Thoughts on gay rights?

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Michellebell
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Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Michellebell » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:07 am

I was thinking of this when responding on some of the threads on relationships but thought this topic belongs in a new thread.

I ultimately feel that gay people deserve the same rights as heterosexuals.  I remember reading statistics like how homosexuals are much more likely to commit suicide, which I think is very sad.  Therefore I understand that as a culture we should try to be more accepting of it.

I believe that a lot of homosexuals are born that way, and in that case it would be tragic if they developed self-loathing and a great fear of judgment from others.  I have two half sisters and one of them says she's bisexual, but I think she's gay. I can tell my stepmother and father are hoping she will decide to at least try dating men but I don't think she has any interest.  She's a freshman in college and has acted homosexual since middle school.  She's only dated girls, cut her hair short since age thirteen, and also looks androgynous.  People often mistakenly assume she's my other sister's brother. 

I want her to feel accepted and unashamed of who she is.  If she wants to marry a woman, I want her to have that right and feel as much joy as any other woman would feel marrying a man.

However I have mixed feelings.  It seems like a growing trend where women are choosing to be with women.  I don't notice the same trend with gay men - they seem either fully straight or fully gay.  I wonder what some of the effects on society will be from this trend.  I can think of quite a few women who have dated or married men and then announced that they were gay and pursued serious relationships with women.  Some of them changed their mind again and married men.  Maybe biologically women are more attracted to both genders, but with a growing acceptance of homosexuality, more women are choosing women, whereas in the past they felt more pressured to only stick to men. 

I know that when I was a teenager I was worried I might be a lesbian because I have always found women attractive.  I even had some girl "crushes," but I realized that my crushes on girls weren't nearly as obsessive as my crushes on boys.  I eventually realized that my attraction toward women wasn't sexual at all, but rather an aesthetic appreciation.  I wonder if other women experience that but eventually allow that to develop into a deeper appreciation, date women, and allow their subsequent emotional connection cement a more lasting bond.  I am just confused as to how so many women I know can just switch back and forth. 

I know one teacher I work with who was married to a man and had a son.  Then she divorced him, married a woman, and has another son with this woman through a sperm donor.  She seems very happy and is very loving toward the baby boy but I wonder what his experience will be, being raised by two women and no father. 

I know another gay male teacher who tried very hard to adopt but finally gave up after being rejected for years.  I could tell he was pretty heartbroken over it all.

So anyway, what are your thoughts on all this?  How do you feel about gay marriage?  Gays raising children?  The fact that, at least to me, lesbianism seems almost trendy?  Maybe I'm incorrect about how common lesbianism is, as many young people today overestimate the percentage of people who are actually gay. 

I can't make up my mind over the issue of gay people raising children.  I think that the nuclear family is the very best for children.  Part of me figures that, since gay people can't procreate, they shouldn't have children as that is indeed unnatural.  However, that view is very unaccepting of the gay people themselves.  If my sister married a woman who really wants children, I think it would be a shame if they were denied that right...but at the same time I don't know how good that would be for the children.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by BearBones » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:27 am

As far as marriage, what it the justification for discrimination (taxes, visitation, etc) if not religious beliefs?
Based on something like the ability to procreate instead of love? If it is it guised in "the best interest of the state," then at least be consistent. No marriage if older than, say, 50. Or if you are infertile in any way.
As far as adopting, should be also be rational and consistent. I feel the same about nuclear families, but should we outlaw divorce, which is more common? And probably more destructive, since it often involves anger and confusion for a child (I'm divorced, and I think it hurt my children).
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Michellebell » Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:26 am

BearBones wrote: As far as marriage, what it the justification for discrimination (taxes, visitation, etc) if not religious beliefs?
Based on something like the ability to procreate instead of love? If it is it guised in "the best interest of the state," then at least be consistent. No marriage if older than, say, 50. Or if you are infertile in any way.
As far as adopting, should be also be rational and consistent. I feel the same about nuclear families, but should we outlaw divorce, which is more common? And probably more destructive, since it often involves anger and confusion for a child (I'm divorced, and I think it hurt my children).
Yeah it would be pretty ridiculous to only permit marriage amongst fertile people.  So discriminating based on homosexuality's inability to procreate wouldn't stand at all.  My impression is indeed that the only problem people have with gay rights in general are based on religious views.

