Good point, Tim. Sometimes you have to twist logic into pretzel-like formations to justify illogical thoughts.

Tim----Thats what they are trying to do, get the prom straight.

H33, Tim was being sarcastic! the mmmk remark is from Southpark. my remark is this: Diana Medley is "offensive to me".

H33---No dude, that is NOT what Tim is saying. Tim is employing the sly tactic of something called 'sarcasim', which is noticable to most sentiant beings. See, Tim read the comments of this absurdly hypocritical woman up above. she said that God sends people into her life for a reason and that she has helped gay students when they have approached her with their problems. in the very next breathe, the same woman said that gay's 'have no purpose'. so Tim, being an intelligent sort of fellow commented to the hypocricy of this woman saying both that 'God brings these students into her life to help them" yet she feels that these same people "have no purpose in life." because she 'Does not understand them."

oh, small minded back wackward woman in small ville midwest, you are about to be one of the most hated andmade fun of imbeciles of the decade. Far worse than the minister who didnt tip or the granny that kicked somekids out of her house at 4 in the morning. you are now on the radar and @!$%#e list of every gay lesbian rights group known in the US, the poster child for American ignorance and intolerace and a slow demise to your career. you insulted nearly every single person and group by sayinh gays have no purpose and then saying that gays were like your special needs students--which would indirectly imply that you dont see special needs individuals as having worth. then, to top it off, you awakened the anger of Dan Savage. Let's see how well your life goes from here on out. i hope you end up at walmart where you belong.

H3321278 Did you read the article. Tim was restating a statement that this ignorant teacher said.

Damn, I was beginning to think the people in this ol' world would NEVER cease hating others because they were different.. This article is a breath of fresh air in that it proves I'm wrong and I happily admit it! It looks like the human race IS finally growing up, is finally learning tolerance and acceptance.. Yes, there will still be, for a long time, people like Medley who will fight tooth and nail to keep bigotry alive and well but, eventually, they will be gone along with such groups as the KKK and the Aryan Nations..

Keep your hopes up, people.. IF we don't first blow ourselves up or ruin our planet to the point of no return, we will become THE Human Race, all for one and one for all!

haha! fist pump leap of joy!! im from that area.. awful the kids seem to be slightly just slightly(as long as they dont kiss in public-god forbid) more porgressive thinkers than thier parents ..very embarassing to the state for indiana to have residents who think like this.. and the church groups??wha??? red state? lol

Well if that's the case if gays serve no purpose what do special needs kids serve? I mean obviously they're a drain financially on families all over the world, are often shunned by the public or exploited...

sarcasm aside (because I know some of you aren't smart enough for sarcasm).

Proms are meant to be enjoyed by everyone. They're ostracized by their peers enough, why drag adults into it? All it does is just show their peers it's okay since mommy and daddy do it too.

"It's the same thing with my special-needs kids," she said. "I think God puts everyone in our lives for a reason."

Asked whether gays and lesbians have any "purpose in life," she replied:

"No, I honestly don't. Sorry, but I don't. I don't understand it."

Then maybe it's time you go back to a "real school" not a Sunday school and get yourself educated.

As usual, religion once again exposed for making their sheeple utterly ignorant.

OK, we're not supposed to say mentally retarded anymore so, pardon any appearance of sounding slightly judgmental, but Ms Medley has shown herself to be, um, a special needs adult.

I can't wait to see which bodily fluid Dan Savage decides to dub "medley." She's about to become this decade's Santorum.

So MS. "Meddler" says that gays have no purpose and are just like he special education kids and that she doesn't understand. Well understand this Ms. Medley, maybe God put the gays and the special education kids here so an intolerant idiot like youself would have a job even though you don't understand. You know you are in the wrong when even Dan Savage comes after you.

How many children of you own do you have and do any of them attend this school? If so, I feel very sorry for them.

kimfoo

Gods word is Gods word . You read you know what it says follow it ...or go to HELL.

Just like the rest of your Cafeteria Christian friends you pick and choose what you want to believe in. Please point to one word in the Bible that God wrote. Nope not one, the Bible you devote your life to was written and re-written by men. So much of it 800 years and more after his death. The Bible is full of contradictions, if you follow one quote you violate another. The real world is out there waiting for you, all you need to do is wake up and see the truth.

If it's a public school they need to lose their jobs, if it's a private school Oh well, and what is the Norm if you could ask the Main man which did everything for a purpose are We to believe he FU_KED UP when he created those so called GAY PEOPLE. LOL

I don't believe God has anything to do with our choices in life, that is up to us. I do think these parents should be worrying about more important things like drug/alcohol use and unprotected sex by students, or is it just easier to focus on "other people's children" rather than their own?

All children deserve to be in a safe and nurturing environment. As a foster dad, I have teenagers live with me who are separated from their family for all sorts of reasons. The most heartbreaking one is for the gay teenagers that are separated just because they are gay. So many of these gay teenagers have suffered so many losses and to tell them that they are not welcomed to a school prom, solely based on their sexual identity, is not, IMHO, very Christian. Luckily, their respective high school always welcomed them to all events, especially at their prom. Now that they have grown and moved out, they still call me Dad, and are always welcomed to my house, even with their boyfriend. The only thing I don't understand, is, what is it with black fingernail polish?

Mr. "John Doe"...How is it intolerance to be disgusted by such statments? Let me ask you something...what if this very same speech was made but instead of saying gay people this woman would have said black people...would you still be defending her? Yes, she has the right to express her opinion but when her opinion tries to deny others their Constitutional equality she goes beyond an opinion...hate is hate and if you are going to speak it publicly you should expect backlash...that's probably the reason you didn't have the guts to use your real name to post under, right?

Hating someone because they live in the same state as this woman, though. That's a-ok.

Meg Corrello, explain to me then why children from a man and a woman aren't all hetrosexuals?

There is something that people do need to understand that your just not getting and that is that you cannot FORCE someone to think like you do and one of the reasons is that if they are NOT like you there is no way for them to RELATE! When a man feels as he does toward a woman he only knows how strongly his desire is for a woman, how can you expect him to just all of a sudden understand how another man could have those same feelings for another man? Its not so hard to see. Its just like a gay man cannot understand how anyone could feel sexual toward a woman! Men and women have very intense feelings toward the opposite sex and I would bet if your gay its the same feeling man for man or woman for woman and that is where it gets fuzzy for some people. If your saying you CAN understand it then they wonder if you really feel as strongly toward that sex as you say you do??? I know you understand what I'm saying. It is VERY complicated and everyone knows it so YES this is going to be a big deal for people! We even have many many people that ARE being tolerent toward gay and you are still going to freak out because they say that they think everyone should be allowed to go to the prom but they still don't understand gays or think that their is a reason for them. You can't get it all at once. You can't force it. The more people gripe the bigger the line that is drawn sometimes! They are going to be able to go but you cannot change everyones thoughts any more than we can make everyone tolerent of bald, overweight, old, homely, colors and religions of people!

I think Christians are the most discriminated people, not gays. We (yes, I'm one of them) live our lives by certain beliefs, but if we speak of those beliefs, we are scorned by "society". We are NOT allowed to have free speech, if it goes against a certain select group. We are stereotyped with words such as, "haters", "bigots", "Bible - thumpers" or "cafeteria Christians". We are now looked down by society, as gays once were.

I can't speak for other Christians, but I will speak for myself. I am completely against homosexual behavior, either by male or female. I do not want any of my children being subjected to something against our religious beliefs. But, I understand gays have the exact same rights we non - gays do, because they are Americans, just as we are. I think Diana Medely was wrong. Gays should be allowed to go to a prom, but not be allowed to show sexual actions anymore than straight kids. I hear so many people state that gays aren't hurting anyone, but I strongly disagree. Our country is in turmoil - people are out of work, out of their homes, our economy is in the tank, and our politicians are being forced to waste so much valuable time trying to figure out how to get the homosexual's rights protected. Our country has become very divided over the gay rights issue. Every one I talk to is against gays being allowed to be married in a church, with God's blessing. They should be allowed to be married in a civil union, have all the same rights of insurance, health plans, spousal benefits, death benefits - all the things a straight marriage is entitled to - just not being married in God's House. They can't have everything just because they want it.

Leave the gays alone to live their life in peace, but let Christians also live their lives in peace, and leave their beliefs alone.

Bill-328037 - I think Christians are the most discriminated people, not gays. We (yes, I'm one of them) live our lives by certain beliefs, but if we speak of those beliefs, we are scorned by "society". We are NOT allowed to have free speech, if it goes against a certain select group.

Bill, this cartoon describes people like you perfectly:

http://s1172.beta.photobucket.com/user/dmillerparker/media/glbt-religious-freedom.jpg.html

Just an FYI, freedom of speech and freedom of religion don't mean freedom from scorn. If you choose to be a dumb bigot as Diana Medley did, you deserve whatever scorn and ridicule you get. You earned it.

Bill -

It just seems as though people of faith are discriminated against more than any other group. It is because all of the "evolved and spiritually superior humans" have decided that those of faith are fair game for bigotry. You could look at it as an honor - an opportunity to serve God by absorbing the hate and bile corrupting your fellows' souls.

Or you could just ignore the deiphobes.

The need to feel superior to some other group in order to assuage your own feelings of inadequacy drives these people - just as it does the KKK and the neo-nazis.

Yes, Okicize, if only we could go back to the good old days when we didn't worry about garbage like equal rights, allowing equal access, and preventing discrimination against groups of students in schools. How I long for the good ol' America where you have to be a straight, white, male Christian to get civil rights and not have society encouraging you being bullied and discriminated against in school. /s -.-

skrekk, no, that cartoon does NOT "describe people like you perfectly". You are no better than the ones you scorn, lumping every Christian into one group - it shows your ignorance. See how quickly you added the word, "bigot" to your post. You stereotype all of us into the same group, when there are radicals in every group. I am not a radical. I believe every person has the same RIGHTS as an American, but that means Christians ALSO have rights. They should be able to profess what they believe in, without people like you jumping in, insulting them, calling them names, labelling them. What I do not agree to, is homosexuals getting married in my church, with God's blessings - that is sacreligious to the Bible I adhere to.

Another one, mpa-4893349, pulls those same ignorant, lame use of words to insult Christians. I do not feel I am better than anyone, nor am I associated with the KKK or Neo - Nazis. I don't know where you two get your information, but sometimes, when you spend so much energy insulting us, I think you're actually afraid of Christians - no, not the tiny lot of radicals, but Christians in general. Every time these conversations come up, those opposing Christians are always using the same, lame words to bash us. You people must have a really tiny dictionary.

Bill, Christians have enjoyed centuries of being the schoolyard bully, so I'm sure you're not going to find a great swell of sympathy or pity for your poor, ostracized, beleaguered brethren.

Let's take a look at the rest of your post, because I think your comments are representative of how at least some Christians feel.

I do not want any of my children being subjected to something against our religious beliefs.

What about violence, murder, and all the other joys of society? Oh, that's right, the Bible is quite fond of those. Slavery, too. Would you expose your children to slavery and tell them how good it is? Because the Bible specifically and repeatedly endorses it. What about misogyny? The bible is filled with that. I think that saying that the whole "gay thing" is "against your religious beliefs" is really just a euphemism, I'm sorry. I think the idea of gay sex probably just grosses you out, and this is your way of dealing with it and making your personal discomfort somehow socially redeemable.

