“Before a judge and a jury, anti-gay charges are presented by more than a dozen public figures who have attacked God’s gay children in television specials and on nationally distributed video tapes. The most recent biblical, medical, psychiatric, psychological, and scientific evidence is presented to combat the myths and lies often used against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons by anti-gay religious leaders and institutions. Come and hear the evidence and decide for yourself!” via SoulForce.org

Homosexuality On Trial in 11 Parts with 9 Charges

1. COURTROOM INTRODUCTION
2. Homosexuals Are Sick
3. Homosexuals Are Sinful
4. Homosexuals Are A Threat To Society
5. Homosexuals Are A Threat To Marriage And Family
6. Homosexuals Are A Threat To The Church
7. Homosexuals Should Be Banned In The Military
8. Homosexuals Use Sex Education Classes To Mislead And Recruit
9. Homosexuals Demand Special Rights
10. Homosexuals Choose This Tragic, Ungodly Lifestyle
11. JURY’S VERDICTS

Gay Rights Media presents this SoulForce advocacy video solely as a public service and has no affiliation with Mel White or SoulForce. Donate to SoulForce.

(By the way, Exodus Chapter 21 could be called ‘The 35 Commandments of Slaveholding’. Check it out. Anyone out there in the blogosphere ever heard a sermon in a mainstream church based on that bit of ‘infallible’ text? Doubt it.)

I see how popular these yard signs have become and wonder at people’s motivation for posting them. Perhaps they’re a part of a vast Christian Fundamentalist propaganda mobilization effort. But I’m being a little silly there. Or am I?

I attribute their poplularity with the bizarre End Times delusion held by many Evangelical Christians who’ve been reading those Tim LeHaye ‘Left Behind’ books. Don’t know much about the ‘Left Behind’ series? Read Michelle Goldberg’s article Fundamentally Unsound, Nicholas Kristof’s Jesus and Jihad or Apocalypse (Almost) Now, or Craig Under’s American ‘Rapture’. Frightening insane stuff. Basically, if you’re not a fetus or an Evangelical Christian, you won’t be going with them to Heaven (you know, that place that motivates jihadists to blow themselves up) but rather ….. drum roll please …. you’ll be left behind to suffer horribly on Earth and in Hell (you know, that place used to scare children into nonsensical supernatural beliefs).

So, you see, I think these yard signs are placed as a somewhat subtle reminder to all motorists passing by that if they haven’t yet been saved (and part of being saved is believing in the infallability of the Bible) they risk being left behind. Also, and I think this is just as motivating, it’s a wink to other Christian Fundamentalist neighbors signaling: “Hey, we’ll see you there!” (‘there’ being Heaven of course).

Beyond all the wishful magical thinking afterlife crap and for those wishing a little sensible ethical guidance, here follow some alternative yard sign suggestions:

The Real 10 Commandments (Solon the Athenian, 594 B.C.E.)

• Trust good character more than promises.
• Do not speak falsely.
• Do good things.
• Do not be hasty in making friends, but do not abandon them once made.
• Learn to obey before you command.
• When giving advice, do not recommend what is most pleasing, but what is most useful.
• Make reason your supreme commander.
• Do not associate with people who do bad things.
• Honor the gods.
• Have regard for your parents.

The Paradoxical Commandments (Dr. Kent M. Keith)

• People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
• If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
• If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
• The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
• Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
• The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
• People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
• What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
• People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
• Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.

The Ethical Atheist’s Commandments

• Thou shalt not believe all thou art told.
• Thou shalt seek knowledge and truth constantly.
• Thou shalt educate thy fellow man in the Laws of Science.
• Thou shalt not forget the atrocities committed in the name of god.
• Thou shalt leave valuable contributions for future generations.
• Thou shalt live in peace with thy fellow man.
• Thou shalt live this one life thou hast to its fullest.
• Thou shalt follow a Personal Code of Ethics.
• Thou shalt maintain a strict separation between Church and State.
• Thou shalt support those who follow these commandments.

