I have been "out" for well over twenty years and have had exposure to those people and have found that often those people who ascribe to that belief are homophobic and often do not truly understand gays nor are they geniune in their good intentions.
2007-10-14 18:09:55 · 9 answers · asked by chinavagabond94122 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
It is a way of luring homosexuals/bisexuals who are troubled about their sexuality. The groups you refer to are exgay ministries who advertise along the lines of "find freedom from homosexuality" and then welcome you with open arms.
Such words are what a troubled gay/bisexual person wants to hear. The groups know this hence why their "pitcher plant" technique is successful. If the groups openly preached hatred of homosexuals then they wouldn't get any members!!
For some groups: Once you're in, their true colours come out. They are religious extremists who exploit one's religious beliefs and induce fear and self-hatred to motivate their members into complying with the rules i.e. you don't engage in homosexuality.
Emotional blackmail techniques such as "sin and you're turning your back on God and following the devil" are mostly used. Their "love" claims to be "as followers, we are required to love the sinner but not the sin".
To further their grip, they try to turn you against modern science (claiming it to be devil worshipping) and they also claim that society is under influence of the devil. Such measures are designed to cut people off from modern information (i.e. that there is nothing wrong with same sex attraction) and this works very well in religious followers since they fear the wrath of God.
You're lucky if you see these groups for what they really are, and escape. Oh, and when you escape, they claim that you've "fallen, and thay you're going to hell".
If you're unlucky, you will be suffering severe depression which tragically has resulted in some members committing suicide.
2007-10-14 22:20:45 · answer #1 · answered by nemesis 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wow, way to paint people with a broad brush. Maybe you're comfortable with everything other people do, but not everyone is. Thinking homosexuality is a sin, and loving a gay person are not mutually exclusive idea. However, even for those that are genuine it can be difficult to know how to act. And of course they don't understand gays, what you are and what you stand for is completely contrary to their beliefs. It's like asking you to understand a pedophile, or a necrophiliac. To you those are disgusting perversions, well to people of a certain faith or belief, what you do is a disgusting perversion. So they have a hard time interacting with you.
It wasn't all that long ago that you could be legally denied a job based on your sexual orientation. So if at this point people seem a bit uncomfortable and insincere, don't take it so personally.
Now you complain that those people don't understand gays, well you obviously don't understand them. They don't love you because they think you're a sweet guy, they love you because their faith tells them to love everyone and forgive them for their sins. So, maybe some of them don't act like it too well, it can't be easy for them either.
2007-10-14 18:31:49 · answer #2 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's a free country and people are entitled to their opinions, even if you and I think they're wrong. Some people are really set in their ways but some people are able to open their minds. When I was a kid, I thought that homosexuality is sinful because I was taught that way. But I went to college and met gay people who became my friends. That really opened my mind to the fact that they're no different from straight people. They have hopes and dreams, they love, they hurt....ultimately, we're all the same!
The people you're talking about probably don't have exposure to gay people, so they cling to their beliefs. It's sad for them, and it's their loss. I think the world is a more beautiful place when diversity is present.
2007-10-14 18:31:58 · answer #3 · answered by niteowl 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The average well-intentioned member of such a group may not have considered the matter very deeply. That sometimes changes when they discover they have a gay family member but not always--think of Dick Cheney.
At the higher levels of many such groups, it is a political, rather than a moral issue. If a politician can convince an entire group that they are being threatened by some terrible thing, such as same sex marriage, or gay schoolteachers or the like, that politician can rack up a nice bloc of votes for himself or herself, even if he or she doesn't particularly care one way or the other.
The average man or woman in the pew is sometimes slow to realize that they are being duped. I doubt that I need to remind the reader of the moral lapses of some of our more homophobic religious and governmental leaders.
2007-10-14 18:24:40 · answer #4 · answered by Captain Amerika 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
"Those groups??" Not sure to whom you are referring. But according to many beliefs, the bible does not condone homosexuality. So I assume you mean those who believe what their church preaches. On the other hand, they also preach to love thy neighbor and that we are all Gods creatures. So while I am sure they don't applaud it, they have no reason to hate you for it. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." I personally don't truly understand homosexuality myself, just like you likely don't understand the straights. So what? No one forces you to hang around with 'those people' so don't. Move on. There are plenty of genuine people out there in the world. And the truth is, if you see yourself running up against that alot, then don't tell people you are gay. Whose business is it anyway? No one in the straight world feels the need to let everyone else know their sexual preference. To be honest, that is my one big turn off with my gay friends. It's like they have a torch to carry or want to shock people. Like anything else in life, if you don't want to be treated differently, then don't let anyone know you are different. Not to offend. But perhaps it's not them at all that have the issue, but you. Did you ever think of that? Maybe you only think they are not genuine. Just a thought.
2007-10-14 18:32:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think they're hypocrites. They say, "I love gay people" to cover their bigoted views, but for the most part they don't understand that people don't chose who or how to love.
They just think that you have perverse desires--and I'm sorry for my opinion--but no one who thinks that another person would choose something "perverse" can love that person. Whenever there's a "but" I have trouble believing the first part of the statement. "I don't mean to be rude, but..." or "I have Jewish friends but..."
I get it as a Jew, though not nearly as bad as I'm sure you get it. I once had a friend tell me that I'd go to Hell because I didn't know Jesus. I was like, "fine, bring it. If he's that intolerant I'd rather not be with him."
So let the homophobes and the anti-semites hang out with their harps and clouds and Jesus. We'll have a party in the Underworld! I'll bring the beer.
2007-10-14 18:24:36 · answer #6 · answered by megan_of_the_swamp 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
In the Church we are to love the sinner and hate the sin. So I am fine with "those" people. I feel no different about gays than I do about Adulterers, murders, thieves, drunks, etc. Sin is sin and we are instructed to love the sinner and hate the sin. The church is a place for all people to go into and be loved and get help. We are not there to judge you, That is God's job, but he does give us the rules and we are to follow them and not condone sinful behavior. If someone that is struggling with a sin comes into the church, I , like many of the other people in the church are willing to help them through their tough times. We are there to love and care for them. I think that I would rather have a friend that was honest with me and told me the truth, than have a friend that lied to me and as a result of the lie, it ended up costing me my salvation.
2007-10-14 18:32:43 · answer #7 · answered by gigi 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They're correct. You can love people and still understand reality.
2007-10-14 18:13:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hi....
Religion is MYTH!
Homosexuality is totally natural and REAL!!!
2007-10-14 18:24:00 · answer #9 · answered by Paul222@England 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