def59

Dmiller's arguments are valid. What will be the next oppressed minority to seek its rights? Pedophiles (both hetero- and homosexually based) are working the world of academia just like the left and the gays have done. First its talk, then papers, then protests, then groups, then sympathethic collegees, then judges and then the masses are convinced this too is a legitimate lifestyle. I am one who is saddened by the state of marriage today. The cross of Choice is becoming the true banner of our culture. We sacrifice our children on it daily with abuse, abortion, divorce (how many gays were married once, but couldn't keep that commitment?), adultery, rape, drugs and indoctrination (MTV.) Marriage for money, trophy wives and unmet needs are symptoms of a me-first culture. There's also pornography — which has destroyed the lives of men, women and children. But legalizing gay marriages? They have the same problems as heterosexuals, but magnified because of their fallen moral state. The data shows their relationships are generally more unstable and prone to destructive tendencies than heterosexuals. But I am opposed to straight people living together, because the empirical evidence shows that those relationships are unstable and the divorce rate for them is off the charts. But we live in a fallen world that rejects truth, honor, and moral fitness. We see the hypocrisy of the world when Democrats speak at churches (separation of church and state anyone?), but pastors can't tell their flock who to vote for. The Boy Scouts can exclude homosexuals, but when they do, the same courts which ruled for them, say others can withhold funding over those beliefs. Churches are being targeted to accept gays as members and employees. If we were truly free, people could decide to whom they could rent. Why should someone be forced to take in people whose lifestyle they disagree with? I'll believe the gays are moral when they denounce NAMBLA and the other perverse groups who attend their parades. Gay radicals want adults and children to legally have sexual relations. The whole point of their agenda is to remove guilt and barriers to expressing their chosen form of sexuality. Why do they have bathouses? Why do they gather in parks, rest areas and men's rooms for sex. (This is not bigotry, there are whole Web sites devoted to the glorification of impersonal sex.) But I have ranted too long.

A good writer should be able to condense his works to get the best bang for his buck. Time is precious and we don't have alot. If you could be more precise and limit yourself to say 60-100 words per point then maybe we could have a discussion.

Ana, If he was the manna-god-for-r-tyme, why did he die? Since he taught that all one had to do to live forever was to keep renewing his mind what happened? Could it be the cancer he had that was kept from all of us? Since cancer is a devil spirit, did that mean our dear dokkter was posessed? Mike -are you out there?

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I have sent others and know other who have. Only 1 person was disappointed. Everyone else said they were blown away by it.