But, I understand gays have the exact same rights we non - gays do, because they are Americans, just as we are.

Your understanding is woefully incorrect, then. Sorry. Good to see that you acknowledge that gay people are actual Americans, though.

I think Diana Medely was wrong. Gays should be allowed to go to a prom, but not be allowed to show sexual actions anymore than straight kids.

I'm pretty sure the gay kids don't want to go so they can grope each other or have sex on the dance floor. Nor did anyone ever say, "Well, the gay kids should be allowed to do whatever they want, but the straight kids have to behave themselves and maintain propriety at all times." Again, it all goes back to sex with you anti-gay folks. Always.

Also, as an editor, I notice word usage more than most people; many times, it's subconscious. But word choice matters. Here, you refer to the gay kids as "gays," yet you call the straight kids "straight kids." One is dehumanizing, one is not. I'm sure you can sort out the difference. Racists and bigots do this all the time (though I'm not saying you are either). They never say "black people" because that emphasizes their humanity. They just say "blacks" or "the blacks." It's a subtle, and likely not fully conscious, way to dehumanize the people you're seeking to marginalize.

I hear so many people state that gays aren't hurting anyone, but I strongly disagree. Our country is in turmoil - people are out of work, out of their homes, our economy is in the tank, and our politicians are being forced to waste so much valuable time trying to figure out how to get the homosexual's rights protected.

So making an effort to secure equal rights for everyone is a "waste of time" to you? Good, glad to know where you stand. You also seem to be suggesting that if weren't for those damn gays, our economy would be strong and foreclosures would have ceased months ago. Yet politicians are being "forced" to waste all their time with those stupid gay people's rights. which in your mind takes up so much time, they can't do anything else at all. Scandalous!! Since your rights are secure, that's all that should matter, right?

Our country has become very divided over the gay rights issue. Every one I talk to is against gays being allowed to be married in a church, with God's blessing.

I'm sure that's 100% true, since you almost certainly surround yourself with people of your own ilk, people whose beliefs and thoughts mirror your own. But curiously, I've never -- EVER -- heard of any gay or lesbian person demanding to be married in a church (or synagogue, or mosque, or temple -- guess those don't exist in your bubble) with the blessings of ANY god, yours or otherwise. Nobody is requesting, demanding, or advocating this at all. You've just invented this out of thin air.

They should be allowed to be married in a civil union, have all the same rights of insurance, health plans, spousal benefits, death benefits - all the things a straight marriage is entitled to - just not being married in God's House.

I'm glad you think that civil marriage equality is a valid concept. However, all gods are imaginary, my friend. Imaginary people don't have houses. Or Houses. (Sorry, I just think it's funny how Christians capitalize any word vaguely related to their god, as if that somehow connotes piety or worship.)

And by the way, our country is getting less and less divided by the year on the concept of gay people being equal, and deserving of the same, full rights as anyone else. Perhaps you should look at the 2012 general election results, or consult any poll on the subject. It's just that the pool of bigots is shrinking, and they know they're losing, so they're getting louder.

Finally, you ask why aren't Christians just left alone to wallow in their beliefs, without being harassed or bothered by anyone. Well, if they'd stop trying to codify their silly doctrine into law, or if they'd have never tortured and killed anyone who dared to not march in lockstep with their beliefs, or if they'd lay off trying to pass off superstitious dogma as actual science in America's schools, well... perhaps they would be left alone.

What I find most distressing in your post is that you come across (in a way) as a sane, rational, and even nice person. But you're really just a bigot. Don't be fooled. I believe your Book of Fancy refers to it as a wolf in sheep's clothing. Gospel of Matthew, if memory serves.

"I believe every person has the same RIGHTS as an American, but that means Christians ALSO have rights. They should be able to profess what they believe in, without people like you jumping in, insulting them, calling them names, labelling them. "

Then you need to reread the Constitution. You have the freedom of speech, not the freedom to speak without anyone else being able to speak counter to you or criticize the speech you put forth. The very same right that you have to speak allows others to point out the flaws and bigotry they perceive in your speech, and label as they feel it warrants.

"What I do not agree to, is homosexuals getting married in my church, with God's blessings - that is sacreligious to the Bible I adhere to."

And noone is advocating that. Legalizing same-sex marriage will not force churches to perform same-sex weddings, as they are exempted from anti-discrimination laws due to their religious nature. This is why a church today can legally refuse to marry a mixed race couple despite them having a legal right to marry (though that would be quite unusual these days). If another Christian church wants to marry a gay couple, that is their choice, and you have no more of a right to demand they don't do so than their denomination would have the right to say what your church can or can't do. And even if all Christian churches refuse to marry gay couples, marriage does not require a church or religion at all, as it is a civil contract that can be drawn up in a in a county courthouse.

Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Newton, Tchaikovsky, among those who have no use according to Diana Medley...and a bunch of Religionists. Oh, try reading Matthew 19:11-12. Jesus was talking with a group of straight followers about marriage. Under Jewish Law, being marriage carried quite an obligation. One of the men spoke to Jesus of marriage: that perhaps a man should then not marry. And the first thing Jesus says that all cannot marry for is that some of born of the womb the same as a eunuch, and that some are made eunuchs of men, and that some never marry to be closer to Me. An whatever applies to you, you must accept it. Pretty clear, that Jesus was saying that some are not attracted to women by birth, and some cannot marry, and some choose not to marry. That makes four types of men.

It is not a sin to be gay. It IS a sin to act on it.

Except that it's not. There's no such thing as "sin." It's an artificial construct of a fairy-tale world that we call "religion."

What's so bizarre to me is how quick religious folks are to jump on this (even though there is not a scrap of evidence to support it), yet they completely overlook the moral abomination of slavery, which is condoned and advocated throughout their Bible. It would be almost laughable if it hadn't been used for so long as the moral justification for owning other human beings as property.

Religious people are just curiosities to me. They live in this self-reinforced delusional bubble where all logic and reality just goes by the wayside. You point out the incongruities that, to a rational person, would completely dismantle the fairy tale ("A man cannot live unharmed for three days inside a giant fish!"), and yet religious people just dig their heels in. And beyond that, they look at other religions and mock the ridiculousness of it all, make light of that belief system's superstitions and rituals, yet somehow don't see that their own religion has the same sort of insanity. Talking snakes, flying horses, virgin births, magical golden plates from heaven... all brought to you by various well-known religions. And that's just the tip of the very delusional iceberg. Just bizarre.

This lady is ignorant and a hypocrite, she has gays believing she's helping them with there problems and then turn around and says they have no purpose this lady is the one with no purpose and she should go crawl under a rock because they are beautiful people and they have just as much right to be here then any straight person. They are not the ones with the problem you people are!!!

Yeah, that's right. And we don't want none of them coloreds or mexicans neither. Sorry. Hatred in the name of God. I think someone is missing the point.

Here's an idea....End all proms. Seriously, how many lives must be ruined by this annual ritual? And some schools have junior & senior proms allowing this disaster to happen twice. How many babies are born 9 months after proms? How many drunk driving deaths are there on prom nights?

More lives are ruined on prom weekend than the Newtown tragedy 10 times over, but no one seems to care. Why? Why do the liberals not call on this to annual tragedy to stop? Think of the children as well as save the parents the ridiculous costs these things are now days.

Thinkforyourself-2427469, Brilliant posts!

It is only the religious who are attempting to remove rights from others. Banning them from proms, trying to restrict them from boy scouts, attempting to hide them from society. These same bigots carry their idols with them as crosses on their necks, in their cars, tattooed on their skin. You push your idolatry into everyone's face, profess how superior it is, and attempt to suppress those who do not believe the same as you. That is why you are bigots and hateful. You are trying to restrict and change other people instead of just not liking their actions and going on about your day. And for the record, idolatry is against your religion.

Leviticus-19:4 Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God.

You people are not better than she is

I beg to differ. I am most definitely better than a bigot.

You are trying to equate being against bigots to being bigoted against others. A rather silly concept you propose there. It's like saying that hating the Klan is the same as the Klan hating everyone who isn't a WASP.

It's clear to anyone with a bit of grey matter that there is a very clear difference between trying to impose your religion on others, and trying to stop the imposition of religion on others.

I think Christians are the most discriminated people, not gays.

What would a christianist be without a persecution complex? Would the religion even exist? Lol. Let me clue you in on something, it's not 'discrimination against Christians' to stand up against their desire to descriminate against others based on their religion. That's almost as absurd as formersoldier's logic. You can freely practice your religion, just don't freely practice it on other people.... because in case you didn't realize it, other people have the same rights as you do - Christian or not.

Bill - you completely mis-read my post. I was slamming deiphobes.

Shuklak - A bigot is a bigiot.

mpa, a bigot is a person who is intolerant of ideas other than their own. It is NOT bigotry to disagree, but allow. It is bigotry to disagree, and then try to stop others from doing differently than you.

Feel free to not be gay, and to not want to be gay. But if you are trying to stop people from being gay, or preventing them from participating in public events because they are gay, then you are by definition a bigot.

I think Christians are the most discriminated people, not gays. We (yes, I'm one of them) live our lives by certain beliefs, but if we speak of those beliefs, we are scorned by "society". We are NOT allowed to have free speech, if it goes against a certain select group. We are stereotyped with words such as, "haters", "bigots", "Bible - thumpers" or "cafeteria Christians". We are now looked down by society, as gays once were.

the mindset of a person who honestly believes this is downright scary. I mean seriously, how disconnected from reality can a person be and still function in society?

There is a difference between stating your opinion and trying to control others/legislate based upon any religious text (which in a secular society, we don't do. If you can justify why homosexuality can be outlawed without using anything from religion, ok but I've only seen like 1 person ever attempt to do so, and they were pretty quickly rebutted by someone else). Free speech allows you to speak your mind, but it doesn't grant you immunity from other's reactions to what you say. If I walk up to somebody and insult them or their family, I shouldn't be surprised if they tell me that they don't want to be my friend anymore or if they punch me in the face or insult me back.

The part that's not ok is when that line is crossed between stating an opinion and trying to get laws passed that are exclusionary or, like in the article, not allow gay high schoolers to attend an event that's open to the entire school. By striving to make things like same-sex marriage illegal, what one is doing is "my way of life is the only way that should be legal". To me, that is forcing a lifestyle onto someone, not "since not everyone is straight, or is united in the belief that it is wrong to be homosexual, we should allow any two consenting adults to receive a marriage licence (note not demand that all churches preform any marriage ceremony requested of them). That way everyone has the right to marry whomever they choose." Forcing the "gay lifestyle" onto the masses would be "only marriage between same-sex partners is valid, and any current marriages that are between opposite gender couples will be invalidated".

Shuklak - A bigot is a bigiot

Oversimplification is the callsign of ignorance.

There's a difference between being a bigot and being against bigots; who wish to deny others rights, to discriminate based off sexual orientation, and to base such bigotry on religious dogma and irrational stupidity such as "they have a purpose but they don't have a purpose, because I don't understand it" like this lady in question. Because she's too dumb to 'understand it' and get over her personal incredulity is not... I reapeat NOT.... a valid reason to discriminate against others and deem others as less than you.

Yet, being against bigots has valid reasoning - insobeing that they try to stop or hinder others from imposing their opinion based in irrational stupidity (see above) upon entire classes of people. There is an offender, and there is a defender here. Anti-bigots are not the offenders. They are not the ones calling for discrimination. They are not the ones who seek to impose their religious doctrine upon others.