As far as outlawing divorce, that would be like undoing the no-fault divorce policies.  You're right, divorce has a FAR bigger impact on society....but should couples be forced to stay together if they can't prove the fault of the spouse?
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Mountaineer » Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:36 am

BearBones wrote: As far as marriage, what it the justification for discrimination (taxes, visitation, etc) if not religious beliefs?
Based on something like the ability to procreate instead of love? If it is it guised in "the best interest of the state," then at least be consistent. No marriage if older than, say, 50. Or if you are infertile in any way.
As far as adopting, should be also be rational and consistent. I feel the same about nuclear families, but should we outlaw divorce, which is more common? And probably more destructive, since it often involves anger and confusion for a child (I'm divorced, and I think it hurt my children).
I am a Lutheran.  So, I will give my answers in terms of the doctrine ot Two Kingdoms, Two Realms, and God rules both Kingdoms.

Kingdom of the Left (a.k.a. Civil Kingdom)
The purpose of this Kingdom is to promote order, reduce chaos, so man is free to worship God and love neighbor.
I think all people should be treated kindly, lovingly, and with respect - regardless of sexual orientation, skin color, economic status, or religion.
I think the nuclear family with a father and a mother who remain together for life in a loving relationship is the best place to raise children.
I think societies based on the nuclear family have the greatest potential for being long lasting and thus are the most stable environment.
In this Kingdom, all sins are not equal - i.e. murder is worse than shoplifting.

Kingdom of the Right (a.k.a. Kingdom of God)
A purpose of this Kingdom is to show us how to have eternal life, unseparated from God.
Homosexuality is a sin.  It does not matter if born that way (a manifestation of original sin) or if chosen (actual sin).
All sins should be acknowledged for what they are - call a thing what it is.
In God's eyes, all sins are not condoned and are equal as they separate us from God.
All sins should be repented of, then know that God forgives us for Jesus' sake.  Repentance means turning away from sin.
In this Kingdom, all who believe in the promises of God are forgiven and saved eternally.

... Mountaineer
 
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Fred » Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:57 am

Michellebell wrote: Yeah it would be pretty ridiculous to only permit marriage amongst fertile people.  So discriminating based on homosexuality's inability to procreate wouldn't stand at all.  My impression is indeed that the only problem people have with gay rights in general are based on religious views.
I'm not religious and therefore don't think homosexuality is a sin but I'm not a supporter of "gay rights" when what it actually means is taking away other people's freedom. Like in the case of the poor Oregon couple who had their lives destroyed because they refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding. I don't think this kind of thing is going to lead to more tolerance for gay people but just the opposite.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by BearBones » Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:05 am

Fred wrote: I'm not religious and therefore don't think homosexuality is a sin but I'm not a supporter of "gay rights" when what it actually means is taking away other people's freedom. Like in the case of the poor Oregon couple who had their lives destroyed because they refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding. I don't think this kind of thing is going to lead to more tolerance for gay people but just the opposite.
While I agree, isn't this a bit of an oxymoron? "We should be firmly intolerant of such intolerance!" In general, closed minds don't open doors...
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by BearBones » Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:16 am

Mountaineer wrote: I am a Lutheran.  So, I will give my answers in terms of the doctrine ot Two Kingdoms, Two Realms, and God rules both Kingdoms.
I think that most would respect that. I do. Except for what constitutes "sin" (unless you mean in its etymologic sense, "missing the mark" as opposed to evil or wrong).

