Your "protection" isn't required
Our state lawmakers are considering a "protection of marriage" bill that is aimed at changing the state constitution to prohibit gay and lesbian marriage in Pennsylvania. As with all of these measures, which keep popping up across the country, I have to ask what threat two gay people getting hitched poses to my marriage or anyone else's. There is no threat. It's asinine to say there is. But we live in a country in which gay people are about the only group that it's OK to discriminate against. Heck, some people actively encourage it. On the long list of issues facing our state and nation, I wouldn't even try to find a spot for something as ridiculous as this "protection of marriage" bill. I'm still waiting to hear a valid argument as to why gay men and lesbians should be prevented from marrying. The "it's against the Bible" crap is just that, crap. We don't live in a theocracy, and marriage, along with the benefits stemming from it, is a civil procedure. Whether you're married by the mayor of Cokeburg or the pope, you have to get a license. The legislation making its way through the Capitol also would ban civil unions, and opponents of the bill fear that if it is ultimately approved, it could threaten decisions by some universities and businesses that already offer health and other benefits to same-sex partners of their employees. The bill still must be approved by both houses of the Legislature in the current term and in the 2009-10 session. Then it would go to a statewide referendum in November 2009. There's still time for common sense to prevail on this issue, but if it makes it to the ballot, I have no doubt that the "forward-thinking" voters of Pennsylvania will approve it by a wide margin. Sad.
Labels: Complaints
posted by Brant at
7:36 PM
8 Comments:
It;s stuff like this that proves that Obama was correct when he said that people tend to gravitate toward these types of issues when voting. It's another "hot button" issue that polarizes. People don't have to think about making a decision: their jerking knees propel them to one side of the issue.
How much do people really care about gay marriage and issues like it? Let's try a test.
Would you allow gays to marry if we reduce the price of gasoline to 45 cents a gallon again?
We will ban gay marriage forever... but you have to give up your right to own a gun.
Show of hands?
I thought so.
Meanwhile, while the economy is in the tank, more Americans and Iraqis are being blown up and a certain female presidential candidate has rolled out the "nuke 'em back to the Stone Age" brand of foreign policy, our brave Congress spent Friday tackling two important pieces of legislation -- they declared that there should be a National Watermelon Month and a National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day.
I'll sleep better tonight.
I disagree with Brant on this one.
It's funny how we use God as a convenience when we get married to solidify our lifelong union in His presence. And it's also funny how we have funeral services and pray that the deceased soul spends the rest of their lives in Heaven. Yet, when we confront an atrocity of Gay marriage, we mock at the Bible's teaching, and call it all "CRAP."
Being gay is wrong. Animals have enough sense not to do it, yet humans, especially in this country, almost prefer it. What's wrong with people? Why are they turning what God intended to be a beautiful union between a man and a woman into such a devious, satanic union? Oh, well if God isn't really a factor, maybe I shouldn't mention Satan either.
Truthfully, that's why this country is in the shape that it's in. Our forefathers included daily Bible reading and pray in the decisions that they made. Prayer was allowed anywhere a person felt lead to pray. Today prayer will get you disciplinary action. Our brilliant lawmakers yanked it out of schools and public places and now people are bring AK-45's into classrooms and blowing each other apart.
My point is we all need to be accountable for our actions. We all need to know the difference between right and wrong. And if we don't use the Bible for morals and ethics, then where do we get our teachings? Our parents, right? Well, where do they learn from? The Bible, of course.
Being gay is a terrible fallout from broken homes, and loveless families. Oh, and where do you think love comes from, and it's not from sex, as most of high school students now believe.
We need to get back to the Bible, not shun it and call it crap. There is reason why it's called the "bread of life." And there is also a reason why being gay is wrong. It should be banned, and I hope the ethical and moral people of Pennsylvania vote to ban it. Gay marriage is an atrocity, as is the practice of being gay.
It costs us all when we turn our backs to God. So, don't buy into this crap that gay marriage doesn't hurt anybody. I get sick and tired of trying to explain to my kids why two boys are holding hands and kissing. It's not right. The solution isn't to condone it, it's to help those stuck in the mire from Hell and help them escape it's destructive ways.