Your logic could be used in this scenario - two killers. If a "killer" is a "killer" as a "bigot" is a "bigot" - then there would be no difference between MURDER and SELF-DEFENSE by your logic.

It is just about impossible for some to accept that others do not think as they do, and don't have the same opinions.

Read the previous posts that denigrate all who believe in a higher power. Read the posts which call for all who disagree to be swept from the face of the earth. Read the posts which call for the woman to be fired for having an opinion they, the posters, don't hold.

Now talk to me about tolerance.

And please note that nowhere have I stated that I thnik she was right.

@ kimfoo post #2.11

"...or go to HELL"

Actually, the Bible never mentions hell. Seriously, go back and look at the original languages.

There is no Hebrew term for “hell.” The original text used the word sheol. In all other examples of Hebrew writings, sheol has always meant “pit” or “grave” or something along those lines. It did not infer to any sort of afterlife whatsoever. But the NT does NOT say anything about hell either. In every instance where Jesus refers to hell in modern translations, the actual original Greek used is either “Hades” or “Gehenna.”

Hades, as we all know, was believed by the Greeks as a place where ALL dead people went, good or bad. It wasn’t where the devil or Satan resided. It is simply the Land of the Dead. Speaking of Satan, the Bible offers no description of his appearance. That is totally derived from popular art throughout the centuries. And many scholars believe our modern ideas about hell are all derived from Dante’s Inferno.

Gehenna, on the other hand, is thought to be an actual physical place to the south of Jerusalem, where they burned garbage and other unclean things like animal carcasses. I also read that it was also where children were sacrificed to the god Moloch. So it’s a really crummy, awful and reviled place. If you were tossed into that fire upon your death, it would bring great shame to your family. And it caused eternal suffering because the family could never retrieve your body for proper burial.

So keeping that in mind, Matthew 5 takes on a whole different twist (I didn’t see hell mentioned in Matt 7: 13-14 – just a “road to destruction” – or in Matt. 8: 12 – that only mentions being “cast into outer darkness” - so I opted for Matt. 5 that actually says “hell”):
“29 If your right eye serves as a trap to ensnare you or is an occasion for you to stumble and sin, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be cast into hell (Gehenna).

30 And if your right hand serves as a trap to ensnare you or is an occasion for you to stumble and sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better that you lose one of your members than that your entire body should be cast into hell (Gehenna).”

See, a case can be made that Jesus wasn’t actually talking about the afterlife at all. He may have been saying, if you were a jerk, the community could treat you like garbage when you die and burn you with the rest of the garbage. If ya don’t want that to happen, then separate yourself from whatever is causing you to be a jerk (sin). Obviously, your eye or hand do not cause you to be a jerk. Your thoughts and actions cause you to be a jerk. As such, cast off your mean thoughts and douchebag actions or you’ll be treated like trash when you die and bring great suffering for many generations to the ones you leave behind.

So those are the three words in the Bible (actually, there’s one more that begins with a “T” that I can’t remember, but it is only ever used once so I’m not going to bother with it) that have been translated to mean hell in English, when they mean no such thing if you study the original texts in their original languages. There seems to be no Biblical hell, just us fallible humans totally misunderstanding dead languages.

It is just about impossible for some to accept that others do not think as they do, and don't have the same opinions.

You can believe whatever you want to believe. Just respect and recognize the rights and freedoms of others. Tolerance and equality. You need not accept others to tolerate them.

Read the posts which call for the woman to be fired for having an opinion they, the posters, don't hold.

If it just ended at 'her opinion' - I might agree that it's not warranted. But obviously, she has taken her 'opinion' beyond that - and when your job centers around treating others.... especially children with special needs.... it's absolutely a valid concern.

Not all opinions are created equal, my friend. Simply because a person has an equal right to their opinion, does not make one opinion as valid as another. For example - two opinions: 1) Minorities are inferior and 2) Minorities are equally capable. These two opinions are obviously not equal in their merits or justifications.

As a so-called professional, this woman's clear bigotry against homosexuals undermines her ability to do her job appropriately. If it can be shown that her 'opinion' hinders her performance, then yes - she should be fired. The classroom is not the place for bigots.

Read the previous posts that denigrate all who believe in a higher power.

Some people can be pretty critical, but it's nothing compared to what I see spewed against homosexuals. For example, if I was as bigoted against Christians as this woman (and others) is/are against Homosexuals: I would be advocating against Christians being allowed to marry, calling them 'abominations' and 'sodomites', judging them as hellbound, seeing them as inferior. I would be offended whenever one wore a crucifix or a church-community t-shirt. I would be disgusted whenever I saw them kiss. I would try to start a segregated prom so that the other Christian-haters like myself didn't have to see the Christians. I would suggest that all Christians are pedophiles - in fact, I would suggest that they are interchangeable terms. I would wail about their inclusion into any group as being the destruction and end of said group. I would base my arguments off slippery slope fallacies and other illogical nonsense, as well as an ancient book which mentions Christians a couple times in the same vein as other minor sins.... yet I would exaggerate that minor sin into something huge and on par with the most vile of acts. I would fear monger, invoke the wrath of an invisible deity, and the whole time insist that I 'love' the Christians, just hate the Christianism. I would on top of that feel as though I have the RIGHT to impose all of that upon others through whatever means possible, and if someone tells me I don't have that right, I would cry persecution against me.

Oh - and I would most likely, if given the opportunity, vote to ban Christianity outright.

That is IF I was as anti-Christian as this woman (and so many others) are anti-homosexuality. But I'm not doing that, and in fact.... pretty much nobody is.... why? Because we aren't the bigots.

You know, since she did equate gay people to special needs children and then said that they don't have any purpose in life, that also implies that she doesn't feel special needs kids have any purpose in life either. That's how I read it and can only wonder how she can feel so superior to be able to judge others and regard them as being less than her in their existence.

I wonder if the parents of special needs children who got so riled up when Sarah Palin went on her rant about negative statements about special needs children will also condemn this teacher for her thoughtless statements.

She likes to help gays discover they have no purpose in life.

Thank god for the gene pool and gays donr get to pass their deviant genes into the gene pool for future generations. get a life time will sort it all out.

Yes, Mike. Moreover, she implies that heterosexuals have some express, innate, God-given purpose. Because of her homophobic stance, I'm guessing she believes that purpose is to be fruitful (no pun intended) and multiply, in which case our purpose as human beings differs not at all from that of fruit flies or thistles or nearly all organic life on the planet.

Actually, fruit flies and thistles propagate much more extravagantly and efficiently than we do, and, as far as I know, neither condemn nor murder their own species. So much for our 'highly evolved' status. . .

I wonder how this woman can, in good conscience, advocate multiplication and division in the same breath. Unless her education was really special, she should perhaps let God do the math. . .

John Q. Ummmm where do you think gay people come from? Derp. Heterosexuals.

You know, it's the multitude of comments like John Q's that leads me to believe anti-gay bigotry primarily comes from a place of extreme stupidity.

I believe that everyone was put here for a reason. Even ignorant haters from a hellhole called Indiana. Those ignorant bigots were put here so that we could see the difference between RIGHT and WRONG. People that tolerate other people, even if they are different are RIGHT and GOOD. People in some stupid boondock that think they have a DIRECT LINE to the ALMIGHTY and hate EVERYONE that is different from themselves are IGNORANT and BAD. So have your HATER PROM. I hope SATAN HIMSELF shows up to CONGRATULATE YOU!

There's an easy test for people like Ms. Medley. Ask them to replace the word "gay" with the word "black" and see if they would dare make such statements...

"Offensive to us" = "Offensive to prejudiced people like us."

I'd like to apply for the job of school counselor. I have no degree in psychology, but with the responses I read from the current one, a degree in the field means nothing. I do have masters degrees in fine arts and arts education. I have no problem with anyone's gender or sexual orientation. It's all good, as far as I'm concerned. I don't care what someone's religion is either. I'd be there to help people, not vilify them because of my own personal beliefs. I think I could do a very good job. Let me know, I'm looking for a new placement. I can guarantee you that I can do better than what they have now.

Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Newton, Tchaikovsky, among those who have no use according to Diana Medley.

Rather off-topic here, but Isaac Newton was not gay. Nor was he straight. Newton had no romantic notions whatsoever, as they distracted from his work. He was so dedicated to his experiments, and to God (yes, he was super-religious), that he avoided anything that would take his time away from them. As a result he had very few friends, and absolutely no lovers. In fact, it's unconfirmable but extremely likely that he died a virgin.

The closest Newton ever came to a romantic event was at the age of five, when he made a doll for a girl he fancied. She rejected it and ran away.

Bill-328037 - I hear so many people state that gays aren't hurting anyone, but I strongly disagree.

.............

See how quickly you added the word, "bigot" to your post. You stereotype all of us into the same group, when there are radicals in every group.

I can't imagine why anyone would think you're a dumb bigot, Bill.

Only in America is outing someone as a bigot equated with being a bigot...you can't make this stuff up.

I really can't tell whether people such as Bill are being disingenuous or whether they honestly don't know that they are bigots. Although I tend to believe that they know they are bigots yet are not ready to fully embrace their bigotry...no matter...they're easy to spot either way...

John Q Public-6353273

Thank god for the gene pool and gays donr get to pass their deviant genes into the gene pool for future generations. get a life time will sort it all out.

Actually they can and do.

Just because they're gay doesn't mean their reproductive organs don't work. I have several very close gay friends who have several children among them. Ironically "normal" in your eyes.... except they don't think being gay has much to do with anything.

All anyone needs to do is check out the stats -- it speaks for itself

We all area product of our environment, what we choose to do with it is up to us.

www.change.org/petitions/diana-medley-the-northeast-school-corporation-of-sullivan-county-appropriate-disciplinary-action-to-mrs-medley-including-termination

No one who thinks that certain people have no purpose in life should be teaching, or rather poisoning children.

Straight people have gay kids all the time. perfectly normally heterosexual people go and have sex, have kids and some come up gay. All walks of life, rich, poor, middle class, everything from asian to european and everything in between. Blaming something or someone is stupid, it's childish and it shows how small minded people are.

As to the Christians feeling persecuted, I want to crack a joke about them being used to it since weren't they persecuted a couple thousand years ago? But joking aside, people can be against something and not be bigoted. My mother is against homosexuals, but she doesn't sit and spout bible verses, screams how her gay relative is going to hell or how satan is at work, she doesn't shun or hate them, doesn't try to change them. As a Christian she accepts them and allows them to make the life choices they see fit and she figures it's only fair everyone has a chance to live as a human being. Those who do the preaching, the screaming, the bible thumping crap are the bigots, the zealots and those are the ones who give decent christians a bad name.

yeahbuhwha?

Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Newton, Tchaikovsky, among those who have no use according to Diana Medley.

Rather off-topic here, but Isaac Newton was not gay. Nor was he straight. Newton had no romantic notions whatsoever, as they distracted from his work. He was so dedicated to his experiments, and to God (yes, he was super-religious), that he avoided anything that would take his time away from them. As a result he had very few friends, and absolutely no lovers. In fact, it's unconfirmable but extremely likely that he died a virgin.

