Irvine511 said:
funny how that seems to get lost in the bang and the clatter.
we'd all benefit if politically organized Christians put this first and foremost on their agenda.
but, seriously, this has me thinking: what do organized political Christians (i.e., the Christian Right) gain by preventing Gay Marriage specifically, and by voicing their opposition to the "homosexual lifestyle" in general?
i can understand the anti-choice/pro-life movement: they believe the fetus is a person, and they view abortion as tantamount to murder. i may not agree, but i can see what the issue is, and what the goal is: reducing, and utlimately stopping, all abortions.
who benefits from the public denunciation of homosexuality? what benefits does this bring to society? is the goal the eradication of homosexuality? what is the end point -- through battling the "homosexual agenda" what does the Christian Right hope to accomplish? there surely must be more than simply voicing an opinion. to those on FYM who "object" to the "lifestyle": why are you voicing this opinion? what do you hope to gain? or to change in a person?
these are not rhetorical questions; i truly am seeking answers.
I am glad that you believe what you do about helping the poor, and you're absolutely right. We would all benefit if we put it first and foremost in the agenda. I am glad you have an understanding to how we feel about abortion. It's very difficult to explain how we feel about marriage to a secular audience, but if a movement on pologamy were to erupt, conservatives would also oppose that without question.
When we hear activists that speak this way, we do feel a need to defend what we believe in:
"This is war, so plan accordingly"
- Chuck Norris, homosexual activist.
A major problem I have with leftist activists is that they force not only "tolerance" into public schools and churches, but they start it when the kids are too young to know who they are. They feel (and sometimes the right tends to do this as well) that it's their responsibility to not only raise kids, but to inform them that their parents are wrong, stupid, and hateful. Acceptance of homosexuals is fine, but the GLSEN's (gay lesbian and straight education network) move to target kindergarteners into not only promoting something that is not age appropriate, but for praising and encouraging an 8 year old to write an essay on parents sating that people who believe what the Bible has to say about homosexual behavior are stupid, and then getting a reward for it is what is being done in our public schools, I find that over the top.
There are teachers in our public schools who ridicule students who openly oppose gay marriage. There was a teacher in Vermont who openly questioned a student's sexuality in front of the entire class for this. The student denied the accusation, stating that he had a girlfriend, and one student suggested that it was a cover up for the accused studen't supposed closet homosexuality.
I don't think we change a person significantly (at least as far as their political leanings, but we may inspire them to understand the other side better) here on FYM, but we often inform them of opposing viewpoints. Personally, I don't believe that people are born homosexual, just as they are not born a fornicator. They may feel desire towards the same sex, but I feel it is a decision to go with those feelings, just as if I was angry at someone and chose to hit them. If there was proof to back this up, I would think differently about it. My aim is not to condemn the individual, but acknowledge when asked that I feel it is a sin. I have respect for many of your opinions, and appreciate your willingness to look into both sides of the arguments. I can honestly say that you are one of my favorite people to debate with here on FYM, because you often make challenging arguments without the intention of offending people.
Just a heads up.
