I used to discuss a lot of stuff like this with an old coworker of mine, who happened to be a devout Mormon.

His opinion, based upon what he was taught, was that having homosexual desires and feelings isn't really what they consider "wrong" because they don't really have any control over what comes into their mind, or what turns them on. Acting upon those feelings is what is considered "wrong." He viewed God giving you homosexual feelings as a test. If you failed the test, and acted upon what you felt, you're screwed (in more than one way).

If what he feels is correct, which I don't believe it is, that's a pretty screwed up "test". God would have to be all kinds of cruel to give a test that would require you to live out your entire life miserable just because he chose to give you more homosexual feelings than the average person.

Now, my friend gave most of what he was taught in church more real "consideration" than what I believe the average religious person does, which is why I enjoyed talking with him about this kind of thing. I believe the average Christian just spits back up what was put down their throat without any real thought on their own on what they believe really means. i.e. the earlier posts that were basically, "I just think it's wrong"

Personally, I think it's gross, but I'm lucky enough to have been given the "I think girls are pretty and soft, and guys are meant to be beaten in sports" feelings instead of the "Guys are hot" feelings. If two people of the same sex are happy with each other though, more power to them.

Actually, I've never heard one say they would be heterosexual if they could....or imply that they are not in their right mind. I have heard them ask those who claim it is a CHOICE why anyone would ever CHOOSE it, with the way society treats them.....but that's not the same at all.

Neither have I.  I have heard people say that being gay isn't easy, but that that's how they are.  There's nothing they can do about it. 

If two people of the same sex are happy with each other though, more power to them.

My sentiments exactly.  Happiness can be a rare commodity, as can love...if you find it, you should hang on to it.

"Neither have I. I have heard people say that being gay isn't easy, but that that's how they are. There's nothing they can do about it. "

We all sin, and there is nothing that we can do about it, so, I'm not seeing how it is any different than anything else. How you deal with it is what is in question, not the fact that you are predisposed to sin. Everyone is.

Perhaps you're not trying hard enough. Bestiality, necrophilia, pederasty, autoeroticism, and castration are some choices just off the top of my head. Do you think they should choose any of those instead?

I don't see why they'd prefer any of those options to homosexuality, which is why they must mean they'd choose heterosexuality over homosexuality if they could choose. Of course, when they say "Why would anybody choose homosexuality?" they might mean that they'd still choose it if they had a choice. Call me heterosexist, but I think homosexuals, necrophiles, pedophiles, etc. would choose heterosexuality if they had control over their sexuality.

The condemnation isn't of the act of homosexuality, it is of the legitimization of the act, the denial that it is sin, the refusal to repent. What you do personally is between you and God. What you legitimize and promote is of great concern to the community as a whole. People will always sin, no one should ever condemn you for those sins.

Bakerstreet speaks with great wisdom.

, the bible speaks of homosexuality being a sin, but it also says that eating shellfish is forbidden.

Shellfish definitely bad. Stay away, lest you be damned.

We all sin, and there is nothing that we can do about it, so, I'm not seeing how it is any different than anything else.

Most of the time, when we sin, we CHOOSE it...we're not born liars, thieves, adulterers, etc.---we make the choice to BECOME those things, to commit those sins....being homosexual or heterosexual is not a choice, it's just something that IS.....

Most of the time, when we sin, we CHOOSE it...we're not born liars, thieves, adulterers, etc.---we make the choice to BECOME those things, to commit those sins....being homosexual or heterosexual is not a choice, it's just something that IS.....

Some say that being a homosexual is not a sin, but acting on it is.

Everyone must be left to live his/her life as he/she wishes as long as it doesnt harm the society,right ?

What many Christians are arguing is that it does harm society, particularly if the governmnent allows same-sex couples to be married.

Shellfish definitely bad. Stay away, lest you be damned.

@ Guinness.......

 

"Most of the time, when we sin, we CHOOSE it...we're not born liars, thieves, adulterers, etc.---we make the choice to BECOME those things, to commit those sins..."

Depends on how you look at it. If it were all just "bad choices" then it would be possible to be perfect. It isn't possible, though. We all have inherant weaknesses, and everyone is different. Sure, we can choose to do things we know to be wrong. The issue here isn't that homosexuals make mistakes over and over, it is that they feel that the act itself is not a mistake.

Me, I'm not gonna be overly condemning of the act. That is between God and themselves, and they can believe what they want. The villification of MY belief about homosexuality, though, the implication that any bias that I may have against homosexuality is bigotted or a "problem" troubles me, because it doesn't allow me to believe what I want. A perfect example:

"You know Dharma from my experience the people who have a great issue with homosexuality usually have something in their closet that they are hiding. "

That is such an old, tired tactic. If you don't believe that homosexuality is a "right" act, then you must be a repressed homosexual, which negates your opinion of homosexuality. So his beliefs are normal, but mine are abnormal. Why? Because he says so. How is that any different than what he is railing against?

What many Christians are arguing is that it does harm society, particularly if the governmnent allows same-sex couples to be married.

And I still haven't seen any concrete examples of HOW society would be harmed by treating all people as equals.

If it were all just "bad choices" then it would be possible to be perfect.

No it wouldn't, because we're human, and therefore fallible....what we may think at the time is a good idea, may actually be a choice to sin.

That is such an old, tired tactic. If you don't believe that homosexuality is a "right" act, then you must be a repressed homosexual, which negates your opinion of homosexuality.

However, like you, I do agree that this argument is wrong, and only hurts the discussion.

The world would be a better place if it weren't for all this religious crap. Every guy needs to learn to take it up the ass- that's where the prostate- the male G spot - is.

government superannuation (called Social Security in the US

No Superannuation is not social security.. Superannuation in australia is in your working life a part of your wage goes to a fund so that when you retire you or your spouse if you die have access to money for your retirement. This is different to socail security where money is paid out by the governemtn to people so they can live when they retire. Just a clarification.

that's what social security is, too.