick a topic to bring out the hate crowd, you don’t mess around.

I have fundamental problems with homosexuality. If my son turns out to be gay, I will be disappointed. That does not equate to not loving him anymore. In any case, I suspect that middle school is waaaay to early to take seriously any profession of sexuality. Let’s face it, when I was 12-16, I suffered physical reactions whenever the wind blew. Didn’t mean I was a breeze-asexual, but who the heck knows at 13?

One last note - the schools have no place in this discussion. It’s the parents’ job. That being said, the parents need to step up and handle it.

By who cares

July 24, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

For crying out loud people, don’t you think that there are enough of other things to worry about! Who cares if a person is straight or gay or bi whatever. I myself have really other important things to worry about, like bills, my job (if I will have one soon), etc. For one thing I would rather have a someone that is gay move into the neighborhood than some ghetto trash any day. Least they will gentrify the place!

By Robbie

July 24, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

To answer the question, no, they are not ready. Please tell your fruity-tooty teens to act as straight as possible. Nothing’s worse than gay kids. YUCK!!!!!! I see these freaks in the mall, buying gay s** and looking all gay without parent supervision and it makes me sick. Little perverts check’n out my package while I wait in line at Cindy’s Cinnamon Rolls at the McKinnley Mall. I close lined one last week when I was walking into the bathroom. I’m not taking ANY CHANCES.

By gayfather

July 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

My son is 9 and knows the difference already. He’s never had any issues with having a gay father, but I’m sure they’re coming. I do believe it should be discussed. It will be regardless of who’s leading. I’d put my trust in the school, before I would the children’s peers. I knew that I wasn’t exactly the same as everyone else at an early age. It would have been great having a support group, although I don’t know if I’d have used it at that time. I hid my sexuality until I was 25. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t wait near that long if I had the chance to do it all over.

By Robbie

July 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

RD, come on…do you really think we need these tainted individuals running amuck? Let’m go early and peacefully. That’s what I say, dudes.

By To: SuperMom

July 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

You should be arrested for even speaking that way of a person. Your son might be gay but he is still your son. If you think that your son is going to hell because he is gay, at least he will be able to see his parents burning at worse section of hell because of their ignorance and stupidity.

If anyone is wondering what i am talking about look for the post by “supermom” who is talking about locking her gay son in his room because he is gay.

By DuraMater

July 24, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Larry King’s principle got him killed as surely as if she’d put the gun to his head herself. Why should middle schoolers “sexually express themselves”? Why was the alleged gunman allowed to be sexually harassed? If the shooter had been a girl and the victim had been a hetero male, would we even be talking here?

By Robbie

July 24, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

who cares, you worry about The Bills, too? I think that this is going to be one hell of a season for them sonsabitches and all the good people of Western New York. I like you. However, when you say that you’d rather have gays move in than ghetto trash, I feel like you’re not thinking very clearly. reassess your values.

By adam

July 24, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

I care! I care alot, my partner and I did not adopt a beautiful baby boy for him to turn out straight! everyone knows that being gay has to do with the WAY you are raised not some scientific mumbo jumbo about your genetics, I say if you want your little bundle of joy to be gay then you better make him gay, or else you will be forced to go to high school football games (YUCK!!) or take pictures at your sons breeder prom… well luckily that wont be happening in our house

By casey

July 24, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

If the school would just teach every child starting from first grade all the way thru high school the most simplest rule of them all. Treat others they way one wants to be treated. So simple but so true. They dont have to get into race, sex, disability, sexual prefrence, etc. I went to a small country school and saw the hate towards the few that were suspected to be gay. So many closed minded people in the world, GLBT community will always be 3rd class citizens. No matter how hard we try to get equality. I am a 28 y/o lesbian. I am fairly closeted due to the closed minded folk in my community. It sucks. But easier than dealing with the wrath of closed minded people.

By sprakyy

July 24, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

are you all complete idiots?

even some of the people who are saying that they accept gays or are gay themselves are complete idiots.

first, who adopts a kid to raise him gay? yo cannot raise a child gay and i hope that your child is straight just to see the look on your face when you have to watch him get married. And this is from a gay guy.

second, to the guy who clotheslined a gay person for being gay. you do realize that it is more likely that you hurt a fellow straight person who dresses gay because it attracts girls right? and you are a complete moron for thining the way you do. It’s people like you that make the lives of normal people hell for your 5th century views.

By Müller

July 24, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

I wonder if the Hilter youth’s had any of these issues?

By Teacher

July 24, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I’ve had students as young as 3rd grade who knew something was different.

I believe that each child has value. As a teacher, I teach this every day; and by example live it. I have a lot of friends— and some of them are also gay.

As the late Mr Rogers said, “I like you, just the way you are.”

By hotlanta

July 24, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

First of all our kids should not be having sex with ANYBODY. Am I suppose to be happy because my daughter is a lesbian because she can’t bring a baby home as a teenage mom. If I disagreed with the relationship I will be accused of being homophobic. When as a parent I need to let her know the consequences of teenage sex whether it is with a girl of boy.I am sick and tired of these young black girls that look just like little boys because they think that it is cool. What is going to happen to you if you get to be 20 or 30 and want to be with a man. You got to let him look through your photo album and your fade looked better than his. These kids think that it is cool now will have bigger issues further on down the road.

