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[roarymullmann]

I am slightly disturbed. As much as I hate overt PCness (motto: The only way to be PC is to NOT) and as much as I believe that everyone has a right to an opinion and lifestyle, I read something in the globe today that really made me angry. Religion is basically an off-limits topic for alot of people, but I do not care. I am going to talk about it.

Comments

[simplyfabulous7]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Coming from the "Bible belt," I always try to avoid topics like this because people get extremely defensive. Yes, I am a Republican from the South. Yes, I am a Christian. BUT this does not mean that I am a Fundamentalist (or as the media dubs it "Evangelical Christian"). This is one of the media's oppressive generalizations of Southerners that really pisses me off. [Okay, I'm finished with my off-topic rant].

Anyway, I view the Bible as Christianity's sacred text that one must read and study in order to grow in one's relationship with God. However, God did NOT write the Bible. As you mentioned, the Bible was written by people that were inspired by God to write accounts--thus explaining why it is contradictory at times. This doesn't make it any less sacred, though, because it is the only guidebook Christians have. BUT we cannot take everything written in the Bible literally because it was written by people and uses lots of figurative language. Example: In Leviticus where it discusses "an eye for an eye," you can't read that literally. I just get so angry when people try to dictate their lives because of things they read in the Bible. The Bible is supposed to be read, interpreted, and then applied to your life. Also, the Bible isn't complete because accounts were edited and books extracted by the Catholic Church centuries ago, but that's another story for another day.

As for gay marriage, I'm torn. I respect gay people for their sexuality and believe that they should have the same rights as everyone; but when dealing with the religious aspect of marriage, I don't know what to think. Secular gay marriage would probably be the best thing. I think the only thing about it that bothers me is the word "marriage" because that is one of those things overtly stated in the Bible that marriage should be between a man and a woman. I'm perfectly okay with homosexuals getting married because they are in love and deserve to be wed just as much as straight couples do--I'm just not comfortable calling it marriage yet. Gay couples deserve the same rights married couples do-- our nation is based upon equality. [It's just sad that it is taking us so long to establish it]! I just wish it were termed something other than "gay marriage"--I'm not sure what rights civil unions provide gay couples, but if the rights were the same as those provided to straight couples, then civil unions would probably be the best thing. If secular gay marriage doesn't occur, I'll probably get over myself and accept gay "marriage" for its namesake; but for now, I'll be an advocate of secular unions.