To quote Mikey above:
"Was this country not founded on the basis of being free to live as we please? Well hell, if someone want to wear chemise behind closed doors then so what? Some even wear it when they are out. So what! What real business is it of ours? Some may be so liberal as to be complete buttheads - but we have many of those in this land of so many freedoms, it is the result of having these freedoms. "If there is to be actual freedom then some people are free to be offended by other people. And some are free to be offensive. I wouldn't have it any other way!
Most of us on this forum are very offensive to gun-haters, to bunny-huggers, to greenies and other types of "liberals". And they are trying (freely) to stop us from (freely) living and acting our choices. We claim that it is our right to do so, and they claim it is their right to stop us. Both sides are exercising their rights. If you substitute "gays" for "gun-owners" in any kind of political discussion, I say we have more in common on a political and freedom basis than there are differences.
Although I don't believe it is illegal (yet) for gun-owners to marry, the way some radical gun-banners act, it wouldn't surprise me, that if/when they ever get into power, that kind of law will show up. (It would be entertaining should that actually come about, for them to try to break up my marriage - they would not likely come out unscathed if they tried to mess with my pistol-packin' wife!
)
And surprise, I have some gay friends. Both tried being married (to the other gender) and it didn't work out too well. How many of us "straight" types have found it didn't work very well, or isn't currently working very well? (Rhetorical question - no need to answer.)
Regarding just one particular couple, one of them has a very responsible position in a defense industry (you know, an industry that helps
defend the USA) the other is an entrepreneur, that is an activity that employs, others, pays taxes, expands and aids the economy of the USA. Real couple of losers huh (not!). (I just realized as I was typing this, that in another couple I know, one more works for another defense industry as well! - oh no, gays helping defend the USA!)
They have been to the range with my wife and I and they loved it. Within a couple of weeks they had joined SASS, attended a couple of SASS events including End of Trail, and now they talk up gun-ownership among their "gay and lesbian" friends. Just think about that, a couple of "them" talking kindly about, and supporting "us". They actually spend time introducing concepts readers of this site take as a core values - the right to own guns, the right of self-defense, and the right to be treated as responsible citizens. Why do some of us find it so hard to reciprocate?
And I must say to DALESCARPENTRY, Good on ya Dale. You demonstrate the ability and willingness to open your mind and thoughts and respond to what is actually in front of you. You can come to a conclusion and make a decision based on your own individual experiences rather than hold on to a dogmatic position about what what something, or someone is "supposed" to be. Something that you admit was how you were in the past. This, in my opinion is what real freedom looks like in action.
And for the position that homosexual behavior is an abomination to God; so what? Let the gays and God work it out when and if necessary. It ain't my business, nor is it yours. If God made the rules, then any penalty is up to God, like any other choices made by individuals. If they are destined for hell, what business is it of yours. I wonder why, those of you who hate the gays, aren't actually happy that they are going to hell. Ain't it what they deserve if they don't repent? Why not be joyful rather than angry?
I find it hard to believe that God is so wimpy that he can't handle stuff without your, or my, help. When a human entity gets involved in the business of the almighty, it starts to sound more like a Radical Islamists way (I must punish sinners for Allah) than a loving Christian approach.
It seems to me, from what I've read, that Allah is kinda lazy about many things, what with leaving so many decisions and stuff up to the mullahs and ayatollas and political leaders. He doesn't seem to spend much time actually one-on-one with individual muslims. I could be wrong, but I always thought that was the main difference between Protestant Christians and other religions; that each one of us is encouraged to connect individually with God and not have "interpretations" or "instructions" filtered through priests and other "officials". Ain't there something along the lines of "I accept Jesus as my
personal savior? Something about each of us being responsible for our own thoughts and deeds? If I am wrong, and this ain't the basis for Christian thought, then I won't be calling myself a Christian.
And judging by what
crustaceous posted while I was typing the above:
If there is one thing I can't stand is these liberal panty waist pseudo christians who pick and chose which biblical rules on sexuality they're going to follow. I say it's all or nothing. Including but not limited to:
DEUTERONOMY 22:13-21- If it is discovered that a bride is not a virgin, the Bible demands that she be executed by stoning immediately.
DEUTERONOMY 22:22- If a married person has sex with someone else's husband or wife, the Bible commands that both adulterers be stoned to death.
MARK 10:1-12- Divorce is strictly forbidden in both Testaments, as is remarriage of anyone who has been divorced.
LEVITICUS 18:19- The Bible forbids a married couple from having sexual intercourse during a woman's period. If they disobey, both shall be executed.
MARK 12:18-27- If a man dies childless, his widow is ordered by biblical law to have intercourse with each of his brothers in turn until she bears her deceased husband a male heir.
DEUTERONOMY 25:11-12-If a man gets into a fight with another man and his wife seeks to rescue her husband by grabbing the enemy's genitals, her hand shall be cut off and no pity shall be shown her.
I've got my rock pile ready!
I guess it is a moot point whether I call myself a Christian or not. It seems, according to the all-or-nothing version of Christianity, I ain't one, and never again can be one due to a divorce, and remarriage. I have no brothers, so if I die (by stoning as now seems possible), who is my current but forbidden wife (previously married and therefore not a virgin) supposed to
(you know - boink) in order to provide a male heir? And even if I had brothers, and she
boinked them, if a male heir ensues, is he gonna be legit, 'cuz our marriage apparently ain't? And bottom line, since my wife and I are destined to be stoned to death anyway, why bother with Christianity at all? By the way, if some big hairy dude attacks me and my wife shoots him in the family jewels, is that subject to the same penalty as grabbing him there?And would it be her gun hand that's cut off, or does it matter? What if she is ambidextrous. Would it make any difference if the guy was a predatory homo trying to get into my pants. Would protecting me from that qualify as an extenuating circumstance for her? Just wondering.
So should any all-or-nothing Christians decide to do the wimpy God's work for him regarding me and my wife, please, bring your rock piles to the gunfight, and you might consider wearing armor on your crotch.