Chicago school officials are recommending the creation of a “gay-friendly” high school to accommodate rising numbers of gay and lesbian students and reduce harassment in the school system. I have long been opposed to the increasing specialization and balkanization of the public school system. While I support this worthy purpose, I believe that it has a negative impact on the goals of a public system as a whole. It is hard to oppose such schools like School for Social Justice Pride Campus, but I believe that the solution is to expel abusive and homophobic students — not remove the victims.
While I have been long supporter of gay rights, I opposed the creation of the Harvey Milk High school in New York, click here and here.
The School for Social Justice Pride Campus, will not be exclusive to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, but it aimed at that target population. For the full story, click here.
Jessica:
“I think homosexuality is wrong. You’re not going to change my viewpoint at all.”
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No one is trying to convince you of anything. You have made up your mind on scant or suspect evidence and there is no saving you until you agree intellectually to discover the facts on your own without the crutch of some first century spiritualism. You are dogmatic. The point of our refutation is to convince others not so far gone, that there exists another viewpoint much better supported by the evidence than your child-like “because the Bible tells me so” approach.
By the way, I suggest you read the Bible cover to cover. I think even you will find it full of both wonderful philosophy (though not particularly original) and despicable acts of evil condoned as religion. Then we can have an adult discussion about why you believe it to be the unerring word of the omniscient, omnipotent, Creator of the Universe.
Mike and mespo727272
You can say what you want. I think homosexuality is wrong. You’re not going to change my viewpoint at all. You can throw all the “studies” at me that you want. They’re biased, just like the media.
Just like I’ll never change your opinion on the subject. So just get over it
Like I said, this site is just chock full of Liberals, who want rights for everyone but Christians.
Jessica:
2 Replys:
“Liberals”
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The Religious: People who won’t or can’t think for themselves and rely on 1st century nonsense.
AND
“However, regardless of how we interpret the Bible’s teachings about homosexual acts, it is important to note that the Bible does not condemn people for having homosexual tendencies.”
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Ah sorry there Aquinas, but the Bible certainly does condemn for mere tendencies:
Leviticus 19:17-18
Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Mt 5:28
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Just two of many examples that come to mind, but you see the Bible condemns merely for thoughts–and lust, even homosexual lust, gets special treatment. I thought you actually read this book. Like most Christians you haven’t or maybe just the parts you were told to read.
“A boy or girl who discovers homosexual feelings should realize that, like other interests and feelings, it may be only a passing phase that will fade away in time. Meanwhile, he or she should avoid becoming obsessed with the feelings or indulging in any kind of sexual activity.”
Jessica,
your statement above leads me to assume, please correct me if I’m wrong, that you are a proponent of the “Abstinence Movement.” To me this is a pernicious movement on two levels. The first is that it has been clearly shown not to work. The second is that it evinces a superficial knowledge of religious philosophy and as such might be considered blasphemous in a religious context.
Christian, Islamic and some Jewish religious leaders have emphasized sexual “sins” for centuries, while ignoring the common philosophy that serves as the true basis of those three religions.
That basic truth is found in the formulation of “Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you.” This is so because this “Golden Rule”(as Christians call it) is subversive to the social elites. Following the Golden Rule to its’ logical conclusion would require social fairness and an end to war. This would be inconvenient to those in power and put the comfort of religious leaders in peril.
It is far easier then, for religious leaders to focus on sexual sins and thereby enjoy the benefits bestowed upon them by the “powers that be.” This is why it is more convenient for many Fundamentalist Christians to focus their attentions on sexual matters and ignore the real sins. These real sins are the inequality of wealth, the use of torture and the murder of hundreds of thousands in an unneeded war. Focusing on sex also allows many wealthy Faux Christians to feel the safety of their souls, while ignoring their own sinning against the Golden Rule. I am familiar with the Gospels and the Five Books of Moses and I firmly believe that Jesus was neither a Republican, nor a conservative.
There is a tendency to confuse homosexual tendencies and feelings with acts of homosexual intercourse, because the English word “homosexuality” is often used to describe both.
However, regardless of how we interpret the Bible’s teachings about homosexual acts, it is important to note that the Bible does not condemn people for having homosexual tendencies. It is certain actions that are prohibited by Bible teachings, not tendencies or feelings.
A boy or girl who discovers homosexual feelings should realize that, like other interests and feelings, it may be only a passing phase that will fade away in time. Meanwhile, he or she should avoid becoming obsessed with the feelings or indulging in any kind of sexual activity.
A homosexual Christian man or woman is presented with great challenges, and great strength is often achieved by learning to deal with great challenges. Perhaps God has some special mission in mind for that person that is best accomplished outside the restrictions imposed by marriage and family duties.
Liberals
Bob, Esq:
I would say in 8th Circle, Malebolge, and in that Circle’s subdivisions known as Bolgias (Evil Pouches) Numbers 4,5 & 8, maybe.
Michael:
“If you have eaten pork you have sinned equivalently to having a homosexual relationship. Now you might say that Jesus, Paul actually, made eating pork kosher. If you use that point though then you have to take notice that Jesus never referred to homosexuality.”
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Good to “read” you back. I agree it’s an abomination to eat pork and I suggest separate high schools to accommodate the bar-b-que eating horde. I think we have that already and they call it the North Carolina School System. Jesus never talked about bar-b-que either but of course, the “true believer” knows it is a stoning offense. In our case, I hear the “stones” are hush puppies, and you get slaw with that.
“Ido my research…it’s called a Bible. Yes I’m a Christian and I do not condone homosexuality. It is a sin.”