I have a 17 year old son that's gay. And it makes me sick every day of my life. He will never have a happy, joyous life. His life will be forever filled with confusion, conflict, and anger. Until, of course he dies from Aids. It's a shame.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Let's start with the fact that thousands upon thousands more people have been killed in the name of religion than by any sick kid with a gun at a high school or college. Being gay has nothing to do with coming from a broken home or having uncaring parents. People are born gay. It's not a "lifestyle decision." I know many gay people who are in loving, caring, happy relationships. They don't have AIDS, and I certainly would be ashamed to be part of any belief system that thinks those people are going to hell just for loving someone of the same gender. The Bible doesn't have the market cornered on morals and ethics. There are plenty of people who live moral and ethical lives who do not base their actions on Biblical teachings. They just rely on good, old-fashioned common decency and a respect for their fellow man. Prayer has no business in our public education system, but if we were to allow prayer back in schools, I'm sure you would be glad to allow the Hindus and Muslims to spread their beliefs to your children, as well, because you have no proof that your religion is any more correct or valid than theirs. And if you're looking for a complete ban on gay activities, I suggest you go live in one of the strict Islamic countries. They're hell on homosexuality.
The second anonymous poster who disagreed with Brant and likely will cause a justifiable firestorm of debate clearly is narrow-minded, judgmental and woefully out of touch.
First, let me say that in most regards, I'm pretty conservative. But being conservative doesn't eliminate the fact that I'm intelligent and can think for myself.
Let's take the Bible out of this debate for a bit. Anon #2, have you severed contact with the gay son? I couldn't possibly cut ties with either of my children because my narrow-minded opinions don't jive with their lifestyles. I'd much rather have them in my life, happy and loved by whoever, than to never speak to them again. Apparently spouting all of your sanctimonious blather to your gay son during his developmental years had no effect since he continues to live his life in a manner that he finds fulfilling.
Have you spent much time with your gay son? Have you spent any time with ANY gay person? If you could find time to come off of your high horse and get to know a homosexual or two, you will find that, surprise! surprise! they aren't much different than anyone else. Even you. Many gay people have made considerable effort at great emotional and often physical expense to fit into a society that is dictated by your antiquated mores. Many of them have children...that is the extent to which they often go to fit into your world.
I worked with a man named Roger who was gay and quite pleased about it. He was a little bit out there, but certainly a likable guy. In talking to him, I found that he loves, he eats, he drinks and he gets hurt...just like the rest of us. He has a son, but the boy's mother won't let Roger see his son at all. Is preventing a father/son relationship a Christian thing to do?
My sister has a very dear friend who was forced out of the priesthood because he admitted that he was gay when he was in the seminary. I'll avoid the obvious comments about the dichotomous nature of this situation, but the point is that here is a man who was called to the priesthood, yet was forced out by the very people whose own sexual proclivities have cost the church BILLIONS of dollars and countless ruined lives. We'll never know the potential that this man has in regards to spreading God's word. He works construction now. Sad.
Should it be legal to marry a person of the same gender? Absolutely. It doesn't affect me or my family, nor will it harm anyone else or their families. Some say it's not right because this "abomination" isn't "normal" and therefore tax dollars shouldn't be spent on anything that promotes or condones this lifestyle. Well, your tax dollars are going to all sorts of programs, many of which I find much more repugnant and infuriating than whether two men or two women in a committed relationship can share health insurance.
Now, let's get back to God. Who are we to decide what God thinks? My God is a loving God and a forgiving God. So whether you want to believe homosexuals are born that way or "turned" that way, in any event, they are God's creatures. Doesn't He love us unconditionally? By the same token, aren't we supposed to love our fellow human beings in His way? And if you don't believe in it, shouldn't you be able to forgive???
Whether you think homosexuality is right or wrong or something someone chooses to do or is born to, please don't hide behind your interpretation of the Bible to bolster your argument.
First, the Bible. Let's not forget that the Bible was written and edited by men who had an axe to grind -- they were espousing the Christian viewpoint. Even Chrsistian Biblical scholars admit that much of what's in the Bible is a mix of metaphor and history. The earliest books of the New Testament were written almost 100 years after the death of Jesus. Until then, the stories were passed down orally. Blind acceptance of the Bible as unquestionable truth is unsupportable. I once had someone very dear to me argue that there were no dinosaurs because they were not mentioned in the Bible. Go ahead -- support your argument while standing in Carnegie Musueum's Hall of Dinosaurs.
How closely do we follow the Bible? If it's to be taken literally, we should be yanking out eyes and teeth of our enemies all over the place. We should be stoning people daily. My memory is foggy -- who was it in the Bible who said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone?" Oh, yeah ... Jesus.
So mister or miz anonymous with the gay son who makes you sick every day of your life -- are you without sin? If not, then just how closely are you following the Bible? If your son's life is forever filled with confusion, anger and guilt, maybe it's because he can't figure out why his parent is talking out of both sides of his mouth.
And don't be so liberal in your application of the word atrocity, because a parent who turns his back on a son fits it very nicely.
Anonymous 2, I'll pray for you tonight. I think you need it. And by the way, isn't it so easy to spew homophobic rhetoric when you don't have to put your name to it?
I recall that when prayer was a daily ritual in public schools, blacks were still being lynched in the God-fearing South.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home