Issue 1 HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN HETEROSEXUAL ONES Homosexual advocates want their relationships to be treated the same as heterosexual ones. But are homosexual relationships any different than heterosexual ones? You’d be surprised. FACT: HOMOSEXUAL MALE RELATIONSHIPS ARE RARELY MONOGAMOUS AND THOSE INVOLVED ARE MORE AT RISK FOR LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES Studies indicate that the average male homosexual has hundreds of sex partners in his lifetime. The median number of partners for homosexuals is four times higher than for heterosexuals.15 A study on the sexual profiles of 2,583 older homosexuals, published in the Journal of Sex Research, found that only 2.7 percent claimed to have had sex with one partner only.16 Research has also found that few homosexual relationships last longer than two years, with many men reporting hundreds of lifetime partners.”17 Check out these findings: * 24 percent of gay men had over 100 partners * 43 percent of gay men had over 500 partners * 28 percent of gay men had over 1000 partners18 Solid, irrefutable evidence proves that there are lethal consequences to engaging in the defining features of male homosexuality—that is, promiscuity. Active homosexuals are vulnerable to dozens of sexually transmitted diseases.19 According to one report, the risk of anal cancer rises by an astounding 4,000 percent for those engaging in homosexual intercourse and doubles again for those who are HIV positive.20 AIDS remains the fifth leading cause of death among those aged 26 to 44, and 60 percent of new cases are contracted by men who have sex with men.21 Despite the twenty-year “safe-sex” campaign, the incidence of unsafe sexual practices resulting in various diseases is on the rise.22 An estimated 30 percent of all 20-year-old homosexual men will be HIV positive or dead by the age of 30.23 Studies have also found that while homosexuals may be trying to convince themselves that what they are doing is acceptable, they have serious doubts in their hearts. A Columbia University study on “internalized homophobia” among homosexual persons found that a significant percentage of homosexuals surveyed held negative attitudes toward their own homosexuality and toward other homosexuals.24 While there are some who would promote the myth that homosexual relationships are no different than heterosexual ones as pure fact, there are also those from the gay community who admit it to be a false statement. Andrew Sullivan, a prominent conservative gay author, says that gay couples adhere to a very different moral standard than straight couples do. He says their moral standard is one in which “a greater understanding of the need for extramarital outlets” exists.25 Also, two researchers who professed themselves to be a gay couple came to the conclusion that gay relationships between men rarely survive if they are not open to outside sexual contacts.26 WHY DOES THE TRUTH MATTER? God created the unique relationship between a man and a woman. Yet He is equally unhappy with pre-marital sexual relationships as He is with homosexual relationships. Both are not what He intended. To say that homosexual relationships are the same as heterosexual ones is to make a mockery of God’s divine act of creation and His ordination of marriage. He made man and woman for each other and called it “good” (Genesis 1:26-28,31). To say otherwise is to lead people astray. Issue 2: HOMOSEXUALS ARE NORMAL, HEALTHY, EVERDAY PEOPLE While the American culture promotes “having it all,” it is likely that most individuals just want to be accepted and appreciated. Homosexuals are no different. They have been wounded by rejection and, in general, seem to say whatever it takes to be considered “normal.” Ironically though, society’s intolerance doesn’t seem to be what’s driving homosexuals into more risky and dangerous behavior. In fact, such conduct tends to exist most intensely in places where homosexuals face the least amount of disapproval—such as large cities like New York and San Francisco or on college campuses with concentrated gay communities. FACT: CONTRARY TO CLAIMS MADE BY GAY ACTIVISTS, HOMOSEXUALLY ACTIVE PERSONS AS A GROUP APPEAR TO BE LESS PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION There are several areas where the average homosexual differs from the average, normal, "everyday” heterosexual. Research has shown that men and women living homosexually are at substantially higher risk for some forms of emotional problems, including suicidality, major depression and anxiety disorder, conduct disorder and nicotine dependence.31 For instance, one twin-study found that men with same-sex