Looking for gay-friendly location in Arizona (Safford, Ajo: best, homosexual, population)

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by BillR1

I've seen you ask this question before, so I'll attempt to answer it on a personal note.
Being attracted to the opposite sex is not a desire I've ever had to deal with. HOWEVER, I have MY OWN sinful nature that I need to keep in check EVERY DAY. For example, I have a violent temper. At least once a day, I need to consciously calm myself, as the "acting out" of my instinct is clearly anti-social. I also used to (many years ago) have a desire to shoplift. I didn't NEED the stuff, but I WANTED to get away with it. With some counseling and God's help, I was able to overcome the desire.
My point is, people deal with and prevail over their sinful nature on a daily basis, whether it's road rage or pyromania. Society has determined (correctly) that these "instincts" are not proper in a civilized culture, so those of us that DO struggle with those desires can and DO supress them. In my opinion, homosexual behavior is no different. It's similar to pedophelia in that it's a behavior that our society has determined is improper.
Sinful desires are something that we ALL struggle in one form or another, and the habit CAN be overcome with prayer and God's help. The desire may still lurk in the recesses of our minds, but that doesn't mean we have to follow our instincts on everything. We're better than the animals!
On another note, the "B" in LGBT stands for bisexual. How can bisexual behavior NOT be a conscious choice? That "activity" would seem to be the very definition of choice. Your thoughts on this point?

In regards to "sinful" nature - yeah, people Do have to deal with that all the time. The difference is, the "sins" you mention CLEARLY hurt others - whereas with homosexuality it really hurts no one (assuming everyone is willing) and therefor is NO ONE ELSE'S business - and don't give me the old line that it "hurts society as a whole" - that's the same BS used to route out Jews in Germany and Christians in Iran. That's simply an excuse for bigotry.

In regards to bisexuals - it's really no different than homosexuals in regards to to being in their nature. The fact is, in general sexuality is biologically driven. That's the case with heterosexuality, homosexuality and even bisexuality (in those cases folks are hypersexual and indiscriminant in regards to their sexual partners - being drawn to sex in general regardless of their partner's sex).

Ken

[azdr0710]

is there any reason to be "against" gays/homosexuality other than for religious reasons?....claiming it's a sin implies that you're religious/Christian and that "the Bible" or God says it's a sin...so much of today's prejudices can be traced to religious propaganda throughout the ages...this is not news....

only non-religious reason I can think of is that it just isn't normal, biologically....can't propagate the species, etc.....

I think even saffordpastor has to, in his heart, agree that people do not "choose" to be gay....you're born, hard-wired in your genes/DNA somehow, to be gay, straight, bi, or asexual....with society's prejudice, very few could make a conscious choice, when necessary to do so, to be gay...it just happens the way your brain was made up during growth....science hasn't figured out if there is a "gay" gene.....


to the gals headed for Phx....you won't have a problem....Safford is about 150 miles from Phx.....

[BillR1]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

I think even saffordpastor has to, in his heart, agree that people do not "choose" to be gay....you're born, hard-wired in your genes/DNA somehow, to be gay, straight, bi, or asexual....with society's prejudice, very few could make a conscious choice, when necessary to do so, to be gay...it just happens the way your brain was made up during growth....science hasn't figured out if there is a "gay" gene.....

Even with all of the research, this has NOT been proven. I believe people have many sinful tendencies. but to say that they "can't help themselves" is really underestimating the power of God and the human spirit to change.
Genetic?? Not hardly! Homosexual behavior IS a conscious choice, just as allowing yourself to become violently angry is, or stuffing another doughnut in your mouth. YOU CAN decide to change.

[saffordpastor]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

is there any reason to be "against" gays/homosexuality other than for religious reasons?....claiming it's a sin implies that you're religious/Christian and that "the Bible" or God says it's a sin...so much of today's prejudices can be traced to religious propaganda throughout the ages...this is not news....

only non-religious reason I can think of is that it just isn't normal, biologically....can't propagate the species, etc.....