By Lynn

July 24, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

For those of you saying that they don’t know the difference in middle school…I disagree. When my now 13 yr old daughter had a lake party 3 years ago, a young 10 yr old boy was one of her guest and everything about him screamed girl. I asked my daughter “is he gay” and she calmly said “no mom, he’s just bi”. I almost fell in the floor needless to say. Well here it is 3 years later and they’re still very close friends and he’s very open and proud of his sexuality. I recently read a post he put on my oldest daughters myspace under a pic she had of her & her BF kissing in the snow saying “Wish this was me and my boyfriend”. I try and try but I just don’t get it. As young as 10 being so open. I often wonder how his parents have handled his situation but I’m guessing they’re all good with it since he seems so proud.

By JeremiahWright

July 24, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

No one should “come out”. Your sexuality is your business, and no one else cares. This political correct society needs to die. Children, at the very least, shouldn’t even think along the lines of sexuality. They’re too young to really have identified anything. You left wing loons who salute this nonsense are hurting the kids and society.

By sam

July 24, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Homosexuality is totally unnatural. For it to be accepted as widely as it has been recently, it just shows that evil is at work in the world to deceive people. Even if someone doesn’t oppose homosexuality because it goes against the natural laws set forth by the Creator, one has to recognize that it’s like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. People are searching for love in anyone but the only One Who truly loves them.

By JeremiahWright

July 24, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

And homosexuality IS shameful because it’s UNNATURAL. That’s a fact. There’s no argument about it.

By here one for ya

July 24, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Animals are smarter than we are. They don’t procreate with other species and they don’t display gay sexuality.

By JeremiahWright

July 24, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Gayfather, you’re sick. Thanks for ruining your 9 year old’s childhood by bringing YOUR choice of sexuality into his life. A 9 yo should be exploring in the woods and riding a bike with friends—not worrying about what other guy you’re involved with. So-called “progressive” parents are the bane of this society.

By adam

July 24, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

the creator is the only one you should be concernd with! his almighty son is my lover and when I take communion I feel like we are one, together forever entangled inside my body I can feel him pulsing though my blood and working through my hands. his power is so great that I have no choice but to let him have his way with me. I have always felt that way my whole life, does that mean I was gay in middle school?

By At peace

July 24, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

I’m in my 40s and only “came out” a few years ago. In retrospect I realize that I knew that I was gay in high school, but I didn’t understand it. I had feelings for men, but I dismissed those feelings as a “phase,” as something that most people must experience at that age but just didn’t articulate to anyone. I assumed that these feelings would pass. After all, I was a very good person and athletic, so it just wasn’t possible that I could be gay. To be gay was, well, to live on the fringes of society, to be effeminate, twisted, sordid, and so on. And those notions were pieced together through very sketchy murmurings that I was privy to on very rare occasions. Information on the subject was not readily available to me, and I was way too scared to be caught digging around for material on the subject.

When I finally did realize that I was definitely gay while working in a major Northern city one summer during college, I made a pledge to myself that I would bury myself in work, that I would maintain a safe distance from everyone in order to guard against anyone ever suspecting or finding out, and that I would try to help others as much as possible as a way to somehow compensate or do penance for being gay. I held my feelings at bay for the next 2 decades, and over time I rarely thought of it. I was a huge people pleaser, and the thought of disppointing anyone—family, friends, co-workers, hell, just society in general—was unfathomable to me.

Imagine my surprise when out of the blue my safe and surprisingly semi-pleasant existence was thrown into turmoil at age 40. I couldn’t sleep and cried often, yet I didn’t feel that there one soul that I could turn to for help. Although I was raised Southern Baptist in south Alabama, my church was quite an anomaly: hellfire and damnation were not the order of the day, some of our deacons were women, and God was portrayed as loving and forgiving. Therefore, I, unlike many of my Southern contemporaries, was never made to feel that God did not approve of me. I was more fearful of man’s abhorence and intolerance of who I was than I was of God’s feelings for me

And that brings me to an important point. Jesus never once condemned homosexuality. In fact, He embraced those people whom society had rejected. And doesn’t that just make so much sense? God is love, and Jesus was sent to us by God to let us know just how much he loved us. The Old Testament treats homosexuality as a sort of time/place sin within the Hebrew culture right on par with a man sleeping with his wife during her period.

It is man with all his prejudices, insecurities, and countless flaws that has made so many gays feel estranged from religion; God loves us all. I know that I was born gay in the same way that an infant is born with a certain physical diability. Neither of us had a choice in the matter. And just to get a little casual about it - God don’t make no junk.

I’m actually a pretty conservative guy in most ways, but I think that being a homosexual has been a rather unexpected gift for me in the same way that an alcoholic friend of mine said that being an alcoholic had been a gift to him. It’s forced us to search—to search deep within ourselves for strength, for peace, for tolerance, for love, and in essence for God.

