LGBT Oregon Youth
High school students Hailey Smith and Liv Funk recently went public with their disturbing story of harassment at the hands of students, teachers, and even administrators. (Photo: Doug Brown/ACLU of Oregon)

An Oregon high school has come under intense scrutiny amid reports of ongoing harassment and intimidation of LGBT students. After years of enduring abuse from classmates, teachers, and administrators, two brave students recently went public with their story about the toxic environment at North Bend High School in western Oregon.

In an eye-opening letter published by the ACLU, student Liv Funk recounts the daily discrimination, humiliation, and even violence that she and her girlfriend, Hailey Smith, faced while attending the school.

After coming out as gay, Funk, who was a sophomore when the harassment started in 2015, essentially became a pariah in the halls. "People would turn their backs to me and fake-cough while saying [a gay slur]," she wrote. "If I happened to sit next to a girl, they'd make a big show of moving away."

But things only got worse from there.

Moving Toward Violence

According to Hailey Smith, one day in the school parking lot, the principal's son sped toward the couple in his car.

"We thought he was going to hit us. Instead, he drove right up next to us, yelled out 'faggots' and veered away," wrote Smith. "It was terrifying. I realized that discrimination and people's opinions here are really so strong that somebody could get hurt. I could get hurt just for being myself."

Another humiliating incident stuck out in her mind, this one involving the school principal himself:

"When I told the principal that my civics teacher called me out in front of the whole class and said same-sex marriage was 'pretty much the same thing' as marrying a dog, the principal told me 'everybody has the right to their own opinion,' " Smith explained.

Anti-gay billboard message

Reading the Bible as Punishment

In the aftermath of an investigation into the students' claims, principal Bill Lucero was forced to resign. Apparently, this wasn't the first time he'd put his bigotry on full display. On a previous occasion, Lucero had reportedly forced a bisexual student to read the Bible as "punishment" for going against biblical teachings.

Similar homophobic sentiments were expressed by other authority figures, say the students. After two boys hit Liv Funk with their skateboards and yelled anti-gay slurs at her, she reported it to the school police officer. But instead of coming to her aid, the officer, an ardent Christian, was indifferent. Funk described his horrifying response to her plea for help:

"He said that if I'm going to be an open member of the LGBT community that I should prepare for things like this. The officer said that being gay was a choice, and it was against his religion. He said that he had homosexual friends, but because I was an open homosexual, I was going to hell."

The Plight of LGBT Youth

Given all the progress that's been made over the past few decades, it's beyond demoralizing to hear stories like this. But these kids are not alone. According to the Human Rights Campaign, some 90% of LGBT youth say they've heard negative messages about their identities. They are twice as likely to be have been physically assaulted. The CDC found that LGBT youth are five times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Among the transgender community, 92% of the population reports having attempted suicide before the age of 25.

A Path Forward

As much as we'd like to think that our society has evolved beyond such needless hatred, clearly there is more ground yet to cover. Arguably more disturbing, though, is the use of religion to justify such offenses. No matter how you interpret the Bible's teachings, using them as a shield to condone harassment of others is about as antithetical to core Christian principles as you can get.

 

168 comments

  1. John Owens's Avatar John Owens

    Not in Oregon of all places!

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      I bet the principals son has been acting a lot differently at school since his father got fired. Or has he not returned, out of fear of pay backs ?

      1. John Owens's Avatar John Owens

        Yep. He might be playing catcher now, instead of pitcher, if you get my drift.

    2. Rev Nathaniel Yeargin's Avatar Rev Nathaniel Yeargin

      It is a shame that this ignorance hate, and bigotry is still going on. I too am a victim of this type of harassment, as a Gay Preacher. My neighbors have been harassing me for a little over a year. Since death of my spouse June 3, 2017. I live in Ohio just outside of the Cleveland. My advice is to hang in there. Make sure local law enforcement is involved. Most importantly put your trust in Jesus!

    3. Thomas Lightning Bolt's Avatar Thomas Lightning Bolt

      Of all places? Oregon is ran by the KKK. This doesn't surprise me al all. I just laugh when I hear people boast of Oregon being liberal! When I found out my adoptive father worked for cross burners for over 40 years! Oregon is a rotten bigot state that is ran by 'fire happy bed sheet fetish freaks'! That principal violated their constitutional rights! What a scumbag bigot! land of tolerance! YEP! White mainstream Christians only!

      1. Thomas Lightning Bolt's Avatar Thomas Lightning Bolt

        In fact Jenifer at Comcast in Eugene Oregon told me she went to Roseburg High School. She told me that 2 boys came to school wearing their fathers KKK outfits! And then she said, "And the school didn't even make them change their clothes!... I couldn't believe it!". I told her, "I can!". See that way the message of who runs the show is re asserted, and adults don't have to lift a finger! The Teenagers came to school wearing the face of a terrorist group, and the school didn't lift a finger to stop it! She had I were in High School at the same time '91'. So for those who have the nerve to say, 'That was then and this is now' is in flat out denial, in ignorant bliss, looking out their white window of privilege!

    4. John McAllister's Avatar John McAllister

      I have no doubt what these girls say is true. At my school, many years ago, the principal's son was a bully and knew he could get by with anything because his father was in charge. Another bully was the son of a police officer and had his own little "gang" that bullied anyone who was different. Today, that bully is a police officer.

      It has only been recently that gay students have had any form of protection.

      The image in this article says "Love the Sinner, hate the sin." Seems like someone doesn't know this or understand what LOVE means. They clearly are not loving the sinner or even tolerating them.

      The Bible has been edited many times by the Church. This is one time when I say it should be edited to remove a passage of hate and intolerance and let the Creator judge each one by their acts. While the sexual act may not be tolerated by man, it is an act of love when between a man and women. Perhaps this was a dated passage that kept with the first commandment, to be fruitful and multiply. Today, many opposite sex couples break this rule with birth control. It is allowed and not punished like this, so we should allow same-sex couples the same right and let them be judged only by the Judge who judges us all.

  1. Deb's Avatar Deb

    What idiot wrote this. You call LGBT progress? It brings gods judgment. Read the Bible. NY Gov Cuomo caused hurricane Sandy by promoting gay marriage. Anyone ignorant of the Bible is an ignoramus. There is no constitutional right to ignorance. Bible reading Is not punishment or harassment it is the remrdy for the indoctrination that has made them think they are gay. Social engineering of this generatiion. promoting pot is part if it because it hypnotizes people. NYC schools are telling kids there are 30 genders and anal sex is normal. All lies. Transgender is nonsense. A guy he xy chromosomes in every cell. A girl has xx. This is biology. That doesn't change when you cut off a dick or wear a dress. Anal sex is rape. The biggest fear guys have in jail is being raped. Weenies don't belong in backsuded. People can be delivered from the spirit of homosexuality in Jesus name. I know ppl who have. Listening to music by gay musicians is one way to pick up that spirit. Elton John eg

    Gods purpose for gays

    (He wants to deliver them so they can have a ministry to others with same issues. We all need a personal relationship with God. Jesus heals everything When we reoeng of sin.

    1. Janice A Ellery's Avatar Janice A Ellery

      rants like this give other Christians a bad name. You could have just said biblical principals do not approve of a gay life. My grandmother always said you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. This is clearly vinegar. You really think God would send a hurricane because of what one political figure says? Where do you find scriptural support for that?

      1. Deb's Avatar Deb

        In the Bible. God always uses weather ad judgment. I told Cuomo he caused Sandy. He and Bloomberg. Bloomberg promoted gay marriage in other states. 4 stated passed it. The next day NYC had a noreaster. The Jonas storm was the biggest storm on the east coast. Usually I rebuked storms. God told me Don't touch this. When I heard the name I understood. Like Jonah the prophet who told Ninevah it would be destroyed. Good had told me NYC is like ninevah. The storm was on the 43 anniversary of Roe v Wade. It was Gods judgment for abortion. God gave me athirity over weather 30 years ago while training as an intercessor.

        1. Lori's Avatar Lori

          Wow! Is this person for real? This kind of crazy is what brings out the worst in people. Is that what Jesus taught?This is what causes people to turn away from Christianity. This is why religion is slowly melting away. Blessed be!

          1. Deb's Avatar Deb

            Blessed be? that is a witch greeting. You obviously know nothing about Christianity or a personal relationship with Jesus, whiich everyone needs to go to heaven. What does blessed be stand for? blessed be WHO? It is normal Christian theology to hear voices. Jesus said "my sheep hear my voice" John 10:27. EVERYONE hears voices, as thoughts in our heads. The word INSPIRATION means A SPIRIT GOES INTO IT. the new testament says there is wisdom from above (GOD) and from below (DEMONS) Demons are lying spirits. God's spirit is the Holy Spirit which is the spirit of truth. ALL drugs are openings for demons to talk to us. This includes nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, pot, lsd, all psych drugs.
            If you knew what Jesus taught you wouldnt be surprised by what I said at all. It is all biblical. I am a prophetess. I am named after one. That is one sign of that calling. Another is being a lifelong musician. In the old testament the musicians were prophets. ALL musicians are called to serve GOD with their music. as prophets, intercessors and healers. They cant do this if under the influence of drugs since the prayers are contaminated by demons. this serves nobody. except lucifer who loves it. he has hijacked many musicians by tempting them to work for HIM, telling them LIES that he will give the riches and fame (which he does) if they serve him and sell their souls. They Think they will then help him rule in hell, later. They have been snookered. He lies. They will suffer in cells in hell, tormented mentally and physically by demons, for eternity, like every other unfortunate soul who ends up there. One way to go there is by practicing witchcraf- God calls it an abomination and says those who do it are cursed. Same for sorcery, which by definition is using drugs to invoke demons onto people to control them. This is what all psych drugs do. They are mind control ALL DRUGS invoke demons which are the name of the drug. POT is one of htem. it hypnotizes people, just like all psych drugs do. all drugs are bad. Those who destroy others with them, will end up in hell. i was in hell. it is real. It is filled with people who need to forgive someone who abused them. Jesus warned us that if we dont forgive others God wont forgive us. I was in solitary confinment which is a taste of hell.the way they do it now. If everyone had a bible (King James ) and an instrument it would be heaven, not hell. Training for ministry get a bible and read it and you will feel God's peace on it. all new agers are deceived. I read new age books for 10 years before I got saved in l990 at 33. I have played piano since 3. When I was 7 I had the thought "I am puton earth to to do music and it is holy." go read my free books, 700 articles and listen to my music on my website 1prophetspeaks.com

          2. Cyril's Avatar Cyril

            Just remember, one false prophecy and we have to stone you. The Bible says so.

