Religion and LGBT people

[Esquilax]

Actually Eugenics was once scientific consensus and had nothing to do with religion. Still, isn't it fun to blame religion for all the world's problems?

You might notice, if you actually read my words, that I never once said anything about eugenics. In fact, I said miscegenation, which is a term for interracial relationships. Which did have a strong negative response from religious groups. Try responding to what I actually say, next time.

So people who disagree with incestuous relationships are bigots too, right?

No, and I'll address the rest of your rant here too. Like I said, you can disagree with whatever you want. And I never once called you a bigot, because I don't know you. But if you're against gay marriage, you're going to have to deal with the fact that you hold a bigoted view. I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable; maybe that fact should give you pause for thought.

Especially if you keep equating it to child rape.

So, I would have thought there was a fairly important line to draw between pedophilia and homosexuality, even if there is a genetic component to both; that line is one of harm, and of consent.

Perhaps I should have described my argument in greater detail: my position is not solely "it's genetic and therefore okay." It's "It's genetic and therefore unchangeable, and it hurts nobody and hence it's okay."

Pedophilia causes demonstrable harm, and violates a law of consent in doing so. This is the problem with it. Same with genetic predispositions for violence. I don't care if part of it is inborn: we're all sapient entities, and we can control our urges. Those who give in and hurt somebody... that's not okay. That shouldn't be allowed, genetic or not.

But in the case of homosexuality, it's genetic and nobody can mount a cogent argument as to the harm it causes, because so long as it's between two (or more!) consenting adults it brings no harm to anyone. Except for perhaps giving fundamentalist bigots the vapors, but they don't have the right not to be offended.

The facts are in: gay people are people, the only difference is that they're attracted to the same sex. Unless you can mount a specific, scientifically backed case for banning gay marriage, then you can keep your opinions to yourself. We don't legislate away the rights of others because it kind of makes you feel icky. We do it based on demonstrable, real harm to real people in the real world. That's the way it should be. And you can't tell me the harm homosexuality causes in that regard, because there is none.

That's it. That's my case. I don't know whether or not you're a bigot or hateful, but you definitely hold bigoted views. You're comparing harmless, adult homosexuality to the rape- and it's always rape because children can't consent- of children. That's bigoted, no matter your reasoning for doing so. You asked for an open mind from me earlier, and I would ask the same. Examine your views, ask yourself how your gay friends would feel if they knew you thought that way. They're human beings, just like you. Why don't they deserve equal rights and respect?

Maybe you don't hate them. Maybe you just hold to your views because they're part and parcel with your religion. I'd hope you're enough of an independent thinker to see past that, if you're genuinely empathetic toward the gay community.