By SAG

July 24, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Being comfortable in my own heterosexuality, my own skin, I applaud the kids that realize they are gay, homosexual,whatever you wish to call it. These kids will be much less likely to be depressed to the point of suicide because of self-hatred and social rejection. I find this subject a great segway from the prior subject of having and loving kids. If you have a gay child and cannot accept the child as they are you have no right to be a parent, actually you’re not a parent you’re a unfit breeder. If you refuse love to a gay child you should never attempt to have another child because you are unfit to care for as little as a house plant. I have no children but if I did and my husband had an issue with it, he’d be gone before sundown but I would never marry such an uneducated, self-loathing, insecure hateful person. My husband and I have many gay friends and we know a few parents of gay kids and we have no issue at all with it. I do have lot’s of issues with homophobes but as a rule..I avoid that (sub)mentality as if it were the plague.

By Sarah

July 24, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Robbie, you have a girls name you idiot. And why was your fat butt getting cinnamon rolls at a mall. You type as if you’re fat and your member is very, very undersized. Robiie, it’s glaringly obvious you are either joking in your post are there’s some hidden pink do-do all over those cheap shoes you’re wearing. Again, fat boy…no cinnamon rolls, you have enough rolls. The last time you saw your member was in 1991.

By Ironman Carmichael

July 24, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Here’s one right back at ya, “Here’s one for ya”: homosexual behavior has been noted in several hundred animal species. And not all heterosexuals procreate.

As for Sam (“Homosexuality is totally unnatural”), it’s time again for my little joke: An old woman was asked what she had against homosexuality. She fluffer her wig, adjusted her bifocals, turned up her hearing aid, ran her tongue briefly over her dentures, stirred a little nondairy creamer into her decaf, placed one hand over her pacemaker, her other hand on her plastic hip, before finally answering “It isn’t natural.”

By CP

July 24, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

At peace- what about Leviticus 18:22 (old testament) & Romans 1:26 (new?)

I believe Jesus came to show God’s love and compassion for everyone regardless of how society viewed them. But it doesn’t mean that God gave us free will to do what we want & it’s all okay.

And as for the “born that way” theory, that’s never been proven. Even with identical twins, you’d expect that if one was gay, both would be going on that theory. Although the likelihood of homosexuality for both being gay is higher than other siblings (about 1/2 I think it was) it’s nowhere near 100%.

By Troglodyke

July 24, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

“And homosexuality IS shameful because it’s UNNATURAL. That’s a fact. There’s no argument about it.”

“Animals are smarter than we are. They don’t procreate with other species and they don’t display gay sexuality.”

When your “facts” are Bible-based, they are not facts. Period.

It does not surprise me one bit that a Bible thumper would have only a modicum of science knowledge, but the scientific fact that some animals routinely display homosexual behaviors is old news.

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-mammals-displaying-homosexual-behavior

Your argument is not valid. In fact, there is absolutely no valid secular argument against homosexuality at all. It’s as natural to the subset of the population that practices it as anything else.

You don’t have to like it, or even condone it—it’s none of your business.

By Flikka

July 24, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

Ever becoming “confused” in the first place is NOT an option in my home. Period.

Daughter’s already well onboard with this and the 3 year old seems to respond well to our male bonding; with “men” things, and seems to take well to the little girls’ hugs at school. Looking good!

By Bobby

July 24, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

I’m really curious as to whether “Jenne” actually laid down with a man to make those 3 children of hers…

By ManOfTeal

July 24, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Wow, when I was in middle school the most important thing to me was playing video games, making sure my acne was under control, and making sure that I didn’t get seen in public with my parents. The furthest thing on my minds was my own sexual orientation. Maybe kids should hold off on announcing their orientation until they are well into their teen years. I really don’t think they are mature enough in middle school to make that kind of decision.

By Tom

July 24, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

CP @ 12:48 is exactly right: it’s never been proven that one is born gay. Now CP can proceed to tell us how it’s never been “proven” to his/her satisfaction that the earth revolves around the sun (after all, God clearly says in His Word that it doesn’t), that pi is more than 3 (since the Holy Scripture clearly says pi=3), etc.

I’m sure CP will get his/her reward from the Imaginary Sky Fairy for clinging to the truth and proclaiming it so boldly via a pseudonym on an anonymous blog.

By JeremiahWright

July 24, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Troglodyke and Ironman,

There IS NO evidence of gay behavior among wild animals. The “research” finds what it wants to find. Hey, that male monkey touched the other male monkey’s penis. They must be gay. Hey, he hugged the other monkey. That’s gay too. Give me a break. Show us a real project that documented gay behavior in wild animals, and isn’t paid for by GLBT or some other biased organization.

And Troglodyke, nothing I said was Bible-based. Common sense says that homosexuality is unnatural, and it can’t be the result of evolution either.

By sparkyy

July 24, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

actually, there has been scientific research completed that confirms the fact that there is homosexual sex common in many different animal species. including, horses, dogs, birds, monkeys, etc… there have been many universities sponsoring that type of research for years, including the university of chicago (an IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL) so before you go and make assumptions about this type of stuff why not do a little research and find evidence supporting your claim. And not religious evidence, scientific evidence/

By GaNative

July 24, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

I think a lot of these kids are making peer pressure decisions. They are too young to be making a life long sexual preferance at such a young age. In middle schhol and high school being a lesbian is considered the latest fad. I transferred my daughter out of one school because they were after her and she was hanging out with them headed into that direction. But now I thank God that she’s straight and one day might bear me some grand kids that look like me.

