Why have homophobes like Fred Phelps failed to turn more Americans against gays? Because of his message of hate and because most Americans are fair and tolerant people, and because gay men and lesbians are too numerous, talented, and our lives would be a lot poorer without all the contributions they've made to the world. In fact, I doubt there is one American family today that doesn't count at least one gay or lesbian member somewhere in it's ranks. Count them--and love them. The other reason Fred Phelps and his hate mongers have largely failed in their message that "gays and lesbians are going to burn in hell" is that any church that calls itself the body of Christ cannot reject or oppr...

Why have homophobes like Fred Phelps failed to turn more Americans against gays? Because of his message of hate and because most Americans are fair and tolerant people, and because gay men and lesbians are too numerous, talented, and our lives would be a lot poorer without all the contributions they've made to the world. In fact, I doubt there is one American family today that doesn't count at least one gay or lesbian member somewhere in it's ranks. Count them--and love them. The other reason Fred Phelps and his hate mongers have largely failed in their message that "gays and lesbians are going to burn in hell" is that any church that calls itself the body of Christ cannot reject or oppress or define pejoratively one who is the recipient of the overwhelming love of God. To do so is to deny Christ. It is to play church. When that occurs, the marks of death are seen in that institution. It is ironic that so many so-called Christians spend so much time attacking homosexuals just because God made them gay or lesbian. It is homophobia, not homosexuality, that is the sin among us. If we were a truly God-fearing nation, homosexuality would not even be an issue.

I blame Paul; he was a classic, self-loathing closet case

I made a comment on one of my other clips that Paul was a man tormented by sexual desire, and he made no bones about it. Jatfla didn't understand or agree with my comment and I respect her right to her own religous views; *smiles at you Jatfla*. Even though we do not agree on practically everything politically and most everything religiously, Jafta would most likely be a wonderful friend to have outside of cyberspace. But Paul talked openly about the conflicts he faced personally, his own difficulty in exercising self-control, and admits that "there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment m...

I blame Paul; he was a classic, self-loathing closet case

I made a comment on one of my other clips that Paul was a man tormented by sexual desire, and he made no bones about it. Jatfla didn't understand or agree with my comment and I respect her right to her own religous views; *smiles at you Jatfla*. Even though we do not agree on practically everything politically and most everything religiously, Jafta would most likely be a wonderful friend to have outside of cyberspace. But Paul talked openly about the conflicts he faced personally, his own difficulty in exercising self-control, and admits that "there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." To some commentators, Paul's anguish over sex and use of the phrase "thorn in my flesh" are a sign that Paul himself was a closedted gay man--which of course would be the ultimate, but not impossible, irony. Even without going that far, however, it's clear that Paul had a tough time dealing with his own sexuality.