        2. Walter Green's Avatar Walter Green

          I have been doing disaster response work for 40+ years. I have been on the receiving end of floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, blizzards, etc. numerous times. Anyone who says that they have been given authority over the weather needs serious psychiatric help. I invite them to plant themselves directly in the path of an EF5 tornado or on the beach as the storm surge of a Category 3 hurricane rolls in and try their rebuking skills for real. This stuff of God's judgment by storm is a special kind of crazy.

          1. Benjamin R. Greenberg's Avatar Benjamin R. Greenberg

            Fellow disaster response worker here. Very admirable work.

          2. Deb's Avatar Deb

            No it is authority with God which he gives prophets and intercesdors. God had answered my prayers for 30 years, including weather, every day. Go read my free book Adventures in prayer testimony of a prophet,-intercessor on my website 1prophetspeaks.com

        3. Benjamin R. Greenberg's Avatar Benjamin R. Greenberg

          One very important point, I would like to mention is tha Jesus died on the cross to pay for ALL of our sins. This washes all of us clean from the judgement of God, which is GREAT NEWS. This doesn’t mean people won’t make poor choices or mistakes, but having faith in Jesus and letting him work in your life is what unifies all Christians. Jesus had compassion on the prostitute in the Bible, and when asked by the religious pharesis what to do with her told them that whomever is without sin cast the first stone. We all have a choice whether to practice Love and tolerance, or not.

          1. Minister Raymond's Avatar Minister Raymond

            AMEN...

        4. Anita Ganser's Avatar Anita Ganser

          I am going to pray for you

        5. Sylvi Sterling's Avatar Sylvi Sterling

          So God talks to you, huh? Yeah. Next time you're on that Celestial Party Line, ask Him this "What is the greatest Commandment?" and see if his answer has CHANGED over the millennia. "The greatest Commandment is 'Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy hear and all thy soul and all thy strength.' This is the first and greatest Commandment and the second is LIKE UNTO IT: 'THOU SLAHT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.' Upon these two Commandments hang ALL THE ALAW AND ALL THE PROPHETS!" Emphasis mine, but you cannot get clearer than this! Jesus: The same yesterday, today and tomorrow! JESUS would NOT beat up a gay person. he would NOT send a hurricane to destroy innocent lives because of misdeeds of a few. Get a grip, Honey! Oh... and as for God talking to you and giving you control over weather? See a psychiatrist, Cupcake. You're a few keys short of an octave!

          1. Sylvi Sterling's Avatar Sylvi Sterling

            Ed Note: Oops, typos crept in. I'm 48 hours post op for an eye operation so my vision is not as it ought to be (but rapidly improving) and I don't see an edit button so... please disregard typographical errors... I'm touch typing and my text to speech didn't catch the slips. 'shalt' for slaht, 'law' for alaw, et cetera. Apologies. And yeah, she's STILL a few keys short of an octave! God told me so! :D

          2. Deb's Avatar Deb

            Go read my book. Free on my website Adventures in prayer testimony of a prophet intercessor God has answered my prayers for 30 years. As a testimony to Him and the Bible being true. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with hail and yses storms all the time. That's why they are called Acts of God

    2. Stephanie Willey's Avatar Stephanie Willey

      Who wants to bet that "profetessD" is actually a Russian troll .....

      1. John Owens's Avatar John Owens

        God, that kind of talk is so tired.

        1. Lori's Avatar Lori

          I thought it was some kind of an initiation thing. I guess not. This is a display of deep frustration. It goes nowhere.

          1. John Owens's Avatar John Owens

            Some of the sweeter people on here are just a little bit out there.

          2. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

            John...considering some of the radically religious dogma expressed in our blog, i will take being "out there" as a real compliment...Peace...Tom

          3. John Owens's Avatar John Owens

            I'm glad you take it that way, Tom, since I am definitely including you as being one of the sweeter people on here, who is out there. Peace...John.

            I hate that hippie crap.

          4. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

            John (re: June 4 at 8:16 am)...thank you...my position i always that we do not always have to agree; we can still communicate pleasantly...Peace...Tom

      2. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

        Maybe...the English sucks.

        1. Deb's Avatar Deb

          It's typos cos I'm in my phone. When I type on computer it's perfect. Go to my website. You'll see. 1prophetspeaks.com Free books, articles music no ads

          1. Sara Rawlins's Avatar Sara Rawlins

            You need to get spellcheck on your phone. Or stay off your phone to type and if you are driving while texting, well, shame on you.

      3. Sara Rawlins's Avatar Sara Rawlins

        Amen!

    3. James Grainger's Avatar James Grainger

      Jesus also said: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. So, I guess anyone who is divorced and remarried is committing adultery......I don't think "God" cares if you are gay or not, just that you live your life doing right.

      1. Dark Gray's Avatar Dark Gray

        Micah 6:8

        He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

        1. Rev. Ron Freeman's Avatar Rev. Ron Freeman

          thank you-GOD does not make mistakes=GOD is LOVE

    4. John A Anderson, CD, CIF Mons ON's Avatar John A Anderson, CD, CIF Mons ON

      As I have stated in the past, find me ONE verse in the first 3 books of the New Testament where Yeshua says ANYTHING about homosexuality (of ANY stripe). The choice of these three books is important, because all the other books in the NT were written by people who did not know him while he was preaching those three years, and the majority were written by Saul of Tarsis, who brought in the beliefs he grew up with as a young boy. Then I can believe that there is some standing behind the current Christian standing on homosexuality, other than the conservatism of Church structures.

      1. Kenneth Comer's Avatar Kenneth Comer

        This is stupid, GOD loves the homosexual but he hates spirit behind the actual sin or abomination. People are easily deceived and do not realize that their flesh is the enemy lusting after all things wishing to have and possess it, selfishness it's all about me!me!me! Manipulate to get what you want for personal gain no matter the outcome, even to the point of spilling blood. Our flesh is our enemy, I AM my own worse enemy, well we are. Common sense tells one that it takes both sexed to make a baby and God said to be fruitful and multiply go and fill the earth. The prophettessD has a point about drugs having a big part on being a gateway for demons to have authority over your thoughts and actions, our spirit is to have authority over our soul, (which is our thinker,our intellect,our emotions) our body,our flesh, our spirit tells our soul what to do and our body is to react.we all have the same convictions and seducing spirits, we do need to be in the word so we have the knowledge for daily survival. God didn't make mistakes when he created male and female. He wasnt slack on telling a man when he is grown to go and take him a WIFE and become 1 flesh, she is flesh of my flesh. I'll say again God loves the homosexual but hates the Spirit behind the homosexuality. We are all deceived we have to bring our thoughts under control before we release them and decide whether or not that it lines up with what the word of God says! I'm not calling you stupid just the topic! Peace

        1. Brian H's Avatar Brian H

          Have you read the bible? I mean really, on your own, no help or assistance, read every word? Did you map out who supposedly did what? When? Where & how? Do you believe Jesus's arrival & death signified that the laws of the old testament are now null? The bible literally does not make sense. It describes a god who is vengeful, jealous, paranoid, and likely psychotic. The bible contradicts itself in numerous, important ways. It describes actions that promote rape, war, killing, pillaging, and other acts that make no sense to a just society. It describes miracles of which the physical evidence indicates never happened. The only reason christians seem behave a little better than muslims (another group that believes in the unbelievable) is the period of the enlightenment and the reformation. During those periods christians, wanting to be serious thinkers, learned to ignore much of the bibles more outrageous moments (slavery, stonings, etc). So, the fact the bible appears to have a dim view of LBGT people is no more important than the fact we're not to eat shellfish, wear clothes of blended materials, or get all up in arms about animals with cloven hooves.

    5. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

      ProphetessD...not everyone lives the historical Old Testament. You should rather call yourself JudgmentessD. Stop proselytizing. No one here wants to be bombarded by your rants. You know nothing about the LGBT experience or what God thinks, so stop speaking for millions of people who have their own relationship with God....rather false prophet, stop speaking about the Bible when you don’t understand the meaning of the original text. You just sound ignorant.

      1. Deb's Avatar Deb

        You are a fool. You know nothing about what God thinks. I do because he talks to me and answers my prayers more than most people. I speak for God. That is my job and the job of every prophet. Its the role of a prophet to be gods mouthpiece to people who do not know him. I've done it 30 years. Im 61. You are the one who is ignorant, of God. Everything I write is consistent with the old and new testament. Which you obviously need to read . Only King James the other translations are corrupted. New testament says those who practice certain sins will not see the kingdom of God. MY job as prophet is to warn people about danger and to repent. If u stay in sin u will end up in hell, which is real.ive been there

        I speak from experience not theory. All ppl need a personal relationship with God thru Jesus to go to heaven Jesus said we need to be born again to go there. We need to repent if sins and ask for the holy spirit. When He lives inside you, you know what God feels because you feel whatever he feels. He is revulsed by sin so it becomes revulsuve to you. The holy spirit is also revulsed by abortion.it is murder and every born again person knows this and knows God doesn't accept gay marriage because it leads to child abuse.child abuse makes god angry.most ppl who are gay gave been abused. Jesus can heal them. They need to forgive whoever abused them or they will end up in hell Jesus Said this. Matt 6 I was in solitary 8 months, it was a taste if hell. Everyone there had been abused and needed to forgive. They were there as a warning.

