Young Man Raised By Lesbian Couple [video]

XD Sorry, 2nd ninja edit got missed :( And just to clarify, the o_o was for the fact that this is the first time I've seen you involved in these sorts of things! XD

When you read a fantasy novel you don't interpret the events of the novel as meaning different things. Most of the events in the novel are literally things that happen in that universe. For some reason, the Bible (even though it claims to be written by the hand of God) is open to interpretation. It's a mystery, really.

So, in some ways, people take fantasy novels more literal than the Bible. Seems like that is a bit sacrilegious, but I don't know.

It's my personal belief that even people who claim to be Christian don't believe in God. They might think they do, but they probably don't. Otherwise, please explain to me how Sodom and Gomorrah and The Great Flood are so unbelievable that they're actually metaphorical stories (or life lessons or whatever) rather than actual factual accounts... yet, an omnipotent God who lives somewhere outside of space and time who has been pulling the strings on humanity since the dawn of time is 100% truth and can't be interpreted in any other light?

If you can pick and choose what's real and what's not real in your great Book, then I can too. I choose to interpret the Bible as ***, and by most Christian's logic... that shouldn't be looked down upon, because they do it too.

Mentally handicapped people are infinitely happier than 'average' intelligence counterparts, having experienced only a tiny percentage of the world around them. Does that make them less of a person? No, it makes them more of a person. If a theist can be happy with their existence, without craving for what can never be attained, or would require obtaining things at the expense of others around them, good for them. The theists that turn the text of the Bible and indoctrination into an avenue for hatred are completely separate and should not be held to the same accord as people who are merely seeking to find meaning and fulfilment in their lives.

I went over this before, but I'll gladly do so again.

By definition, you cannot accurately interpret something when it has not been specifically left open to interpretation. This means that you must be given the go-ahead by its creator, either directly, or by precedent. In the absence of this, while you are free to interpret something in your own way, it is not a valid representation of what the creator had in mind.

*If you disagree with any of the above, its because you don't understand the meaning of the word interpretation.

God did not tell us that the bible was to be interpreted, nor did he leave any precedent to imply so. Its a very explicit compilation of nonfictional references and specific instructions.

So yes, to answer your question, the Bible is to be taken literally, or you're not properly practicing Christianity.

I'm not trying to be a smart *** or anything, but how are mentally handicapped people more of a person than me...? And how did this even come up? Several members of my family are "mentally handicapped" (if you want to be politically correct). I view them as equals, nothing more nothing less. Their life is just as insignificant/significant/meaningful/meaningless as mine is...

Are you comparing mentally handicapped people to religious people? I don't get what you're getting at, son.

The reply to this is a long, long, long one. I might PM it to you later, but I really can't get that into thought during work while disregarding my job for half an hour.


Coining this term, and will make sure to cite you as the source when I do.

This discussion pertains to the initial discussion. Religious reasons are the only reasons out there for people to think that a homosexual couple can't raise a kid. Every discussion needs a devil's advocate, and that's Minjo.



And yeah, please do. I completely understand the work situation. I work in a call center and writing length forum posts definitely brings down my call quality.

And here is where I find agreeing to disagree appropriate. While I understand why you would arrive at that conclusion, I, personally, would rather fight for everyone's right to be shaken from an indoctrination that can be incredibly hard to snap out of.

I'll be glad to this evening.

I was raised by essentially only female presences and I didn't turn out too badly!

Your insatiable craving for derrière says hi.

Really? And which version are u reading? God did not tell us? Nonfictional references? umm lol

which version are u reading? I think the Book of Judith would like a word from u. The book of Judith is completely fictional narrative that was meant to inspire Jews.

The bible is meant to be interpreted. If u don't interpret it to a certain degree then well it doesn't really make sense in 2011, particularly Revelations.

If that's true then it shouldn't be in the Bible. How confusing!

This makes me think of the Parables. These were all hypothetical stories made to induce thought, and teach lessons. They were not actual events, but probable (and non probable) scenarios and outcomes.

U mean the Book of Psalms? The bible Christians read in 2011 is a water-downed Sesame Street version made so that Barney and Friends could understand it. Much of the translation has been lost and thus cannot be taken literally.

Additionally, due to petty rivalries between Jews and the Roman Catholic Church and Protestants. Much of the bible is not published, and/or heavily edited.

