gaychristians.org

[Loki]

This is what I found when I stumbled across, looking for religious forums. I was shocked to read their recommendations to teachers for school children. Look at this;

Ten suggestions for reducing homophobia in your environment

1. Make no assumption about sexuality. If a student has not used a pronoun when discussing a relationship, don't assume one. Use neutral language such as "Are you seeing anyone" instead of "Do you have a boyfriend". Additionally, do not assume that a female student who confides a "crush" on another girl is a lesbian. Labels are often too scary and sometimes not accurate. Let students label themselves.

2. Have something gay-related visible in your office. A sticker, a poster, a flyer, a brochure, a book, a button... This will identify you as a safe person to talk to and will hopefully allow a gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning youth to break his/her silence. SAFE ZONE campaign stickers and resources can provide this visibility.

3. Support, normalize and validate students' feelings about their sexuality. Let them know that you are there for them. If you cannot be supportive, please refer to someone who can be. Then work on your own biases by reading, learning and talking to people comfortable with this issue. And always remember, the problem is homophobia not homosexuality.

4. Do not advise youth to come out to parents, family and friends as they need to come out at their own safe pace. Studies show as many as 26% of gay youth are forced to leave their home after they tell their parents. IT IS THEIR DECISION and they have to live with the consequences. Help them figure out what makes sense for them.

5. Guarantee confidentiality with students. Students need to know their privacy will be respected or they will not be honest about this important issue. If you cannot maintain confidentiality for legal reasons, let students know this in advance.

6. Challenge homophobia. As a role model for your students, respond to homophobia immediately and sincerely. Encourage in-service trainings for staff and students on homophobia and its impact on gay and lesbian youth.

7. Combat heterosexism in your classroom. Include visibly gay and lesbian role models in your classroom.

8. Learn about and refer to community organizations. Familiarize yourself with resources and call them before you refer to make sure they are ongoing. Also, become aware of gay-themed bibliographies and refer to gay-positive books.

9. Encourage school administrators to adopt and enforce anti-discrimination policies for their schools or school systems which include sexual orientation. The language should be included in all written materials next to race, sex, religion, etc.

10. Provide role models. Gay and straight students benefit from having openly gay teachers, coaches and administration. Straight students are given an alternative to the inaccurate stereotypes they have received and gay students are provided with the opportunity to see healthy gay adults. You, as teachers, can help by making gay and lesbian students feel more welcome.

[Johnny Reb]

Disgusting! That kind of conduct almost ammounts to brainwashing. How many confused kids "come out" without actually being gay, just because it's pushed on them? Probably a lot.

[Evolved]

heterosexism n : discrimination in favor of heterosexual and against homosexual people

I learn a new bullshit PC word every day. I'm a rabid heterosexist!

[Thorburn]

Homosexuality always existed. It existed at all times, in all societies, and under all environments in spite of rigorous attempts to prevent homosexual conduct and to punish homosexuals. They were tortured, shot and stoned to death, and such measures are still applied in some countries such as Iran, the Sudan and Nigeria. None of these measures ever eliminated the basic phenomenon of homosexuality or reduced its rate significantly.

Homosexuality is a multifacetted phenomenon triggered by a combination of different causes. The exposure of a male foetus' brain to low levels of testosterone or high levels of oestrogen during pregnancy is believed to be a hormonal cause for gayism. There is also evidence that a specific gene carried on the maternal line has an influence on the sexual orientation in men.

The environment, too, is known to unfold homosexual behavior, but probably only in those individuals in which the biological potential to such conduct already exists (bisexuals or latent homosexuals). Urbanization, domestication, alienating living conditions, sexual abuse, lack of opportunity to develop a healthy sex life with the opposite gender, group pressure, abuse of authority, as well as impaired judgment (e. g. by drugs) are all known or likely causes for temporary or reoccurring homosexual behavior in some (typically potentially bisexual) individuals that otherwise might have remained unaffected.

Contrary to the claims of certain gay and lesbian organizations that desire to draw attention and to gain influence, the rate of homosexuals seems to be rather low and stable. Academic studies seem to suggest that about every 50th person is homosexual. There seem to be more homosexual men (~2-4%) than women (~1%).

The brain of gay men differs significantly from the brain of straight men. Simon LeVay, then Associate Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological studies and Adjunct Professor of Biology at the University of California, showed that the nucleus of the hypothalamus which triggers male-typical sex behaviour was much smaller in the gay men and looked more like that in women.

He also discovered that the corpus callosum was significantly larger and bigger in gays than straight men. The corpus callosum is a very thick bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two brain halves. The expanded corpus callosum might lead to more holistic thought patterns, involving both brain halves to a larger extent, and might at least partly explain the superior IQ of gays who are estimated to score about a standard deviation (15 IQ points) higher than heterosexual men.

