The Gay debate

I do think the gay and lesbian community have an opprotunity to choose the politician that fulfills their needs and wants. They are Americans like the rest of us and they deserve to have their needs and expectations addressed.

This is news? Any time homosexuals are given attention you’ll have some religious groups who’ll come out against them. Some people feel homosexuality is a danger to society, they have the right to feel that way and they have the right to protest things like this. Those of us who feel that homosexuality is not wrong will do everything in our power to make sure more and more people come to that same conclusion.

All this paranoia about a “homosexual activist agenda” is really about the gayest stuff I’ve ever heard. You know, people conflicted by their strong inner homosexual desires who seek to ease their internal conflict by lashing out at gays and lesbians, thinking that by somehow distancing themselves from the gay community they will solve their problems. Live and let live. If you are opposed to homosexual behavior, don’t engage in any and leave it at that.

You’re right about homosexuality being dangerous. I don’t want to see this country turn into a morality-lacking economy. Remember Sodom and Gamorah? Yep, lets not that be us.

To tell you the truth, I love gay people, but I don’t love their lifestyle. I have gay friends that I’m working on to change. They don’t mind me trying to help them either. I love them, therefore I care about them doing the wrong thing. If I see a drunk friend getting into a car to drive it, I will stop them. Unless you’re a Christian I can’t see how you would think homosexuality is wrong. But maybe some do anyway. I would like to find one who is not a Christian’s logic on why it is wrong. Anyone?

P, the reason I think it is wrong is because I believe the Bible to be true. It states in 1 Corinthians 6:9
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders. I agree that the rest is just as dangerous as well. It is immoral for our country to be dealing with these kinds of acts including homosexuality. I am sorry if you don’t believe the same. But this is my opinion, and what I believe to be true. I don’t mean to tell anyone their going to Hell either. Its just that somebody asked.

I’m here, I’m queer..get used to it.

Peter Dick Johnson, I understand your point. But the Bible and the commandments in the old testiment still hold true in the new one. Maybe where Jesus was homosexuality wasn’t common. But here is a chapter in Matthew ch. 15 where Jesus Preaches: 16″Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17″Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ” He is still preaching against sexual immoral acts. Again, I don’t mean to insult anyone, this is just what I believe to be true. If you disagree, I understand.

If you want to see a similar public arguement from our history all you have to do is go back and look at what the newspapers were publishing in the decades leading up to the civil war. A bigot is a bigot is a bigot and it doesn’t matter what religion you use to support it. Every church in the south swore that the bible supported the slavery too

p, It does do that in the old testiment, yes. Jesus came to the earth to relieve us of sin and condemnation. If you remember, there is a chapter about the stoning of an adulterer. Jesus forgave her, as he forgave a prostitute also. He came to set us (those who have faith) free from God’s judgement and wrath. The only forgiveness in the old testiment was through sacrifices. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice so that we do not have to be stoned, but to ask God for forgiveness and through the blood of His son, we are healed. That is why, p. Sorry to put all this out to you be I just had to explain. :) Have a great day p!

Who cares if someone else is gay? If you think they’re going to hell, who cares if they are? Ok, you think it’s wrong – so what? Isn’t that what free will is all about – taking the chance on being wrong?

I’m not gay, but I believe in live-and-let-live. People who claim that being gay is wrong run the risk of being judged wrong themselves. America is way past ready to discuss these things in the open, and it’s likely the Dems will probably solidfy their base on this issue.

carrie, carrie, carrie…that passage you’re so fond of also excludes “idolators, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of themselves, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortionists” from the “kingdom of heaven”. and then corinthians goes on to define adulterers as anyone who has sex outside of marriage, including those who divorce and remarry…looks to me like no one here is going to get into your heaven, including large numbers of the leaders of the religious right…
by the by carrie, do you cover your head when you pray? ’cause chapter 11 says that you need to.
the “gay agenda” is a freakin’ wedge issue that the far right is using to get americans to overlook the fact that our democracy is being bought by big business. what would jesus say about the 75-fold differential between the incomes of the wealthiest 20% and the poorest 20%? if you want to talk about sin, that’s one to take on–not what a handful of people do in their personal lives that hurts no one…

Recite the Pledge of Allegiance again, and repeat to yourselves this: Liberty and justice for all. Not limited to those that are closely tied to one religious group or the other; nor limited to those who hold convictions based not on what is right or wrong, but instead following what their political party stands for.
The issue of a citizen’s rights far outweigh partisanship on any scale.
Fifty years from now, when homosexuals and lesbians carry the same rights as those of any race, any gender, or any sexual orientation–where will you say you stood?