I think even saffordpastor has to, in his heart, agree that people do not "choose" to be gay....you're born, hard-wired in your genes/DNA somehow, to be gay, straight, bi, or asexual....with society's prejudice, very few could make a conscious choice, when necessary to do so, to be gay...it just happens the way your brain was made up during growth....science hasn't figured out if there is a "gay" gene.....


to the gals headed for Phx....you won't have a problem....Safford is about 150 miles from Phx.....

No saffordpastor does not agree in any way that gays are born.....and yes much of my opinions about homosexuality are based on my faith (not all)....but my faith does not give me the right to mistreat, abuse, or attack those that I disagree with or feel that they are indulging in sin. But I do have a right to voice my opinions about my views without being called a bigot, homophobe, nazi etc.....unfortunately in todays society it is not PC to say anything that might go counter to the accepted thinking (think Global warming...if a scientist doesnt believe it he is blackballed...same with homosexuality...think Carrie Prejean) and it is pretty certain that if you voice opposition to the homosexual agenda you will be called some pretty vile things.


And as far as the "gals" and Safford...they could come hear and visit anytime....we are not the type to mistreat folks.

[saffordpastor]

Originally Posted by BillR1

I've seen you ask this question before, so I'll attempt to answer it on a personal note.
Being attracted to the opposite sex is not a desire I've ever had to deal with. HOWEVER, I have MY OWN sinful nature that I need to keep in check EVERY DAY. For example, I have a violent temper. At least once a day, I need to consciously calm myself, as the "acting out" of my instinct is clearly anti-social. I also used to (many years ago) have a desire to shoplift. I didn't NEED the stuff, but I WANTED to get away with it. With some counseling and God's help, I was able to overcome the desire.
My point is, people deal with and prevail over their sinful nature on a daily basis, whether it's road rage or pyromania. Society has determined (correctly) that these "instincts" are not proper in a civilized culture, so those of us that DO struggle with those desires can and DO supress them. In my opinion, homosexual behavior is no different. It's similar to pedophelia in that it's a behavior that our society has determined is improper.
Sinful desires are something that we ALL struggle in one form or another, and the habit CAN be overcome with prayer and God's help. The desire may still lurk in the recesses of our minds, but that doesn't mean we have to follow our instincts on everything. We're better than the animals!
On another note, the "B" in LGBT stands for bisexual. How can bisexual behavior NOT be a conscious choice? That "activity" would seem to be the very definition of choice. Your thoughts on this point?

Great post!!

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by BillR1

Even with all of the research, this has NOT been proven. I believe people have many sinful tendencies. but to say that they "can't help themselves" is really underestimating the power of God and the human spirit to change.
Genetic?? Not hardly! Homosexual behavior IS a conscious choice, just as allowing yourself to become violently angry is, or stuffing another doughnut in your mouth. YOU CAN decide to change.

Ok, well put another way....assuming you're heterosexually inclined, I'd like to ask you...What if the shoe were on the other foot? What if we as homosexuals asked all those heterosexually inclined men and women to either 1. marry a person of the same gender or 2. stay celibate their whole lives.

What do you think the success rate would be???

[BillR1]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

Ok, well put another way....assuming you're heterosexually inclined, I'd like to ask you...What if the shoe were on the other foot? What if we as homosexuals asked all those heterosexually inclined men and women to either 1. marry a person of the same gender or 2. stay celibate their whole lives.

What do you think the success rate would be???

I would think that the "success rate" would be very low, since the vast majority of people are heterosexualy inclined. This is by design from our Creator.
However, IF the overwhelming majority practiced homosexual behavior and this was how we normally procreated, then I would have to assume that MY "unusual desires" were deviant, and I would ask God to change my heart and desires.

[ScottKag]

Back on topic: I'm fairly certain everyone has stricken Safford off their list of potential gay friendly locations.

[jaada]

homosexuality is not something most chose to do even though there are some people who might choose it. it is the way they were born.they got too much of a certain chemical while in the womb. this might not be a fact yet but its being studied. besides this is not what the op was asking anyways, who cares if hes gay or not?

[saffordpastor]

Originally Posted by ScottKag

Back on topic: I'm fairly certain everyone has stricken Safford off their list of potential gay friendly locations.

And I should be sad???