Since the culture revolution in the 60's, there exists a tendency to propagate homosexuality as an alternative life style. While homosexuals in former times were oppressed and persecuted, we are now witnessing the opposite tendency: the pretense that there be no social differences between hetero- and homosexual relationships. This lead to obscurities such as gay and lesbian marriages, the right of homosexual couples to adopt children, or the lowering of the legal age for homosexual relationships between a minor and an adult to fourteen years. Additionally, we are blessed with gay parades composed of naked queers, queers in S&M fashion, and queers in women's clothes, besides regular TV documentaries on gay group sex and gay fisting, presented by transvestites.

While such political measures are absurd and such cultural activities non-entertaining, I do not see a reason for homophobia either. Homosexuality as such always existed, is typically not a matter of choice, and is thus here to stay. While I see no need to propagate it, what people do in their private sleeping rooms is and should remain their business.

The list presented I rather consider a guideline to polite and humanistic conduct, an encouragement to accept what is, as well as an attempt to reduce unjustified prejudices. Not a single straight student will be converted to a homosexual by it. While I can understand the concern that students suffering from a temporary sexual disorientation could be given wrong advise by over-zealously politically correct teachers, I can also see the other, namely that students are mocked and excluded, encouraged to live a lie, and forced to deny what they feel. All this business would be unnecessary, of course, if the establishment would not push for a cataclysm of all values on the one hand, and people got a humanistic education on the other.

- Thorburn

[Milesian]

The fact that this was found on a religious forum really makes you wonder.
I remember watching a lesbian skinhead "minister" telling people on a debate show that "God loved everyone regardless". At that point I knew she had no training for her field of work at all.
I would love to have asked her to show me what basis she had for making that claim and how she explained things like Sodom and Gomorrah.

An interesting article on an interview with a rabbi who favoured the "Third Way" was speaking about Nothern Ireland said how he was sure that state schools will eventually be told that they cannot tell their pupils that homosexuality is a sin. At that time he said the only option will be for Protestants to do the same things as Catholics and build their own denominational school and for Catholics to reverse the trend of integrating into non-denominational ones.

The things being taught in schools in my area just now are absolutely revolting and unneeded by the children. Children in primary school are being taught about bondage and S&M, and being encourage to masturbate and explore their "homosexual tendencies" (ie those ones that were just placed in their heads upon hearing this crap).

I think I would feel more comfortable schooling my kids from home at this rate. They will grow up all too soon as it is without a bunch of perverts filling their heads with filth and debauchery before they've even reached puberty,

[Thorburn]

I remember watching a lesbian skinhead "minister" telling people on a debate show that "God loved everyone regardless". At that point I knew she had no training for her field of work at all.

That's only a short form of the Christian theology that God shall forgive all sins, if one only believes in Him, accepts the sacrifice of His son, and repents sincerely before one dies.

I would love to have asked her to show me what basis she had for making that claim and how she explained things like Sodom and Gomorrah.

During OT times, people were also purified by stoning, but these commands apply no longer to Christians. Breaking the crowd with the cry, "He who is free of sin shall throw the first stone!", Jesus sent the harlot home, asking her not to sin henceforth. The jealous, revengeful God of the OT was replaced by the loving, merciful God of the NT.

An interesting article on an interview with a rabbi who favoured the "Third Way" was speaking about Nothern Ireland said how he was sure that state schools will eventually be told that they cannot tell their pupils that homosexuality is a sin.

Homosexuals should ideally live in abstinence, as it is the nature (purpose) of the sexual organs to reproduce. Needless to say, that these standards are far too high for most people (in particular in this age of hedonism and nihilism where self-control and reason are ridiculed), similarly as the standard, only to have sex for the purpose of reproduction in a faithful elite bond dedicated to mutual assistance and the upbringing of the children (marriage) are far too high for (and unreached by) most heterosexuals.

The things being taught in schools in my area just now are absolutely revolting and unneeded by the children. Children in primary school are being taught about bondage and S&M, and being encourage to masturbate and explore their "homosexual tendencies" (ie those ones that were just placed in their heads upon hearing this crap).

The direction into which the Western civilization is steered, and the accelerating speed with which we are driven towards ever more decadence and perversion is fascinating. Who is behind it, cui bono, and for what purpose?

I think I would feel more comfortable schooling my kids from home at this rate. They will grow up all too soon as it is without a bunch of perverts filling their heads with filth and debauchery before they've even reached puberty,

Wait until your kids are taken from you and put into Socialist unity boarding schools, because you fill their li'l heads with "racist", "xenophobe", "anti-Semitic", "homophobe", "sexist" and "oppressive" propaganda. It's happening already in isolated cases.

- Thorburn

[Milesian]

That's only a short form of the Christian theology that God shall forgive all sins, if one only believes in Him, accepts the sacrifice of His son, and repents sincerely before one dies.

