Bible Thumpers and Fundies

[Gravekeeper]

This right here, I've told my Christian friends when they claim that Christianity isn't anti-gay, prove it. I've told them that if just once by popular vote in a christian dominated area marriage equality were to be passed I'd believe them, and until then, I'd accept them as good people in spite of the anti-gay teachings of their so-called God but would not accept their hate monger God.

Um, hello? Canada? Your friendly northern neighbours? 77% Christian? 43% of which is Roman Catholic? Still legalized gay marriage? >.>

Yeah, and people ask why I will never consider going back to a church... what's the point when Christ will never love me anyway.

Your first mistake is assuming Christ would like these fuckers telling you this to begin with nevermind allowing them to accept or reject people on his behalf. Bible thumpers are so far removed from Christ's teachings its downright sad.

[LadyBarbossa]

Christ mainly preached love and acceptance, and so many "Christians" seem to forget all the commandments to love your neighbor as yourself, or that Jesus was often seen in the company of prostitutes, adulterers, tax collectors, generally the worst of the worst. I know the Bible does say things about homosexuality, but it also says that I shouldn't wear jewelry or put braids in my hair. Let them frown at me for the company I keep. The majority of my friends are homosexual/bisexual, with a good number of that group being drag queens. My closest guy friend has a criminal record. They have been there for me and shown me more real, honest, unconditional love and support than anyone in the church ever did. I'll take them over the grup thawt does nothing but preach at me about my life choices and a woman's place (I'm childfree by choice) any day.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Jesus hung out with prostitutes, thieves etc; I think he'd be a cool guy to have at a party. XD And he would probably hate all the crap that's spewed in his name.

[smileyeagle1021]

Um, hello? Canada? Your friendly northern neighbours? 77% Christian? 43% of which is Roman Catholic? Still legalized gay marriage? >.>
.

It was also the secular courts, not an election that legalized it.
Based on election results south of the border, do you honestly think Canadians would have legalized it in a popular vote?
Not now, but over 5 years ago while it was being legalized.
Okay, yes, there was legislative action, but not until AFTER the courts had already made the decision and the legislature was playing catch up.
And let's face it, that is exactly how it will happen in the United States if it happens. We will never be given our rights unless the courts deem them to be rights and force people to give them to us.

And also, remember METHO-FUCKING-DISTS, one of the most liberal churches there is... if even the liberal churches are saying it, then I have a hard time believing that this isn't a main stream belief. And I've read the bible, there is no ambiguity, God does hate homosexuals, it says so explicitly in both Leviticus and Romans.

[Andara Bledin]

Based on election results south of the border, do you honestly think Canadians would have legalized it in a popular vote?
Not now, but over 5 years ago while it was being legalized.

Why would you base what Canadians would do on American polls?

Canadians generally don't give a rat's ass if gays get married. Unlike the fundie bitches down here, they're far more 'live and let live' than our general public tends to be. As early as 2001, Canadians polled up to 65% in favor of allowing same-sex marriage, and even as far back as 1996, it was still fairly close, with an edge on those not favoring, primarily in the 50+ crowd.

Specifically in 2006 (5 years ago), polls showed that 59% of the Canadian public were in favor of same-sex marriage (including a slight majority of those who identified as conservative).

^-.-^

[Gravekeeper]

And I've read the bible, there is no ambiguity, God does hate homosexuals, it says so explicitly in both Leviticus and Romans.

Actually, no it doesn't. The part of Leviticus you're referring too ( Ignoring the point behind Leviticus as is ) is part of the Holiness Code. Which was added into Leviticus later by some dickish priests that apparently found sex in general squicky and weren't big fans of Caananites. Seeing as having sex with them was considered an even greater crime than homosexuality. Also, it only specifies between two men. Lesbians are fine for for the priesthood I guess.

As for Romans, the glaring quote there was penned by Paul, and Paul is a dickhead on all counts, not just the homosexual front ( He hates woman too, really. Loves slavery though. ) Second of all, practically every aspect of the quote in question is hotly debated as to its true meanings and translations. With practically every major sect of Christianity viewing it and translating it into English in the form that fits their viewpoint.

The religion itself cannot settle this debate, so you certainly can't.

[Andara Bledin]

Second of all, practically every aspect of the quote in question is hotly debated as to its true meanings and translations. With practically every major sect of Christianity viewing it and translating it into English in the form that fits their viewpoint.

The religion itself cannot settle this debate, so you certainly can't.

Well, unless he, you know, translates it into English in the form that fits his viewpoint.

Oh, look, an atheist using religion to be a bigot. How original.

^-.-^

[smileyeagle1021]

Oh, look, an atheist using religion to be a bigot. How original.

^-.-^

Hey, kind of proves the point that religion is good only for bigotry, doesn't it.
And believe it or not, I didn't always hate Christianity, not until that mother fucker Christ betrayed me, first promising to cure me of a disease I didn't have, then pretending to accept me as I was, just so he could let slip that he still hates me did I turn on Christianity.
You'd be amazed how a betrayal like that will turn someone.