By jct

July 24, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

@at peace

Thank you for sharing your story. It seems you and I have had very similar experiences, except it hit me at 29 instead of 40.

I wish we could have the dialogue that occurs mostly any other day on this blog.

By Julie

July 24, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

I really believe being gay is in your genetic code. I certainly don’t remember choosing to be straight and to like boys, but around the ages of 12-13 I REALLY started liking boys! So why wouldn’t a person who is gay start noticing their attractions at the same age? I think it’s terribly sad that kids are still being raised by such hateful people that they would harm or kill a person just because that person is homosexual. Personally I’ve always felt flattered when someone expressed interest in me! If they’re not my type or the gender I prefer, I just tell them I’m not interested. I plan to raise my two boys the same way. I’ve already decided though -that due to the hatemongers (usually trying to hide behind the Bible and Jesus, who certainly would have been thought gay with his merry band of 12 single guy friends in this day and age) and possible harm, if either of my children are gay I will tell them to be EXTREMELY cautious and careful during adolesence particularly because some people are so filled with hate and meanness that they will do the worst things imaginable. I hate to think that I would have to say that, but even in this day and age (given a number of these posts) it’s obviously true.

By here's one for ya

July 24, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

And the article’s were surely written by gays as well. We all know that there is enough of those stupid studies out there that we can find one to prove or disprove any theory or fact. I have a ton of animals and not one of them are gay I’m proud to say.

By GaNative

July 24, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

If God condoned homosexuality he woulda impregnated Joseph instead of Mary. Remember now, God can do anything and nothing is impossible for him. * Just Kidding Yall, I just try to worry about who I sleep with, then there is no time for me to worry about others*.

By sparkyy

July 24, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

You know i find it amusing how far certain people will go for a belief. Even when there is proof to the contrary. There is scientific proof that homosexuality exists in the animal kingdom and most of these scientists are not gay. and yet, this one person will not even take the time to look it up and see if he/she is wrong or right. But if you want to stay an ignorant person so be it. I will not lose sleep over the fact that you will never understand the truth.

By West Cobb Dad

July 24, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Gee. Some topic. Why pick it? Couldn’t think of anything else like maybe some good ideas in how to get your child to actually go to sleep at night without dosing him/her with Nyquil? NO. We have to pick “my 12 year old’s classmate says she’s a lesbian”. Does anyone really care? Problem is, do you invite her to her daughter’s sleepover party? Oh my. Do you let your daughter spend the night at her house? Hmmm. Could be safer than letting her play doctor with a boy. But then again, say good-bye to her long blond hair and start buying those flannel shirts. And GI Joe’s instead of Bratz this Xmas. How does a 12 year old know? Heck, they can’t even remember to do their homework much less decide do they like kids with or without kickstands. Stupid topic.

By WTH

July 24, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

I truly hope you dim-witted folks that react to satire with such vitriol are not registered voters.

I mean DAMN! Can you not tell the difference? Especially with SuperMom and adam.

If you take that chip off your shoulder and stop looking for a fight you might see that many are on your side.

By Joe

July 24, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

I have always known of my homosexuality even as a small child before puberty. It was just a gut feeling.To me it’s like a trait that you’re dealt. Like eye color. Nobody ever influenced me to be a gay man. Matter of fact I am the middle child of three boys. The older and younger both are straight and were raised in the same household. So it was not enviroment.Gay people were something that did not exist openly. They were there I’m sure but not discussed or shown out in the open like today. Gay people are not second class citizens. I’m glad younger people have more options. When I was young, there were no resources availible. To this day, I still remember the isolation I felt. If a child wants to open up…please by all means listen.

By Dummy

July 24, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

I voted just like my minister daddy and abused mommy tell me to! The right is right! Keep GA stoopid!

By CP

July 24, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Goodness, Theresa. Sometimes I wonder if you get paid by the # of comments submitted. :) You certainly know how to pick a topic to discuss.

By Lauren

July 24, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

To the poster who calls himself JeremiahWright— Do you really thing sexuality does not emerge in childhood? You are crazy if you believe that. I can remember playing “doctor” with a neighbor boy when he and I were only like 5 or 6 years old. That is sexuality. It is normal. Children as little as babies masterbate- they just don’t understand what they are doing but they have urges and know what feels good. You can ignore sexuality and repress it and make it feel shameful but you can’t make it go away just by hiding your head in the sand.

By Sunshine

July 24, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Lauren, where is your brain. Babies don’t do what you allude to. Gee Whizz. And, remember, God hasn’t changed his mind about Homosexuality. I know you ‘anything goes’ individuals would like for him to but afraid it doesn’t work that way. It is and always has been an abomination to God

By hotlanta

July 24, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Being gay/transgender or whatever gets attention. People magazine had in front the magazine “Man gives birth to a baby”. How about all of the women that gave birth that day besides Angelina Jolie that got that much media. We have a right to disagree if we wish. Isn’t that what America is suppose to be about.

