[Shirleevee]

Originally Posted by golfingnut

our children will move this issue into true reality and i am thankful that my generation will die away along with our unfair/unkind primitive beliefs and our generations prejudices.

amen!!!!!!

[redwitch]

I'm a firm believer in God and all that is represented by God. I also firmly believe that the words of the Bible have been rewritten many times -- think of the many versions that have come about just in our lifetimes.

To deny gay people the right to love, the right to share their assets, the right to medical insurance of their life partner, the right to have their life partner make necessary decisions is just plain wrong. Without marriage (whether a civil union or a union sanctified by a church), that is what happens. At one time, to be gay meant risking the possibility of prison for loving another human being (the old sodomy laws). Even today, being gay means risking harassment -- both physical and verbal and sometimes even death. Every step that is taken to give people that are "different" (whether by religious choice, sexual preference, skin color) the same rights as the so-called moral majority is a step to the humanity that I believe God sees in each and every one of us.

(And, no, I don't believe this means that incest, rape, pedophilia, etc. should be legalized -- these are acts that harm an innocent, definitely something against the morals of humans and God.)

[KeepingItReal]

Originally Posted by Quixote

Are you hinting at (gasp!) HYPOCRISY?! The Bible, in its religious context, embraced slavery as a routine, everyday occurrence.

Living in this community and to the extent that TOTV is a reflection of the feelings of Villagers in general, it's a relief to see that the vast majority of posters are pleased with the decision, which in turn is likely a reflection of the majority of Americans across the country....

************************************************** ******


It is totally disgusting that Phelps and his followers are allowed to even be called Christians. They do the true church a great harm and dis-service and should never be allowed anywhere near a funeral. There are many proclaiming themselves to be of God when they are no more than false prophets and it is clear they are not True Christians.

California had voted it down and therefore it is obvious it is not a majority that agrees. Being more vocal does not equate to more numbers. We all know polls are ask or not ask of certain groups depending on the desired outcome for the poll. These groups of people if polled would prevent the poll from achieving the intended results.

From the tiny number that posts here of the 100,000 plus residents and the thousands of non resident members it is not realistic to suppose this forum in any way represent even a majority of Villagers much less the entire country.

Had no thought of changing anyone's opinion and it is for sure I will not change mine.

[KeepingItReal]

Originally Posted by LndLocked

"And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter. But we may hope that the dawn of reason and freedom of thought in these United States will do away with all this artificial scaffolding, and restore to us the primitive and genuine doctrines of this the most venerated reformer of human errors."- Thomas Jefferson
"There is not one redeeming feature in our superstition of Christianity. It has made one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites."- Thomas Jefferson
"The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason."- Ben Franklin
"This would be the best of all possible worlds if there were no religion in it"- John Adams
"The Bible is not my book, nor Christianity my profession."- Abraham Lincoln
"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise."- James Madison

************************************************** *******

“I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.”
― Abraham Lincoln

Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws.
John Adams


Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.
James Madison

“The care of every man's soul belongs to himself. But what if he neglect the care of it? Well what if he neglect the care of his health or his estate, which would more nearly relate to the state. Will the magistrate make a law that he not be poor or sick? Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves. God himself will not save men against their wills.”
― Thomas Jefferson


Take a look at this video too and then decide on Jefferson..Thomas Jefferson went to church in This Capitol Church for eight years...

U.S. Capitol Tour with David Barton

2 Chronicles 7:14 KING JAMES VERSION
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Hebrews 11:1 KING JAMES VERSION
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

[Gulfhills]

Originally Posted by keepingitreal

**************************************************

thanks for your post with which i agree totally since i believe the holy bible to be true but we already know many will never listen even though the words are from god and not any man. There has already been a great falling away and more will come before christ says it is enough and returns to rapture his church.

We're just getting used to the dark, little by little.

amen!!

[Golfingnut]

PLEASE FOLKS:

The bible was and is written by people using THEIR INTERPRETATION of what THEY heard or thought they heard. The Bible has been rewritten and reinterpreted over the years so many times I would be surprised if it has any of the original thoughts or beliefs from when it was originally started. I am sorry to have to point this out, but if you go to a bookstore or even you local church and pick up a bible, and believe it to be the true word of, about and from any Devinne source you are being fooled. If you wish to get a close view of what is right for humans, read simply the sermon on the mount.

Some of the quotes in the previous posts are close interpretations of the Koran and from the teaching of the prophet Mohammad. Please research and stop taking what you hear from an uneducated preacher, your interpretation of a book that has been changed through REWRITE hundreds of times and your own personal interpretations of a book that you do not clearly understand.

Please don't be offended as this is my interpretation of what a LOVING GOD would tell you if you looked deep enough into your heart (made by the creator) with your mind (made by the creator) and just common sense. You must understand and embrace the fact that gay and lesbian comes into this world at birth free from sin.