Pure horsecrap. Do some research for crying out loud. Everyone in the Acedemic Community is well aware of Newton's secret habits, some not so secretive. Newton's lover was Nicolas Fatio de Duillier (alternative names are Facio or Faccio) (26 February 1664 – 12 May 1753) was a Swiss mathematician known for his work on the zodiacal light problem, for his very close relationship with Isaac Newton, for his role in the Newton v. Leibniz calculus controversy, and for originating the "push" or "shadow" theory of gravitation

He had a relationship with Isaac Newton, and from the beginning he was impressed by Newton's gravitational theory. In 1691, he planned to prepare a new edition of Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, but never finished it. (One of Newton's biographers [Michael White, in "Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer" {1997}] claimed that the relationship may have been romantic, though this is apparently based on subjective interpretations of incomplete letters.) In 1694, their relationship diminished. At this time, several letter exchanges with Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz also took place.

Next time, check your facts, dis-information is a Right-Wing staple, without it they would be nothing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Fatio_de_Duillier

kimfoo

Gods word is Gods word . You read you know what it says follow it ...or go to HELL.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You do know that "man" wrote the bible, not your god aka the invisible man in the ski dude or dudette.

Really sad that church and religion make their sheeple stupid to the core.

You have to accept and be tolerent of people that don't understand your behavior too. If you have only got hot over a woman how could you understand someone of the same sex getting hot over a man? People feel their attractions very strongly. Men get excited over just thinking of whats under a womans clothes. When their feelings are that intense it is going to be hard to understand another man going for the same sex. It is giong to be gross for them just like the thought of a man and woman together is gross to you! If its not that gross to you then one would question the strength of your desire for the same sex??? One thing I think the teacher should have done was keep her mouth shut. If she cares for them adn thinks and others think they should go to the prom she should just shut up. If someone asks you how you feel I guess you could answer. You can't change peoples minds by calling names and demanding they get fired though. Talk about tolerence and acceptance!!!

I think there idea here is that people shouldn't really feel as though they get an opinion on someone else's being. I think it's fairly obvious at this point that being gay is not a choice. There are other traits and mannerisms, etc. that come along with the behavior. This isn't learned and chosen. You don't get to voice an opposing opinion when that opinion is attempting to negate a person's being. Period.

I don't see the point in being tolerant of bigoted behavior. Sure, it's nice to think that people will behave in such a way, but when it comes right down to it people like Ms Medley and half the commenters on this article are being total bigots, demeaning, dehumanizing and demonizing anyone who isn't straight. Just because they aren't swearing, that doesn't mean they are being civil.

To hell with tolerance and acceptance of those who would have us all die out. It's a fight for equal rights, and that's the appropriate way to describe it sometimes. This is a fight. People need to stop pretending that the Christian Right Wing aren't fighting dirty.

I'm not trying to change her mind. She's clearly incapable of understanding simple concepts (read her quotes--they don't make much sense, she contradicts herself, and, despite being entirely ignorant of the subject, she's taking action based on knowledge that she made up--and that, if she stopped to think about it, would be obviously incompatible with her actual knowledge). Can't argue with stupid, can't use facts when dealing with willfully ignorant, and she's both. If I can't use facts or reason, how could I approach trying to convince her of anything?

No, I'm not trying to convince her of anything. I'm just trying to protect children.

Hey, isn't that the lie the bigots tend to use when talking about gays, despite the fact that their actions are typically harmful to children and don't do anything to help any of them at all? Well, here's their chance. This is a simple, straightforward case. This woman wants to hurt children; opposing her is objectively the right thing to do for children. Go to it, religious right.

(And what the Hell? Being straight doesn't hinder one's ability to comprehend gayness--are straight women sickened by straight men because OH GOD THEY'RE ATTRACTED TO *WOMEN* THAT'S SO GROSS? Being straight should mean they understand the concept of sexual orientation--they have one. If anything, bisexual and non-sexual people should have the most trouble understanding either gay- or straightness, since they're different from how they work. But straight people are not inherently stupid, and are no less capable of understanding homosexuality than vice versa.

If you are a man that is only attracted to women and not to men, than a man who is only attracted to men and not to women is clearly A) different from you but 2) actually, pretty much exactly the same when it gets down to relevant stuff.

And how come she gets the right to say whatever she wants about anybody she wants [and take actions for no purpose other than to hurt them] but me responding to her personally, to exactly what she's actually said [note: this is literally exactly the opposite of what prejudice is] is unfair and mean?)

Agreed...your beliefs should not define you, it is your behavior...Equal rights for ALL!

Agreed...your beliefs should not define you, it is your behavior...Equal rights for ALL!

ditto that!

What this teacher thought to do, was the right thing for her students in her mind. Regardless how wrong others may see it. Each of us is limited by our experiences in life and what we are exposed to. That is the paradigm of life as we each see it. For better or worse. Which is why at times, we can laugh at the naivety of some folks, or weep at the foolishness of others,which led them to tragedy.All based on where we are, on the learning curve of life.Still based on our own views.

If we look at history, and tried to apply our knowledge of the world to the middle ages, and how people looked at the world back then,it would be so unfair to judge them. Progress has come so far. Even from Jim Crow and women's Suffrage. Is it any wonder people are struggling with gay and lesbian acceptance as science weighs in on it?

Still, there are lessons to be learned from history about societies in general. As even that great civilization of Rome which eventually fell after more than 1,400 years, when it became totally corrupted in every area and level, including morally, politically, socially. Abandoning the very principals that created it.Where they committed murders, dishonored themselves, abandoned work ethics, truth for deception, a people obsessed with entertainment,sex and violence constantly and fought among themselves no longer united. Just like we are doing today.Unwilling to let people think differently without attacking them.

All too often, when anyone doesn't agree with the stance of gay or lesbian folks, they are immediately attacked, labeled as homophobic or bigoted and targeted.The mentality being, if you don't agree with us, you are the problem and must change.Diversity is not allowed nor respected. Yet, there are so many who while not agreeing, do highly respect such individuals and treat them with dignity. Including those having family members and friends among this group.It seems to be difficult at times for some gays to recognize some of their members have taken a militant approach when discussing this issue with others and pursue condemnation of any heterosexual who doesn't agree completely.Using an "in your face" mentality uncalled for that ends up turning off many interested in discussing how gays and lesbians feel. But this militant attitude is not unique to this population and has been seen in many different causes across social issues everywhere.It is simply part of human nature genetic variety.

On the flip side, there will be many who vigorously condemn gays out right. Countries which persecute them,imprison,even kill. Folks who wave their Bible to and fro, trying to shame them. Instead of being supportive, giving them a place to feel accepted and loved as individuals, and their families welcomed. Failing ultimately to follow the very principals espoused of charity and nurturing the one.

Obviously each side need to be accountable for how they treat the other. No one gets a free pass when they step out of line, trying to promote their agendas. Justifying themselves in their behaviors that are inappropriate, regardless the motive. For lack of respect, by accusing others of various short comings. and making themselves seem superior and correct. It goes both ways and this is a very emotional issue if any issue ever was.

Laws can be passed for equality where needed. Ultimately however, it is the human heart which must change for people to be able to communicate openly, including active listening. That requires compassion, patience and a willingness to empathize, and reach out from every side. So that happiness can be found, societies can move forward and peace created between all members, on this issue at least

firebunkers23

Sorry but it does not have anything to do with Religion. It has everything to do with Gods word. Not that you will understand that. I don’t believe that excluding anyone is a good idea God does not exclude anyone but he does require us to obey his laws.

Your 'god' does not exclude?? You best get back to reading that book mister, before you defend something you have no clue on. (Also - following 'god word' IS religion.) Duh...

And for the record - your 'god' is an egotistical, self-righteous, fear-mongering, bigot. And he can personally kiss my a$$.

Criticise all you want but there is nothing normal about a homosexual lifestyle. I don't hate them, but I just dont agree with them. Hows it normal to think you're a women if you have a penis between your legs since birth? Whats normal about thinking you're a dude when you've never had a penis? You dont need to even talk about relegion.

Its like walk backwards all you want and tell people that its normal and you were born to walk backwards but your feet still point forward and your eyes are on the front of your head...

But I guess if you cant deal with your problem then lets just call it normal.

If you didn't vote for Obama, you're a racist.

Those that don't want to attend a prom with gays, do something else. In a few years you won't even remember a stupid,worthless prom anyway.

Zheng He, are you kidding or just being a troll?

Some of my best friends are considered racial minorities in the United States.

And none of us voted for the Obamination!

What is bigotry, what is discrimnation, what is injustice is requiring the prom to be open to all people. What happened to "Majority Rule" Zheng He and all of the rest of you? Does it only apply when it gets you your candidate or your excuse to behave unnaturally and uncondemned in public? If a majority of this student body wants to have a "gay free" prom, and it is simply they are afraid of asking for it so this teacher stepped forward to put their position on the line, why does the minority rule in this case?

If "Majority Rule" only applies for some of the people only some of the time, where has the country our Founding Fathers established gone?!?

Amazing AnthonyP. When i read your post i was thinking the same thing about you.

Douglas, the country has never been founded on the principle of "majority rule over all". The protection of minority rights against a concept known as the "tyranny of the majority" was one of the biggest difficulties that the founders of the country (and indeed any philosophers who advocate a form of democracy or republic) struggled with. As such, they put in place systems specifically designed to prevent such majority tyranny, such as the first ten amendments.

Think about what you are saying. If the majority has the right to rule completely with no limitation, then the majority has the right to restrict speech, religion, and the press, and can do away with freedoms from unlawful search and seizure and rights to due process. The founding fathers intentionally established a country where the majority could be prevented from discriminating against the minority. The form of pure Majority rule you advocate is much further from the founders' intent than the current system is.

Openminded, if you really are (openminded), then you would allow Christians to believe what they want, just as you think homosexuals can believe what they want. You can throw all the fancy words in this that you want, but you are freeing one group, while restricting another. Saying, "shouldn't be a question of religion", is basically telling us that YOU are some kind of high mucky - muck that knows more than all religions, more than the Bible, more than God - where on earth do you get your information from? You are a legend in your own mind.

Nice post Windancersong. I disagree with homosexuals but I don't hate them. If they attack me I tell them what I feel and never go around them again. When they don't we can be friends. Just don't try to force me to agree with you.

AnthonyP, be careful what you wish for. Non - Christians can bash God all they want, but when you die, that's when you'll know everything. One thing you might want to know - God REMEMBERS. He'll remember what you said in your post. So many times, I have been with a person right before death, when they start getting scared that they might have made the wrong choices in life, and called for a preacher. When you know you're going to meet your maker, that's when you'll get serious. If you don't believe in God, why do you get so worked up about us believing?

I love how you presume to speak for this god of yours, Bill. "God will remember what you said in your post!" Come ON! I can't say with certainty that there isn't ANY supreme being, but the Christian god of the Bible is 100% provably, demonstrably fictional. And here you are claiming that this imaginary being will remember (and hold against you) some text from a random post on MSNBC for all eternity. Do you not see how ludicrous that sounds? (No, I know... you don't.)

Those people you mention get scared because they've lived in a society plagued by Christian beliefs; even if the person doesn't subscribe to those beliefs himself, he's still very aware of them because they're nearly omnipresent in our society. People who don't live in such societies don't -- unsurprisingly -- have those irrational end-of-life fears. By far the most logically likely thing that happens to us when we die is... we die. The fear of this, coupled with the hubris of humans that precludes us from accepting our own mortality is the progenitor of religion. Well, that and a desire to control others.

