I would just like to say to Chrangharris (and this applies to others too) that I think it is a pretty poor show starting threads that you know can get controversial, and then just deleting them because you don't like what some people think. Can't you tolerate other people having different opinions than your own? Why do you post in the first place?
It shows an incredible lack of respect for other people and their opinions. Or is it because you just can't handle the real world? It just seems from here like a very narrow minded approach to life.
I spent quite a bit of time this afternoon writing what I hoped would be a sensible reply to your post, and it just disappears. I have better things to do with my time.
For those who didn't see it, here is my reply to "What would you do if your child told you they were gay?":
I was walking down the street with my son, who was about 11 at the time, when he popped that question to me right out of the blue. "What would you think if I was homosexual?"
My first reaction was to laugh. Children do ask the most interesting questions sometimes don't they! The ones that make you REALLY have to think, and not just respond with a standard cliché.
Of course, I have a problem here, as I seem to be afflicted with a peculiar kind of blindness. I just cannot for the life of me see what difference people's sexual preferences makes. I can't see that it makes any difference whether someone is homosexual, heterosexual, Jew, Gentile, black, white, yellow, whatever, you name it. That is just not the way that I evaluate other people. I would prefer to differentiate according to their honesty, their willingness to help their fellows, their tolerance of other peoples customs, creeds, religions, sexuality etc. and their open mindedness and desire to understand things outside their normal experiences.
I also have a slight problem with the concept of it being sinful. I was brought up in a conservative, Christian home, though no expert on the bible. But surely if God created homosexuals they must be as acceptable as anyone else? (That is not an attack on religious beliefs by the way). According to the Bible we were all born with original sin weren't we? I find lying, cheating and corruption much more sinful than a sexual preference. There is also the question of the constant focus on the sexual relationships between homosexuals. Surely that, as in "straight" relationships, is only a small percentage of the relationship and a private matter for the individuals? Is genuinely loving someone of the same sex and living with them without sexual relationships acceptable then?
I don't believe for a minute that homosexuality is a choice, but whether it's genetic or not I don't know. That is the most logical conclusion. In cases where choice is perhaps involved, then I would imagine that it is based on an original latent tendency, probably exaggerated by pressure from hostile or intolerant prejudiced groups within the society.
At least homosexuals are in my limited experience normally tasteful people, seldom aggressive and arrogant, and that I can definitely respect. They can sometimes be pretty weird, but weirdness has never bothered me. I know a lot of very weird straight people too!
Of course, I told my son that that it would be quite alright with me if he turned out to be homosexual, it's his life and he must live it as he sees fit. Also that I would of course support him in any way possible if it gave him any problems, and that it would make no difference whatsoever to our relationship. I would still love him unconditionally.
I don't want to be insulting or mean, but then of course that just depends on our own personal definitions of what is insulting or mean. These are often culturally or nationally inspired. These are just my own personal opinions and views
This quote from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran sums it all up for me:
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls.
For their souls dwell in the house of to-morrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
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