The Nine Commandments (Mark Isaak)

• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• Recognize and respect differences of taste, custom, and belief that don’t affect you directly.
• Don’t blame others before you have seen to your own faults. The most effective form of moral teaching is personal example.
• Know thyself.
• Seek good companions.
• Find a faith that is stronger than fear and allows comfort with uncertainty. Be actively grateful and enjoy life.
• Get real. Don’t misrepresent reality to yourself or others.
• Strive regularly to improve your morals with study and active practice. Don’t pretend this is easy, but remember that doing so will generally benefit you even more than those around you.
• Recognize that no set of rules, including these, can be universal and infallible. Be guided not by these literal words, but by the spirit behind them.

The Eightfold Path (Siddhartha Gautama)

• Right View
• Right Intention
• Right Speech
• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration

The Seven Suggestions (QVF)

• Be Honest
• Be Fair
• Be Responsible
• Be Educated
• Be Polite
• Be Rational
• Be Healthy

Given the statistical nature of intersex conditions in newborns, it is easy to understand that biological factors still not clearly understood (see What Makes People Gay) are at play when some children turn out less masculinized (i.e. gay) and less feminized (i.e. lesbian) or even somewhere in between (i.e. bisexual).

It doesn’t matter what causes some people to feel they are fundamentally oriented differently than heterosexuals. We all begin in the womb as the female chromosome. About half then masculinize for the male chromosome is introduced. Along the way, different levels of hormones bathe the brain and cause greater or lesser masculinization or feminization depending upon a myriad of factors including those initial chromosomes. It is all a rather delicate process existing along a spectrum. And yes, this includes our sexuality.

But no matter how many gay and lesbian people speak out and witness to the simple truth of their lives – that we are whole just as we are – there will always be those like the Christian Fundamentalist who will seek to denigrate and slander us.

Why? Our unapologetic demand to be treated as whole intact human beings deserving of the same rights and priveleges as all other citizens in good standing challenges the authority of their Orthodoxy. Gay people who live their lives with dignity by refusing to be treated or spoken about as inferior inauthentic people are branded militants and extremists. Absurd!

Any gay person who buys into the Fundamentalist crap about ‘hate the sin love the sinner’ or ‘homosexuality is a behavior not an orientation’ has tragically become lost in the misinformation and brainwashing ferverntly being spread by Evangelicals and thier networks. Realizing one is gay and understanding one’s basic dignity and self-worth are difficult enough without all the wicked anti-gay Fundamentalist Fascists out there telling the gay teen they are no different than a rapist or alcoholic in need of reform. The worst part is the Ex-Gay movement and the immense suffering and confusion they are causing to gay teens who often have no fact-based positive information let alone support from family and friends. Thankfully, other communities of faith have not succumbed to the righteous irrational hysteria of the Fundamentalists and have welcomed gay people and their families in the knowledge that communities of inclusion and diversity are healing and exactly what many troubled gay teens desperately need.

And yet the march of the cowards continues as otherwise good well-meaning people refuse to see the humanity of their gay family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. Just as with my own family members who defiantly remain racist, these stubbornly prideful anti-gay Fundamentalists persist yet, hopefully, will soon fade to the margins of an evolving society.

Sally and Jerry will likely have no problem finding a new generation of irrational haters to showcase given the great number of Evangelical and Catholic Fundamentalist Anti-Gay Crusaders.

***

In recent days, [...] newspapers have reported on the proceedings of the United Church of Christ General Synod in regard to a resolution that was before it. This resolution supports full legal and religious marriage equality for same-sex couples.

This was voted on by the delegates of the synod, and it passed.

As pastor of a local United Church of Christ church, I would like to clarify what this vote means for us as church members and what it does not mean.

First, the United Church of Christ is a Christian denomination firmly grounded in the teaching and example of Jesus. Included in our statement of faith is the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as our crucified and risen savior.

As believers we are called “to accept the cost and joy of discipleship” and “to proclaim the gospel to all the world.” So no one should be confused about this.