But to make your belief policy is to create a theocracy. This country was founded on religious freedom and a separation of church and state. Are you saying you would change that?
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by jafs » Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:20 am

Gay/lesbian/bisexual, etc. folks should have the same legal rights as straight people, in my view.

There's no compelling argument to deny that, and we're a country based on the notion that "all are created equal".

I think that the gay/lesbian/etc. population is something like 4%, so I'm not afraid at all if that might expand a little bit, and see no threat to our continuing to populate (over-populate) the planet.

The state has a legitimate interest in protecting children, and ensuring that they are safe/well cared for, but that interest doesn't break down along sexual orientation lines for me at all - there are many abusive straight parents, for example.

If I remember the Oregon bakery issue, the bakery violated an Oregon anti-discrimination law and were rightly found to be in the wrong.  They managed to quickly raise a lot of money, more than enough to pay the fine, and are still in business - I don't see how their lives have been ruined.

Currently, different cities/states have different laws about sexual orientation, and people can participate in the political process, and/or locate in a place that they find preferable, until the federal government steps up on the issue.

People are free to hold whatever religious beliefs they hold about homosexuality.
Last edited by jafs on Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Fred » Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:37 am

BearBones wrote:
Fred wrote: I'm not religious and therefore don't think homosexuality is a sin but I'm not a supporter of "gay rights" when what it actually means is taking away other people's freedom. Like in the case of the poor Oregon couple who had their lives destroyed because they refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding. I don't think this kind of thing is going to lead to more tolerance for gay people but just the opposite.
While I agree, isn't this a bit of an oxymoron? "We should be firmly intolerant of such intolerance!" In general, closed minds don't open doors...
For the record, I think the bakers should just go ahead and bake the damn cakes and be done with it, but I don't like the way they are forced to do it if they don't want to.

I also see another paradox in the word "homophobia" that really grates on me. Forget religion, wouldn't it simply be natural to expect that an aversion to homosexuality was built into our DNA due to evolutionary biology? If true, then the word "homophobia" is simply turning the tables on heterosexuals and labeling what comes natural to them as a disease, the very same thing homosexuals say that heterosexuals do to them.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by jafs » Sun Feb 21, 2016 10:11 am

Homophobia isn't an aversion to being homosexual, which might be natural.

It's a dislike of or prejudice against people who are homosexual.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Fred » Sun Feb 21, 2016 10:39 am

jafs wrote: Homophobia isn't an aversion to being homosexual, which might be natural.

It's a dislike of or prejudice against people who are homosexual.
Actually, I think it's like the word "racist". It's a word used to paint someone you disagree with as a bad person who's opinions shouldn't be listened to.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Mountaineer » Sun Feb 21, 2016 1:12 pm

BearBones wrote:
Mountaineer wrote: I am a Lutheran.  So, I will give my answers in terms of the doctrine ot Two Kingdoms, Two Realms, and God rules both Kingdoms.
I think that most would respect that. I do. Except for what constitutes "sin" (unless you mean in its etymologic sense, "missing the mark" as opposed to evil or wrong).

But to make your belief policy is to create a theocracy. This country was founded on religious freedom and a separation of church and state. Are you saying you would change that?
I define sin as transgression against God's Law.  Sin is a Kingdom of the Right term. 

I am 100% for separation of church and state.  The state's role is to permit people to worship in their chosen religion with no interference from the state, even if that religion is secular, i.e. worship of the creature instead of the Creator.  The Kingdom of the Right will function in any type of Kingdom of the Left structure - democracy, republic, monarchy, theocracy, dictatorship, communist, etc., whether man would say it is moral or immoral.  The Kingdom of the Left is a construct of sinful man; the Kingdom of Right is a construct of the almighty God of righteousness, forgiveness, mercy, and justice.

