In the limelight of the Chick-Fil-A circus maximus: How a gay friend of mine sees homosexuality

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I've heard so many comments this week about loving the sinner, hating the sin. I've heard and read comments about loving homosexuals but disapproving of their lifestyle. Sometimes, I can just let it go. I pray for the strength to love my enemies, to seek a spiritual solution instead of giving into my ego that tells me I have to fight back, to make them understand. Other times, I struggle. Alt

hough I have worked hard to overcome the shame I have felt as a result of being taught that what I am is so wrong, once in a while I consider the question: What if they're right? What if I really am going to Hell? What if all of us gay people are damned for all eternity?

I can't help thinking about Langston Hughes, Ricky Martin, Elton John, Walt Whitman, Anderson Cooper, Lily Tomlin, Ellen Degeneres, Tennessee Williams, Armistead Maupin, and all the other amazing, creative homosexuals I would be there with, not to mention my beautiful, compassionate, stimulating gay friends. By their standards, the right-wingers would be stuck up in Heaven with Pat Buchanan, Sarah Palin, Strom Thurmon, Jesse Helms, Michelle Bachman and her husband (gray area?), Mike Huckabee, the two Ricks whose last names I have (thankfully) forgotten, and a bunch of other hateful, angry people I've seen on Facebook this week.

Of course I don't really believe the right-wingers know anything about my salvation or lack thereof. My sexuality and my same-sex relationship are gifts from God. On the other hand, I certainly don't claim to know who's going to Heaven and who's going to Hell, or what happens when we die. I hope that ALL God's children come together in the afterlife, surrounded by light and love, without the divisions we have created on Earth. I hope the heated, ugly fights of our earthly existence are distant memories that make us laugh at ourselves for being so ridiculous, for taking ourselves so seriously. This is how I see Heaven. (Okay, an endless supply of ice cream and chocolate goes without saying.)

If I'm wrong, and the right-wingers are right, I know for sure which of these judgment groups I'd want to hang with for all eternity--the damned homosexuals. We'd probably also get all the really cool straight people who recognize us as equals, like Dolly Parton, Barack and Michelle, Ben Cohen (HOT!), and my amazing straight friends and family members. Jesus is so much cooler than most of his so-called followers. He'll be there too, wherever we are. I just know it. 

(Reposted with the permission of the author)

From the many responses to his FB post, here is mine -since I have no permission to show the others-

My Friend, I can't believe in Heaven or Hell and talk about them only as a "metaphor." That said, I don't think you should doubt your place in Heaven with all the chocolate, cheese, and ice cream that is left in Paradise! On a second thought, why don't you reward yourself with these goodies tonight, here on Earth, the place where Heaven and Hell meets? You deserve it! But don't forget to do extra push-ups afterwards:)

One headline, so many implications: Mistrial declared in CA gay student killing trial

No picture this time: I'm too upset to post the picture of the grieving parents...

Three years ago, somewhere in California, a 14 year old student shot his 15 year old classmate in the back of his head during a class. The 15 year old was gay, who walked in high heels, used makeup, and preferred girlish outfits. At one point he past his future killer in the school hallway and allegedly said: "What's up, baby?" A few minutes before his death, the 15 year old declared that he wanted to change his name to Latisha. Allegedly, this pushed his 14 year old murderer over the edge and infuriated him enough that within a few minutes he committed the ultimate crime.

The 14 year old had evidence of Nazi inspired artifacts at his house (would you want to see me when next time my son puts up a swastika, not what the Chinese Buddhists call wan, but the clockwise one that Hitler used, above his baby picture?). His defense lawyers said that it was a school project on tolerance… WHAT?

The murderer’s friends – yes, you heard me well: he still has friends, and supporters! – claim that “prosecutors tried to sensationalize the case by calling it a hate crime by a budding white supremacist.”

When people, OK not the defense, since this is their paying job, but people of the street try to defend an act like this, they offer a glimpse into the decaying morals of the society they themselves shape.

With their action they say that if one says a word you don’t like, dresses up that does not appeal to you, or chooses a name you find offensive, you can just pull a gun and “BUMM”.

Putting it into historical perspective, they also say that the French should’ve pulled the trigger on George Sand in the early 1800s, when she began sporting men's clothing.

Even more importantly, they say that gays should be shaking in their boots because any real man with true macho intestinal fortitude may become the rightful axmen of God delivering you to your rightful place in Hell, saving the hassle for God Himself who should turn His attention instead to more worthwhile causes such as granting a sunny day for one’s beloved daughter’s wedding for which one have been fervently praying for.

I am not implying that the 14 year old was driven by religious fervor when he killed his gay classmate. But I do mean to say that a social climate that promotes gay homophobia receives tremendous encouragement from religious teaching of hate and intolerance against this group of “sinners”.

And one last troubling thought. Where did this 14 year old get the murder weapon from? Which grown-up adult is going to be punished for putting it in his hand or allowing him to access it? There is not a word about it in the news or in any courtrooms.

Shouldn’t responsible gun handling and storing and proper punishment for ignoring such basic gun safety rules be one of the highest agenda for the NRA and its steadfast supporters?

I find it stunning that a simple headline can hide so much dirt and hypocrisy in the American society. Is this the America it was meant to be?

Elton John's provocative novel proposition about Jesus

Just Jared has a few juicy tidbits from Elton John's upcoming interview with Parade Magazine, but there's one that'll let you know the Rocket Man hasn't lost his verve for controversy.

"I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems. On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don’t know what makes people so cruel."

You can check out reactions to the above statement by the flamboyant musical genius: http://www.comcast.net/music/blindedbythehype/10903/

Below is my 2 cents to the discussion.

I am a straight man and used to be catholic. Having experienced the hypocrisy of people claiming Jesus as their Savior, I must say that Elton John might be even correct in his assumption that Jesus was gay: for Him it certainly would not have mattered who you are in love with because he loved all of us... no exception... no sexual preference... no color or nationality... no friend or enemy. He just loved us! At least that's what is written about him in the Bible that I read. Seeing the broadmindedness, wisdom and passion of Jesus as he appears in the Bible, he seems to fit the bill of a gay man much better than of today's so called Christians blinded by their immense bigotry. I applaud Elton John for his clear vision and courage to present this novel idea! 

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