Hardaway on Gays

[phishphreek]

I thought the whole thing was hysterical! I may not like what he has to say or even agree what he says... but I'll defend his right to say it. I don't think he was wrong for saying it. If it pisses some people off, who cares. You can't please all the people all the time. If anything, I'm glad he was "keeping it real" and not faking it. He was asked for his opinion, was he not? It's not like he just started out ranting on gays. He was specifically asked for his opinion.

Mind you, I don't share his opinion. I associate with several people (both friends and family) that are gay. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. Then again, I'm not religious either. For some reason, I've associated gay bashing with religious folk. "Because the bible says!" I don't give a F what the bible says. It was written by man (too many "interpreters") and man is fallible. BTW: I'm not bashing on religious people here. I'm just sharing my point of view. If you don't agree... good.

10 - Your score rates you as "high-grade non-homophobic."

[nihil]

Well,

Apart from the question of "who gives a damn about his opinion?", I think it is pretty typical.

It is the macho "jock" image that seems to be prevalent in team sports?

I think you would get very similar responses from football and hockey players?

I think that the responses from athletes, golfers, tennis players and the like would be rather different?

Just suggestions based on my experiences of active team sports in my younger days

[tonybradley]

{Mind you, I don't share his opinion. I associate with several people (both friends and family) that are gay. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. Then again, I'm not religious either. For some reason, I've associated gay bashing with religious folk. "Because the bible says!" I don't give a F what the bible says. It was written by man (too many "interpreters") and man is fallible. BTW: I'm not bashing on religious people here. I'm just sharing my point of view. If you don't agree... good.

10 - Your score rates you as "high-grade non-homophobic."}


You beat me, but I was still high-grade non-homophobic. I had a 15.

The irony of religion, particularly Christianity, being used as the basis of passing judgment is that the bible also specifies not to pass judgment.

Religion is a matter of convenience. Most only quote bible passages that help to rationalize the judgment they are passing. They don't seem quite as hung up on taking the rest of the book literally.

Exodus 35:2 says that anyone who works on Sunday should be put to death

Leviticus 25:44 says that it is OK to own both male and female slaves as long as you purchase them from neighboring nations (watch out Canadians and Mexicans)

Leviticus 24:17 clearly outlines the death penalty- if you take the life of a human you shall be put to death

When wishing to dole out punishment and pass judgment, many quote the Old Testament. That is fine if you are Jewish because it represents the sum total of your teachings. But, if you claim to be Christian, you have to take into account that the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus allegedly supercede the Old Testament.

We no longer sacrifice goats on a burning alter- because Jesus died as the ultimate, one-time sacrifice.

We no longer honor eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, because Jesus said to forget that stuff and love thy enemy, turn the other cheek, etc.

You can't take the bible literally. But, if you choose to try, take the whole thing literally. How can people ignore or disregard one passage, then quote the next as if it is an immutable law?

All that being said- I am atheist. I take great interest however in the hypocricy and lack of logic on which all major religions seem to be founded and how those proclaiming to follow those religions only follow the tenets and passages that are convenient or fit with how they want to interpret the world.

[tonybradley]

{Well,

Apart from the question of "who gives a damn about his opinion?", I think it is pretty typical.

It is the macho "jock" image that seems to be prevalent in team sports?

I think you would get very similar responses from football and hockey players?

I think that the responses from athletes, golfers, tennis players and the like would be rather different?

Just suggestions based on my experiences of active team sports in my younger days}


I don't know what percentage of the population is alleged to be gay, but the homophobes are just in denial.

The whole world operates on a don't ask / don't tell policy. I am sure that the homophobic community would be shocked to learn just how many men and women in the military, professional sports, public office, etc. are actually gay and just haven't come out because they know it would damage their career.

It is all hypocricy anyway. The politicians of the "Religious Right" preach fire and brimstone while standing on the floor of Congress, then go home to have sex with their male intern or hire a prostitute for a back-alley quicky before heading home to the wife and kids.

The "Religious Right" claim the moral high ground, but behind closed doors they are as immoral- or more so- than the rest of us.

Hell- the poster child of the evangelical faith and very adamant anti-gay pastor, Ted Haggard, was having gay sex and doing meth in the back alleys. Jerry Falwell slept (sleeps) with prostitutes. Catholic priests are involved with homosexual pedophilia around the world. This is the moral compass of the "Religious Right"? These are the "leaders" people turn to in order to learn about their faith and gain enlightenment on how to be better people and lead better lives.

The sheep need to stop following the wolves and just think for themselves.

[nihil]

Tony old chap, I must disagree with you most strongly. Being anti-gay is not a religious thing.......... if you are gay and religious, you will not have any offspring and would be more than likely to donate your accumulated wealth to your church?

[phishphreek]

Tony old chap, I must disagree with you most strongly. Being anti-gay is not a religious thing.......... if you are gay and religious, you will not have any offspring and would be more than likely to donate your accumulated wealth to your church?

You can still have offspring and be gay. My uncle had 2 children before he "came out". He still played an active role in their lives. He still does. He was just "living a lie". He would never do it another way though.. he is very happy about having children. His ex wife and him are still on good terms too.

In the US, it is difficult to be "religious" and gay. Most christian churches won't welcome you if they know you are gay. I've been wanting to become a member of a church for a long time. Mostly for my fiancee and so we could get married in a church. I just have too much internal conflict. I don't think it's right how they treat gays. I have a hard time even walking into a church now.

There are several people in my family who are practicing christians. Even I was. I actually use to be an altar boy in a presbyterian church... if you can believe that.

Does this mean that we are going to reinstate |The|Specialist ?

What doe |The|Specialist have anything to do with this?