By hotlanta

July 24, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Being gay/transgender or whatever gets attention. People magazine had in front the magazine “Man gives birth to a baby”. How about all of the women that gave birth that day besides Angelina Jolie that got that much media. We have a right to disagree if we wish. Isn’t that what America is suppose to be about.

By Lauren

July 24, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Sunshine, you need to check your medical research- scientists have observed girl babies aged 12-24 months masterbating. It is proven. I have to tell you I have caught my daughters playing with themselves as young as two or three. What do you think they are doing? Looking for a quarter?

By Steve-O

July 24, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Look, if you want to believe in god or whatever and base your life on some ancient texts then fine, do so. But please stop telling me I have to. To me the idea of god is as fanciful as unicorns. And Sunshine, if god exists how would you know what he has changed his mind about or not? Has he written you a letter or appeared in your bowl of cheerios and talked to you? I doubt it! You can justify or condemn just about anything by using words for the Bible and I dare anyone to quote any words from Jesus condemning homosexuality. You can’t do it because he didn’t say it. Aren’t you supposed to be Christians? If so, why are you so upset about gays? Jesus said nothing about it. You are just using religion to justify your hatred. Oldest trick in the book!

By Veronica

July 24, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

I agree that individuals have the right to disagree with homosexuality. You have a right to think it is awful and to have nothing to do with it yourself. What you can’t do is deprive others of their rights just because you don’t like them. That is called bigotry. Pure and simple. If you want to harrass, beat up, insult someone for being gay or fire them or not hire them for a job for being gay or deprive them of the pursuit of happiness by not letting them marry or adopt children because they are gay then that is you using your personal beliefs to deprive another person of their civil rights. I really don’t understand why you all who are so against homosexuals fail to see that it is you who is pushing your will and personal preferences on others— not the other way around.

By Steve-O

July 24, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

I don’t give a rat’s patoot what the Bible says. I am not a Christian. And guess what? I am allowed to not be a Christian! This is not a theocracy…last I checked. All of you who keep saying “the bible says this… and God says that…” sound just about as rational to me as Bin Laden saying “Allah says this…and Mohammad says that…” All religious nuttery and zealotry and I want nothing to do with it. I am arguing purely on laws and science. Keep your religious beliefs in your home and in your churches and out of the courtrooms and other people’s lives!

By sparkyy

July 24, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

I do not understand how we, homosexuals, are a threat to those who are against us. I mean really what does it matter if i happen to fall in love with another man? If i want to have hot gay sex with a man, how does that affect anyone else? Why is it that I am a threat to you? What is the big deal?

By Sunshine

July 24, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Well, Lauren and group. Nice to see your side of the story. Actually, what I said was NOT my side of the story. It is Gods side. I didn’t say that you didn’t have a right to be an atheist. You certainly do have that right. You also have the right to be homosexual if thats really your hearts desire. However, as I said earlier, God has not changed his mind. You might want to consider changing yours. My choice would be to believe in God and find out there isn’t one than to deny the existance of God and finding out..too late, I might add, that there really is a God! Lauren, you have a lot to learn. SteveO, you have a lot to learn as well.Apparently you aren’t as well versed in the Bible as you purport to be. SteveO, if you and Veronica will reread what I posted, you will see that I said nothing of the things that you posted. Sounds like you two are on your pedestals. I smiply said that homosexuality is an abomination to God. Steveo..its in the Bible. Look it up

By sparkyy

July 24, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Sunshine,

you just plain suck, why do you need to puch your religious beliefs onto other people it just does not make sense.

By Sunshine

July 24, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Sparky! Sparky! Sparky! Now I understand why you don’t understand much. I hate to burst your bubble, but the University of Chicago is NOT an ivy League school. Also, Animals do not have the ability to be homosexual. Animals are pretty much preprogrammed by God. If I were you, I would throw out that trash you are reading that is polluting your mind and get the real facts

By Steve-O

July 24, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Sunshine, you are hilarious! You are a typical religious nutcake; you have no idea what you are talking about. I didn’t say anti-gay stuff was not in the Bible, I said Jesus never said anything anti-homosexual. Learn to read! You are just another blindly religious idiot on a rant and the only people who can stand you are other religious zealots like yourself. I am comfortable with my beliefs and my life. I am not gay but I have no problems with gays. I support their rights wholeheartedly. Once again, I don’t give a stinking rathole what the bible says and if that is your only argument then you have failed this debate miserably.

By Tom

July 24, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

You’re right, Sunshine, it is in the Bible. But of course the Bible also says that eating shellfish is an abomination, so I’d cancel that trip to Red Lobster tonight if I were you.

By CJ raddy

July 24, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

I wonder why an 11 year old would even worry about sexuality, as most have not even hit puberty yet! Oh, I forget: we’re living in a pedophilic, post-playboy, sexually-progrssive times, when children get stimulated at 5, and liberals think that’s “healthy”!

If anyone harms a child, it is better for him/her to have a rock tied around their neck and dumped in the river. Who said that? The most hate-ful Person who ever lived according to some of you: JESUS!! Larry Flint and other perverts like him will have to face God in judgment for stimulating children before they are ready for love, or anything close to it.