People on here think the bible should be done with, well if that was too happen then what would you have to go against? It appears some people on here there only thing in life to feel complete is to go against catholics, how do people like this because so worthless? I like how some of these people on here cherry pick passages in the bible, then spin them to fit there agenda. The laws of this country came from the same bible you guys hate so much, no wonder you hate this country!

carrie, did you just say its okay to hate gays because the “bible says so” and then give the example of slavery due to “bible says so” in your defense. cause if you did, that’s some screwed up stuff
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people do stuff i don’t like all the time, i don’t like jehovah’s witness showing up at my front door but i don’t bomb their churches. i don’t like the hare krishnas harassing me with their pamphlets and you know…peacefully playing their tambourines and giving out free food, but i don’t think they shouldn’t have rights.
gay or not…still a person, and if you’re a christian…god made them the way they are…if you ever actually got to know a gay man or lesbian you would realize that no one would ever choose to live their life fearing that their family will disown them, or that the government will not allow them to marry the person they love, and because of what, something in a book that was written long ago about a magical being that there is no physical proof of other than your undying faith, due to a fear of HELL, and because you grew up being told god was real.

“Americans For Truth”!? LOL. Wouldn’t a more accurate name be “Americans for Propaganda, Hate, and Bigotry”? And what is this “homosexual agenda” and “homosexual lobby” these bigots are always foaming at the mouth about? Are they talking about people who refuse to hate and speak out for tolerance? You know, just like Jesus did? They sure love to pick and choose their Bible statements. Doesn’t it also say in the Bible that woman who wear red are harlots and they’ll go to hell? Why don’t these bigots go after them? And I love the reporter saying gay and lesbian issues remain quite controversial. There are always going to be bigots, right wing extremists, Republicans, and religious zealots who preach hate against people who look, act, or think different from them. Does this mean there’s controversy? No, it just means these bigots should be ignored. And SteveW, why should the Democratic candidates be asked about “HIV-dangerous behavior, spouse-beating, or pedophelia (sic)in the gay community” when there are more heterosexuals then homosexuals: 1) with HIV/AIDS, 2) that engage in spouse beating (which I would imagine is an almost non existent problem since gays can only marry in one state), and 3) and that are convicted every year on charges relating to pedophilia. Also, your figures on homosexuality are incorrect and unsupported by any number of studies. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people make up almost 10% of the entire population. How sad and pathetic that in the year 2007 there are still such hateful, bigoted, closed minded, homophobic, malicious people out there.

i am so tired of hearing from sects such as the “Americans for Truth” who are so quick to point out the sins of others. Was it once said that no one is without sin and that the plank was to be removed from the eye of the accuser before seeking to remove the splinter from the accused? Heteosexuals or people who prefer to have sexual intercourse with those of the opposite sex have done inspeakable acts of debauchery in ways not that different of homosexuals. In sin rated by gender?

First of all the Bible is the biggest scam in history. It is a way to make people behave the way a certain few would like them to. It is just a book written by MAN. It says not to worship in false profits..how the hell can we worship the bible – for all we know it could be false.
I think the important thing is to believe in yourself and live a good life and help as many people as you can – regardless if they are different from you.
Personally, I think people who believe so strongly in the Bible or ones who have less faith in themselves. Live your life for you! The way you would like to so long as you are not hurting anyone else.
Gay, Straight, Black, White, Asian, Indian -what ever. It doesn’t matter.

oh george what truth you speak. everyone sins. and why must christians make it their business as to which sins people commit. i’m so tired of hearing hell this jesus that, keep it to yourself, it is not like we haven’t heard it before. if i wanted to save myself i would have already, you are only irritating people and turning them even further from the “straight and narrow” and if you want to be FULLY WITHOUT SIN you should probably be amish or a jehovah’s witness (they’re pretty damn serious) other wise i can gauruntee you’re a sinner.
and for how much you know about jesus, you should speak of tolerance and acceptance not of hatred and threats of hell.
and to a particular uncultured type of christains, i have faith that it is a crime against humanity if you believe so strongly in something but have not invested any time in learning about other ancient religions…perhaps the ones that preceded the bible, like the story of gilgamesh which is the ORIGINAL version of noah’s ark. or the similarities between siddhartha (buddha) and your almighty jesus.

