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Queer Eye From A Straight GuyMay 03 '05 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line God Abhors Yao? Not a Rockets fan, I guess.
My entry into Lemon-Lime's write off What are your spiritual beliefs or religious affiliations? I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school from kindergarten through college. However, since the Catholic Church now seems to be defined by stubbornness, opulence, and intolerance (except in the case of child abuse), I no longer affiliate myself with that organization. I consider myself a Christian because Jesus had great ideas on peace and justice, views which are being warped in our society today. What is your sexual orientation? I kick it mad hetero. How do you see your own religious/spiritual views as influencing your opinion of sexuality? I'm a Christian, so I should consider homosexuality a sin, right? WRONG. Christ taught us to love, not to discriminate against. How do you define marriage? A union between two loving adults. What thoughts or reactions do you have to these two pictures? (all completely safe for work, home, etc.) 1. http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2004/03/10/ba_knight01.jpg They look very happy and in love. Good for them. 2. http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2004/02/13/ba_gaywed_01_lm.jpg My guess is that these two have been waiting a long time for this day. Again, good for them. How does one of Christian faith reconcile these two pictures? Is one "right" and one "wrong"? What reactions do you have to seeing these signs? 1. http://www.sushiesque.com/photos/boston_common_031104/dscn1373.jpg Ugh. These are deplorable. First, I don't recall ever in my seventeen years of Catholic school being taught that God abhors anyone. Second, Genesis is just a story used to teach a lesson, not present facts. So let's stop with the Adam and Steve line, ok? (on a side note, I really hope there's a gay couple out there by the names of Adam and Steve). Third, is the AIDS line supposed to mean that God gives that disease to gays as punishment? That's just what I meant by people today warping Christ's messages of peace and love. 2. http://www.sushiesque.com/photos/boston_common_031104/dscn1419.JPG Ahh, these signs are a breath of fresh air. I've been taught that all people are Christ's brothers and sisters. So showing hatred for gays is showing hatred for Christ. Why do you think the topic of homosexuality is so polarizing in religious communities? Homer Simpson summed up our nation's homophobia when he expressed his own: "It's not usual." This is not what we have been taught. The idea of homosexuality is different, and many people fear what's different. People use religion to defend their fear because how can God be wrong? But when you use God to promote your own hatred, that's wrong. Should the government be in the business of defining marriage? Why or why not? To some extent. We need age minimums. We can't have people marry horses. But the government has no right to deny two consenting adults the right to declare their love and live united in that love. However, I think religions should be allowed to make their own decisions. If the Catholic Church won't marry gays, I wouldn't agree with that, but it's their choice, as church and state are separate entities (at least they should be). Would you support the legalization of gay marriage? Yes. If you answered no, what are your fears behind its legalization? If you answered yes, what are your fears behind it remaining illegal? Letting it remain illegal justifies discrimination against homosexuals. It's almost like having a law saying they are lesser forms of humanity. Would you support government-sanctioned civil unions between homosexual couples? I live in Vermont where the whole CU thing was started (in fact one of my college professors was one of the original fighters for it), and I do support them. If they can't get married, this is a good second option. But as I said, having a lesser form of legal union implies that gays are lesser people. Do you see any way of bridging this current divide in our country over "wedge issues" like gay marriage or abortion? Or should we even be trying? We have to try. It all starts with being willing to see the other side's views. Abortion for example. I am pro-choice, but I don't view pro-lifers as lunatics (except those who take extreme measures such as violence). I see nothing wrong with wanting someone to be born. But pro-lifers need to realize that pro-choice is not pro-abortion. If I knew someone who was considering abortion, I would try to convince her otherwise, but the ultimate choice is hers. Have you ever seen those bumper stickers that say "Thank God your mother was pro-life"? How do you know she wasn't pro-choice and chose to keep the baby? So the first step is not villifying the other side. As a non-homophobe, it's easy for me to see someone who opposes gays and think "redneck." But I need to remember that this is their interpretation of what God wants. Rather than hate them, the proper solution is to teach God's messages of loving all people to anyone willing to listen. Fight for your rights, but focus on breeding a culture of love rather than one of division. What do you see America's view of homosexuality and gay marriage being in 100 years from today? What will those future Americans think of us in 2005, as they look back? It will probably be the way it is now with blacks. Racism is an antiquated notion but not one that is completely gone. In 100 years, homosexuality and gay marriage will be more widely accepted, but some people will still feel threatened. They will look back at this time period and laugh at those who made such a big fuss over something so silly (like we laugh at parents who thought Elvis' hips were evil). But they will applaud those who fought against the hatred. Final thoughts or ideas: With half of American marriages ending in divorce, it's become a joke. Instead of freaking out over gay marriage, let's work on fixing the problems with heterosexual marriage. If that's too tough, let's just work on improving our own lives and not worry about people we don't know getting hitched. You may think you're doing God's work, but God's work never involves using hate to combat love.  |
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