By CJ raddy

July 24, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

Steve-O,

It’s okay for you to call me names, but I’m hateful if I even diagree with what you are doing? WOW!

Frankly, I’m tired of being leered at and having my nieces and nephews have to fear for their minds, bodies and safety because of some child-molesting perverts so-called “rights”. 9/10 of the gay young chidren out there were stimulated by something that they saw, heard on the radio, or were subjected to by a perverted sick-o adult. Don’t tell me about your rights: my right to life has been taken away a long time ago by pornographers (I was molested as a child).

By CJ raddy

July 24, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Steve-O: surprise, surprise, surprise! sexually-disturbed, horny, child-perverting fat rich guys like Larry Flint, are better off with a rock around their neck and drowned in the sea, according to Jesus.

By Sunshine

July 24, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Tom Actually, I am dining at home tonight. However if you will delve a bit further, you will find out that eating shellfish is, in fact, ok in the Bible. Now, since you mentioned that, I wish I was eating at a seafood place tonight. SteveO, it appears to me that you are the one who is really ranting and raving. You seem to know a bit about the bible, though not totally correct. I have found over the years that people who rant and rave and act as such are generally the people with an emptiness in their heart and, sometimes, a brain to match. And, though you think I am a ‘blind religious idiot on a rant’, I will refrain from saying the same about you. You ARE Ignorant (meaning ignorant of the facts), but you are not an idiot

By marie

July 24, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

I have two wonderfull teanagers ason and a daughter. Both of them entered puberty by the age of ten, partly due to family but i belive partly dur to the hormones in the food and milk when they were younger. They have been rasie by myself for 9 years then my partner moved in with us and the two of us raised them together. When our daughter was 12 she told her classmates that she was lesbien, this had not been talked about at home and I found out when I was volentering at our local food bank the person who told me that my daughter had come out was very supportive of thayt fact even though she was a member of the catholic church in town. We live in a small town of under 2000 people and my daughter recived support from her teachers and her friends. Since that time my daughter has decided that she really has no intrest in gay or straight (girls or boys) and is happy being wo she is and just having friends. At this time my daughter is 17 and still has not had a boyfriend or girlfriend, I just want for her as well as her brother to be happy. I will not stop loving my children even if they are different from the whole world. Love is the greatest gift we have or can recive and to pass it on without conditions is the greatest gift we can give

By FCM

July 25, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this

There will be people who decide to hate someone because they are different from who themselves. Hate can only be taught….no child goes to the sandbox as a toddler and sees anything but other toddlers (1-3)…eventually they notice the differences (she’s a girl, he is a boy, etc) and somewhere along the way they learn to hate. It is SAD.

Teaching children not to hate is important. No I am not going to delve into is it ok fight….there are lots of things I do not agree with in life…pleanty of other people do that is fine…I do not need to be hateful about it.

Those of you spouting Jesus! You realize he embraced the outcasts right?

By Steve-O

July 25, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

CJ, I never called you names. I don’t know what you are talking about. This blog is not about pediphiles and pornographers but if you want to talk about that then we will. Most pediphiles are straight. Plain and simple. Also, pornography does not cause sexual thought. Pornography exists because there is sexual thought (RIP Bill Hicks). See the sexual thoughts come first and thats why we have the porn. Duh! You also pointed out another reason why I have problems with you Bible-thumpers. The bible is full of murder, lynching, ritual sacrifice, gouging of eyes, and cutting off body parts for punishment and you people still want to do things like that. Hello! That was thousands of years ago! We have supposedly evolved beyond treating people like that but you guys keep bringing it up which makes you sound, well, once again it makes you sound like some of those crazy muslims who want to cut off the infidels heads. You are just like them- eaten up with religion to the point that it has made you irrational and nuts! I am sorry you were molested. That is truly horrible. But you wanting to blame Larry Flint for your molestation is just tragically misguided. Larry Flint, I feel pretty sure, is not the man who molested you. Blame him, not somebody else.

By Steve-O

July 25, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Also, I will point out that folks have used the bible to justify lynching people. They used the bible to justify forming the KKK and torturing and abusing black people. They have used the bible to argue against race mixing and interracial marriage. And now you all are using the bible to argue against homosexuals. The rest of us are long familiar with some so-called Christians who love to cloak all their hatred in the bible. Well guess what, we see right through it. You are just a bunch of bigoted hate mongers and you have no idea how to truly follow the teachings you talk about. When you read the bible all you see is hate and fear and condemnation of others. Where is the love? If you are truly a Christian you are supposed to love all your fellow man. You hate the sin and the sinner. You have it all wrong. God protect us from your followers!

