Officials Take 3 Minutes To Change Mind On Gay Ban

theneworleanschannel.com ^

[chance33_98]

Officials Take 3 Minutes To Change Mind On Gay Ban

POSTED: 11:44 a.m. EST March 19, 2004

DAYTON, Tenn. -- A Tennessee county known for its conservative views is reversing course on a vote to ban homosexuals.

Rhea County commissioners recently asked for a change in state law that would let authorities charge homosexuals with crimes against nature.

One official said that vote triggered a "wildfire" of reaction.

At their latest meeting, the same elected officials took about three minutes to change their minds.

The county attorney insists it was a misunderstanding -- that county commissioners only wanted to make a statement against gay marriage.

Rhea County gained national attention for the 1925 court case known as the Scopes "Monkey Trial" in which a high school teacher was convicted of teaching evolution. The verdict was reversed on a technicality.

[lelio]

The county attorney insists it was a misunderstanding -- that county commissioners only wanted to make a statement against gay marriage.

And instead their true thoughts came out?

[gdani]

At their latest meeting, the same elected officials took about three minutes to change their minds.

Translation: They finally ran the idea past their attorney(s).

[Servant of the 9]

I wonder which ones found out they had a gay kid or grandkid after they voted for the ban.

So9

[King Black Robe]

Gay is something you do, not something you are. If you want to talk about consenting adults that's one thing, but leave the children out of it. Let them grow up without a sexual tag, will ya?

[Servant of the 9]

Gay is something you do, not something you are.

Sometimes.
I had a guy in my Cub Scout Den who was gay at 6. His brothers and sisters were all normal. There is too much evidence that some gays are born that way, to be able to convincingly deny it.

If you want to talk about consenting adults that's one thing, but leave the children out of it. Let them grow up without a sexual tag, will ya?

Did I say minor children or grandchildren?
I think not.
The idea that some can be born gay seems to threaten you.

So9

[King Black Robe]

That cub scout friend of yours had parents who were responsible for that kid by law. I do not think it is fair to define a 6 year old as "gay" just because he acts (I assume) feminine. He is six for gosh sakes. Let his parents who know him and are legally responsible for him speak up if they want. But allowing 6 year old peers to define the future sexual desires of a kid who may have some gender identity issues is just wrong. Do you know if he had a father at home? Do you have any idea if he had been sexually abused in his short life? Did he have a controlling or abusive mother? You cannot tell me that you "know" that kid was gay. I've known many 6 year old boys in my lifetime. They are not thinking about sex one way or the other. It is an age where they develop strong gender identity. They frequently "hate" girls and all things girlish. This is a normal part of their self-gender identity and awareness development. When it doesn't happen, it doesn't mean they are desiring sexual relations with bodies similar to their own. It just means they are having difficulty identifying with their own gender. To define a six year old as having same sex attraction is appalling. If anything, a girlish acting boy is simply showing that he identifies with the interests of girls.

[Servant of the 9]

That cub scout friend of yours had parents who were responsible for that kid by law. I do not think it is fair to define a 6 year old as "gay" just because he acts (I assume) feminine. He is six for gosh sakes. Let his parents who know him and are legally responsible for him speak up if they want. But allowing 6 year old peers to define the future sexual desires of a kid who may have some gender identity issues is just wrong. Do you know if he had a father at home? Do you have any idea if he had been sexually abused in his short life? Did he have a controlling or abusive mother? You cannot tell me that you "know" that kid was gay. I've known many 6 year old boys in my lifetime. They are not thinking about sex one way or the other. It is an age where they develop strong gender identity. They frequently "hate" girls and all things girlish. This is a normal part of their self-gender identity and awareness development. When it doesn't happen, it doesn't mean they are desiring sexual relations with bodies similar to their own. It just means they are having difficulty identifying with their own gender. To define a six year old as having same sex attraction is appalling. If anything, a girlish acting boy is simply showing that he identifies with the interests of girls.

I'm sorry, but you are just wrong.
I knew him all the way through highschool. His family was completely ordinary.

There are lots of kinds of birth defects.
Some are born schizophrenic, some are born retarded, some are born missing limbs, but none can be born with distorted sexual orientation?
Give me a break.

Fundamentalist Christians refuse to believe anyone can be 'born that way' because it would then be unchristian to loathe them instead of pity them

[King Black Robe]

Fundamentalist Christians refuse to believe anyone can be 'born that way' because it would then be unchristian to loathe them instead of pity them

Not being a Christian yourself, are you really qualified to say why Christians believe what they believe? I don't think so.