Wow , Misinformation is rampant in here ! I really like the one about who wrote the bible . It would be funny if it were'nt typicaly tragic of people trying to talk of something they know next to nothing of . Now what it does say is the so called "gay" (what a tragic loss of a word) or more to the point the sodomites , have gone backword , a reprobate you might say. We if we can are to simply leave them alone , they are Gods to deal with in due time . That becomes more difficult as the sodomites think they deserve reward for vile behavouir . Married , really ! come now . Now in the age of grace we are supposed to love the sinner hate the sin . I myself had a fairly new friend that came out to four of us . We didn't shun the confused man , however we did explain true nature as well, as some use of scripture . I wondered why this 6'6" male always wore a sweater , well it was a cold climate . Turns out he had been undergoing female injections with a surgery date soon to come to remove his manhood. Through our conversations he canceled his surgery as well as the injections has a girlfriend & doing fine ! Me , I agree with Christian thought , however I'm a work in progress . We are all sinners every one . However I find the the idea of sodomites wanting sanction from the church or state offensive to put it mildly. To even have this type of conversation is testament to how far society has fallen to the whims of the reprobate minority. One of the main messages of Jesus was that of love , but, I'm a work in progress. Now some of you claim some sort of misguied enlightenment , there is nothing new under the sun . You may want to thank Jesus for the age of grace because God (old testament) wiped Sodom & it's sister city off the map ! Take care we don't get tired of hearing your bull@!$%# . I would say much more but quite frankly this whole subject is a waste of time & tax money . P.S sorry for the English

more difficult as the sodomites think they deserve reward for vile behavouir

Equal rights are now a 'reward' ? Who has the right to give this 'reward' to others... you?

The epic hubris in your post is downright absurd.

However I find the the idea of sodomites wanting sanction from the church or state offensive to put it mildly

For one, the State takes no roll in the Church, and the Church takes no roll in the State. The State cannot base its rulings off religious dogma, because doing so would be unconstitutional. Gays don't need nor want "the Church's" supposed 'sanction' for marriage either. It's not required in a secular society. Yet even if they did want religious sanction - there is NO RESTRICTION upon what a religion can and cannot believe.... there are already a number of religious denominations which support and perform religious ceremonies of matrimony for gay couples. And guess what Judge, they have just as much religious right to do so as any other religion in this country.

Thinkforyourself,

I love you. I don't care if you male or female. LOL

In all seriousness. I do believe in God. I was raised Catholic. And I do find the teachings of Jesus Christ to be something to listen to. As I do the same with Buddha and even Allah. Have you guys ever thought that there really is only one God (if you believe in an infinite being) and just comes to us in ways that suit us. One religion is no better than the other? What is religion anyway? Its an organized sect of people. A cult if you will. (I'm sure I just pissed a lot of people off but if you have logic it makes sense). All religions, even that of Greek and Roman mythology are just about the same in beliefs. If you have studied and looked into those other than your own, you'll get what I'm saying.

As a Christian growing up and studying Christianity, I think I really have a different interpretation of the New and even Old Testament than most "bible thumping" Christians. Some of you just do not realize how hypocritical you really are. Discriminated against? Really? Are we really? Some people "find" religion because of something they have done in the past and seem to forget that sin. Just because you decided to read the bible, join groups, go to Church doesn't make that sin go away. You're still a sinner. Don't forget that. And by judging others and turning your nose to them and make yourself better than them, doesn't make up for your past. I will go for it being a bigger strike against you when you meet St. Peter.

Also, when looking at the bible, and being a Christian, one must neglect most of the Old Testament. Jesus came to Earth for what purpose again? To tell us we had it all wrong. Did he not? And with his teachings he told us to love thy neighbor as thy self. To do onto others as he has done to us. Love one another as he has loved us. To love our enemies. To forgive. To turn the other cheek. Where did all the hate come from? Where does he say that his followers are better than anyone else? I'm quite confused on this issue. I stopped going to church for this reason. I can not sit in a building full of hypocrisy and shame and hatefulness.

Tolerance comes with understanding and to accept someone for who they are. If you want to dislike homosexuals, than by all means, you don't have to like them. But when you force your beliefs and your hatred among them, then that's when I become intollerant. Some of you say that liberals are intollerant. Why?? Because we are the first to stand up for the liberty and rights of ALL people? Even those who are intollerant and bigotted? I'm not saying all liberals are like that, some are no different than the far right conservatives. But it doesn't become an issue of only in America either. ALL HUMAN's have the right to live their life as they so wish. That includes all colors, races, religions, and ideals. With that being said, if you want to live your life so full of hate and misunderstanding than so be it. Life's too short for that. I try to let that stuff go. But I also try to put myself in others shoes to see their point of view and understand their pain and hurt. Everyone deserves a chance. I try my best to teach my children that. They know its okay to be gay. They know that love has no color.

As far as this woman, I am shocked that she calls herself a teacher. And special ed at that!! Wander if she feels her students serve a purpose in life? That hurts my heart.

At any rate, enough of the babble. I just hope some of you really listen to yourselves. And try to love and give to everyone. That includes Mexicans, gays, and poor people. Jesus would want you to.

Wonderful post and like you, I really appreciated "thinkforyourself's" post. There is room on this planet for everyone. The only thing hatred breeds is more hatred. How about we all learn to get along and let God do the judging. No one can honestly believe that a gay man or woman would "choose" to be gay and have his/her sex life discussed in an open forum where people refer to them as an abomination, useless or a drain on our society. I mean, God loves all "men" as they were created in his image, right?

I am by no means a religious person but I do understand why some people choose to be so. what I don't understand is why they cherry pick only the worst of religious doctrine and ignore the "treat others as you would have them treat you" part.

Openminded-2219430

Acceptance of homosexuality shouldn't be a question of religion. It should be one of basic human decency.

Good point. And it is not necessary for a person to accept another's religious to support that person's right to practice their religion. Most, not all, people who oppose rights for gay and lesbian citizens do so on the basis of their religious beliefs. I don't accept their religion, but I also do not stand in the way of their freedom of religion.

It's near hilarious how vehemently cruel and vile so many of these god-fearing christians in this comment thread are. They think they're so nice, so good in their god's eyes. It's 'the gays' trying to oppress you, sure sure. They're taking over! Dogs and Cats, LIVING TOGETHER! Total anarchy! They want in to your church and your lifestyle and we can't have that!

Who tells you these things? Who wants you to believe that the Gays are insisting they be allowed to marry in your bigotchurch? Who is suggesting that they want to be 'rewarded' with marriage? Marriage is an agreement made by the government and one that does not do anything to you! How sad must your lives and marriages be that you would think it so.

This government doesn't belong to you- it belongs to all of us. That includes me, the atheist dyke. It's not just yours, even though you think that somehow we're a christian nation. We're not. And you'll all realize that within the next few years, as the US stops being so white and so christian. Then perhaps someone will listen to you whine about how 'persecuted' you are. For cthulhu's sake, your dogma is written on our money. But no, you're so neglected. So downtrodden. Our President can't be elected without promising up and down that he's a christian.

Tell me again how bad you have it.

"Now what it does say is the so called 'gay' (what a tragic loss of a word) or more to the point the sodomites..."

Funny how you've pretended that the story of Sodom is all about gay people despite how there aren't any gay people in the story.

Who is condemned in that story are people who mistreat those who are outsiders. And even if you couldn't read that in the story itself (um, duh?) it's actually spelled out in the Bible for you.

@guest

Being gay is no more of a "lifestyle" choice than being black is. Someone is born gay, as just as they are born black. Do you consider being black not to be normal?

So, I guess this makes you...wait for it...wait...A BIGOT!

redbird23,She needs to find her purpose instead of judging others that she does not know.I agree with your comments.

As a teacher, Ms Medley undoubtedly has taught gay students. Does her position imply that she would deny her gay students the opportunity to go to their prom? (Remember that it IS their prom, not hers.). Would she tell a gay student to his/her face that she didn't want that student to go to the prom? If so, then she would demonstrate an unconscionable cruelty. If not, then she would demonstrate her cowardice and her unconscionable hypocrisy.

Also, no matter what she says to the contrary, her attitude demonstrates that she would not treat her gay students with the same care and concern that she would provide for her 'straight' students. A teacher who advocates discrimination against any group of her students should not be allowed to teach.

Ms Medley reveals herself to be a person with hate simmering not far below her outward personality. She has shown herself for what she is and should be dismissed from her teaching position.

Actually Medley seems like the type of person that would tell students to their face that they have no useful purpose on earth. I wonder if any of these students have killed themselves because of her. People like her should come no where near students..... even other human beings. Wonder if she has kids? They should be removed from her household. One can only imagine the abuse she could be dishing out on a regular basis.

ANYONE that knows gays and lesbians or ARE gay or lesbian, are just amazed people actually think like this!!! What sheltered ignorant people!!! I grew up in Indiana...I quickly learned this world is full of DIFFERENT people and that is beautiful. Being gay or lesbian is a beautiful thing...I love my life. For people to tell me otherwise is just amazing...they live in fear and not knowing AND then they hate...What poor examples of evolved human beings. These folk need to be exposed to some diversity instead of living in white, straight america....that is NOT the REAL america...Thank you for your support.

why is it that Gay and lesbians supporters always want people to understand there comments but everytime someone has an opinion that differs we are not with the 21st century. i personally don't care what you do but to think that it's,,, wait let's just call it what it is — it's just nasty as hell for a man to be ....ing another man, what wrong you can't find a woman, hell there everywhere. if you like a person or even if you love that person let them become your friend, that's what a friend is. like i said i don't care what you do, but everyone has an opinion and your's is not always right.

C'mon ppl...if you are straight or gay we are all human. If I like peanut butter and you dont then dammit dont eat it.... but to put another human life down is totally wrong!!!!! We have one judge and please allow him to do his job....it wasnt ur ass that was nailed to the cross so who are you?????? Dammmmmmmm if its not the white ppl against black ppl then its white ppl against gay ppl, you dont rule the world dammit, my white race I am ashamed of really, just sickning.smdh

Ballerino: Thanks for clarification...not up on the Southpark thing...Just thought it was another hateful bigot...one less is a good thing then..Whew....

Oracle - no one is interested in firing this woman for not agreeing with homosexuality. She is supposed to be teaching children the things they need to learn, not her bigotry. She doesn't have to like homosexuals, but to say, out loud where students can hear/read it, is going to make her ineffectual in her job - no one is going to trust her to be fair or impartial or even supportive. She's faking it, and our children don't need that kind of ignorance where they can learn it.

Ms Medley has obviously seen the movie GREASE one too many times, but perhaps she got the wrong message from it.

What's SHE look like in black spandex?

Then again... whats she look like in grease? Hmmmm

And, last but not least - WHY was she *a teacher from a differnt school - even THERE at all?

Actually, Redbird, it's "are the words", not "is the words", but to your point; many heterosexuals are more "purposeful" than many gays, too, but who the hell cares? If you choose to do or say something outside of the norm, don't be surprised if "Norm's friends" object, and be prepared for it when it happens. I'm so tired of people in the majority being forced to accept things by the minority just because they feel they have the right to impose it. Skin color and ethnic origin is one thing and shouldn't even be questioned, but sexual preference is entirely different, regardless as to whether you believe it's a choice or genetics. The fact is that it IS different and you KNOW that and it will never change. I'm sorry you and your kids have to hear about it, but in the long run, they may even become better people because of it. You're asking us to tolerate it. All we're doing is asking the same.

