Are you religious?

If so is homosexuality an important religious issue?

If so why? If not why not?

Listening to some religious people what you do or don't do in the bedroom seems to be a very important issue to whatever God you believe in.

Like all of my threads this is not a trap its a question.

I think I am more spiritual or trying to be than religious. I am constantly trying to learn and grow and find truth.

God is love, and the hatred that many religions are exhibiting towards people who are different to them such as homosexuals demonstrates to me that God is not being expressed in their actions, words or behaviours.

I don't think anyone has all the answers regarding God. Regarding individuals sexual preferences, sex change, cross dressing, sexual exploration, orientation, preference whatever you want to call it, if it is between consenting adults, it's nobody else's business. Anything else, is insanity, sometimes state sanctioned irrational hysterical craziness.

Stephen Fry recently went to Russia doing a documentary on this subject, (he is very famous in Russia so there was media interest there). Mr Fry interviewed this Russian leader about their hateful homophobic laws and the guy was sprouting nonsense that was embarrassing to Russia. Stephen Fry even asked him if he wanted to change his response because he was making Russia look so foolish.

[quote='Cynical Ninja' pid='354320' dateline='1392329939']
is homosexuality an important religious issue?


Not to me it isn't. Like I've said before, I don't recognize the God many people refer to. My God is love & happiness, tolerance. My God wants people to be happy...period.

Whoa.

(02-13-2014, 06:34 PM)Duchess Wrote: My God is love & happiness, tolerance. My God wants people to be happy...period.

At least you're not smoking that angry weed anymore.

I like this side of you.

Go to Iran and see how well they handle homosexuality. They have it good in the U.S.A. and England.

Religion has nothing to do with homosexuality.

Goddamn you! No it does not, but it sure is a touchy subject nowadays.

(02-13-2014, 09:57 PM)Maggot Wrote: it sure is a touchy subject nowadays.

Because so many people think that another person's sexuality is their business. It's not, it's no one's business and then there are those who are so backwoods that they associate gayness with perversion. They are retarded.

(02-14-2014, 08:40 AM)Duchess Wrote: then there are those who are so backwoods that they associate gayness with perversion.

Because religion taught them to.

People need to think for themselves rather than being led like sheep.

That would work if people weren't stupid.

I suppose when I hear Christians go on and on and on and on and on about homosexuality I think to myself “if its so important why isn't it one of the ten commandments?”. According to God being jealous of your neighbours livestock is more important than what you choose to do with your cock.

And Muslims have a whole subculture of homosexuality, Turkish bath anyone?, dancing boys?

Times are changing and fewer Christians and religious leaders support gay discrimination on religious grounds, IMO.

On Wednesday, Kansas' Republican-dominated House passed Bill 2453, which makes it legal for individuals, groups, and businesses to refuse services for same-sex couples if they believe it goes against their religious beliefs to do so.

Two of the strongest opponents of the bill: Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe and the Right Reverend Michael P. Milliken.

Here's what they wrote in trying to get the bill defeated.
Some people regularly suggest that the Church should stay out of politics, but we regret to observe that the current political agenda is encroaching upon fundamental principles that Christians, and people of all faiths, hold dear: compassion for the poor, safety for all people and equality for everyone.

House Bill 2453, which is currently before the Kansas Senate, proposes to legalize discrimination against gay and lesbian couples, attributing the excuse for such discrimination as “religious freedom.” In truth, this bill is not about religious freedom but is aimed at creating state-authorized bias and inequality.

Under this bill, government employees could refuse to offer services to their fellow citizens and taxpayers, while claiming religious motives. Business owners could refuse goods and services to people they perceive to be partnered gay or lesbians without repercussion. This proposed legislation is reminiscent of the worst laws that permitted discrimination against people on the basis of color, sex or nation of origin. The intent of this bill is an affront to the beliefs of all Kansans who support equal treatment under the law for every human being.

Kansas history is filled with examples of standing up for the expansion of rights – in our abolitionist, free state roots; as the first state in the country to elect a woman to a political office; and as a place identified with contributing to the end of school desegregation. We have a high calling to provide equality and equal opportunity to everyone.

For Episcopalians, our faith is unequivocal. Our Baptismal Covenant asks, “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being?” Promising to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being requires us to be adamantly opposed to legislation that does none of these things.

Our biblically based faith calls us to live out the command of Jesus Christ to love one another. You cannot love your fellow Kansans and deny them the rights that belong to everyone else.

We urge the rejection of this bill so that our great state might continue to stand for justice, dignity and equality.

In Christ,


The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe
Ninth Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas


The Right Reverend Michael P. Milliken
Fifth Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas

I know about the one line in Leviticus about “a man shouldn't lie with another man like he does with a woman” but Leviticus also says “don't eat shellfish” and I don't see many Christians protesting outside Red Lobster.

Because it's a new covenant, there is a new deal where they are not bound by the law. They are free to eat bacon etc and not be circumcised. I have looked into what is written in the new testament about homosexuality, as I have had this discussion with friends. What it is talking about in the new testament is perversion which is definitely different interpretation of homosexuality. It's written in greek and then translated. Then people read it to fit in with their truth. It has created such hatred and bigotry and it's wrong.

(02-17-2014, 06:45 AM)aussiefriend Wrote: Then people read it to fit in with their truth.

Sums up religion pretty well..

Spirituality and religion are not the same thing. It is hard to be spiritual, it takes work and we can all learn off each other. But I think you can train a parrot to be religious. I think that is why we admire people like the Dalai Lama and Ghandi, they are advanced souls.

Bullshit. you admire them; please don't speak for everyone. To me, all your interpretation of the difference between religion and spirituality shows is that you were a wake up to most of the bullshit of religion, but you still needed to believe in a 'greater power' to make sense of the world. So by taking it to that 'deeper' level, you can have something that other people just don't get; you can be spiritually superior, and that makes you just a little bit cooler, like you get it, but most people don't.

The westboro baptists think they get it too..

Oh Crash, you old skeptic you. I have experienced spiritual activity personally. If we started a thread for people to talk about their experiences, I am sure some people would come forward with some interesting experiences. I know it's real. I know there is something more. If you don't think so, that's ok. I love Julian Morrow from the Chaser but he is a an athiest, but I certainly don't think I am superior to him. On the contrary. Same with Ricky Gervais. Those Westboro baptists are wacky, crazy, dangerous and no different to other religious extremists who are completely off track. I feel sorry for them.