I just got annoyed as it was heavilly implied in some posts that we should refrain from attacking Christians for homophobic beliefs, because that would make us intolerant hypocrites, which is ridiculous. You cannot attack the lifestyles of others and then try to deny the right to criticise the validity of your beliefs. That's the hypocrisy.
Call someone a faggot in a forum and nobody blinks (which has happened quite a few times on this 'good natured' forum) Disrespect a religion and you're apparently a monster.
I don't really care if you attack Christians or not. I'm not that easily offended. But the fact is, if you refuse to tolerate other peoples beliefs, then you are by definition intolerant.
Also, nobody here is insulting homosexuals. I am a Christian, but I am not a homophobe. I couldn't care less if your gay. Just because someone disagrees with you does not make them a homophobe.
It's not my intention to offend for the sake of it, but refusing to tolerate bigoted beliefs does not put you on the same level as the bigot. That's absurd. Not all beliefs are equal. Many deserve scorn, and I completely reject that belief in a God somehow prevents your views from being challenged.
Incidentally, I doubt you're even debating here from an impartial point of view, and more from defending your own beliefs. If we were criticising Islam here, I seriously doubt you'd as vigourously police our comments, despite them applying equally.
and to add to this im also christian so there.
I would also argue that you cannot be a (mainstream at least) Christian and not have a negative view of homosexuality. It's a fundamental part of the religion. Yes, people can self identify as gay and a Christian, but you're picking and choosing which parts you believe in when you do that.
My point is that not all Christians (or Jews, or Muslims) are homophobic, true. But if so, then I wouldn't consider them true to their religion, and when looking at the global consensus of believers, then neither would the rest of their religion either. The vast majority of mainstream Christians worldwide are demonstrably homophobic and would refute your identification as a Chrsitian unless you were celibate, and even then most would still shun you. I know a large number of gay people (friends, sister, co-workers) and a large number of Christians (family background, hometown) and pretty much all agree with my assesment here.
Your own personal beliefs do not change those of the vast majority of religious folk. The vast majority will hate you for your sexuality, and you can't possibly deny that. Your opinions are fringe veiws at best within your religions.
Regardless, i'm not here to flame or troll, but make a point, and if people are upset by that, that isn't my intention so i'll stop contributing to this topic, as i've pretty much said my piece anyway.
But seriously... you can't create a topic on homosexuality and then exclude religion from the debate like it has no impact on the topic, or claim your fringe views on the subject as anyway a mainstream representation of the billion+ believers. You may have no issue with homosexuality, the vast majority worldwide demonstrably do, and it's religion's influence and lobbying which is the only remaining reason why we still do not have equal rights for homosexuals in society.
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