Paul from Grapevine - In what way are you asking the world to tolerate this form of bigotry. The LBGT community has been around since man was put on this earth. People can't help being what they are and if they're "different" from you or what your belief preaches, just live your life the way you see fit for yourself and your family and allow others to live theirs. This country was founded on diversity of all kinds and to deny it is, in my opinion, unamerican and inhuman. If there was no bible to begin with, would you accept people other than yourself more easily?

A special needs child is "different". A child with autism is "different". A child with only one leg is "different". A child with cancer is "different". A child who has been abused is "different". A child, well, you get the point. Every child is different or unique in some way. When do we decide those "differences" are unacceptable? Do we lock away those children with Down Syndrome or autism because they make "normal" people uncomfortable? Do we hide them in the attic because their presence might offend the "normal" people? If you really believe that God put everyone on the earth for a reason, then how dare you question his purposes? Da Vinci and Michaelangelo were gay. Does this mean their artwork has no purpose and no value? Or is it just possible that sexual preference has absolutely nothing to do with the value of a human being?

I dont care if its the one hundred and 21st century!!! God is the same today, yesterday and forever!! get it thru your thick skulls!!!

Ms. Medley doesn't agree with you, so she is a moron and should be fired.

It isn't that she disagrees with something, it is that her disagreement is leading to her taking actions to limit certain students to inferior positions within the school. I would support her firing on the same grounds that I would support the firing of a teacher who tried to make an official school event for "non-Christians only".

BMette, "hate simmering not far below her outward personality" - wow! You must be some kind of psychic, or maybe even a god of some kind, to know what is simmering. Why do you people always throw in those stupid, same old words to bash anybody that doesn't agree with you? Look up "hate" in the dictionary, and tell us how you deduced that she had hate simmering. I'm so sick of hearing people beating a dead horse - look, some people don't want anything to do with homosexuals, for whatever their reasons. No matter what you do or say, that will not change. That doesn't mean they HATE them, it just means they don't want to associate with them. I don't want to associate with basketball fans - doesn't mean I HATE them. I have stronger sentiments about those of you throwing out all the same old, tired cliches to prove your point than I do about homosexuals. I have stronger feelings about our government overspending, borrowing, loaning, taxing my hard - earned dollars than I do about homosexuals. So why don't the homosexuals stop wasting our government's valuable time with their petty greviences, and let the government once more become "government by the people, for the people". I'm tired of hearing all this whining about special interest groups.

But, Bill, if you took a public platform denouncing basketball fans and began trying to restrict the rights of basketball fans based on your disapproval of them, including not allowing them to attend events that they would otherwise be eligible to attend, then you are going beyond not associating with them. The moment you do that, you are not only choosing not to associate, but you are taking an active, aggressive step to prevent them from socializing with others and having access to the same areas you do in order to prevent them from being anywhere near you. And if you did that, I would say that an observer would likely be justified to assume that you hate basketball players, seeing as you go to such lengths to remove their existence from places and events that you are around.

Don't you think firing someone for not agreeing with homosexuality is hypocritical seeing as the Gay movement likes to preach tolerance and acceptance?

People often say this (usually the same type of people who cry "What about free speech??!" any time there are any consequences for something a person says), but it's is not really a logical conclusion to reach. If I wish my fellow humans to be more tolerant, that doesn't in any way require me to tolerate their bigotry and hatefulness.

This woman should be dismissed not for "disagreeing with homosexuality," but for openly stating that she thinks gay and lesbian [students] have no purpose in this life. What a truly awful, hateful thing for anyone to say, let alone a teacher.

I'll be surprised if she keeps her job throughout this firestorm she's created.

ccusis

I dont care if its the one hundred and 21st century!!! God is the same today, yesterday and forever!! get it thru your thick skulls!!!

yes.... He's as FICTIONAL today as he's been since the day his character was invented. Never existed, doesn't exist, never will exist.

Bill-328037:

Your comment about not wanting to associate with "basketball fans" (whether or not your comment was literally true) illustrates my point. Consider a few questions:

Why would you care whether a person is or is not a basketball fan?

Would you (if you could) deny basketball fans the right to attend their prom?

What other opportunities would you deny to basketball fans?

Why should YOU be entitled to enjoy benefits that basketball fans cannot?

What makes denying equality to basketball fans different from hating them?

Should a person who openly states that he/she doesn't want to associate with basketball fans be allowed to teach school?

Do you imagine that associating with basketball fans will influence YOU to become a basketball fan?

How many basketball fans do you know personally?

(Hint: replace "basketball fans" with any social-group you like - or dislike.)

Bmette -

replace basketball fans with KKK. Do you think that someone who openly states they don't want to associate with the KKK should be barred from teaching school? Thought not.

Kind of depends on whose ox is being gored doesn't it?

The intolerance in our country has never been greater.

Exactly mpa - Wow you say or do anything that even remotely looks like you have a negative opinion of the gay community and the torches and pitchforks come flying out. All under the guise of "equal rights". Amazing how its a crime to disagree with a homosexual lifestyle because it is indeed something "Wrong" with you. Call it a mental illness (which is what I believe it to be) and I'm waiting for the backlash. Is someone who has schizophrenia to blame for their illness? What about someone who has Parkinsons? I don't believe so just like I don't believe it's someones "fault" they are gay but I do believe its a mental illness that likely could be "cured" if anyone invested one dime in figuring out what the issue is. We just say "Nope nothing wrong with it" and move on.... But heaven forbid you disagree with it....

What sound does a Bill frog make? Bigot, Bigot, Bigot.

mpa-4893349:

Please think again.

I sincerely hope that you don't equate a disdain for an avowed hate-group such as the KKK with a disdain for some gay adolescents who want to attend a high school prom. If you don't see the difference between the two situations, then I suspect you have a very distorted sense of proportion.

Also, if you would examine American history, you would discover that "intolerance" in America HAS indeed been greater in the past.

dan123123123:

Your opinion, that being gay is a mental illness, is immaterial to this issue.

Are you suggesting that people with mental illnesses should not be allowed to attend their high school proms? Or, to put it more directly, what other common features/benefits of American life do you think should be withheld from gay people? Or from the mentally ill?

I hope you sense that the stigmatization of gay people just doesn't make sense.

We just say "Nope nothing wrong with it" and move on

Actually dan, a lot of study has went into and still continues with regard to sexual orientation - that's why it's not considered a mental illness anymore. Gender identity disorder is though, but that's not the same as homosexuality. In any case, there really is no 'cure' for it - nor is a 'cure' necessary. Homosexuality doesn't endanger you or me, it doesn't harm the homosexual nor does it impede their cognitive abilities in any way..... It's as natural a part of the spectrum of human sexuality as anything else. Their is no justification to deny them equal rights whether you call it a mental illness or not.

Bill and dan1,

there is a difference between disagreeing with something and denying something from someone because of who they are. BIG HUGE difference. So she didn't try to protest by not allowing gay students to attend prom and kept her "disagreement" to herself, than there wouldn't be a problem would there? She tried to prohibit someone from doing something that everyone else is doing because they are not "normal" and because she feels they serve no purpose in life and to the human race. All because she doesn't understand it. You don't have to my friend. You don't. I don't understand why you're this or that, but am I going to deny you something because of it? Is that really fair?

Bill, based on your logic, if homosexuality is genetics, which it is, then would you call it fair that we deny all redheads from attending prom? Or lets say mutes or deaf people or albinos. They're not the norm, so why is that any different?

Being Gay is not a mental illness. And even if it was Mental Illness can not be cured. WTF dude.

Gay has nothing to do with sex and people always put that into place. Oh how can gay men be satisfied with anal sex but I do understand two girls though......huh? (Meg). Why does it always have to be about that. And what makes sense about two women that two guys do not? But whatever, I'm just trying to put logic into all of it but it really doesn't matter.

Tired of all the special interest groups? Just the ones that you oppose I would assume. How is gay rights activists a special interest group? If all Americans have the right to civil liberties and the pursuit of happiness, then why not women, mentally ill, handicapped, homosexuals, Muslims, and others? If there wasn't so much hate and EVERYONE were treated equally, than the special interest groups wouldn't exist. No one wants "special rights" for themselves. They do not want to be individualized. They want the same rights as the people that you consider "norm."

I watched Lincoln this weekend. I wonder sometimes how some of the people on the vine would have reacted when Lincoln abolished slavery and changed the constitution.

I wonder sometimes how some of the people on the vine would have reacted when Lincoln abolished slavery and changed the constitution

No doubt in much the same way the South reacted then.

They would deny it all day long of course, and then try the old Lincoln was GOP and the Dixiecrats were Dems bit of revisionism, as if the parties haven't changed at all since then and the Southern Strategy never happened, the Dixiecrats never abandoned the Dems for the GOP, etc.

It's very predictable.

Shuklack,

LOL you're so right.

Yes, he is; but Jen isn't quite. Lincoln didn't change the Constitution. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, passed after his assassination, changed it.

I bet this woman is really proud of herself for "sticking it" to a bunch of high school children....at a school that she DOESN'T EVEN WORK AT! Revoke her humanity card....

Oracletessa, you can't "disagree" with homosexuality anymore than you can "disagree" with "black" or "woman" or "Christian"--that's just not what that word means.

What you're thinking of is "bigoted against", which is an objectively evil thing. Failing to condemn such by-definition-just-awful people would be a moral failing.

Tolerating bigotry is a lack of the kind of tolerance we talk about. Which is why I think talking about "prejudice" is a better way to phrase it. Prejudice is pre-judging. She's prejudiced, and that's bad. Condemning her for what she's actually done--hurt children--is the opposite of prejudice.

But you see, Tim, the bobs out there think that kind of "emphasizing" is okay. It's just that other kind they don't want to see...

Tim

There is nothing in the story about "what they do in private". Why do you care what anyone does in private? I certainly don't care about what Tim does in private .... except for one thing - is anyone besides Tim involved or is it the usual Tim on Tim scene?

Just for future reference ...."homos" is not considered polite. Try gays and lesbians next time. Otherwise people will realize immediately that you are closed minded and rude and you have no shot at changing anyone's mind.

How is going to a public prom private? When they asked for recognition of their sexual orientation, by going as a gay couple to the prom, that's crossing the line.

But going as straight couples is okay. No double standard there, no sirree...

don97524, do you really think he is trying to change anyone's mind ? I get the impression he is just ranting.

Don97524 says, "'homos' is not considered polite. Try gays and lesbians next time." Hmmm, Don, I don't care what you say you like, or how well intended its use may seem, but "gay" as a synonym for homosexual is a slang, and its original intent was certainly to malign, same as related epithets such as 'flit', 'fairy', and 'light in the loafers'. How about saying "homosexual"? You like that ok? If not....to effin' bad, that IS the one and only word for a...homosexual...which is not now slang, never has been, and never will be. And I for one don't give a rat's a $$ what you do in private, or for that matter, in public as well. Go boink a mannequin in the town square, all the same to me.