I would ask that you go to your heart and mind using your most sincere prayer and ask your God for guidance in this mater and stop using someone else's interpretation of God's word. Ask yourself who in the chain of command of religious authority ever said that the KING JAMES VERSION of the bible is the true word of GOD. Don't find yourself at the pearly gates as someone that followed THE BIBLE to the letter and yet not admitted due to a hateful heart.

[Golfingnut]

In case that was to long.

The Ten commandments is the word of GOD.

Show me the commandment that says or indicates:
THOW SHALT NOT BE HOMOSEXUAL

Beware of interpritations during the hundreds of rewrites by MAN infulenced by the DEVIL.

[graciegirl]

I don't think that helping people accept new concepts to them is done by preaching, gloating, or a superior attitude. I told you so, you are so dumb, and obviously you are a sinner, stupid, behind the times, and just stubborn is not gonna get the job done.

People are people and they come in all styles and ways and I think that we are all interconnected on this earth. We aren't born with the same likes, dislikes, inclinations and traits but for the most part we all have the ability to love and to commit to long term relationships of every shape and form. Stir physical attraction into anything and it gets all murky and emotional.

I think that this may require a reach for some of us, some more than others but He didn't say do unto some others, he said do unto others.

And to love our neighbor, which I take to mean anyone who is someone we know, He said to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Now back to the easy stuff like your neighbors dog pooping on your yard. You cannot legislate acceptance and morality and kindness.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I don't think that helping people accept new concepts to them is done by preaching, gloating, or a superior attitude. I told you so, you are so dumb, and obviously you are a sinner, stupid, behind the times, and just stubborn is not gonna get the job done..

Those that claim to be the most devout Christians also are the very one's that condem others that do not follow THEIR understanding of faith to the letter. I say with confidence that although they may be very religious and even sincere about their religion, they do not fit into what I understand as what it is to be a Christian. Jesus Christ accepted gay.

[DianeM]

Live and let live. Twisting the sacred words of the Bible to preach hatred against anyone is wrong. Every living thing needs warmth had affection and acceptance. Life is good. Move away from the hatred.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by DianeM

Live and let live. Twisting the sacred words of the Bible to preach hatred against anyone is wrong. Every living thing needs warmth had affection and acceptance. Life is good. Move away from the hatred.

I am in agreement and not just because it seems to be the kind thing to do. If you follow the logic of an all loving God and not the way the bible has been RE-written with man's spin on it to fit his belief or vision of what is the way to go, then I believe God wants us to welcome all his children and that certainly includes gay and lesbians. I do however believe the Ten Commandments is the true word of God

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I'm a firm believer in God and all that is represented by God. I also firmly believe that the words of the Bible have been rewritten many times -- think of the many versions that have come about just in our lifetimes.

To deny gay people the right to love, the right to share their assets, the right to medical insurance of their life partner, the right to have their life partner make necessary decisions is just plain wrong. Without marriage (whether a civil union or a union sanctified by a church), that is what happens. At one time, to be gay meant risking the possibility of prison for loving another human being (the old sodomy laws). Even today, being gay means risking harassment -- both physical and verbal and sometimes even death. Every step that is taken to give people that are "different" (whether by religious choice, sexual preference, skin color) the same rights as the so-called moral majority is a step to the humanity that I believe God sees in each and every one of us.

(And, no, I don't believe this means that incest, rape, pedophilia, etc. should be legalized -- these are acts that harm an innocent, definitely something against the morals of humans and God.)

Excellent post redwitch. May all my gay cousins, friends, coworkers, members of my church (including my pastor and his partner) get marriage equality in Illinois soon.

Same-sex marriage in my home state of Iowa became legal following a decision of the Iowa Supreme Court on April 3, 2009. Marriage licenses became available to same-sex couples in Iowa on April 27, 2009. The world did not end. The sun has risen and set every day since then on Iowa and the 11 other states and the District of Columbia which have legalized same-sex marriage.

If TOTV had existed in the 1960's the same debate probably would have taken place about interracial marriage.

[cmfjr]

I have carefully read all of the above posts and I think each one has missed the most important issue that is the result of the Courts decision. That being that a bill that was debated, passed and signed into law by then President Clinton was thrown out and the will of "The People" disregarded! If one would take the tine to read the 26 page dissenting opinion, they will see that the Court did what could not be done in the ballot box. It appears to me that The Supreme Court (both sides) is blurring the lines of the functions and responsibilities of the 3 Separate and Distinct branches of our government; legislative, administrative and judicial.
IMO, the majority opinion, has many contradictory statements and will see many legal challenges!

[leenie24]

Good news.

[Helene2008]

Originally Posted by Portia

There were two important things that happened to me personally today.....one of which was the Supreme Court ruling....and the second was the amazing phone calls from our kids and son-in-law congratulating their two "dads" on the ruling that happened today. What a wonderful memory for Ronnie and me......Jimmy!!!

Congratulatios