1) I disagree. It doesn't make you oppressed if people don't take you seriously.

2) No, actually. I'm putting the Moral Majority/Falwell followers in their own category. Read it again.

3) You asked why the 10 commandments aren't in public places when historical art is. I was differentiating the former from the latter.

4) Born that way or not, (an irrelevant point) I was explaining that as long as conservative christians.... I think I can digress and define them, the ones who think gay people are abominations, as a group continue to do so, there will always be mutual fear.

Case in point, your last sentence. Someone who reasons with a person's homophobia by using the religion they may rely on as a basis for it as an argument is doing so as a rational person.

Homophobia is irrational by definition. Let's imagine a seemingly straight person, a Baptist from Alabama for example, has a gay experience and really likes it and decides to play for the other team from now on. a) That's not the responsibility of the person they fooled around with and b) it doesn't makes them any less Christian! Sexual orientation is not a threat to religion the way religion is perceived threatening to atheism or other perceived deviant beliefs. Therefore, gay people can't try to "save" Christians- only homophobes who justify their fear with the Bible. I mean, the passages of the Bible that supposedly mention homosexuality are viewed by most Biblical scholars to be misinterpretations anyway.

I'm done with this thread because I feel like I'm talking to a refrigerator. You win, Kevin.

Windom Evans

Well...the argument that because I personally felt some threat or discomfort by 1 particular individual, doesn't mean I can expand that to ALL individuals of his shared religion...and then it would be grossly irresponsible to then try and compare the threat that group poses to the world based upon my small personal experience.

ie. 2rainbows claiming she/he felt more threatened by christians because of personal experience is then extrapolated to be a statement that christians pose more of a threat than fundamentalist muslims...which is crazy talk.

The fundamentals of Christ's life (and his teachings for christians to follow) were:

- love each other, and look after each other.

- love non-christians too.

- pay special attention to the needs of the poor, sick and underprivileged.

A fundamentalist christian to me is someone who makes these commandments his/her lifestyle.  They are generous and regular givers, they may also devote considerable time to helping the needy, they have a soft heart for the underprivileged, they treat other christians like family, and they have a love for all people.  They walk the walk of christianity rather than just talking the talk.  These attributes accurately describe many/most people at my church - they're not just "Sunday christians" who show up to hear a sermon and sing some songs - they live it all week.

A fundamentalist muslim is one who takes literally the commandments of the koran and muhhamad.  They also base their actions on the actions of their spiritual leader.  Problem is...Muhammad was a bloodthirsty sucker, quite comfortable to have people beheaded, enslaved, or just executed simply for speaking against him.  It is his teachings and example that fundamentalist muslims repeat - word for word - when committing terrorist acts.  This isn't idle speculation about their motives - they leave letters, photos and even video footage telling you why they commit their heinous acts.

To compare fundamentalist christians and fundamentalist muslims is somewhat a sad joke imho, and speaks to a profound ignorance I wouldn't expect to see on this forum.  If you are homosexual, then you might be uncomfortable with the fact that most christians aren't comfortable with that behaviour, and you may even hear comments to that effect...however, should you choose to live in Afghanistan or Iran, you may well find yourself killed instead, just for being homosexual.  Still comparing the two...?

It is awesome that you said talking to me is like talking to a refrigerator. Someone once asked me if I was something in the kitchen what would I want to be and I said a refrigerator and my second choice was a knife.  Anyway, I was thinking about you today and that I have been too rough on you.  I just want to say I am sorry.  I have had fun though.  I hope there is no hard feelings between us.  And I am going to try to post more postive things in the future, can't promise people will not get mad.  I wanted some more action on this board.  It seemed to be dying.  Anyway, take care and God Bless you.  Let me know any prayers you have at anytime.  And I will not pray mean things even though some of the things I posted seem mean.  I want you to be healed, well, and blessed in what ever you decide to do.  God Bless you!