Why do groups like “Americans for Truth” lie so much? There was a time when religion ruled the world…it was called the Dark Ages.

Being gay is not a lifestyle! Being gay is not a choice! I wish these so-called “Christian” groups would mind their own business and concentrate on all the real deviants found within their ranks!

These are the same groups that told their followers that Bush was being called to lead this nation. You will never eliminate fools. I guess people chose to be gay to experience religious bigotry.

In response to this question: “jude, i know many versions of the bible also claim pigs to be filthy. do you eat pork?”
No, I do not at pork.
To put your question in context, it refers to this that I said earlier:
“In the book of Jude, Jesus’s brother clearly says homosexuality is “filthy” and says those who follow it will “suffer the vengence of eternal fire”.”
I personally believe everything is true in the New Testament and try not to knowingly go against anything in it, though like all humans I of course fail miserably. But when I fail, I try to change i.e. “Go and sin no more”.
Some of the New Testament is figurative, for example Jesus often talks in figurative lanquage, especially in his parables. But there is nothing figurative about the New Testaments admonitions against homosexuality. The admonitions are literal and clear — and damning.

I am opposed to homosexual behavior based on science and religion. Basic anatomy and physiology teaches the objective purpose of our bodies. To treat our bodies — which are a fundamental part of who we are — contrary to their purpose is to live illogically and actually does harm to both parties involved.

JB being so close-minded is an abomination.
your god inspired beliefs do not apply to everyone..i hope you’re not surprised.

I speculate Jesus hung with a few homosexuals because he was known to befriend the outcasts. Hate the sin, love the sinner?

This is not even an issue that politicians should be worrying about. Yes, perhaps being gay, lesbian, transexual or bisexual is wrong–in our eyes maybe, but we are not to JUDGE and we are not GOD. Moreover, you have other important things to worry about like, famine, hunger, wars, et cetera. We are the captain of our ships and someday, we’ll be all accountable to GOD when we die and how we lived our lives here on Earth. We are not from here and some of you may not understand where I’m coming from, but if you conform with the norms of this world, then your spirit will suffer. So don’t judge someone because of the way he is or what he/she does. Do your JOB as a LEADER, a POLITICIAN and CONCENTRATE with what’s really happening around us.

There is no equality between heterosexual unions and homosexual behavior. The union of a man and woman is the nucleus of society. In this union is the perfect complementarity of man and woman, new huma life, the source of the State, and the continuation of the human species. In homosexual behavior there is no complementarity between man and man or woman and woman. There is no new life. They don’t deserve the same recognition or benefits. They are not equal!

So, many people hate and are disgusted by gays and lesbians. Strange that you are more than willing to take our tax money to promote “your agenda”.

I don’t know why the media is highlighting a ‘small’ fringe group of supposed Republicans hating gay people. The democrats will not debate on the top news channel. The democrat activists are trying to force advertisers to quit advertising on that channel. They are specifically attacking one company for advertising on that channel. There are constant references to freedom of speech by the left. I feel as though it is totally the other way. It’s amazing but it is very scary. I think history will show that America made a major mistake by not allowing both sides of issues to be shown.

There are so many hypocrites here – they claim they’re not bigots and that they’re not advocating hatred of those who are different, then they post comments like “So, many people hate and are disgusted by gays and lesbians.” Yes, you ARE advocating discrimination and hatred! Currently, anyone even suspected of being a homosexual can be kicked out of their rental housing, fired from their job, refused admission to a sick loved one’s bedside, denied inheritance rights for joint property and generally be treated as a second-class leper in most states in this so-called Land of Freedom and Equality. I’m not gay (in fact, I’m a perfectly straight mom of 3) but I find it sickening that anyone would justify such treatment of other human beings. I just can’t understand how anyone can believe that their religion condones such masochism.

Julie: the land of the free and equal does not mean the land where you get to do anything and everything you want, hence the existence of laws. Men who have “sex” with men and women who have “sex” with women should not receive the same recognition and benefits as a man and a woman who create new human life and sustain this country. Without the union of a man and a woman this land of the free and equal would be just that — land without people. Homosexual acts are totally unnatrual and should not be done and there is no equality between heterosexual unions and homosexual behavior. Wake up people!