... M
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Pointedstick » Sun Feb 21, 2016 3:12 pm

https://youtu.be/79KzZ0YqLvo?t=1m15s

I've known a lot of gay people. Most of them are totally normal, average people who just want to quietly live their lives, same as you. A small number of them are exhibitionist rabble-rousers who give the rest a bad name to conservatives. I definitely take the libertarian position on marriage that it should be none of the state's business, but if the state is going to be involved, there's no reason not to allow any consenting adults to make use of of the institution.

Now that gay marriage is now the law of the land everywhere, I see no evidence that marriage is crumbling as a result. Mine is certainly fine. The chicken little opposition now has no clothes, and the whole thing looks like a mountain made out of a molehill, so it's back to the drawing board if they can't jump on the bandwagon.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by dualstow » Sun Feb 21, 2016 5:50 pm

Pro gay rights, 100%.
When I was a teenager (long time ago), I thought the idea of same-sex couples raising children was a bit weird. None of my business, though, and it's increasingly common.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Mountaineer » Sun Feb 21, 2016 6:36 pm

dualstow wrote: Pro gay rights, 100%.
When I was a teenager (long time ago), I thought the idea of same-sex couples raising children was a bit weird. None of my business, though, and it's increasingly common.
How do you define "rights"?  I'm a bit confused why gay's should have any more or less "rights" than any other human.  How do you define "privilege"?  And lastly, where do "rights" come from?  Who establishes "rights"?  Are "rights" situational or absolute?  How do you know?

... M
Simonjester wrote: gays should have rights.... they are called human rights just the same as the ones everyone else enjoys, hyphenated rights don't (or shouldn't) exist, it sets up an utterly unnecessary divisive separation between groups...
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Mountaineer » Sun Feb 21, 2016 6:45 pm

Mountaineer wrote:
BearBones wrote:
Mountaineer wrote: I am a Lutheran.  So, I will give my answers in terms of the doctrine ot Two Kingdoms, Two Realms, and God rules both Kingdoms.
I think that most would respect that. I do. Except for what constitutes "sin" (unless you mean in its etymologic sense, "missing the mark" as opposed to evil or wrong).

But to make your belief policy is to create a theocracy. This country was founded on religious freedom and a separation of church and state. Are you saying you would change that?
I define sin as transgression against God's Law.  Sin is a Kingdom of the Right term. 

I am 100% for separation of church and state.  The state's role is to permit people to worship in their chosen religion with no interference from the state, even if that religion is secular, i.e. worship of the creature instead of the Creator.  The Kingdom of the Right will function in any type of Kingdom of the Left structure - democracy, republic, monarchy, theocracy, dictatorship, communist, etc., whether man would say it is moral or immoral.  The Kingdom of the Left is a construct of sinful man; the Kingdom of Right is a construct of the almighty God of righteousness, forgiveness, mercy, and justice.

... M
This is an interesting read that I just saw.  Separation of church and state by FDR?  Ha!

http://thefederalist.com/2016/02/20/doe ... the-state/

Also, note the reference to Martin Luther and his ideas which were subsequently incorporated into John Locke's views:

The Protestant Reformation is seminal in many of the ideas leading toward the American Revolution. Martin Luther’s interpretation of justification by faith in the book of Romans decoupled the traditional structures of the Roman Catholic Church from the formal power of the state. Ultimately, this would give rise to John Locke’s idea of religious toleration.

... M
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by jafs » Sun Feb 21, 2016 6:53 pm

Mountaineer wrote:
dualstow wrote: Pro gay rights, 100%.
When I was a teenager (long time ago), I thought the idea of same-sex couples raising children was a bit weird. None of my business, though, and it's increasingly common.
How do you define "rights"?  I'm a bit confused why gay's should have any more or less "rights" than any other human.  How do you define "privilege"?  And lastly, where do "rights" come from?  Who establishes "rights"?  Are "rights" situational or absolute?  How do you know?

... M
Gay rights movements aren't about gays having "more" rights than straight people, they're about gay people having the same rights as straight people.

