Constructive gadfly
verse
Published on July 19, 2004 By stevendedalus In Personal Relationships

Should it matter to the guy who’s straight

To snort and rile the one who’s gay?

“Live and let live” I hear judgment say —

Why ruffle feathers and adjudicate?

 

To confront a style that does no harm

Is perhaps not human nature’s duty

To march against what’s abnormality

With righteousness and alarm.

 

Copyright © 2004 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: July, 20, 2004.

 


Comments (Page 1)
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on Jul 19, 2004
I agree I had a coworker that constantly went around and said she was gay. After awhile I just calmly walked up to her and said that it made no differance to us.
on Jul 20, 2004
Let every one live like how he wants to.
At least we can make it easier.
on Jul 20, 2004
My husband and I are bi... but where I work its best not to talk about it. But I feel that there is no reason why not to talk about it.. There are guys that talk to me about the girl they had last night and I look at it this way what is wrong with me doing the same. But for a woman to be gay that is every mans dream is to see two women make love but if its two men its gross I here. What so wrong with it if hetrosexuals can talk about there sex lifes why cant we. Just because we are different that makes us wrong most people who judge I believe are not happy with themselves that is why they judge.

on Jul 20, 2004
No one should talk about it! Do what you want, enjoy what you do, no one else really cares unless its flaunted in their face, straight, gay or bi.
on Jul 20, 2004

no one else really cares unless its flaunted in their face, straight, gay or bi.

Aye, there's the rub--being uncloseted.

What so wrong with it if hetrosexuals can talk about there sex lifes why cant we.
As long as you can face the ugly consequences, there's nothing wrong with it.

 

on Jul 20, 2004
What so wrong with it if hetrosexuals can talk about there sex lifes why cant we


Because gays are outside the popular definition of "normality", they run against the grain, and can cause friction in some people's ideals. Even though these ideals are narrow minded, that's just the way it is. Deep down, we all know that gays are the same as everybody else, and that there is no reason for any friction to be caused at all. Gays just have different tastes.

But the popular mind is a stubborn thing. Most people are not in touch with their "heart", but rather in touch with their "conditioned mind". If gays choose to talk openly about their sex life in the same manner as heterosexuals, they can expect to get some flak from some people. As Steven said, "As long as you can face the ugly consequences, there's nothing wrong with it." To complain about it would be like complaining that the sky is blue.

But in my opinion, as humanity grows and matures spiritually, (talking in terms of decades and centuries), gays will become more and more accepted, and the principle of homosexuality will cause less friction, even in the conditioned mind. This is because as one grows up, (humanity on a larger scale), we become more in touch with our "heart", and with the things that really matter - compassion, understanding, love and truth.

We can percieve the "ugly consequences" which arise in today's society as the growing pains of humanity, (i.e. ignorance, self-righteousness, lack of understanding, misguided perceptions etc.) This is natural and to be expected. .

Gays: everything is okay! Use the consequences as 'soul-fodder' to grow strong, mature, and safe in your own individuality. There's a seaon and a time for every purpose under Heaven.
on Jul 20, 2004
Most people are not in touch with their "heart", but rather in touch with their "conditioned mind".


It must be a government conspiracy, I say that the government has been putting electronic implants in all babies since 1973. When activated, it makes them hate poofters.
on Jul 20, 2004
But in my opinion, as humanity grows and matures spiritually, (talking in terms of decades and centuries), gays will become more and more accepted, and the principle of homosexuality will cause less friction, even in the conditioned mind


Man, I can sound like such a tosser. Someone call me a twat, please, so I can snap out of it.

But I wouldn't take any of it back, mind. I believe in it all. (What a wanker.)
on Jul 20, 2004
I used to have reservations on gays raising children, but thats gone and that was only problem I had with them.
on Jul 20, 2004
I'm a pastor at a Pentecostal Christian Church. I grew up, and still believe, that we were not created to be anything other than heterosexual. In fact, the first thing that God told Adam & Eve was "reproduce and have dominion over the earth" (Gen 1.28). If we aren't able to reproduce something through our sexual relationship, then, according to the Bible, it's not in God's plan. If you take Adam and Eve and put them together you get you and I. If you put Adam and Steve together, you get nothing. Now, before you all throw stones and try to get my address to send hate mail, keep reading my comment. While I do not condone, or agree with, the lifestyle of a homosexual, I REFUSE to treat them any different than someone who comes to my church. Far beyond my inability to pronounce judgment on an individual because of their sexual choices, I am called by God to love EVERYONE. And I am determined to do that. I get so very tired of people in the church treating other people like crap who choose to make choices that go against the Bible. I write these words to let anyone who reads this know that there are people out there, like me, that are followers of Jesus Christ and WILL NOT treat you any differently. I (and others who TRULY love and serve Jesus) might not agree with your choices but it won't affect the way that we treat you, have a friendship with you, and think of you as an individual.
on Jul 21, 2004

God told Adam & Eve was "reproduce and have dominion over the earth"
I doubt this precept is in jeopardy since homosexuality is but a tiny segment of humanity.

 

on Jul 21, 2004
Beesley, thanks for those views. It's good to hear a Christian speak so openly and honestly about the issue while retaining compassion and integrity.

I have a couple of questions to ask. If you choose to adhere to the Bible so passionately, then how does your model of righteous living fit in with Biblical verses such as Exodus 32:27-29, Deuteronomy 21.18-21, Numbers 15.32-36, Hosea 13:16?

Don't worry, I'm not trying to catch you out. I'm just curious. If we are to adhere to the lines of logic promulgated by yourself, regarding the Bible, then we what are we to make of those verses? I think they're in the same catagory as the classic Leviticus verses (18:22 & 20:13)

I'd be interested to hear your views.