Apocryphitic Bible Cannons

How exactly does portions of the book that contain stories allow you to freely interpret other parts of the bible that contain commands directly from god?

You'll never agree on this. Why do you think that there are 1000 different denominations of Christianity? Every time someone doesn't agree on a dogma or an indoctrination, they split off into their own.

Also: I find it a little harder to stomach hearing the interpretation of how I'm supposed to interpret my religion by an admitted non-theist.

And this doesn't shake your faith at all?



Also, this. ^

ITT:

Because people like power.

Being a man of god gives you huge amounts of power and you don't even have to do anything besides lie through your teeth.

See: Mormonism.

I know one thing I've struggled with is this exact issue - are gay parents at least no worse off to raise a child than straight ones. It certainly looks like this guy is doing fine - but what would really be helpful is a study of every child born to a gay couple vs. every child born to a straight one (which of course is quite impossible to find).

I have believed for a long time that children of gay parents truly are at a significant disadvantage - that doesn't mean they can't grow up just fine, but the odds of them having a hell of a childhood are at a higher level. Hell, even being gay puts you at a disadvantage in US society, at least, of that I have no doubt.

The question then really becomes, as crude as it sounds, do you want gays to have children at all, knowing they are going to have a harder life? Beyond that, you could list all sort of people that really shouldn't be having kids (drug users, homeless, many others). Since I don't think US society is ready to tackle the larger problem of trying to give all kids a fair shot, I think it also has to be ok for gays to continue to marry and have kids.

That said, I would want gay marriage, and specifically gay parenting, to come with the caveat that both parents are responsible. If a married couple has a child by either parent, both parents have a 50% split on responsibility legally, regardless of who the bio parent is. There have already been too many cases of gay parents splitting and one parent getting shafted (no pun intended!)

Absolutely not I pray every night to the guy on the box of Quaker Oatmeal!!! He brings me salvation from imitation oatmeal!

I think it needs to be said that there actually is a dichotomy between what the Bible says, and how it is subjectively viewed within each individual's perspective.

For the most part, I make it a point to let the Bible speak for itself, and let people see it as they would. I personally believe that's how it was and is supposed to be taken.

No I meant the parables, that Jesus spoke of on his sermon on the mount.

What the *** happened to this topic...

I believe it's known as the curse of being a red-blooded male :(

True, but faulty. They may be having a hard life (and gays too), but that is because of all the bigotry and intolerance. It is not a fundamental thing from being gay. Fix the bigotry and the hate, and you will eliminate any psychological problems or disadvantages. There is no inherent disadvantage to being gay.

I'm gay, I was raised by a conservative family. I constantly get attack, I have been forced into camps and my mental stability is pretty much gone, you can only fight everyday of your life for so long. I have seen and experienced the damage that "traditional" values do to the children. the fact is while not all Christians behae horribly, I have many christian friends. The religion as a mainstream whole attacks us left and right, and raises their children to attack, abuse, and kill us because we don't fit within their guidlines, I do live in TX and have been attacked multiple times and threatened more times then I can count from random *** people, for them just assuming my sexuality not even knowing. My parents taught nothing about puberty or sex except don't have it. I used the internet to find out what puberty was, and it was still new at this time so there wasn't much for answering why do I like guys. My parents have told me I will die of aids, that I am a child molester, though I have never had sex with anyone under the age of 18. They have assaulted my masculinity even though as far as the cultural definition of masculinity goes, I am more masculine in every way then my dad is except for a few quirks and that I don't care to watch sports. However I do love to play sports while my dad only likes to watch them. My half sister has barred me from seeing my niece and nephew once I get a partner, and since I came out, she won't let me be around her children without her or her husband their. Even though when I Was younger I was a great babysitter. My nephew also has type 1 diabetes and I am a former paramedic. Non of my family has medical training, nor her husbands family so I am the best person to actually be around her son as far as all that jazz goes. I was only allowed to study engineering and architecture at school and even though I maintained a 3.8 GPA in these fields I still wanted to pursue and use my great art skills. I have seen plenty of children ripped apart by conservative christian family's for the men wanting to pursue art based degrees instead of science. I also have seen less traditional Christian family's encourage their children to be happy and help them pursue their dreams. Also I know plenty of Lesbians that are more masculine then straight men, and trust me they know plenty about puberty and man sex.