partners are 6.5 times as likely as their co-twins to attempt suicide.32 Another study found that a substantial percentage of gay males and lesbians report some participation in illegal drug use.33 WHY DOES THE TRUTH MATTER? Paul states in the book of Romans that homosexuality is “unnatural.” But some homosexuals will tell you they’ve been attracted to people of the same sex for as long as they can remember—in other words, it just feels natural to them. Unfortunately, their feelings do not justify their actions. “Sin” is any behavior that is displeasing to God. We live in a fallen world and sin has distorted our perception of truth—so, what someone may consider as natural or normal still cannot change the truth of God’s moral laws found in the Bible. Homosexuality is only one symptom of fallen humanity. In our brokenness of human nature, we have an undeniable inner craving to be whole. And yet, maybe it’s because of our sinful nature that we (homosexuals and heterosexuals) seek wholeness in the wrong areas. Whether we’re struggling with same-sex attractions, pornography, envy or lying, it’s easy to want to slap a label of “normal” or “healthy” on ourselves to try to justify our sinful behaviors. But a label will never cover the deep wounds of people entangled in a life that is displeasing to God. The only place a person can find healing and wholeness is at the foot of the cross. Issue 3 THE BIBLE DOESN’T CONDEMN HOMOSEXUALITY—ONLY PROMISCUITY In recent years, several mainline denominations have abandoned traditional interpretations of Scripture and have embraced the "Gay-Christian" movement. Similarly, people claim that Paul’s statements were only addressed to believers back then and are not relevant today. But God’s Word—which is unchanging and stands forever (Isaiah 40:8) gives us a different story. FACT: GOD CLEARLY CONDEMNS ANY ACT OF SEX OUTSIDE OF HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE God designed sexual relationships only for a union between one man and one woman in marriage. The first chapter of Genesis declares that “God created man in His own image . . . male and female He created them.” Throughout this chapter we learn why fornication, adultery and prostitution—as well as “homosexual marriage”—are all distortions of God’s original plan for healthy sexuality. In the Old Testament, the sin of homosexuality is condemned by the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:22). In Matthew, male and female relationships are the only sexual relationships allowed by Jesus (Matthew 19:4-6). And the first chapter of Romans is usually considered the most thorough and clear condemnation of homosexuality in the Bible, which includes a specific reference to lesbianism (Romans 1:24-27). WHY DOES THE TRUTH MATTER? There are many distortions in sexuality because of the effects of sin, which have caused grief and hardship to so many. We know from the Bible that those who practice homosexual acts receive “in themselves the due penalty for their perversion” (Romans 1:27, NIV). As the executive director of Exodus International—North America, the world’s leading outreach to those affected by unwanted homosexuality, Alan Chambers sees the devastation that occurs when the lines between right and wrong are blurred, erased or reversed. He states: “Today, culture is moving further and further away from biblical teachings about sexuality and gender. We now have an entire generation of young people being taught that homosexuality is morally, physically and spiritually equivalent to heterosexuality. Because of the downward spiral that has become our way of life, it is not surprising that people are questioning what is right and wrong regarding sex when wrong is now considered normal. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our actions--good and bad--have consequences that impact us, our society and every single living person that comes after us until eternity. The truth matters because it means freedom for all who believe it and abide by it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ While God’s Word is clear on the matter of homosexuality, it’s also very clear on the matter of healthy sexuality. You’ve probably heard it said that “God has a plan for your life.” Would you believe He also has a plan for your sexuality? He does! He planned for us to have an exciting love life in marriage. Issue: LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS ARE HEALTHIER THAN GAY MALE RELATIONSHIPS It’s generally believed that women who have sex with women are less likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease than gay men. While most of the research on medically related health risks of homosexual activity deals with men who have sex with other men, there is interesting research concerning homosexual activity among women. FACT: LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS ARE EQUALLY UNHEALTHY, AND JUST AS LIFE-THREATENING AS GAY MALE RELATIONSHIPS The fact is, most women who have sex with women do not do so exclusively. Approximately two-thirds of women surveyed have also had sex with men within the last five years.34 Sexually transmitted disease rates for bisexually active women are as much as twice that of those who engage in exclusively lesbian activity. 