Benjamin – what a ridiculous comment! Homosexuals are a small percentage of the population, and since many of them won’t have children anyway (through adoption, surrogate, etc.) why not let them marry? It’s not like they’re going to marry someone of the opposite sex and have kids if they aren’t allowed to marry someone of the same sex. There are still plenty of heterosexuals out there to “sustain” the country.

If this Christian stuff is all that some would have us believe it’s cracked up to be, how come the majority of Christians believe in and want to go to heaven and yet no one is in any kind of a hurry to die?
Listen, if you’re going to be around anyway, could you please just let everyone else live life their own way and get your opinions and superstitions out of other people’s bedrooms?

ok ben, buddy boy, let’s see if i got this right–homosexuals should not be allowed equal rights because they don’t procreate, thereby continuing our great nation? hmmm…well, i’m a lesbian and i have two children (we all make mistakes–the marriage, not the children, who are the light of my life). i have good friends who have been married for over 25 years and sadly have been unable to have children. who has greater rights in your formula? my straight, but childless friends? or myself, who despite my perfidity, has borne a new generation of forward-thinking americans?
i think i know your answer, and i’m sure that you can’t possibly see the flaw in your logic, but i thought that i’d put it out there anyway…
sleep well, you of the absolute certainty of the right (wing).

LAguy–
you are, of course, absolutely right. (but don’t you think that sometimes it’s entertaining to try and torment them?)
ta

I believe there is no equality between heterosexual unions and homosexual behavior for many reasons: in heterosexual unions there is a perfect physical, physiological, emotional, and personal fit. From this perfect union comes new life. Physical abnormalities such as sterility do not nullify the perfection of the personal union, although these couples often struggle greatly with this lack. These abnormalities cannot be compared to the total inablity of homosexual behavior to create life, because the latter are due to misusing the body, not an abnormal functioning of the body. The union of man and woman is the nucleus and foundation of society.

My friend, you also need to be careful about stating that your marriage was a mistake because that automatically includes your children. Your children cannot be separated from your marriage. They would not be here without it.

Anyway – I hope all of you have a good night.
We are intelligent and free creatures capable of self-determination. All desires and instincts must come under the control of our intelligence and free-will. Determine yourselves; don’t be determined by the world.
Live according to the truth — you have a choice.

You have to ask yourself a bigger question when pondering the gay and lesbian issue: “Do you really believe there is some old guy called God floating somewhere above us who gets so upset and has his big godly feelings hurt by gay behavior that he throws temper tantrums like the very bigots on this thread?” After the great flood and Jesus dying, Jesus’s Dad apparently mellowed out and CON-servative bigots need to too. I wouldn’t be suprised if God loved the gays and lesbians more than they love the judgemental Christians who act oppositely of what Jesus taught. I truly feel bad for Jesus, he always either gets kicked out of these conversations with Christians or forgotten about. Poor guy.

You religious fanatics are ridiculous! You will see when you get to the other side….that there’s nothing there. Live life today the best you can, it’s all you got! The Bible is a hoax.

This fires me up. Do gay people have the right to host a debate, organize, lobby for their rights.. of course they do. They have just as much right as the “christian coalition” on the other side lobbying the exact opposite. Further, as another poster said, progress will pass these gay haters by. Just like it did the sexists, racists, etc. It’s a historical certainty that we will evolve pass this too (pun intended for all you creationists out there). You know why? Because as much as you may hate the “gay lifestyle”, it doesn’t matter legally. No one can justify keeping rights from a person on the basis of sexual orientation. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t meet your moral approval. People have a right to live as they wish in this country.. and that includes gays. If they wish to get married by the state, the state will eventually find legally they have no argument to deny them. Churches have, and will always have, the right to decide who they wish to marry.. as they are not tax paying entities.. but the government is supported by the taxes of ALL citizens, therefore, cannot discriminate. It’s really, that simple.