Homosexuality is described as an “abomination.” The eating of pork is also described as an “abomination.” If you have eaten pork you have sinned equivalently to having a homosexual relationship. Now you might say that Jesus, Paul actually, made eating pork kosher. If you use that point though then you have to take notice that Jesus never referred to homosexuality. The trouble with those of you who try to interpret your bible by picking and choosing among statements is that in the end you wind up blaspheming the God, you pretend to follow.
Speaking of Biblical related themes, I’m wondering how Neo-Cons and other extreme authoritarian variety right wingers compare to gays on the Dante’s Inferno scale.
Oddly enough, Neo-cons, in so much as they continually commit ‘TREASON TO BENEFACTOR’ by using the Constitution as a urinal puck, fall far lower into the depths of hell than any allegedly sinful homosexual.
BTW, I’m betting that the Big Guy doesn’t look kindly on those who aid abet and continually excuse traitors to benefactor (e.g. neo-cons).
You have a nice day.
Former Federal LEO:
“Some attorneys can be brutally and cryptically humorous!”
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Suffering fools silently is not my strong suit. Apologies in advance to all the buffoons out there (including me, sometimes).
Jason:
“Back to the subject….Mespo, my parental unit did a fine job. Just because I am intolerant of homosexuality does not make me wrong.”
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Right, you are, of course. Your vocal stance couched as it is with tremendous intolerance and lack of understanding makes you much worse–it makes you ignorant.
Luckily, I do know what a cv is, and not, I did not have to look up the meaning of those funny looking latin words…
I have no reason to share that resume, the power of the internet is far too great. Being that my vocal stance does make me the minority, I dont think that revealing details is warranted.
Back to the subject….Mespo, my parental unit did a fine job. Just because I am intolerant of homosexuality does not make me wrong. Most people feel the way I do, but many are fearful of the retribution from the far left.
BTW, my parent unit(s) were a man and a women, how strange? Next you’ll tell me gays can adopt children, how crazy would that be????
😉
“Could I get a list of those schools or your CV? I have a kid applying for colleges, and I think your list would be helpful for me in steering through the sludge offered by some institutions. I wish your parental unit had done the same for you!”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Some attorneys can be brutally and cryptically humorous!
You ought to explain to the 99.9% intelligent guy what his CV is, because given the topic, he might think it is something else altogether.
Mespo and Puzzling,
Well done. The extent of hate directed toward the gay community still amazes me. Even more disturbing is the belief by some that being gay is a choice or a disease and can be corrected or cured. I guess this is the same mentality that discounts science and suggests that global warming is not significantly caused by man’s actions. The lack of knowledge is one problem, but the lack of desire to find out the truth is even more disturbing to me.
There is much to refute here. One common theme I noted relates to the merits of reproduction:
“Homosexuality should not be condoned. I dont care if you do it in private, it is still wrong. Or do you feel than man on man love is beautiful??? If so, what does it produce? The answer is nothing.”
-Jason
“The only thing I have againts people being gay is that it is could prevent the perpetuation of the human species.”
-Ryan
“If you must know, I, too, believe in the sacred union of a man and a woman for the sake of procreation.”
-Sara C
Rights aren’t derived from an ability or willingness to procreate.
Should infertile men be allowed to marry fertile women? If so, what does it produce?
If society has a compelling interest in procreation, should proof of fertility be a requirement for a marriage license?
Should couples beyond child bearing age be allowed to marry?
Should vasectomies be condemned or made illegal altogether? How do they help to perpetuate the human species? Perhaps these surgeries should be legal only after a man has given society children? If so, how many children are required?
Should sex with a birth control method be allowed between married partners? If so, what does it produce?
Do single adults who fail to reproduce have value to society? Before they become older and infertile, should their behavior be corrected for the sake of procreation?
If gay marriage was outlawed in Massachusetts, would more children be born there? To whom?
Bobby:
“rcampbell…..I do my research…it’s called a Bible. Yes I’m a Christian and I do not condone homosexuality. It is a sin.”
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Thankfully, the Bible also enlightens us that human slavery is not a sin and is to be respected; that death comes to those who wear different threads side by side; and, my personal favorite, should you find your wife to be less than a virgin on your wedding night, return her to her parents stoop appropriately stoned by you and the community. That is roughly the same morality found in Bobby’s statement–and, as he says, it’s in the Christian Bible. Chapters & verses available upon request.
By the way, it’s a bit disingenuous to call yourself a Christian, i.e. a follower of Christ, and then quote the Old Testament while ignoring the fact that the one to whom you claim fidelity never ever mentions homosexuality once in the New Testament. If you believe so strongly in what is claimed to be his words, then his lack of words on a subject should also carry a lot of weight. Therefore, it’s probably more blessed to use his example and not get yourself so worked up about something he considered too trivial to address.
Bobby
1, October 13, 2008 at 7:06 pm
rcampbell…..I do my research…it’s called a Bible. Yes I’m a Christian and I do not condone homosexuality. It is a sin.
I’ll say again, you’re probably not a bad person, but you and Jason are just wrong. First of all, you’re wrong to put your holy book above intelligence or actual scientific research. That state of denial of facts puts you on roughly the same level as fundamentalist jihadist Muslims who twist their faith and their own holy book to justify their prejudices just as you are doing.
You’re right that it takes a man and a woman to produce a baby, but you’re wrong to assume that only that combination can produce love and caring and committment. Again, I suggest some research into the occurances of homosexual activity in other parts of the animal kingdom. Since humans are animals, there should be no shock that some humans, as some birds, monkeys and other mammals exhibit homosexual behavior.
On one hand, I see your point. On the other, there is so much violence against gay teens. A kid in California was shot in his own classroom just sitting there. If a kid can’t feel safe, a kid can’t learn. It is hard to know what to do.