Today I am ashamed to say I am from Mississippi. (Jackson: appointed, buy)

[Chicagoland60426]

Mississippi is the most religious state and tend to be more conservative than every other state. I'm a little taken back by this, but not too surprise.

[savage71chevelless]

Originally Posted by Winter_Sucks

The ACLU has taken up the causes of the far left and defended Rush Limbaugh all in the same year. Don't be a blind partisan hack.

And, i'm sure that 99% of people would agree with you that the ACLU takes up left wing causes 50% of the time, and right wing causes 50% of the time, uh huh

[Winter_Sucks]

Originally Posted by savage71chevelless

And, i'm sure that 99% of people would agree with you that the ACLU takes up left wing causes 50% of the time, and right wing causes 50% of the time, uh huh

Can you name more than ten cases that the ACLU has taken up without using Google?

[jvb0687]

And, i'm sure that 99% of people would agree with you that the ACLU takes up left wing causes 50% of the time, and right wing causes 50% of the time, uh huh

What? It's not their job to make sure ABSOLUTELY 50% of their cases are right-wing and the other 50% are left-wing. They exist to protect the Constitution and the rights it promises us, your characterization suggests that they should somehow be conscious of political affiliation. I think the real reason you don't like them is that they often fight for the rights of people you think don't deserve any. If you don't want to be bothered by the existence of organizations like the ACLU, then I suggest you move to Iran.

[mrkool]

Good decision by the Itawamba County School Board.
"Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying society" (Aristotle)

[Stiery23]

Originally Posted by mississippimagnolia

That is one of the most ill informed posts I have ever read in my life. Our Constitution doesn't just protect us in our own homes. Why would we even need civil rights protection in our homes? Our Constitution provides that ALL of us are created equal. ALL OF US! Not just the people who worship like you, look like you, or (*gasp) love like you.

When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination

Just a few questions for you, daniel...

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. 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?

3. 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.

4. 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 neighbours. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbour 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, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. 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? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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 and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

WELL said! The point is, there are a lot of things that people do that the Bible says are abominations. Plus you have to remember, the Bible was written by men, NOT God himself.

I may be completely wrong in my judgement, but I don't believe for one second that God doesn't allow people into heaven if they are homosexual. Homosexuality, while not "normal" per say, occurs in nature. It has to have some genetic influence to it. If God didn't want anyone to be gay, he would not have given us the genes to make it possible.

I'm sure that for every school district like Itawamba in Mississippi, there are hundreds across the nation that are also conservative, yet do not censor the rights of gays. Homophobia is not a hallmark of conservatism; it is the result of intolerance.

[jvb0687]

Homosexuality, while not "normal" per say, occurs in nature.

I agree with your post, but I must point out that homosexuality is "normal". It occurs in nature, across species. And as it seems that the percentage of gay people in society has stayed somewhat constant across the centuries, it must be some sort of biological imperative. Which is to say it is normal, just not common. And I don't understand how people who oppose homosexuality on religious grounds, which is pretty much all of them, can fail to see and appreciate all the wonderful diversity in God's creation?

I think I'll go ahead and introduce myself... I've been reading these forums for a long time because I'm from Mississippi, but I moved to Baton Rouge for college. I really want to move back to Mississippi one day, but idiotic and backwards behavior like this by the Itawamba school board makes me seriously rethink that decision.

[Stiery23]

No kidding! Mississippi truly is a beautiful state, and in my first experience traveling there last summer (Oxford, looking at schools for my younger brother), everyone seemed quite friendly. I am from Illinois, but I'd love to live in Mississippi. I think at this point, I will go ahead and dismiss the Itawamba school board as not being an accurate representation of the state by and large.

[orange356]

Why is this even a political issue? Why can't people just see this issue for what it is: A school board is singling out a child as being less than other children. That's just ****ty.

[poptones]

It's not that uncommon. Last year there was a Florida girl who wasnt in the yearbook because she had her yearbook photo shot in a tux. So her parents bought a $700 ad in the yearbook and put her picture in anyway. That was also an ACLU case.

This isn't limited to Mississippi, and I don't think I would call Mississippi the "most religious" state. I mean, where's Utah in this? California has like 10% of the US population and once you get outside the three major cities it's about as conservative as you'd want any place to get.

This teen chose her battle. I think she should be commended for it. Otherwise she could have done what everyone else does and located a couple of beards to escort them on prom night - done. Her GF may be a sophomore but I'm sure she could have found another Jr or Sr who would have been willing to act as escort so they could enjoy the evening together. Perhaps that would have been a better way to fight the battle - perhaps not. Anyway, she deserves props for standing up for her beliefs.