Our country is “divided” on every topic under the sun. I have witnessed intense debates about whether or not kids should be allowed to bring peanut butter sandwiches to school. No one agrees on anything in this country, including whether or not there is a God, and if there is, what he/she cares about. That is how it should be. A diversity of ideas and tolerance of differences of opinion are what this country is all about.
Intolerance, particularly religious intolerance and the anti-gay rhetoric that always accompanies it are hallmarks of a totalitarian state. The further our country moves from our Constitution and our ideals, the louder and stronger that anti-gay rhetoric gets.
People who bolster their anti-gay stance with material from (whatever one of many very different versions of) the Bible, are a real threat to our democracy and to the ideals and principles expressed in our Constitution.
Yes, the Founding Fathers knew all about this threat. Our Constitution and the Bill of Rights were designed to protect all citizens from a monarchical government, but also from the threat of religious political extremists and their tendency to impose their religious/political manifestos on others.
So true patriots who support the Constitution and our democratic way of life will shun such rhetoric and instead seek the path of peaceful co-exist. One flag, one country, one nation of very diverse people with all kinds of religious and political beliefs.

The Bible is the inspired word of God. 1 Corinthians, with it’s admonishments to homosexuals (among many other groups) was written by the Apostle Paul whose life was utterly changed by an appearance of the living Jesus Christ.
God hates homosexuality because it is against his nature, but what so many miss out on is that God hates all sin because it is against his nature. Christians are called to love all as God does but seek and encourage righteousness as God does.
Homosexuals, like the rest of us as sinners, can and will spend eternal life with God as long as they repent of their sins and ask for His mercy. That is necessary for all, but available for all. It’s really quite simple.
Also, it is not just Christianity that speaks out against homosexuality, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism also view the practice as immoral.
Lastly, their is no doubt that people have done great evil in the name of religion from Christian bombers of abortion clinics to Islamic terrorists to Hindu rioters in India. What cannot be denied however is the vast good that religion also inspires people to do…abolition was led by Christians, the Confessing Church stood against Hitler and his genocide (admittedly, other Christians did not), and today billions and billions of dollars is collected from religious assemblies in the wake of monumental tragedies like 9/11 and Katrina as well as “everyday” tragedies like soup kitchens and drug counseling.
Too many people on here are demonstrating the very hate they see in the “Fundementalists” Christians. There is no doubt that some Christians have failed in their efforts to exhibit God’s love (we all do sometimes), but stooping to their level is not going to help anyone.

“Pardon our dismissive tone, but homosexual behavior is wrong — at least half the country still regards it as such,” the group writes.
Here’s the question that can’t ever be answered: what’s so terribly wrong with homosexuality? I know the Bible says it’s wrong, but WHY is it wrong?

The Bible does not say homosexuality is wrong, bible was inspired by God but written by men and they can interpret words the way they think is convenient for the church of for his own interests religiously speaking. Now, If people could open their minds a bit more they would stop being so mind blinded and would leave people enjoy their lives in peace cos does not matter what we are outside but what we become inside, good human beings able to help each other without thinking about religion, sex, race or asking how much money one has on his bank account and the most important of all, we always get what we give. Particularly speaking I think the nation has so many things real concerning to discuss in a debate.

The writer of this article, Jack Tapper, is known for his anti-Democrat stories, right-wing bias and Republican leaning views. He recently ripped Harry Reid for no reason.

Zues didn’t stike them down and he is older than God. And he weilds a mean lightning bolt. Maybe the Dems are trying to aid Chenny’s daughter. As gross as I think the homo acts are, I am not threatened by them, are you? Some one call Freud.

Ah, how I enjoy watching the ignorant frantically defend their ever diminishing moral hold on this world.
With each generation, liberal views gain foothold in out society as antiquated conservative ideals die out.
The majority of youth hold egalitarian viewpoints. Know that your hate mongering views will soon die out with you.
And that’s all the matters…

Religion was designed to be voided from the framework of the constitution for one reason: to protect religious minorities. If we allow public policy to be driven by a religious tone of any kind there will be smaller, minority religious sects discriminated against and thusly persecuted for their beliefs. Just as with the gay debate there are thousands of individual churches that accept homosexuality with their faith. In fact, the United Church of Christ openly accepts homosexuals on this basis: “He didn’t discriminate, so neither do we.” Just as we pursue an economic policy of a mostly free market for the better good we should also follow a free society. Believe what you want to. But please, don’t tread on me.

Democratic candidates focus on fighting the President instead of terrorists, they also focus on promoting homosexual agenda while gas prices are tripling, homosexuals can take care of themselves without my tax dollars funding them.

So, from telecom’s post, we can draw the following conclusions:
1. The President is doing a great job fighting terrorists.
2. Homosexuals don’t care about tripling gas prices.
3. Homosexuals don’t pay taxes, so are entitled to no representation.
Telecom, we all tan in the radiance of your mighty intellect.