During OT times, people were also purified by stoning, but these commands apply no longer to Christians. Breaking the crowd with the cry, "He who is free of sin shall throw the first stone!", Jesus sent the harlot home, asking her not to sin henceforth. The jealous, revengeful God of the OT was replaced by the loving, merciful God of the NT.

Homosexuals should ideally live in abstinence, as it is the nature (purpose) of the sexual organs to reproduce. Needless to say, that these standards are far too high for most people (in particular in this age of hedonism and nihilism where self-control and reason are ridiculed), similarly as the standard, only to have sex for the purpose of reproduction in a faithful elite bond dedicated to mutual assistance and the upbringing of the children (marriage) are far too high for (and unreached by) most heterosexuals.

The direction into which the Western civilization is steered, and the accelerating speed with which we are driven towards ever more decadence and perversion is fascinating. Who is behind it, cui bono, and for what purpose?

Wait until your kids are taken from you and put into Socialist unity boarding schools, because you fill their li'l heads with "racist", "xenophobe", "anti-Semitic", "homophobe", "sexist" and "oppressive" propaganda. It's happening already in isolated cases.

- Thorburn

Good points, Thorburn,

These people obviously either don't know or simply ignore the important fact that sins can be forgiven only if the person is repentent and sincerely tries not to repeat them. If however the case me be that these people refuse to see anything wrong with their actions, aren't sorry for them but actually are proud and revel in them, then there will not be forgiveness for them. They aren't asking for forgiveness because they don't consider anything to be wrong.

Yes, God's attitudes in the NT include a greater sense of forgiveness.
However, there is no question that this kind of behaviour is still condemned. It is reffered to on quite a few occasions as "sexual immorailty".

I agree that people who have homosexual tendencies should definately live a life of abstinence. I'm quite sure there has always been homosexuals in the clergy as it actually makes sense. They could become respected members of their society while at the same time living in enforced abstinence. As long as they aren't breaking those vows or teaching that those feeligs are okay, then it seems a good solution. If someone has genuine homosexual impulses, yet accepts they are wrong and refuses to act on them, then I can respect such a person. Unfortunately, today's society encourages them to believe they have a gift to be celebrated and flaunted rather than a condition which needs help.
Western civilisation is certainly being steered in the wrong direction.
For me, already have my culprit behind it. For secularists and aethiests, I guess they must try to reach another decision by themselves as to who or what is responsible. Needless to say, there seems to be a great and persistent intelligence and focus driving it.

As for my future kids, I do worry a great deal about what the future may hold for them. It is tempting to think that perhaps it is better not to bring children into the modern world, many people I know have expressed that feeling. However, I think you have to live in hope. IMO, if the world is going to get better, it is going to get a lot worse beforehand. Hard to believe, I know, but I think we've still got a long way to sink yet, unfortunately.
Whatever happens, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to raise my children properly, instilling proper respect for themselves and others, an appreciation for goodness and morality, to value themselves, to imbue them with a sense of willpower and being able to rise above the filth, moral decay and spiritual bankruptcy around them, and guard them as much as possible against the poisoning and corrupting influence of our society. After that, it is upto them what they do, but at least I will have done my part in giving them a good foundation with which to build their lives.

[cosmocreator]

Homosexuality always existed. It existed at all times, in all societies, and under all environments in spite of rigorous attempts to prevent homosexual conduct and to punish homosexuals. They were tortured, shot and stoned to death, and such measures are still applied in some countries such as Iran, the Sudan and Nigeria. None of these measures ever eliminated the basic phenomenon of homosexuality or reduced its rate significantly.

Homosexuality is a multifacetted phenomenon triggered by a combination of different causes. The exposure of a male foetus' brain to low levels of testosterone or high levels of oestrogen during pregnancy is believed to be a hormonal cause for gayism. There is also evidence that a specific gene carried on the maternal line has an influence on the sexual orientation in men.
...

- Thorburn

So what do you suggest? Do you desire that they be treated like equals to heterosexuals? That it's not their fault that they are homosexuals the same way it's not the fault of a retard being born a retard.

[Imperator X]

I have no problem with gays, but I do think a couple of those 'rules' or whatever are going over the top. Particularly #7. WTF would they have to bring up the sexuality of the individual at all? I think sexuality is ultimately a private matter and should only be discussed with people who don't mind the topic.

As for the people who promote "abstainance" for gay people. What? are you telling me Heterosexuals don't have sex for fun and should only use it for reproduction? What if you had to abstain from sex and only use it for reproduction? It would be needless torture because I believe 2 people should be able to be intimate with one another and if that isn't allowed then people gay or straight, are being deprived of probably the most wonderful experience one can have as a worldly person. (Saints, Buddhas, and religious ascetics notwithstanding.)