35 Likewise, studies have also shown that a significant number of lesbian women engage in other risky behaviors which increase medical risks of disease, such as drug use and exchanging sex for drugs and money.36 Another study reported that lesbians may have higher rates of breast and ovarian cancer because of a variety of risk factors like nulliparity (never having borne a child), childbearing later in life, higher rates of alcohol consumption and obesity.”37 The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has reported that domestic violence is as common in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships as it is in heterosexual relationships. While Lesbian partnerships generally are of longer duration than gay male relationships, there exists the counterfeit of healthy attachment-including, manipulative behaviors, emotional dependency and over-enmeshment.38 WHY DOES THE TRUTH MATTER? It’s important that women know the consequences of their choices. Lesbians are not excluded from the realities of promiscuity, like the HIV virus. The sad truth is that because this myth is being perpetuated, many lesbians are going to the doctor less often. While most heterosexual women visit the gynecologist every eight to nine months on average, the average for lesbians is every 21 to 24 months.39 This is cause for great concern as “many lesbian-identified women have other risk factors for cervical dysplasia, such as multiple male partners, heterosexual intercourse at an early age and cigarette smoking.”40 Again, God’s Word clearly speaks of consequences to sinful behavior. The only true form of “safe sex” is abstinence, or within a heterosexual marriage of one man and one woman. Whether you have lustful temptations for someone of your same sex or of the opposite sex, you can take a stand for purity and experience a lifetime of rewards. True love is worth the wait—not only because the risk of promiscuity, but because God has only blessed sex in the context of a heterosexual marriage. MYTH #8: HOMOSEXUALITY IS UNCHANGEABLE This is probably the most devastating myth of homosexuality circulating today. Yet, most homosexuals believe that their homosexuality is so much a part of their identity, that they can do nothing about it. In his report, “Homosexuality in America: Exposing the Myths,” Richard Howe suggests two major reasons why homosexual activists promote this myth: 1. They would be admitting that there are those in the homosexual community who, after careful thought, have concluded that it is wrong to be homosexual and that it does not lead to personal happiness and fulfillment. Focusing on those homosexuals who want to change continues to emphasize the immorality and personal destructiveness of homosexuality. 2. They would be denying that homosexuality is physically caused. The more the homosexual community can convince the general public that their homosexuality is beyond their control, the more tolerance or even preferential treatment they can gain in public policy.41 FACT: THERE IS FREEDOM FROM HOMOSEXUALITY The truth is, there are a tremendous number of homosexuals who have changed, and professional opinions are changing on this issue as well. Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, the prominent psychiatrist who led the team that deleted homosexuality from the diagnostic manual in 1973, now says homosexuality may be changeable. “Like most psychiatrists,” said Dr. Spitzer, “I thought that homosexual behavior could be resisted—but that no one could really change their sexual orientation. I now believe that’s untrue—some people can and do change.” 