Statements made to the press indicating that the United Church of Christ is not true to the teaching of Jesus are simply irresponsible and wrong.

Second, there are different ways to interpret Jesus’ teaching, and this takes prayerful study on the part of people in all Christian churches.

There is no record in the Bible of Jesus speaking about homosexuality. We don’t know his views on this or even if he had any views on it.

In that respect, this issue may fall in the same category as nuclear energy, global warming or women in ministry. Jesus’ teaching certainly gives guidance on these things. It helps us evaluate and decide on these matters. But they were not the major issues of Jesus’ culture and day.

Third, Jesus did teach about marriage. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus is remembered to have said that if a man “divorces his wife and marries another, he commits adultery against her.” There are no exceptions noted.

But in the gospel of Matthew, he is remembered to have said “whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery.”

So which is it? Which of these did Jesus say?

And if biblical literalists insist that he said both, then the question is, “Well, which one did he mean?” Obviously, he was talking about faithfulness in relationship.

Some Christians today say that it is a sin for a married person to divorce his or her spouse. But other Christians point out that some marriages are so abusive or dysfunctional that it is more of a sin to stay married than to divorce.

Likewise, some Christians today say that only a man and a woman can be married. Others know of faithful loving relationships between same-sex couples and ask why it wouldn’t be consistent with the teaching of Jesus to grant these relationships the sanctity of marriage.

At the very least, there should be genuine, respectful conversation on these issues among Christians, with some leeway for differences of interpretation.

Finally, in regard to the polity of the United Church of Christ, I want to emphasize that the United Church of Christ is not a hierarchy. There is no person or group at the national level who tells local churches what to believe.

Churches are encouraged to study these issues and the denomination provides excellent resources for study. But it is the local United Church of Christ church that ultimately decides which interpretation seems faithful to them and abides by that.

(The Rev. Dr. Diane Prosser is pastor of Faith United Church of Christ in State College, Pennsylvania.)

At the Clifton Center, before she spoke, we watched an excerpt of one of her documentaries which, in response to the corporate media dominating and propagandizing our airwaves, asks the question, “How would state controlled media be any different?” Not much it turns out. Although Fox News is the worst of the bunch, MSNBC, CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS and even the PBS Newshour are little different in that they all pretty much serve the same few elite. Along with local television news and national talk radio, they march to the beat of corporate agendas which seek to indoctrinate conformity while demonizing dissent which conflicts with their bottom line or conservative ideologies.

One blatant example of U.S. corporate media not serving the public interest (reminiscent of the old Soviet state media) focused on the fall of Baghdad to the U.S. military – specifically the famous toppling of the statue of Saddam. CNN repeatedly, throughout that day, showed the statue falling and the exultant reactions of the people in the square. However, on CNN International (CNN’s sister station broadcasting outside of the U.S.) the same scene was also shown, but alongside it – splitscreen – were images of the civilian casualties, mostly women and children, as a result of the supposedly kinder gentler ‘precision’ bombs dropped during Shock and Awe. On Cnn (America) you got a filtered version meant to pump up the patriotism and promote the war effort in general. On CNN International you got the full reality of that moment and part of the price that had been paid in getting there.

Remember these are both CNN channels so they knew exactly what they were doing in their editing. Aaron Brown, an anchor for CNN, later explained that the photos of casualties were considered too tasteless for airing (to americans). Tasteless?!? Where does taste come into war? Innocent women and children had been horrifically blown up or burned as part of our decision to invade a country. The news media ought to show us the full consequence of that choice. If we are for the war, we ought to expect to suffer the images of what that means and not be sheltered from its ravages.

Unfortunately, reporting on ‘collateral damage’ as they say doesn’t serve the Pentagon’s agenda and nor does it serve the agenda of the corporate media, who wished to remain in bed, I mean, embedded with them. Therefore the media treated the war like a video game or dramatic made-for-tv movie in which a ‘general audience’ is always kept in mind. Don’t upset the children!

