I promise I try to avoid political ramblings as much as possible, but see as it is thunderstorming like crazy outside and I don't really have anything better to do with my time, I think I'll talk a minute to share my opinion.
First thing first, I hope not offend anyone. Secondly, my opinion has nothing to do with the fact I'm Mormon. Although my knowledge of the Bible and other things have shaped my thoughts. I digress.
I'm not really sure how I feel about all of this "unconstitutional" business. I'm so tired of people fighting about it. First of all, being gay is starting to become a fad. For some people, it's legit and that's how they feel most comfortable living their lives. For others, it's just something to do. Even the gay community, I'm sure, can agree. But instead of legalizing gay "marriage" and allow them the same "rights" as married couples, why can't we legalize civil unions for gays and allow them to be in a civil union under the State. But marriage is an act performed before God. It is a covenant with God. And if you're telling me that God accepts homosexual behavior (mind you homosexuality is a personality trait, it is NOT a race) than simply put, it's wrong. God is a loving God, but He also hates sin. ANY sin. Homosexual behavior is a sin, as is every other type of behavior associated with sex before marriage. The thing that bothers me, is in reality, homosexual lifestyles are against the nature of the human race. There are so many studies that show that homosexuality runs in families and that there are certain environmental triggers that can push someone who might be "on the fence" with homosexual behaviors running to the other side. I'm not saying I hate anyone who is gay or have any problem with them living their lives. What I do disagree with is the fact that gays want to be treated like there is nothing different about them. The fact is, that's just not true. It is not "normal" to have sex with someone of the same sex. If it was, then the parts would fit where they are supposed to. It's not like homosexuality just came into existence. It has been around for a long time, but it was looked down upon because it is morally wrong and was not normal. It is still morally wrong and not normal. I understand that many homosexuals feel they are born that way and that they have no control over how they feel, and that is fine with me, but that doesn't mean they should be an exception to the rule. If you're born blind, you're not going to live the same life as someone who has their sight. Should we allow them driver's licenses because the seeing people can drive?! Certainly not. I'm tired of the gay community wanting "special" rights to be like everyone else. If you have to get "special" exceptions, then that's a red flag that it's not what is in our innate nature as human beings.
The gay community is a faction. That is really what it boils down to. If you study politics and understand the beginning of the constitution and how factions were part of the reason we MADE a constitution, you would see that our nation was founded on Christian principles and the freedom of religion. Most of our forefathers would turn over in their graves if they saw they way we handle situations now. The men who were considered liberals were those who thought we shouldn't be under the rule of king and that business should be handled in a different manner. They weren't men who wanted to abuse and pervert the human family. They were men who went to Church every Sunday and most of them all practiced similar religions. Most were protestant.
I know I might get a lot of flack for my beliefs, and I don't hate anyone for the way they live their lives. I just wish people would stop trying to ask for special rights because they are different. We all have to adapt to our differences. I can try to pee standing up, but that doesn't mean it's right or should be accepted by everyone. I'm a woman. I pee sitting down.
8 comments:
"marriage is an act performed before God. It is a covenant with God."
Which is exactly why our government shouldn't be favoring one religion's definition of marriage over another. There are plenty of Christian religions out there that would like to the opportunity to perform legal gay marriages. What happens to their freedom of religion?
If your uncomfortable with the idea of same sex attractions being a natural part of some peoples makeup that they can't control - treat it as a religion. Plenty of people don't consider the Mormon religion to be "normal." They have "funny" marriage ceremonies in their temples, men can be sealed to more than one wife, etc., etc. And yet, we don't accuse Mormons of wanting "special rights." How would you react if the legality of weddings performed in LDS temples was up for a vote this November?
Gay families don't want "special rights." They want the same rights and protections that you and your family enjoy. Make no mistake, these are real families with children. For a religion that is known for its focus on the family, it's so sad they spend so much time and energy trying to destroy the families of those who are different than them.
so well said. Thank you.
I appreciate that comment. I am all about open discussions of the topic.
Religion according to the dictionary is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. I would hardly say that being homosexual is a religion, nor should it be treated as such. If it was, then people would have the choice to belong to it, and in most cases, aren't we dealing with the idea that most homosexuals feel that they have no choice in their sexuality?
I'm not uncomfortable with the idea of same sex attractions as being a natural part of some people's makeup. I do believe, however, that it can be controlled. It is a behavioral tendency like many others. There are people that are born with a higher chance of being alcoholics. If their environment promotes alcoholism, they are at a much higher risk. Trust me, I have had MANY gay friends and because of my religious beliefs have been curious and devoted a lot of time trying to understand this phenomenon. Most gays that I know have grown up in a certain type of "family" life. Not all, obviously, but most. Also, there is a lot of controversy over the fact that they are "born" that way. I say it's totally possible to be born genetically predisposed to homosexual tendencies. I do not however, feel that it is an uncontrollable behavior. I feel that one's environment can either act as a catalyst or prevent one from that. It could easily be a genetic tweak. We all have them in some form or another.
