I've no idea about the boy scouts, but they want to change marriage so they themselves can get married to each other, and they want to change Christianity because they want to be able to believe in God and Jesus without sacrificing their sexuality in order to do so.
Because they are selfish. Only the selfish would read the bible that states man should not lay down with man, and blatantly ignore it to satisfy their selfish needs.
The gay community is NOT out to destroy the boy scouts, marriage, or Christianity. They simply want to be respected and have equal rights, but that's pretty damn hard when way too many people in this country have the mentality that you do.
The Gay Community does not wish to "change" Boy Scouts,Marriage or Christianity.They just want an opportunity to exist amongst the "straights" and homophobes of the Homophobia,USA.
How, exactly, does it want to change boy scouts, besides not wanting them to discriminate. One would think being against discrimination would be a good thing, but the boy scouts decided not. So, they took a stand, and the consequence of the stand is that organization that won't support discrimination don't support them.
As for marriage, marriage has always changed. It's changed in each culture. It's changed in different religions. It's changed over time. The current concept of marriage for love is a relatively new idea in itself, mostly arising in the West during Victorian times. So, if you want to get rid of changes, how far back are you going to go? At its essence, marriage is a contract that the state permits. It gives stability and helps with property distribution; why should this be denied to a sub-section of citizens?
As for Christianity, there's a lot of groups that support gays now. There's some that don't. Seems like a matter for each group to decide, but it also seems hypocritical, like the boy scouts, to be so proud of the discriminatory practices. (By the way, don't try to make yourself out a martyr....you're in the majority, and it's pretty intellectually disingenuous.)
A better question...how are you harmed? Why is holding on to discrimination against one group that's always been around and will always be around so important to you?
they have always been part of the boy scouts - they just want to come out of the closet.
as for marriage - not all of the gays want the right to marry but they do want their civil rights, hence civil unions.
as for Christianity, I haven't heard of any changes gay people want to make to that.
There are certain issues with all three that need to be brought out of the Dark Ages into the Age of Enlightenment.
Personally, I don't care about the Boy Scouts or Marriage Issue, but the Church MUST change.
Anyone who calls themselves a "Christian" must act in a certain way. WWJD? Would Jesus be as Hating, Discriminatory, and Murderous as Certain So Called Christians? NO! That's not MY Jesus! The God of the New Testament is a God of LOVE, not Hate.
Love thy neighbor as Thyself. Apparently, some people must hate themselves.
Love one another as I have loved you. This is what Jesus said at the Last Supper. Again, some people are not following his commands. I pity those people when it comes to the final judgment.
My goodness, could you please see if there is a more thorough way to try to lead the answerer's.
That said:
Boy Scouts -- the Boy Scouts have a perfect right to practice discrimination if they see fit. On the other hand, it bothers me when they do it with public money that atheists, gays, and other groups that are discriminated against pay in taxes.
Marriage -- Not all gay people care one way or another, but usually its an issue of fairness, and more importantly legal rights. We have inches of paper so that when I drift toward death (I'm older than Jonathan by nearly a decade, and from a family that averages about 30 years shorter in lifespan than his, so I'm presuming I will go first) he will be able to have legal control over my medical care. Likewise, we have been together 15 years, we are committed and happy. We have invested and worked very hard. Why should he be a class F inheritor, and thus pay the highest possible percentage of the part of our wealth that is in my name, in state inheritance tax? We are among those who would be perfectly happy with civil unions however. The teenagers I've met though want equal rights, and don't see why they shouldn't have it. There is very little prejudice among their friends, for some of them none -- and they don't see a reason not to be like everyone else. It is a nice dream. I hope they get it.
Christianity -- Which part are you talking about? The bigoted part? I think we should get over that ourselves. There are plenty of denominations and parishes that embrace and welcome gays. Gays that are in hateful groups should take themselves, their money, their friends -- and leave. Join churches or synagogues that support their rights, and put their money to good use in a community that supports them. The bigoted churches have a right to be bigoted, the inclusive churches have a right to be inclusive - that's the whole idea of freedom of religion. Let's practice it.
Regards,
Reynolds Jones
Schenectady, NY
http://www.rebuff.org
Comment to Mr. McToot -- Churches have both floats and marchers in gay pride parades. The banners from St. Luke in the Field were long a mainstay of the gay pride parade in NYC -- and floats in the spiritual section were not unknown. This is just a point of information that I think you should be aware of to speak on the issue -- otherwise do with it as you will.
As for protesters being arrested. Years ago, during a permitted march to save the CUNY science programs, my lover was arrested. The marchers were peaceful, obeying the parade route that they had received official permission to follow -- the mayor changed his mind as to where they could march. The police opened fire with teargas and rubber bullets and charged the 35,000 marchers. He was one of several hundred arrested. He had done nothing. They even ripped the clothes off him in the process of tossing him in the van.
Being arrested at a protest, no matter who you are is common.
You seem to have more hangups and problems than the most whine gay boys I've known. I wonder why?
Because they feel inferior and want society to validate them. How would people react if a Christian Archbishop demanded to be a leader in the church of Islam, because it was part of his "civil rights"? Islam excluding him based on his beliefs would be discrimination just the same as the boy scouts.
Marriage is not a right. Some people are issued drivers licenses and some are not. Some people are issued marriage licenses and some are not. Get over it.
Churches do not have floats in gay pride parades. Is that discrimination? What about the people in Philadelphia that were arrested for picketing the gay pride march with anti-gay, pro-Christian signs? They were charged with in sighting a riot even though they did not call for violence nor did violence occur at any point. Isn't that discrimination?? Not to mention a violation of the Freedom of Speech under the first amendment?? I guess you have to be a minority to have any rights in this country.
no one wants to change anything. we just feel that we should be accepted for who we are. we are human beings like everyone else, and we simply want the same Rights and privileges as everyone else. is that too much to ask for? i dint think it is.
It's not a matter of changing those institutions. It's a matter of being openly recognized as being a PART of the institution.
There are gay people in the boy scouts, there are gay Christians, and a LOT of gay people would love to be able to get married. In fact, there are a lot of people who have been in heterosexual relationships, enjoyed the benefits of marriage (legal aspects anyway) and wish to be able to experience the same now that they are in long term, loving and committed homosexual relationships.
It isn't a matter of making the institutions different, it's a matter of recognition. Homosexuals..gay, lesbian, bi, trans....we're all people with different interests, hobbies and backgrounds. There are a lot more of us out there than the straight community cares to admit.
As far as Christianity goes..I am not a christian, but do respect the beliefs. I think that a gay person who maintains their religion should be nominated for sainthood. Talk about being persecuted....And they are being persecuted for LOVE which is the main tenant (supposedly) of Christianity!
We want acceptance, recognition and the same respect that any other straight person would get. That's all. Nothing more....sounds so simple, doesn't it?
Because under the Constitution all people are created equal , are entitled to certain rights, we just want to be included in what everyone else is entitled to . We pay taxes just like everyone else and go to war and die for our country like everyone else . So we deserve the same rights as everyone else . There was a time in our history that Black men and women were forbidden the right to marry , join organizations , drink from the same water fountain as whites , forbidden to sit in the same area as whites on buses , in churches , or in a court room . Now they have won their rights and we just want the same consideration . I have nothing against Christianity , however the same good Christan people that oppose homosexuals also opposed the rights of black people . People always rise up against what they can not understand , they feel threatened just as they did when blacks wanted the right to live as equal human beings . We just want the same consideration .
Why does the "GAY" Community want to change the BOY SCOUTS, MARRIAGE, AND CHRISTIANIT
