Religion and Natural homosexuality (minority, evolution, creation, bible, Christianity)

[Bastet]

Originally Posted by linwood

I dunno I think the fact that 11 states passed anti-homosexual amendments to their constitutions by wide margins shows we aren`t dealing with a minority here.

As much as some might like to, I don't think you can blame that all on Christians. Yes, fundies were responsible for pushing the amendments in the first place, but the people who voted them in were more likely composed of anyone who has even a vaguely negative view of homosexuality or gay marriage, whether it be religion-based, or just out of plain old ignorance. Christian fundies may be pushing the bull, but they aren't the only ones eating the shite.

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by linwood

I dunno I think the fact that 11 states passed anti-homosexual amendments to their constitutions by wide margins shows we aren`t dealing with a minority here.

How does that go to Christianity, though? How many people who voted for the amendments actually had an opinion based on some supposed Biblical reference?

[linwood]

How does that go to Christianity, though? How many people who voted for the amendments actually had an opinion based on some supposed Biblical reference?

Christian fundies may be pushing the bull, but they aren't the only ones eating the shite.

Just my opinion ladies.

To offer a defense of it I`ll ask where do you believe the "shite" comes from?

Why is our culture so horribly homophobic?

[painted wolf]

well... my religion would have no problem. Homosexuality is traditionally for most tribes a non-issue. In some tribes certen ceremonies required the presence of gay/bi/transgendered individuals. They often held great spiritual power as they were of both worlds so to speak.

wa:do

[Mustaphile]

Originally Posted by Isis-Astoroth

If indeed a 'gay' gene was discovered (as discussed in Sexual Orientation part 2) what effect would there be on religions?

Christianity believes that homosexuality is a sin, unnatural, but if it could be proved that homosexuality was indeed a thing of nature, rather than nurture, do you think this might have some kind of great impact on the way Christians (or indeed any other religion that looks down upon homosexuality) view homosexuals as it would point towards 'God' creating them rather than them choosing their sexual orientation.

I think since doctrines such as literal creation can stand in the face of scientific evidence to the contrary illustrates that this would not be the case.

Biblical literalism/inerrantism and the pillar of Sola Scriptura in protestantism is really at the heart of the matter. It's really essential that people come forward with good scholarship in terms of Biblical criticisms to lead people gently into this new thinking. Non-protestant christianity has similar issues with Biblical interpretation that is not altogether unrelated.

People of faith will believe what they believe in the face of all reason. Time and the spirit of peacemaking is the only cure I think.

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by linwood

Just my opinion ladies.

To offer a defense of it I`ll ask where do you believe the "shite" comes from?

Why is our culture so horribly homophobic?
[/color]

People are homophobic because it's something they don't understand and for a lot of people if it's beyond comprehension then it should be duly broken. People are homophobic because they seem to fail in the understanding that just because there is a homosexual in the room with them that he will not in the least be interested in trying to 'turn them gay' or take them out the back and force them to perform 'unnatural sex acts'. People are homophobic because they have the misguided belief homosexual men are more likely to be paedophiles - regardless of the statistical evidence. People are homophobic becausethey can't feel good about themselves unless there is a portion of society that they can convince themselves they are better than. People are homophobic because there are just some people who hate everyone that isn't them.
People are homophobic because - as a cartoon character with an elephant sanctuary once said - 'some are just jerks.'

[fragmentsofdreams]

We can already see the response of Christians to evidence that homosexuality is innate. Some reject the evidence, some take it to indicate God's acceptance of homosexuals, and some believe it does not affect their position at all.

Those who reject the evidence do so because they believe that God would not create people with a disposition toward homosexual acts (To quote Hillary Faye - "You're not born a gay; you're born again."). Because of this belief, they reject the evidence, either by attacking it or dismissing it immediately. The passion behind this belief may come from the fact that it has the possibility that homosexuals can change. This gives families hope that they can "fix" their children. It also permits people who don't like homosexuals to treat them poorly because they could change if they wanted to.

Others react to it by becoming more accepting of homosexuals. They either believe that it indicates that homosexuality is part of God's plan or that they should be kind and show love to homosexuals even if they don't approve of homosexual sex.

The beliefs of some are unaffected because they already accept that homosexuals do not choose their orientation. They see the orientation as not being sinful, but homosexuals acts are still prohibited. They see homosexuals as called to lead celibate lives.

[linwood]

Originally Posted by lady_lazarus

People are homophobic because it's something they don't understand and for a lot of people if it's beyond comprehension then it should be duly broken.

Where do they get this attitude?

People are homophobic because they seem to fail in the understanding that just because there is a homosexual in the room with them that he will not in the least be interested in trying to 'turn them gay' or take them out the back and force them to perform 'unnatural sex acts'.

Where do they get this idea?

People are homophobic because they have the misguided belief homosexual men are more likely to be paedophiles - regardless of the statistical evidence.

Again, where did this come from?

People are homophobic becausethey can't feel good about themselves unless there is a portion of society that they can convince themselves they are better than.

This sounds familiar where have we seen this mentality before?

My point is it`s our culture that created homophobia and I believe it is due to the influence of mosaic law and Biblical scripture that it is imbedded within our culture.

I have studied a couple of cultures that are matriarchal with no aversion to any type of sexuality at all.

This doesn`t exist within them

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by linwood

My point is it`s our culture that created homophobia and I believe it is due to the influence of mosaic law and Biblical scripture that it is imbedded within our culture.

Even assuming this is the root of the issue (and I'm sure you've got a very valid point) a lot of homophobics would not define themselves as Christian or use the often cited biblical/religious arguments to justify their position, and therefore Christianity wasn't the motivation behind their voting the way they did on the amendments.