LEAVE GAY PEOPLE ALONE!

Religion should not dictate or influence policies on social issues.  Belonging and believing in religious doctrine is a choice and should remain in people’s homes.  When individuals try to influence their beliefs in order to deny others privileges and rights that everyone is entitled to is absolutely wrong. 

I support everyone’s right to express their ideas and to voice their opinions but when you try to instill your personal religious beliefs to preach hate – I draw the line.  Many preacher’s or religious leaders from various religions continue to discriminate against the LGBT community and they continue to spread outrageous claims based on their religious beliefs.  Here are some examples – with my rebuttals in red:

“As a mother, I know that homosexuals cannot biologically reproduce children; therefore, they must recruit our children.” – Anita Bryant

Homosexuals everywhere are devising plans to kidnap as many children as we can to teach and force them to become gay so we can build our armies and take over the world.  As a mother, Ms. Bryant should have been more concerned about teaching her children how to spread love, compassion and kindness into the world – not hate and intolerance. 

“If the world accepts homosexuality as its norm and if it moves the entire world in that regard, the whole world is then going to be sitting like Sodom and Gomorrah before a Holy God.” – Pat Robertson

Mr. Robertson’s beliefs are not the same as everyone else’s beliefs.  I know many ‘straight’ people who accept ALL people for who they are.  There are great kind, generous and loving people who happen to be gay…and then there are ignorant, hateful and judgemental people who claim to be Christian.  If Pat Robertson (and so many other religious leaders, preachers, pastors, etc) believe their religious ideologies/doctrine, then they should stay silent regarding their obsession with homosexuality and let their God make His judgement Himself.

“Don’t misunderstand. I am not here bashing people who are homosexuals, who are lesbians, who are bisexual, who are transgender. We need to have profound compassion for people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life and sexual identity disorders.” – Senator Michele Bachmann 

When you make a generalized statement that homosexuals, lesbians, bisexual and transgender individuals have a sexual dysfunction and sexual identity disorders – you are bashing them.  I didn’t wake up one morning and decide, “I think I’ll have an emotional and sexual relationship with a man today.”, because if I did – then that would suggest that anyone can make that same decision.  I wasn’t born with a disorder, I didn’t decide to become gay, I wasn’t influenced to become gay – I was born as is. 

“Let’s say we discover the gene that says the kid’s gonna be gay. How many parents, if they knew before the kid was gonna be born, [that he] was gonna be gay, they would take the pregnancy to term? Well, you don’t know but let’s say half of them said, “Oh, no, I don’t wanna do that to a kid.” [Then the] gay community finds out about this. The gay community would do the fastest 180 and become pro-life faster than anybody you’ve ever seen.  They’d be so against abortion if it was discovered that you could abort what you knew were gonna be gay babies.” – Rush Limbaugh

I wonder if Rush Limbaugh would feel the same way if they discovered a gene that would suggest a child would be born sexist, racist, homophobic and ignorant.  Mr. Limbaugh has made countless and offensive remarks about women, minorities and homosexuals and justified them by saying he’s a comedian….I don’t think comedians become comedians to justify and spread their hate.

“Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong. Sin becomes fine,” he later added. “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men. Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.” – Phil Robertson (Duck Dynasty)

Comparing homosexuality with bestiality….why do these God-fearing men and women always make this comparison.  As I proud gay man – I have no desire to have sexual inter-course with any animal and I don’t know any other gay person who feels the same.  Why the obsession with homosexuality, bestiality and adultery Phil?  Creating controversy that instills hate in order to increase viewership and financially benefit is irresponsible and not very Christian, is it?

If these so-called “Christians” like Pat Robertson, Maggie Gallagher, Brian Brown, Phil Robertson, Michele Bachmann, Bryan Fischer and so many other judgemental individuals focused on issues that would promote love, kindness and compassion into the world, imagine how much more supportive, inclusive, loving and kind people would be?  If organizations such as the American Family Association or National Organization for Marriage tackled issues of homelessness and poverty imagine the lives that would be changed.  Religious leaders need to re-focus and declare war on human rights violations, income inequality, domestic abuse, destruction of the environment, greed, gang violence, sexual eduction, rape and so many other issues of importance that will ensure positive outcomes.  From my understanding, God’s message is to support love, compassion and kindness – His message wasn’t to spread ignorance, hate and incite violence on those who are different or have different belief systems.