        1. 1d1ot1's Avatar 1d1ot1

          Actually it is you who do not know about what God wants of you yet, or what type of relationship with God is need to bring you to your growth. We are all not qualified to "teach" others what is or isn't correct when the reasoning is based off hatred. Who are you to say who goes to hell or not, this is not your judgement. How often are we warned about the difference of being with God and being religious, they are not the same thing in any stretch of the imagination. You served time in Jail (for what crime I know not) but judge others based on your personal opinion of the Bible's statements and your understanding of it. Rather than tell you that you are going to hell for whatever crime you committed I would rather see you grow into what it is that God intended you to be. Go back and reflect on your hatred and why you act rather than believe you are qualified to defend Gods honor. The very fact you believe it is your job to "defend" Jesus or God implies an arrogance beyond measure, we are human and not the same as God hence God does not need any of us to defend him/her. Rev. 1D10T

          1. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

            Beautifully said. Thank you.

        2. RevTimHarrison's Avatar RevTimHarrison

          i have read a number of your posts and responses. i must say, prophetessD that you have a very narrow view of the scriptures.

          of all that Jesus taught, most of which was forgiveness. this was the focal point of his ministry. when He spoke to individuals, the first thing he did was to have compassion upon them.

          we, as christians, are as our beliefs tells us to be Christ like. instead of being hateful and judgmental, try approaching people in LOVE. by doing so, you will find that you will actually draw people to Jesus, rather than push them away, as you are doing here. Jesus even said, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17 KJV). condemnation, involves JUDGEMENT.

          we are not to judge others. but rather love them and pray for them. if you feal led to speak to them, then speak with them, and not TO them, in love.

          God Bless you Sis.

        3. Steven's Avatar Steven

          Sister, I'm here to tell you that I have never been abused! I was not influenced by any of the things you claim makes one gay! You say you speak from experience , well so do I. I was called into ministry at an early age, but knew I was gay! I kept that to my self for many years. I prayed fasted , was prayed for, was slain in the Spirit and my same sex attraction never went away! I prayed for other things for myself and others and my prayers were answered, but that prayer never was. Prayers even now are answered for me when I pray. I know that God created me as who I am. King James was a man just like any other man. The KJ Version is his interpretation. Do you know Hebrew and Greek? Those are the original languages that Gods word was written in! I challenge you to dig deeper into your study of Gods word for yourself stop interpreting scripture by only what other men have taught you for years. Stop blaming things on the LGBTQ community as if the straight community is perfect and cannot cause Gods judgment to come. If God speaks to people, and I believe he does, then He don't need you to speak for Him. The Holy Ghost is very capable for speaking for God the Father. Peace. Grace and Love to you in the Name Above All Names - JESUS

          1. Deb's Avatar Deb

            Yu you may have been abused but not remember. Forgetting is common response to trauma. My mom told me I took showers w my dad , before age 3. I have no memory of this but it explains sexual daydreams I had as a kid. And why I was attracted to father figures.

        4. cbcuff's Avatar cbcuff

          I don't make it a habit to judge people but you are deserving of a comment; from your diatribe it has become apparent that you should not be allowed out of the yard, and only under the supervision of a mental health worker if for some reason you have to walk among the sane. Get help!

        5. Rev. John D. Partin's Avatar Rev. John D. Partin

          Prophetess D, you say that you speak for God!! I'll just have to say to you what Henry Drummond said, sarcastically and ridiculingly, to Matthew Harrison Brady, in paraphrase, after he also claimed that God speaks to him and he speaks for God in the movie Inherit The Wind: "Well, ladies and gentlemen, behold the Prophetess from wherever you are from!! God speaks to you and you speak to the world!!!! Prophetess, prophetess, prophetess, Almighty!!! Let us split the Penteteuch and slip you in between Numbers and Deuteronomy!!! Is that the way of things? What if somebody should dare to think that an un-ProphetessD thought might actually be holy? The individual human mind is holy: in a child's ability to decipher the multiplication tables, there is more sanctity than in all of your shouted Hallelujahs and Hosannas!!!". Go and watch the movie for the rest of it! The Pharisees, by the way, also thought that God spoke to them and that they were righteous and God's voice and messengers to the world, but Jesus called them "whited sepulchers" and "vipers and hypocrites" and said "how shall you escape damnation?", and I don't believe that his opinion of self-appointed "voices and spokespeople for God" has improved at all since He condemned those people. People before you have also put words into God's mouth and made him say whatever they wanted him to say, like a big ventriloquist's dummy sitting on their laps, so that they could rule over other people through "God's voice" and making Him sanction their own bigotry and prejudices. The Bible calls homosexuality a "sin" because it was written by homophobes and they merely put their words into God's mouth. You can't have it both ways: if the animals don't commit any sins and they indulge in homosexuality, then it can't be a sin. Why would you or anyone else think that people could say or do wrong things, but just never write any wrong things in the Bible? If they can do and say wrong things, they can also write wrong things in the Bible. The Holy Spirit that didn't prevent them from saying and doing wrong things didn't and won't stop them from writing wrong things (such as calling homosexuality a "sin"), either. Pointing to verses in the homophobic Bible to "prove" that homosexuality is "wrong" is like pointing to statements in Mein Kampf to "prove" that Jews are "inferior, evil, and subhuman vermin, who should be destroyed" and is circular and illogical "reasoning". Also, gay marriages don't lead to child abuse because of the obvious fact that most victims of child abuse are children in straight families, abused by fathers (or mothers) or, sometimes, priests. Gay people just want their human or American rights, the same as everyone else: the right to love whomever they wish, consentually, and to be married to that person. What is wrong with that, since letting them have that right is merely doing unto others as we would have others do unto us and loving our neighbors as ourselves?

          1. Deb's Avatar Deb

            You're ignoring the Bible is full of writing by prophets who are all gods mouthpieces. Jesus said let them listen toisesand the prophets, who spoke if me. You're trying to justify homosexuality. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for that. The word sodomy which means unnatural sex comes from that. Right in our language. You have a potential ministry to other guys After Jesus delivers U you from the spirit of homosexuality. That is gods purpose for gays. We all have sin and trauma, which Jesus heals after we get born again, filled with the holy spirit. You are named after the most important prophet John. That means your calling is also to be a prophet.i am named after one, a sign of the calling. Also musicians in old testament were prophets. I am one. You should play. Worship is the way to invoke gods presence so he speaks is.t he purpose if music is to worship God See free books music articles on my website 1prophetspeaks.com Listen to http://www.1prophetspeaks.com/AskinF.mp3

          2. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

            Wow...well said, John Partin!

          3. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

            Deb...your recollection of Sodom and Gomorrah is incorrect. They were proud and arrogant. They had fullness of bread, in other words they were self-indulgent. Abundance of idleness - they were lazy. They assumed NO responsibility for poor people, they had no social conscience. They were haughty - "stuck-up" with an attitude of superiority, arrogant. They committed "abomination" before God ("to'ebah," something disgusting, especially idolatry.) Abomination included such things as eating shrimp or catfish, and having sex while the wife was having her period. A disobedient child was an abomination to God and was supposed to be stoned to death! The list goes on forever. The word "homosexuality" didn't even exist at the time. Adult men had concubines for sexual entertainment...they weren't adult men in loving relationships. The evangelical movement created these false images...the Bible doesn't support it. I suggest you study the original text meanings and you will see the story isn't what you have been told.

            Jeremiah 23:10:

            For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. How do the Samaritans resemble the people of Sodom and Gomarrah? They are adulterers (specific sexuality immorality.) They have so little integrity that the country is falling apart. They have NO interest in following God, or trying to do His will.

            Jeremiah 23:11:

            For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD. The preachers and prophets have contempt towards God. Their speech and actions are Godless, secular.

          4. John McAllister's Avatar John McAllister

            Did you ever think that maybe the reason homosexuality is a "sin" is because it violates "be fruitful and multiply?"

            This seems to be where a lot of problems come in at. Abortion, masturbation, birth control, and homosexuality all violate multiplying. Yet, when an abortion is natural, we accept it. When a man or woman is sterile, we accept it. Maybe we see it as a curse. But, when God/Allah makes a child homosexual, we condemn the child, abuse it, and even kill it. Why?

            Wasn't it Jesus who said "love thy neighbor as thyself?" I also remember "hate the sin, not the sinner." Maybe "we" don't approve of homosexuality, but who are we to judge?

            Personally, I have much less of a problem with a gay male who is faithful to his partner than a straight male who commits adultery (Decalogue). The gay man doesn't do it by choice like the straight man who cheats does.

            A person is a person and has the same right to have Rights as any other person. I don't subscribe to the view that women, Blacks, gays, or others are inferior to the white man and shouldn't have these rights. I haven't found, in the Bible, a passage that says one man was given anything over any others, by God/Allah. We are all brothers and sisters who should love one another equally, letter Judgement be carried out by our Creator in his own time.

    6. Yasmin Crews's Avatar Yasmin Crews

      You're an ignorant person and you call yourself a Christian?

    7. Dragon Priest's Avatar Dragon Priest

      This is why I think this bible is such a crock of shit! Specially the OT. That so called god is such a vindictive one full of hatred and such AND I KNOW for a fact that It is the exact opposite. I will also say that that was not GOD! but something else posing as a god that the israelis and the christians bought into it. Compare it with all the lies in the NT, I would say it is only about 10% the truth.

    8. Ben's Avatar Ben

      Wow! WTF? So you are now redifining rape? Who are these twerps who barely understand a comic book but would like to claim they know the Bible?

