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If you're religious -
do you feel comfortable working or living with people of a different religion and
getting along, or do you feel guilty?
There's a balance to everything. Not everyone under the same religious 'banner'
will say the same thing when asked about their beliefs. Of course they will be
similar, but for me personally - there are and have been people in my own
religion with whose beliefs I feel extremely uncomfortable, and I would be far
more uncomfortable with those than anything any other religious practices,
within reason, could involve.
It's a difficult question. I believe that we are not gods and can't possibly
have the right to condemn someone else's beliefs, because it is their choice,
and we aren't all-knowing beings. I know that the only person who I have control
over is me, and I can only decide what is right or wrong about my own beliefs. I
wouldn't judge someone else's beliefs in the same way. I just don't have the right,
and I respect any person for having a belief which you are happy with. It's just
not right to be condescending like that with another intelligent human being. I know
how much I would hate having the same done to me - it has been done before to
me, and it hurts.
On the other hand, if a person committed a violent act against a homosexual person
for no reason other than their sexuality, I would feel morally obliged to do something
about it, because that's something I feel strongly about. That's when it goes too far -
it becomes a case of perverting and using religion as an excuse to hurt someone else for
something that they can't control, and shouldn't have to control. Enough of that
happens in the world, and enough people have died because of it.
I basically believe that no one has the right to put down someone else's
religious beliefs, because they are entitled to them. I would then expect the
same treatment from someone else, no matter what their religion.
I know a lot of my fellow Christians will argue that the Bible dictates that
being gay is wrong, but I don't agree with this at all. I was
brought up going to church. I am a Christian. I think the most important message
that we have been given from God is to love each other. Jesus gave us the two
commandments, "love God above all else" and "love your neighbour as
yourself," and I personally believe that being a Christian means loving and
accepting everyone, no matter who or what they are. After all, how can you love your
neighbour as yourself if you regularly say that it is wrong for them to be who they
are? I think that discriminating against homosexuals is deliberately going against what
God wants us to do.
I think the main reason why homosexuals are shunned in modern society is because
not enough people understand them. I am well aware that a lot of this
discrimination emanates from the Christian church. It's basically the classic
pattern of discrimination which has continued and involved throughout history -
i.e. with women, with the poor, with ethnic minorities.
So, why do right-minded Christians believe that it is wrong to be gay? The fact
is, it's impossible to have the right to judge whether or not it is right to be
gay when you are not gay. If you are straight, you don't love the same way. And
vice versa. Naturally then, you would not be attracted by the same people, and
homosexuality would seem strange and unattractive. This is NOT the issue - this
is about justice and fairness, not personal preference of those whom this issue
does not directly affect. I have noticed that many Christians who say
'homosexuality is wrong' have never even talked to a homosexual person, let
alone asked them how they felt in themselves. I don't think they care.
I'm different in this matter. I have several gay friends, and we have
interesting discussions on this topic. They may not share my beliefs, and I may
not share their sexuality, but that makes no difference; because what we have in
common is more important - we're human beings, and mutual respect is paramount.
Without it, what would the world be like? Little glimpses are seen of this every
day, and it always ends in pain and suffering, and in the suppression of the
weak.
I've realised that gay and bisexual people are wonderful human beings who
deserve the same rights in society as anyone else. They are not brain damaged or
mentally ill. They are not perverts. They are not paedophiles or rapists. They
are not evil. They definitely do not deserve the abuse that a lot of people give
them for simply being who they are. Being gay is a state of being, and not a
preference, or a choice of lifestyle. Christians, and true followers of any
religion would say the same of their beliefs. If it was simply a choice, a whim
- why would so many homosexual, bisexual, transgender people and open-minded
heterosexuals such as myself risk their personal reputation, the respect of
their friends, their livelihoods - even their lives - over a choice?
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