For all whom do not like any slang words for the same sex individual couples I say go try the opposite sex. Oh that's right the preference is not liked well there is yor answer stay away from the hetero's you don't like the opposite sex as a couple yourselves that means you do not like to look at them as well. Yes it is to love one another and the greatest commandment of all is LOVE. That does not mean sexual. That means as a person mentally. Since true homosexuals DO NOT like the opposite sex to have sexual relations with please if you want to be loved as a person do how you all have been. The gay bars and lounges that are made especially for these wonderful people are the spots to be. More relaxation,happiness,fun just being you. We are imperfect and do not like being pushed to do anything . No one does. No one likes to be told what to do, how to do it etc. So I say quit pushing each others sexual conquests on others. I would not want togo where I am not wanted. That would not be fun at all.. Boring. If I was gay I push for a gay prom because personally I would not want to be around some people that don't understand me. That would be like me standing in the middle of China and not understanding a word they are saying. Out I would go. First plane out. It would drive me nuts. The teacher should have left it the way it was. She does not understand it period. She went to far there. Unproffessional. That was stupid. The woman should have been nice and requested 2 proms after 2 of everything is always better than one. Don't you all agree?

Actually, Bigger, the use of the term "gay" to describe homosexuals was intentionally furthered and encouraged by the LGBT movement in an attempt to combat the hateful, malicious slang terms that were being used before it, and has been recommended by most major LGBT Groups as the preferred terminology.

The point that Don was making is that most of the time when a person uses the term "homos" they are speaking pejoratively, and that the generally recognized inflection from such a term is a highly negative and critical one, for which he offered a term that likely carried the connotations the person meant to infer and avoid the term clouding the meaning and mentality behind the speech.

Also, you seem to think that proper words and slang are two completely separate categories with absolutely no overlap. That's not the case. English, like virtually any language, is constantly evolving, growing, and changing to meet the concepts that it is used to convey. As such, words carry more conceptual meaning than their literal definition, and there are times when word choice can unintentionally convey a different meaning than intended due to changes in concepts that haven't been reflected in the literal definition.

Meg,

No I don't agree "2 is better than 1". I'm certain anyone who lived through segregation would say the same thing. Just imagine if one of those being excluded was your child who had already felt different and unwelcome their entire lives. And now a teacher wants them excluded from attending prom simply because they were born differently? Not only that but she comes out and says they have no purpose on earth?? If she feels that way about gay people, I can only imagine how she feels about her special needs children she teaches. I don't feel comfortable in the least with her being a teacher, especially of anyone different from her "ideal child".

Meg, you have the logic of a monkey. "I do not understand 2 men together. I can understand 2 women but the rest looks funny. Out of sorts so to speak." Looks funny? You have no business commenting about something that you completely do not understand. Keep putting those square pegs in those circular holes.

Bigger_in_Texas

Don97524 says, "'homos' is not considered polite. Try gays and lesbians next time." Hmmm, Don, I don't care what you say you like, or how well intended its use may seem, but "gay" as a synonym for homosexual is a slang, and its original intent was certainly to malign, same as related epithets such as 'flit', 'fairy', and 'light in the loafers'. How about saying "homosexual"? You like that ok? If not....to effin' bad, that IS the one and only word for a...homosexual...which is not now slang, never has been, and never will be. And I for one don't give a rat's a $$ what you do in private, or for that matter, in public as well. Go boink a mannequin in the town square, all the same to me.

All you needed to say is that being polite is not your thing. Caring about what others think is not your thing.

I guess you must also believe that rude behavior is "Bigger_in_Texas"

I judge myself worthy of 1 more beer, and a huge bunch of roses must be given to "just a cleaning lady" to justify my weakness for the hops and barley.

;)

Got a date for the prom yet babe? No, i wont be driving :P

Wool Diligence,Very cute.

Wool Diligence,Very cute.

dlmmm,Great post.She of all people,being a special ed teacher, should realize that discrimination is not just nor right.One of my clients is a Baptist Pastor with a downs syndrome child.He is offended by gays also calling them immoral.He tried to make his biblical case to me when I told him I wouldn't discuss it any further or he can find another cleaning service.He dropped the subject.He knows how people are mean and cruel to the mentally challenged at times and yet he feels it's ok to discriminate against gays.Churches should realize that their hypocrisy is why attendance is at an all time low.

cleaning lady says, "Churches should realize that their hypocrisy is why attendance is at an all time low." No, that is not the reason, I think it has to do more with a literate public no longer buying the moronic theology of Christianity. The Apostle's Creed is pure mythology, which attempts to perpetuate itself by stating that if one doesn't buy into it, one is going to hell post-mortem. Rather parallel to the Santa Claus myth, that if you don't believe in Santa, he isn't going to visit your house. Guess what, I stopped believing both POS lies when I was nine years old. There is one unseen God, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you, fine, but this Jesus nonsense is just that. Nonsense, and idolatry.

Bigger in Texas,I concur with your comments also,one unseen God.That's who I pray to and am sick of people telling me that if you don't accept Jesus Christ as your savior that you will not be going to heaven.Christians have no more respect for other religious views than the other religions.People are also sick of the churches hypocrisy.

I hope young Mr. Land remembers that when he kisses his female date at the prom in front of everyone else or starts grinding her on the dance floor. But the way he worded the latter part of his comment was rather contradictory..."As long as they aren't sitting there and kissing on the dance floor and grinding on each other, stuff like that, I don't have a problem with that," he said. "I don't see what's wrong with it. Prom is for everybody. It's a high school experience."

Double and triple negatives are a real problem in rural areas. After the civil war the federal government went in with a team of anthropologists (known to the local inhabitants colloquially as "teachers") to try to help the unbathed indigenous populations. Unfortunately, much like the polio vaccine in Pakistan, the knowledge these teachers were attempting to convey was rejected by tribal elders for religious and chauvinist reasons.

Interesting fact: Almost 1/2 of gun violence in rural areas last year could have been avoided with elementary English classes. As it stands, antagonists can't tell if their adversary is apologizing to them or insulting them...and a policy of "shoot first, ask questions later" appears to have been widely adopted.

And how has heterosexuality ever been conclusively scientifically proven, or whatever you meant by that comment. Get over your religious bigotry. God created all of mankind, not just you heterosexuals. Yes, it is the school's decision to make, not some outsider parent from another community's school. How does a person "tell themselves apart from their orientation"?

Do you want some dressing for this word salad? Bleu cheese would go well with that whine of yours...

Since when does your convenient misinterpretation of the Bible get to set limits on the lives of people who don't necessarily believe what you (think you) believe? And as far as your cherry-picking goes, try these on for size, Mr. Pharisee...

Matthew 7:20-23

“You can tell a tree by its fruit. 21 None of those who cry out ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of God but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 When that day comes, many will plead with me, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? Have we not exorcised demons by its power? Did we not do many miracles in your name as well?’ 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Out of my sight, you evildoers!’”

Luke 18:10

“Two men went up to the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee with head unbowed prayed in this fashion: ‘I give you thanks, O God, that I am not like the rest of men—grasping, crooked, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week, I pay tithes on all I possess.” 13The other man, however, kept his distance, not even daring to raise his eyes to heaven. All he did was beat his breast and say, ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ 14Believe me, this man went home from the temple justified but the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled while he who humbles himself shall be exalted.”

Read and learn, o cheery-picker...

And how has heterosexuality ever been conclusively scientifically proven, or whatever you meant by that comment.

Does it really have to be? Human beings have a sexual reproductive system, not a simple climax on demand button. What's the biological purpose of homosexuality?

Get over your religious bigotry. God created all of mankind, not just you heterosexuals.

Get over your homosexual denial. When did God create homosexuals?

How does a person "tell themselves apart from their orientation"?

By realizing that homosexuality is something they do, not who they are.

@Conjuring Cat

How do either of those passages substantiate homosexuality?

⁹ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, ¹⁰ thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

But not the cowards, not those who refuse belief, not those whose lives are abominable; not the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, not those who are false in any of their dealings. Their lot awaits them in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, and it is the second death.." Rev 21:8

Read all the way to the end, O capitulating man.

Sounds like you are cherry-picker all by yourself.

I see you ditched Jesus of Nazareth for John of Patmos, bub--do you always drop the Christ whenever it's convenient? Got some Saul of Tarsus to proclaim next?...

@Conjuring Cat

It's the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" Uh, didn't Jesus appear to John? You can't find one passage of scripture, in any context, from Jesus, or anyone else, that substantiates being homosexuality or is in favor of gays. I haven't ditched Jesus of Nazareth. Guess you have to start twisting scripture next.

Go back to my Luke reference--you're the one proclaiming your holiness, Pharisee...

"HE" didn't write the Bible. People did that!

ItIsWhat!t!s, or perhaps he actually bothered to read and study the bible. I used to look up the passages that people would use to justify the discrimination, but I've given up on that. Over the years I haven't seen a single passage that says that homosexuality is a sin in any sort of clear way. Certainly nothing barring consenting adults from doing so.

Oh, great quote, Itiswhatitis. @!$%#ing sorcerers? Really? Grouped right in there with the rest of your drivel. Amazing you are that stupid. Happy magic sky pixie to you.

@ ItIsWhat!t!s who said, "Homosexuality has still never been conclusively scientifically proven."

Don't you just love it when religious people, particularly christians, only believe in science when it supports their already pre-conceived conclusions?

What about the overwhelming majority of the science that supports evolution? What about all the science that refutes your Bible? Do you believe in that science or is that not "conclusive" enough for you?

Homosexuality is such a grave sin that Jesus Christ our Savior never even mentioned it. I think we are all going to Hell if the condition is we sin no more. "Judge not, least you be judged." I, personally, think Christ came to save us despite our sins. I also noticed in the Bible Jesus never made anyone do anything. What's up with that ? Surely He had the power to. He allowed free will though and yet some men want to exercise more power over men than Christ did. I guess they are smarter than Christ.

@ lou - HEY NOW!!! You leave the magick pixies out of this k buddy?!!!! lol

don't make me tell Tink!!!

:D

* and yes, I sometimes find it easier to use dice and the dungeons and dragons rulebooks easier to understand than the bible. also, that way i got a 1/20 chance of a crit!

I'm sorry that your live in such a small minded conservative world that refuses to accept factual evidence. The bible is a book. It was written by men and not by a god. Men make mistakes and evidentally so did god when he allowed man to create churches and a bible because then he or she, if there is a god, also created ignorance, inhumanity, intolerance and hatred for anyone and everything that is different than what people like you think it should be.

"Homosexuality has still never been conclusively scientifically proven." That statement "does not compute." Sort of like saying, "My garage door has still never been conclusively scientifically proven." I'm guessing that you wouldn't recognize a scientific proof of anything if it hit you in the face. Say, have you ever proven, using the induction method, that the sum of the first n integers, starting with n = 1, is equal to n times (n+1), divided by 2? No, I didn't think so.

Salvia58-3789575 - Homosexuality is such a grave sin that Jesus Christ our Savior never even mentioned it.

That's because he didn't want to out himself and his beloved friend John.

Human beings have a sexual reproductive system, not a simple climax on demand button.

I would kill for a "climax on demand button"

True, but it surely qualifies one.

Certifiable.

dis·crim·i·nate

/disˈkriməˌnāt/

Verb

1. Recognize a distinction; differentiate.
2. Perceive or constitute the difference in or between.

Synonyms

distinguish - differentiate - discern

I will bet you discriminate on a regular basis. We all do.

Mpa, you are intentionally abusing the English language to appear clever. As someone with a high school education could tell you, "Discriminate", like virtually every word, has multiple meanings and uses. The definition you are showing is a completely different concept than the one Max is speaking of. These two concepts share the same word to represent them, but that does not mean the concepts are the same. What you did is basically mock someone for referring to an athletic protective cup because "A cup is something you drink from, so it can't be that hur hur hur". It adds nothing to the conversation, and makes you look foolish.

