The Official "Ask A Brotha" Thread - Part 2

[Colossal Spoons]

Manic, I didn't know that at all. Good for you man.

 

[PyroChamber]

I stayed in the closet for 28 years because I was worried about my parents' opinions. The black Christian community can be pretty hard on the gays.

I don't think it's just gays they're hard on, it's one of the reasons I've never told anyone in my family that I'm an atheist. I know it doesn't compare with what a gay man or woman goes through, but being still.

 

[terry78]

And therein lies the irony of most of us being Democratic.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

I am black, Christian, and democratic. Being christian with strong religious beliefs I can't always side with the hardcore liberal democratics on some issues. So there are times where I am caught in between political parties stances. But I definitely put more stock in my religious beliefs over afflicting with a certain political party.

 

[Immortalfire]

Terry, are you going to watch Clipped on TBS? Your fave girl ever, Ashley Tisdale is on it.

 

[chamber-music]

I do what I want.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I have to say I ****ing despise how rigid black families are on all matters. I adore my family so I'm not in any way trying to bad mouth them and they aren't murderers or anything bad like that but I get sick of uber judgmental comments from them. It makes me uncomfortable but I don't like arguing with them because I'm outmatched.

Yes I am for gay marriage and no I don't want to talk about the religion all the ****ing time. Seesh. You'd think my near complete avoidance of religious functions would give hints of my struggle with it all. I just see so much hypocrisy from religious people of all stripes that I'm starting to really get turned off. I don't know I'm still in a confused state. Anyway I'm purposefully being a little vague or whatever. I'm sure I'll regret this post later on.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Black Christians should realize that the bible condones slavery. If you're going to cherry pick, do so in a way that doesn't ostracize your own child for something natural and harmless.

Would Jesus really disapprove of gay relationships? Didn't he actually preach compassion and love? I don't get a homophobe vibe from his teachings.

And I never understood how a persecuted group can mistreat another persecuted group. Has life and history taught you nothing?

 

[Destructus86]

Black Christians should realize that the bible condones slavery. If you're going to cherry pick, do so in a way that dosn't ostracize your own child for something natural and harmless.

Would Jesus really disapprove of gay relationships? What did he ever say or do that would suggest that? Didn't he actually preach compassion and love?

And I never understood how a persecuted group can mistreats another persecuted group. Has life and history taught you nothing?

The slavery thing is a common misunderstanding from viewing the bible through western eyes. The sort of slavery the Bible actually talks about is what is referred to as being a bond servant. These are people that willingly serve in someones household in order to pay off a debt. It usually involves cleaning the house and working out in the fields. They don't get paid...their time spent working is what pays off the debt. Depending on how much dept they could be working for years. They do get food though...so they are not suffering. In fact, it was against the law to abuse your bond servants.

As for Jesus and gay marriage. He wouldn't bother with politics.

 

[terry78]

Terry, are you going to watch Clipped on TBS? Your fave girl ever, Ashley Tisdale is on it.

Of course I watched it. Hell, I shopped at Wal-Mart once because they had a life size cutout of her in some underwear she was shilling for them.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

The slavery thing is a common misunderstanding from viewing the bible through western eyes. The sort of slavery the Bible actually talks about is what is referred to as being a bond servant. These are people that willingly serve in someones household in order to pay off a debt. It usually involves cleaning the house and working out in the fields. They don't get paid...their time spent working is what pays off the debt. Depending on how much dept they could be working for years. They do get food though...so they are not suffering. In fact, it was against the law to abuse your bond servants.

Your claims regarding biblical slavery sounds like alot of the modern slavery you find in Africa and the Middle East today. Do you condone modern slavery in those places?

As for Jesus and gay marriage. He wouldn't bother with politics.

I didn't say gay marriage, I said gay relationships which isn't a political issue, it's a social acceptance issue. If Jesus preached the unconditional love for the sick, the poor and even the prostitute why would he ignore the persecution that gays face?

 

[ShadowBoxer]

I am black and raised Christian but I remained a believer because I encountered God in a way that can't be explained by the natural mind. And it wasn't because of my family or worrying about them disowning me if I didn't believe in God ( they wouldn't do that anyway). I think any black Christian family that disowns a family member because they are gay aren't good representives of Christ or what it really means to be a Christian. Jesus does love everyone and would not go around judging people or condemning them. He would be telling them how God loves them and does not want them to live in sin and how good life can be by following him. However, Jesus would not condone sin and he would forgive anyone genuinely seeking forgiveness.

We all fall short and God is the ultimate judge. So I live my life following Christ the best way I can. I have family members that are gay and I still love them as family, fellow human beings and brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe people are allowed to live their life how they see fit. But as a Christian, I personally can't support or accept things that God has said is sinful homosexuality, adultery, pre martial sex, acts of jelousy, stealing etc. Like I told my gay family members, I still love you, but in terms of you relationships I can only tolerate it, not accept or support it. So I think more black families who are religious should tone down the judgmental attitude and realize we all are sinners and nobody is perfect. Don't beat up on homosexuals without looking at your own life as well.

