The thing is that I don't see it as homophobic and bigotry. I think you have your definitions of those things wrong
Yes, I know. You've told me that, and I didn't expect that you have or will change your mind there. What makes it homophobia for you when it is? Angry facial expressions and loud voices? Use of insults and profanity like Westboro Baptist Church? You seemed to agree that they were homophobic with their "God hates f*gs" signs. What if the signs had said "God disapproves of homosexuality"? Is it now not homophobic in your opinion? If so, why? To many people, it's the same message delivered in different packages. Throwing in a "God loves you, I love you" doesn't change the message, just the tone and sincerity of it.
you are accusing innocent people, along with the rest of the mob that do the same thing because it is fashionable to do that.
What innocent people am I accusing of what? And why do you think my behavior is chosen because its fashionable?
Also, you used the word mob. Why do you suppose that there are so many people saying the same thing I am? Why has there been blowback from these Aussie athlete's message? Why are so many posters in this thread telling you what I'm telling you? Surely it can't be for no reason or because it's fashionable. Even if you can't understand those sentiments, it behooves you to be aware of them. If you deliver the message that the homosexual community displeases a good god, you are damaging people, not helping them, and they will resent both you and the religion that taught you that.
Maybe that's OK with you. Maybe you're willing to pay that price to speak your message. As you've noted, that's legal and you won't be physically stopped. But I do believe that you are contributing to a net negative effect for Christianity. Or maybe you think that your position makes the church and its religion seem righteous in the eyes of the public.
Perhaps you've seen the quote from particle physicist Steven Weinberg, "Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. For good people to do evil things, it takes religion." I think he's talking about people like you. You seem like a good person to me. I believe that without your religion, you'd be like any humanist and embrace diversity, support love in any form, and try to create a society that gives us all opportunity and freedom. But Christianity has taught you to judge homosexuality negatively, and with no malice at all in your heart, you deliver that destructive message. It's your church I judge more than you or any individual believer.
Weinberg says, and I agree, that what the church is doing is an insult to human dignity, and that it promotes good people to do harm.
In your view all cops are murderers, all priests are paedophiles, all Muslims are just as bad as the terrorists I suppose until they go public and condemn those who have done such things.
No. But all cops who are aware of misconduct by other police and turn a blind eye are in part responsible for the bad actors and those who help cover up their crimes. Likewise with the other two groups. I do expect people aware of crimes and misconduct to come forward in the sense that I and others hold them culpable in part if they don't.
And the same thinking applies to the body of the church. You want the people who aren't actively causing the problem to be held blameless. Fine. I don't blame you or most of them, either. You aren't the reason you hold homophobic beliefs or why you consider them wholesome and constructive. Your church is. Your religion is.
What outsiders see is a vocal contingent demeaning homosexuals and the rest sitting there quietly. There isn't even one Christian voice in a thousand denouncing the church's message. Whereas the adherent sees his church as a force for good, this is what others see from the outside. It's not your problem, and you didn't cause it. The church caused it, and it is its problem - a public relations problem. Christian homophobia is seen by many as mean-spirited bullying insincerely dressed in the language of loving the sinner.
You reminded me of lyrics from Sympathy For The Devil: "Just as every cop is a criminal, and all the sinners saints."