      Though shall not have sex except to procreate! If this is true then sex outside of the intent to procreate werher in wedlock is wrong. Practice this and your spouse will be a cheat. Fact

      If practicing sex for the sole purpose or orgasm then does it matter where you stick it if both are consenting to reach orgasm that way?

      If this is correct then does it matter with whom or how you orgasm if it is consensual?

      Stating that Anal sex is rape is rape of the word and meaning of rape

    9. WizardofOZ's Avatar WizardofOZ

      You think Jesus can fix your grammar also, because it’s sinful you dope!

    10. Anthony Parsons's Avatar Anthony Parsons

      ProphetessD, I’m sorry if you really think that the hatred and venom you’re spouting on here is your route to heaven. I have been gay my entire life, no choice. Was raised in a loving household, no abuse. Have always had a close relationship with God, whom I never felt condemned by. It’s the “Christians”, like yourself, and the churches that drive us away, not God. A lot of us have read the Bible and continue to do so, However, despite the contradictions throughout the Old & New Testaments, the one constant is that God expects us to love one another, teach love, share love. And FYI this was typed on my phone, so no glaring typos. And King James was a known homosexual, so your preferred Bible translation humors me.

      1. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

        Amen, brother!

    11. Dave's Avatar Dave

      I've been listening to Queen, Elton John, the Who (I think Pete Townsend is still gay) and other musicians (some of whom are gay) for a long time and I still like girls exclusively. You can't cause hurricanes by promoting anything. Praying the gay away is a silly way to think. If you feel that way, you are a sad little person. If you think you are hearing God, what you are actually hearing is your brain's pleas to seek professional psychiatric help. You can get better, but you have to make that first step. One symptom of several different psychoses is hearing voices.

      Seek help. Please.

      Also, stop posting on this site. Thank you.

      1. Deb's Avatar Deb

        I can praying the gay away works. I know ppl who have we been set free. Jesus heals everything but you have to have suthority e God to get prayers answered. Fasting is necessary for deliverance prayer. Jesus said this matthew 17:21

    12. Anita Ganser's Avatar Anita Ganser

      I am going to pray for you.

    13. Daniel Triumph's Avatar Daniel Triumph

      Nothing of what you've written comes from the Bible. But from Jesus came these words :

      "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." (Matt. 22:34-40)

    14. Bruce K Northern's Avatar Bruce K Northern

      I'm glad I don't have to explain your hatred on judgement. Enjoy hell you you fake believer.....

    15. Willie's Avatar Willie

      All you religious nut cases ought to wake up. Be Spiritual and not religious. More people have been tortured and killed in the name of God, all false gods. There is only One Source which is Energy. Which we are and Every thing else is created by and through and is Energy. All other gods have been created by the different religions according to their belief system because people first needed a crutch/religion before the could walk alone.So wake up! If you brain does not understand Quantum Physics yet or String Theory at least read the book "The crucifixion of Truth", contriving to deceive or "The Bible Fraud" or any of Tony Bushby's books! Or many other books that have researched the bible or in archaeology for that matter. Or on YouTube for that matter! Quit getting brain washed and think for you self and do some of fashioned reading and studying! Wake up, what you don't use, you loose!

      Here are some youtube websites you can research for better understanding!?????

      Neil deGrassi Tyson, an Astro phycisist.

      Rupert Sheldrake, a biologist and Researcher. Theory on bioresonance and morphic fields.

      Bruce Lipton | Epigenetics | researcher in stem cell biolog.

      Quantum physics full ducumentary HD.

  1. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

    It was a public school; therefore, they had no legal right to thrust their religious beliefs on these children. It is not the job of the school to provide religious teachings to a child unless a parent has their children enrolled in a church sponsored school. It is between the parent and their child to determine their religious teaching. Although I believe an LGBTQ person to be valid in the eyes of God, pounding on anyone that they are not valid to God is not the way we bring anyone into any type of spiritual practice. The New Testament says we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Love is a much more powerful response than seeing the Bible used as a hammer. I was appalled by this, quite frankly.

    1. Deb's Avatar Deb

      Reading the Bible is what they need. All children should be given Bible's and allowed to read them in school. Keeping them ignorant is child abuse. This is why there are school shootings. It I'd prophetic warning that the schools are killing the kids, telling them anal sex is normal and there are 30 genders. It will make them mentally I'll. It is child abuse

      1. Dark Gray's Avatar Dark Gray

        Yes, it's much better to read how David and his men killed 200 Philistines, cut off their foreskins, and presented them to King Saul so David could marry Saul's daughter Michel! Good clean family fun!

        1. Deb's Avatar Deb

          It's a history book about the history of God and his relationship with Humans, who are Dumb. There are 9 billion Human's who stupidly let one family of devil worshippers control the planet and are behind all wars by manipulating the money system. God has solutions to this situation, which would bring world peace.the lack if relationship with God is what enables the devil to enslave ppl in wars. He lies to everyone.

          1. Dark Gray's Avatar Dark Gray

            "It’s a history book about the history of God and his relationship with Humans, who are Dumb."

            And yet we are told that God made us in His own image. What does that say about God?

            "God has solutions to this situation, which would bring world peace.the lack if relationship with God is what enables the devil to enslave ppl in wars. He lies to everyone."

            If God is all-powerful, why does He let the devil do all these evil things?

          2. Dave's Avatar Dave

            OK, if your god is all-powerful, can he make a rock so big he can't lift it?

          3. AKConiferious's Avatar AKConiferious

            oh, which family of devil worshippers would that be?

    2. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      Quite frankly, I'm appalled by the bible.

    3. Deb's Avatar Deb

      If a person thought they were a worm do u think god wld want them to stay in that delusion? Ppl get confused about who they are. God wants them to know the truth. Transgender is a delusion Ppl are not born gay, they become gay by being abused. God wants to heal everyone through Jesus. He is the answer to every problem I know ppl who have been delivered from the spirit if homosexuality It's not hard. that is God's will for gays Ppl have a right to read a Bible so they know the truth about who they are Refusing to let them read it is abuse. All people are children of God and he has purposes for us. Without personal relationship you can't fulfill that pupise. Without knowing a Bible you won't know god. It was written to show us who he is. For the same reason I write what God says to me and does, as testimony. God tells me what to write, the same as he told the prophet what to write. God never stopped using prophets.the new testament says it is one of the offices in the church I am named after one which is a sign of the calling, and m a lifelong musician in the old testament musicians were prophets.all musicians are called to serve God and be prophets

      The Bible is testimony, not myth or theory. It is history. See my free books articles, mysic No prophet ever charged mney for their message neither do I. 1prophetspeaks.com

      1. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

        I may be a fool but you are delusional, lady. I suggest you get on a Baptist or Evangelical site where someone will care about this babble. I have never seen such unadulterated garbage in my life. I was born a Lesbian. I didn't choose it. I was not abused and no devil worship here. Have you noticed you are a voice of one, here? If God is talking to you, ask him where you can proselytized where someone believes you. There is no "spirit of homosexuality." There is also no "gay agenda." You are reading some goofy doctrine somewhere. Neither Jesus or references to God about this in the Bible. It was all Paul who had a problem with women. Why aren't you out there shouting his sermon about not marrying? So stop saying this nonsense. You are a lot of things,...mostly mentally ill I think. A true Prophet will look to edify, comfort, and uplift the Church body by his testimony as well as exhort them. You are certainly not a prophet alone by what you have written here. You need to seek help.

        1. Deb's Avatar Deb

          You were not born lesbian some spirit is on you that cld have been on you since birth if your parents were lesbuan. There are lesbian spirits . I had a lesbian dream while living in an apt under a lesbian also had lesbian dream in jail where that spirit is common. You can pick it up from beds. I know ppl who were delivered from homosexuality spirit. You can pick it up from listening to Elton John for example. Years ago I played puano in University chapel. The organ player was gay. One day I smelled semen in the place. The unclean spirit on him was spewing into the place when he played. Dane thing with musicians who use drugs. They are openings for deminic spirits which transmit thru music live or recorded The music business is run by devil worshippers. They pray demons into masters if the music specifically to assign demons into every record. David crisvy said you have to be a witch to get a record deal and you have to be bisexual to advance. Jusin Bieber said he was told that if he wanted to be sure mogul like Jatz he had to rape a little boy. He left and heard the kid bleed to death. He cancelled his tour. He talked about this in a church in California. This revelation happened 2 days after I prayed across from Paul McCartney apt My prayers go to all musucuabs when I do this. 2 years ago u had a conversation with Tony Bennett. He is 90. I said I want to save the musicians who worship Lucifer. He said they all do. He does duets with lady Gaga. McCartney is ordained in this church. God told me to tell him to marry all the couple's at his concerts, so they don't go to hell for fornication some one has asked him to marry then and he did but said he wasn't sure it was legit. I spoke to him in person last Sept and told him to do it.

          1. Lori's Avatar Lori

            Deb. You live in a very scary world. You're spiritual reality is going to make you a very unhappy, fearful person. You might want to make a few changes.