David -

Woud you attend a picnic with your family if it were sponsored by the Klan? Would you let your 10-year-old son attend a picnic sponsored by NAMBLA?

We all discriminate, and if you say you don't, you ae being disigenuous.

My point was that there is discrimination and then there is bigotry. Two different things.

And that process of discriminating is significantly different than the process of discrimination when you are denying people rights and equal access based on their race, gender, sexuality, religion, or political ideals. Discrimination is a word that can be the act of choosing between preferred things and personal decisions. Discrimination is also the word used for when someone attempts to restrict the rights and options of others based on prejudice. Two different concepts, same word. Bigotry and discrimination are not mutually exclusive, and indeed both words can be used to describe the same concept (just as both words can be used to describe two completely separate and non-related concepts).

By your logic, anti-discrimination laws would make it illegal to choose cake over pie because you are discriminating based on your taste for sweets. The legislature, however, uses the term "discrimination" to mean the same thing that Max meant, which is NOT the definition you parrot. The fact that you can show the word has other uses besides the use it is fulfilling in the current conversation does not in any way make that use incorrect.

Woud you attend a picnic with your family if it were sponsored by the Klan? Would you let your 10-year-old son attend a picnic sponsored by NAMBLA?

Do you see what you did there? In these scenerios the person is making the choice to NOT go as an individual. They are NOT however choosing to not allow others to go. Diffrent situation. Next example please.

Quite possibly the most enlightened post I have ever read on the vine...you give me hope and bring a smile to my heart. :-)

hey hey hey! I'm sure she was already a poet!!!

I can't speak for everyone in Indiana. I never knew any openly gay people until I went to college. They seemed like regular people to me. I have more problems with Jehovah Witnesses trying to push an agenda on me than homosexuals.

Well maybe you should listen to them! All there doing is following the example left for them by their leader Jesus Christ.

On the other hand you have someone who enjoys poop on their peter....you tell me who is living a happy life that God approves of?

I'll let God judge both groups for their personal lifestyles. I just know that one group doesn't knock on my door every weekend and want to read to me.

Also, I don't think the homosexuals will put you on thier "evil person watchdog list" if you tell them your not interested...

I live across the street from a Mormon church. Back in late July, when it was like 350 degrees F outside, a couple of those fools wearing their buttoned-up long-sleeve white shirts and ties were riding their bicycles around the neighborhood. When they rang my doorbell, I answered the door holding a rifle and told them that they had five seconds to get off my property and four of them were already gone. But hey, I got over my bigotry and voted for a Mormon just four months later.

desertjunky,

I take it you've never had anal?

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

And in other news, Spetsnaz also believes the world is flat. Doesn't actually make it that way, but hey...

Skippy, express an opinion in 20 years when the indoctrination is wearing off.

The world being flat? Really this is what you come up with as your rebuttal to my comments. I'm very sorry for you. I can't fix your view points but I can pray that you can open your eyes to see through the lie that it is ok to be gay. Wrong is wrong plane black and white.

Point is, your belief about what is "right" or "wrong" based on your convenient misinterpretation of your holy book should have no bearing on the rights of people who don't believe in your holy book. The only point you have is on the top of your head, Spetz...

So did you help the priests abuse all of the kids?

@ Spetsnaz:

The Bible does say that sending your daughters out to be raped and having sex with them later is o.k.

The Bible does say that keeping and owning slaves is o.k.

The Bible does say that you should be killed for picking up a stick on a Saturday.

The Bible does say that little kids should be killed by bears if they make fun of a "prophet."

The Bible does say that women should keep their heads covered and their mouths shut if they know what is good for them.

So, do you agree with all of these things from your Bible? Or did your "special school" leave those parts out?

You're going to have a very angry and difficult time in life; blame your parents for abusing you by making you religious before you even knew you had a choice.

I have a horse, a mare. Sometimes she is attracted to male horses, sometimes other mares.

Did she CHOOSE to be that way? Do I think she is going to horsie hell because of this?

No, that is just who she is, a beautiful, intelligent creature.

Other horses only sexually prefer their OWN gender

There are two beautiful swans in downtown Boston. They chose each other. It just happens they both are MALES.

You will find gender preferences and variations in many, many different species.

This includes humans.

Keep your religion to yourself.

If this argument doesn't convince you, then remember that Jesus did not condemn the "woman

caught in adultery"- It was the religious hypocrites who chose to judge her.

Christians, you want people to believe what you believe- then stop being hateful, ugly, judgmental people. Pick out the boulder that is in your own eye. Work on yourself. I'm sure there is room for improvement.

I just want to verify... Does the bible say it is natural to be black? or brown? or have blonde hair? what about brown eyes?

You just started preaching religion yourself, Sara.

Spetsnaz If being gay is a choice, did you consciously decide to be straight? By your thinking you would have had to make a choice to be straight, just as a gay person would make that choice. So when did you consciously choose to be straight rather than gay??

oh sarah M!

yummm!

my awesome heathen manly manmanness doth throbb'eth when thou speaketh those words!

say it again please!

:D

*tears off all his armor and poses heroically in a beam of golden sunlight!

HAZZAHHH!

Spetsnaz
The world being flat? Really this is what you come up with as your rebuttal to my comments. I'm very sorry for you. I can't fix your view points but I can pray that you can open your eyes to see through the lie that it is ok to be gay. Wrong is wrong plane black and white.

Don't be sorry for those of us that don't follow the "I have an imaginary friend path." Plus we don't need your prayer, either; it's a big waste fo time and summarily it's the polite way of saying "I don't have time for you, piss off."

In fact - it IS okay to be gay, as it is to be human. Everyone (repeat, EVERYONE) deserves to be happy, not a group of people delegated by some magical unicorn shepherd that forces you to fear and love him, or burn in hell.

Last time I heard the the words "fear" and "love" in the same sentence, where to describe spousal abuse.

It's only wrong, because you know nothing of it. I'm not telling you to embrace it, just open your eyes and embrace global peace and understanding. If you don't understand it, don't condemn it.

But if you want to follow the teachings of a book that talks about people coming back from the dead, a man and boat carrying ALL of the worlds animals, people living 900+ years, some guy that splits the Red Sea, a talking burning bush, and a god that killed innocent people, because he's pissed off, told his "soldiers" to kill, pillage, rape and plunder - because, you know - it's all about war... then, pray for yourself.

You might more milage out of that.

I always love the absolutists. Fellow the other day was arguing for having "NO, I repeat NO, age of consent for sexual activity".

"Everyone, (repeat EVERYONE) deserves to be happy." I guess Jerry at Penn State was pretty happy. John Wayne Gacy? Charlie Manson maybe not much. Joe Stalin?

Pfffft.

Are you male or female, clarity is needed.

Lol. Does it matter? Is she semi hot or not?

I`d hit it...

But I`m married and in love with my wife.

Ah, wife is right over his shoulder. Good save.

if the guys want he that must mean they are straight. that's good don't want any gay freaks talking like that.

I thought she was hot... until I heard her speak...

She looks exactly like Sarah Palin......she was hot until she opened her mouth and let her brains slip out.

wow skrekk you are really showing just how retarded you actually are

wow skrekk you are really showing just how retarded you actually are

Confussed is confused. That's the thing. This is a Church's belief and the church needs to keep out of this. They do not have the right to discriminate against any law abiding citizen of the United States. Whether you "think" God may be in favor or not.

Keep your Church beliefs out of my bedroom and my life if I do not want it. That is every US citizens right.

God does not judge anyone or anything - everything is God's creation, and judging it would be hypocritical on the part of God. Everything just IS and everything is perfect. It is our egos that do the judging. In the end we do judge ourselves by judging others. We trying to teach what we need to learn. We are all ONE.

Love and Peace.

"smoothoperator

God does not judge anyone or anything - everything is God's creation, and judging it would be hypocritical on the part of God. Everything just IS and everything is perfect."

Uhh, I`m not sure my belief system coincides with your statement but hey, I`m not going to "judge' you or anything, LOL...

Keep your homosexual religion out of my institutions. That is every U.S. citizens right.......Max.

Well, keep your imaginary sky god and "his" traditions out of my institutions.

You know, the big book of mythology called the bible that makes kids (and their parents) think it's okay to spit on and kick my gay daughter at school and get away with it because anti-bullying laws have a clause excluding gay kids on the basis of "strong moral objection"

I know religion. As fundamentalists interpret the bible mythology, apparently god sees no "level" of sin. So why are they not spitting in the faces of kids who lie, cheat, steal, pass judgment when that is reserved for god, wear poly/cotton blend clothing, eat lobster or shrimp, or tell their friends they look cute in a pair of jeans that makes their butt look huge (lying!!!!)?

You fundamentalists can all kiss my ass until you can explain the above convincingly.

Oh Yea Gads!!! I live very close to Sullivan, IN where this stupidity happened. I can't believe that the teacher would say such a stupid thing. We all have a purpose on this earth. Do you wonder why the Midwest has a reputation for being backward? You would be surprised at the things that still happen here; race discrimination, woman discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, etc. Thank goodness I don't share this woman's view of her students. She even gives Christians a bad name. Whatever happened to kindness, understanding and acceptance? Please don't judge the rest of us by the remarks of a very small group of people.

Their "Book" gives them every excuse in the universe to treat everybody else like crap.

Thats why they dont want any other books around.

Oh, and no dancing either.

If it's FUN - God hates you.

Manno,

Funny that you would label someone that is against discrimination of any sort and you think homosexuality is a religion. Haven't heard that one before. Religion? Funny stuff.

Here's the basic truth. Medley is a stupid @!$%#.

Are you male or female, clarity is needed.

Sorry, KJ, I have standards. And howling bigoted POSes like her don't cut it...

I wonder if she's read 50 Shades of Grey yet...?

Yeah, she looks hot, but I couldn't really tell from the pic how big her hoots were.

What about us monosexuals? I went to the prom by myself, and right after I drank my tenth cup of spiked punch, I went out to the parking lot, found an unlocked car, sat down in the back seat, put on a rubber, and jacked off for the very first time.

It seems everyone forgets another of our guaranteed rights in the U.S....FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION.

TruettCollins, am I reading your comment wrong, or are you saying that you have a legal right to not associate with gays? In your home and church maybe, but this dance is in a PUBLIC school, funded by PUBLIC tax money, paid in part by citizens who happen to be GAY. Do you even KNOW a gay person, or are you incapable of seeing them as fellow humans, obsessed only with what they do in bed? Gays and lesbians serve in the military. They teach, heal, create, build, make sacrifices, make discoveries, and do all kinds of other things that people like YOU benefit from.

Years ago, people also yapped about their "right" to not associate with blacks, Jews, Catholics, and others, and they expected this "right" to be extended to public schools, lunch counters, country clubs and hotels. If you want to live in an insular world with only "your kind", go for it and create a gated, fortified, self sufficient community, but don't live in the larger society, take and benefit from people that you don't like, and then criticize and try to exclude them. This ain't your private planet.

You miss that this "prom" was not a school function but was to be separate and they would have been within their rights to exclude gays from it, just as it would be within the rights of gay students to orginize their own "prom" and exclude straights. Not making a judgement on if it would be wrong or right just that they have that right under the U.S. laws. Second yes, I have many gay friends, the best man at our wedding was gay, have a gay nephew and we all get along fine. So come down off your high horse and stop reading things into post that are not there.

I think a separate prom for dumb bigots is a great idea. They could even hold it in Diana Medley's special ed class.