 

[chamber-music]

And I never understood how a persecuted group can mistreat another persecuted group. Has life and history taught you nothing?

I don't get people who want equality for themselves but not for others either.
Seems a bit hypocritical. I personally feel we should be better than that.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Shadowboxer, If you look at the Ten Commandments or the 7 Deadly Sins there's nothing wrong with a gay monogamous relationship.

How much of the bible really forbids homosexuality any more than pork, divorce, assorted seafood, or trimming your beard?

Many Christians do most of those things and they're all forbidden by the bible. Why cherry pick the gay thing?

 

[BLACKVULCAN]

I don't get people who want equality for themselves but not for others either.
Seems a bit hypocritical. I personally feel we should be better than that.

i too echo that self same sentiment!
if you are a group which knows discrimination and persecution what Freaking MEMO didnt you not get to do it!
that craziness for the life of me i just cant seem to understand!

 

[MadVillainy]

Shadowboxer, If you look at the Ten Commandments or the 7 Deadly Sins there's nothing wrong with a gay monogamous relationship.

How much of the bible really forbids homosexuality any more than pork, divorce, assorted seafood, or trimming your beard?

Many Christians do most of those things and they're all forbidden by the bible. Why cherry pick the gay thing?

I agree with what youre saying and have used that line of thought with my friends but if you look at Shadowboxer's post he also makes mention of pre marital sex, stealing, and other things. It's not that he's just cherry picking homosexuality.

OR at least it doesn't feel like he is

 

[Lencho01]

The way I was taught was that God views all sin the same way. So, I view it all the same and feel if people are going to put so much energy is pointing out one, they probably be doing the same with others. But, it's always the same handful of the topics being discussed and debated about over and over. Also, there's the aspect of much animosity between two groups of people on whatever issue. Doesn't seem like a good way to make a point or discuss things well. A bit more love and respect would be helpful, I think.

 

[MadVillainy]

I mean my mom is a pretty devout Christian and she doesn't care about people being gay.
Im not sure about my dad though. I don't think we even discussed it, however he's not a devout Christian but I doubt he minds either.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

But most religious people (and I'm not a Christian so I'm not just talking about Christians) do cherry pick and the thing they seem most outraged about is homosexuality along with women's sexuality on the whole. It's bothersome to me.

 

[MadVillainy]

Of course a lot of religious people do, but ShadowBoxer isn't from what IM gathering.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

No I understand what SB was saying and I'm not saying he is doing that. I take him at his word that he is not just cherry picking at the thing he finds most icky.

 

[Lencho01]

Yeah, the issue is the cherry picking people like to do.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Shadowboxer, If you look at the Ten Commandments or the 7 Deadly Sins there's nothing wrong with a gay monogamous relationship.

How much of the bible really forbids homosexuality any more than pork, divorce, assorted seafood, or trimming your beard?

Many Christians do most of those things and they're all forbidden by the bible. Why cherry pick the gay thing?

Well God calls it an abomination and while there were othe sins going in sodom and gomorrah ( the city God destroyed) it was the prodominant sin. Not trying to offend anyone here as I said I am not hateful or casting judgement here. But religious reasons aside, I don't really think it's what nature really intended for humans either. Some things were specific to that time period or apart of the culture. But there are some something's that still stand. God doesn't encourage divorces, adultery, premarital sex, mastubation, being a drunkard, acts of jealousy etc are sinful. Also all the counts of relationships and marriage in the bible were between men and women. Like I said, I don't think it's Christians jobs to judge and condem anyone for how they live their life because we all sin and fall short. God is the one who makes the final judgement ( for those of us that are religious) and people will have to answer to him when they die. So I think that should be applied to Christian black families and Christians as a whole.

But I think it's also a bit unfair to tell religious people ( who aren't bigots or hateful people) that they have to give up their religious beliefs to acommdate others life decisions. But it is what it is. But no family black or other otherwise should disown or treat family members for being gay or non religious that is a ridiculous notion and I feel for anyone that has to deal with that.

 

[chamber-music]

I'm not bashing anyone's religious beliefs but realistically you can't stop people being gay so what is the point opposing it. You can disapprove all you want isn't going to change the fact gay people exist.

Homosexually has been around since the dawn of our species most likely.

States have tried have killing gay people, imprisoning gay, castrating gay people, shaming gay people and it has not stopped people being gay.

At a certain point you just have to be pragmatic and come to the conclusion to at least tolerate it if not accept it.

Uganda is one of the most hostile places on the planet for gay people. Its messed up when you see things like a 15 year old girl raped in Uganda to 'cure' her homosexuality.

But most religious people (and I'm not a Christian so I'm not just talking about Christians) do cherry pick and the thing they seem most outraged about is homosexuality along with women's sexuality on the whole. It's bothersome to me.

Some people tend to use religion as a smokescreen to justify their own views. A lack of courage to stand by their own convictions.

People with a faith and without one have used religion to further their own views.

 

[PyroChamber]

Seems like the ones who are constantly hating on people who are gay, or a different race, dating outside their race, or just different all around for one reason or another; are usually the ones who can't seem to mind their own business.

It's like why should you care about how someone lives their life, how is it affecting your life?