9 comments

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  lalcorn

  7 months ago

  Beautiful post, Kenley. I, too, know kind, decent people who identify as Christian (and other things) who have this blind spot when it comes to homosexuality. They can't even bring themselves to say "it does not affect me one way or the other, so I shall let the will of the people decide". Instead they feel the need to sway people's will, and even corrupt it. I don't understand. What is it they are so afraid of? Ignorance and fear are, indeed, the enemy. And they are legion. ~Louise.
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  Kenley Neufeld

  7 months ago

  Thank you Louise for posting. Thank you for highlighting that it is not only Christians with the blind spot. Legion indeed.
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  fridacormorant

  7 months ago

  Thank you, Kenley. I was directed here from the OP, where I have appreciated your thoughtful comments. I, too, consider myself a potential Christian, because I'm not sure I want to be associated with the implications of the broad label. I suppose I'm more than potentially bisexual. And I couldn't agree with you more. Looking at the words in red in the Bible, the conservative religious position on homosexuality seems completely at odds with the words and deeds of Jesus. I'm not a big fan of Paul's writings, but I do believe he got it right when he defined love in I Corinthians 13. It begins, " If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." I have showed this scripture to Christians who supported Prop. 8, but all I heard in response was, well, noisy gongs and clanging cymbals.
  
  I really liked Keith Olberman's comment last night and posted a link on my blog. He said it beautifully: in this world where love is so fragile, how could anyone want to deny his fellow man or woman the right to try to love? Or words to that effect. I'm adding you to my blogroll. Thanks for your calm in the eye of the storm.
  
  http://fragileindustries.typepad.com
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  Kenley Neufeld

  7 months ago

  Welcome friend. I am intrigued by your web site and have added it/you to my regular RSS feed. Looking forward to a continued conversation.
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  ErinL

  7 months ago

  Hi, Kenley. I follow you on Twitter and saw the link to your post there. Thank you so much for putting this feeling into words. I am so happy that I live in an area (Santa Cruz) where gays face considerably less discrimination than in other parts of the country. However, the downside of growing up in this bubble is that is has always been so easy for me to write off people who don't think the same way I do about gay rights. The passage of Prop 8 was a big wake-up call---we really can't afford to dismiss "those people" who don't support equal rights for gays. In order to move forward, we're really going to have to conduct a "hearts and minds" campaign. I just don't know where to start... -Erin
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  Kenley Neufeld

  7 months ago

  I have received two comments via email that seem to indicate that fundamentalism may be the issue rather than simply calling out Christians. In fact, as one friend pointed out, fundamentalism does exist in all religious traditions, including Buddhism. My blog post is designed to highlight my feelings, my perspective, and it is clearly not the only viewpoint.
  
  Though I see fundamentalism as a cause of concern, I don't necessarily think that over 50% of the voters in California are fundamentalists but that "suspicion and fear" exist in many places. My observation of the election this year indicated a concerted effort on the part of Christian churches in California advocating a yes vote on proposition 8 through the pulpit, donations, and signs on their property. I also chose to focus on this religious aspect because of my own upbringing, my own practice today, and my desire to reconcile with my roots.
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  soulfulheart

  7 months ago

  dear Kenley, i just got back from Germany and found your blog. thanks for sharing your heart. i was shocked when i read about Proposition 8. it pushed me to think again about my position and i'm grateful you share this video because it offers a very deep and new perspective, and much richer.
  
  i'm going to share it with other folks here.
  sending you much love...
  
  Sr. Hoodie.
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  fredila

  7 months ago

  Who said that all religions had to be fair? Many have done quite nicely over the centuries by taking advantage of those who disagree with them.
  
  Fred
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  Lisa CS

  4 months ago

  I found your web site through the eatlocaloneyear.com. You Rock! I love your blog. LocaVoreLisa
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