The rights we're discussing come from our society and legal structure.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Mountaineer » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:01 pm

jafs wrote:
Mountaineer wrote:
dualstow wrote: Pro gay rights, 100%.
When I was a teenager (long time ago), I thought the idea of same-sex couples raising children was a bit weird. None of my business, though, and it's increasingly common.
How do you define "rights"?  I'm a bit confused why gay's should have any more or less "rights" than any other human.  How do you define "privilege"?  And lastly, where do "rights" come from?  Who establishes "rights"?  Are "rights" situational or absolute?  How do you know?

... M
Gay rights movements aren't about gays having "more" rights than straight people, they're about gay people having the same rights as straight people.

The rights we're discussing come from our society and legal structure.
Then what is the issue?  We are all subject to the same laws and regulations of our country, state, county, city.  Don't like the current situation?  Change the laws within the boundaries of the relevant Constitution (or Amend the Constitution).

.. M
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Michellebell » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:14 pm

Mountaineer wrote:
BearBones wrote: As far as marriage, what it the justification for discrimination (taxes, visitation, etc) if not religious beliefs?
Based on something like the ability to procreate instead of love? If it is it guised in "the best interest of the state," then at least be consistent. No marriage if older than, say, 50. Or if you are infertile in any way.
As far as adopting, should be also be rational and consistent. I feel the same about nuclear families, but should we outlaw divorce, which is more common? And probably more destructive, since it often involves anger and confusion for a child (I'm divorced, and I think it hurt my children).
I am a Lutheran.  So, I will give my answers in terms of the doctrine ot Two Kingdoms, Two Realms, and God rules both Kingdoms.

Kingdom of the Left (a.k.a. Civil Kingdom)
The purpose of this Kingdom is to promote order, reduce chaos, so man is free to worship God and love neighbor.
I think all people should be treated kindly, lovingly, and with respect - regardless of sexual orientation, skin color, economic status, or religion.
I think the nuclear family with a father and a mother who remain together for life in a loving relationship is the best place to raise children.
I think societies based on the nuclear family have the greatest potential for being long lasting and thus are the most stable environment.
In this Kingdom, all sins are not equal - i.e. murder is worse than shoplifting.

Kingdom of the Right (a.k.a. Kingdom of God)
A purpose of this Kingdom is to show us how to have eternal life, unseparated from God.
Homosexuality is a sin.  It does not matter if born that way (a manifestation of original sin) or if chosen (actual sin).
All sins should be acknowledged for what they are - call a thing what it is.
In God's eyes, all sins are not condoned and are equal as they separate us from God.
All sins should be repented of, then know that God forgives us for Jesus' sake.  Repentance means turning away from sin.
In this Kingdom, all who believe in the promises of God are forgiven and saved eternally.

... Mountaineer
So Mountaineer, you believe that people who are born homosexual should deny practicing it, just as a married person may view lust outside of marriage as sin and refuse to commit adultery?  Do you think their lives here will be more fulfilling by believing they are turning away from sin? 

I do feel sorry for those people.  How would you feel if you had a child who felt more attracted to the same sex?  Would you rather they still marry the opposite sex or be celibate? 
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Michellebell » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:20 pm

Mountaineer wrote:
jafs wrote:
Mountaineer wrote: How do you define "rights"?  I'm a bit confused why gay's should have any more or less "rights" than any other human.  How do you define "privilege"?  And lastly, where do "rights" come from?  Who establishes "rights"?  Are "rights" situational or absolute?  How do you know?

... M
Gay rights movements aren't about gays having "more" rights than straight people, they're about gay people having the same rights as straight people.

The rights we're discussing come from our society and legal structure.
Then what is the issue?  We are all subject to the same laws and regulations of our country, state, county, city.  Don't like the current situation?  Change the laws within the boundaries of the relevant Constitution (or Amend the Constitution).

