Tyler Clementi and Christianity’s Evil Intolerance Of Gay People
Christians are normally tolerant people, except when it comes to the Intolerance of Gay people. This hatred and misunderstanding by them is in itself their right in America and they are exercising their ability to make decisions as they have been taught to. Therein lies the problem. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
The Christian religion and the Christian scriptures tout the intolerance of Homosexual behavior, indulgences and lifestyles. Writings in the Holy Bible, include Leviticus 20:13, which says…”KJV: (King James Version): “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.”
There are other parts of the Bible which teach that we should be against the Gay people among us, simply because the Bible says so. If you ask a Christian why they hate Homosexual people you will more times than most get one answer…”The Bible tells me so…” a phrase they learn as a child, in a song. Another example is this one…” Romans 1 :26, 27…26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature, 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.”
I write this article simply because the Christian way of ridiculing the Gay community to the point of making them outcasts of the society and pushing some to the point of committing suicide, is just plain wrong and evil.
Tyler Clementi jumped to his death, off the George Washington Bridge a few days ago, his room mate and another friend are now being charged for possible hate crimes and could even be charged for manslaughter.
Raymond Chase hung himself recently…he was on of at least five suicides in the past few weeks, information that have come to light for most of us, since the interest in Tyler Clementi’s suicide.
The predominant problem is bullying. Bullying of anyone causes them to think and do things that do not make much sense to the rest of us, but my interest in the subject right now is…where does the bullying start…who or what gives people the right or reason to bully others. I come up with only one answer….the Christian religion…in Romans, Leviticus, Mathew, Genesis and so many other passages in the Holy Bible.
If the Christian religion via its doctrines is being used as a weapon by these Bullies, and as the reason why they bully others, because the Bible calls for their Death, then we have to question the right of the Christian Church to exist if it causes members of the community to use its teachings to bully others into taking their own lives…as Death is called for by the Bible.
The Bible not only describes homosexual behavior as detestable, but it also calls for the punishment of those involved (Leviticus 20:13)…punishment by death. It is quite clear that the Bible and its teachings has long been the weapon of choice by those hateful enough to use it as such. This opens the question…should the Bible and its religion be afforded special rights under the law, to exist and to keep legally teaching and espousing the practice of shunning and bullying of Gay People, which sometimes result in the consequent death of these victims… these Gay people. ..as ordered and encouraged by the Bible?
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Heidi, you said ” but you are missing the whole character of God and the whole message of the bible by what you’ve written here.”
I beg to differ…because this is a relatively fast and short forum, I have not presented 1% of what I know and understand about religion, as I have grown up in a diverse family which includes Hindu, Muslim, Presbaterian, Anglican and Catholic…and all my life I have taken part in all their prayers and rituals. I direct you to my new book Shock and Awe on America, which really explains religion better that most have done before. It is available on Amazon.
What I actually tried to do was go further back to identify the source behind the “prank playing” these kids did.
These kids did not just wake up that morning and say let us target a gay man, that idea came from somewhere, and to find that source I went back to the point where I think they learned this Gay person was evil and a sinner…or at least doing something wrong.
They did not say lets target a priest, they were selective in their crime.
Having two teens I constantly think and hope they do not do something stupid as this, hence the reason they are taught that being Gay is not a sin to any Gods.
I think you will soon see the families come out pleading for leniency, and saying that the kids grew up in God-Fearing, religious homes.
The Christian religion has done such a great job Globally advertising the sins against their God for being Gay, that I am sure that I cannot find anyone over 15yrs old who does not know that being Gay is against someone’s God, so to say this type of thinking did not influence them, is just putting your head in the sand.
Why are you attributing the deaths of these two individuals to Christianity? Are those who “bullied them to death” Christians? I think not! How offensive and intolerant of you to define Christianity this way without much real knowledge of it. When you take one piece of scripture out of context with the whole bible, it is very easy to make it say whatever you want… but you are missing the whole character of God and the whole message of the bible by what you’ve written here. You don’t have all the facts, and you are inciting hatred against Christians under false pretenses… I doubt you would stand for that treatment of any other group… say, homosexuals, to mischaracterize them and blame them falsely of saying or doing things that aren’t true. In preaching against bullying and intolerance… please don’t become the intolerant bully!
Pretty hypocritical to scream “intolerance” while others are pointing out the same thing so very common in most (not all) stripes of Christianity. Cherry-picking from the Bible verse of choice is so common among religious leaders that it has become the normal way to view the book.
If the Bible was taken as a piece of literature (not as literal fact, or a guide to science or history), and the main gist of it is interpreted as “Love thy neighbor as thyself” then there wouldn’t be any problems at all, would there? I wish that was the way it was.
