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I think that most people that were raised in a religious household probably heard this. And, even if people weren't raised in a religious household, many still have heard this.
Many people in the U.S. are heterosexist. Because it is so hard to challenge one's religious beliefs, it becomes convenient for some to simply fall back on the "homosexuality is a sin" argument. And, of course, some people strongly believe this. Yet others, who may not be religious at all, may still fall back on this argument.
When homosexuality gets constructed in this manner, it becomes that much harder to work to eradicate heterosexism.
I was raised in a very Christian home, and I never heard my parents and brothers say such things. I saw the type ridicule a couple of homosexual men when through, and that was enough for me to know that there was something fishy about it, and always kept at a distance from such. As I dated girls, I realized that homosexuality wasn't necessarily a sin, but abnormal. However, I have nothing against anybody who has sex with another of the same sex. I just stood clear from such things, didn't expose my children to it, and didn't judge others.
I was raised to believe it was a sin.. and I turned out gay... in fact.. I grew up with lots of self loathing and inner battles with my gayness.. till one day when I was 15.. I just came out with it... went to church and was called in and "talked to" I pretty much knew then and there that everything I was taught at church was a ridiculous lie, and I could see the fakeness and absurdity in all of their eyes..
so.. being the mouthy 15yo that I was I proceded to throw every name in the book at them... the entire clergy in front of everyone at church after I found everyone gossiping about me.. even people I considered my close friends...
I really do hate religion.. I hate the people that run them, the people that produce the lies, and false everything.. it's all so much horse sh*t I can't even tell you.. and yes.. hate is a strong word.. and I really HATE religion....
So because you say people ridiculed a couple of gay men you then decided there was something fishy about it but then you go on to say you aren't judgmental and then you go on to say you keep your kids away from it. That is judgmental and you just lied. So much for being christian LMAO. You can't even get your own facts straight.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RayinAK
I was raised in a very Christian home, and I never heard my parents and brothers say such things. I saw the type ridicule a couple of homosexual men when through, and that was enough for me to know that there was something fishy about it, and always kept at a distance from such. As I dated girls, I realized that homosexuality wasn't necessarily a sin, but abnormal. However, I have nothing against anybody who has sex with another of the same sex. I just stood clear from such things, didn't expose my children to it, and didn't judge others.
I wasn't raised around such useless morons thank Goodness but I do acknowledge your struggle. Organized religion seems to be a magnet for morons, and endless selfishness. It's virtually a cult. The sad part is the people are aloud to live amongst the normal people in the city.
Quote:
Originally Posted by boiseguy
I was raised to believe it was a sin.. and I turned out gay... in fact.. I grew up with lots of self loathing and inner battles with my gayness.. till one day when I was 15.. I just came out with it... went to church and was called in and "talked to" I pretty much knew then and there that everything I was taught at church was a ridiculous lie, and I could see the fakeness and absurdity in all of their eyes..
so.. being the mouthy 15yo that I was I proceded to throw every name in the book at them... the entire clergy in front of everyone at church after I found everyone gossiping about me.. even people I considered my close friends...
I really do hate religion.. I hate the people that run them, the people that produce the lies, and false everything.. it's all so much horse sh*t I can't even tell you.. and yes.. hate is a strong word.. and I really HATE religion....
I have to make up my own answer because none of yours fits.
No. I always believed homosexuality was abnormal and looked perverse. So does most of the country.
"so does most of the country"
well most of the country sucks... and goes to church.. which is a bunch of crap... and what??
majority validates your bigoted opinion somehow? only says to me that there's a pack of you out there.. and you all suck... how bout them apples?
Remember when few people believed that the world was round. While most said it was flat. LMAO. Oh Boy........
To be honest most adults and younger adults don't have time or energy to go to church but they still call themselves Christian.
Quote:
Originally Posted by boiseguy
"so does most of the country"
well most of the country sucks... and goes to church.. which is a bunch of crap... and what??
majority validates your bigoted opinion somehow? only says to me that there's a pack of you out there.. and you all suck... how bout them apples?
Homosexuality was never demonized in my household growing up. I did a lot of music, arts, and theatre in high school, and my house was always one of not that many in our small, rural community where my peers who were gay but for the most part not yet out felt comfortable coming and spending time.
My mom was and is very open and accepting. My dad is in general not as comfortable with ways of being that do not mirror his own (and this carries over not just to matters of sexuality, he can be rather rigidly personally resistant about most anything with which he doesn't personally identify), but he always remained outwardly neutral and accepting in that regard. He always treated my gay friends with the same respect he did all my friends, regardless of his not being able to really identify, and being a leeeeetle bit repressed overall. One of my best college friends, he didn't even REALIZE was gay pretty far into our friendship.
I also was raised in a liberal mainstream Protestant church that is cool with homosexuality, so I never got any anti-gay agenda through my time at church, youth group, etc. I've gone on to attend church led by openly gay clergy, in fact. I definitely don't advocate the "religion is for bigoted idiots" stance, largely due to these experiences. Claiming that is every bit as bigoted as gay bashing is. Some religious beliefs are very live and let live, others are sadly not. Painting them all, and all people who identify as religious, with the same brush is no less ridiculous than spouting off ignorant blanket statements about people based on their sexual orientation. Interestingly, my mom, who is the more tolerant parent, overall, was raised in an extremely homophobic church...but those teachings never stuck, along with the majority of the hellfire/brimstone stuff.
Last edited by TabulaRasa; 07-06-2009 at 11:54 PM..
Thank you for your input. What part of the country did you grow up in?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TabulaRasa
Homosexuality was never demonized in my household growing up. I did a lot of music, arts, and theatre in high school, and my house was always one of not that many in our small, rural community where my peers who were gay but for the most part not yet out felt comfortable coming and spending time.
My mom was and is very open and accepting. My dad is in general not as comfortable with ways of being that do not mirror his own (and this carries over not just to matters of sexuality, he can be rather rigid about most anything with which he doesn't identify personally), but he always remained outwardly neutral and accepting in that regard.
I also was raised in a liberal mainstream Protestant church that is cool with homosexuality, so I never got any anti-gay agenda through my time at church, youth group, etc. I've gone on to attend church led by openly gay clergy, in fact.
Thank you for your input. What part of the country did you grow up in?
Rural Midwest, on a farm closest to a community of 350 and another community of about 7,000. Also where my father was raised. My mother was raised splitting time between that region of the country and with extended family in the deep Appalachian south. I still live in the Midwest, only in a large metro area for the time being.
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