This is absurd, outrageous and irresponsible. A nation at war — and especially one fought far away — ought to bare the reality of that war, at the very least, by seeing up-close what it means for those fighting or living through it: pain, suffering, misery, gore, torture, humiliation and death. The media ought to serve the public interest by giving us the full story, the full view, the full reality. As Amy Goodman likes to say, the media ought to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. It ought to serve as a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, especially those (american and iraqi) involved in a war not of their choosing.

After 9/11, Americans quickly succumbed to war fever. I, too, found myself intoxicated with the idea of action and retribution. The patriotic fervor illicited by that statue’s fall (remember the U.S. flag draped briefly over the head) and all it symbolically represented I felt. It was exactly what the Pentagon and their propaganda machine wanted. And what was the Pentagon’s propaganda machine? Why the embedded U.S. coporate media of course.

It’s only now, in retrospect, that I begin to understand how manipulated I was by the media and how subservient they were to the Pentagon. But of course, I was complicit in their plan to have their war by not questioning their reasons as outlined by President Bush. Fifteen of the hijackers were Saudi and here we were invading Iraq preemptively! At the time, it all made sense. I wanted a war. They gave me a war. Who we invaded was of little concern to my adrenaline-seeking, television-news-addicted, unquestioning-patriotic self. How naive I was. But it was my first real war afterall. I wasn’t prepared; the Pentagon was. Next time I’ll know better.

I have great sympathy and respect for those soldiers fighting, dying, losing limbs and faces, building infrastructure and training security forces in Iraq. I wish them a speedy return home and that Iraqis themselves will soon know peace and stability. I can’t say ‘I hope we win the war’ for I no longer know what that means given the whole ‘mission accomplished’ fiasco. I do hope the NeoCons are swept from power and that more moderate leaders prevail in this country. Otherwise I fear more of the same as irrational ideologies direct political agendas towards foolish wars elsewhere while the corporate media lap dogs follow close behind.

Thoughtfully,
Patrick

Recently, I skimmed a discussion thread between an evangelical christian and a non-evangelical gay person regarding salvation, sin, god and of course homosexualtiy. The gay person was trying to reason with the evangelical while the evangelical was trying to exorcise the gay man. It was all rather insane.

After all their back and forth it seemed apparent that nothing was being achieved. But I did find, at least, that both – at some deep deep infinitesimal level – were interested in confronting similar phenomena: the mysteries of birth, life and death; and the desires to improve oneself, to make sense of the world, to find hope in tragedy, to work together more harmoniously and to be more compassionate.

Well maybe they weren’t really interested in any of that but, well, I am. So I got to thinking about something I read the other day that really seemed to be worded well. It was merely two small paragraphs from Stephen Batchelor’s Buddhism Without Beliefs but those few sentences revealed, I think, a lot of insight into the dangers of losing oneself in irresponsible religion. Here follow those two paragraphs (paraphrased a bit):

“…the danger though is allowing these noble human desires to mutate into fantasies of moral superiority. Exhilarated by the outpouring of selfless altruism toward others, we may come to believe that we are their savior. We find ourself humbly assuming the identity of one who has ben singled out by destiny to heal the sorrows of the world and show the way to reconciliation, peace and salvation.

When subverted in this way, compassion exposes us to the danger of messianic and narcissistic inflation. Once inflation has taken hold — particularly when endorsed by supporters and admirers — it becomes notoriously difficult to see though it.”

After reading these two paragraphs I thought the following:

We can recognize these ‘inflated saviours’ by the incredibly preposterous arguments to which they always resort. Luckily these supposed arguments mostly deflate to the following absurd exhortations:

• CAUSE I SAY SO!
• CAUSE THEY SAY SO!
• CAUSE IT’S WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK.
• CAUSE LOTS OF PEOPLE BELIEVE IT’S TRUE.
• CAUSE GOD SPOKE TO ME SO I KNOW AND YOU DON’T.
• CAUSE THAT’S JUST THE DEVIL PUTTING DOUBT IN YOUR HEAD.
• CAUSE I FELT A REAL GOOD FEELING ONCE SO THAT PROVES IT.
• CAUSE A BUNCH A BIG PEOPLE TOLD ME SO WHEN I WAS A KID.
• CAUSE YOU’RE LOST.
• CAUSE OTHERWISE YOU’RE GONNA GO TO HELL!!! TERROR!!!! MISERY!!! PAIN!!! EVERLASTING TORMENT!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!