By Steve-O

July 25, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

Hey Sunshine, just to show you some more things that are described as abominations to god in the bible, here they are— four-legged fowls, things that crawl on their bellies, the eating of shellfish, the work of craftsmen, the price of a dog, sacrificing a blemished sheep or goat, and whatever people value most. (That which is highly esteeemed among men is an abomination to God- Luke 16:15.) So you see if you really believe this abomination to god crapola and take it literally like you say you do then you should never eat shrimp or lobster. Ever! You can’t just pick and choose which of the abominations you want to follow. You have to follow all of them. Don’t cafeteria your scripture and just pick the ones you like. Another abomination to god is women wearing any clothing that pertains to a man- i.e. pants. So I sincerely hope you wear only dresses and skirts because every time you put on jeans or slacks you are offending god. Just so you know. So if you eat shellfish, wear pants or cherish the work of craftsmen then you are a total hypocrite and everything you have said about “abomination to God” has been rendered meaningless, coming from you, that is.

By CP

July 25, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

SteveO - Could you please reference where in the Bible you found all of these “abominations” to God? In all seriousness I would really be interested to see all of them for myself.

By Gerald

July 25, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

I DONT NEED TO KNOW YOUR SEXUAL PREFERENCE! KEEP IT TO YOURSELF AND YOUR “PARTNER”! If you really love and respect your kids, slap them upside the head at an early age before this identity crisis get out of control! After they are grown and gone, they can be whatever they want to be!

By Jesse's Girl

July 25, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Perhaps a new topic Theresa….to end the week and begin the weekend with?

By jg

July 25, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

My 12 yeard old daughter’s friend announced that she is bi-sexual….I think we all were shocked at the early age of this kind of idea….We are a Christian family and I asked my daughter what she thought/said. She told her friend that the Bible speaks against these things but they are still friends. She said she does not want to understand it and leaves it at that.

We are all sinners - love the sinner hate the sin. Only Jesus was perfect.

By Sparkle

July 25, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Homosexuality is not normal. If young children are feeling these tendencies then their parents should seek treatment for them. It is not natural for males to be sexuality attracted to males and the same holds true for females. God made us male and female and did not intend for us to become homosexual. The broad acceptance by society has made it easier for “loners” and others who have problems fitting in socially, to become closer to others who are more like themselves. Too many parents are falling down on the job and are not spending their time raising their children to be well-rounded in all aspects of life. Parents are grabbing for the almighty dollar and neglecting the fact that a lot of TIME goes into properly raising a child. too many parents are allowing their children to virtually raise themselves with no adult guidance by an adult with good character and values. Allowing children to escape into homosexuality rather than helping them develop into well-rounded social beings is doing them a great disservice.

By Steve-O

July 25, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

CP- glad to help you. I gave you one in my post- Luke 16:15 and quoted the scripture for you. Also try Leviticus 11:12, 11:20, 11:23,11:42. Deutoronomy 17:1, 22:5, 23:18, 24:1-4, 27:15. Have fun!

By Lauren

July 25, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Sparkle- you can be against homosexuality all you want but please stop calling it unnatural. That is just not true. It is a naturally occurring thing that has been around as long as mankind and animalkind for that matter. The penis was made for penetrating and that is that. All of you who call homosexuality unnatural please make sure you are not so hypocritical as to engage in any kind of oral sex. If you are going on what is “natural” by “God’s design” then the mouth was definitely not intended for that purpose and if you do have oral sex then by your own rules you are sinning against God and his desired plan for our sex organs. If you are a man and you don’t like homosexuality then it is very simple- don’t let someone put his penis up your butt. Otherwise stay the fluck out of other people’s personal lives!

By Matt

July 25, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Some of you people are so sad and ignorant.

By CP

July 25, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

SteveO, I really appreciate you taking the time to point out these verses to me as I was better able to understand them. Obviously you & I have vastly different points of view & I don’t expect you to take my views just like you won’t change mine. I spent some time today looking over what you put in. This is what I found:

Luke 16:15 is talking about serving two masters & Jesus is speaking about money, specifically the love of money. Putting anything before Him in our lives is unacceptable to Him.

Leviticus chapter 11 talks about the laws God gave all mankind regarding cleanliness; what to eat, what not to eat, etc… Nowhere that I can find there says it’s an “abomination” to or against God. It says that it’s an “abomination” to “you” or us, mankind. Looking at the “don’t” list, it’s filled with things that are not as healthy for us as the others that are considered clean: pork, shellfish, & other things that aren’t so great for the human body. I don’t know but that seems to just make sense to me. Paul even says in Romans 14 that “nothing is unclean in itself” (14,) and that “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking… (17.)

Deuteronomy 17:1 says that God doesn’t want anything sacrificed to Him which has any defect. Going on the premise that He created the world, animals, people, the whole shebang, it seems only fair to me that He can create any rules He wants to. I’d think of it like if I paid for an extravagant trip, all-inclusive, for someone and they said they wanted to bring me back something to say thanks. They come back after a wonderful time with great stories and beautiful souveniers & all I got was a keychain. Not a great comparison but that’s what I was thinking of. Of course, that law was put in place before Jesus was crucified and other sacrifices weren’t neccessary anymore.

Deuteronomy 22:5 says it’s an abomination to God for a man to dress as a women & vice-versa. Taking this literally still doesn’t mean that women are supposed to wear only skirts and dresses. I’m also thinking that pants & slacks weren’t common around the time the Bible was written. Probably more like robes or tunics. So I think it makes more sense that God was referring to someone trying to look like the opposite sex and subjecting their own sex. Transvestitism.