        2. Deb's Avatar Deb

          Sodomy means unnatural sex by definition and destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with jail .the word sodomy comes from that. The truth is right in our language. I told him Cuomo 3 years ago that he and Mike Bloomberg caused hurricane sandy, for supporting gay marriage. Hi read my article Mike Bloomberg plays per with God on my website 1prophetspeaks.com

          1. Rev. John D. Partin's Avatar Rev. John D. Partin

            Deb, sodomy, quite obviously, isn't unnatural sex because even heterosexuals, which you approve of, indulge in anal sex and the purpose of sex isn't only for reproduction, making women into baby-making machines and men into sperm dispensers, but also for sexual pleasure between consenting persons or adults. Also, as I told ProphetessD, from your web site, too, Sodom and Gomorrah weren't destroyed because of homosexuality's having been practiced there, but, rather, because of the sin of inhospitality to Lot's guests. This is proven by the fact that God didn't destroy Sodom and Gomorrah until after that inhospitality had been shown to Lot's guests, not before, which He certainly would have if He had a problem with and that much aversion to homosexuality alone. Homosexuality is just as natural as heterosexuality because even the animals indulge in it. You can't have the argument both ways: the animals never commit any sins and yet they indulge in homosexuality, too. So, it can't be a sin. Gay people being "brought out of homosexuality" doesn't prove that it is unnatural or that they have even really been brought out of it, but only that they have been brainwashed, bullied, badgered, browbeaten, and psychologically warred against to the point that they turned against their natural orientation and put up this front of "having been delivered from homosexuality". The same thing could happen to you or anyone else if enough or the right people used those same tactics on you or someone else. That proves nothing and those "reformed gay people" are still gay, but just brainwashed out of knowing that they are gay and living as gay people.

      2. Pastor Richardson's Avatar Pastor Richardson

        ProphetessD. The Bible tells you all you need to know about how God feels about everything. In saying this I would like for you to look up the story about the Ethiopian Eunuch(Acts 8: 26-39), look up what an Eunuch was. Then go to Matt.19:12, and read what Jesus said about it. Then go to Isaiah 56: 4 & 5 and read God's word on what they will receive. It is said by history (Daniel)Belteshazzar, (Hannah)Shadrach, (Michael)Meshach, and (Azariah)Abednego are said when they were taken to Babylon they were not only given Babylonian names but also were made Eunuchs and look how God blessed and used them especially Daniel. I say this because to say when trying to give your personal opinions on God's Word you can misrepresent God, we are ambassador's to Jesus Christ (2 Co 5:20) as though God was making his appeal through us. When answering someone on how God feels back it up with scriptures. Trying to put someone down or condemn them or tell them they are wrong is not our right. Only God can judge, condemn and set things straight (2 Tim. 3:16-17). I am a Transgender Pastor who has never been abused but from a child I knew I was born in the wrong body. I was brought up in a loving Christian home who accepted me for who I was and without the support of my family and church I don't think I would be where I am today. I know I was then and am now Blessed and Highly Favored and have been called to preach God's Word and only his Word. I have been Blessed with a wonderful wife, God fearing woman of God and we have been Blessed with five beautiful children. We are a strong black family and kept together with strong spiritual values. We are not a young couple either. Our three oldest daughters are adults an adult son and a teenager and we are working on our last child now. When we speak of God or write about God it is always with a capital G using the word God with a small g stands for false gods and the god of this system of things. This is just a small tidbit to help you with your writing. God Bless your ministry. Praise God in all you do and say but only by his Word and not of our own.

      3. Rev. John D. Partin's Avatar Rev. John D. Partin

        ProphetessD, it is an old, but very true, saying that "the mind of a bigot is like the pupil of an eye: the more light that you shine on it, the smaller it gets". Trying to enlighten you and correct your thinking and make you more open-minded about homosexuality is like talking to a Ku Klux Klansman about black people or a Nazi about Jews or anybody else about anything or anyone that they are just absolutely closed-minded and bigoted against: their mindset prevents them from even understanding what you are saying to them and it just doesn't get through!! That is how it is with you about the subject of homosexuality. Never mind that that Bible that you are always thumping says "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" (Luke 6:31)---and, presumably, you wouldn't want anyone to be closed-minded against you---or "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:30-31)---and being bigoted against homosexuals, quite obviously, isn't loving them as you love yourself, unless you are bigoted against yourself, too---or "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these. my brethren, you have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40)---and, supposedly and hopefully, you wouldn't be directly bigoted against Jesus himself, though you already have been by being bigoted against homosexuals, which is the same as being bigoted against him, as he says here. But there is a long history of bigotry and closed-mindedness in Christianity, anyway, and people's not seeing or admitting that their thinking and actions and words don't match up to their supposed beliefs, as with the Inquisitors who tortured and killed people "in the name of Christ" (and didn't see or admit that that wasn't the same as loving them as themselves) and many other examples down through history, and so, really, you fit right in with all of that!!! Never mind that Jesus called just such closed-minded and self-righteous people as yourself "whited sepulchers" and "vipers and hypocrites" and said about them "how shall you escape damnation" because none of that actually matters and you are "still Jesus' voice and representative in the world" in spite of all that, right? Even the slave traders thought that were "actually loving black people" and "following the Golden Rule" by enslaving them because, of course, "they would want white people owning them and taking care of them, too, if they were black" and so, of course, by that same line of "reasoning" you can convince yourself that you are "actually loving gay people by condemning them", as the Inquisitors thought that they were "actually loving people and saving their souls by torturing and killing them". "Is it possible to be against anything and not be a bigot?" you may ask. Yes, you can be against Nazis or Klansmen or Inquisitors or you and not be a bigot because all of you are against other people who aren't doing anything against you and are leaving you alone, and expecting you to do the same for them, but it isn't possible to be against people who are leaving you alone and minding their own business and not doing anything directly against you, and expecting you to do the same for them. and not be a bigot!!! No doubt, I have wasted my time again trying to get through to you about this and am tired of it for now, but may try again some other time and, hopefully, have many open-minded people here who see the truth of what I'm saying, even if you don't. In the meantime, stay "holy", ProphetessD, in your own mind, anyway!!

      4. Rev. John D. Partin's Avatar Rev. John D. Partin

        ProphetessD, someone's knowing that they are transgender or gay isn't, obviously, the same thing as their thinking that they are a worm because no human being can actually be a worm, but many human beings can be---and are---gay and transgender. There is no comparison, logically speaking, between being gay or transgender and being an actual worm, slithering through the ground, except in the "mind" of a homophobic bigot, such as yourself! If some people weren't born gay, but were only "made gay through abuse", then, obviously, all abused people would become gay, which they don't, and you yourself would have become gay through the abuse that you suffered while in the hell of solitary and, I imagine, for you, the hell of your entire life! So, you yourself undercut your own statement and prove that it isn't true, since you aren't gay, and the experience of all other abused people, who haven't become gay, either, disproves your statement even further. If you are, then, saying that someone has to be naturally predisposed to being gay for that abuse to "finish the job on them and make them gay", we are right back to the belief that some people are born gay or, at least. inclined to homosexuality and that, therefore, homosexuality is entirely natural. Some people have been "delivered (that is, deprogrammed and brainwashed) out of homosexuality", in the same way that some people in cults have been "delivered from those cults" and that anyone, even you, could be forcibly brought out of your way of "thinking", if some people got their hands on you and just kept at you and indoctrinated, bullied, and psychologically warred against you until you "saw the light" and came out of your way of "thinking". There are and have been self-hating Jews, black people, Muslims, and others, because of societal pressure and propaganda against them, and so, of course, there can be self-hating homosexuals, too, because of that same pressure and propaganda against them and who have "changed" because of that, but that doesn't mean that they have actually changed or should have changed. Nobody would choose to be gay, in this homophobic society, with people such as you around, and even with the danger of physical violence against them, anymore than someone would choose to be Jewish in Nazi Germany. So, some people must just be born gay and transgender. You say that if people experience some Hell on Earth, they will know that Hell is real. Well, bigotry against homosexuals and transgender persons is also Hell, as much as racial and religious bigotry is, because it is judging other people, as your supposed "Lord and Master, Jesus Christ" (but we would never know it by this) tells you not to do! So, you are in Hell and talking out of Hell's mindset! If other people can't see the world and reality through their Hell and shit colored glasses against Jews or black people or anything else, neither can you through your Hell and shit colored glasses against homosexuals and transgender persons! "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:3-5). The plank in your eye is your bigotry against gay and transgender people. So, remove that first before you comment on other people----and then, don't comment on them. Physician, heal thyself. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Finally, Sodom and Gomorrah weren't destroyed because of homosexuality's having been practiced there, but because of the sin of inhospitality to Lot's guests, since, otherwise, they would have been destroyed much earlier and not only after that inhospitality. This is just more pearls before swine, but so be it!

  1. Janice A Ellery's Avatar Janice A Ellery

    The behavior is clearly inappropriate, maybe even criminal in some states.However, I wish this forum would be fair and also cover stories of believing students who are called delusional or harassed for praying at lunch. On both sides we have to learn to be more tolerant. Principal should resign, especially if this is a public school.

    1. John Owens's Avatar John Owens

      The principal was fired.

    2. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      Prayers do not have to be said out loud, but not being yourself, living a lie in fear of persecution, will drive anyone crazy.

      1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

        It might be better to kill your persecutors, since they are the ones with the problem.

        1. John Owens's Avatar John Owens

          That's what those high school shooters seem to think.

  1. James's Avatar James

    As with anything in life. You do something out of the norm you get attention. Pink hair, rainbow clothes, introducing yourself as "go in gay Amy" .these things are not normal activities of the majority of the USA. Do I condone harassment or violence in this case? No, but life isn't fair and no one follows the rules. so the fact we live in reality and people wait for a weakness or a lame duck so they can attack should teach us to follow the old truth. Be you and keep it to yourself. Because I don't care what you do at home, and nor should anyone else! Stop airing out your laundry in public.. We'd all be much happier and safer.

    1. James Grainger's Avatar James Grainger

      Could not agree more: What consenting adults do behind closed doors is no one concern but theirs'

      1. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

        James...If I listed all of the strange things that heterosexual people do it would far outweigh pink hair and rainbow clothes. My former neighbors behind us to the right were "swingers" and had multiple couples having sex in their hot tub two to three nights a week. My neighbor on the rleft was having sex at his house with one of his employees while his wife was in training for 6 months. The neighbor on the other side had a mental illness and physically assaulted his wife. The neighbor behind us to the left was illegally growing marijuana in his basement and had two young teens to view it. Our neighbors directly behind us wouldn't let their daughters play in the backyard because we are LGBT, but were friends with the others with the sexual guests. I consider all of that behavior sick and abominable. We are Lesbians and marveled at people like you who think we are all naked people in parades wearing rainbow g-strings or rainbow flag bras. You need to get out and meet LGBT people who are normal. There are more of us than of those like I just mentioned.