Larry Tomczak, anti-gay pastor, has recently made comments about the film, Foxcatcher, directed by Bennett Miller and starring Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum as well as the Ellen Degeneres show, American Idol, Glee and Two And A Half Men of being part of Hollywood’s gay agenda.  He also said professional NFL football athlete Michael Sam was a “castaway” for coming out.  Tomczak also suggested that gay advocacy groups were trying to push their gay agenda on children.  Ellen Degeneres addresses Larry’s ignorant views in a very eloquent and humorous way:

You may ask yourself why I’m writing a blog that has seems to be somewhat negative…my intention in writing this blog is to create awareness of those who may instill their ignorant views on others.  This blog is a means of providing a different view-point – and considering the subject – who do you believe has the most knowledge of the subject of homosexuality, those who make ignorant and biased statements or a homosexual?  Creating positive change in the world won’t happen with hate, ignorance and judgement – it comes from love, compassion and truth.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

GAY IS NORMAL…AS NORMAL AS STRAIGHT.

We all know that there are many religious ‘wing nuts’ that vilify homosexuality by saying that “it’s a choice” and that “if God didn’t want homosexuals, he wouldn’t create them.”  Well – I can tell you (as a homosexual man), I did not make the choice to be gay, I have always known I was attracted to the same-sex and (if there is a God), I am proof that He did want homosexuals because I exist.

Let’s take a look at some quotes made by those who hide their bigotry and hate against gays behind their religion:

“We will see a breakdown of the family and family values if we decide to approve same-sex marriage, and if we decide to establish homosexuality as an acceptable alternative lifestyle with all the benefits that go with equating it with the heterosexual lifestyle.” – Jerry Falwell

 

“Homosexuality is against nature.  Sexual expression is permitted only within marriage, between man and woman, male and female.  Anything else is an abnormality and is against nature.” – Pope Shenouda III

 

“I just think my children and your children would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don’t want them brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option – it isn’t.” – Carl Paladino

 

“But the Bible speaks against it, and because the Bible speaks against it, we allow rampant sin including homosexuality and lying, and to me lying is just as bad as homosexuality, and we’ve allowed this sin to run rampant in our nation.” – Reggie White

 

“You know, those who are homosexual will die out because they don’t reproduce. You know, you have to have heterosexual sex to reproduce. Same thing with that church, it’s doomed, it’s going to die out because it’s the most nonsensical thing I’ve heard in a long time.” – Pat Robertson

“In fact, it’s the greatest threat to liberty of all kinds, whether it is freedom of religion, whether it is freedom of speech, whether it is freedom of the press, whether it is freedom of association, all of the rights that are enshrined in the First Amendment are threatened by the active, aggressive homosexual lobby and the homosexual agenda.” – Bryan Fischer

Now, let’s take a look a some quotes that are not exclusive, biased and filled with hate and fear.  These are sensible (and sometimes funny) and intellectual quotes regarding homosexuality:

“Like a majority of Americans in recent years, I came to understand that fear of homosexuality was leading our governments – including the one I ran as Governor of Mississippi – to deny the equal rights to an entire segment of our population that are afforded all of us under the Constitution.” – Ronnie Musgrove

 

“I think people feel threatened by homosexuality.  The problem isn’t about gay people, the problem is about the attitude towards gay people.  People think that all gays are Hannibal Lecters.  But gay people are sons and daughters, politicians and doctors, American heroes and daughters of American heroes.” – Hollis Stacy

 

“I don’t think homosexuality is a choice.  Society forces you to think it’s a choice, but in fact, it’s in one’s nature.  The choice is whether one expresses one’s nature truthfully or spends the rest of one’s life lying about it.” – Marlo Thomas

 

“Jesus never said a word about homosexuality.  In all of his teachings about multiple things – he never said that gay people should be condemned.  I personally think it is very fine for gay people to be married.” – Jimmy Carter

 

“Homosexuality in Russia is a crime and the punishment is seven years in prison, locked up with the other men.  There is a three-year waiting list.” – Yakov Smirnoff

 

