Christians (and non-Christians), help stop the hatred ad bigotry?

Question

DON'T worry too much about what you should say to people who are gay or lesbian. Just follow Jesus' advice when He said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Treat them like you would anyone else.

DON'T talk or think about gay and lesbian people as though they were all the same. There are gay and lesbian Republicans, Democrats, and others who don't vote at all, just like in the heterosexual population. A few gay people are "radical" while most others are as mainstream as apple pie. Some gays and lesbians are alike, others are not alike at all.

DO spend some time to talk to gay and lesbian people. Drop your fear of them. At first, a simple "hello, how are you" may be your goal. Afterwards, you may want to get to know more gay and lesbian people personally and invite them into your life and home.

DO try to put yourself into the shoes of a gay or lesbian person as best you can. Imagine how you would feel if many churches, Senators, House Representatives, Presidential candidates, music and sports stars condemned you for simply loving the "wrong" gender.

DON'T think of gay and lesbian people in the context of sex. Being gay or lesbian is not about having sex or about "behavior". Being gay is about being attracted to the same gender.

DON'T bear false witness against your gay and lesbian neighbors. When you hear other people claim that gay people are a danger to children, or that they want to subvert our Christian values, ask them how they know that and then inform them that they are completely wrong.

DO realize that stereotyping is bearing false witness against your neighbor. Just as it is easy to find a straight person doing something wrong, it is just as easy to find a gay or lesbian person who is doing something wrong. Not all gay people are nice folk, just like all heterosexual people aren't nice, either. Don't let one bad experience with a gay or lesbian person define the millions of us that are living decent, moral lives.

DON'T accept the lie that gay and lesbian people are against "family values". Gay and lesbian people have families, too. They want the same things for their children and loved ones that you want for yours.

DON'T support ministers that bear false witness against their gay and lesbian neighbors. Confront those ministers personally, face to face, if possible, and tell them that the things they say about gay and lesbian people are absolutely wrong.

DO understand that lots of people like to use the Bible to try to lend legitimacy to their already pre-existing views. Understand that just because someone is quoting the Bible doesn't mean that their interpretation or use of the scripture is true.

DO understand that only God, not Dr. Falwell or anyone else, can judge.

DO understand that no one is perfect when it comes to the interpretation of the Holy Bible. Just because someone says that they believe that the Bible is the "inerrant" Word of God does not mean that their interpretation is inerrant.

DON'T just accept what anyone says about gay and lesbian people. When a minister says, "I have witnessed thousands of people who have left the 'gay lifestyle'..." confront him directly. Ask him to show you who and where all of these people are. ASK TO RECEIVE THE NAMES OF THESE THOUSANDS.

DON'T just sit by when you witness verbal gay bashing. If you are at a party and you hear an anti-gay joke or comment, get everyone's attention and let people know that you value gay and lesbian people in your life and that you do not wish to hear such things.

DO understand that gay and lesbian people are not the ones who need to change. It is the bigot who pawns his prejudiced beliefs off on the Bible who needs to change.

DO believe us when we tell you that we did not choose to be gay. Also understand that even if we did choose it, there is nothing wrong with loving someone of the same gender. What the world needs is more loving going on, not less.

DO believe that love, honesty, commitment and caring, not gender, makes a family a family.

DO remember the words of Jesus Christ when He said, "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you: who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:12, NIV)

DON'T think that it is better to be straight than to be gay. Understand that everyone has a different experience in life, and that you should never judge anyone until you've walked a mile in their moccasins.

DON'T be afraid to send letters, emails, faxes, or to make phone calls to ministers, politicians, or to anyone else who expresses misinformation about gay people.

DO understand that you can never go wrong by treating a fellow human being with dignity. Merely disagreeing with someone in no way gives any of us the right to treat that person with any less respect than we would treat someone with whom we did agree.

And remember: "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
(1 John 4:8, NKJV)"

So the question is: How many people are willing to stop using our Lord as a means to ridicule and hate others?

Answer 1

Amen.

You, my friend, get a star. We need more people like you in this world.

Answer 2

Very interesting question. First, do not lump all atheists into one stereotypical category. Obviously, every group of belief system will have intolerant and radical views. But is atheism inherently intolerant? NO. Are a lot of atheists intolerant? Yes, sometimes. Everyone thinks that they know what is right, relating to after death or the supernatural etc. But noone actually knows what is right, or at least KNOWS for sure that they know they are right, you just CANNOT know. So everyone expresses what they THINK might be right, and in some ways it may appear intolerant or other views. Some of the quotes you used from the Bible almost come across as being intolerant. "Whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death." I do not know what your personal view would be, but following this literally would cause non-believers to cite you for hatred or promoting violence. I don't see it that way. Though I don't believe that statement is true either. So to answer your question, some people on Yahoo answers (believers or non-believers) can be guilty of these things.

Answer 3

1. Many more individuals are born than can possibly survive, thus there is competition for limited resources

2. Within this vast number there is variation, and because of this variation some of these individuals will have an advantage--however slight--over others

3. The ones who have the advantages are more competitive and thus they are more likely to obtain the limited resources

4. The ones who are succeeding in securing the limited resources are more likely to reproduce and thus pass onto their offspring the more competitive traits

Darwin

Answer 4

Homosexual people are people just like heterosexual people. Where christians have a problem with that lifestyle is simply this. Homosexuals are living in what the bible refers to as sexual immorality, and they don't feel it is a sin against God. Everyone sins against God, right? The difference is that christians are supposed to realize they are sinning and try to stop that behavior. Homosexuals don't consider their lifestyle a sin, and therefor see no reason to try and alter their behavior. Christians should love their homosexual neighbors, but they should rightly see them as living in sin against God. Homosexuals should not be excluded from church or anything else for that matter. However, christians should continue to lovingly point out that the homosexual lifestlye is a sin against God

Answer 5

Actually, homosexuality is about behavior, at least, from a biblical perspective. I don't care who someone is attracted to, but God does say that homosexual behavior is sinful, it's against His design for sex and marriage, therefore, I'm against it. Yes, the issue is about behavior. I agree attractions are hard, if not impossible, to change, but that isn't the issue I have, it's with the behavior. Don't try to redefine homosexuality to make it more acceptable. A homosexual is someone who engages in homosexual behavior, the term has been redefined to include homosexual attractions to make the behavior more acceptable.

I have no objection to anything but their behavior, since that's the only objection God has. But, there is forgiveness for all (including me, thankfully), and so I want to try to display compassion and kindness to them as I would anyone else.

Answer 6

Greatly said. I treat gay people the same because, well, they ARE human beings. They are sweet, funny, dumb, evil, loving, greedy,caring, compassionate, angry, etc. like any straight person can be.
The only difference is in the bedroom. Just as long as someone has a good personality is all we should care about.

Answer 7

Live how you'd like, but live good, and respect others. Forgiveness is key. Don't worry about death or the afterlife or religion. All religion does is start wars and hate crimes. Just lead a good life and enjoy : ). Drugs are alright, as long as you don't harm others. Anything you want to do is fine, so long as you don't harm others. Love life.

Answer 8

wow, im sooooooo happy to find someone who cares. My uncle and a really good friend of my sister's are gay. They are some of the nicest people i no. thank u for their support

Answer 9

Is there a question here somewhere. I thought this was Yahoo Answers, not Yahoo Pontificate. I totally understand and value your opinion and all but it erks me when people use this forum as a soapbox.

Answer 10

i think gays are funny
i think lesbiennes are hott
i know im staright and happy