        1. Lin's Avatar Lin

          Thank you Marti.....my GranMa always said"people in glass houses,shouldn't throw stones" I say Amen AND Blessed Be to that.

          1. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

            Thanks, LIn. One of the best and shortest messages here.

        2. Robert Messmer's Avatar Robert Messmer

          Sorry but "LGBT people who are normal" is an oxymoron. But tell you what, once your Lesbian mate impregnates you with HER sperm, come back and tell us how normal you are.

          1. Brian H's Avatar Brian H

            When you were born you had all the materials needed to become something amazing. For reasons too numerous to list you ended up pissing it away. Your current choice to be ignorant is just more evidence.

          2. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

            Here's the good news Robert, I neither need your permission or acceptance to live my life. And, Your opinion isn't worth the ink on this page. I suggest you take care of your own choices, for I bet there is plenty to divert your attention from judging me.

  1. Gary's Avatar Gary

    so here's what we do we just need to do ,tell everyone they can do what ever they want to do ,it's there body it's their life ,there shouldn't be any boundaries on anybody and you should be able to marry anybody who you want to I don't see no reason why a man can have 3 or 4 wives or a women should be able to do the same or 3 men getting married or 3 women whats the difference if they love each other so where do we draw line where do we place rules what we can do and what we can't do who is our judge ?and if I chose not to believe what others believe it' none of their business what I do Or is it?.. It's totally absurd just what I said I'm a believer I believe that the Bible is what it say's it is and I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and I believe that I've got to love everyone and it's not my job to judge only to love the ones that are going to Hate me for what I'M saying life is a choice and each one of us must make a choice and I don't care if you believe me or not that CHOICE that you make will determine where you will spend eternity. It's a choice !now I except people to tell me how wrong that I am but I love people enough to tell them that God loves them and there is one way any one way only to Heaven and thats threw Jesus The Christ

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      Christian heaven doesn't sound like a place I ever want to go to. I'd rather live in the present moment ( since that's all we ever have ), and keep putting one foot in front of the other and see where it takes me.

      1. John Owens's Avatar John Owens

        Carl, I have to agree with you on this, but probably not for the same reason you feel this way. I try to tell churchy folks gently, it might be just LOADS of fun, singing praises on streets of gold 24/7 for a 100 years, or a 1000 years, or even a million, but at some point, it is BOUND to get boring, you know?

        I don't even know where they get that stuff, except from grossly misreading their pagan superstitions INTO the scriptures. The so-called "gospel" the secular preachers teach is all about Jesus and how He died for our sins, and we can go to Heaven if we only believe that and live a more or less moral and kind life, and they won't say it, but donate money to whatever.

        The Gospel Jesus taught did not mention going to Heaven to live. It was about a kingdom coming to Earth and after 1000 years a great resurrection of all who have ever lived and died, and then Heaven coming to Earth. After that, since the Kingdom is to have no end of increase, I can only extrapolate that the rest of the planets and Kosmos will be furbished one planet at a time for expansion of the human race.

        That sounds like some space fantasy to many, but it sounds a lot more interesting to me than running around like a bunch of lobotomized loons playing harps and singing the same songs forever.

    2. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      Gary, you must agree, there are far better places than heaven, for those of us who do not feel a need to be subservient , or worship our deities.

      1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

        Besides all that how do you know that Jesus wasn't gay or bi- sexual. Well, he did have long hair and wear a dress. And what about his twelve merry men he called apostles, who left their wives to be with him. Oh, my !

        1. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

          Too funny, Carl.

      2. Gary's Avatar Gary

        Hope and pray that you are right but if I'm right ???

    3. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      The only way to get to heaven is to go through the light, regardless of your religious beliefs.

    4. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

      Gary...If you really read your Bible the things you profess are there....they had multiple wives. It was societally correct for them. So your argument doesn't hold in reference to letting everyone do as they wish. What next....you also want to compare LGBT people to having sex with animals? That is usually the next thing said. It is easy for you to judge LGBT people and assume they are abnormal because you weren't born gay. Spend the time worrying about what you do, and less about others. If we are wrong in your world God will punish us. So not your problem. Everything that was in the Bible wasn't a reasonable path. If so, Jesus would not have died to spare us from the Old Testament. He told us if you love your neighbor as yourself all will be just fine...I suggest you try it. If you can't live ALL of the Old Testament, stop professing it for me.

  1. Dark Gray's Avatar Dark Gray

    I saw the picture of the billboard above and just shook my head. As I said in comments to a previous blog post, whenever someone talks about loving the sinner and hating the sin, their attitude tends to be “yeah-I-love-the-sinner, whatever, but I REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT HATING THE SIN!!”

    I suspect that we'll continue to see incidents like this until enough anti-gay die-hards die off so they're no longer a societal force, kind of like what happened with interracial marriage. I don't know, but I imagine that lots of pious Christians could have quoted Leviticus 19:19 whenever a black man married a white woman, right before they declared that it was the sin they hated, not the sinners.

  1. Stephanie Willey's Avatar Stephanie Willey

    Forcing anyone as punishment to read and/or recite any religious text, especially in a public setting is the very essence of theocratic fascism.

  1. Lee Conner's Avatar Lee Conner

    Don't worry about it. We are all going to hell after all. Accept the accestics. They don't care about money. "24No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24 I might be wrong, but everyone seems to serve money over God. I'm even guilty.

  1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

    Religion should be totally kept out of public schools...it should be replaced by teaching tolerance (which should really be loving and compassion)...God does not support prejudice of any kind, whether gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, etc...religion can say what it wants; Christ supporting loving everyone (and being compassionate and forgiving)...Tom

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      Peace...love,Tom. Love and peace.

  1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

    Joseph...yet another "moderation"?????...Tom

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      And there will be many more to come, no matter how peaceful and loving it gets.

  1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

    Carl...please elaborate on your point...thanks...Peace...Tom

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      The good ol' ULC doesn't seem to want me to elaborate on my point, Tom. So you'll just have to grin and bear it. Peace...love

      1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

        Carl...thank you...can you try to post again to explain your point?...i am interested...Peace...Tom

        1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

          Anymore Tom, ULC moderates all of my posts. They've been doing that for quite a while. I'll be the first to admit that I sometimes get too emotional and carried away with the things I say, so it's good that they do that. This is a minister's blog, and not a free for all. It has something to do with spirituality, and when the ULC doesn't think something we've said is along the lines of how they feel it ought to be going along they moderate it, and sometimes my comments don't get posted. However, in retrospect, I always realize they were right, and am grateful for the ones that do get posted, as well as having the opportunity to participate in this blog at all.

          1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

            I never complain about getting moderated. It feels a lot better than a swift kick where the sun don't shine. And I sometimes come to realize that some of the things I say warrant that even more. Pray for me, I'm a sick puppy, but am getting better.

          2. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

            Carl...obviously i have not seen any of your comments that have been censored, but it seems to me that the tone and content of your comments that do appear are nowhere near anything that should be censored...i basically take the freedom of speech limits as reasonable; if you are not inciting violence, then you should not be censored...Peace...Tom

  1. Dark Gray's Avatar Dark Gray

    Gary, you do realize that marriage in the Old Testament wasn't always the romantic one man/one woman thing we think of today, right? Many supposedly good and righteous men of the Old Testament had multiple wives, and it wasn't always clear whether the woman entered the relationship willingly or whether she was forced into it. Women's consent just didn't matter back then. See David and Michel. Or David and Abigail. Or David and Bathsheba.

    Yeah, David just kinda took whomever he wanted whenever he wanted her. The only blowback he ever got was with Bathsheba, and that was because she was married to another man at the time. (And according to Deuteronomy 22:24, both David and Bathsheba really should have been stoned to death.)

    Jacob, aka Israel, married a pair of sisters, Leah and Rachel, and apparently had God's approval when he did so. Compare that to Leviticus 18:18, "'Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living." Leviticus came later, of course, but it does call into question the idea that the Levitical laws are valid for all time.

    Leah and Rachel, by the way, both sent their maid-servants to have sex with Jacob. Each was trying to one-up the other to see who could give Jacob the most children. Sarah did the same thing, sending in Hagar to have sex with Abraham in order to get pregnant. Today, we would call this "human trafficking" but it was apparently perfectly acceptable to God back then. Do you think that it would be acceptable to God now?

    I think the inescapable conclusion is that most of the Levitical laws, the Leviticus 18:22 prohibition against men lying with men among them, were what might be termed cultural laws, not divine laws. They were set up to establish and preserve the Jewish culture and to make things as fair and equitable as possible for the time. Divine laws, such as the injunctions to love God and love neighbor, are valid in every situation, but it seems to me that cultural laws are valid only for the time and culture for which they were intended.

    (And if you still somehow think that God in His Infinite Wisdom dictated the Levitical laws to Moses in a perfect, complete, unalterable form, take a look at the case of the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27. Interesting little story where Moses is presented with a situation not already covered by the law as dictated. He petitions God, and God essentially says, "Good point! I hadn't thought of that!" and actually amends the law. Hmm . . . how could God not have foreseen that special case? Makes you wonder . . .)

    SPECIAL NOTE TO GARY: I know you've mentioned that your sister is in a lesbian relationship and that this bothers you. Did you know that lesbian sex is, in fact, not prohibited in the Bible? It's never mentioned at all, period. Male-male sex appears several times, but I've read the Bible cover-to-cover a few times, and I have never seen any mention of female-female sex. I present this observation to you in Christian love, with the hope that it eases your mind about the state of your sister's soul. Remember, God loves us all, man!

    1. Gary's Avatar Gary

      Romans 1:26 the life style that a man or women leads is done by a choice and I understand that but what really bothers me more is the things that really needs to be address isn't ones sexual preference we need to be addressing the hungry and the homeless and the sick ............... Numbers 27:6-7 In my bible it reads like this Then The Lord spoke to Moses ,saying , The Daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statement . You shall surely give them a hereditary possession amount their father,s brothers,and you shall transfer the inheritance other father to them. and verse 8 "Further,you shall speak the sons of Israel,saying ,If a man dies and has no son,then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughters . Another serious problem in" our world today" is human trafficking and slavery. thank you for pointing that out ..

      1. Dark Gray's Avatar Dark Gray

        Ah, good catch on the Romans passage. I must have missed that one. So, Paul condemns female-female sex, which is the same thing as saying that God condemns femaie-female sex. Oh well, sorry about your sister!

  1. Deb's Avatar Deb

    Where it will take u is standing before God and being judged and sent to heaven or hell. Jesus ud our ticket to heaven whether you believe it or not. Your beliefs don't dictate reality. A lot of ppl in hell didn't believe it exists. Ive been to hell. It's real and you don't want to go there. There are tastes of hell on Earth so we will believe it exists. The Bible warns us. Read a book Imagine Heaven which has test imonies Of hell and heaven See my website 1prophetspeaks.com Free books music articles Testimonies if heaven and hell Listen to http:/) www. 1prophetspeaks.com/Joy12string2.np3 See my book Adeventures in orayer- testimony if a proohet-untercessir Nobody can be an atheist after reading this If you're a musician, all musicians are called to serve God See my book for musicians

    1. Dark Gray's Avatar Dark Gray

      I have read several accounts of near-death experiences, which are probably the closest thing to empirical evidence we have of what's on The Other Side. No two are identical, but there's often a Life Review where the person goes over how well they lived their life on Earth.

      Honors and titles don't seem to mean much in these reviews. How many games you've won or lost is completely ignored. And interestingly, the question "Did you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?" does NOT come up.

      Instead, the focus is more along the lines of "Were you kind whenever you could be? Did you do right by people when you were given the chance? Did you have compassion for others?" Kind of like my Micah 6:8 quote in another comment:

      He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

      I think an entire religious philosophy could be constructed by an industrious person examining NDEs and extracting the wisdom therefrom.

    2. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      That might have been shadow you misinterpreted as Hell. Gandolf went there, when he changed from gray to white.

      1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

        Those books and movies will really come to life in our minds, if we aren't careful.

    3. Rev Marti's Avatar Rev Marti

      I listened to your music. First, I suggest that you get someone to tune your guitar. I have perfect pitch and it needs a lot of help. Second....making America Great Again is certainly not a theme song I would reiterate. It comes from an adulterous man who covets other men's wives. I would suggest you ask God to give you a better role model for your music. After looking at your website I really think you need help. I am a trained psychologist and much of what I saw is rather delusional in types of behavior. Please go to a local clinic and seek help. You are truly lost in religious illness.

    4. Priestess Dee's Avatar Priestess Dee

      OK, I'm new. ProphetessD I have several questions. 1. How can you be a member of this church and not understand that it accepts faiths other than Christianity? 2. Why are you allowed to self-promote? I have a site, but I'm not going to give the URL. This isn't the place for it. 3. By your reasoning, if I understand it correctly, anyone born someplace that Christianity isn't dominant is going to Hell no matter what they do. So Indians who are born and live their whole lives in Hinduism, Egyptians or Iraqis born into and living in Islam, no matter how they live or how kind and compassionate and giving they are, they are going to Hell? Is God really that random? 4. Would Jesus have been so judgemental, had He been here today? Or would he have been compassionate? 5. Did you know the etymology of the word "witch" is "soothsayer" and "wise woman?" I would tell you Blessed Be, and that to me means, "Walk with your Deities and be blessed and at peace," whoever your Deities may be. People with your attitude are part of what turned me away from Christianity. I wish you peace, light and love. Believe as you want, but no one has the right to force their beliefs on someone else. No doubt you will judge me now. You are welcome to. To everyone: peace, light and love. Blessed Be. Go with God, if that is your choice.

      1. Lori's Avatar Lori

        And a big BLESSED BE! from Me. You are absolutely right. Thank you for saying it so well.

  1. Jim's Avatar Jim

    What the staff and other students did is being a bully. The staff should have stopped the other kids and taught them to respect everyone. Since they did not they are just as guilty as the bullies. As for the making them read the bible I find that hard to believe as this is a public school. Even in Oregon that would have raised some eyebrows.

    1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

      Yes, but stranger things have happened in this world...much stranger.

      1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

        Nobody has contributed anything else to this article in thirteen hours, and were all yearning for a new one to address.

  1. rabbi jim's Avatar rabbi jim

    greetings all! Just another prime example of human stupidity. Sholom, and have a wonderful day! I love ya!

    1. Professor's Avatar Professor

      Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

  1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

    Thankyou rabbi Jim. Shalom and we love you too.

  1. Carl Elfstrom's Avatar Carl Elfstrom

    Maybe they're trying to teach us a lesson in patience. Tick, tick, tick goes the clock.

    1. Lori's Avatar Lori

      Patience? Mine went out the window with the prophetess. It's interesting that non-universally tolerant folks are so embedded in something called the Universal Life Church. Why?

      1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

        Lori...i think your question is very interesting...it is as though they are looking for support...Peace...Tom

        1. Deb's Avatar Deb

          Wrong. I got certified by this church so I couldcould min to those in hell.in prison. I did not expect this kind of ignorance on a church website, but here it is. Jesus is the only way into heaven anything else is deception, which is the main trick of the devil

          1. Lori's Avatar Lori

            Your view of ignorance seems to be anyone that doesn't think like you. It's a hard road you travel. I know exactly where you're coming from. I was Christian most of my life. So I do know the bible and I understand. I found a spirituality that lifts me up. Christianity pulled me down. I respect you as a Christian. My neighbors are southern Baptists, but they are open minded and loving, and they accept me for who I am, as I do them. I am Pagan, but I don't believe everyone should be one. If someone finds peace and learns to love others it doesn't matter what religion they are. I'm sorry if you were offended.

  1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

    ProphetessD...Respectfully...there is no "only way into heaven", as everyone goes there...Jesus stood for love, caring, compassion and respect for others...he had nothing to do with forming a religion, criticizing religions, any "devil" etc...no matter what you or I or anyone else do, we are going to heaven/God...the only issue is what karma we will work on as we come back...I wish you Peace...Tom

    1. Deb's Avatar Deb

      I have experienced hell. It is real it is for ppl who reject Jesus and do certain sins.

  1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

    Joseph...I ask again for the matrix that determines "moderation"...Peace...Tom

  1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

    Lori...i basiclly agree with your post of May 31 at 2:46 pm...from my point of view the anger inherent in the writings of ProphetressD is palpable...even if there was a value in proselytizing, it is not likely to be effective with angry condemnation...expanding on what you said, accepting everyone and everything, while being loving, compassionate and forgiving, is the way of God...Peace...Tom

    1. Lori's Avatar Lori

      I must admit I've never encountered anyone quite like her. It was an eye opener. Peace to you too, Tom

      1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

        Lori...thank you...i can relate to much of what you write...Peace...Tom

  1. Professor's Avatar Professor

    ProphetressD does not speak for Christians who actually study the bible.

    1. scott r day's Avatar scott r day

      I understand some ( if not most ) will disagree with me, but as far as getting into heaven ; when it is said the only way to get into heaven is though believing and following jesus ( MY SON ) ; it has nothing to do with jesus other than what he said about God and how to live your life ( loving one another ). As we all are God's children therefore siblings to the christ, as he said to paraphrase I tell you ye are god's(Gods) . A small thing that comma is but when it was first recorded ( written down ) by some one other than jesus one does not hear the comma as it does not matter. Why you may ask? Because if we are God's as in his children then that makes us Gods because we are heirs to God.

      Therefore if you have a problem with someone else take it up with DAD and let him judge as we are all siblings and children don't and never will know more than DAD!

      1. scott r day's Avatar scott r day

        I faorgot to mention that alot of folks say " If you don't know or believe in Jesus you not just won't go to heaven but can't go " my comments above can show you it is not knowing and believing in him as much as it is knowing and believing what message he brought us. that is why there are many that are in heaven from before Jesus was born, Because they lived lives that glorified God.

    2. Cyril's Avatar Cyril

      Maybe she should study these passages:

      Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

      Deuteronomy 18:20 - But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

      Revelation 20:10 - And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

  1. bakoa's Avatar bakoa

    Has any of you died? Do you know of anyone who has died and come back to tell you there is a hell or there is a heaven? You discredit science yet you believe in something that may not even be any more truer than your Santa Claus Stories

    You all decredit the sources that found Jesus was married and did have children, many many children like said the 2nd-century Greek philosopher Celsus: "The grand reason why the gentiles and philosophers of his school persecuted Jesus Christ was because he had so many wives. There were Elizabeth and Mary and a host of others that followed him". Although this sounds more plausible you want to stick to your La-La Land version of him?

    Being Gay is being Gay and there is nothing to it. It is being Gay or Lesbian and that’s it. Too bad you all will not be around when it normalizes and the world will still be here doing just fine with our Gay and Lesban neighbors. It is normalizing, and in the next ten years, will be just as normal as bi racial marriages. Get with it now, or spend your short life in misery like those racist bigots sharing bathrooms with other races

  1. bakoa's Avatar bakoa

    God is God. The end. God is always Good. The end. There has never been a time when God was bad, judgmental or punitive EVER! You want to think so but if you know God, then you know I am right.