“What do you mean you don’t believe in homosexuality?  It’s not like the Easter Bunny, your belief isn’t necessary.” – Lea DeLaria

 

“Homosexuality is like the weather.  It just is.” – Andrew Sullivan

 

“I have no problem with it (homosexuality).  I don’t look on homosexuality as an aberration.  It’s just the way they’re born, and how could any relationship between two people in a committed relationship be wrong, regardless of gender?” – Andrea Thompson

 

“Heterosexuality is not normal, it’s just common.” – Dorothy Parker

 

“If religion is against homosexuality, then it is against the will and happiness of people.” – M. F. Moonzajer

 

That last quote is very profound because it suggests that many who believe the religious assertion about homosexuality is against their happiness as they were created that way in the eyes of God.  How can you condemn someone from birth?  You can’t judge someone based on their genetic make-up – it would be like condemning someone for being born with blue eyes, darker skin or without eyesight.  People need to stop interpreting religious doctrine to serve their own hateful and judgemental purposes.  They also need to stop trying to divide people based on their unique differences and accept people for those differences.

 

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

 

 

THE BIBLE MYTHOLOGY

Every time I think of religion, my thoughts and visions are filled with violence, fear, anxiety, exclusiveness, and mythology.  I was raised Catholic, studied to become Jehovah’s Witnesses (my parents decided to try a new religious view), and went to a High School that had a mostly non-practicing Jewish student body.  I haven’t really had a big interest in religious studies – I only knew what my parents knew of religion and what I studied as a Jehovah’s Witness.   If I didn’t practice religion enough and don’t identify with any organized religion, is it fair of me to criticize those that do?  Before I answer that, let me tell you what I do know about religion and my personal accounts in dealing with those that have attempted to convert me into their following.

I was taught to have a fear for God and to ensure you follow God’s rules otherwise, I would end up in Hell.  Think about that for a moment – ‘Instill the fear of God’ into people.  Shouldn’t a God encompass values that He would like to see in His flock like love, compassion, empathy and patience?  Shouldn’t God be proud of His people’s desire to seek out the truth and to ask questions if they don’t understand or believe something to be true?  Well I had many questions – questions that never have been answered.  I have dealt with religious people who condemn me because of my homosexuality – as God made me.  I have been involved in endless debate about my sin being a much bigger sin than all others (again referring to my homosexuality).  I see so much hypocrisy in what I call the ‘celebrities of religion’ pandering to a congregation that funds their lavish lifestyle’s all in the name of religion and God (Jim Baker, Joel Olsteen, Pat Robertson, Rick Warren, Billy Graham, Howard and Roberta Ahmanson, David Barton, Benny Hinn).  I have read and seen movies based on the wars brought on in the name of religion.  I have been outraged at how many religious institutions protect criminals who are known sexual offenders, rapists and pedophiles and allow this behaviour to continue.

Religion is mythology to me – I can’t distinguish the difference between the stories I have read relating to Greek mythology versus the stories that are noted in The Bible.  Is it no wonder that Costco was recently in the news for placing The Bible in their ‘fiction’ section of books?  The stories I read in the bible were great – they seemed to fill people with hope and to allow people to come together for the greater good of humanity.  There were also those stories that ensured people were obedient and followed God’s laws, scary stories such as;  the story of Abraham and his devotion to God (God asked Abraham to show his devotion by asking him to call his son), the story of Noah’s Ark and Moses and the ten commandments.  All great stories, but very hard to treat them as non-fiction.

Here are some things I have questioned:

• If Adam and Eve were the first, and they had two sons (Cain and Abel), how was it possible for the world to become populated?  The only sense I could make of this is that Cain and Abel were not Adam and Eve’s only children.
• How was it possible for Noah to retrieve a male and female of every living animal on the planet to save them from extinction during the great flood.  Was he able to get sea creatures, insects, amphibians etc.?
• If all was perfect in the Garden of Eden and as God wanted, why would God allow Satan to entice Eve?  Why Eve?  Where was Adam when Satan lured Eve with the forbidden fruit?
• Why did God create a garden that included ‘forbidden fruit’?

Here are some Bible passages and versus that further convince me that the Bible was written by man as a means to control what they did not understand and feared:

Leviticus 11:  7 -8

***In reference to eating pork***

And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud;  he is unclean to you.

Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch;  they are unclean to you.

As an animal activist and practicing vegan, this is great for the pig but, somewhere during history – Christians love for bacon, ham and pork sausages became less important than what was written in the bible.  Will pork-eating Christians not be allowed in the kingdom to come?

Leviticus 19:  28

***In reference to getting inked or tattoos***

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you:  I am the LORD.

So all those who have pictures of the ‘virgin Mary’ or of Jesus himself – if you are serious in your quest to enter the Kingdom of God, have your tatts removed!  Even if it’s an hommage to your religious heroes/heroines.

Leviticus 19:  27

***In reference to “rounded haircuts”***

Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

Does hair really matter in the afterlife?

Deuteronomy 23:  1

***In reference to injured men/men with their sexual organs removed***

He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

This is discriminatory and not very supportive of those who have a handicap.

Leviticus 19:  31

***In reference to psychics/wizards/witches***

Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them:  I am the LORD your GOD.

In the name of Christianity – pagans were put to death for worshiping the land and anyone who had a different religious belief other than Christianity – were tortured and put to death for their beliefs.  Not very Christian is it?

Leviticus 19:  16

***In reference to gossiping***

Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale bearer among thy people:  neither shalt thou stand against the blood of they neighbour; I am the LORD.

Was this verse created so that people would not question religious doctrine?  Or did the men that wrote the bible not like those back-stabbing gossips?

Deuteronomy 25:  11 – 12

***In reference to a man’s wife assisting in a physical altercation***

When man strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets.

To me – this sounds like the men that are in conflict are showing weakness when accepting help from their wives.  How is that a weakness?  The statement is also very strange near the end “taketh him by the secrets” – sounds like that would hurt.

Exodus 21:  17

***In reference to children who curse at their parents***

And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

Now, imagine a world where parents can kill their children for cursing at them.  If Christians took this verse literally – our jails would be overcrowded with those who deserved to be in there.

Mark 10:  11 – 12

***In reference to getting married after divorce***

Whosever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery:  and whosever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Are the huge spikes in divorce in the last 50 years solely instigated by those who are not Christian?  Or are Christians happily married to their life partners even if they are not in love with them so that they ensure a place in the kingdom to come?

Exodus 31:  14 – 15

***In reference to working on the ‘holy’ day***

Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you:  every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death:  for whosever doeth and work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD:  whosever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Having one day a week off is great – but you can only enjoy this day by worshiping the LORD – no ands, ifs, or buts!

Corinthians 14:  34 – 35

***In reference to women preaching the word of God***

Let you women keep silence in the churches:  for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home:  for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

I know many women who have a problem with the misogynistic verse.  Women are not allowed to speak in churches and must obey their husbands – it’s shameful for women to speak in churches????  How archaic.  They should all be removed at once.

Leviticus 10 – 11

***In reference to shellfish***

And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters , and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:

They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcase in abomination.

Again – I support this passage/verse because it saves many fish from death.  Christian seafood lovers everywhere – be mindful and follow the rules or else you will not enter the Kingdom of God.

Deuteronomy 22:  20 – 21

***In reference to a women losing her virginity prior to marriage***

But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:

Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die:  because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house:  so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

WOW – this is harsh.  Still don’t think the Bible was written by men.  Again, another misogynistic verse…God forbid that a women loses her virginity prior to marriage.  That should be rightfully taken away by a man in marriage.  Does this verse apply to men as well?  Shouldn’t the women have the right to stone their husbands to death if they are not virgins at marriage?

Leviticus 18:  22

***In reference to homosexuality***

You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female, it is an abomination.

Funny how the misogynistic men that wrote this verse don’t say anything about women that lie with other women…….

All kidding and sarcasm aside….I don’t see how these passages are inclusive, compassionate and promote a positive community.  For me, these Bible quotes clearly support my notion that the Bible was written by men to control the population(s).  To ensure that people conformed to what would benefit those men in power.

I wrote this post today in hopes that people empower themselves to ask questions of those in authority.  Just because it is written doesn’t mean that it is TRUE!  Especially when the words that were written – were written in the blood of those who didn’t want to conform and live their lives in chains.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!