River Jordan said:
Glad I could make you smile.
River, you always make me smile. I don't always agree with you, but I do like and admire you.
Well, now it's not really a matter of telling kids about same sex families, because eventually they're going to see them for themselves. A lot of kids today personally know someone from a same sex family, or someone who actually is gay. And yeah, it is kinda generational. It's really not as big a deal as it used to be (socially). Middle schoolers still giggle and snicker though, but they do that with everything.
My grand daughters and I were exposed to it one lazy afternoon when I took my girls to the mall in Pensacola. I probably should have paid more attention to the crowds, but my main concern was actually finding a good parking space.
I had no idea that there was a "gay pride parade" coming through. My girls were treated to the rather hilarious sight of one slightly chubby guy in spandex who had a problem keeping his britches, which seemed to be a size or two too small for him, from rolling down and exposing his bottom, which, unfortunately, was covered in pussy sores. Needless to say, my daughter, the girls' mom, was rather unhappy with me for letting them watch this grotesque performance.
We don't seem to have too many gay families here in the small town in Alabama where I live. If there are any, they tend to stay hidden. I'm afraid some of the rednecks who live around here are far less tolerant than I am.
Yes, middle schoolers are known to smirk and giggle...the little darlings! :wacko: I'm afraid that is not going to change any time soon.
(Isn't that what got Ismael into trouble with Sarah? I'm sure they've been doing it since Eve had her first.)
How are they supposed to know the business is owned not just by Christians, but by right wing Christians who won't serve them? And to be honest with you, I have a feeling if the shoe were on the other foot and it was Christians who were being discriminated against like this, they wouldn't just be quietly going around from store to store until they found one who would serve them. I'm pretty sure the talking heads at Fox News would be in an uproar, Republican Presidential candidates would be shouting about it constantly, and such. Shoot....they get all freaked out when someone at a store says "Happy Holidays"! Can you imagine if they were told "We don't serve Christians here"?
In at least one case, as I recall, the bakery was known to the couple who wanted the cake. They had done business there before.
And most places that are owned and run by Christians usually say so somewhere on their front, as well as in their advertising. I'd say that the word "Christian" in large letters on the front window ought to provide a clue.
Now, I don't know about you, but if I were told "sorry, we don't serve Christians here", I would certainly take my business elsewhere. And especially if the person who told me this had given me a list of other businesses who would be willing to serve me. I certainly would not want any food prepared for me by someone who holds animosity toward Christians! I've worked as a waitress, and though I've never done it personally, I do know what someone can do to food if you make them angry with you. Nasty. Someday, I will tell you some of the things I've seen...but you'll never eat at a fast food place again!
And I do not shop at stores that refuse to use the term "Christmas", although I do not mind being wished a "Cool Yule" or "Happy Hannakah" or any other such greeting, including "Happy Holidays". Just understand that you will get a heart-felt "Merry Christmas" in return.
Like I said, gays...like all other citizens of the United States....have a right to walk into a public business and be served just like everyone else.
Sure...but why single out places that you know you are not welcome at?
Freedom of religion is not a free pass to break whatever law you like. Like all our other freedoms, it comes with certain limits, and not breaking laws is a big one.
We're not talking about sacrificing virgins, here, River.
So where are all the billion dollar campaigns from right wing Christians demonizing the obese the same way they've done with gays? Where are all the protesters at the buffets? Where are all the op-ed pieces in conservative Christian media saying obese people are no different than child rapists and murderers?
I suppose if obese people wanted to have fat-pride parades, there might be some outcry. But seriously, do you think that fat people are not discriminated against? Have you ever seen a chubby legal secretary?
You are right, of course, gluttony is a sin. And it is one that the obese will pay for, in their own bodies. Again, you do know that obesity has become our #1 killer? Do not doubt it, my friend....fat people do suffer.
Homosexuality is a sin, the Bible is very clear on that, and so are lots of other things. Yet looking around at Christians in the US, you'd think homosexuality was some sort of special, extra bad sin that deserves super hateful condemnation. Christians have poured billions of dollars into trying to deny gays their basic civil rights, and as the link I posted shows, spend enormous resources on demonizing gays in some of the worst ways possible. Why gays? Why don't the greedy jerks on Wall St. get the same treatment? Shoot, for that matter why don't the greedy televangelists who rip people off in the name of Jesus Christ get even a tenth of this treatment? Jesus spoke waaaaaaay more about the love of money than about being gay.
Do you think Christians ought to condone homosexuality?
You are right, all sin is bad. However, SCOTUS has not legalized child molesting, or bestiality, or rape, has it? I'm fairly sure that if they were to do so, there would be huge public outcry, and rightly so. Or did you think that gays were the only perversion lurking in that closet?
Why not the greedy jerks on Wall Street? LOL...because, my innocent, sweet brother, money talks. Yes, I know....it is wrong, wrong, wrong...but it is still a fact. Same goes for the greedy televangelists. You do know, I trust, that they will, eventually, get their reward. Perhaps it would be better for them, in the long run, if they could hear this before that time comes...however, I doubt they would listen, any more than the gay community is listening.
From where I sit, it looks to me like there's just something about gays that some people really, really don't like and Christianity provides a convenient excuse for them to continue in their hate. And when they're called on it they fall back on "Well, the Bible says I'll be hated for being a Christian", when the reality is no one is hating them merely for being Christian. The anger comes from them singling out, and being so over the top nasty to one group of sinners over all others.
By George, I think you've got it! Yes, yes, yes....there is "something about gays that people really, really don't like"!
River, my dear, dear man....homosexuality is a sexual perversion. It is unnatural. It is no different than any other sexual perversion. It is no different than bestiality, or pedophilia, or necrophilia, or rape...all of which occur in the animal kingdom by the way. It is natural to humans to be disgusted by it. It is the way we were made. As you very well know, God specifically intended sex to be between one man and one woman in a committed, marriage relationship. Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.... So, when humans react with distaste, it is because it is natural for us to do so.
Are you disgusted by the woman who has sex with her dog? Or with NAMBLA? What about the guy who can't "perform" unless there is an element of force involved? Or the undertaker who...well, you know. Do these things disgust you? That, my friend, is a natural reaction. It is the way God made us.
Right now, we are fighting against nature, trying to "make allowances" for this particular sexual perversion. I'm not quite sure why.
What is next?
I guarantee, if you start singling out fat people, or greedy people, and pointing out their sin, they won't like it, either. There will be anger and they will tell you that you are "over the top nasty".
Sure, and that's a very good point. So which do you think is more likely to persuade gay folks...approaching them in a kind manner, or telling them they're just like child rapists and murderers, and fighting like crazy to deny them basic civil rights?
I'm still not clear on how this is a "basic civil right"? Being gay is not like being black, no matter how hard people try to make that comparison. It is not like being a redhead, or even being left-handed. It is a sexual perversion...it is abnormal. It is so obviously against nature that I am embarrassed to have to point this out.
However, your point is well taken. And I do actually know of one man...my husband's nephew...who was once what you'd call "flaming", who is now happily settled down with a wife (a woman), and who has three gorgeous daughters. So it is possible, if one wants it badly enough.
:wub:
