Honest answers only

I am a christian, and I'm glad to say that life has opened my eyes. When I was young, I thought it (being gay) was very wrong (I was raised that way). I grew up in a very rural community. Then, when I went to college, I met many people who became wonderful friends--several were gay. I realized that I loved these people regardless of their sexual orientation. I've also learned what a struggle it is for several people to "be gay." That's not what many of them WANT; it's how they are.

As for whether or not people are born straight or gay...I'm still a bit confused. I used to always say, "They were born that way." However, through life's experiences, I've found out that several gay people have been abused in the past....not sure if there's is a direct correlation there, but it does make me wonder.

All in all, I respect people....for being people. It's not about being gay or straight. It's about being a good person, a good parent, a good spouse/partner. I've seen same-sex couples who have raised children, and I don't see anything wrong with those children... Those who claim they can't be good parents sound insane to me--especially seeing on the news these (heterosexual) parents who murder their children. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing heterosexual couples; I'm merely pointing out that out for those who thing heterosexual parenting=the best parenting.

As for me, I do think you are born gay or straight. Just like I think you are born a killer, rapist, child molester or what have you.

I know you don't mean it that way but that's incredibly offensive.

How so?

Comparing someone's sexuality to being a violent criminal doesn't seem offensive to you? OK... You're comparing sexuality to some things that I think we can all agree are morally wrong. Being gay is not a crime and it doesn't hurt people, like murder and rape obviously do.

Secondly you are saying that murderers, rapists, and child molesters can't help themselves. In that case they shouldn't be held responsible for their actions. Hey, that guy isn't bad; he didn't WANT to beat someone to death, he had no choice!

Ok I wasn't trying to compare sexuality to violent crimes. I guess it doesn't sound right the way I put it. I was just trying to give other examples of being born a certain way. There is a part of me that does think rapist and child molesters can't help themselves but they should definitely be held responsible for their actions.

I can't agree with that idea at all. If you can't help something then by definition you aren't responsible for it. I think it's disgusting to say that a rapist can't help themselves. They make choices that hurt people. Yes there are some people who are severely mentally ill and commit violent acts because they can't help it, but that is the exception.

no but there are pleanty stats on families with kids that grow up without a mother or a father.

Back in the day, a family was expected to have a man and a woman so that the 'gender roles' could be assigned. Guess what: we don't have traditional gender roles anymore! Women are not expected to sit at home and quilt blankets and have supper on the table when their men come home, and men aren't expected to be the only bread winner.

I was raised in a house without a father and I turned out JUST FINE. I'm in a loving, 4-year relationship, I'm a nurse, I adopt animals! I'm educated, intelligent, and I know how to change my own oil and change the tires on my car.

Being a good parent is ALL about what you put into it. If the parent is attentive, caring and hardworking, then the child will see that. Gay, straight, single, married, it doesn't matter. It's foolish to think that a baby is going to pop out of the womb, see two men standing over it, and then flip from "Normal" to "Psychopath mode"

I have gay family members .... but we don't hang out or talk daily and when they do come around....I love them the more..Just don't approve of their lifestyle...same thing if they were a pimp or prostitute, gang-banger or drug dealer...I choose to love the sinner but hate the sin and there's nothing wrong with that. Its the same way you choose your friends...just because you choose not to hang out with a certain crowd doesn't mean you are ANTI-anything....

It's not the same thing. At all. A gang banger is someone who trolls the street, causing trouble, HURTING people, stealing, etc. A gay person is someone who just happened to fall in love with another gay person. How is that even on the same level?

Im not debating weather a gang banger or a gay person are the same...If you look back there are examples of ppl I CHOOSE not to socialize with...I can Love you but not like what you about...thats all..

no but there are pleanty stats on families with kids that grow up without a mother or a father.

Back in the day, a family was expected to have a man and a woman so that the 'gender roles' could be assigned. Guess what: we don't have traditional gender roles anymore! Women are not expected to sit at home and quilt blankets and have supper on the table when their men come home, and men aren't expected to be the only bread winner.

I was raised in a house without a father and I turned out JUST FINE. I'm in a loving, 4-year relationship, I'm a nurse, I adopt animals! I'm educated, intelligent, and I know how to change my own oil and change the tires on my car.

Being a good parent is ALL about what you put into it. If the parent is attentive, caring and hardworking, then the child will see that. Gay, straight, single, married, it doesn't matter. It's foolish to think that a baby is going to pop out of the womb, see two men standing over it, and then flip from "Normal" to "Psychopath mode"

I have gay family members .... but we don't hang out or talk daily and when they do come around....I love them the more..Just don't approve of their lifestyle...same thing if they were a pimp or prostitute, gang-banger or drug dealer...I choose to love the sinner but hate the sin and there's nothing wrong with that. Its the same way you choose your friends...just because you choose not to hang out with a certain crowd doesn't mean you are ANTI-anything....

It's not the same thing. At all. A gang banger is someone who trolls the street, causing trouble, HURTING people, stealing, etc. A gay person is someone who just happened to fall in love with another gay person. How is that even on the same level?

Im not debating weather a gang banger or a gay person are the same...If you look back there are examples of ppl I CHOOSE not to socialize with...I can Love you but not like what you about...thats all..

You said before that not hanging out with gay people doesn't make you anti-gay. Then why post about it in a thread asking about why people are anti-gay? No one singled you out and said you were.

I used to believe in the bible and then I found it far too inconsistent. If you follow the bible then follow it all (i.e don't wear wool and linen together for example). It seems like it is always used to tell people where they are wrong.

I have no problem with gay people, I cannot fault someone for how they feel. If I like the colour red and someone tries to tell me it is wrong then how am I supposed to change that?

People have to live a life that makes them happy and if they are consenting individuals and are not hurting anyone and enjoying life then who are we to interfere? I guess a lot of people like throwing the first stone.

Without meaning to offend anyone, the zoologist in me is dying to ask- people who disagree with homosexuality because it "isn't natural"- are you meaning to say that you think our modern technology is natural? Is it natural that you're sat at a computer slating people who's actions do not affect you? Is it natural that you shave? Is it natural to be wearing clothes instead of going completely bare like we were born? Are you against IVF or fertility treatment between straight couples? Or do you still believe in survival of the fittest and that if they can't reproduce on their own that they just shouldn't have kids?
To say it's not natural is to say that you think everything else you chose to do is completely natural. As humans we've developed to do a whole bunch of things that take us away from what we'd "naturally" be doing. If you're to be against all that is not natural we would still be in the dark ages like cave men. And in case you hadn't noticed, we're not all beating each other up like chimps to get laid anymore.
Just curious.

That said, I think slating religious people for their beliefs and lifestyle is equally is wrong as bashing gay people for who they're having sex with.

in my opinion, and its not based on religion or faith or the fact that im a pakistani. but i feel that being gay is like insulting nature in some indirect way. i mean yes i wouldnt interfere in any gay person's life but if someone would come to me and ask that do u hate gay people? i wouldnt say hate but i would just be a little uncomfortable hanging around with a gay friend.... just my opinion and not meant to hurt anybody's feelings....

Interesting perspective. Just to throw it out there, do we not insult nature everyday in ways that you and I are personally responsible for?

Without meaning to offend anyone, the zoologist in me is dying to ask- people who disagree with homosexuality because it "isn't natural"- are you meaning to say that you think our modern technology is natural? Is it natural that you're sat at a computer slating people who's actions do not affect you? Is it natural that you shave? Is it natural to be wearing clothes instead of going completely bare like we were born? Are you against IVF or fertility treatment between straight couples? Or do you still believe in survival of the fittest and that if they can't reproduce on their own that they just shouldn't have kids?
To say it's not natural is to say that you think everything else you chose to do is completely natural. As humans we've developed to do a whole bunch of things that take us away from what we'd "naturally" be doing. If you're to be against all that is not natural we would still be in the dark ages like cave men. And in case you hadn't noticed, we're not all beating each other up like chimps to get laid anymore.
Just curious.

That said, I think slating religious people for their beliefs and lifestyle is equally is wrong as bashing gay people for who they're having sex with.

Exactly what I was getting at...wow you type fast

in my opinion, and its not based on religion or faith or the fact that im a pakistani. but i feel that being gay is like insulting nature in some indirect way. i mean yes i wouldnt interfere in any gay person's life but if someone would come to me and ask that do u hate gay people? i wouldnt say hate but i would just be a little uncomfortable hanging around with a gay friend.... just my opinion and not meant to hurt anybody's feelings....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#Bonobo_and_other_apes

I wasn't going to respond to this but something on here just touched my nerve. I don't think you are born lgbt, and I don't think you are born straight either. I don't think We were born rapists, child molesters, killers, etc. It is about choices that we make. We choose to fall in love with who we fall in love with. Just like before we joined this website WE chose to eat the way we did. I am a Christian, I believe in God, but I am not gonna shove my religion down anyone's throat or sit up on a high horse and think I am better than everyone else just because I don't agree with something that someone believe's in.

I wasn't going to respond to this but something on here just touched my nerve. I don't think you are born lgbt, and I don't think you are born straight either. I don't think We were born rapists, child molesters, killers, etc. It is about choices that we make. We choose to fall in love with who we fall in love with. Just like before we joined this website WE chose to eat the way we did. I am a Christian, I believe in God, but I am not gonna shove my religion down anyone's throat or sit up on a high horse and think I am better than everyone else just because I don't agree with something that someone believe's in.

When did you choose to be straight? Could you choose to fall in love with a woman?

if you are anti-gay you are wrong, and i hate you.

=]

I sure hope you're being sarcastic, because if you're not, you're no better than the anti-gay people. Intollerant of others who believe differently that you.

Someone mentioned it confuses kids to be raised by a gay couple. Do you not realize that most gay kids are raised by straight couples? And if your eyes "gay is wrong and will confuse their kids" how exactly did they end up that way being raised by straight parents? It sounds to me like being raised by straight parents is what is "confusing" all these gay people???

I am not anti-gay in the least. I am open minded. I am not religious but I am spiritual. I believe in that God is not one religion. I believe that God is about love. And that when he/she/it sees people misreading the bible and picking and choosing passages to suit their needs, he is sadly shaking his head, thinking "You missed the whole point."

I do not understand how people can live with so much hate in their hearts really.

Personally I'm anti-gay not because I came from a machista culture (I'm Hispanic) nor from a strict Roman Catholic family but honestly I find that some of the gay men are very hot. Plus I'm not interested in women's private parts. I assume that you used the word "gay" to mean homosexual people that also include lesbians as well.

One thing that I find a bit disturbing is when a gay competes in a beauty pageant with real women. For me, sexual preference & biology aren't the same.

However I don't meddle with other people's sexual preference. We all have a free will to choose what we want to be.