Further, you did not answer me about the kids background. I doubt you have any idea what kind of experiences that kid had. One feminine acting boy friend does not an expert make. It proves nothing on the nature vs. nurture issue. And if it is a disorder, as you described (perhaps it is; perhaps it isn't), then it should be something we seek a cure for, not something we elevate to normal status.

On the issue of sympathy, I would take it on a case by case basis. Some of these people are greatly troubled, dealing with trauma in their past. Everyone, Christian or not, can sympathize with that. But that doesn't excuse their outright marketing of the abnormal "lifestyle" to children.

You should leave kids out of it. Consenting adults is one thing, but tagging 6 year olds is another.

[Servant of the 9]

Fundamentalist Christians refuse to believe anyone can be 'born that way' because it would then be unchristian to loathe them instead of pity them

Not being a Christian yourself, are you really qualified to say why Christians believe what they believe? I don't think so.

And you know I am not a Christian exactly how?
I will admit to not being your kind of Christian, but then most Christians aren't (there is no majority Christian sect).

Further, you did not answer me about the kids background. I doubt you have any idea what kind of experiences that kid had. One feminine acting boy friend does not an expert make.

Yes, I did. We grew up together. We all played together. We were in and out of each others houses for a dozen years. He knew not to hit on us, and we all ignored his orientation.

It proves nothing on the nature vs. nurture issue.

Yes, it does. It takes only one exception to disprove the theory that is is all nurture.

And if it is a disorder, as you described (perhaps it is; perhaps it isn't), then it should be something we seek a cure for, not something we elevate to normal status.

I agree completely.
I just think we will never make real progress till we discover the physiological cause and a chemical treatment.

On the issue of sympathy, I would take it on a case by case basis. Some of these people are greatly troubled, dealing with trauma in their past. Everyone, Christian or not, can sympathize with that. But that doesn't excuse their outright marketing of the abnormal "lifestyle" to children.

I agree.

So9

[King Black Robe]

The term "Christian" was brought up by YOU, not me. Your reference was a "they" reference, not a "we" reference. I am very used to the atheist and humanist use of the word "fundamentalist" in association with Christians. What does that mean? A Christian who actually takes Christ's words literally and seriously? Given that "Christian" has the name "Christ" in it, what's wrong with that. Christ valued Scripture, quoted it Himself, and said that He came not to abolish but to fulfill the law. So, this distinction you make between Christians is curious to me, especially when you then imply that you are a Christian. I am not used to Christians bashing Christians I guess. But again, you brought it up.

You then inform me that I do not represent most Christians (you know my beliefs how?). Again, why the detour into Christianity? What spurred that? What does your dislike of "Fundamentalist Christians" have to do with our discussion? That's what I am missing.

[Servant of the 9]

The term "Christian" was brought up by YOU, not me. Your reference was a "they" reference, not a "we" reference. I am very used to the atheist and humanist use of the word "fundamentalist" in association with Christians. What does that mean? A Christian who actually takes Christ's words literally and seriously?

In my part of the country, it means someone who believes the bible is the absolute inerrant word of God, with no errors in transcription or translation and no figures of speech or parables allowed, except for those specifically labled parables.

You then inform me that I do not represent most Christians (you know my beliefs how?).

I don't need to. Once you get beyond a basic belief in the divinity of Christ, I don't think there is a 'majority view' among Christians on any subject.

Again, why the detour into Christianity? What spurred that?

The only people I have ever heard claiming that homosexuality was exclusivey or largely a learned behavior were fundamentalist Christians, that was the beginning of what was, I admit, an uncalled for detour.

So9

[King Black Robe]

Okay. Hey, thanks for the explanation.

[King Black Robe]

Oh, one more thing. For the most part, from your definition, I would call myself a "Fundamentalist Christian." LOL! But I am not 100% identifying with your association of my Christian beliefs and my beliefs on homosexuality. I am not sure anyone knows exactly why it happens. I do think the fact that it is contrary to natural human sexuality is obvious. We are male and female. We can all study our own geneologies and see that heterosexuality is the connecting fiber of our existence -- past and future. The fact that some people like to pleasure themselves in a homosexual way does not make the behavior congruent with their DNA necessarily. I think the existence of other abnormal desires and throughts proves that desire can be contrary to natural design, even if it has its roots in a genetic disorder. And some things come natural to our "fallen nature" that are still morally wrong. Who has never lied, for example. But lying is still wrong.

Maybe that made sense, maybe not. LOL! I tried.

[CygnusXI]

Well, imo...

You can be born violent, or prone to steal, kill, or lie.. So why can't one be born homosexual.

My point is that we are ALL born with a capability to sin, be it sexual or other, but the freewill we have to either exersise these "urges" or deny them is always ours.

That is why I hate the "God doesn't make mistakes" argument that proponets of homosexuals use.

It's we who do.