Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site fortune.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!houxm!ihnp4!fortune!brower From: brower@fortune.UUCP (Richard Brower) Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Re: 'Gay Rights': A conflict of values Message-ID: <4761@fortune.UUCP> Date: Mon, 10-Dec-84 18:52:20 EST Article-I.D.: fortune.4761 Posted: Mon Dec 10 18:52:20 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 11-Dec-84 04:40:14 EST References: <283@haddock.UUCP> <1464@pucc-h>, <4634@fortune.UUCP> <1519@pucc-h> Organization: Fortune Systems, Redwood City, CA Lines: 49 > = Jeff Sargent >> = Richard Brower (fortune!brower) > >> I think that you assume one hell of a lot. I do not look on any women as >> being in any respect my enemy, nor do any of the other gay people that I >> associate with. Also, since God's love is for all, I think you make another >> large assumption in assuming that gays do not have His power and support >> throughout our entire lives (we particularly need His help to deal with >> the homophobes misusing His name to oppress us). > I will try to remember to refrain from trying to make sweeping judgments > about the source of sexual preference, though I do still invite you to > examine that of yours more closely. But I still call it a "preference". > I have several times read accounts by homosexuals who came to the point > where they hated their homosexual lifestyle (e.g. because it provided > virtually no genuine human contact), and by giving themselves to Christ > they were able to become happy, fulfilled heterosexuals. If you actually > like being homosexual, and have actual human contact (soul touching soul > and spirit touching spirit, not just body contact) in that lifestyle, then > Christ may have a hard time convincing you that there's something better. Actually, much of the problem with being a homosexual has to do with the fact that the oppression of gay people has been an American rallying point for generations. Many more gay relationships would be successful if we were not told by all you "good" folks that all we are into is 'body contact'. Your relationships are 'blessed by God' and good... my relationship is banal? There you go with another assumtion. Why doesn't my life partener qualify for company health insurance... he is the wrong sex. Well, I'll get by, but it is more difficult... and compared to a few years ago, things are easy today. > Your last sentence does make an interesting point. God is merciful enough to > help those who do not give themselves to him 100% (else who would ever be > helped?); He may also help those who have not experienced faith in Him at > all. (I'm not sure which category you fit in.) As for the above paragraph, it is yet another example of intolerance. Not only are the mainstream prodestant denominatins (of which you are fairly obviously not a member) currently reaching out to the gay community, with the understanding that gays are not automaticly doomed, but several Christian groupings are being formed by gay people. Gays have often been good Christians, although 'straight' churchs have had a great deal of trouble dealing with us. For some real Christian spirit, join your local Metropolitan Community Church, even if only for a few services. Communion is open to all believers and everyone is invited to participate. Yours in Christian love, Richard Brower Fortune Systems