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grrgoylI have a small molten core of fury burning in my chest. My rage is so strong at times I feel like I want to throw up, smash things, hurt somebody, scream at the top of my lungs. I am so angry right now I can't even form a coherent train of thought to write this, but there is no use trying to ignore it either because it will eat away at me. I am feeling this rage today because of an article in the news with the headline "Vatican attacks gays." I am so fucking sick of being told I am a sinner by old men trying to force the world to live by their medieval code of laws. They preach hatred and intolerance in the name of their God, encouraging small-minded people to physically assault and even kill gay people. This is how people behaved in the Dark Ages. I prefer to believe in a god of love, because (at the risk of sounding like a Burt Bacharach song) what this world needs more than ever is love and a bit more tolerance of people that may be different from everyone else. I realize this is radical thinking, but I don't care, I said it. And as for President Bush, he doesn't seem to care that his support of a bill outlawing gay marriage is denying 10-15% of the population their rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Tery and I have no desire to get married, we have friends who got married and it was the Kiss of Death for their relationship. However, we have been together for 11 years now (how many heterosexual couples can say that on the average?) and feel that our commitment deserves some respect and it would be nice if it were recognized legally.
The rhetoric coming out of the Vatican is laughable. They actually said that to raise a child in a gay household is to do violence to him/her, because it restricts the child's "full human development" and deprives the child of a mother or father. Does that make all those single mothers and fathers sinners too? It infuriates me that these people continue to studiously ignore scientific data proving that children raised by gays are just as likely to grow up healthy and heterosexual as "normal" children. I would think they would be even healthier than their "normal" peers, because they would be raised in an environment of tolerance of diversity, and those progressive (i.e. blasphemous) values would be carried into the next generation and make the world a slightly better place.
My biggest argument above all else is with those who believe it is a "lifestyle" and a "choice." If sexual orientation is a choice, doesn't it stand to reason then that heterosexuality is also a choice? How many people remember making a conscious decision to be attracted to the opposite sex? That's what I thought. And who in their right minds would choose to live like this? A comedian once put it very well, likening it to a waiter offering a menu of sexual identities. "Hmmm....hatred, persecution and discrimination? Sign me up!" My clever analogy involves ice cream (but you can substitute any food). My favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla (although I don't mind strawberry as well). However, I despise coffee ice cream (and I'm not a big fan of chocolate either). I didn't actively decide to like vanilla ice cream, it is just my preference. So too, people either prefer to be with the opposite sex or with the same sex. It is just that simple.
I am starting to lose steam here, but I do feel better. At least my fury has stopped boiling over for the time being. And to finish on an up-note, I think all those Bible-thumping hatemongers should read this letter to Dr. Laura, circulated on the Internet a few years ago and still fucking hilarious:
Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.
ROFLMAO
-=Lainey=-
The rhetoric coming out of the Vatican is laughable. They actually said that to raise a child in a gay household is to do violence to him/her, because it restricts the child's "full human development" and deprives the child of a mother or father. Does that make all those single mothers and fathers sinners too? It infuriates me that these people continue to studiously ignore scientific data proving that children raised by gays are just as likely to grow up healthy and heterosexual as "normal" children. I would think they would be even healthier than their "normal" peers, because they would be raised in an environment of tolerance of diversity, and those progressive (i.e. blasphemous) values would be carried into the next generation and make the world a slightly better place.
My biggest argument above all else is with those who believe it is a "lifestyle" and a "choice." If sexual orientation is a choice, doesn't it stand to reason then that heterosexuality is also a choice? How many people remember making a conscious decision to be attracted to the opposite sex? That's what I thought. And who in their right minds would choose to live like this? A comedian once put it very well, likening it to a waiter offering a menu of sexual identities. "Hmmm....hatred, persecution and discrimination? Sign me up!" My clever analogy involves ice cream (but you can substitute any food). My favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla (although I don't mind strawberry as well). However, I despise coffee ice cream (and I'm not a big fan of chocolate either). I didn't actively decide to like vanilla ice cream, it is just my preference. So too, people either prefer to be with the opposite sex or with the same sex. It is just that simple.
I am starting to lose steam here, but I do feel better. At least my fury has stopped boiling over for the time being. And to finish on an up-note, I think all those Bible-thumping hatemongers should read this letter to Dr. Laura, circulated on the Internet a few years ago and still fucking hilarious:
Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.
ROFLMAO
-=Lainey=-
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no subject
Date: 2003-07-31 09:33 pm (UTC)And oh dear, have you seen the front page of USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030731/5369249s.htm)?
I almost cried when I read that. (I. hate. Bush.)
God. This whole thing just pisses me off so much, it's all so fucking ridiculous. And I'm not even gay, so I can only imagine how it must feel for you. :(
(Oh, but on a lighter note- that Doctor Laura thing was freaking HILLARIOUS. XD *copies and saves it*)
no subject
Date: 2003-07-31 09:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-31 09:56 pm (UTC)Glad you liked the Dr. Laura. I don't believe she ever published a response. LOL