.. M
The rights I'm talking about are the recently granted right to marry, as well as the right to raise children without discrimination.  So a lot of it is cultural.  Gay men have a very hard time adopting, and the gay teacher I know faces a lot of judgment for raising her boys with a lesbian.  I want to be tolerant but see the nuclear family becoming less valued and never talk about these issues IRL so I was curious to know where everyone else stood on these issues, particularly people with more conservative beliefs.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by jafs » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:21 pm

Mountaineer wrote:
jafs wrote:
Mountaineer wrote: How do you define "rights"?  I'm a bit confused why gay's should have any more or less "rights" than any other human.  How do you define "privilege"?  And lastly, where do "rights" come from?  Who establishes "rights"?  Are "rights" situational or absolute?  How do you know?

... M
Gay rights movements aren't about gays having "more" rights than straight people, they're about gay people having the same rights as straight people.

The rights we're discussing come from our society and legal structure.
Then what is the issue?  We are all subject to the same laws and regulations of our country, state, county, city.  Don't like the current situation?  Change the laws within the boundaries of the relevant Constitution (or Amend the Constitution).

.. M
The issue is that various laws exist that don't grant equal rights to gay people.

And, changing the laws is one option, but another option is to get cases before the SC and have the discriminatory laws found unconstitutional, as was just done with anti gay marriage laws.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Mountaineer » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:29 pm

Michellebell wrote:
Mountaineer wrote:
BearBones wrote: As far as marriage, what it the justification for discrimination (taxes, visitation, etc) if not religious beliefs?
Based on something like the ability to procreate instead of love? If it is it guised in "the best interest of the state," then at least be consistent. No marriage if older than, say, 50. Or if you are infertile in any way.
As far as adopting, should be also be rational and consistent. I feel the same about nuclear families, but should we outlaw divorce, which is more common? And probably more destructive, since it often involves anger and confusion for a child (I'm divorced, and I think it hurt my children).
I am a Lutheran.  So, I will give my answers in terms of the doctrine ot Two Kingdoms, Two Realms, and God rules both Kingdoms.

Kingdom of the Left (a.k.a. Civil Kingdom)
The purpose of this Kingdom is to promote order, reduce chaos, so man is free to worship God and love neighbor.
I think all people should be treated kindly, lovingly, and with respect - regardless of sexual orientation, skin color, economic status, or religion.
I think the nuclear family with a father and a mother who remain together for life in a loving relationship is the best place to raise children.
I think societies based on the nuclear family have the greatest potential for being long lasting and thus are the most stable environment.
In this Kingdom, all sins are not equal - i.e. murder is worse than shoplifting.

Kingdom of the Right (a.k.a. Kingdom of God)
A purpose of this Kingdom is to show us how to have eternal life, unseparated from God.
Homosexuality is a sin.  It does not matter if born that way (a manifestation of original sin) or if chosen (actual sin).
All sins should be acknowledged for what they are - call a thing what it is.
In God's eyes, all sins are not condoned and are equal as they separate us from God.
All sins should be repented of, then know that God forgives us for Jesus' sake.  Repentance means turning away from sin.
In this Kingdom, all who believe in the promises of God are forgiven and saved eternally.

... Mountaineer
1. So Mountaineer, you believe that people who are born homosexual should deny practicing it, just as a married person may view lust outside of marriage as sin and refuse to commit adultery?  2. Do you think their lives here will be more fulfilling by believing they are turning away from sin? 

I do feel sorry for those people.  3. How would you feel if you had a child who felt more attracted to the same sex?  4. Would you rather they still marry the opposite sex or be celibate?
I numbered your questions for ease of responding.

1. Yes.
2. Depends on whether they believe in God's promises.  If they are not Christian, I have no idea what their lives would be like while on this earth.  I'm pretty sure what it will be like after they expire.
3. Very sad.  Just like if they were attracted to another person's spouse.  Just like if they aborted their unborn child or murdered a neighbor.  Just like if they slanderers, liars, or thieves.  Just like if they abandoned God for the worship of self. 
4. Does not matter what I think.  I hope they would not fall from faith in Jesus and follow His wishes for Christians.