    Moses was a LIAR, he wrote the Ten Commandments, you know it, I know it, the whole world knows it. And he LIED so that he could be chosen as the leader because calling him out would have been political suicide.

    The Bible was picked apart at the council of Nicaea. What you have in your hand was handpicked stories that a few old dirty men chose to be the true bible. Their reasons none other but Politically motivated. And here you were thinking you were reading an authentic book and using it as the word of a God. If it works for you, use it. But do not push it on others.

    Put me on a planet with The story of Pinocchio and I would have a better religion than Christianity by far, light years far

    1. Br. Karsten Johansson's Avatar Br. Karsten Johansson

      Hasn't anybody noticed that when he broke the tablets and got them rewritten, the commandments changed? It's right there in the Bible, from the moment God started writing, to the time Moses presented them to the crowd at the Golden Calf ritual.

    2. Rev. John D. Partin's Avatar Rev. John D. Partin

      Ben, you changed your opinion about God from what it is here in Student Expelled For Being Gay From Christian College. Why?

  1. Br. Karsten Johansson's Avatar Br. Karsten Johansson

    There was a huge emphasis on monogamy in these early verses, which tapered off and utterly disappeared by Jesus' time.

    The verse in question can more specifically be translated to mean that once you get married, you no longer can lie with another man, like (as) you do with your wife.

    Notice that the word "as" can also mean "while" (Yea, and he boinketh the twink heartily as his wife readst aloud one of the many versions of the 10 Commandments in a properly conservative King James manner.)

    The reason it can be that specific about men is because sex with (or even lusting after) a woman out of wedlock was already condemned, and a woman who had done so was pretty much tarnished goods. You had to marry a virgin. Gay sex handily got around that issue.

    So basically, boys can do boys, girls can do girls, but boys cannot do girls until their arranged marriage, after which anything that looks like reproduction should actually be an attempt at growing the tribe. You can't have sex with another male while you should be making babies.

    In this day of over-population, I'm not so sure that it was an abomination to God, or just an abomination to the little tribe that could, who wanted and still want to take over the whole world.

  1. Bill Fox's Avatar Bill Fox

    "Love the sinner. Hate the sin." is not a Christian concept.

  1. SeekerOfTruth's Avatar SeekerOfTruth

    Google (centurion pais)

    Also Google "lyings of a woman"

    Healing the centurion's servant

    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Healing the centurion's servant is one of the miracles said to have been performed by Jesus of Nazareth as related in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

    According to these accounts, a Roman centurion asked Jesus for his help because his boy servant was ill. Jesus offered to go to the centurion's house to perform a healing, but the centurion demurred and suggested that Jesus' word of authority from where he was at that moment would be sufficient. Impressed, Jesus commented approvingly of the strong religious faith displayed by the soldier and granted the request, which resulted in the servant being healed the same day.

    According to James Neill, the Greek term "pais" used for the servant in Matthew's account almost always had a sexual connotation. In support of this view, he remarks that the word pais, along with the word "erasthai" (to love) is the root of the English word "pederasty". He sees in the fact that, in Luke's parallel account, the centurion's servant is described as "valued highly" by the centurion an indication of a homosexual relationship between the two, and says that the Greek word "doulos" used of him in Luke's account suggests he may even have been a sex slave.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healing_the_centurion%27s_servant

  1. Reb TK's Avatar Reb TK

    At the school where I work we have absolute, zero tolerance for any sort of violence or harassment based on any "-ism." It is very hard sometimes on the adults to step up when needed to confront something a student has said to another... especially when the teachers have their own conflicts... but we support them in stepping up and intervening to ensure that our public school space is a safe space for everyone... including the unenlightened, the bigoted and the spiritually misled. Our children will wear the hijab or the kippah or whatever they choose as long as it adheres to our uniform policy and colors (both do) and here, we will make sure our teachers and paraprofessionals have the support and the language they need to intervene when sudden and inappropriate things come to the fore. It is usually the behaviors that happen in transitions from classroom to classroom or during "specials" (as our district refers to the "essentials of art, music, tech and gym) that take the adults off guard, and opportunities are missed while they are trying desperately to "herd cats" to their next destination. Teaching is tough. I am a mental health provider in my school... and here , even among the most conservative and the most religious (and we have plenty) a child would never, and I mean never, be subjected to the horrors this article describes. And I have found that some of our more conservative staff have, indeed been the strongest advocates for our children who demonstrate difference. That has been. for me, a sign of true progress, and a sign of hope for our kids.

  1. Rarity's Avatar Rarity

    If you let your opinions rule your thoughts we get no where it does not matter the sin their are 7 deadly sins and the 10 commandments, aney one here heard of them,I think we need to remember we all come from original sin.... if you remember the tale of Adam and eve.i have had my fill of stupidly and the bible says even a child can understand it if you can not that means you are dumber than a child ,in this world we have serious problems and our personal feelings on matters are bullshit co.pared to what God has stated and I personally would be immersed to have to stand in frount of God and defend my life choices knowing that I chose to be a priest in his word .And I have chosen to sit here and reinterpret his teachings my boy you can tell God what he truly thinks I for one can not

  1. Rarity's Avatar Rarity

    Yes I been clinically dead for 14 minutes, and I can tell you that not all will experience death the same way it depends on how you lived your life and the choices you have made .as to what you will experience in death and yes their is energy after death,for me it's a experience that has changed how I view the world and knowing that I personally still have a long way to go and yes their is a heaven of you have the faith to find God grace,its not just about jesus in his name you will find salvation. Although I would suggest that you first find faith and stop feeling guilty over things of which you can not control your the one that is responsible for your own life and the choices that you have made.

    1. bakoa's Avatar bakoa

      I know a really bad sadistthat murderer who had a praceful near life experience.. there were no demons or hell fire wsiting for him

      1. Ben's Avatar Ben

        know a really bad sadistt murderer who had a praceful near lfesth experience.. there were no demons or hell fire waiting for him. So did Charles Manson when he had a heart attack.

  1. KingJ Menqe's Avatar KingJ Menqe

    1Cor.5.12 - It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning in these ways. [NLT]

    We need to do understand what is the Bible says about this issue. If you are gay and you don't go to church I don't have a right to jugde you or tell you that you are gay or you are sinner or call you names its totally wrong. But when you join the church of God preaching the undiluted word of God its different because when we preach we are giving the word as it is for correction. When you are church we believe the more we give you the word the more you will change and become what the word talks about. I want you guys to read the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 5. And to be Gay in this world is not a sin but to be gay in the kingdom of God is different story. Yes God loves us he even send his son do die for us that those who believe in him will not die but have everlasting life.

  1. Qrez's Avatar Qrez

    the bible should be outlawed is clearly inciting violence against various groups of people.

    You try publishing something that urges people to go out and burn women to death or to beat homosexuals to death by pelting them with ricks and see how fast you get accused of incitement to violence and thrown into jail... but the bible get away with it fuck the law! traditions and the status quo beats everything apparently!

    it should be illegal to print as is! other then purely for comparative religion studies and historical studies. actually preaching those verses should by all right land someone in jail!

    1. John McAllister's Avatar John McAllister

      One of the problems is that different groups use it to justify themselves without trying to understand it.

      One of the first commandments that is given man is to be "fruitful and multiply." How do you do this? Male and female. Sadly, no one has taken into consideration that this may be limited. Perhaps homosexuals are a natural population check? Some still insist on killing homosexuals, in some instances, rather than tolerating them the way we do birth control, abortion, and other forms of population control.

      Of course, one problem I see is that many men are willing to kill homosexual MEN for being together, but they almost encourage homosexual woman to be, especially if they can join in in a threesome.

      We also tend to forget that much of this (killing women and homosexuals) is in the OLD Testament. The NEW Testament, for Christians, preaches more LOVE and KINDNESS. One group, I forget which, taught that the New Testament replaced the Old Testament.

      I know a lot of homosexual men and women. While it may shock many, they tend to be better citizens than the heterosexuals who condemn them.

      I think we'll find that using religion to condemn people will be one of the big offenses when it comes to our own Judgement Day.

      1. Robert Messmer's Avatar Robert Messmer

        Very well thought out, John and I concur. It has been said that you can "prove" just about anything by the Bible, you just have to find the right verse. Want to ban guns then use the verse about pounding your swords into plowshares but if you support the 2nd amendment use the verse that says sell your cloak and buy a sword. For welfare well there are the stories about feeding the poor; against welfare use the verse that says he who doesn't work doesn't eat.

  1. Judy Riggenbach's Avatar Judy Riggenbach

    This story upsets me on many levels. First the extent of the discrimination and that it was allowed i a public school. secondly the forced Bible reading, again in a public school, There is a reason freedom of religious choice and separation of Church and State go together. While one religion holds one view the person they are forcing to read the Bible might have a different belief system and different "Bible" they are following. I do not believe if you went back and read any of the older translations of the Bible you would find any mention of same sex couples being unacceptable to God in any way! Also you have choice you can follow the bible blindly and to the letter, in which case you would have sidelocks like the Hasidic Jews, you would not eat pork or shellfish, you could not remarry after divorce and you would follow any other strigent rulings in your life, or you interpret the bible as a collection of stories that leas you to truth which basically means loving others and seeing to their care, treating others as you would wish to be treated and show ing love for others and accepting them with all their differences and judging how you respond to them on an individual basis,

  1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

    Joseph...as i have written previously, i have not received anything, comments or otherwise, from the ULC, in over a week...please advise...thanks...Tom

    1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

      Joseph...as of today, i am still not receiving any comments...please tell me if there is something i must do...thanks...Tom

      1. Universal Life Church Ministries's Avatar Universal Life Church Ministries

        Tom,

        Thanks for bringing the issue to our attention - we believe it has been resolved now. Please let us know if you continue having issues.

        ULC

        1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

          Joseph...thank you very much...since i received your comments, i will probably be back on track...Tom

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