42 To the researcher’s surprise, good heterosexual functioning was reportedly achieved by 67 percent of men who had rarely or never felt any opposite-sex attraction before the change process.43 “Contrary to conventional wisdom,” Spitzer concluded, “some highly motivated individuals, using a variety of change efforts, can make substantial change in multiple indicators of sexual orientation and achieve good heterosexual functioning. I’m convinced from the people I have interviewed, that for many of them, they have made substantial changes toward becoming heterosexual . . . I think that’s news . . . I came to this study skeptical, I now claim that these changes can be sustained.”44 Other professionals have reported a range from 50 to 70 percent success rate in the treatment of unwanted homosexual attraction.45 Findings such as these have prompted some professionals to admit that homosexuals can change their sexual orientation through a variety of change efforts. Individuals who have gone through an Exodus International Member Ministry have discovered that Jesus Christ is sufficient to make the difference. “The road begins not with just giving up on the gay life, not with trying to relate with a woman, not with just trying to relate to other men in a different way; it begins with coming into a relationship with God . . . From where many of us stand who have gone down that road, it was difficult, but it was worth it a hundred times over, because it has been the way to joy, freedom and personal fulfillment.”46 Is homosexuality unchangeable? Hardly. There is plenty of evidence that homosexual attraction can be diminished and that changes can be made. WHY DOES THE TRUTH MATTER? God is clear about the consequences of unrighteousness such as homosexual behavior. Yet, as with other sinful lifestyles, homosexuality is forgivable if a person repents of his or her actions and turns to God. His power can bring healing, restoration and change. That’s the message that’s being silenced today: there is freedom from homosexuality through the unconditional love and grace of Jesus Christ. Of course, ending a destructive behavior—especially one that is addictive in nature like drinking, smoking or having homosexual (or heterosexual) intercourse—is a difficult task. But there is so much hope with Jesus! Think about it: God’s power is amazing! If He could raise Jesus from the dead, He can rescue a person from any entanglement. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. -1 John 1:9, NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, and the new has come! -2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV YOU CAN HELP SOMEONE STRUGGLING WITH HOMOSEXUALITY The best thing you can do for someone you know battling the sin of homosexuality is pray! Ask God to give you opportunities to show your care and concern for them and pray for the strength and courage to share the truth in love. Dr. Jeffrey Satinover has written extensively on the struggle of homosexuality and has helped countless people help others—and help themselves. The following has been adapted from his “What to Do . . . and Not to Do” list from his report Homosexuality Facts versus Fictions.47 1. Remember that all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. So, be willing to share about your own personal struggles and temptations. 2. Don’t condemn. People have not “chosen” to “have homosexual feelings” the way some choose to live in a certain city. To describe it this way is to convince them that you have no understanding at all about their experience—and no sympathy for it, as well. Know that the core of the homosexual struggle is rejection. 3. Don’t start citing all the problems with homosexuality. Consider how rarely exhortations convince someone to give up alcohol or smoking. But don’t go to the opposite extreme either. Unquestioning acceptance of homosexuality as a legitimate “alternative” may seem at first to be the only compassionate option. But there are better and more appropriate approaches that show concern and understanding, yet deal with the reality of the situation. 4. Try to prevent the problem before it occurs. Openly discuss the subject of homosexuality with your friends or anyone you are close to who may be struggling. Familiarize yourself with the causes and address them at an early time. Help them understand the risks. 5. Share specific avenues of help like the ministry of Exodus International–North America that has helped thousands of men and women in the midst of their struggle with homosexuality. Give them hope that change is possible! Perhaps even share this article with them. Even if the person is defensive and resistant, a specific route of assistance that is lovingly offered may be followed some day down the road. 6. Show love, concern, gentleness and respect as you point the way to healing. Need more help? Exodus International-North America is a worldwide coalition of Christian ministries that offers support to men and women seeking to overcome homosexuality, as well as services for family members and friends. Most of these ministries offer support groups, one-on-one counseling and literature. For a free packet of literature on the work of Exodus, including a complete list of referral ministries, contact: Exodus International-North America, P.O. Box 540119 Orlando, FL 32854; (888) 264-0877; e-mail: info@exodus-international.org; www.exodus-international.org. