Ok, I got a bit more on that....

Continuing on my train of thought from yesterday...

If you're attempting to argue against homosexuality, especially allowing homosexuals to marry, please, PLEASE stop resorting to horrible logical fallacies to bolster your position.

Allowing consenting adults who happen to be of the same sex will not usher in people being allowed to marry animals, people being allowed to marry children (outside of what already happens in the silent corners of the country every day), or any of the other stupid arguments I hear people make.

Let me approach this directly: neither animals, nor children can give legal consent.  The massive change in American law that would have to occur for this to become legal is mindblowing.  It would require rewriting pretty much our entire legal code if animals are suddenly recognized in the same manner as humans in things of this nature.

Same with children.  Children cannot give consent.  Now, there are certain groups that marry off young girls, many barely into their teens.  However, many of these are "off the books" because though they have parental blessing, its often in plural marriages of a relative few.  Parents can also give permission for their underage children to marry as in the case of the reality TV star who married the creepy old dude.

But again, this is far different from allowing some random person to marry a minor without parental input.

Also, tangentially related, but still pertinent to the conversation I believe, Jason Collins, a NBA free-agent came out this past week.  The media of course have been opinionating and covering it like a glove.  Its silly, but its what they do.

However, this has led some to opine the only reason its a story is just because of media hype.  I'm sorry, this just isn't true.  For an active male pro athlete in one of the major American sports to come out is a huge step.  Why?  Because locker rooms are still notoriously hyper-heterosexual.  He's received plenty of support, but there have also been plenty of detractors, for various reasons.

Here's the thing, contrary to what many people think, there are huge swaths of America where being gay is not ok.  Oh sure, its fine if no one knows, but its a real hazard to your job if it becomes known.

Wait, that is discrimination and not right!  This is true, but good luck proving you didn't get that raise or promotion because of your sexuality.  Much "easier" to keep it quiet, keep it hidden and just pretend to be "normal."

This simply isn't right.  Again, these are sexual activities between grown consenting adults.  Unless you're doing something stupid like banging the boss' wife (or son or whatever) it should have no bearing on your job.

Is there a portion of the homosexual community that gives the rest a bad name by being overly militant in pressing for their rights?  Sure, but why paint an entire group by the actions of a few?  That's the same as painting all Christians hatemongers because of Westboro Baptist, all Muslims terrorists because of the actions of some, or any other mass stereotyping that occurs.

Please, stop pretending everything is fair and equal and everything is ok and happy and life can go on.  That's the point, its NOT ok and NOT fair and equal and all anyone is asking is that it is made fair and equal.  I know it sounds simple, but its apparently not at all.

I don't understand why you care so much...

After listening to some poor right wing Christian fumble his way through an explanation of why he cared so much about homosexuals having equal rights, I figured, hey, I'll throw my opinion out there.  Why not?  Its the internet!

The fundamental question I have for Christians who have such an issue with homosexuality is this: How is it affecting your life in a negative manner?

If you reply, "Its sinful!" to that I reply, other's sin CONSTANTLY in manners much more damaging to society as a whole, yet most of you do little to combat that.  Greed, something crippling our country and the world at the moment, is something you speak so little on.  Heck, some churches even espouse a gospel of greed as if accumulating wealth is a sign God is blessing you.

So, what's your next idea?  Please don't say because the Bible says so.....oh god, you're going there aren't you?

Ok, well, the Bible says LOTS of things, many of those things in the same books the few mentions of homosexuality occur.  So, do you wear clothes made out of two different fabrics?  Do you think its ok for a man to rape a woman as long as he marries her?  You're fine with polygamy then right?  Slavery is cool too.  Stoning for infidelity?  Hope you don't have tattoos (it is doubtful you do I know.)  You realize the Bible has 2 creation stories in Genesis right after each other right?  Which one is the correct one?

Hang on you might protest, that's old Testament stuff.  Oh, you mean like one of the strongest proscriptions of homosexuality?  Right there in Leviticus?  With all those weird laws we don't follow?

Now, Paul does address homosexuality of a sort in the New Testament.  But its brief, and its quite possible he was addressing the Greek practice of adult men taking adolescent boys as "companions."  Paul could be vague at times, see Philemon, is he telling Philemon to free Oesimius?  Or just forgive him and accept him back?

Now, lets get on to more important things.  Let's address what Christ said on the subject.  *crickets*

Done with that.

I can accept if you view the behavior as sinful.  I might disagree, but here's the problem.  Its sin that doesn't affect you.  How about you worry about the plank in your eye rather than the speck in theirs?  What if all the money spent to "fight the homosexual agenda" (note this is politics, not the religious arena) was spent on other things?  Helping to offer quality health care?  Advocating for living wages here and abroad?  Various other worthy goals that don't include infringing on the rights of your fellow citizens.

I hate to tell you, well, no, I don't.  I'm happy to say, you're going to lose this one.  50 years from now you'll look as stupid as the tacit racists who were against integration.

I'm just saddened that you think God is calling you to be this way.  I'm pretty sure God doesn't give one more crap about their sin of homosexuality than the litany of sin we all deal with daily.  Possibly you could find the charity in your heart to focus on what you can do to improve the world, rather than making it more difficult for others.