I had a brother who struggled with his sexuality who died of AIDS and I have a gay cousin who is currently fighting a losing battle with AIDS. I know intimately about homosexuality. I have a choice in not choosing gay friends the way you have but you can't choose your family. This has taught we a great lesson in that I love my family and no illness or sexual orientation can change that but I still disagree with the lifestyle.
My brother was accosted by a gay male as a teenager and this confused his sexuality. I never knew that he was a "down low" brother til he was diagnosed. My opinion of him never changed, nor did I love him less.
My gay cousin was "normal" til he was 21 and decided to come out of the closet. Same guy I chased girls with, bought Playboy magazines with etc. Next day he's wearing pink hotpants and sneakers and two snappin' it up. I was confused and bewildered and felt betrayed. He was no longer the cousin that I grew up with but a stranger that I didn't know. Our friendship was over and our lives went in two separate directions. If he gave me an invitation to a gay wedding, I would not attend.
LIBRASOUL, we all make assumptions because they require less thought and usually favor our point of view, but CHRISTIANS do not "hate" homosexuals, nor do they want to impose their religion on others. When Christians express their opinions, those opinions have to be based on the word of God in order to be valid. Christians fully recognize that this is a secular country, but that does not mean that their opinions have to be secular as well, nor to be discarded when they become inconvenient for the anything goes crowd. What the secular crowd hates the most about a COMMITTED Christian is that they cannot be swayed by popular opinion or a feel good opinion. I love my gay family members (I have a lesbian cousin as well) and nothing could ever change that, but a marriage is a religious institution that has been secularized, just like Christmas has become.
Lastly, for those who are not Biblical scholars or do not quite comprehend it, please stop choosing bits and pieces of scripture to condemn or support an argument. It only causes confusion. The reason why "beastiality" is mentioned with homosexuality in Love Spells argument is because in the Mosaic law concerning sexual conduct that God finds abominable, there are three main ones, incest, bestiality, and homosexuality. Your argument is not with Love Spell on this but with God.
Doggystyle...thanks for the wonderful post. You can be so thorough sometimes
Also, thanks for backing up some of the points I was making with a little more clarity. I too had an uncle to die from AIDS who was homosexual, so I have the same relation to the subject. Like HOneykiss said though, disagreeing with what someone does, doesn't mean I don't love you anymore.
And to answer your question Wonderful08
Should religion ever be part of our government and the FUTURE policies of our country? How would you determine which religion should be implemented and why?
I really dont think it matters where there is an actual "decision" or "agreement" of whether religion should be a part of our government. This country is too far gone down the secular path for that to happen anyway. However, because you still have PEOPLE that make and carry out laws, there opinions, morals etc. will be carried out with decisions they make. A person can be atheist, but still be pro life, against affirmative action, etc..and these themes will be seen in the policies they try to enforce. Therefore, if a person is a Christian (not a part time Christan) naturally they are going to try to enforce policies that coincide with that they believe in..
So I dont think its a matter of determining what religion to implement, it depends on the individuals...
And last but not least...AXEAM, you seem like a pretty intelligent brother...please post often!! And to comment on your post, you're so right that getting God out of everything is the goal...Aren't you glad you know which side of this spiritual warfare you are on ?!