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 G. Remafedi, M. Resnick, R. Blum, and L. Harris, “Demography of Sexual Orientation in Adolescents” The Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 89, no. 4, April 1992, pp. 714-21. 2 J. Budziszewski, Ph.D., “A War of Words,” Boundless, www.boundless.org, September 30, 1998. 3 Ibid. 4Sex in America: A Definitive Survey, Robert T. Michael, John H.Gagnon, Edward O. Laumann, and Gina Kolata, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1994, p. 176. 5Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, Alfred C. Kinsey, Wardell B. Pomeroy, Clyde E. Martin, W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia and London, 1948, pp. 650-651. 6Kinsey, Sex and Fraud, Judith A. Reisman, Ph.D., and Edward W. Eichel, Lochinvar-Huntington House Publishers, 1990. 7Sex in America: A Definitive Survey, Robert T. Michael, John H. Gagnon, Edward O. Laumann, and Gina Kolata, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1994, p. 176. 8 Friend of the Court brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26, 2003 in Lawrence v. Texas, known as the Texas sodomy case. Footnote 42 on page 16 of this legal brief. See Laumann, et al. The Social Organization of Sex: Sexual Practices in the United States, 1994 or "Some Uses and Abuses of the Kinsey Scale," Bruce Voeller, Homosexuality, Heterosexuality: Concepts of Sexual Orientation, The Kinsey Institute Series, June Machover Reinisch, ed., Oxford University Press, 1990, p. 35. “The Homosexual Numbers," March 22, 1993, p. 37. 9Santinover, Jeffrey, M.D., “Is There a ‘Gay Gene?’” National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) Fact Sheet, March 1999, p. 1. 10“The Innate-Immutable Argument Finds No Basis in Science,” “In Their Own Words: Gay Activists Speak About Science, Morality, Philosophy” by Dean Byrd, Ph.D., Shirley E. Cox, Ph.D., Jeffrey W. Robinson, Ph.D. http://www.narth.com/docs/innate.html, 30 September 2002. 11 Ibid. 12“The Innate-Immutable Argument Finds No Basis in Science,” “In Their Own Words: Gay Activists Speak About Science, Morality, Philosophy” by Dean Byrd, Ph.D., Shirley E. Cox, Ph.D., Jeffrey W. Robinson, Ph.D. http://www.narth.com/docs/innate.html, 30 September 2002. William Byne and Bruce Parsons, “Human Sexual Orientation: The Biologic Theories Reappraised.” Archives of General Psychiatry 50, no. 3. 13 Larry Burtoft, Ph.D., Setting the Record Straight: What Research Really Says About the Social Consequences of Homosexuality, Focus on the Family 1994, p. 58. 14“The Innate-Immutable Argument Finds No Basis in Science,” “In Their Own Words: Gay Activists Speak About Science, Morality, Philosophy” by Dean Byrd, Ph.D., Shirley E. Cox, Ph.D., Jeffrey W. Robinson, Ph.D. http://www.narth.com/docs/innate.html, September 30, 2002. 15 Whitehead, N.E.; Whitehead, B.K. (1999): My Genes Made Me Do It! Huntington House, Lafayette, Louisiana, calculated from Laumann et al., 1994. 16Paul Van de Ven et al., “A Comparative Demographic and Sexual Profile of Older Homosexually Active Men,” Journal of Sex Research 34 (1997): p. 354. Dr. Paul Van de Ven reiterated these results in a private conversation with Dr. Robert Gagnon on September 7, 2000. 17M. Pollak, “Male Homosexuality, Western Sexuality: Practice and Precept in Past and Present Times”, ed. P. Aries and A. Bejin, translated by Anthony Forster, New York, NY: B. Blackwell, 1985, pp. 40–61. 18“Survey Finds 40 percent of Gay Men Have Had More Than 40 Sex Partners,” Lambda Report, January/February 1998, p. 20. A. P. Bell and M. S. Weinberg, Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978), pp. 308, 9; see also Bell, Weinberg and Hammersmith, Sexual Preference (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1981). 19W.E. Owen Jr., “Medical Problems of the Homosexual Adolescent,” Journal of Adolescent Health Care 6, No. 4, July 1985, pp. 278-85. 