It’s a common danger that man’s most powerful tool, the mind, can be usurped by charismatics preaching comfort, consolation and justification for all sorts of subjective claptrap. Don’t bother with this superstitious, mind-warping, medieval boogeyman vs. santa claus mythology.

Thankfully that silliness does not diminish the mystery of life, its beauty, its potential for grace, and its capactiy for wonderful wise compassionate human beings. I suggest humbly to keep on believing in today’s gift and tomorrow’s potential for the mystery that is human existence is too large for any of the silly nonsense with which man has tried to capture it so far.

Shame on that segment of the black community which falsely believe they alone are entitled to civil rights and the demand for equality under the law. It is even more egregious when leaders of the black community purport to speak on behalf of God and morality. They do not, in fact, speak on behalf of God; rather, they speak on behalf of their own ignorance and poor judgement.

Great anger I feel toward those who use the power of their pulpit and the false illusion that they are somehow messengers of God’s will to promote hatred, marginilazation and vilification of a small minority of homosexuals in this country. We homosexuals simply want equality under the law.

The argument that to sanction the legalization of same-sex marriage would be disastrous for society and families is a specious one. This argument is built fundamentally on the belief that same-sex partnerships are impure whereas heterosexual partnerships are pure. This is why the phrase ‘sanctity of marriage’ is no better and no less evil than the phrase ‘purity of race’ was. Both promote the superiority of one group of people over another.

Also, the argument that homosexuality is a behavior and not an inborn innate characteristic is outrageously fallacious. Those who promote this ‘behavior argument’ say that whereas blacks could never choose not to be black – gays could choose not to be gay. This is an attractive and powerfully seductive spin on the choices some minorities make when trying to live along a hostile unwelcoming majority. Time and again, black or gay, some who could pass for white or straight have chosen to do just that. Even some women who desired to be educated found it necessary to pass as men in order to partake in rights and priveleges not offered to them because of inequalities and injustices in the societal beliefs of their time.

The light skinned black family who chose to pass as white during the time of segregation in order to avoid certain injustices and cruelties obviously does not add weight to the argument that being black is a choice or behavior. Likewise, the gay man or woman who chooses to pass as a heterosexual in order to avoid certain injustices and cruelties does not add weight to the argument that being gay is a choice or behavior. When possible, some people simply choose to fit in over all other considerations.

And to the idea that same-sex marriage would be against ‘God’s plan’ – as some churches would have their congregants believe – I say this line of argument is itself evil, immoral and shameful and ought to be fought against mightily by gay and straight alike. Promoting the denigration of a small group of people in the name of God is itself one of the most arrogant, false, and delusional uses of the power of faith that exists. Yet time and time again, history shows that organized religion misuses its influence.

Instead of being on the forefront of enlightening their flock to the diversity of the world and its ever changing mystery, organized religion has forcefully resisted new information and ideas. Organized religion, over and over throughout history, has fought vehemently against those who dare to question its perfection and authority.

Ultimately, it is rather absurd that so many continue to ignore history’s lessons as they apply to the willingness of men to use the power of organized religion to promote their own prejudices and opinions as gospel truth divinely inspired from on high. This temptation to transform evil into righteousness by cleverly invoking the name of God is just as powerful and abused today as it was millenia ago.

Kentucky and US Citizens: vote no to the state and national constitutional amendments which seek to enshrine into law the segregation of the homosexual as inferior, second-class and unequal.

Also see: Throw Rice Not Stones & Shame.org