Hey everyone.

I really don't see the point in going into a long detailed post and continuing the argument on this issue anymore. I sat and thought about it, and can clearly see that there are two reasons why we disagree on this issue.

#1. You believe gays were born that way. I honestly don't believe that at all. This is my main reasoning for not considering it discrimination. I do not believe, at all, that God made them that way.

#2. I believe in my religion as the truth from God, and anything God has said in the Quran is a fact to me, not an opinion. I believe that God made us, and as the One Who made us, He knows what is best for us. He loves us, and it is because He loves us that He has given us rules and guidelines to follow in life. If He did not love us, He would not have sent Prophets to us. He would not have sent Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, peace be upon them all, with His Word to mankind. He would not have made Himself known to us. But He did...and He wants us to do what is best for us. When you do not believe in what I do, you will not see it in the same way...BUT...

at the same time, I know quite a bit about Christianity, have Bibles at home, and know that many of the teachings in the Bible are the same as those in the Quran. I believe that when any of us claim to believe in something, especially in a religion, if we truly believe in our hearts that it is the true revelation from God, we should believe in everything it says, whether it pleases us or not. I am not a hypocrite in anything that I said. I am a Muslim, and I follow every rule in my religion to the best that I can. That includes no adultery, no fornication, no homosexuality, no gambling, no usury, no alcohol, no pork, etc. So...you really need to think twice before you use that hypocrite word where it doesn't fit. It makes me sad when I see Christians claiming to believe in Christianity, but do not think twice about what they're doing or supporting, regardless of how great a sin it is in their very own book. I can't help but feel that people who claim to be something, but do not follow their own teachings, really don't BELIEVE in what they say at all.

I really believe in my religion, and I have thousands of reasons for that, from which I will never leave regardless of what life experiences throw at me. I know that God knows better than we do. Practicing my faith has only brought me happiness and joy in my life, and I know that if I stick to God's teachings, God will reward me after I have left this world, regardless of what people in this world will say.

Regarding my children, I did not answer because the question doesnt make sense. How do you suppose a 23 year old woman who doesn't yet have any kids will know from today, what she would react to something that most likely will never happen 20-25 years from now? I don't know. I don't believe my kids will ever be gay, because I do not believe anyone is born like that, AND, us Muslims learn disipline in a way that most people never learn, from the very beginning. We have the ability to stay away from sex before marriage. We have the ability to pray, 5 times every day to God, at the prescribed times, regardless of whether that means leaving class or work or stopping at the side of the highway to do so. We have the ability to go without food, water, and intimacy with our spouses, from sunrise until sunset, for an entire month, every year, in the month of Ramadan. All for the sake of making God pleased with us. That takes serious determination, and all 1.2 billion of us do that every single year. Our life is very diciplined. We do what God commands, and stay away from what God has forbidden, and most Muslims who are true to their faith stick to the criteria. Our children do the same. I go to a mosque where thousands of people attend, and I sometimes go even everyday. I have never heard of anyone from the mosque turning gay, and I'm pretty sure no one has issues with their kids because of that. Its all about environment. You don't turn gay if you have an environment where everyone is doing things to please God. You will always have this feeling that God is watching you, Satan is whispering to you, and you need to defeat Satan by not answering to his call. He's our enemy, and He was the enemy of the first human beings (Adam and Eve), and we believe that we have to be aware of him all the time.

As for caring about what people do in their bedrooms...sometimes you have to care for the sake of society. If everyone followed proper ettiquettes when it comes to 'the bedroom deed', we would have less unwanted children for society to worry about, less STD's, and healthier families. And THAT is what I would love to have in our society. THAT is why I voted yes. I feel that regardless of our individual beliefs, we NEED a better environment with strong families to create a stong society for the well being of our children. We do not have strong moral fibers in America when it comes to family life. Divorce rate here is higher than any other country. Its a fact when we say there is a problem here in the strength of families and the moral structure. I am not as ignorant as you think...I have travelled the world, and have seen different societies, and have seen the difference. For example, from my time in some Eurpoean countries, I got the feeling that moral values are still a little better in America than they are in Europe. I might be wrong, but that is the impression that I got. People are more ignorant when they haven't seen society, but I have seen the society in the East, and grew up in the West from the time I was born. I live in California and mingle with the people here, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. And surprisingly, a great deal of my Christian friends agree with me on my stance...so I know I'm not alone.

I also realize most of you have a good heart, and I know that from the many years I've visted pet talk. So I too agree to disagree, because I guarantee you that if you come to visit me when I'm an 80 year old lady with a cane and white hair, I will still be telling you homosexuality, as well as other big sins, is wrong.