The facts are that many Christians bolster their hatred of gays with Biblical references (Leviticus and Romans). Never mind that the same books also advocate for things most find repellent today, like slavery.
IF you hate someone because their being gay is disgusting to you, just admit it. Don’t use religion as an excuse.
Since this is an open blog I’m going to say it…. in my opinion as per…
Laura,
It would go along way to wiping this kind of judgmental xenophobic hatred out. The ‘my god is better than your god’ calamity that monotheism (Judeo-Christian-Islamic) has contributed out weighs any of the good…. in my opinion. It divides in order to conquer … primarily through $ and war. Power, and greed. Take a look at the history and the hierarchy!
Gwendolyn, as much as I hate to admit it, that is a vaild point. It’s all about the 3 G’s. (God, glory, and gold)I don’t believe that getting rid of God would wipe out mankinds desire for glory and gold though. It would just change the justification from religion to nationalism, or ethnicity, or race or any other excuse a person could find to feel superior to others. Unfortunately it’s human nature.
Anonymous, I agree removing religious delirium would not change Human Nature, it will simply be one less hurdle to climb in this already uphill battle for mankind, as a space-bound species 🙂
Gwen, you nailed it! 🙂
Just as you wouldn’t want me classifing all homosexuals as, well as anything. It’s equally frustrating to constantly be classified as a small minded bigot just because I’m a Christian. Yes, Leviticus bans homosexuality, but it also bans tattoo’s, pork, round haircuts, and polyester. True Christianity is about being as Christ like as possible, and that means loving ALL of God’s children with no exceptions. I believe that most Christians do realize that. There are plenty of people out there who hate homosexuals even though they have no religious affiliation. I do think that it is absolutly disgusting, the negative views people have on homosexuality and the way those views are often expressed. Hatred of that kind is a much bigger issue. It exists just as strongly outside of the Christian religion as inside it. Wiping out Christianity/Christian beliefs would not wipe out this kind of prejudice.
Laura, Thank you so much for your valuable time here, it is greatly welcomed and appreciated.
Are you saying because Leviticus bans tattoos, pork and other things it is a good thing and should be accepted even though it demands death to Gays?
I understand what the concept of true Christianity is supposed to be, but with the proof of elections we can garner the numbers of “good” Christians who live as Jesus would and loves everyone. Those numbers are abysmally low and really does not amount to more than 20% of the Christians out there…who abhore Gay marriage. I dare say you are in the 20%, and I thank you.
Yes there are many non-christians who hate Homosexuals, but that is no reason to accept the hating of them by Christians, both groups are wrong in hating Gays.
If we can remove the hateful speech from the bible…calling for exclusion and death, then I think it will be an ok religion, don’t you?
The statistics of gay / lesbian teenage suicide is stunning. It’s a national crisis. One specific to the New World… the Old World has a kinder heart.
Great post Tee. It’s shocking how we treat children, and it’s crazy how mean children can be with one another and even their parents. I’ve seen some just twilight zone instances of little kids cursing their parents or even hitting them. In the most shocking places. What are we teaching them?
Sadly teen suicide rates [generally] are alarming. It doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight. Bullying is blind.
Gods Mike, I know. I know. It’s all tears to a river.
btw, as to comments below,,,,, polyester? banned in leviticus?
Yes Gwen, something about garments that are mixed with different threads and not pure cotton. lol
Hi Gwen, yes it is shocking and a national crisis, to which end bullying is the main trigger, I alluded to it in the chapter on Columbine, in my Book…(Shock and Awe on America, for those who don’t know)… Some kids commit suicide after being constantly bullied…some go to a mall or a campus, with a gun.
It is a growing dilemma and the passages in the Bible does more to fuel the fire than anything else.
You did a wonderful job analyzing this Teeluck. I enjoyed the read because it made me think but it also made me sad and angry at the same time. Thanks a lot.
Thank you very much TJM, that means a lot to me 🙂
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Absolutely an excellent piece,Tee.Reads like a chapter from Shock and Awe (plug for book).
It is shameful.At best it’s mindless indoctrination, at worst it’s mindless hate. Thing is, the Bible was written by people.So by definition it’s not God’s word, but the word of man. I’m writing as a Christian here,not defending the religions but just offering my personal Christian viewpoint.
I have faith but don’t follow what I consider wrong or evil teachings-and encourage my children to be the same way-and I have no fear of going to Hell for exercising free will. I do fear going to Hell, but not for being a mindless ideologue.
As I’ve spoken and written so many times, these intolerant assholes really make us others look bad.
Ha! Love the plug bro!! I understand your views bro, and I respect them:)
A most excellent piece Tee and I agree with you in every aspect. Thanks for this and great to have you back.
Thank you bro 🙂 Great to be back!