Andy
on Jul 21, 2004
AndyBaker,
Thanks for your questions. Blogs are new to me (in fact, my comment was the first time I've ever surfed on any blog sites or made a comment in any of them either) so please bear with me
The Scrip that you bring up from Ex, Deut, Num & even Hos are good examples of God's judgement on rebellion to His Word. In fact, one of references you cited (Num 15.32-6, I believe) is an example of a situation of God's judgement based on the individual's ignorance to God's law (although, he WAS responsible to know that law if he was included in the camp). To be honest, Andy, I'm not sure how exactly to answer your questions. Especially in the Old Testament, we find God ordaining swift and strong judgement on things that go against His commands. In the New Testament, we see Jesus coming on the scene bringing a whole different approach to "the Law." I think one of the most enlightening comments that Jesus made was when he told the religious people of the day that God created the Law because of the hard heart that they had against HIm in the first place (Mt 19.7-9). Anyway, when God enters earth, through Jesus, His words are words of love. He tells the people "Look, if you have never done anything wrong in your life, then you have a right to stone this woman for the wrong action that she committed." Needless to say, the woman walked away alive (after Jesus said, "You're free to go, but change your lifestyle of sin). In fact, Jesus didn't have anything good to say about trying to impose God's way of life on people by force (Mt 11.12). I'm not sure I understand why we seem to see two sides to God (like 2 sides of a coin) but I guess it looks like that sometime. However, a couple more things. In the New Testament we see a line of logic that lets people follow God because of their own desire to do so. I serve Jesus Christ with all of my heart and do my very best to live according to His principles. Not because the people in my church watch my every move. Not because I have a Pastor over me that I have to measure up to. I serve Jesus because of all He's done for me. I live out the promise of the greatest life available here on earth and of the life that is to come, as well (1 Tim 4.8). The second thing is this: there are definitely two sides of the coin - God's love and God's judgement. According to the Bible, we were created by God and for God. God gave us an instruction manual for this life He's given us - the Bible. When we choose to ignore the instruction manual and try and do things on our own, we reap the consequences for ignoring it's wisdom. What kind of an idiot would we be if we were to go up and grab a hold of an electric fence that has a sign that says: Danger, do not touch! A lot of times, we act like that with God's instruction manual for life and then get mad at Him as if it were His fault that our brother was killed in a car accident because he got drunk and then decided to get behind a wheel and drive home (hypothetical example). All I'm trying to say is that there are consequences for our actions. Ultimately, God will bring judgement on the earth to those who choose to try and create their own instruction manual for life (book of Revelation).
All that being said, I go back to my intitial comment to say that God is love. In fact, that's why Jesus came to earth. He died and rose from the dead because He loves us so much that He wanted us to have a way to be right with Him, even though we live a life full of mistakes. If that's the case, and I know and believe it is, then who am I to be the one to judge (not just in my words, but just as importantly, in my actions) the life of someone else?
Sorry for the length of this.
B.
on Jul 21, 2004
Thanks so much for sharing your views Beesley. Even though it got a bit out of context regarding this thread, (there's a religious thread all to its own), there's nowt wrong with flexibility and open views in any post. The original post is about gays, so I suppose it's no surprise that it attracts responses from religious folk.

I respect your views Beesley, and even though I couldn't find a concise answer in your post regarding those OT verses, you showed that our interpretation of the Bible, as with our interpretation of life, including the issue of homosexuality, is sometimes foggy. This is to be expected, I suppose, as we all see life like a "dim image in a mirror", as the Good Book says. In my opinion, we can be at peace with our own personal interpretations, keep an open mind, and be willing to learn and expand.

What if God brought Adam and Steve together for a reason? Even though they wouldn't produce much offspring, maybe Adam and Steve would produce good opportunities for us to learn about tolerance, compassion and open mindedness? A God of love would surely sponsor that.
on Jul 21, 2004
Welll well, been waiting for something like this.

As I am gay, and been through this, I can say a couple of things.

I honestly beleive that gay people are divided into two factions: People that are gay, and people that put being gay in front of being a person.

There really is a difference. Hell, the Whole Adam and Eve thing is so over and done with. The Bible, and all it's good times are on the way out. Science is proving that from the primordial ooze we came. Well, unless Adam and Eve were prehistoric people that didn't speak to god, and eat some apples and populate the earth, then the bible gets ruled out. Unless you are a blind faither, and that is cool.

The fact that gay people, men and woman, spent a lot of time not being themselves, they simply are making up for lost time. For the first while, that is cool. Be gay and proud. But there is a time when that attitude is best put away and time to live your life. I too went through my " F*#king listen to me, I like boys" phase, but that was after a prolonger period of being in the closet. Eventually, I grew out of it. Some people don't.

There are people, as I said, that bring it to people's faces. They shop exclusively at gay owned or gay supporting businesses. They will only go to the gay bars. The majority of friends will end up being gay, which really sucks if you live somewhere with a medium or small sized population. They religiously watch shows like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Queer as Folk. * That latter being decent*
These people inflict themselves on people, like the poster that said they had a woman that was always saying she was gay. Once, maybe twice is enough! It is a aspect of a person, that is it. Sure, it's not totally normal, yet, but that is all it is. If we lived our lives defined on one outstanding trait, the world would be hell. Not that some people don't anyway, but you get the point.

As the old school religious thought slowly dies away, with less and less of a army of people following it, the gay issue won't become a issue at all. Hell, until the 80s, blacks weren't respected, and they were mistreated until they made it into the mainstream. Basketball. Rap music. Etc, etc. Now, it is happening to gays, and the gays are being swallowed by the mainstream, and it makes it easier for people to learn tolerance when gays are in your living room every night during Will and Grace.
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