Bigots aren't born, they're made.
Hmmmm. However, if I say Homosexuals are born that way, they choose to be that way, then I am awful. Perhaps my thoughts and opinions are formulated within my genetic code. Perhaps, I choose to belief what I belief. (try to choose to believe in Santa Claus and see what happens). Either way, there is nothing wrong, nor harmful in what I think. Now, I could attempt to use my thoughts and beliefs to validate harmful actions, and that would be a different and criminal story.
BTW, I was raised in a devoutly atheist family who finds my beliefs contrary. They sure didnt make me believe the things that I believe.
Though at least you don't think it's right to legislate based on your bias.
Just as it it not right to legislate based on YOUR opinion.
And your coworker is obviously strong enough to deal with your opinion of his orientation.
Yes, he is strong enough to deal with my opinion. And, I'll brag a little here, I am strong enough to deal with his opinion on my thoughts and beliefs. It's called common courtesy, and respect for a fellow human being. It's made a wonderful friendship that fosters love and respect. Do you think that legislature will do the same?
The problem is that when preachers preach about the immorality of being gay, kids hear it. Gay kids hear it and it contributes to depression and feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Straight kids hear it and it contributes to bullying. So yeah, that kind of public speech is hateful and damaging even if it's stated in a more gentle manner than WBC uses.
Any preacher that preaches hate for any reason should be ashamed. A Christian preacher is bound to preach Bible based truth, and that alone. If they preach other than that, they are not a Christian and not a Preacher, IMO.
Yes, they have the right to preach what they want, but I also have the right to condemn them for it.
So you have a right to your opinion and a right to condemn others for their opinion, but others do not have the same rights? It's damaging if they do? If so, then ok, yup it's your right. But your double standard is just as big as my bigotry.
I do think sexual orientation should be protected under federal law just like race or religion, and that day is coming (hopefully soon). And when it does, it won't be infringing on anyone's religious freedom.
I think that PEOPLE should be protected under federal law to protect them from injury or damage, and that all people should have that protection, whether they are purple or pink or straight or gay, or whatever. Hurt feelings is just not a good enough reason to invoke laws allowing or disallowing anything. And, if I were to end up sitting in a Church in which the Preacher could not quote a specific verse from the Bible, then yes, it would be an infringement on my religious freedom.
I'm very glad that we live in a country that will allow us to have this conversation openly. I'm GLAD that you can openly say that you disagree with me. But it does alarm me that so many people are saying that others should be condemned and legally controlled for the opinions that they have. Can you draw a strong enough line in the sand to prevent the next step becoming a condemnation of YOUR opinions?
It alarms me that when there is a sociological problem the answer is more legislation, more control for the government. It seems as though we are surrendering to the moral police on too many subjects, when just some basic common sense and common courtesy would fix the major issues. Tolerance and acceptance is a two way street.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-emily-c-heath/how-to-determine-if-your-religious-liberty-is-being-threatened-in-10-questions_b_1845413.html[/QUOTE]
This was a cute article, however, NONE of it applied to anything related to me.
EMST**************..I do hope that you understand that this is just conversation. I'm not taking anything personal here. I've always liked you on this forum, and will continue to do so. I sincerely hope that this is just an honest discussion between two people with differing views.