20Fenger, C. “Anal Neoplasia and Its Precursors: Facts and Controversies,” Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology 8, no. 3, August 1991, pp. 190-201; Daling, J.R. et al., “Sexual Practices, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and the Incidence of Anal Cancer,” New England Journal of Medicine 317, no. 16, 15 October 1987, pp. 973-77; Holly, E.A. et al., “Anal Cancer Incidence: Genital Warts, Anal Fissure or Fistula, Hemorrhoids, and Smoking,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute 81 , no. 22, November 1989, pp. 1726-31; Daling, J.R. et al., “Correlates of Homosexual Behavior and the Incidence of Anal Cancer,” Journal of the American Medical Association 247, no. 14, 9 April 1982, pp. 1988-90; Cooper, H.S., Patchefsky, A.S. and Marks, G., “Cloacogenic Carcinoma of the Anorectum in Homosexual Men: An Observation of Four Cases”; Diseases of the Colon and Rectum 22, no. 8, 1979, pp. 557-58. Also see Between the Lines, Michigan's statewide gay newspaper, reporting on the risk of anal cancer for men who have sex with men, " TARGET=_blank>http://www.afa.net/homosexual_agenda/ha031901.asp.> 21“APA’s Practical Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with HIV/AIDS,” Epidemiology, Clinical Features Influencing Treatment, sections, www.psych.org/aids/, Anti-Viral Treatment section. 22 “Increases in Unsafe Sex and Rectal Gonorrhea among Men Who Have Sex with Men—San Francisco, California, 1994-1997,” Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report, (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 29, 1999), p. 45. 23 Satinover, Jeffrey, “Reflections: Interview with NARTH,” February 5, 2001, http:www.narth.com/docs/satinover.html. 24 Shidlo, A., 1994, “Internalized Homophobia: Conceptual and Empirical Issues”, in Greene, B., Herek G, Lesbian and Gay Psychology. Thousand Oaks: CA: Sage, pp. 176-205. 25McWhirter, D. and Mattison, A., The Male Couple: How Relationships Develop, Prentice-Hall, 1984. 26Ibid. 27Jeffrey Santinover, M.D., “Homosexuality Facts versus Fictions: What You Need to Know, Where to Find Help,” Focus on the Family broadcast, February 5-7, 1997. 28THE HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of HIV/AIDS, through December 2001. 29Larry Burtoft, Ph.D., Setting the Record Straight: What Research Really Says About the Social Consequences of Homosexuality, Focus on the Family, 1994, pp. 32-33. 30THE HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of HIV/AIDS, through December 2001. 31Fergusson, D.M.; Horwood, L.J.; Beautrais, A.L., 1999: Is sexual orientation related to mental health problems and suicidality in young people? Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 56, pp. 876-880.; Herrell, R.; Goldberg, J.; True, W.R.; Ramakrishnan, V.; Lyons, M.; Eisen, S.; Tsuang, M.T., 1999: Sexual orientation and suicidality: a co-twin control study in adult men. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 56, pp. 867-874.; Sandfort, T.G.M.; de Graaf, R.; Bijl, R.V.; Schnabel, 2001: Same-sex sexual behavior and psychiatric disorders. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 58, pp. 85-91.; Bailey, J.M. (1999): Commentary: Homosexuality and mental illness. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 56, pp. 876-880. 32Herrell, R.; Goldberg, J.; True, W.R.; Ramakrishnan, V.; Lyons, M.; Eisen, S.; Tsuang, M.T. (1999): Sexual orientation and suicidality: a co-twin control study in adult men. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 56, pp. 867-874. 33“Not Afraid to Come Out: A celebration of freedom from homosexuality,” by Matt Kaufman, Boundless webzine, Focus on the Family, September 30, 1998. 34 “Health Implications Associated With Homosexuality,” The Medical Institute for Sexual Health, March 1999, p. 48. 35Ibid. 36Ibid. 37 “Health Implications Associated With Homosexuality,” The Medical Institute for Sexual Health, March 1999, p. 51. 38“Understanding the Lesbian Client” by Andria L. Sigler-Smalz, clinical pastoral counselor, " TARGET=_blank>http://www.narth.com/docs/understanding.html.> 39“Health Implications Associated With Homosexuality,” The Medical Institute for Sexual Health, March 1999, p. 51. 40Ibid. 41Richard Howe, “Homosexuality in America: Exposing the Myths” The American Family Association, 1994, pp 11-12. 42A report released May 9, 2001 at the annual American Psychiatric Association convention, psychiatrist Dr. Robert Spitzer, Chief of Biometrics Research and Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University in New York City. 43Ibid. 44Ibid. 45Jeffrey Satinover, M.D., Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996. Therapy of Homosexuality, 1999 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. 46 No Easy Way brochure by Regeneration (Baltimore: Regeneration, Inc., 1991). Regeneration is a non-profit, interdenominational Christian ministry for men and women seeking a way out of homosexuality. 47Jeffrey Satinover, M.D., “Homosexuality Facts versus Fictions: What You Need to Know, Where to Find Help,” Focus on the Family broadcast, February 5-7, 1997. Scripture references taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. ^ Back to Top Copyright © 2004 CitizenLink/Focus on Social Issues. CitizenLink®