All of you ‘righteous’ Bible thumpers are a bunch of freaks. I am a gay man, who knows that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that he loves me, I don’t need ANY OF YOU to worry about MY salvation…. ‘he who casts the first stone..’ WHATEVER… 50% of the ‘heterosexual marriages’ end up in DIVORCE…. (guess they ain’t going to Heaven eh??)…
Let’s take a look at some Bible verses:
SHELLFISH “But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you.” (Leviticus 11:10)
“They (shellfish) shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination.” (Leviticus 11:11)
FARMERS: “…do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear material woven of two kinds of material.” (Leviticus 19:19)
Eating pig: “…and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.” (Leviticus 11:7)
Haircuts: “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” (Leviticus 19:27)
People as property: “Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property.” (Leviticus 25:44-45)
Heterosexual having sex while a woman is having her period: “If a man lies with a woman during her sickness and uncovers her nakedness, he has discovered her flow, and she has uncovered the flow of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from her people.” (Leviticus 20:18)
Imagine what would happen today if we deported every man and woman who had ever had sex together during this time??
Kids disrespecting their parents: “For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon him.” (Leviticus 20:9)
Hey Carrie and all you others: DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO YOU: YOU DONT KNOW ME, you don’t know my life, my thoughts, my prayers, my emotions, my likes, my dislikes and my qualities. Just because I am gay, doesn’t mean I’m a rapist, murderer, child molester, freak, going to hell, uncharitable… I’m a person, who was BORN THIS WAY… EDUCATE YOURSELVES and do something better with your time… how about volunteering for something worthy (hey, I do that), how about having a private fundraiser for a great cause (hmmm.. my partner and I do that, for the animal shelter); how about EDUCATING YOURSELF??? I hope you don’t eat shrimp, pork, ever talk back to your parents, wear clothes made from several types of materials, never work on Sunday, etc…. stop ‘selectively’ quoting the Bible.

“So if gays can marry..whats next? marriage to multiple partners? Marry animals? What are the boundaries anymore?”
This is Rick Santorum’s silly argument. The idea, of course, is that if we allow gay marriage, somehow all hell will break loose and we won’t consider ANYTHING sexually deviant. We’ll all be going around having orgies and having sex with animals and crossbreeding whole new species of animals.
It reflects a very messed up view of the human race and the country.
It’s kind of like saying, “if we raise the drinking age to 21, what’s next? 24? 35? 50? Will we even be able to drink in retirement?”
Yeah. Right. That’s what’s going to happen. That’s a very level-headed reaction to an idea.

Some believe that the attack on Gays by the Religious Right is the separation of Church and Sex. Hardly — the Church Leadership is into sex big time (which even includes the Catholics priesthood that get away with pedophilia).
Gays are attacked because they’re being honest about lust and have the freedom of expression that the Church denies herself because of its own fabricated Thou Shall Nots. Yeah — the attacks are based on the old sin of pure envy.
Need I say more?
Adam of CA.

Why can’t everyone just leave the gays alone they are a happy people. I do not care what their choice is when it comes
with whom they want to be.
I do not think that they care about what other people do, why can’t we just leave them alone.
Democrats clean up your own back yard then see what is left over after they are finished.
THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NEVER NEVER THROW STONES!!!

Why dont they call it something else and give them the same rights. Marrage is part of the bible. Call it something else and see if that calms things down. I do not like the gay lifestyle and it goes against God and Nature. But people have rights and I must repect that. The gay community is trying to press themselves into my church and my life. That is the way alot of us feel. Try calling it something else and move on. We will both have the same rights without stepping on each others shoes.

I personally take a great deal of offense at people suggesting that lesbians and gays are not fit to be parents. I was raised by two loving lesbians who paid their taxes and volunteered hours a week at a homeless shelter for over fifteen years. I was teased by a lot of kids, and as a result many of my friends growing up wound up being from other gay and lesbian families. Of the twenty-odd kids I actively know and stay in touch with from this group, not a single one of them was ever beaten or otherwise harmed – although one was molested by a Catholic priest! Gay and lesbian parents have to fight to be parents – and if they do that fight, I guarantee they really WANT to be parents and are ready for the responsibility. Conversely, my husband, raised by a traditional mother and father, was beaten regularly by his dad and his younger sister was sexually molested by same. That ideal, heterosexual dad has been in prison for the last 12 years. This is an extreme example, obviously, but I hope it drives home that there are far more important things to parenting and family life than idiotic discourse about who must or must not be privileged with the blessing and responsibility of raising a child. KIDS DON’T CARE ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATION, THEY JUST WANT A LOVING AND SUPPORTIVE HOME. By the way, my moms are great grandmoms, too.