Marriage and it's definition has changed and adapted throughout the years to society's definition. However, if you are a Christian, meaning you believe in the creation and Adam and Eve, God instituted marriage between a man and woman from the very beginning. And marriage unions were practiced in religious ceremonies for centuries.
Mormons do not impose their temple ceremonies upon anyone who does choose to accept them. In Paris, for instance, you must first have a civil ceremony in a courthouse, etc before you can be married in the temple. In the US, that is not the case. A marriage ceremony in the temple is a sacred ordinance, not something we expect the government to adapt. If our freedom to practice our religion was taken away then I would render that as unconstitutional along with all other's freedom of religion. Moral values were what our country was founded upon. The writers of the constitution wrote it under the faith that the people would conduct themselves in a moral manner. If the Rule of Law is no longer practiced in society, our constitution will fail.
A marriage ceremony in the temple is a sacred ordinance, not something we expect the government to adapt. If our freedom to practice our religion was taken away then I would render that as unconstitutional along with all other's freedom of religion. Moral values were what our country was founded upon. The writers of the constitution wrote it under the faith that the people would conduct themselves in a moral manner. If the Rule of Law is no longer practiced in society, our constitution will fail.
I don't claim that my beliefs are typical to that of society either because I am Mormon. I am also not asking that the government make special circumstances to adapt to my beliefs. I do not impose my lifestyle on anyone else. We do not have Mormon parades or protests.
Gay marriage is a special right, because marriage between someone of the same sex has never been a right or privilege. This isn't like the blacks or women wanting the right to vote. Blacks and women are by nature a race of people. All homosexuals are either white, black, etc or man or woman.
And Mormons are not trying to destroy a family, we are protecting the eternal and Godly pattern of family that was set forth by God himself from the very beginning. Don't you understand that the only way a gay family can have children is through adoption or artificial means? How is that natural or the way it was intended?
I appreciate your feedback. I hope my feedback isn't too harsh! It's such a crazy topic.
Let me start by saying I’m a Methodist, a wife, and a liberal, and I see a few holes in your logic. First, saying that homosexuality is a choice and can be controlled means that being straight is also a choice, which has several implications that are typically not considered by people of this mindset. Second, judging an entire section of our society on your interaction with a select few is hardly telling. I myself have several gay friends who come from stable and extremely religious families. I don’t expect you to take this as the rule just as your readers shouldn’t take your experiences as decisive. It is true that many studies that have been done stating that homosexuality is a factor of environment. However, an equal number of studies claim to prove that it is a genetic trait. It has not been conclusively proved on either side. Admitting that you believe people can be born with a predisposition toward homosexuality prompts me to ask this question: why would God create someone more predisposed to “sin” than the rest of us; isn’t Original Sin enough? What did that soul do to deserve a difficult and cursed life? And why would we as Christians want to make that life any harder?
Lastly, the Bible was used by Confederate leaders and the KKK to argue that slavery was right in order to uphold the constitutionality of the practice. Abolitionists also used the Bible to dispute this and declare that slavery was wrong. An even more poignant comparison can be drawn with women’s suffrage. The KKK used the Bible to claim that giving women the right to vote would erode the family. Women used the Bible to state that it would only strengthen the family. In a similar sense, while the Religious Right is using the Bible to argue against gay marriage, the gay community is using Bible verses that champion the Christian pillars of love and acceptance to challenge the Religious Right’s stance. Ironically, the Religious Right has compared those who support gay marriage to white supremacists. This is simply to point out that the Bible – while sacred – is just another tool that can be manipulated by either side.
I agree with El Genio that the gay community isn’t asking for special rights. They are asking not to be treated as second class citizens; to not be discriminated against. If anything, I would think this would be something the Mormons could empathize with. And the gay community’s struggle is similar to suffrage and civil rights. Each group was told – or is being told – that they are not worthy of the rights the rest of society takes for granted.
I also hope my feedback isn’t too harsh. I only meant to point out things that were not addressed in your initial post.
I think you have some valid points. I, by no means, am an expert on the situation. I do sympathize, but there are just so many things that are unnatural and detrimental to the human family if we continue to become more and more accepting of something that should not be regarded as normal. I know it isn't fair, but there are a lot of things about life that aren't fair.
I did however want to add that I don't feel that God 'allows' some people to be born with more sin than others. As silly as this sounds, I honestly feel that homosexuality can be compared to a genetic disorder. I think it is something that could be treated. Those who are born handicapped live different lives because of their handicap. It might not be fair, but we aren't here to be fed a silver spoon. We are here to be tested and tried and to experience life, pain and sorrow, and we are far from imperfect. I could go on, but I really am happy that we can discuss this in a manner that is educated and open. Thanks for reading!
God has given everyone agency that allows them to act for themselves and every single one of us has a different temptation that may not be according to God's plan. I do not feel that homosexuality is a more serious sin than others. It's some of their actions that are and they made that choice to follow through with things that shouldn't be done with the same sex or before marriage. Many straight people engage in similar acts before marriage with the opposite sex and it is just as bad. God has not made any of us perfect. That is why we are here...To go through temptations and happiness to make us whole. I just had to put my two cents in.
Post a Comment