I often find it difficult to state my position well. Well, I did find a Web site that covers many of the issues we discussed here, and while they are not my words, they do reflect many of the issues I believe in. Find them on www.family.org under the heading of hot topics, homosexuality. Anybody is welcome to send me an e-mail.

As for the torture segment. I heard once that VP or some other clone taught that the Roman soldiers sodomized our Lord. Did anyone else ever hear that?

Have we thought about the consequences of legalizing gay marriages? Divorce? Custody? Cheating? Battery? This stuff is a mess the way things are right now, what's going to happen if we legalize things. No matter their arguments, gay couples are not equal to straight couples. The dynamic is different and the consequences are just as different.

Movies can be made which attack Christ and belittle Christians and somehow that's OK. But to make a movie glorifying Christ and suddenly its a whole new ball game. I expect this of course, but it is still a wonder to see.

Like all change, these things take time. As for multiple marriages, the Muslim world allows for polygamy as do some tribal-based systems.

Well, this is Gibson's film and his interpretation of the Gospel account. But Rocky, from what I hear, it still only offers a glimpse as to the punishment Christ took upon himself for our sins.

I just love how religious people are still seen as evil.

Tongues _in my experience_ was always the special climax of the class. We all knew what was coming, and if someone did it early fine, but most were told to wait for 12 because of the doc's excellent teaching.

Well, in my spiritual path right now, I am focusing on God, because after all, it is all about Him. Too long I focused on me and wondered why I never "got it."

There is a movement being led by Alan Keyes which says Congress has the authority and responsibility to rein in the courts. Too often judges are MAKING law rather than interpreting it. On one of these threads I said the gay rights was out for special rights. Part of what I meant was the so-called hate crimes laws. This law metes out extra punishment for those who attack certain groups. This is a reaction to the Matthew Shephard case much in the same way the Patriot Act, followed Sept. 11. These laws are reactionary and misguided. All they do is impugn the rights of most Americans. Mind you, I am not advocating violence, but why should one victim be more special than another? All crime is heinous. We could probably address many issues for gay couples without rewriting our moral codes. Property rights, visitation and health insurance can be handled in the legislative and private sectors. We don't need these judicial directives to get it done.

Actually, John is the only Gospel that says Jesus carries his own cross. The other three have Simon being forced to. Each Gospel has its own take and offers a view. Sometimes the record is pretty stark, others it is very informative.

I don't know oldies, fear and intimidation and isolation can do alot to keep someone in a group. Just ask Rocky and his mindless devotion to the Democratic Party :0 :)--> I don't believe the Bible to be BS, but much of what I learned in TWi came with a price and I've been doing my best with God's help to unlearn it.

I am just throwing my views out there. If they stick with someone fine. If not, no hurt here. I would like to see all threads go on, OK?

guess Your views on Revelations are interesting, I will give you that. I think you are wrong, but interestinly so, not as boring as smikeol. When you talk of angels, remember the word is translated as messenger, so it could be referring to pastors as well. And the seals and bowls are acts of God's judgment on a wicked planet. Or do you think we have an indulget God who just winks at our sins? Revelations starts off listing seven churches, which really existed and each fought their own battles, some compromised the truth for the flesh. How tongues gets in there is a mystery to me. The focus is on the believer and his call to stand against sin and persecution.

My church is renting a theatre for three nights to show "The Passion" so far I have two co-workers who are going to come. All ex-Wayfers should see the movie. Everybody should. Not everyone will respond the same, but it should be seen — even if only because the lousy frogs (France for you there in Rio Linda) banned.

You are right tref about the relationship thing and maybe we can fix that without changing the whole culture.

When I go looking for love, I go to my wife and kids. TV will always leave me hanging. I like law and order, Becker, some of the Simpsons and Ray Remano's show occasionally.

I am opposed to same-sex marriages, but I do not hate homosexuals. I am opposed to racism, does that mean I hate the Klan? Gay marriage is anethema to civilization. If we allow it, what will stop the legalization of a man and two or more women, three men a baby? A man and a boy? A woman and herself? Really, what justification would you have to disallow this? Statistically, gay men are more likely to be promiscuous, depressed, drug addicted, alcoholic and carry an STD. Marriage is going to cure this? In the Netherlands, where gay marriage is legal, the average marriage for two men is about 1.5 years. And the number of men who one partner in that relationship will have sex with in a year is 8! We are being asked to flaunt millenia of evidence to the contrary for the sake of a minuscule number of people. Trust me its not hate that motivates me. On the contrary. It is compassion for gays and the rest of society.

One thing I have learned since being out of Twi is that I don't have to understand everything in the Bible for it to make sense for me.

Exactly who, in the greate scheme of things, is going to remember vic for anything once this generation dies out?