Deuteronomy 23:18 talks about the “price of a dog” in the house of God. I have to admit I was a little confused about this as well but then I looked further into it. The original word that was translated into dog was “keleb.” Keleb is referring to a male prostitute or sodomite. Not a literal dog. Seems that “dog” was a euphemism.

Deuteronomy 24 gives laws pertaining to divorce. If a man wants to divorce his wife because he’s found some “indecency” or “uncleanliness” in her, then he can give her a certificate of divorce and send her packing. It doesn’t say he has to get a divorce, but is permitted to if he can’t deal with it. And “indecency” in the verse is pretty well accepted to mean some sort of sexual sin like infidelity. The “abomination” comes in when God says if the exwife remarries and then, through death or another divorce, is available again, she can’t remarry the original husband. I don’t know about other people but I wouldn’t remarry an ex. There’s a lot of differences of opinion on that & I don’t know what reason it’s there for. I don’t want the job of making the rules anyway.

Deutoronomy 27:15 says it’s an “abomination” to make “an idol or molten image.” The craftsman is the one who would be making the idol, so it’s not their profession that’s what’s outlawed, it’s the idol that was made.

Learn something new everyday.

By FCM

July 25, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

I am not sure why i am bothering to write. Theresa will have this down by Monday….however

Steve-O—the best way I have found to point out to people they are not adhering to the food laws is this: Do you eat cheeseburgers? How about Pepperoni pizza? Both have mother’s milk (cheese) and the adult animal (cow or pig) on together. (BTW I am agreeing with you).

CP — Paul told the GENTILES they did not need to give up their food habits or have circumcision so they would be more likely to convert. YES, I think God told Paul this, but not because He really wants us to do these things, but because he was amending his rules….Deuteronmy is the first law of God….and orthodox Jews today still adhere to the food laws out of respect for what God set forth himself on the Tablets.

The Bible has been translated many times. Much of what is early came from verbal heritage. The ‘New” Testment was not written until MANY years after the crucifixtion. Any and all of it can be twisted to show justification for many things.

To the blog at large:

What is the greatest commandment?

The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (NIV, Mark 12:28-31).

I believe my neighbors are those around me no matter their race, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation. So while you spill the hate in the name of God, you are breaking the greatest commandments.

Jesus wept. (John 11:35)

By Steve-O

July 25, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

Interesting take you have on some of these passages. I find it particularly interesting that you feel fine with modernizing some things to fit today’s standards. Like women wearing men’s clothing. God said don’t do, no matter how fashion may change, don’t do it. But you are okay with modernizing and making an exception for that one. A hundred years ago when women first began dressing in slacks it was quite scandalous and they were considered to be crossing a gender line and that idea came from old Christian standards. Anyway, you are a flipflopper on that one. Also, you say one passage says God doesn’t want any flawed animals sacrificed to him which have flaws and this brings up an interesting point— how often do you perform animal sacrifices for God? Clearly the Bible says that you should and since you follow every word God says I think you should enlighten us as to how you carry out your ritual animal sacrifices. I am sure it is fascinating. Let me first jump in a guess, you don’t perform sacrifices because that is barbaric and outdated just as the notion of a women not being able to wear pants. Well see the rest of us think the idea of homosexuals being an abomination to God is also barbaric, unenlightened and outdated. You make lots of rationalization regarding other things God says in the Bible, you are just choosing not to do so about homosexuality. But please don’t try to tell me that you don’t update and modernize scripture to fit today’s standards because you just did it with that women’s dressing thing.

By The Beaver

July 25, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

God told me to tell y’all that CP does not speak for him. Love everbody or gotohell, God says. Now God and I are going to go talk about the new Batman movie. Great conversations we have! ‘Night all!

By CJ raddy

July 25, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

Sparkle,

Very well put:

people are becoming more addicted to porn, working longer hours, and kids are just raising themselves on the internet, which is porn-saturated. Healthy, God-given desires are giving way to an open door to Satan, who is having a big party with people who believe his lies that they are born that way, when in reality, they were raised like wolves, with no nurturing, limits, boudaries, guidance, love, etc.

By John

July 28, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

Most of these kids are not homosexual, their horny and the first person that offered them anything happened to be of the same sex that they are.

By Elizabeth

July 28, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them: When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians? I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself? A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here? Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die? I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know several of you posters have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.

By Gerald

July 29, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Thank you Elizabeth. It’s about time, place, and circumstance. Just like some female Pentacostals who refrain from wearing pants because “it’s the garb of a man, and therefore an abomination”. However, there are fashion designers who make a living making pants suits, jeans etc. JUST FOR WOMEN! Explain the “abomination”. Back in the Biblical days, everyone wore some sort of robe or draped cloth. How can this apply today?

By preacher'swife

July 30, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Holy cow! The bible also says to ‘work with your hands and mind your own business’. Why are we so interested in who someone else is sleeping with? Why do we expect non-christians to live by christian standards? Doesn’t make sense to me. By the way… sexuality isn’t just about sex. Most gay people are not trying to convert straights, they just want the freedom to live their own lives. The bible is not meant to be used as justification for ignorance or violence. I don’t think God would be happy with the way some of us claim to represent him.