Comments on: UK Bishops Bash U.S.

By: Anthony Andricks

Anthony Andricks — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:22:47 +0000

The point is, Derek, who cares what you believe about what is good for society and who cares what I believe about what is good for society when it comes to equal rights. A racist doesn’t change the fact that African-Americans deserve equal rights no matter their reasoning, just like homophobes–whether the sentiment is fueled by the religious literature or not–should not be able to keep rights from the GLBT community. Also, fyi…the community doesn’t want to be “tolerated.” They want the same rights, to be equal citizens, and probably couldn’t care less who “tolerates” them.

By: Derek

Derek — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:51:48 +0000

The Anglican Church (USA, or otherwise) isn’t anyone’s country’s government, Anthony. It is an institution based on Christianity’s Holy Writ. So, if gay marriage becomes legal in the US, then the Church is not obligated to declare their view to be in sync with the direction of general society.

As a citizen of the US, I’m permitted to create law, and vote on the direction I think society should go. I don’t believe in forced conversion, I believe there should be limits on how far society can look into someone’s bedreoom, but I don’t believe it is healthy for society to accept homosexuality, and that stems in large part from my religious beliefs for what is good for a society. And, I can tolerate people who disagree and vote differently.

By the way, Anthony, do you like fish sticks?

By: Anthony Andricks

Anthony Andricks — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:45:42 +0000

@Craig:

What you have written is your opinion which we all have the right to. What we must remember, however, is that our society should be (and was set up to be) absolutely separate from religion or as Thomas Jefferson wrote “a wall between church and state.” You use the term “acceptable to God.” Which god? your god? People understand “god” differently even among different sects of Christianity itself. The Episcopalian god, for example, seems not to care about homosexuality. Are they wrong and you are right? Or is it Allah? or Zeus? or which god?

As I stated, we all have the right to our opinions. The government, unless it slippery the slope, has no right to make laws based upon the religious beliefs of others, even if it be the predominate religion of a country. It should be concerned with equality and equal rights as our constitution actually was written. What if one day Scientology became the predominate religion in America? Would it then be okay to legislate their “morals?”

We must remember that our laws and religions are and should be separate, while maintaining the right to hold whatever opinion it is that we personally hold.

By: Craig Magrum

Craig Magrum — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:13:38 +0000

“Further, the British bishops insist on the distinction between inclination and desire on the one hand and activity on the other. They admit that we all have all kinds of deep-rooted inclinations and desires. The question is, what shall we do with them?” That states very eloquently my own thoughts on this whole discussion. I as a “straight male” have “natural” desires and tendencies, that when compared to Scripture, don’t line up. That is the result of being in a “fallen” state. Just because something may ‘feel natural’, does not mean it is moral, or good, or something to be applauded.

The same thought process (I believe) can be applied to the issue of homosexuality/relationships/lifestyles/what have you. Just because it may come “naturally”, does not make it acceptable to God.

By: Derek

Derek — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:12:14 +0000

Across the pond one of the top birth names is Mohammed, and most of these guys that are growing up are not down with the gay culture. Certain strains of Christianity need to stop moving the goal post around.

Long time no posto, Kevo.