Oh, and if you are wondering why my sudden burst of bitterness, it's Christmas time and the church that told me Christ would never loving me is actively trying to get me to come back, but only if I agree to straighten out, those mother fuckers aren't content with having hurt me, they have to keep hurting me. That is the face of Christianity I face every day, not these mythical accepting Christians that everyone keeps telling me exist.

[Andara Bledin]

Hey, kind of proves the point that religion is good only for bigotry, doesn't it.

I really shouldn't let it get to me, but after I offered you so much support, for you to then spit on me merely because I choose to believe really, really gets to me.

^-.-^

[Gravekeeper]

That is the face of Christianity I face every day, not these mythical accepting Christians that everyone keeps telling me exist.

Because if people local to me are like that, then the ENTIRE WORLD MUST BE. You're being just as narrow minded as those you're railing against, frankly.

[Hyena Dandy]

That is the face of Christianity I face every day, not these mythical accepting Christians that everyone keeps telling me exist.

Like me or Andara?

Didn't know we were mythical.

[blas87]

I exist, smiley.

God didn't do this to you. Some very ignorant followers of his, who use Him as a shield and excuse for their bigotry, did.

[smileyeagle1021]

Like me or Andara?

Didn't know we were mythical.

To be honest, even though I know that people like you and Andara, and Blas exist who are kind and compassionate, I've talked to you on Facebook and Fratching and CS, and intellectually and even to some extent emotionally I know you are real, I have a real hard time reconciling that with my daily life where the only "christians" who are kind and accepting are those who are Christian in name only, they may go to church a couple times a year if that, and they have in many cases admitted that they are Christian more out of convenience than anything else, they know there is a higher power and Christ makes as easy an explanation as anything else (which for the record, calling me an Atheist isn't entirely accurate, I do believe there is a higher power and order to the universe, just not in the form of one all powerful god, which yes, meets the English dictionary definition of Atheist, but not really the cultural definition). Those who are active Christians that I know range from nice but manipulative (my sister in law who passive aggressively keeps suggesting that even though she is happy for us, is sad that we will never know the true happiness of a heterosexual Christian, is a good example), manipulative with the thinnest mask of being nice (the social committee at the Christ United Methodist Church who keeps sending me letters and voicemails about how they are sorry I was offended by the church telling me Christ would never love me, but it isn't too late for me to ask for forgiveness and leave my life of sin behind and rejoin the church), the ones who don't even try to hide their bigotry (like my neighbors who will chastise their son loud enough for me to hear "don't wave to him, that fag is an abomination and unless you want him to corrupt you to go to hell with him you'll never have any interaction with him" or my other neighbor who've I've overheard telling his friends that it's okay to park in my assigned space because "unlike everyone else here, we don't have to respect him because he's just a fag"), and the ones who are outright violent (it's become a common occurrence for a guy who lives down the street to when he sees me walking when he drives by to throw whatever is handy out of his car at me while yelling a variation of "burn in hell queer", or to be on the freeway and have someone with a CTR or WWJD or one of those damnable fish bumper stickers on the back of their car do douchebag moves like pretend they are going to swerve into me while mouthing "fuck you fag")
Add that to 19 years of growing up in a church that had no problem telling my mother that she was vile for not remarrying and providing me a father, telling me that my father was in hell for abandoning us, telling me that I had a lot to prove if I didn't want to meet him there, and worst of all, believing them. When I moved to Utah it was then 4 years of now being told that being gay was my own personal failing, that I was no different than my father, I just didn't have the faith to do what God wanted me to do, and once again, believing it, because, after all, these are men of God, surely they wouldn't lie to me, I was a true believer back then. To now dealing with the day to day bigotry that is rampant in all parts of this hellhole of a country.
It is very hard to go from spending your entire life believing that God hated you, to having warm and fuzzy feelings towards the people who worship that God, especially when your day to day life gives you ample reason to not even try.

[jackfaire]

I had a guy start following me on Christmas when I was trying to get to my daughter's place who insisted that things like "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" lead people directly to Jesus teachings.

Uhm wait aren't you the one that read the bible? You do know Jesus was all about the love and that the former is permission to revenge yourself on someone?

Then when he asked if I read the bible I said I am in the process of doing so, truth I read it off and on when I have time, and he offered free classes to help me "understand" it.

WTF?!? Uhm I am not an idiot I can read something and understand what it says unless of course you mean rather than using my own critical thinking skills you want me to shut my brain off and let you tell me what it means.

Well dude why bother reading it why don't you tell me what my beliefs are now.

[SkullKing]

Smiley, you need to get out of there ASAP

I know talk is easy.

I know there is a big pile of problems with moving, like finding a home, a job, etc...

I know you can´t just up and leave.

But seriously, that place is messing you up.

If you can, look for job interviews far away from you.

I know it is hard, but from your posts I can see nothing good whatsoever of you remaining there.

There will always be people who hate you just for being who you are, and it is important to give them a good fight. But you need to go somewhere you are not so badly outnumbered and outgunned.