How do you answer your questions?

... M
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Mountaineer » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:42 pm

jafs wrote:
Mountaineer wrote:
jafs wrote: Gay rights movements aren't about gays having "more" rights than straight people, they're about gay people having the same rights as straight people.

The rights we're discussing come from our society and legal structure.
Then what is the issue?  We are all subject to the same laws and regulations of our country, state, county, city.  Don't like the current situation?  Change the laws within the boundaries of the relevant Constitution (or Amend the Constitution).

.. M
The issue is that various laws exist that don't grant equal rights to gay people.

And, changing the laws is one option, but another option is to get cases before the SC and have the discriminatory laws found unconstitutional, as was just done with anti gay marriage laws.
The SC does not make law (at least that it how is supposed to be).  Congress is tasked with making laws and having oversight of the (unmanageable) myriad of subsequent regulations.  ;)  So, what do you propose to get Congress to do its job?  Rhetorical question - no need to answer.  Actually, I am not 100% on this, but I think it is pretty much unlikely that anyone can legislate morality - sinful man by nature rebels.  If we all followed the "love your neighbor as you love yourself" rule this whole discussion becomes unnecessary.  Ain't going to happen on this side of the Last Day (based on what we know about recorded history).

... M
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Mountaineer » Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:43 pm

Desert wrote: I don't spend much time thinking about homosexuals.  As a Christian, I hear a LOT of discussion on the issue, and I have to admit that I think a lot of it is driven by the need for some Christians to feel superior to those "other" sinners.  In other words, I think a lot of us Christians are modern day pharisees, and homosexuals are the NT harlots of our day.  So while I agree that homosexuality is a sin, I don't spend a lot of calories worrying about it, because I've got enough sins of my own to contend with. 

In my previous life as an agnostic, I would argue that "homophobia" seems like a quite natural and logical position to hold, if morality is something that evolved along with humans.  While racism is illogical in a naturalistic worldview, because inbreeding can lead to genetic problems, homophobia should be the default moral position.  So I think that naturalists that worry a lot about homosexual rights are not necessarily thinking consistently.
Amen bro!  :)

... M
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Thoughts on gay rights?

Post by Libertarian666 » Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:05 pm

jafs wrote: Gay/lesbian/bisexual, etc. folks should have the same legal rights as straight people, in my view.

There's no compelling argument to deny that, and we're a country based on the notion that "all are created equal".

I think that the gay/lesbian/etc. population is something like 4%, so I'm not afraid at all if that might expand a little bit, and see no threat to our continuing to populate (over-populate) the planet.

The state has a legitimate interest in protecting children, and ensuring that they are safe/well cared for, but that interest doesn't break down along sexual orientation lines for me at all - there are many abusive straight parents, for example.

If I remember the Oregon bakery issue, the bakery violated an Oregon anti-discrimination law and were rightly found to be in the wrong.  They managed to quickly raise a lot of money, more than enough to pay the fine, and are still in business - I don't see how their lives have been ruined.

Currently, different cities/states have different laws about sexual orientation, and people can participate in the political process, and/or locate in a place that they find preferable, until the federal government steps up on the issue.

People are free to hold whatever religious beliefs they hold about homosexuality.
There is nothing "right" about forcing anyone to do business with anyone they don't want to do business with.

They were legally forced, not "rightly" forced.

Note: I don't have anything against gay people. They should have exactly the same rights as everyone else. However, those rights do not include the right to force anyone to do business with anyone else.

On a related note, I have stopped contributing to the ACLU. This is a paraphrase of what I tell them whenever they solicit me for money:

"You should divide up into two organizations. The first one, which should be called the ACLU, will defend rights found in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The second one, which should be called the TMURU (Totally Made Up Rights Union), will defend all the other made up "rights" like the "right to force people to bake cakes for people they don't want to bake cakes for". I'll donate to the first of these organizations, but not the second."
Last edited by Libertarian666 on Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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