Why don’t the gays and lesbians make a list of EXACTLY what they need to “feel”
equal?
If you get a civil union – you want a church wedding scantified by God and the church and the congregation.
How can the government grant that? Division of church and state prevents it.
I think what you want is absolution. If you “need” that then only God can grant it. If you don’t need it… then what is the problem?
If you are granted a civil union, you still – will never get approval for your lifestyle, that is just a fact and reality.
Abortion rights were granted by the government, it doesn’t make it right… it just makes it legal. Abortion is still recognized as a sin by the church.
The tax dollars of many citizens who in their heart and faith have to pay for and support what they believe to be a sin, to end a human life.
People in this country still struggle with inter racial and inter faith heterosexual marriages.
If you want equal rights by the state, that is one thing. Approval, by the the chruch and the population – isn’t going to happen. Tolerance yes, approval no.

I don’t see many people making comments which actually address the questions which Mr Tapper closed his entry with!
I think the hosting of this debate is a non-event. I see it as pandering to a demographic which the Democrats have not done much for despite all their talk.
If the RNC chooses to take a position, it will only be a repeat of what they have proclaimed before. In my dreams, they would say they are still examining the progress of the issue but instead I assume they will just parrot back what they usually say.
As far as the Republican candidates, my concern continues to be all of the attention the Religious Right continues to receive as the speaking voice for them in the press. I would hope by now the Republican party would see that being guided by only one aspect of a multicultural society is not a wise choice.
And after reading so many comments below, I have to point out to “Benjamin” one thing: he insists that what “sex” homosexuals have is unnatural and damaging but I know of no acts that we get up to that are not also being done between heterosexuals as well.
One final point: not all homosexuals are Democrats.

Bigots need to get over themselves. People are gay and they should be treated equally, fairly, and with dignity. They are still discriminated against on so many fronts that yes they do need a debate about issues specific to their community.

If the “Americans for Truth” had taken their lofty moral stance against, say, mistreatment of animals, would they have received the publicity they now have? I think not. Raging against the so-called “gay agenda” (whatever that might be) is a sure-fire way of getting one’s organization noticed, as well as a sure-fire way of advertising one’s bigotry.

I’m straight and applaud the democratic party!! Since when did the bible run this country? I thought it was the CONSTITUTION, but that might just be me. The Republican Party is far behind on ALL social issues. For someone to argue politics with me and bring in the bible, is quite condescending. AND WHY THE HELL ARENT REPUBLICANS joining this debate? or commenting on it? I see where they are on these issues, a sad party indeed.
Along with being straight, I am also a LTCDR in the NAVY. “Dont ask, dont tell” is a abomination. I work with gays and I would much rather work beside some of them than these “straights”. I believe in the constitution and “equality for all”.

What would Jesus do? LOVE ALL OF GOD’S CHILDREN, regardless of sexual orientation. Stop using a religion whose most important religious symbol was the most tolerant and loving figure in human history to justify your fears, insecurities, and hatred.

These arguments are all great…Why can’t the heterosexuals leave the homosexuals alone? Honestly, are we disturbing you? If you don’t like seeing two females or males walking down the street look down the other way. It seems that we are in the 1800′s again. Why are we getting discriminated again? This is a debate that won’t go away but if you think about it, the straight people that don’t accept it are making it harder on themselves. You don’t have to agree but just let us live our lives and move on. Focus on your own lives, not people that you don’t know. Maybe if you got to know some of us you would maybe tolerate and GOD FORBID maybe even befriend us.
No wait, don’t. And I read the marrying animals comment…Completely ridiculous. How do you sleep at night being so closed minded? I bet great but just think about the people that you are looking past just because you are scared of the unknown!

I understand both sides of the party but I agree that i think being gay is not wrong. As all issues are neither black or white but “gray” it is my interpretation that there is nothing wrong with it. That is my interpettation that goes against God’s yes but I cannot see why i can’t hold my own voice and have different views than God if i chose to be a follower of Christ. My opinion is different than God’s.